Warby Parker vs EyeBuyDirect

If you’re planning on buying your next pair of glasses, whether sunglasses or eyeglasses, you must have stumbled upon Warby Parker and EyeBuyDirect.

These two are popular in the industry and offer amazing choices. However, it can be a little difficult to decide between Warby Parker vs EyeBuyDirect.

In this article, we’ll go through every detail to help you make your choice. We’ll also go through styles, affordability, experience, accessories, and prices.

Warby Parker vs EyeBuyDirect: Styles and Choices

Anyone who wears glasses will tell you that they aren’t just a functional tool to see the world more clearly, but also a fashion and personal statement.

Everyone has their distinctive style and personality that often shines through the frames of their glasses. And if you’re big on expressing yourself through fashion items, you’ll love what Warby Parker has to offer.

Warby Parker has a wide selection of styles, so whether you like thin or thick frames, are looking for aviators or cat-eyes, or seek glasses whose color matches your outfits, you’ll find something that suits you.

On top of that, you can apply some customizations to your eyewear, like adjusting frame widths, getting blue-light-filtering lenses, or anti-fatigue ones.

EyeBuyDirect has good options as well, but they aren’t as plentiful as what Warby Parker has to offer.

Warby Parker’s Spiderman-Inspired Collection

You can’t talk about collections without mentioning Warby Parker’s collaboration with Marvel, which resulted in a collection of limited-edition eyeglasses and sunglasses, inspired by Spiderman 2’s characters.

These include the Peter Parker II, Miles Morales II, Mary Jane and Venom sunglasses, and the Miles Morales and Peter Parker eyeglasses.

While you’re playing the game, you can visit plenty of Warby Parker’s locations all around New York as well as spot some frames on the characters in the game.

Winner: Warby Parker.

Warby Parker vs EyeBuyDirect: Lenses

Warby Parker has a standard lens package that offers single-vision polycarbonate (1.59) lenses with UV-blocking, superhydrophobic (water-resistant), anti-reflective, and anti-scratch coating.

However, they don’t have plenty of options when it comes to customizability, since plenty already exist in the standard package.

You can opt for high-index lenses (1.67) which will cost about $30 more, and ultra high-index (1.74) which will cost $130 more.

Warby Parker also doesn’t give you customization when it comes to sunglasses tints, with each frame coming with a standard shade.

Finally, their single-vision prescription sunglasses come at $80, with anti-scratch, UV-blocking, and polarization coatings.

On the other hand, EyeBuyDirect’s standard package offers single-vision 1.50-index lenses with anti-reflective and anti-scratch coatings for $6.95—quite a sweet deal.

You can opt for UV-blocking coating, which will cost $4.45 extra. However, polycarbonate is the best option for UV-blocking, and EyeBuyDirect offers that at $18.95. The 1.50 index doesn’t offer UV-blocking at all.

Moreover, you can get a 1.74 index for strong prescriptions at $84.95.

Their sunglasses with only tint come at $4.95, while the polarized ones cost $49 extra. You can opt for photochromic lenses at $35.95, which have light-adjusting capabilities. Finally, they have Transitions lenses, which they offer for $99.

Winner: Tie.

Warby Parker vs EyeBuyDirect: Prices

EyeBuyDirect offers plenty of basic lenses and frames at every price point, making it a more suitable choice for those on a tighter budget. You can find options starting from $6!

Contrarily, Warby Parker’s frames start at a premium price of $95, although they make up for the hefty price with uncontested quality.

It’s also worth noting that compared to the prices you’ll find on the market, Warby Parker still offers affordable options.

You can sort frames by price on EyeBuyDirect to browse through options within your budget. However, this option isn’t available at Warby Parker, whose glasses have a set price of $95, $145, and $195.

Yet, a pair of lenses of the same specs and quality will cost about the same, whether you get them from EyeBuyDirect or Warby Parker.

EyeBuyDirect has plenty of offers and promotions, making it easier to find a bargain there.

In terms of payment options, you can pay with your credit or debit card in both stores. EyeBuyDirect offers PayPal and Amazon payments, while Warby Parker offers in-network insurance (select providers) and Apply Pay options.

Winner: EyeBuyDirect.

Warby Parker vs EyeBuyDirect: Experience

Although you’d pay more with Warby Parker, it does give you a bang for your buck!

While both Warby Parker and EyeBuyDirect offer virtual try-on options, only Warby Parker gives you the freedom to try five glasses (select options) in the comfort of your home, totally free.

Not to mention, it offers free shipping, unlike EyeBuyDirect, which offers free shipping on items above $99, and a $5.95 to $19 standard shipping fee.

EyeBuyDirect has a 1-year defect replacement warranty and a 14-day return window, while Warby Parker offers a 365-day free lens replacement and a 30-day return window.

Winner: Warby Parker.

Warby Parker vs EyeBuyDirect: Customer Service

Generally speaking, EyeBuyDirect doesn’t get a lot of reviews with issues concerning returns or exchanges. 

However, a lot of people think that their shipping times are super long and that it’s not easy to contact customer service regarding shipment status.

On the other hand, Warby Parker highly caters to the customer’s needs, giving their associates the green light to offer unexpected assistance to their customers.

The experience overall is personable, whether online or in-store. 

Winner: Warby Parker.

Warby Parker vs EyeBuyDirect: Extras

Warby Parker offers some adjacent items like playing cards and books, which can make the shopping experience more fun.

You can get a lens-cleaning spray kit to provide your glasses with maintenance or a foldable magnetic hard case for portability when you don’t want to wear your glasses.

On the other hand, EyeBuyDirect lets you add small crystals to your lenses for $10, which can add some extra flair.

They also offer digital screen-specific lenses, EyeZen Lenses, which combine blue-light blocking lenses with a reading enhancement (ADD power) at the bottom of the lenses. This serves to prevent eye strain for those who spend hours on end in front of their screens.

Winner: EyeBuyDirect.

Warby Parker vs EyeBuyDirect: Physical Stores

Warby Parker is a huge name in the glasses industry, and they offer both online and offline shopping options.

So, if you’re the type to enjoy going around and trying multiple glasses on a shopping spree, you’ll love the fact that you can order online or go to one of their many brick-and-mortar locations.

In contrast, EyeBuyDirect is an online-only retailer, which means that you don’t always make the purchase with full conviction. Not to mention, its return policy is 14 days, which is 16 days shorter than Warby Parker’s 30-day policy.

Winner: Warby Parker.

Final Thoughts

Warby Parker has emerged as a winner in plenty of aspects, and there are many reasons why. 

Although it’s not as affordable as EyeBuyDirect, you get plenty of value for your money when you shop for your eyewear there.

They have virtual and at-home try-on options, high-quality lenses in the standard package, stellar customer service, and a great overall experience.

On the other hand, EyeBuyDirect is the best option if you’re prioritizing affordability and aren’t looking for all the bells and whistles. Except for the ones you can’t live without, as EyeBuyDirect allows you to make customizations according to your needs and preferences.