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Zenni Optical

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5.8

Overall Score

Author: Kaitlyn Short

LAST UPDATED: October 27th, 2024

Founded in 2003, Zenni Optical sells stylish, low-price glasses online for adults and children. All glasses (frames and lenses) are designed and made by the brand. All customer orders are produced by Zenni, with several levels of quality control. The factory ships out 7,000 pairs of prescription eyeglasses to more than 80 countries per day.

Zenni Optical offers over 2,500 styles. Customers can shop by style, face shape, color, and different collection lookbooks. They can also browse by fit measurements like frame width, bridge width, lens height, lens width, and temple arm length.

Users need to submit a current subscription and measure their pupillary distance during the checkout process.

Keep reading for pros and cons, plus Zenni Optical reviews from customers.

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The Good

  • Super Affordable Eyewear
  • Online Eyeglass Selection
  • Virtual Try-On
  • Customer Review Information
  • Customer Service
  • Referral Program
  • Gift Cards
  • Warranty

Super Affordable Eyewear

Frames start at $6.95, including 1.50 standard or 1.57 mid-index lenses. With frames, Zenni suggests a common pair cost about $75 with add-ons.

All Zenni frames can either be used for prescription glasses, regular or prescription sunglasses.

Online Eyeglass Selection

While Zenni does not sell contact lenses, the retailer offers more than 2,000 frame styles to choose from. In addition to that, Zenni offers more lens options than some of the other providers.

All lenses have an anti-scratch coating, UV protection. Anti-reflective coating is an upgrade, but it only costs $4.95.

Several online eyeglass retailers don’t offer bifocals, but Zenni does. Bifocals start at $17 and progressives start at $27.95.

Virtual Try-On

When browsing through options, it is easy to see high-quality, 360-degree views of each pair. You can try on the glasses through the website via the 3D Try On feature with your computer’s webcam.

Customer Review Information

For each pair of Zenni glasses listed online, there is a wealth of review information from customers, with pros and cons, sizing, and lens tint feedback. This is really helpful. You can also see several images of people with Instagram photos of Zenni frames, so you aren’t just going by the professional studio photos.

Customer Service

Consumers can contact Zenni Optical customer support via phone, email, or live chat. Phone service is available from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Pacific. Live chat is even offered 24 hours a day.

Referral Program

Zenni offers a referral program. If you refer a friend, your referral will get $5 off their first order and you will get $5 credit toward your next order.

Gift Cards

You can send a gift card through the zennioptical.com site. You have the choice to email the card to the recipient or to print the gift card at home.

Warranty

Zenni offers fairly standard warranty coverage for its eyewear.

  • Zenni will replace broken frames at no charge during its 30-day warranty period 
  • Replacement nose pads and nose pad screws for rimless frames are offered for the lifetime of the glasses 
  • Zenni does not provide replacement screws for frames other than rimless frames
  • Defects in the anti-reflective (AR) coating and photochromic films are warrantied for one year from the date of receipt

If you think there is a manufacturing error, Zenni encourages you to return the glasses for inspection within the 30-day warranty period. If the inspection shows the glasses were made incorrectly, Zenni will remake them for you at no charge.

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The Bad

  • Shipping Not Included
  • Insurance
  • Time to Delivery
  • Lens Add-Ons
  • No Lens Replacement
  • Return Policy Conditions

Shipping Not Included

While other online retailers include free shipping with the purchase of eyeglasses, Zenni Optical charges $4.95 per order for shipping.

Your order will still likely be cheaper than it would be with the free shipping companies, like Warby Parker or Target Optical.

Insurance

Zenni Optical does not accept vision insurance, although it will accept FSA and HSA credit cards as payment.

However, if your insurance policy has out-of-network benefits, you can get a special invoice from customer service to submit for reimbursement.

Time to Delivery

Most U.S. orders are delivered in 7–14 business days. That means that it can take about two weeks to get your prescription glasses in the mail after you buy them. Most domestic orders ship from California. Most international orders are shipped from Hong Kong.

Lens Add-Ons

Some of the base-level coatings that other online eyeglass retailers provide require the following upgrade fees with Zenni:

  • Premium anti-glare coating ($4.95)
  • Sunglass tint ($4.95)
  • Water-repellent coating ($8.95)

In addition to those coatings, shoppers can also choose to add fingerprint-resistant coating for $14.95. This one doesn’t generally come standard with other retailers.

No Lens Replacement

Zenni doesn’t offer lens replacement. Warby Parker covers scratches within the first year, and other providers at least offer protection plans for the first year; however, the cost of a protection plan is more than a pair of Zenni glasses.

Return Policy Conditions

Zenni gives you 30 days to return or exchange your glasses. However, there are a few stipulations to returns that you should be aware of.

Your first option is to return an item for 100 percent store credit (one-time use and excludes return shipping costs). Additionally, orders that are paid for with store credit can only be returned for a 50 percent refund of the store credit amount used to pay for the order.

However, if you don't want store credit, you can have your refund issued to the credit/debit card that was originally used for the purchase. The catch is, you only receive 50 percent of the refund (minus any shipping costs). 

Remember, if your glasses arrive damaged or defective, you may have more options. Be sure to contact customer service to discuss.

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The Bottom Line

Zenni Optical sells trendy, affordable prescription eyeglasses with over 2,500 styles to choose from.

Zenni's cost a lot less than other providers but doesn’t come with the same high-quality service policies, like 1-year replacement for prescription lenses. or free shipping or returns. Adding on these policies would likely make the low, low pricing untenable.

Have you ordered from Zenni online? Let us know about your experience with a quick review below.

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Star Rating

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4.7

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163 Reviews

Review Breakdown

5 grade

82%

4 grade

12%

3 grade

3%

2 grade

0%

1 grade

3%

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Brian P

Great place for cheap prescription glasses. They make great back-up pairs. Frames are rather flimsy and cheap but you get what you pay for. I always order a pair as my back-up. Or if I'm doing something sports related, this way I'm not using my expensive pair.

1 year ago

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J. Garrett Lansing, MI

I have really enjoyed my glasses from Zenni Optical! I've ordered six pair in four years! They always have a great variety of styles. The only thing I don't like, which really can't be helped, is sometimes the frames don't fit as well as I would like. Other than that, I love the company!

3 years ago

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Valerie Peterson Herriman, UT

I have purchased a few pairs of glasses through Zenni Optical. I loved their prices and selection. Measuring the distance between pupils was a little tricky - I hoped I was doing it right. But when I got the glasses, they were great and I haven't had any issues. They have several options for upgrading or adding different features. Delivery was pretty quick as well. I would definitely just them again and recommend them to others.

3 years ago

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ZORANW Long Beach, MS

I ordered a pair of glasses as back-up reading glasses based on Zenni's advertising of quality glasses for less money. The pair of glasses I received are of adequate quality for the money spent. I was a little disappointed that the quality did not match what I expected, however the pair I received are far better than drug store reading glasses. I haven't had any problems with the pair I received, but they don't have a substantial feel to them. Overall, I would probably order another pair, maybe choosing a sturdier frame.

5 years ago

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Tom Gourley Pleasant Grove, UT

We have purchased numerous pairs of glasses from Zenni and have been very satisfied with their service. Their glasses are good quality and are very well priced. They are easy to order on-line and their photos and customer service are very helpful in choosing glasses. In the few cases where we have not been satisfied with the look or fit of the glasses, they have been very helpful in securing a refund or replacement for us. Zenni offers a quality product, good service, and great pricing.

5 years ago

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Misty Peoples Blue Springs, MO

Had a wide selection of frames to choose from. Price was perfect for my budget. I'm so amazed at how great they fit and I look great in them. Thank you for such great service and selection at a price to fit my tight budget

1 year ago Edited June 15, 2023

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abw fsu Tallahassee, FL

The feature where you can take a scan of your face and see how the glasses look in 3D is AMAZING. That's always my biggest fear when it comes to buying frames online- I'm scared they won't look good in person. Really helped when i was picking out new frames recently.

3 years ago

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Angela Eagle Mountain, UT

My husband and I love using Zenni optical to buy our eyeglasses! The best glasses for the most inexpensive prices! We have purchased over five pairs of glasses between the two of us over the last several years and have loved every pair.

5 years ago

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Bryan Peterson Herriman, UT

I ordered a pair of glasses for me, my wife and my son. We have loved them. It is so simple.ams I love being able to "try the glasses on" virtually. Glasses are a great quality and cheaper than going to many eye glass stores

3 years ago

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Jec Canby, OR

I love the price. They have cute options. Great site where they show the glasses on your face. Lots of compliments on the glasses we purchase here. 1 complaint is we need the stigmatism option in the lenses.

3 years ago

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Sage Loveland Los Angeles, CA

I Have ordered two pairs of frames from Zenni and love them both. They are lightweight, comfortable and stylish and for the price can’t be beat. A great variety of frames to choose from too.

5 years ago

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Steven Seattle, WA

good shipping for eyeglasses, also thank you for the free consultation, it took some time to ship but it was ok, highly recommend it

3 years ago

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Nancy Hartgrove Baltimore, MD

I like Zenni Optical I have purchase many glasses from them, you receive your glasses in a timely fashion.

1 year ago

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megum povsha Bozeman, MT

I like the fact that you can get top of the line eye glasses for extremely cheap.

1 year ago

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Kristi Johnson Logan, UT

I love that you can order your glasses from home online and that it takes very little time to receive it

4 years ago

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Cumorah Washington, UT

I loved my first Set of glasses. However my second ended up with a prescriptions too strong. Super cute glasses though!

5 years ago

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erika clayton Lehi, UT

Ordering glasses here is quick and easy. The selection is great as well!

4 years ago

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Alison Roush Monmouth Junction, NJ

Zenni Optical is a fast and cheap way to get glasses, but their website can be slightly confusing

3 years ago

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Holly Brown Saint Amant, LA

cute glasses and deals offered to buyers make getting new frames a breeze and less if a chore

5 years ago

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Natalie Min Potomac, MD

good glasses for good prices and lets you ship pairs and return for free

3 years ago