- Frame material: Plastic
- Lens type: Acrylic
- Prescription type: +1.25 to +3.50
- Colors: Light brown tortoise, dark brown tortoise, black and tortoise
- Price at publish: $26.95
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Reading an “old fashioned” book or a Kindle with prolonged screen time can cause eye strain and, sometimes, headaches. That’s where reading glasses come in. The term “readers” refers to glasses with magnification, not prescription lenses. They are available at pharmacies, supermarkets, and convenience stores. Readers come with magnification strengths that begin at +0.50 and go up to +4.00, in increments of 0.25 or 0.50. They’re available in a variety of styles, colors, and shapes with varying features. While a licensed optometrist can help you determine which magnification strength you need, we’ve put together this guide of the best reading glasses based on quality, features, and styles suitable for various situations and needs.
If you want to be able to look up and see things clearly in the distance (or just the television across the room) without removing your readers or sliding them down your nose, bifocals may be just what you need. The top portion of the lens is clear without magnification, while the bottom works just like any other pair of readers. The Actor Bifocal from Readers.com has a round frame shape and is available in light or dark brown tortoise or with black lens frames and tortoise arms.
We like these modern square readers from Peepers because they’ve got personality as well as all the features you’d want in a high-quality lens. Not only do they filter over 40% of high energy blue light, they’re also anti-reflective, anti-scratch and uniquely clear with the option of adding just a hint of a tint—because readers don’t have to be boring.
As someone who always wears prescription glasses, I’m a fan of Warby Parker. They have excellent customer service and you can order up to five frames to try on at home for free. I own and love these particular frames. They’re my everyday glasses; they’re understated and stylish without calling unnecessary attention to themselves. If you do want to call some attention, consider the Haskell in one of the other available colors like mint green or whiskey tortoise. Shopping tip: Warby Parker is one of the best places to buy eyeglasses online and the best places to buy contacts online. Their Tilly sunglasses made our list for the best sunglasses for women, while their Harris design made our list for the best sunglasses for men.
If you frequently misplace your reading glasses, consider buying a five pack. This set from Gaoye includes five pairs of lightweight resin framed glasses. The lenses are anti-glare, blue light filtering, and (according to the company) explosion-proof. So, while you may lose your glasses on the regular, at least the lenses will still be intact when (if) you find them again.
These readers from Foster Grant fold completely flat and fit into a slim, low-profile case (which is included). The lenses are both impact and scratch resistant and there are adjustable nose pads for a perfect fit. If you’re looking for a good, basic, unobtrusive pair of reading glasses, these are for you. They’re what we like to refer to as “spectacles” (if you know you know).
Multi-focus lenses have three different lens strengths in one—like prescription progressives, but with one more level. The most powerful magnification is on the bottom third for reading; the middle has slightly reduced power for computer use, and the top third has about half the strength as the bottom—so you can see people while interacting with them. The anti-reflective, impact resistant and scratch resistant lenses sit in stylish and sophisticated tiger striped frames. I, for one, think we could all use more tiger stripes in our lives.
I’m always a sucker for anything vintage-inspired, so I especially love the round retro shape of these readers (and the fact that they come in multiple color options). They have a plastic frame with spring hinges and are lightweight enough that sometimes you may forget you’re wearing them. They’re also a good quality for the price, which, at $15 is super affordable. Buy multiple pairs, so you can keep them in strategic places around the house. Eyekeeper also has a convenient eye test to help you determine how strong your readers need to be.
If you love designer frames, these from Tory Burch may strike your fancy. They’re available in two different colors: Tortoiseshell with crystal arms or navy with pinot arms—both are super stylish. Basic magnification is included in the reader lens price when buying from GlassesUSA, or you can choose a prescription lens option (some prescription lenses are included in the price).
This pair of glasses is a micro-reader style that folds down and fits into its own compact case. You can easily slip them into your back pocket so you have them with you at all times. They’re also thin enough to wear with a low brimmed hat so you don’t have to worry about compromising your style.
Are you concerned about the amount of time your kids spend in front of their computer screens? Or, do they complain of headaches? A pair of blue light reading glasses can help. These e.Glasses from Foster Grant filter up to 30% of potentially harmful blue light while also providing UVA-UVB protection.
If you want something besides the same old tortoise shell or black—not that there’s anything wrong with either of those—these cat-eye readers from Zenni come in floral, polka dot, and pink (more of a rose hue). With anti-scratch lenses and a price that can’t be beat, you’ll definitely be seeing the world through rose-colored glasses. Or floral. Or polka dot.
These computer glasses from Gamma Ray feature a cool, lightweight, flexible nylon frame that offers comfort and durability. The lenses have UV protection as well as an anti-glare coating and protection from blue rays so you can work, surf, game, or watch television with less eye fatigue. We’d like to remind you to also get outside for some fresh air from time to time (these do have UV protection after all).
Reading glasses are available in a variety of shapes, styles, and magnifications. The lenses come with different features such as blue light filtering, anti-glare, and scratch resistance. When choosing a pair, consider the following.
Your glasses should be comfortable to wear and not pinch your temples or nose. It’s also helpful, though not absolutely necessary, that you like the way they look on your face. If you can, go try them on in person, or make sure you’re able to return ones you don’t like if you’re buying online.
Lenses are commonly made of plastic, polycarbonate, or high-index plastic. Plastic lenses are inexpensive and durable but not as light as polycarbonate or high-index plastics. Polycarbonate is more impact resistant than plastic. Even lighter still, high-index plastics are used mostly for people with strong prescriptions and tend to be more expensive.
Plastic is a popular choice for reading glass frames as it is lightweight and durable. Some glasses have flexible resin frames, meaning they have a bit of bendability. Or, there are classic metal or wire framed options. What you chose depends a lot on your own personal style.
What other features do you want in your lenses? If you spend a lot of time looking at computer screens, you’ll probably want a pair of reading glasses with blue-light blocking and anti-glare. Other available options include UV protection and scratch resistance.
We spent a huge amount of time reading online reviews and company profiles as well as drawing from personal experience and consulting with as many people as we could about their own reading glass choices. I’ve been wearing prescription glasses since I was thirteen, which was 40 years ago, so I have tons of first-hand experience with all sorts of frames and lenses. Eyeglasses have come a long way since the early ‘80s, as have contact lenses.
The best place to buy reading glasses is wherever offers you the most convenience: Reading glasses can be found in drugstores and large box stores like Walmart. Or, you can go to a dedicated eyewear store, such as LensCrafters. Trying on glasses in person is usually a better option but if you’re unable to get to a store, there are many places to buy them online. When purchasing on the internet, look for sites and companies with free shipping and easy returns in case you’re not happy with the frames you’ve selected.
If you’re looking for the best place to buy sunglasses for women or men, most stores and sites that carry regular glasses and readers, also offer a full line of sunglasses—with or without a prescription.
The best way to clean reading glasses, or any glasses, begins with first washing and drying your hands. Next, rinse your glasses under lukewarm tap water and squeeze a small dollop of dish washing soap (the lotion-free kind) on each lens. Rinse, then dry with a microfiber or lint-free cloth so you don’t get tiny pieces of lint all over your clean lenses.
If possible, see an eye doctor to determine what strength of reading glasses you need. Some companies have online charts you can use as a guide, though they don’t replace the advice of a certified optometrist. As a rule of thumb, use the lowest magnification you can while still being able to see comfortably.
Presbyopia or farsightedness is the loss of close-up vision and, it’s a natural consequence of aging and non-correctable. Most everyone will experience it as they age. Signs you need reading glasses include: needing to hold things farther away from your face to see clearly, needing brighter light to see things close up, and/or having difficulty reading when tired or under stress. Headaches and eyestrain from doing close work like sewing, model making, knitting, or reading are also indications that you may need reading glasses.
The lowest strength of reading glasses that actually provides obvious magnification is +0.50. While you can buy glasses with a +0.25 magnification, most people won’t notice much of a difference with them.
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