Best Reading Glasses 2024 – Forbes Vetted

When it comes to shopping for reading glasses, there’s a long list of features to keep in mind: lens quality and magnification, frame weight and materials, durability (because we all sit on or drop our glasses, eventually) and value for the price. The best reading glasses—including our top pick overall, GlassesUSA—score high in each of these categories, while also managing to look cool and stylish enough for everyday wear.

frames and include comfortable lens options.

Illustration: Forbes / Photo: Retailers

At Forbes Vetted, we’ve written extensively about eyewear, and as a team of bespectacled editors, we’ve researched everything from the best places to buy glasses online to the best blue-light-blocking glasses. We put that expertise to the test here when making our selections; then, deputy editor and in-house style expert Kari Molvar approved our picks. Below, we’ve assembled a guide to help you find the best reading glasses depending on your specific eyewear needs, style preferences and budget.

Turnaround time: 7 to 10 business days | Return policy: 14 days, no questions asked | Insurance accepted: Yes, as well as HSA/FSA | Virtual try-on: Yes | Virtual Rx renewal: Yes

What’s notable: Enjoy excellent selection, a virtual “mirror” feature that lets you upload your photo and try on frames and free shipping and returns.
What could be better: Glasses orders with multifocal lenses have a longer turnaround time, so plan accordingly.

GlassesUSA sells almost 300 styles of reading glasses and the price you see is very transparent; its frames include free single-vision lenses (if you opt for progressives or special features like blue light-blocking coating, the cost will go up). It also offers virtual try-ons and free shipping and returns, if your readers aren’t exactly right for you. The Muse Elle is a versatile, classic choice: the frame compliments many face shapes, the price is reasonable and it comes in three colors.

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Turnaround time: 1 to 2 business days | Return policy: 90 days | Insurance accepted: Yes, as well as HSA/FSA | Virtual try-on: Yes | Virtual Rx renewal: Yes

What’s notable: All reading glasses cost $29 or less, single-vision lens included.
What could be better: Returns aren’t free (a $4 label fee is deducted from refund).

Peepers specializes in reading glasses and it has a great menu of online services, including a virtual try-on tool to help you find the best styles, an optical guide that helps nail down that best fit (down to the millimeter) and the ability to test your vision to determine which magnification strength you need. The frames are also affordable—all 150 reading glasses cost $29 or less, and many including blue light protection. The Creekside has a universally flattering rounded silhouette, three easy-to-wear tortoise colors and a durable recycled polycarbonate frame. The lightweight lenses, which are available up to a +4.0 prescription, come with blue light protection, anti-reflective coating, UVA/UVB protection and more.

Turnaround time: 1+ business days | Return policy: 60 days | Insurance accepted: No, but HSA/FSA is accepted | Virtual try-on: No | Virtual Rx renewal: No

What’s notable: Most frames are available in stronger prescriptions like +3.5 and +4.0.
What could be better: Tinted lenses may take an extra five to seven days to ship.

Caddis is all about making reading glasses fun, not a depressing sign of aging. From lens tints to 70s-inspired silhouettes, its reading glasses are the kind you’ll actually want to show off. The D28s have many customization options like 12 frame colors, eight lens tints and two frame sizes to choose from. The slightly oversized, square frame is an ideal pairing for oval, round and heart-shaped faces.

Turnaround time: 1 to 5 business days | Return policy: 90 days, no questions asked | Insurance accepted: Not listed | Virtual try-on: Yes | Virtual Rx renewal: No

What’s notable: Donate or recycle your old frames for 25% off a new pair.
What could be better: Not every style is available in every lens type.

Look Optic specializes in reading glasses with an emphasis on quality and style. Expect ultra-lightweight frames in clean silhouettes, versatile color options and a focus on sustainability that appeals to fashionable, discerning shoppers. The Lois has a vintage-inspired design and lightweight yet durable, recycled frame.

Turnaround time: 7 to 10 business days | Return policy: 30 days | Insurance accepted: Yes, as well as HSA/FSA | Virtual try-on: Yes | Virtual Rx renewal: Yes

What’s notable: Warby Parker offers wider widths and durable frames. The try-at-home program helps you decide which frames are best before committing.
What could be better: Readers only go up to +2.75 strength.

An eyeglass disruptor since their 2010 launch with its in-house designs and free try-on-at-home service, Warby Parker sells a number of styles for men that come in wide and extra-wide sizing. Its reader lenses are free with frame purchase and include scratch resistance, anti-reflective coating and 100% UVA/UVB protection. The clean-line, square Fletcher style is a bestseller made of impact-resistant polycarbonate and comes in four colors, three widths and even a low-bridge fit.

Turnaround time: 3 to 5 business days | Return policy: 14 days | Insurance accepted: Not listed | Virtual try-on: No | Virtual Rx renewal: No

What’s notable: A $15 protection plan covers one pair of readers for two years, and Diff donates a portion of every purchase to charity.
What could be better: You have to spend at least $40 to get free shipping.

Diff Eyewear not only focuses on style with its high-quality handmade frames, it also stays true to its philanthropic roots by donating glasses and eyecare to people in need for every Diff purchase. From sleek cat eye to modern round to minimal wire frames, its styles are versatile, durable and available in smaller widths to accommodate petite faces. Eaton’s personal pick, the Weston, has a scholarly look with a twist—a slightly chunky frame with unexpected top angles make a statement. Add in scratch-resistant polymer lenses and an option to upgrade to a high-quality blue light protection, and these frames relieve eye strain while improving vision clarity.

Turnaround time: 3 to 5 business days | Return policy: 30 days, no questions asked | Insurance accepted: Yes, as well as HSA/FSA | Virtual try-on: Yes | Virtual Rx renewal: Yes

What’s notable: Felix Grey lenses block 15 times more blue light than other brands’ versions.
What could be better: There are no bifocal lenses available.

Digital eye strain is a side effect from looking at screens and Felix Grey is committed to protecting delicate eyes from blue light, which can lead to dry, tired eyes, headaches and possibly poor sleep. All of its readers include a proprietary lens technology that infuses the blue light filter into the lens material, rather than an external coating, all without a colored tint (but an amber tint is also available if you prefer that look). The Nash stands out as a favorite due to the medium frame size that works on many face shapes and its light weight won’t weigh you down after extended hours of wear.

Turnaround time: 7 to 14 business days | Return policy: 14 days, no questions asked | Insurance accepted: Yes with claim submission, as well as HSA/FSA | Virtual try-on: Yes | Virtual Rx renewal: No

What’s notable: It can take several days (or weeks) to get used to progressives, so you can return pairs within 14 days if the prescription doesn’t feel quite right.
What could be better: Free shipping is only on orders of $119 or more.

EyeBuyDirect aims to create a simple shopping experience for customers with all types of vision needs including progressive lenses, which seamlessly correct vision at multiple distances, eliminating the need for separate reading glasses. It offers over 1,600 progressive frame styles and lens customization options like blue-light blocking, UV protection and premium lenses that work with smaller frames. The Vinyl has a modern shape and large frame size that fits its standard progressive lenses—which run a bit larger than regular readers—in order to provide enough clarity for multi-distance viewing.

Turnaround time: 10 to 12 business days | Return policy: 30 days, no questions asked | Insurance accepted: Yes, as well as HSA/FSA | Virtual try-on: No | Virtual Rx renewal: No

What’s notable: There are over 11,000 bifocal-eligible styles available, including designer frames.
What could be better: There is a $9 fee for returns unless there’s a defect or other warranty issue.

Bifocals are similar to progressives in that they correct near and far vision in one lens, but there’s a visible line separating the lens in two: the top half is for seeing distance and the bottom half is for reading. Frames Direct has thousands of bifocals from high-quality designer and in-house brands, and you can search by brand, color, frame material and more. It may take a couple weeks for your eyes to get used to bifocals, so you have 30 days to return them if you have any issues. The Ray-Ban B5228 is a versatile pick that comes in three frame sizes, 17 color options and an anti-glare lens coating for vision clarity.

Turnaround time: 10 to 14 business days | Return policy: 30 days, no questions asked | Insurance accepted: HSA/FSA only | Virtual try-on: No | Virtual Rx renewal: No

What’s notable: Each pair has unique magnetic hardware for swapping out frames.
What could be better: The top frames are a little fragile, so handle them with care.

If choosing one color of readers feels like too big a commitment, Pair Eyewear is the solution you’ve been searching for. It offers over 25 styles, then for an extra fee you can add a top frame that clicks onto the base frame, instantly transforming your look without having to buy yet another pair of reading specs. If you end up buying a handful of top frames, Pair also sells a case or a magnetized wall hanger for storing up to six of them. Forbes Vetted contributor Becky Eaton opted for the Soto base reader frames in clear and added a black non-prescription sunglasses top frame. “Now I can read outside without having to awkwardly wear two pairs of glasses at the same time,” she says.

Why Trust Forbes Vetted

The Forbes Vetted team has researched, written and published a large catalog of eyewear stories, connecting readers with high-quality glasses that fit their day-to-day needs.
The author of this particular article, Becky Eaton, is a frequent contributor to Forbes Vetted and wears reading glasses herself.
All of the picks on this list were approved by deputy editor Kari Molvar, who holds a certificate in fashion styling from the Business of Fashion.
We regularly refresh this article to ensure all product information and pricing is accurate. It was last updated in March 2024 by fashion writer Claire Epting.

How We Chose Best Reading Glasses

We carefully researched reading glasses retailers, analyzing best-selling styles, lens options and real customer reviews.
We focused not only on brands’ style offerings, but also on value, whether insurance and FSA/HSA is accepted and whether each retailer offers convenient digital features like virtual try-on tools and online prescription renewals.
Budget was also taken into account; we included reading glasses retailers that offer styles from high-end brands as well as companies that offer in-house designs at affordable prices, like Peepers.
Eaton owns reading glasses from Diff Eyewear and Pair Eyewear, and she shared her personal favorite styles from each retailer.

What To Consider When Shopping For Reading Glasses

There’s a number of factors to think about when picking out reading glasses. Obviously you want a style and color that suits you, but what else should be considered? Read on for more advice:

Prescription

Unlike glasses made for viewing distances, reading glasses have magnification qualities and the prescription is measured in positive numbers. A general range available at most online reading glass retailers is +1.0 to +4.0, and you can simply select the magnification when ordering. Most people who are new to reading glasses require a low prescription, typically a +1.0, to start. Note that reading glasses are considered a general fix, intended just for seeing things up close, and don’t require a doctor’s note to purchase.

Face Shape

When picking out a reading glasses frame, aim “to create contrast between your face shape and frames,” says Kari Molvar, Forbes Vetted’s senior fashion editor. “You can also be a blend of two types of face shapes.” Below, our handy visual guide for reference:

contrast with your face shape.

ILLUSTRATION: Ada Comonfort for FORBES

Blue Light Protection

The blue light emitted from screens—including computers, tablets, phones and TVs—can lead to eye strain, dryness and even poor sleep after extended viewing hours. Some of our favorite reader picks include built-in blue light protection and some brands offer an add-on option for a fee. While it certainly can’t hurt to add blue light-blocking protection given how ubiquitous screens are in our lives nowadays, be aware that it can sometimes add a slight tone to your lenses. If you’re looking for blue light protection with a clear lens, check out Felix Grey’s blue light readers.

How Do I Know If I Need Reading Glasses?

As we age, the eye’s lens loses its flexibility and has trouble focusing at an up-close distance. Generally speaking, people start to notice a shift in their near vision after age 40. There are a few telltale signs that might signal a need for reading glasses, in which case you’ll want to book an appointment with your eye doctor:

You have to hold a book or menu differently—usually farther away—in order to read the words clearly.
You find yourself squinting to focus your up-close vision.
You can’t see clearly in dim lighting and need to brighten the lights or use your phone flashlight.
You have trouble reading text on your phone, tablet or computer and need to brighten the screen or enlarge the type size.
You notice reading or other detailed tasks can cause eye strain, headaches or even poor sleep.

If you experience any of the above regularly, it’s best to book an appointment with an eye doctor for a vision assessment. While over-the-counter reading glasses don’t require a doctor’s prescription, we recommend getting an eye exam just to be sure there aren’t any other issues that could be affecting your vision.

How Do I Know What Strength Reading Glasses I Need?

Reading glasses act like a magnifying glass, making objects in your up-close field of vision slightly larger and clearer. An optometrist can accurately test your vision and tell you what strength you need. If you prefer to skip the appointment, some reading glasses brands, like Peepers, offer their own reading glasses vision tests. These tests use a printable diopter chart that shows text at varying sizes—smaller text at the top, larger at the bottom. When holding the chart 12 to 14 inches from your face, read from top to bottom and stop when you can clearly read the line of text. The corresponding magnification is what you should get for your readers.

If you’ve never worn reading glasses before, most people start with a low magnification like a +0.75 or +1.0. This usually has a noticeable impact in improving your up-close vision; from there on it’s an easy baseline to measure against if you need to upgrade to the next magnification level, usually in +0.25 increments.

Can I Wear Reading Glasses All Day?

Technically you could wear your readers all day if you really wanted to, but it’s not recommended. Since reading glasses are specifically made for seeing clearly at close distances, you won’t have the best far distance vision. Plus, there could be a potential risk for permanently affecting your vision by making your eyes focus through a magnification lens unnecessarily. For that reason, it’s best to wear readers only for up-close tasks like using your phone or other handheld tech, computer time, crafts and other detail-oriented activities, and reading, of course.

If you need vision correction for both up-close and far distances, talk to your eye doctor about bifocals or progressive readers. Like its name suggests, a multifocal lens gives you clarity at multiple distances, allowing you to wear your glasses—and see—all day long. If you need suggestions, check out our guide to the best places to buy glasses online.