Zenni Optical Review: 6 Things to Know Before Your First Order

6 Things to Know Before Ordering From Zenni Optical

• What is Zenni Optical?
• How Much Do Zenni Glasses Cost?
• What's Available at Zenni Optical?
• What You'll Need Before Ordering
• How to Order Glasses From Zenni Optical
• Zenni Optical's Return Policy

1. What is Zenni Optical?

The company has its own state-of-the-art production facility, which allows them to cut outsourcing costs for manufacturing, licensing fees, warehousing and more. That means you'll be paying the absolute minimum for Zenni glasses.

<span style="font-weight: 400;">"Because of the online sellers, Costco doesn't have the price advantage anymore," says <a href="https://clark.com/about-clark/clark-howards-bio/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">money expert Clark Howard</a>. "The online sellers where you just take your prescription, fill it in online and your glasses come in two to three weeks…they're so much cheaper than anyone else."</span>

2. How Much Do Zenni Glasses Cost?

Compared to most glasses retailers, Zenni's prices are nearly unbelievable. You can find men's and women's glasses starting at $6.95 with select styles on the higher end of the scale at $50. Children's glasses begin at $10 and go up to nearly $30. 

In addition to basic prescription lenses, Zenni also offers progressives and bifocals for equally impressive prices. Progressive lenses begin at $27.95 and bifocals start as low as $17. 

<span style="font-weight: 400;">"If you just need a basic pair of glasses, frames, lenses, complete including shipping, you should be able to do that whole thing for roughly $15," says Clark. "If you need progressive lenses or bifocals, you can run the pair of eyeglasses up at Zenni to as much as $60…  but compare that to what you've paid in the past!"</span>

3. What’s Available at Zenni Optical?

The online retailer carries a huge selection of glasses and sunglasses including a variety of frame styles and lens features. You can browse the available glasses online.

Zenni offers more than 2,200 unique frames to choose from, including women's, men's and children's styles. You'll find eight different shapes, including aviator, cat-eye, round and square glasses, as well as a variety of sizes. There's also a fair selection of both plastic and metal frames. 

• Bifocals
• Progressives
• Single-vision distance or reading glasses
• Prescriptions with prism corrections
• Non-prescription glasses
• Astigmatism-correcting lenses
• Protective goggles and glasses
• Mid-index and high-index lenses
• Impact-resistant polycarbonate lenses
• Polarized lenses
• Mirrored lenses
• Trivex lenses
• Lens coating

While some of these options (like bifocals) may be required for your prescription, while others (like coated lenses) can be avoided in order to reduce the final cost. One member of Team Clark, Nicole, has ordered glasses from Zenni Optical multiple times in the past. She recommends that you keep the features to a minimum in order to avoid a higher-than-necessary total.

For more information on special prescriptions and additional features, be sure to check out Zenni's FAQ page.

4. What You’ll Need Before Ordering

Before you sit down to place your order, make sure you have all the necessary information. Most importantly, you'll need to know your up-to-date prescription and your pupillary distance.

Your pupillary distance may or may not be listed in the same place. If it isn't, the best way to get it is by calling your eye doctor's office. Alternatively, you can measure your pupillary distance at home following the instructions provided by Zenni.

5. How to Order Glasses From Zenni Optical

To get started, narrow your search by the type of prescription you'll need and any preferences that you have as far as color, shape, material and size. If you aren't sure which types of frames you will like, consider going to a nearby store to try on a few different sizes and styles first. Once you've found something you like in person, look for a similar frame online at Zenni.

Zenni also offers a virtual try-on tool that allows you to record a short video and select frames to see what they'd look like on your face. As you find glasses that you like, you can add them to your favorites and continue to browse. 

Once you've decided on the frames, click "select lenses" and enter your prescription. This is when you'll need to have your prescription information and pupillary distance handy. After you've entered all the required information, you should be able to place your order. 

If you need any additional help ordering from Zenni Optical, watch the company's video on how to order your glasses online, browse the FAQ page or contact Zenni's customer service.

6. Zenni Optical’s Return Policy

While Zenni doesn't offer a try-on period or extended warranty, you do have 30 days to return your glasses. 

To make a return, you'll have to call Zenni within 30 days from the date you receive the glasses to request a return authorization number. You can return the glasses for a 50% refund or for a one-time-use 100% store credit. Both options exclude shipping. Still, Team Clark's Nicole believes you won't need to worry about returning them. 

<span style="font-weight: 400;">"Ever since discovering Zenni Optical, I haven't ordered glasses from anywhere else and I've ordered six pairs of glasses from them," she says. "The quality is great and the prices are even better!"</span>

For more information, check out Zenni's returns FAQ page.

Final Thoughts

Have you ever ordered from Zenni Optical? Tell us about your experience in the comments below!

More Clark.com Content to Help You Save on Glasses:

• The Best Places to Buy Eyeglasses
• Costco Optical vs. Warby Parker vs. Zenni Optical: Who Has the Best Prices on Glasses?
• America's Best Contacts & Glasses: 5 Things to Know

[ This article was originally published on Clark.com ]

The post Zenni Optical Review: 6 Things to Know Before Your First Order appeared first on Clark Howard.