Elizabeth Yuko, PhD, is a bioethicist and journalist, as well as an adjunct professor of ethics at Dublin City University. She has written for publications including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, Rolling Stone, and more.

Bryan Wolynski, OD, is a board-certified optometrist who has been in the field for over 30 years. He is an adjunct assistant clinical professor at SUNY College of Optometry ​and works in private practice in New York City.

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Up until relatively recently, most people who needed reading glasses visited their local pharmacy or big-box store, selected a few different frames (and sometimes varying prescriptions) from a circular display to try on, and then made their purchase. But now, like almost everything else, it’s common to buy reading glasses online. 

In addition to that, the concept of reading glasses, and what they do, has expanded. By and large, “reading glasses” still refer to glasses a person only wears when they need to read something up close, like a book or a computer screen, and are available over-the-counter or through your eye doctor. While these are available without a doctor's prescription and they contain ens correction to help your vision, in some states it is not legal to sell non prescription reading glasses with correction over a +2.75.

Over the past few years, we’ve also seen blue light blocking glasses—designed to protect your eyes from the blue light emitted from electronic devices—hit the physical and virtual shelves. They’re often marketed as “reading glasses,” though they don’t necessarily contain a correction to help you see more clearly. 

As it turns out, there is currently no scientific evidence that blue light-blocking glasses do anything to help or protect your eyes. Still, many people have reported reduced eye strain while wearing blue light glasses, and though it might just be the placebo effect at work, if people are convinced that they provide relief, they’ll continue to purchase this type of reading glasses.

According to Richard Davidson, M.D., an ophthalmologist with UCHealth Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Eye Center in Colorado, consumers looking to purchase reading glasses should pay attention to how they fit their head and face, and whether they’re comfortable and provide good vision quality.

“You should wear reading glasses whenever you are struggling to read," explains Dr. Davidson. "You will find using reading glasses is much less fatiguing, and you may have less dry-eye and other ocular irritation by using them. This is because when we struggle to read we tend to blink less frequently, and that leads to symptoms of dry eye and ocular irritation.”

We researched dozens of reading glasses and evaluated them for reviews, frame materials, lens type, fit, pricing, durability, and return policies. Each of the glasses chosen in this article was determined to be the best of these factors.

Here are the best reading glasses on the market today.

This stylish, unisex frame from Foster Grant comes with several features for a reasonable price, including anti-reflective, scratch- and impact-resistant multi-strength polycarbonate lenses. In addition, the glasses’ spring hinge allows for a more precise fit and extra comfort. The round frames are available in either black or teal.

Frame Material: Metal/Plastic | Lens Type: Polycarbonate | Prescription Type: 1-3.5

“Reading glasses are particularly important for people over the age of 45, especially when they haven't needed to wear glasses before. And even though they are called ‘reading glasses,’ they are designed to be used for any close tasks, including using mobile phones.”—Bhavin Shah, MCOptom, a behavioral optometrist at Central Vision Opticians in London, England

Some lenses can be a bit fuzzy

If you’re someone who frequently misplaces their reading glasses, you may be better off buying them in a multipack. This one from Gaoye contains five pairs of reading glasses, so you’ll always have a backup pair handy when another pair goes missing. And they won't fall apart easily: the spring-hinge and flexible resin frame material make these relatively durable as well.

Frame Material: Resin | Lens Type: Polycarbonate Lens | Prescription Type: 1, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, 2, 2.25, 2.5, 2.75, 3, 3.5, 4

Aspheric scratch resistant coated lenses

Thin padding on nose bridge

Even though plastic reading glasses may hold their shape better than metal or wire frames, some people prefer the look and feel of metal. If that sounds like you, this five-pack of thin metal frames is a safe bet—especially since the company offers a lifetime breakage warranty on both the lenses and frames. Plus, they’re available in five different colors (in other words, not as boring as they may sound).

Frame Material: Metal | Lens Type: Plastic | Prescription Type: 0.75, 1, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, 2, 2.25, 2.5, 2.75, 3, 3.5, 4

“Differently shaped faces, noses, and heads each do better with different types of glasses—both their materials and their shapes.”—Benjamin Bert, M.D., an ophthalmologist at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California

Highest strength power options available

Available in bifocals or progressive lenses

More expensive than other glasses

Need eye measurements to order

As mentioned before, there’s no evidence that blue light blocking glasses prevent eye strain caused by the light given off from electronic devices. Nevertheless, many people do like the effects these glasses have. If these glasses make you comfortable, you may want to consider a pair of frames from Zenni Optical, outfitted with Blokz blue light blocking lenses. They are available in non-prescription or prescription lenses.

Frame Material: Acetate | Lens Type: Multiple Options | Prescription Type: 0-6 in increments of 0.25

Lenses can sometimes come out

Though we tend to think of children as being farsighted—only realizing they need glasses when they’re unable to see the board at school—approximately 9% of school-aged children have myopia, or nearsightedness.

Unlike adults, kids don't wander into their local CVS and peruse their selection of reading glasses. Instead, their parents need to take them to see their pediatrician for an eye screening, followed by an appointment with an optometrist or ophthalmologist, if necessary. Overall, it’s the same process used for farsighted children, and there aren’t designated “reading glasses” (just regular kids’ glasses). 

Having said that, parents who believe that blue light blocking glasses are useful might want their child to wear them, even if they have 20/20 vision and don’t require a prescription. If that’s the case, Livho’s bendable and lightwear blue light blocking glasses for kids are a good option.

Frame Material: TR90 (flexible plastic) | Lens Type: Polycarbonate | Prescription Type: None

Aspheric lenses with anti-scratch coating

Short return phase if they get damaged

A family-run company now in its fourth generation, PeeperSpecs has a wide selection of reading glasses that don’t skimp on style. Ranging from contemporary frames to those that are vintage-inspired, even the most fashion-conscious people should find something they like. Plus, the spring hinges on the frames provide added comfort.

Frame Material: Polycarbonate | Lens Type: Acrylic | Prescription Type: 1, 1.25, 1.5, 2, 2.25, 2.75, 3

Not as comfortable as other options

If you don’t wear reading glasses all the time, they need to be portable enough to come with you wherever you go. For this reason, some people prefer reading glasses that fold, like this pair from Doubletake. Actually, these foldable glasses come two-to-an-order, complete with a hard carrying case for each pair, at a reasonable price. In addition, they also come with a two-year manufacturer’s warranty.

Frame Material: Plastic | Lens Type: Plastic | Prescription Type: 1, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, 2, 2.25, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4

Can add blue light filtering or light-responsive coating

Not available in higher powers

When Warby Parker first hit the scene, the company offered a lower-cost and significantly more convenient way of buying glasses—so it may seem odd to see them listed as our luxury pick. But compared to all of the other options for reading glasses out there, these are on the higher end of the price spectrum. At the same time, people who have ordered from Warby Parker previously may be more comfortable going with the brand again, and their one-year no-scratch guarantee can come in handy.

Frame Material: Cellulose acetate | Lens Type: Polycarbonate | Prescription Type: 0.25, 0.5, .75, 1, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, 2, 2.25, 2.5, 2.75

If you were looking for a single pair of non-folding reading glasses, Foster Grant’s McKay model (view at Foster Grant) is a solid pick. They’re the type of glasses that look good on almost anyone, and for the price, the anti-reflective, scratch- and impact-resistant lenses make them an excellent value. For a tried and true pair that have a reputation for high quality lenses, Warby Parker Whalen (view at Warby Parker) glasses are another great pick.

If you’re in the market for a pair of reading glasses, pay attention to these qualities and features:

Pay attention to the lens material. Looking through plastic CR-39 versus polycarbonate versus injection molded lenses of different materials can differ, and you should try different kinds to see what you like.

Similar to other types of prescription glasses, you’ll have to decide on plastic or metal/wire frames. Check the description of the frame to find out which material it is made from. Plastic frames tend to be more durable, but you can’t beat the convenience of a pair of folding metal glasses.

If you’re purchasing reading glasses online or through an optician, you’ll likely be offered a long list of options to add to your lenses. These can include everything from a scratch-resistant coating to lenses made from more lightweight materials to a blue light blocking coating. Pay attention to these options and your invoice to ensure you get all the lens features and qualities you want but aren’t stuck paying for ones you don’t want or need.

While some companies don’t offer any type of guarantee on their reading glasses, others have some version of a return policy and, in some cases, a warranty. If this is something that matters to you, check to make sure the company has an acceptable policy in place.

Keep in mind that if you are using higher numbers of correction, this means you will need closer working distances and you should see an eye doctor to find out if you may have a condition affecting your vision.

Some online glasses companies like Warby Parker and Zenni provide instructions for customers, walking them through how to measure their face to make sure they order glasses that fit. These directions can be useful even if you’re purchasing a pair of reading glasses on Amazon, as they’ll often list the sizes and dimensions of the frames.

But overall, this is one of those situations where in-person shopping can be easier, solely for the fact that it allows you to actually try glasses on physically, and not just virtually. When trying on reading glasses, Bhavin Shah, MCOptom, a behavioural optometrist at Central Vision Opticians in London, England says that it’s most important to ensure that the glasses fit properly at the bridge of the nose—meaning that they should fit comfortably and not slide down your nose. 

Next, check to see if the glasses fit well on the sides of your head. “The glasses shouldn't press in, neither should the sides of the glasses stretch out too much,” Shah explains. And when it comes to selecting a prescription, Shah advises to “always try to get the lowest power that you can use to see comfortably.”

While it’s generally a good idea to see an eye doctor about any vision problems, Dr. Davidson says that it’s possible (and not harmful) to purchase and wear reading glasses without getting a prescription for them first. “Prescription reading glasses may give you slightly better vision due to higher lens quality and the ability to correct any astigmatism you may have,” he explains. “However, over-the-counter reading glasses are perfectly fine if you are comfortable with the image quality.”

In short, reading glasses should be used as much as is needed for adults over 40, Benjamin Bert, M.D., an ophthalmologist at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California says. “Many people feel that using the reading glasses has made their eyes ‘lazy,’ since they find themselves becoming more and more dependent on the reading glasses for their near vision,” he explains. “However, the process and progression of presbyopia will happen regardless of whether the reading glasses are used or not. Thus, it’s important to make yourself comfortable and not cause unnecessary eye strain.”

And if you find that you are needing reading glasses at a younger age, or if you’re having difficulty focusing up-close and you’re under 40, it may be worth seeing your optometrist or ophthalmologist to have a refraction performed and see if you need prescription glasses, Dr. Bert adds.

As a seasoned health writer and editor, Elizabeth Yuko, PhD, is always on the lookout for new (and research-backed) products, techniques, and services that can help people cope with their health challenges and needs.

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Yoo S. Myopia (Nearsightedness) in children. HealthyChildren.org.

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