A pair of prescription glasses from a traditional optometrist's office can easily run $400 to $600 in Canada. Online, the same prescription in comparable frames starts at $9 to $19. If you're looking to buy glasses online in Canada and keep more of your money, the savings are significant.
This guide compares six retailers on the things that actually matter for Canadian shoppers: price, shipping speed, customs fees, return policies, and whether they can bill your insurance directly.
Why Buy Prescription Glasses Online Canada?
The most obvious reason to buy prescription glasses online is the price. The price difference comes down to overhead. Traditional optical stores carry costs for retail space, specialized equipment, and a limited frame selection. Online retailers, especially direct-to-consumer brands, skip most of that. A pair that costs $500 at the mall might run $30 to $80 online with the same lens quality.
The selection is also wider. A physical store might carry 200 to 300 frames. Online retailers like Zenni or EyeBuyDirect carry thousands. And most now offer virtual try-on tools that use your webcam to show how frames look on your face before you order.
The Best Places to Buy Glasses Online Canada: 6 Retailers Compared
| Retailer | Starting Price (CAD) | Free Shipping Threshold | Ships From | Return Window | Direct Insurance Billing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clearly | $19 | $99 | Vancouver, BC | 30 days (free returns) | Yes (TELUS eClaims) |
| KITS | $28 (first pair free promo available) | $99 | Vancouver, BC | 30 days (free returns) | Yes |
| Zenni Optical | ~$10 | $89 | Overseas/USA | 30 days (store credit) / 14 days (refund) | No (receipt for manual claim) |
| EyeBuyDirect | $9 | $119 | International/USA | 14 days (full refund) + 365-day defect guarantee | No (receipt for manual claim) |
| SmartBuyGlasses | $21 (outlet) | $89 | Overseas (customs guarantee) | 100 days (credit/exchange) | No (receipt for manual claim) |
| Warby Parker | $125 | Always free | USA (duties included) | 30 days (free returns) | No (receipt for manual claim) |
Clearly: Canadian-Based With Direct Insurance Billing
Clearly (formerly ClearlyContacts) is based in Vancouver and has been selling glasses online in Canada since 2000. Frames start at $19, and basic 1.50 index prescription lenses are included at no extra charge. Shipping is free on orders over $99 (otherwise $10.95), and because everything ships from within Canada, there are no customs or duty fees.
The standout feature for Canadian shoppers: Clearly offers direct insurance billing through TELUS eClaims. If your coverage is with Sun Life, Manulife, Canada Life, or another supported provider, you can have the cost billed directly to your plan at checkout, often paying $0 out of pocket. They also provide 30-day free returns with a prepaid shipping label.
New customers can usually find a 10-15% off code on the homepage or by signing up for the newsletter.
KITS: First Pair Free and Fast Canadian Shipping
KITS is also based in Vancouver and operates its own lab, which means faster turnaround than most competitors. Standard frames start at $28 with basic prescription lenses included.
The main draw: KITS runs a "First Pair Free" promotion that covers any KITS-brand frame up to a $99 value. You only pay for shipping (around $9.95 to $15 depending on location) and any lens upgrades. The promo code rotates, so check the KITS homepage for the current version before ordering. Like Clearly, KITS ships from Canada (no customs), offers 30-day free returns, and supports direct insurance billing for most major Canadian providers.
Zenni Optical: The Cheapest Glasses Online Canada
If price is the priority, Zenni has the lowest starting point. Complete pairs (frames plus basic 1.50 index lenses) start at roughly $10 CAD ($6.95 USD). Shipping to Canada is free over $89, otherwise $9.95 flat.
The trade-offs: Zenni may ship from overseas, so delivery might take longer (often two to three weeks). Prescription glasses are generally duty-free as medical devices, but GST/HST may be collected on higher-value orders. The return policy is tighter than Canadian-based competitors: 30 days for a one-time store credit, or only 14 days for an actual refund (minus original shipping costs). There's no direct insurance billing, but you get an itemized receipt for manual claims.
For the cheapest glasses online in Canada, Zenni is hard to beat on sticker price. New subscribers get 10% off their first order.
EyeBuyDirect: Frequent BOGO Sales
EyeBuyDirect starts at $9 for a complete pair, making it one of the go-to options for cheap glasses online in Canada. The brand is known for running near-constant Buy One Get One (BOGO) promotions. If you need two pairs (a spare for the car or a different style for work), the BOGO deal effectively halves your per-pair cost.
Shipping to Canada is free over $119, otherwise $9.95. They ship from international hubs but the .ca site generally doesn't add customs fees. The return window is shorter at 14 days for a full refund or replacement, but they back every pair with a 365-day guarantee against manufacturing defects. Insurance is manual claim only.
SmartBuyGlasses: Designer Glasses Online Canada
If you want Ray-Ban, Gucci, or Prada frames without the Sunglass Hut markup, SmartBuyGlasses carries a wide range of designer glasses online at lower prices. Their outlet section starts at $21 for frames with free basic lenses.
Because they ship from overseas, there's a risk of customs charges. SmartBuyGlasses addresses this with a 100% customs fee guarantee: if you get charged duties at the border, send them the receipt and they'll reimburse you in full. Shipping is free over $89. The return window is the longest on this list at 100 days for store credit or exchange. Insurance is manual claim only.
Warby Parker: Home Try-On Program
Warby Parker is the most expensive option here, starting at $125 for frames and basic prescription lenses. What you're paying for is design quality and a polished shopping experience.
Their home try-on program lets you pick five frames to be shipped to your house for free. You have five days to try them on, decide, and send back the ones you don't want before placing your actual order. Shipping and returns are always free, and they use "Delivered Duty Paid" shipping from the US, meaning the price at checkout includes all taxes and duties. Insurance is manual claim only.
How to Buy Prescription Glasses Online Canada
If you haven't ordered glasses online before, here's what you need.
Step 1: Get Your Prescription and PD
You need a valid prescription from an eye exam (usually valid for two years in Canada). By law, your optometrist must give you a copy. You'll also need your Pupillary Distance (PD), which measures the space between your pupils in millimetres. This tells the lab where to place the optical centre of each lens.
Many optometrists don't include PD on the prescription by default. If yours didn't, most online retailers (including Clearly, Zenni, and KITS) have digital tools that use your webcam or a credit card for scale to measure it at home.
Step 2: Choose Your Lenses
Every retailer will offer lens add-ons at checkout. Here's what's worth considering:
- Anti-reflective (AR) coating: Reduces glare and reflections. This is the one upgrade worth paying for on any pair.
- High-index lenses (1.61 or 1.67): Thinner and lighter than standard 1.50 index lenses. Worth it if your prescription is above +/- 4.00.
- Blue light filtering: Reduces blue light from screens. A "nice to have" if you spend long hours in front of a computer, but not medically necessary for most people.
Standard 1.50 index lenses with basic AR coating are included free or at minimal cost with most of the retailers listed above. Don't feel pressured into expensive upgrades unless your prescription specifically calls for them.
Step 3: Use Virtual Try-On
Most retailers offer a virtual try-on feature that uses your phone camera or a photo to show how frames look on your face. Pay attention to frame width: if you have a wider face, look for frames labelled "Wide" or "Large." Getting the width right matters more than the style for comfort.
Insurance and Direct Billing
Most private insurance plans in Canada (Sun Life, Manulife, Desjardins, Pacific Blue Cross, and others) treat online eyewear purchases the same as in-store ones. You're covered as long as the purchase is within your plan's allowance.
The difference is in how you get reimbursed:
- Direct billing (Clearly, KITS): The retailer bills your insurance at checkout through TELUS eClaims. You pay nothing (or just the difference if your plan doesn't cover the full amount). No paperwork on your end.
- Manual claim (Zenni, EyeBuyDirect, SmartBuyGlasses, Warby Parker): You pay the full price upfront, then submit the itemized receipt to your insurance provider for reimbursement.
If skipping the paperwork matters to you, Clearly and KITS are the two retailers that handle it for you. For affordable glasses online in Canada with zero upfront cost, combining direct billing with a sale or promo code is the move.
Customs and Duties
Prescription glasses are classified as medical devices and are generally duty-free when entering Canada. If you order from a Canadian-based retailer (Clearly or KITS), customs isn't a concern at all.
For US or internationally-based retailers (Zenni, EyeBuyDirect, Warby Parker), you typically won't pay duties, but your province's sales tax (GST/HST/PST) may be collected at the border on higher-value orders. Warby Parker avoids this entirely by using Delivered Duty Paid shipping (the price at checkout is the final price). SmartBuyGlasses offers a full reimbursement guarantee if you're charged anything at customs.
The Bottom Line
You can buy prescription glasses online in Canada for a fraction of what a traditional optometrist charges, and the lens quality meets the same optical standards regardless of whether you're paying $10 or $500 for the frames.
- For Canadians who want the smoothest experience with no customs hassle and direct insurance billing, Clearly and KITS are the straightforward choices.
- For the absolute lowest price, Zenni and EyeBuyDirect start under $10 a pair.
- For designer frames at a discount, SmartBuyGlasses carries the brand names.
- And if you want to try before you buy, Warby Parker's home try-on program ships five frames to your door for free.
Whatever your budget, there's no reason to pay full retail for glasses in 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my health insurance to buy glasses online in Canada?
Yes. Most private insurance plans cover online eyewear purchases the same as in-store ones. Clearly and KITS offer direct billing through TELUS eClaims, so you can pay $0 upfront if your plan covers the cost. Other retailers provide an itemized receipt you submit for manual reimbursement.
Do I have to pay customs or duties on online glasses shipped to Canada?
Prescription glasses are generally duty-free as medical devices. Orders from Canadian retailers (Clearly, KITS) have no customs risk at all. Orders from US or international retailers may be subject to provincial sales tax at the border but typically not duties. Warby Parker includes all taxes in the checkout price, and SmartBuyGlasses offers a full customs reimbursement guarantee.
Are cheap online glasses good quality?
The lenses are manufactured to the same optical standards whether they cost $10 or $500. The difference is in the frame materials: a $10 pair from Zenni will be basic acetate or lightweight metal, while a $125 pair from Warby Parker uses higher-end materials with a more polished finish. For backup pairs, reading glasses, or trying a new style without a large commitment, the budget options work well.
What is Pupillary Distance and how do I measure it?
Pupillary Distance (PD) is the distance between the centres of your pupils, measured in millimetres. It tells the lab where to position the optical centre of each lens. If your optometrist didn't include it on your prescription, most online retailers have a free digital tool on their website that measures it using your webcam and a credit card for scale.
Which is the best places to buy glasses online in Canada for first-time buyers?
KITS offers a "First Pair Free" promotion (you pay shipping only) that lets you try online glasses with minimal risk. Clearly is another strong option for first-time buyers because of its direct insurance billing and 30-day free returns with a prepaid label. Both ship from Canada, so there are no customs concerns.
