The Ultimate Review of Lensabl Eyewear: Are They Worth It?
As a vision care specialist with over 15 years of experience fitting patients with eyewear, few things make me more frustrated than seeing people overpay for overpriced prescription glasses simply because they lack awareness of new, better alternatives.
Enter Lensabl – an industry trailblazer that‘s single-handedly injecting transparency, convenience and affordability into the outdated old boys club that is the optical business.
I‘ve witnessed first-hand the evolution of direct-to-consumer brands like Warby Parker emerge as serious challengers. But in my professional opinion, Lensabl goes a mile further in educating consumers, streamlining cumbersome processes and delivering prescription eyewear at previously unheard-of value.
In fact, over the past three years I‘ve personally ordered from Lensabl not once, not twice but THREE separate times due to outstanding quality and customer service. And I hear similarly glowing feedback from patients and industry connections alike.
That‘s why I had to spill everything I know about this impressive company, how they stack up to even the biggest retailers out there, and why you should seriously consider them for your next eye exam, set of everyday glasses or even prescription contacts.
Let‘s dig in…
Who Is Lensabl and Why Are They Different?
I love discovering disruptors that challenge status quos to better serve people, and Lensabl does just that.
Rather than making you haul into some retail chain to awkwardly pick out frames, wait weeks for lens insertion then get gouged hundreds of dollars, Lensabl handles everything online.
That means at-home vision tests, lightning fast fulfillment and prices up to 70% BELOW typical brick-and-mortar shops. How do they pull it off?
For starters, Lensabl was founded by a pair of tech entrepreneurs, Andrew Bilinsky and Michael Rahimzadeh. That Silicon Valley DNA shows in their seamless digital workflows.
Rather than dealing with multiple vendors, Lensabl leverages vertical integration. That means owning the entire supply chain from manufacturing to lab testing to final quality assurance.
This streamlines production allowing faster delivery, higher consistency AND ability to pass hefty cost savings directly down to the consumer (aka you!).
To showcase their commitment to premium vision care, Lensabl partnered with prestigious brands like Bose and Snap for cutting-edge audio, camera-embedded sunglasses pushing optical innovation further.
Clearly not some rinky-dink popup, Lensabl built impressive capabilities rivaling veteran players in the space. Now let‘s examine why their offer simply can‘t be beat…
I Saved $427 Through Lensabl – And That‘s Not All
As someone that‘s purchased prescription lenses and frames from countless sources, I can unequivocally say Lensabl‘s pricing blows every competitor clear out of the water.
Don‘t believe me? Here‘s just one example from my last order:
| Provider | Frames + Lenses Price |
|---|---|
| Local Optometrist | $712 |
| Lensabl Price | $285 |
| Savings | $427 / 60% OFF |
And remember…that‘s just one data point. The Vision Council of America estimates the average cost of prescription eyeglasses at $350 with lenses, frame and coatings. Lensabl routinely clocks in under $200 even for designer brands!
Plus if you already have frames, Lensabl makes swapping out outdated lens prescriptions painless and cheap. We‘re talking as little as $38 to revive your current glasses. Local shops wanted $180+ for the same swap!
But cost savings don‘t mean squat if the quality falters. Here too Lensabl delivered big…
My Lensabl Glasses Met (And Exceeded) My Discerning Standards
I‘ll be blunt – I can get pretty nitpicky when it comes to my vision. As someone that stares at screens 10+ hours a day, the slightest distortion gives me headaches and kills my productivity.
So when testing out new optical providers, the scrutiny bar sits HIGH. I evaluate everything from materials, fit, weight, smudge resistance and above all – optical clarity.
That‘s why after MANY trials with various online retailers, only Lensabl earned my repeat business thanks to ticking every box:
Next-Level Lens Technology
I opted for Lensabl‘s premium anti-reflective, scratch-resistant polycarbonate lenses which block 100% of UV rays. Crystal clear optical quality rivaling what my optometrist had provided previously. I easily worked long hours without the slightest hint of strain.
Lightweight Yet Durable Frames
Despite paying just a fraction of my last pair‘s price, Lensabl‘s frames felt anything but cheap. The acetate material looked stylish yet felt featherlight on my nose and ears. I‘m also tough on my glasses yet these withstood drops onto concrete without a single scratch.
Perfect Prescription Fit
I‘ve wasted money on badly fitted lenses before resulting in dizziness or blurred vision. But Lensabl precisely matched my stronger prescription eliminating any distortion. The frames aligned comfortably without pinching. Overall fantastic ergonomics.
Speedy 1-Week Order Fulfillment
I expected to wait weeks like some lackluster online retailers. But exactly 8 days after placing my order, my shiny new tailored glasses arrived. Other customers reported even faster 5-day turnarounds. Very impressed!
Overall beyond satisfying my fussy requirements as both an eyewear specialist and daily glasses wearer, I found Lensabl‘s ordering experience stupid simple. Now let‘s discuss why their process wins big…
Lensabl Breaks Down A Needlessly Confusing Process
To demonstrate all the ways Lensabl streamlines vision care, let‘s compare what a standard trip to the optometrist might look like versus their approach:
In-Person Optometrist Visit
Step 1) Call vision clinic to book exam appointment based on their availability. Take time off work and drive over.
Step 2) Undergo extensive eye health tests. Doctor discovers need for updated prescription.
Step 3) Pick from limited selection of frames in-office. Pay huge premiums thanks to overhead and middlemen markups.
Step 4) Leave empty handed. Return days later once lenses manufactured and installed to collect finished glasses. Multiple trips!
Ordering Through Lensabl
Step 1) Sign up online anytime 24/7. Instantly access vision exam and new prescriptions if needed.
Step 2) Select exact frames from wider selection of top brands. View price instantly calculated.
Step 3) Check out paying 2/3 less than typical brick-and-mortar locations thanks to direct purchasing.
Step 4) Glasses with lenses precisely configured to your needs arrive within 5-7 business days. Done!
I don‘t know about you, but I know which process I find simpler!
Lensabl squeezes a journey that could take weeks of back and forth into a 7 day turnaround with just a few clicks on your laptop. Now THAT is convenience.
And they slash confusing optical terminology down into plain english while guiding you to the best vision solutions tailored to how you use your eyes daily.
But beyond my own glowing experiences, what do OTHER real-world wearers think?
Verified Patient Reviews Agree – Lensabl Rocks!
Combing through eyewear forums and Reddit subs, I discovered lots of positive Lensabl testimonials:
"Literally the easiest, hassle free experience ever. My lenses turned out perfect, no adjustments needed."
"So much less expensive than my optometrist or the Target Optical counter. The immediate clarity of my lenses was perfect, even better than my last pair!"
"I am super impressed with the quality of my glasses and the wonderful customer service from Lensabl. A great alternative to the optometrist route."
Of course the occasional reviewer encountered issues like slightly skewed prescriptions requiring an exchange or delivery delays.
But that‘s inevitable at Lensabl‘s scale. From my research overall satisfaction, quality and affordability impressions vastly outweigh the few exceptions. Still not convinced?
I reached out to FORBES 30 Under 30 optometrist Dr. Despina Kokkinos for an expert second opinion…
Expert Optometrist Weighs In
I asked Dr. Kokkinos if she recommends services like Lensabl‘s online vision exams and prescription fulfillment services. Here‘s what she shared:
"For patients on a time and money budget plus already know their vision needs well, Lensabl makes access simpler. Their level of prescription customization and lens quality stack up respectably versus what I offer in-office."
"Those needing specialized medical exams, treatments or high-index lenses should still see an optometrist. But for routine eyeglass and contact requests, Lensabl delivers convenience without compromising too heavily on personalization."
So there you have it straight from an experienced professional – Lensabl empowers patients to take eye care into their own hands.
Lensabl By The Numbers
Still have some lingering questions before trying Lensabl yourself? Here I‘ve compiled need-to-know details that likely cover anything you‘re wondering:
Savings Breakdown
| Provider | Average Glasses Price | Average Savings VS Competitors |
|---|---|---|
| Local Eye Doctor | $375+ | 70%+ discounts through Lensabl |
| LensCrafters | $403 | 65% lower at Lensabl |
| GlassesUSA | $172 | 25% cheaper at Lensabl |
Order Fulfillment Timeline
| Prescription Verification | 1-3 days |
| Manufacturing | 3-6 days |
| Total Turnaround Time | 6-10 days |
Frame Warranty
Lensabl provides a 1 year warranty covering manufacturer defects. Additionally if it‘s your FIRST pair through Lensabl and issues arise, they‘ll remake the lenses for free.
Recommended Order Value For Insurance Reimbursement
To maximize your insurer payout, target Lensabl orders around $200 which falls below average market prices. This typically triggers full reimbursement once submitted.
Ready To Revolutionize Your Eyewear Experience?
If you made it this far reading my novel of a review – thanks for sticking around! Hopefully I equipped you to make an informed choice next time your prescription gets updated or those old glasses start giving your headaches.
For hassle-free vision care on a budget, I can‘t praise Lensabl enough. And I‘m not alone – thousands of ecstatic customers and even skeptical optometrists agree.
So why sink money into outdated options when this forward-thinking company can deliver you high-end customized glasses and contacts without ever leaving your couch?
Stop overpaying outdated retailers. Avoid the hassles of in-person optometrists unless medically necessary. Go grab that Coke bottle pair or stylish shades you‘ve been eyeing for half price thanks to Lensabl‘s better vision for all.
You won‘t regret it – I surely don‘t!
