If you have vision issues, you know that glasses and contact lenses can be an expense you can’t avoid without surgery. And contacts aren’t always cheap.
“There’s been a huge problem in America with price fixing on contact lenses,” says money expert Clark Howard. “That’s why if you’ve been a longtime contact lens wearer, you’ve seen the prices skyrocket for your lenses.”
Still, that doesn’t mean you have to pay top dollar to get what you need. There are ways to get cheap contact lenses, and that often involves taking your prescription and buying your contacts from a discounter.
Team Clark has compared the prices at 10 reputable online retailers known for having some of the best prices on contacts, and you might be surprised to find how much you may have been overpaying!
This article was updated in November 2024 and I review it every 6 months. Detailed notes on all updates can be found here.
The Best Prices on Prescription Contacts
To find out where to shop for the cheapest selection of contact lenses, Team Clark researched the best prices available for a few of the most popular contact lens brands in November 2023.
Note that, to order your contact lenses from any reputable source, you’ll need a current, valid prescription.
Some of these prices are eligible for additional savings, rebates and promotions that can be found on the retailers’ websites or at sites such as Coupons.com and RetailMeNot.
Below, you’ll see the prices we found at ten of the best low-cost online retailers of prescription contact lenses as of November 4, 2023. (The prices below are subject to change at any time.) You may have to scroll horizontally across the table to see all the prices.
| 1800 Contacts | Contacts Direct (formerly Coastal) | Costco | Walgreens | Walmart | AC Lens | Discount Contact Lenses | Lens.com | Contact Lens King | Lens Direct | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acuvue 2 (6-pack) | $39.99 | $36.86 | $29.87 | $41.99 | $43.86 | $34.99 | $34.99 | $8.94 | $32.95 | $34.39 |
| Acuvue Oasys (12-pack) | $71.99 | $76.99 | $56.87 | $93.99 | $87.86 | $74.99 | $40.99 | $23.99 | $70.95 | $66.39 |
| Biofinity (6-pack) | $44.79 | $39.49 | $32.87 | $56.99 | $46.00 | $40.99 | $40.99 | $10.29 | $38.95 | $41.59 |
| Dailies AquaComfort Plus (90-pack) | $63.99 | $64.61 | $44.87 | $75.99 | $68.36 | $64.99 | $63.99 | $26.79 | $60.95 | $55.99 |
| Air Optix (6-pack) | $67.99 | $49.49 | $41.87 | $62.99 | $61.86 | $42.99 | $51.99 | $10.49 | $40.95 | $35.99 |
When looking at the top five best prices for each product, it’s clear that Costco, Lens.com, Contact Lens King and Lens Direct consistently come out on top.
When it comes to getting the best deal on prescription contacts, there’s more to consider than just the base price per box. These retailers offer unique discounts and promotions — and sometimes charge fees — that you’ll need to be aware of.
Customer service is also a factor when deciding where to shop. Be sure to familiarize yourself with each company’s return policies, the user-friendliness of the site and the availability of customer support. You can check the Better Business Bureau for ratings and reviews.
Where To Buy Cheap Contact Lenses
Even after processing fees, shipping and discounts, or even if you don’t wear any of the specific brands included above, there’s still a good chance you’ll find the best price for your contact lenses at one of the five stores we’ve listed below.
Contact Lens King
This retailer offers contacts that are FSA and HSA eligible. Several of the most popular products are also eligible for free shipping with no minimum purchase amount, which can help you save a ton. While you may not see many coupons or promo codes, the sale prices themselves make Contact Lens King a great place to shop for cheap contact lenses. Just be sure to watch the processing fee per box, which can get high if you’re ordering in bulk.
Lens.com
Much like Contact Lens King, ordering contacts from Lens.com is a great way to find the best price per box. The processing fees are significantly lower, though standard shipping costs $9.95. Still, if you find your brand is cheaper at Lens.com, you can save more by buying as many lenses as you need in the same order!
Costco
“One way that Costco’s a game-changer is if you wear contact lenses,” Clark says, pointing out that Costco has some of the lowest prices across the board. In addition to filling prescriptions for most trusted brands at some of the best prices, Costco often offers deals and rebates. For example, you can save up to $95 when you buy eight boxes of Costco’s Kirkland Signature daily disposable contacts (90-pack).
If you’ve never dealt with Costco Optical, check out our article on four things to know about it here.
AC Lens
AC Lens is another great place to shop for cheap contact lenses. You’ll find good prices on a big selection of the most popular brands, and new customers are eligible to save 20% with promo code A13C55L9 (valid as of November 4, 2023). These prices compare well with similar online retailers, and you’ll also get free shipping on orders of $99 or more.
Lens Direct
You’ll also find great prices on contact lenses at Lens Direct. In fact, I found one of the cheapest prices there for a six-pack of Air Optix. You can get a 20% discount when you sign up for automatic refill when you place your order. Additionally, you may see limited-time offers to help you save on the website. As of November 2023, Lens Direct offered 20% off all contact lens orders plus free shipping on orders over $49.
Conclusion
You’ll most likely be able to find the best base price for prescription contacts at Lens.com or Lens Direct, but be mindful of the fees you may not see until you go to the checkout page.
Costco is a great place to shop for the best deals and rebates, while AC Lens and Contact Lens King also offer good discounts at comparable prices.
Stores like Walmart, Walgreens, 1-800 Contacts, Discount Contact Lenses and Contacts Direct (formerly Coastal) are also great places to compare prices just to make sure you’re getting the best deal and not missing any promotions.
Other stores to consider include Contacts Cart, LensCrafters and America’s Best. I found that stores like Eyeconic were typically more expensive.
More Ways To Save
- Always compare prices with tools such as Google Shopping and ContactsPrice.
- Check in-store promotions and websites such as Coupons.com and RetailMeNot.
- Consider buying more boxes of contacts at a time, especially if you know you’ll end up needing them before your next eye exam.
- If you think you’re paying too much for contact lenses, ask your doctor to recommend a more affordable brand that works for you!
Article Updates
- November 4, 2023: Updated pricing for all 10 retailers and verified the accuracy of discounts.
