If you use reading glasses, you probably want a few pairs. And if you’re on a budget, you don’t want those pairs to cost an arm and a leg. You might be drawn to dirt-cheap readers, but those are likely to break quickly and not provide quality support for your vision. Here, we break down exactly how much you should spend on reading glasses to get a reliable pair that you don’t overpay for.
The Budget Buy ($1-$20)
If you’re looking for something quick and no-fuss, drugstore reading glasses are your best bet. These glasses are cheap and a good solution if you’re always misplacing them or just want a no-frills solution for occasional use. Plus, budget readers are available just about anywhere, from dollar stores to big-box retailers.
However, as we’ve already mentioned, you get what you pay for. You might find the arms of the glasses loosen or bend after just a few weeks. Plus, the lenses are made from low-quality plastic, and the premade magnifications usually don’t match specific prescription needs.
The Happy Medium ($20-$75)
Investing a bit more in your readers opens up the world of nicer frames, better build quality, and prescription lenses. In this price range, you can get optical-quality readers. These optical-quality readers are different than cheap drugstore lenses because they match your prescription, align with your pupils, and provide additional eye protection benefits such as coatings that block UV rays and blue light. Plus, these reading glasses last much longer than drugstore varieties.
There are very few drawbacks to this price range. Though misplacing them can sting a little more than losing a 4-dollar pair, they’re still relatively affordable. You’ll get all of the essentials when it comes to quality without overpaying for brand or inflated pricing.
The Premium Choice ($75 and Up)
You can pay over 100 dollars for readers if you want to. Though you probably won’t notice a huge difference between a 40-dollar and 140-dollar pair, there is still an increase in quality. Glasses in this price range always come with custom prescriptions, high-tech coatings, and well-crafted frames in every style you could imagine.
However, premium frames come with premiumprice tags, and the increased cost isn’t worthwhile for most people. Plus, you’ll be extra careful and stressed to not leave these readers behind at your favorite café.
Choose What’s Right for You
Ultimately, you should almost always spend on optical-grade, prescription reading glasses. If you need readers, it’s worthwhile to get higher-quality lenses designed to support and protect your vision. From there, it’s up to you to decide how expensive you want the materials and brand to be.
