Warby Parker sells premium prescription glasses for men and women, offering their products at reasonable prices through a direct-to-consumer model. Founded on a rebellious spirit, the owners set out to produce affordable designer eyewear by cutting the middleman out of their process.
Warby Parker was born out of the desire to create an accessible alternative. The founders’ previous work with non-profit organizations influenced their charitable business practices. Part of their socially conscious business model is their “Buy a Pair, Give a Pair” program, helping to alleviate impaired vision around the world by providing people with free access to eyewear. So far, they’ve distributed over five million pairs across the globe.
Before you order a pair of Warby Parker frames, you’ll first need a valid eyeglasses prescription and a report on pupillary distance (PD), which measures the distance between your pupils. This is used to help center your prescription correctly in your frames.
In case you don’t have a PD with your prescription, there are online tools available to help you measure the distance between your pupils. Then you can write down the results on your prescription, scan and submit it to Warby Parker by email. The Warby Parker app called “Prescription Check,” allows customers to renew their prescriptions from their laptops and iPhones.
If you would like to sign up for a comprehensive eye exam, you can visit select Warby Parker stores, including new locations in Canada. Depending on the location, some eye exams are done by independent optometrists.
Warby Parker frames are the most stylish designs on the market, and the care that goes into them makes your eyeglasses extra durable. With over a hundred styles to choose from, this Warby Parker glasses review showcases a few of their most popular frames.
The Percey Striped Sassafras mimic the aesthetics of the wild, vibrant Sassafras (trees) found in Ontario and several US states. Using hand-polished cellulose acetate, these bookish classics are built with round lenses and an attractive keyhole bridge. Available in either extra narrow, narrow, medium, or wide, the Percey is offered in ten different styles and are designed to fit everyone.
The Striped Sassafras, Chestnut Crystals, and Root Beer with Ecru start at $95 and include prescription lenses. You also can make three easy payments of $32. If you have more to spend and want something uber-stylish, check out the trendy Oak Barrel with Cerulean, along with the Rose Crystal with Riesling Endcaps.
Maybe you’re looking for more of a square design with a subtle keyhole bridge? The Felix models are another versatile and stylish staff pick available in medium width. The Felix Pacific Crystal is an elegant-looking pair of glasses that look great on a wide range of faces. Its shiny-grey exterior matches well with virtually any outfit.
Also made from hand-polished cellulose acetate, there are two other styles to choose from, Sandalwood Matte and Whiskey Tortoise. Prices start at $95, including prescription lenses, and you also can make three easy payments of $32.
Instead of listing more of the fabulous standard designs, we thought that for this Warby Parker glasses review you should be aware of their next level eyeglasses. Named after the Italian word for “link,” the Nesso Series is an assortment of Italian-made designs that take the idea of luxury and make it attainable at a reasonable price.
Designed with Indigo crystal and polished gold, the Nesso Series’ Lovell is one of five different designs for men. If you’re not into the Indigo look, however, you should know that the Lovell is also offered in a root beer style with polished gold.
Starting at $195, you can pick from five different designs: Garland, Whittier, Lovell, Harriet, and Florie. Created with lustrous detail, the front and back of the metal face are concealed by the smooth acetate. Each lens is also wrapped at the top and bottom with a metal ring.
Each design comes in upwards of 20 different styles and colors. The extra polish, along with the signature interlocking and creative wraparound accents, really sets them apart from the rest. If you’re looking for some quality glasses, the Italian-made options will have you dreaming of Sicily, even if you’ve never been there.
Some great news in this Warby Parker glasses review: every pair you order comes with prescription lenses. You also get your very own Warby Parker frames case and lens cloth to keep them safe. It’s worth noting that Warby Parker glasses come with anti-reflective, scratch-resistant lenses, designed to block out UV rays.
Single-vision: A type of prescription most people order for a specific type of vision they have (i.e. fear or far).
Progressives: Similar to bifocal and trifocal lenses, the progressives are designed to correct reading and distance vision, along with any other need you might have.
Non-prescription frames and readers: These are another type of “single-vision prescription” you can pick that provide magnification.
Prism: These lenses are sometimes recommended by physicians if your eyes have difficulty working together.
Clear: For complete, uncoloured vision.
Light-responsive: To easily transition sight from the clear indoors to the dark outdoors, these lenses are designed to adapt to the light of your environment.
If you are looking for a substitute for regular lenses, blue-light-filtering lenses are worth exploring. In a world where we increasingly spend more time in front of screens, Warby Parker blue light glasses also have built-in technology to help protect your eyes from strain.
These blue-light-filtering lenses are offered in polycarbonate or 1.67 high-index material that is used to block out both UVA and UVB rays. They are designed with a higher amount of blue light than their standard lenses and also include superhydrophobic (water-repelling) treatments.
Blue-light-filtering lenses are available for an additional $50 when you make your order.
With close to 40 sunglasses designs to choose from at Warby Parker, it can be tough to know which ones are the best for you. In this Warby Parker glasses review, we’ll take a look at several staff picks to help guide you.
Keep in mind that you can try on five pairs at a time, at home, for free!
Inspired by smooth, sanded oak, the Durand Oak Resin Matte is perfect for those days on the beach when you want to relax and hide behind some shades that work like tinted windows. Available in medium and wide sizes, the Durand has three distinct styles to choose from: Rose Water, Oak Resin Matte and Whiskey Tortoise with Classic Blue lenses.
The Durand is kind of a “middle of the pack” model, as they are not entirely square, or round. This makes for a nice, balanced look and feel for those days under the glaring sun. Prices in the US start at $95 and include polarized lenses or three easy payments of $32.
While writing this Warby Parker glasses review, I like the classic Jet Black look. It’s a timeless pair of frames that goes with whatever you’re wearing. The suave green-grey lenses are an added bonus.
But if you’re reading this Warby Parker glasses review and not into the Jet Black look, Downing sunglasses have four other styles to choose from including English Oak, and English Oak Matte with Bottle Green lenses. Prices start at $95 and include polarized lenses, or you can make three easy payments of $32.
Another staff pick, Barkley sunglasses are good for virtually any occasion. Available in narrow, medium, and wide fits, the Barkley contemporary model comes in Antique Shale Fade with green-grey lenses, and Black Matte Eclipse. Prices start at $95, including polarized lenses. You can also make three easy payments of $32. Many of the Warby Parker sunglasses are unique and are built with different technology. So, if you want to find the best pair for you, you should scroll through the different pairs on their website.