Sharpen Your Vision and Your Style With These 8 Best Reading Glasses (2024)

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Sharpen Your Vision and Your Style With These 8 Best Reading Glasses (1)

If you are experiencing presbyopia, or age-related farsightedness (when you don’t see as well close up), the right pair of reading glasses can magnify objects like the print in books or words online so that you can see and read the material.Over-the-counter (OTC) reading glasses are designed for as-needed wear and work best for people without astigmatism and for those who have an equal prescription in each eye, says Ronald Benner, OD, president of the American Optometric Association.

When selecting reading glasses, you want to look for clear lenses and precise magnification (make an appointment with your eye doctor first to know which magnification you need, or to find out if you need a prescription pair). According to the experts we spoke to, the right pair should sit comfortably on your nose and around your ears. Choosing glasses with anti-glare coatings can help minimize glare.

To find the best reading glasses, we tested 17 pairs from Warby Parker, Caddis, Zenni, Foster Grant, and more top brands using prescriptions they received from an optometrist. We rated each pair of glasses for clarity, fit, comfort, and value while using insight and guidance from Masako Chen, MD, a board-certified, fellowship-trained ophthalmologist who practices at Mount Sinai.

In This Article

  • Our Picks

  • We Also Tested

  • How We Tested

  • Types of Reading Glasses

  • Magnification

  • What to Look for

  • Our Experts

  • Frequently Asked Questions

  • Why Trust Verywell Health

Best Overall

ZXYOO Oversized Reading Glasses

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Why We Like Them

Available in a pack of three different colors, these Zxyoo Oversized Reading Glasses are perfectly clear and offer blue-light blocking without any sort of noticeable or distracting tint. Plus, they fit great and are made of plastic, which means despite their oversized design, they are still comfortable.

These glasses offer an oversized frame design that is not only stylish, but it’s also suitable for any face shape. Plus, with three different styles included in the pack, you get more options and versatility. In fact, we received a lot of compliments when wearing each of the three frame styles.

And, with three pairs for only $17, we always had a pair of readers available for those up-close-and-personal tasks. The only downside is that their oversized design can make them feel a little bulky at times—especially after extended wear.

Key Specs:

Magnification Range: 1.0 to 4.0 | Frame Material: PC | Frame Shape: Square | Lens Material: Not listed

Best Runner Up

Zenni Optical Olvera Eyeglasses

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Our Ratings

  • Clarity

    5/5

  • Fit

    5/5

  • Comfort

    5/5

Pros

  • Lightweight and comfortable

  • Can personalize your lenses

  • Easy ordering process

Cons

  • Tough to measure your pupillary distance

Why We Like Them

We fell in love with these Olvera Eyeglasses, which feature a retro square frame that creates a bold and an iconic profile. Plus, it’s easy to personalize these readers. For instance, the high quality lenses are available in seven indexes, which determine how thick or thin your lenses will be. So, if you have a stronger prescription, you might prefer a higher index for thinner lenses. Meanwhile, if you are more active, you might select their impact-resistant lenses.

Once you have your prescription in hand, it is pretty easy to order these readers—unless using technology is not your thing. It also can be challenging to measure your pupillary distance on your own. But if you invest the time to learn how to order the right size for your face shape and needs (or if you can tell from another pair you already own), ordering is relatively simple.

Key Specs:

Magnification Range: -20.00 to +12.00 | Frame Material: Acetate | Frame Shape: Square | Lens Material: Spec

Best Width Options

Warby Parker Esme Glasses

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Our Ratings

  • Clarity

    5/5

  • Fit

    5/5

  • Comfort

    5/5

Pros

  • Free at-home try-ons

  • Made to order

  • Lightweight and comfortable

Cons

  • Lenses are thick with higher indexes

Why We Like Them

For those who enjoy a more customized fit, you really can’t go wrong with the Warby Parker Esme Glasses. Not only do they look super luxe, but they are essentially made to fit your face, which is a real plus if you need a size or width that is outside of the norm.

One thing we especially appreciated about these glasses was the buying process. With the free at-home try-on, we were able to pick five frames and keep them for five days to get a sense for which ones we liked the most. This allowed us the feel of an in-person selection with the comfort of an at-home purchase. Plus, it was super simple to input our prescription through Warby Parker’s site and they custom-made the glasses for us. And we couldn’t be happier with the fit.

These glasses also perform well, though we did notice the lenses are very thick with higher indexes. But, their lightweight design fit nicely on our face and we didn’t experience any discomfort—even after prolonged wear.

Key Specs:

Magnification Range: Not listed | Frame Material: Hand-polished cellulose acetate | Frame Shape: Sesame tortoise | Lens Material: Impact resistant polycarbonate

Best Budget

ModFans Reading Glasses

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Pros

  • Low profile

  • Lightweight and comfortable

  • Stay in place

Cons

  • They sit low on the nose

Why We Like Them

Not only are these ModFans Reading Glasses smaller with a slimmer frame, the glass is very clear and our eyes easily adjusted at various distances from the objects we were focusing on. They also sit comfortably behind the ears so even after wearing them for a long time, we experienced no discomfort or aches. And because these glasses do not have nose pieces, we were able to move them up and down without any issue.

Much like the good fit, these light glasses also sit gently on the nose. They don't slip down the nose at the most inopportune times, which we greatly appreciated since they do sit a little low to begin with. They are also lightweight and comfortable, making them perfect for someone new to reading glasses. Wearing these glasses even helped alleviate eye strain when doing close detail work. Plus, considering you get four pairs for $17, you can leave a pair in the house, office, car, and bag.

Key Specs:

Magnification Range: 1.0 to 4.0 | Frame Material: Plastic | Frame Shape: Narrow frame | Lens Material: Not listed

Best Clear Frames

Zeelool Readers Chic TR90 Aviator Style Reading Glasses

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Our Ratings

  • Clarity

    3.8/5

  • Fit

    5/5

  • Comfort

    5/5

Pros

  • Lightweight and comfortable

  • Durable

  • Minimalist design

Cons

  • Frame material can slide around and need to be adjusted

Why We Like Them

If you are a fan of aviator glasses but prefer the simplicity of clear frames, you’ll like the Zeelook Readers Chic Aviator Style readers. Not only are the clear frames complementary for any hair color and skin tone, but they also do not distract from your facial features. Plus, we found that they look great on Zoom calls.

But beyond aesthetics, they are lightweight yet durable as well as unobtrusive and effective. Many times, we felt like we were not even wearing glasses. And they quickly became our work-from-home readers.

That said, the thermoplastic material does tend to be a bit slippery and we had to adjust them from time to time. We never had to squint or adjust our position in order to read or do our work. Overall, these readers are ideal for anyone looking for a functional pair of glasses with a minimalist design.

Key Specs:

Magnification Range: 1.5 to 3.0 | Frame Material: TR90 (thermoplastic) | Frame Shape: Aviator | Lens Material: Resin

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Best for Travel

Bklyn Harman Plastic Reading Glasses & Pouches

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Our Ratings

  • Clarity

    5/5

  • Fit

    5/5

  • Comfort

    5/5

Pros

  • Simple and functional

  • Provide effective magnification

  • Lightweight and comfortable

Cons

  • Doesn’t offer any customized sizing

Why We Like Them

The Bklyn Harman reading glasses are simple and functional and ideal for anyone who is in a hurry to get readers without a lot of planning. Not only can they fill in for broken readers in a pinch, but they also are a great introductory pair for people who just need a little magnification. Plus, the plastic is both comfortable and lightweight, but it also is less durable than we might like.

That said, these glasses are a great option for anyone who doesn’t like to shop or spend time in stores trying on glasses. Ordering is simple since these are available in a predetermined prescription, so you don’t have to upload any information. Plus, you get two different colors for less than $20. The two-pack makes it easy to leave them in places you might need them—like on your nightstand, coffee table, or even in your car.

Key Specs:

Magnification Range: 1.25 to 3.00 | Frame Material: Plastic | Frame Shape: Oval, unisex | Lens Material: Not listed

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Best for Computer Use

Foster Grant Donovan e.Readers

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Pros

  • Fit comfortably

  • No distortion

  • Adjustable nose pads

Cons

  • The metal and plastic frame is a little heavier than others

Why We Like Them

After a year of wearing this pair, we think the Foster Grant Donovon e-readers are the best pair if you’re working on the computer. Not only are these reading glasses comfortable, but they also make things extremely clear when using the computer without any type of distortion. They even have a multi-focal option for those who need to be able to see clearly at varying distances.

These reading glasses also fit our face well with our pupils centered and the width accommodating our face. They even have nose pads that help provide a more secure fit without causing any discomfort. Plus, since using these glasses our headaches and eye strain symptoms have disappeared.

Key Specs:

Magnification Range: 1.00 to 3.25 | Frame Material: Metal and plastic | Frame Shape: Way | Lens Material: Scratch and impact-resistant polycarbonate lenses

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Best Rimless

Maui Jim Rimless Collection

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Pros

  • Minimalist design

  • Available for progressive lenses

  • Easy to wear with headphones

Cons

  • They’re one of the most expensive pairs of glasses on our list

Why We Like Them

Rimless glasses, like this pair from Maui Jim, leave the lenses exposed and are ideal for people looking for a minimalist design. Not only are these glasses lightweight and comfortable, but we like that they also offer a wider view of whatever you are working on.

We found that these glasses align well with our face and rest nicely on the nose, which allowed them to stay in place. No matter how long we wore them, they never left any marks on our face nor did they feel tight or uneven. Even when we challenged these glasses by looking at three different computer screens and down at paperwork, they remained in place and the clarity never wavered.

We also liked that this pair of glasses has a straight-arm style (rather than the arms that curve around the ear), which made them more comfortable when we wore them with headphones for extended periods of time.

Key Specs:

Magnification Range: 0.75 to 3.00 | Frame Material: Not specified | Frame Shape: Rectangle | Lens Material: Not specified

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Reading Glasses We Also Tested

  • Caddis D28 Reading Glasses: These reading glasses fit perfectly and were fairly comfortable. But they lacked clarity; and the magnification promised did not actually match the magnification received.
  • Foster Grant McKay Multifocus Round Reading Glasses: Both comfortable and lightweight, these reading glasses felt like we were wearing nothing at all. They are great glasses to have on hand as backups like in a bag or in the car.
  • Amomoma AM6003 Reading Glasses: These reading glasses offer a great price and style, but our reviewer did not feel they measured up as reading glasses. They would work for occasional computer work, but for more tedious tasks, they fall short.

How We Tested the Best Reading Glasses

Our editors received a prescription for reading glasses from an optometrist and then ordered a pair of reading glasses as part of our at-home testing process. While testing and reviewing the 12 reading glasses on our list, our experts wore the glasses for one month. We also received input from Masako Chen, MD, a board-certified, fellowship-trained ophthalmologist who practices at Mount Sinai. While testing, we considered the clarity, fit, and comfort of each pair of reading glasses.

  • Clarity: We paid attention to how much more clearly we could see when we wore each pair of glasses. Glasses that scored well helped us read fine (small) print without causing us to strain our eyes. Glasses were docked in testing for causing distorted vision or if they led to headaches and eye strain.
  • Fit: We looked closely at how well each frame aligned with our face’s width at our temples. Well fitting glasses had both of our eyes centered in the lenses and, barring stylishly oversized glasses, left our eyebrows visible above the frames. We also paid attention to how comfortably they sat above our cheeks, and how easily they rested on our nose and behind our ears without feeling tight or heavy.
  • Comfort: When your glasses aren’t comfortable, you’re less likely to wear them and see clearly. Glasses that were so comfortable we forgot we were wearing them scored the highest. We focused on whether they slid down our noses, pinched at our temples or were generally too large or too small. We also took note of any red marks they may have left behind after wearing them for an extended period of time.

The Three Types of Reading Glasses

  • Single-vision reading glasses give you clarity at one range of distance but depending on their strength, you may not be able to see far or on a computer.
  • Bifocal glasses are a traditional design correcting vision for two focal distances. The top part of the lens aids distance vision, while the lower portion is tailored for near vision, typically at about 16 inches, says Inna Lazar, OD, founder of Greenwich Eye Care and Dry Eye Spa.
  • Trifocal glasses have lenses offering three focal lengths separated by lines: distance vision at the top, an intermediate zone for comfortable computer use, and a lower section for near vision.
  • Progressive glasses have evolved to offer the same three ranges of vision that trifocal lenses do, but are blended without lines separating each focal distance.

How to Choose the Right Magnification

The magnification you need will depend on your age and the reading distance. Before you start shopping, schedule an appointment with your eye doctor to find out your correct magnification or whether you need a prescription (for example, if you need a different magnification for each eye or need bifocals or progressive lenses).

In addition to visiting your eye doctor, it's often helpful to try out different magnifications in person before you buy with reading material or the mobile device you want to use, David A. Eichenbaum, MD, FASRS, director of research for Retina Vitreous Associates and member of the American Society of Retina Specialists, says. If you need a pair of reading glasses before you can get to your doctor, he recommends that people in their 40's start with a +1.00, 50's start with a +1.50, and people in their 60's start with a +2.00.

Some additional tips:

  • If you wear reading glasses primarily when using a computer, you will likely need a lower power than when reading a book or magazine. The longer the viewing distance, the less reading glasses power is needed for comfortable vision, Ronald Benner, OD, president of the American Optometric Association, says.
  • In most cases, when two different powered reading glasses seem equally suitable, choose the glasses with the lower power. Picking reading glasses that are too strong typically will cause more discomfort problems than reading glasses that are a little too weak.
  • Headaches, eye strain, and nausea can result from wearing reading glasses that are not a correct prescription or do not correct each eye equally. That’s why it’s important to find the right glasses in conjunction with a doctor of optometry, Dr. Benner says. They can determine the best prescription for your specific needs.
  • And, even though reading glasses are readily available at a pharmacy, department store, or even online, it is still important to have regular eye exams to make sure you’re seeing as clearly as possible.

What to Look for in Reading Glasses

  • Frame Material: The frame material you select will impact the comfort and durability of your reading glasses. Opt for lightweight yet sturdy materials like titanium or acetate for frames, suggests William Hogue, OD, an optometrist with Vitreous Retina Macula Consultants of New York (VRMNY).
  • Lens Material: As for lenses, materials like polycarbonate or high-index plastics are durable and provide clearer vision. You also may want to consider scratch-resistant coatings to prolong lens life, Dr. Hogue says. It's also important to ensure that the glasses are comfortable and lightweight if you plan to wear them for extended periods, Dr. Lazar says. The higher the 'plus value, the heavier your lens will become.
  • Durability: Look for frames with reinforced hinges and flexible temples to withstand daily use, Dr. Hogue suggests. Meanwhile, scratch-resistant coatings will protect your lenses from minor abrasions. Regular care, like storing glasses in a protective case when not in use, also contributes to their longevity, he says.

Our Experts

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do good-quality reading glasses cost?

Prices for reading glasses can vary based on factors like brand, quality, and features. While there are affordable options available, investing in good quality reading glasses ensures better comfort and longevity, Dr. Hogue says.

Generally, prices can range from $20 to $600 or more, depending on your preferences. Factors like designer frames, high-index lenses, and advanced lens coatings can drive the price toward the higher end, Dr. Lazar says. The reading glasses on our list range from around $15 to $100, but that price is impacted by any special features you add like anti-glare, progressive lenses, and more.

Should I get progressives or reading glasses?

Progressive lenses, also known as multifocal lenses, are ideal for individuals who require correction for both near and distance vision, Dr. Hogue says. They eliminate the need for multiple pairs of glasses and provide a seamless transition between different distances.

Progressives are especially beneficial for those with presbyopia, a common age-related vision issue. You should consider progressives if you want to buy prescription readers and do not like the cosmetics or functionality of lined bifocals, Dr. Eichenbaum says.

Because progressive lenses have multiple prescriptions built into the lens and a gradual change in prescription from the top to bottom, it is much easier to adapt to progressive lenses, Dr. Benner adds. Manufacturers have developed ways to maximize the usable visual portion of the lens and minimize the distortion in the lens.

Can you wear reading glasses without a prescription?

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. That said, getting prescription reading glasses may provide slightly better vision due to the higher lens quality and the ability to correct any astigmatism you may have. But, OTC reading glasses are perfectly acceptable if you are comfortable with the image quality, he says.

How often should you wear reading glasses?

In short, reading glasses should be used as much as is needed for adults over 40, Dr. Bert says. Although you may feel that using reading glasses will make your eyes lazy, the process and progression of presbyopia will happen regardless of whether you use reading glasses or not. So make yourself comfortable and avoid unnecessary eye strain.

If you find that you need 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.

How can you measure your glasses size?

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 behavioral 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. Your glasses shouldn't press in on the sides of the glasses or stretch out too much, Shah explains.

Why Trust Verywell Health

Sherri Gordon, CLC, has been covering health and social issues for nearly two decades and has written countless articles with a health focus. She is well versed and knowledgeable about a number of health conditions that impact our everyday lives. Plus, as someone who spends multiple hours per day reading, writing, and using the computer, Sherri knows firsthand how important it is to find reading glasses that not only fit comfortably but also allow you to see clearly and focus.

Sharpen Your Vision and Your Style With These 8 Best Reading Glasses (2024)

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