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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.
Three pairs for price of one
May feel bulky to some
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.
Price at time of publication: $17 for three pairs
Magnification Range: 1.0 to 4.0 | Frame Material: PC | Frame Shape: Square | Lens Material: Not listed
Tough to measure your pupillary distance
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.
Price at time of publication: $26
Magnification Range: -20.00 to +12.00 | Frame Material: Acetate | Frame Shape: Square | Lens Material: Spec
Lenses are thick with higher indexes
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.
Price at time of publication: Start at $95
Magnification Range: Not listed | Frame Material: Hand-polished cellulose acetate | Frame Shape: Sesame tortoise | Lens Material: Impact resistant polycarbonate
They sit low on the nose
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.
Price at time of publication: $17 for four pairs
Magnification Range: 1.0 to 4.0 | Frame Material: Plastic | Frame Shape: Narrow frame | Lens Material: Not listed
Frame material can slide around and need to be adjusted
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.
Price at time of publication: $27
Magnification Range: 1.5 to 3.0 | Frame Material: TR90 (thermoplastic) | Frame Shape: Aviator | Lens Material: Resin
Doesn’t offer any customized sizing
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.
Price at time of publication: $15 for two pairs
Magnification Range: 1.25 to 3.00 | Frame Material: Plastic | Frame Shape: Oval, unisex | Lens Material: Not listed
The metal and plastic frame is a little heavier than others
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.
Price at time of publication: $35
Magnification Range: 1.00 to 3.25 | Frame Material: Metal and plastic | Frame Shape: Way | Lens Material: Scratch and impact-resistant polycarbonate lenses
Easy to wear with headphones
They’re one of the most expensive pairs of glasses on our list
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.
Price at time of publication: $198
Magnification Range: 0.75 to 3.00 | Frame Material: Not specified | Frame Shape: Rectangle | Lens Material: Not specified
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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