Stylish reading glasses quick picks
High-end reading glasses: Warby Parker Florian Readers
Budget reading glasses: Peepers Center Stage Readers
Blue-light-filtering reading glasses: Privé Revaux La Dulce Reader
According to the Vision Council inSights Research Program, a philanthropic foundation, over 34.5 million Americans wear over-the-counter reading glasses — with women 3% more likely to buy reading glasses online than men. And sadly, I am now one of those statistics. It all happened quickly. One day I could read the tiny instructions on the back of my shampoo bottle, and the next, I could not. When I went to my optometrist for my yearly checkup, he looked at me plaintively and said, “Welcome to your 40s.”
Since then, I have accumulated quite the collection of readers, which I strategically place around my home and in countless purses and bags. (Just ask my husband how much he likes that.) And ever since I bought that first pair of unsavory, utilitarian pharmacy readers nearly a decade back, I have been on a personal quest to find attractive, stylish readers.
What to look for in stylish reading glasses
Obviously your style is, well, your style. But there are a few things you should consider before you buy a pair of reading glasses online.
“If you already know what power reading glasses you use or are just replacing a pair, purchasing reading glasses online is a very simple process,” says Alysse Henkel, the senior director of market research and analytics at The Vision Council. Because you don’t need a prescription from an optometrist, you can just order them as you would a pair of sunglasses. “However, if you’re buying your first pair of reading glasses, you may want to buy that pair in person so you can try on multiple magnification strengths and see for yourself which best fits your needs,” she adds.
Of course, other than choosing the correct strength (I went from a 1.25 in my 40s to a 1.75 in my 50s), you’ll have to consider lots of different styles, shapes and sizes. And readers can vary greatly in price. “Some may have extra features like blue-light-blocking filters. Doing your own research across a variety of online retailers will help you ensure you are purchasing the best pair of reading glasses for your unique needs,” Henkel says.
But in the end, the most important thing is choosing the right pair for you. One thing to consider when ordering online is how they fit the size and shape of your face, and many sites, like the popular Warby Parker, offer a VR mode with a virtual try-on option (which I tried before I hit Buy, see below). This will let you see how they might look before you commit.
According to Henkel, all eyeglasses have three sets of numbers printed on the inside of the temple, or arm, of the frame. These numbers indicate the size of the lens, the width of the nose bridge and the length of the temple, and you’ll be able to find these listed in the product specifications. If you already have a pair, go ahead and match them. If not, you’ll want to make sure the online retailer you’re buying from has a good return or exchange policy.
Ready to make the move and get yourself those snazzy readers you’ve been dreaming about? After trying a bunch of different styles and brands at a range of price points, these are my seven favorite pairs. And if you want virtual try-on options before you buy, I found it simple with Warby Parker and Eyebuydirect. It’s offered with Peepers, but it didn’t work for me.
Stylish reading glasses
Most folks know Warby Parker for its trendy prescription frames you can nab at a fair price. But did you know they also offer readers? I ordered these acetate and stainless steel glasses, and I love how chic they are. I also adore how they mimic the classic aviator look but with a softer style. Plus, because they are not more traditional wire frames, they don’t get caught in my hair when I inevitably flip them up onto my head. I also love the brand's simple virtual try-on feature (above) because it helped me see exactly what they would look like on my face.
I like Eyebuydirect because it’s affordable and you have a ton of options to choose from. These Romy glasses come in five different colors and have a classic full-square shape. I chose the Clear Green color — though it tends to go out of stock quickly — but I would have no problem wearing these in one of the other four shades, including the Classic Black or Tortoise. I’m also a big fan of the Lowen style, which is more oversized and fun.
These more conservative readers come with an injected plastic frame in a dark tortoiseshell color. I like them because they come loaded with blue-light filtering at a modest price — best for those of us who spend much of our time in front of a screen. They also tend to fit most faces well and felt super comfortable when I wore them for longer periods of time.
Peepers was my first foray into readers territory and still has a spot in my middle-aged heart. These oversized Center Stage frames are one of the brand’s Oprah Picks, and at just $29, you won’t find a better deal. They no longer make the Honey Tortoise color I have, but I would grab them in any of the 13 different colors they do currently come in (I am especially coveting the Red).
These were my Amazon pick, and though I was worried they may not live up to my expectations in terms of quality, I was pleasantly surprised. They are snazzy enough to throw on in public and comfortable enough to wear for shorter periods of time, though they tend to feel flimsier than others on this list. Would I work in them for hours? Probably not. But I love the Crystal color and the aviator style, and I have no problem pulling them out to read a fancy menu by candlelight.
Dr. Jennifer Tsai, a board-certified optometrist and founder of Line of Sight, a concierge eye care practice in New York City, likes Izipizi when it comes to finding more stylish frames. This #D Light Tortoise pair is timeless with its round shape, but its the spring hinges in the arms that make them comfortable for faces of all sizes. The website also has a Face Guide in case you want a better idea of which Izipizi readers might look best on the specific shape of your face.
These cat-eye frames are also a favorite of Tsai, and we appreciate their lower price point. All the brand's readers come with blue-light-filtering lenses, and these are completely crafted from polycarbonate (PC) plastic. They may not be as comfortable as some of the more expensive brands that have hinges for wider heads, but you can play around with different shapes at this price.
FAQs
The following FAQs have been answered by The Vision Council’s Alysse Henkel and board-certified optometrist Dr. Jennifer Tsai.
Meet our experts
For this article, we consulted the following experts to gain their professional insights:
- Alysse Henkel, senior director of market research and analytics at The Vision Council
- Dr. Jennifer Tsai, board-certified optometrist and founder of Line of Sight, a concierge eye care practice in New York City
Why trust CNN Underscored
CNN Underscored has a team of writers and editors who have many years of experience testing, researching and recommending products, and they ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when it makes sense to ensure we are testing each product accurately, recommending only the best products and considering the pros and cons of each item. For this article, we spoke to experts in the field to learn as much about how to choose the best stylish glasses as possible.
Tobey Grumet Segal is the health, food and fitness editor for CNN Underscored. She also covers wine, spirits and cocktails. When she's not testing, tasting or working out, you can find her in Brooklyn with her husband and two sons enjoying NYC's best theater, restaurants and culture.
