Best places to buy contact lenses in-store and online

When shopping for contact lenses, you have a myriad of brands to choose from online and in-store – but not all of them boast a level of customer service that keeps you coming back.

To find out which contact lens providers are highly recommended by their customers, we've surveyed more than 10,000 people who have had an eye test and/or bought glasses or contacts in the past two years.

Our survey insights reveal the high street opticians that users rate for buying contact lenses and the online stores that impressed, too. 

Plus, our expert tips reveal what you need to be careful of when buying, and how to store your contact lenses so they're safe to wear and last longer.

Eat well, live better and stay healthy. Sign up for our free monthly Food & Health newsletter for the latest insights delivered straight to your inbox

Best places to buy contact lenses in-store

We asked people who have bought contact lenses from high street brands, including Boots, Specsavers, Vision Express as well as independent opticians, what they thought of their experience.

Our highest-rated source for lenses scored an impressive five stars for both customer service and the quality of its contacts.

Boots Opticians

Boots Opticians is a well-established name on UK high streets, offering a broad selection of daily and monthly contact lenses. In our survey, we asked customers for their opinions on the brand’s customer service and value for money when purchasing lenses.

Specsavers

Specsavers offers a 'try before you buy' scheme, allowing customers a free contact lens trial after an in-store eye test. It provides a selection of daily, monthly and twice-monthly contact lenses to suit different preferences.

Vision Express

Vision Express offers contacts from major brands, including Acuvue, Air Optix and Dailies AquaComfort Plus. Our survey respondents have tried the brand for themselves, and rated it on the quality of contact lenses and visual acuity.

In need of a dental check up too? See our guide to NHS and private dentistry prices, and the best dentist brands compared

Best places to buy contact lenses online

Shopping for your contact lenses without leaving the house is undeniably convenient and allows you to quickly compare prices.

If you prefer to buy contact lenses online, you'll be pleased to hear that several brands scored well in our survey, achieving an impressive customer score of 83% and a full five-star rating for website user-friendliness.

Boots

As part of our survey, 15% of respondents told us they had purchased their most recent contact lenses online from Boots. We asked them to rate the ordering process, price and quality of the lenses they received.

Feel Good Contacts

Visit the Feel Good Contacts website and you'll find deals on lens brands including Acuvue, Comfi and FreshLook and a range of contact lens types, including dailies, monthlies and 'next-day lenses.' But how do customers rate their experiences with Feel Good Contacts?

Lenstore

The Lenstore website promises 'fast delivery' and 'great prices', so we've put those claims to the test as part of our latest customer survey.

Specsavers

Buying your contact lenses from the Specsavers website saves you a trip to town, so we asked customers for their feedback on online orders.

Vision Direct

Around 14% of respondents in our survey told us their most recent online contact lens order was placed through Vision Direct. With that in mind, we asked for feedback on the brand's website, ordering process and delivery process.

Vision Express

According to its website, Vision Express now has more than 550 stores across the UK and Ireland. The brand claims its staff provide 'simple, honest advice', so we asked real customers for their verdict.

Types of contact lenses explained

Contact lenses offer a wider field of vision compared to regular glasses and you won't need to worry about them fogging up in use. They can be handy if you're very active, too, as they won't slip during sports or exercise like glasses would.

On the other hand, opting for glasses over contacts is often more cost-effective as you need to replace them less often.

There are two main types of contact lenses:

• Dailies are arguably more convenient since you don't need to clean them – just throw them away at the end of the day and start fresh in the morning. However, they might be more expensive in the long term and are less environmentally friendly due to the packaging used.
• Monthlies or twice monthlies last either two weeks or a month, and need to be cleaned and disinfected between uses in a little case. They may deteriorate over time with continued use, but can be more cost-effective than dailies in the long run.

You can also get 'continuous-wear' lenses that can be worn overnight, too, and which typically can be worn for a set period of time, usually seven days or up to a month. 

But it's very important you follow the instructions exactly for these to avoid the risk of infection, and it's still recommended not to actually wear them continuously if you can avoid it. But they can be handy for people with busy and unpredictable lifestyles.

How to get the best-value contact lenses

Compare prices across multiple retailers to find the best option for you and check for any available discounts or free trials you can take advantage of.

Many big-name contact lens providers offer subscription plans that deliver to your door at a discount and some include regular checkups, too. 

If you're shopping for daily disposables, prices start from around £7.50 for 30. Below, are the prices of the cheapest 30-pack options from the online brands covered in our survey:

• Specsavers easyvision Virision Sphere (£7.50)
  
• Vision Direct Everclear ADM (£10.99)
• Feel Good Contacts Comfi Daily Disposable (£11.50)
• Lenstore SofLens Daily Disposable (£12.49)
• Vision Express Dailies AquaComfort Plus (£14.50)

See our expert advice guide on laser eye surgery – we compare providers, costs and types of surgery to help you decide if it's right for you

Tips for buying contact lenses

If you’re new to wearing contact lenses, it’s best to get them in store as you’ll need to be assessed for fit and get a specific prescription for contacts. In the UK, contact lenses can only be fitted by (or dispensed under the supervision of) a registered optometrist, qualified dispensing optician or medical practitioner.

When buying contact lenses, stick to trusted brands and sellers that are registered with the General Optical Council. If you've recently had an eye test and know what you need, consider buying in bulk as retailers often discount larger orders. 

Is it safe to buy cheap contact lenses online?

While cheaper prices can be tempting,  it's important to check you are buying from a legitimate provider before buying online as otherwise there's a risk you might end up with poor-quality lenses that aren't safe to use. 

Ordering online can be a more convenient option, especially if you're a seasoned contact lens wearer and know what works for you. But it’s still important to get regular aftercare, including eye tests to check on any changes to your vision and to see someone if you're experiencing any symptoms such as itchy or dry eyes.

Online sellers are legally required confirm that a buyer has a valid contact lens prescription by seeing evidence of it or checking with the optician who supplied it. Eyes change over time and an optician can pick up on complications and issues, such as inadequate cleaning, that could threaten your eyesight. 

Tips for using and storing contact lenses safely

It's important to follow cleaning and usage instructions carefully to protect your eyes and avoid infection.

• Only handle contact lenses after washing and drying your hands thoroughly.
• Clean your contacts using fresh solution and avoid tap water. If you're unsure how often you should be doing this, check the instructions that came with your order.
• Remove your lenses before sleeping, unless they're specifically designed for overnight wear and this is confirmed by the manufacturer.

How we uncovered the best places to buy contact lenses

To find out which high street and online opticians genuinely impressed customers, we quizzed more than 10,000 people who used their services in the past two years.

Our biannual opticians survey is backed by months of research and provides unique insights into customer experiences of and satisfaction with different brands, including Boots, Specsavers and Vision Express. 

For contact lenses, we got responses from more than 700 people who had bought lenses in-store, and more than 350 online customers in order to report back on what they thought of the brands they'd used.

We only show results for brands where we have statistically robust enough numbers to draw conclusions from.

For more insights, see our guide to the best opticians overall and the best places to get an eye test.