You don't need to spend $600 on frames to get a useful pair of glasses. Start with an in-person quote from Specsavers or Dresden. Compare that complete price with KITS, which now has a Toronto shop as well as its website.
Our first choice for a basic budget quote is Specsavers. Its current two-pair offer makes an easy starting comparison. Dresden is the better alternative if you like its simple frame shapes and interchangeable colours. If your lenses need extra features, proper fitting and the full lens price matter most. Ask an optician, the person trained to fit glasses, to explain each charge.
Skip any shop that keeps pushing a frame you dislike or suggests financing before giving you a clear total. A $1,200 pair you don't want is a bad purchase, however small the monthly payment looks.
Research was checked September 15 to 17, 2026. The KITS cart tests were on September 15. Sales can change. Starting prices are not quotes for every prescription.
In this guide
- Compare complete prices, not just frames
- Specsavers: a sensible first quote
- Dresden: affordable frames, with a clear style limit
- KITS: check the free-pair offer, then try the frames
- Warby Parker and Bailey Nelson: more shapes to try
- Costco, Clearly and Kodak Lens
- Independent shops for people tired of the same frames
- Is Pacific Mall worth the trip?
- Online glasses: the return policy is part of the price
- More style options, without assuming they're bargains
- Keep a frame you like, if an optician says it can be reused
- Protect the fitting, not the sales pitch
- Check coverage before shopping
- What about buying abroad or getting laser surgery?
- A practical Toronto shopping route
- Frequently asked questions
Compare complete prices, not just frames
| Place | Current useful starting point | What to check next |
|---|---|---|
| Specsavers | Limited-time two pairs from $99 | Frame range, lens upgrades and same-person rule |
| Dresden | Prescription glasses from $100; progressives from $250 | Lens thinning, chosen frame and current multi-pair terms |
| KITS | Eligible new-customer codes can remove the base frame-and-standard-lens price | Shipping, prescription suitability, eligibility and daily cap |
| Warby Parker | Example Canadian frames from $150 with single-vision lenses | Progressives and other lens additions |
| Bailey Nelson | One pair from $189 or two from $249 in its narrow-fit range | Frame tier, lens type and fit |
| Kodak Lens Vision Centre | Packages from $95 with lenses and basic coatings | Exact prescription and package exclusions |
| Costco Optical | An individual in-warehouse quote | Membership, frame selection and lens details |
| Clearly / For Eyes by Clearly | Online and in-store quotes | Whether the same frame and lens package is being compared |
Get the eye-exam fee separately. Then ask for the frame, lens design, lens material, coatings and any second-pair charge on one written quote. A pair with basic single-vision lenses is a different purchase from progressive lenses that darken outdoors.
What do the lens names mean?
Single-vision lenses help with one type of vision, such as seeing far away. Progressive lenses have different parts for near, middle and far distances. Bifocals have two distinct viewing parts. Specsavers explains the main lens types.
High-index lenses use a material that can make a strong prescription thinner. Prism is a feature your eye-care professional may prescribe to help your eyes work together. Tell the shop about these needs before comparing a basic sale price.
Light-responsive lenses darken in sunlight. Transitions is one brand name. Coatings are thin treatments on the lens, such as a layer that reduces reflections. Ask which ones are included.
Specsavers: a sensible first quote
The current two-pair sale starts at $99 for selected frames with standard single-vision lenses. Both pairs must be for the same person. Extra lens options can cost more on each pair.
For eligible progressive and other listed lens types, the offer charges for those lenses in the first pair only. That does not make every high-index progressive package $99. Ask the optician to price your prescription in the cheapest frame range you actually like.
The difference between a sale headline and an upgraded quote isn't proof of a scam. But the shop should explain every added cost clearly. Get the quote, compare it, and leave if the explanation stays vague.
Dresden: affordable frames, with a clear style limit
Dresden lists prescription glasses from $100, progressives from $250 and frames alone at $60. Its current shop page also shows two-pair starting prices of $160 for standard prescription glasses and $400 for progressives. Compare the Canadian range.
The Toronto shops are 599 College Street in Little Italy and 733 Queen Street East in Riverside. You can try the frames rather than guessing from a face filter. Check the two locations.
The attraction is simple: a small number of shapes, many colours and parts that can be mixed. If you want a particular delicate titanium frame or an unusual designer shape, start elsewhere. A bargain in a shape you dislike won't solve your problem.
Customers report both helpful service and appointment problems. Confirm an eye-exam booking, especially if it was made at short notice. Older claims that several discount codes can be stacked are unconfirmed. Use the current written terms, not a remembered combination.
Choose Dresden if the frame shape suits you. Get the final price with any necessary lens thinning before comparing it with another store.
KITS: check the free-pair offer, then try the frames
KITS is no longer an online-only option for Toronto. Its official store page lists 735 Queen Street West. That matters if you like its prices but want to feel the bridge and arms before buying. See the Toronto store.
KITS also offers low-bridge-fit styles. That is a useful filter if ordinary frames slide down, but a style name doesn't replace a fitting.
What happened when we checked the codes
On September 15, we built a sample cart with a $28 KITS Saturday frame and standard clear 1.50 single-vision lenses. We used the site's option to provide prescription details later. We entered no personal prescription, delivery address or payment details, and placed no order.
- FIRSTPAIRFREE applied a $28 discount. The cart described a maximum of $38 for eligible KITS frames with standard lenses, subject to a daily limit.
- TORONTOFPF also applied a $28 discount. Its cart message described an eligible frame limit of $58, subject to a daily limit.
- In both checks, the merchandise estimate became $0 before shipping. The site calculated delivery at the next step, so we did not verify a final delivered total or taxes on delivery.
The general offer is for new customers, with restrictions on prior purchases and eligible products. Premium lenses and other upgrades are extra. We couldn't confirm a separate public expiry date or full eligibility page for TORONTOFPF. Treat that code as a successful cart check, not a promise it will work for your account. Read the published First Pair Free terms.
Use this offer for a suitable basic pair or backup. Don't choose a lens that fails your needs just to keep the cart at zero. Old reports of four pairs for $80 or $10 delivered were different transactions, not today's universal price.
Warby Parker and Bailey Nelson: more shapes to try
Warby Parker's Canadian product pages list selected frames from $150 with single-vision lenses. On the checked Weathers page, progressives start at $425, 1.67 high-index lenses add $60 and light-responsive lenses add $170. Those figures show how a modest base price becomes a much larger bill. See the Canadian example and lens table.
Ask for a prescription-specific quote for prism or stronger lenses. Don't use another person's $50 prism upgrade or $1,200 total as your price. Their lens needs and frame choice can be different.
Bailey Nelson's narrow-fit range lists one pair from $189 or two from $249, including standard 1.5 single-vision lenses with anti-reflective and scratch-resistant coatings. It also has higher frame tiers. Ask about the complete progressive package rather than applying the basic-pair price to it.
The Dustin frame was a specific customer favourite in our research. Treat that as a style to look up if available, not a frame we can promise will suit your face. The old $369 glasses-and-polarized-sunglasses purchase isn't a standing offer.
Try these shops if Dresden's shapes don't work for you. Take a photo of your favourite frames, note their exact size and model, and compare complete quotes after the visit.
Costco, Clearly and Kodak Lens
Costco: useful if you're already a member
Costco Optical deserves a quote, particularly for someone buying everyday glasses and prescription sunglasses. It does not publish one universal price for every prescription. An old $200 high-index lens report isn't enough to budget a new order.
Costco's Canadian policy says you don't need membership for an eye exam, but you do need it to buy glasses in Ontario. Confirm access arrangements with the warehouse when booking. Read Costco's Canadian policy.
Existing members should compare it. If you're thinking of joining only for glasses, include the membership cost. Our Toronto Costco membership guide helps with that wider decision.
Clearly: try the frame in Toronto
For Eyes by Clearly is at 315 Queen Street West, a few blocks from Osgoode station. Its official page lists eye exams, optical measurements, adjustments and returns or exchanges. See the Queen Street store.
Customer reports are mixed about frame durability and lens comfort. Some liked inexpensive metal frames; others described broken plastic hinges, poor fit or returns. That is a reason to inspect the hinge and check the policy, not proof that every low-priced frame will fail.
Use the physical store if online sizing makes you nervous. Get the exact model and lens details in writing before comparing with the website.
Kodak Lens: a useful starting price to compare
Kodak Lens Vision Centre lists packages from $95, including frames, prescription lenses and anti-glare and anti-scratch coatings. More expensive frame categories begin at $145, $195 and $295. Check the package categories.
It also publishes student and insurance-network offers. These have eligibility rules and minimum purchases, so show your actual coverage information and request a quote. Don't assume a discount for a named school, employer or benefits network is open to everyone.
For other school-year offers, see our Toronto student discount guide. Verify each offer’s eligibility before counting it in your budget.
Add Kodak Lens to your comparison if a location is convenient. Ask which package covers your lens needs before treating $95 as your total.
Independent shops for people tired of the same frames
These are useful places to try a different selection. We verified the identities and locations, not a promise that each is cheaper than a chain.
| Shop | Location | Why it belongs on your shortlist |
|---|---|---|
| The Optic Zone | 33 Jarvis Street | A local option for help choosing frames; the old under-$300 customer price needs a fresh quote |
| Mega Save Optical | 2408 Bloor Street West, near Jane station | A practical west-end price comparison; older lens and frame bills aren't current quotes |
| Discount Optical | 1312 Bloor Street West | A try-on option for someone who doesn't want to order sight unseen |
| Chinatown Optical | 424 Dundas Street West | Designer selection; the related Optic Creations shop is at 5025 Yonge Street |
The Optic Zone gives booked appointments priority over walk-ins. Reserve a fitting time if you are making a special trip.
Chinatown Optical's own site shows conflicting hours in different sections. Call before travelling. Customers also disagree about value and service, so judge the current quote and fitting rather than an old reputation.
One recommendation described an unnamed shop on College, just west of Yonge. We couldn't identify it with confidence. Guessing would risk sending you to the wrong business.
Visit two shops with different selections, rather than spending a whole day repeating the same search. Tell the optician what you disliked about your last frames, including slipping, weight, width or pressure behind the ears.
Is Pacific Mall worth the trip?
Go if you want to compare several optical shops in one place. Don't go expecting a guaranteed designer bargain. Pacific Mall is in Markham at Steeles and Kennedy, so it is a longer trip for many downtown readers.
Its official store map lists a.look optical at E60. However, the mall’s individual A-Look listing still says E58. These official pages conflicted on September 17. Call 905-948-1858 to confirm the unit before leaving. The similar aisles make a wrong unit number an avoidable waste of time.
Reports ranged from a $340 cash total for designer frames and thin lenses to disappointing selection and quotes above $400. Those purchases used different frames and prescriptions. They don't establish a mall-wide price.
Ask for the exact frame brand, model, lens maker, lens design and written return terms. If you want Japanese titanium frames, call a specific shop about brands and stock first. Cash payment should still come with a proper receipt.
Get a downtown baseline quote before making this trip. Compare the same lens specification, not just the word “thin.”
Online glasses: the return policy is part of the price
Zenni and EyeBuyDirect came up often as lower-cost options. They also brought the clearest disagreement: some customers were happy for years, while others found online fitting unreliable.
At EyeBuyDirect Canada, the checked Vardy frame was $23 including basic 1.5 prescription lenses. That is one concrete low-price example, not a quote for every lens. Coatings, thinning, tints and delivery can change the total.
Its site currently mixes newer 30-day return banners with older 14-day wording on some pages. Get the policy attached to your order in writing. A year-long defect warranty and a change-of-mind return window are different things.
Zenni's current return policy gives 14 days for a refund to the original payment method, less shipping, or 30 days for store credit, subject to its conditions. The glasses must be sent back within the relevant window. Don't rely on an old claim of a full 30-day cash refund.
Another correction: Zenni does offer prism for eligible single-vision lenses. It doesn't offer that option for its progressive or bifocal lenses. Confirm your full prescription rather than assuming that one prism option covers every case.
Our choice for a difficult prescription is an in-person fitting first. Online shopping makes more sense when you already understand the frame fit and lens specification you need, and can deal with a return promptly.
Other online names worth comparing carefully
Other online options include Firmoo, ZEELOOL, Yesglasses, Polette, Vooglam, WhereLight, EZContacts and Eyewear Canada. Their websites were active when checked. Their current delivered Canadian totals for the reported prescriptions were not verified, so we haven't ranked them as cheaper.
Firmoo had both satisfied customers and reports of frames becoming loose within months. The claim that all these retailers sell identical-quality lenses is unverified. So is a blanket claim that a low price must mean poor quality.
Use each site's actual Canadian checkout and return terms. Some landing pages show US shipping offers or foreign currencies. A $30 headline isn't a Canadian delivered price. Eyewear Canada advertises safety and sports products too; a specific protective rating needs to apply to the exact product you're buying.
Virtual try-on can help you reject a shape you dislike. It can't tell you whether the frame presses on your nose. Buying a frame with plain lenses first adds cost and a second order, so use that approach only after checking returns and whether an optician will fit lenses to it.
More style options, without assuming they're bargains
- BonLook: still a useful in-store comparison for frames and lens packages. Get a current quote for high-index progressives or Transitions. An old recommendation for that combination doesn't establish today's price. Browse BonLook.
- Ollie Quinn: include it if the style suits you. The current Canadian site shows many frames at $225 to $275, so an old $150 purchase isn't a reliable starting budget. Check current frames.
- LensCrafters: don't rule it out by name alone. Its Canadian offers page lists selected complete packages from $99 and other promotions. Compare the final package instead of focusing on a “nearly free” frame attached to expensive lenses. Read the current offers.
- MUJOSH: the Canadian store page lists Yorkdale. One costly customer quote doesn't establish every model's price. Check the full lens cost and frame size before committing.
- Pair Eyewear: its magnetic top frames let you change the look of one base pair. Price the base prescription pair and the toppers together. Buying several decorative tops can erase the saving. See how the tops work.
- Extoggery: the consignment shop at 10 Brentcliffe Road is a lead for second-hand accessories. A reported $50 Ray-Ban find was a one-off, not standing inventory or a complete prescription pair. Ask an optician to assess a used frame before buying it for new lenses. See the shop.
- Real Canadian Superstore optical counters: verify the current operator and offer at the exact store. Older buy-one-get-one stories aren't a national standing deal. Some grocery-store locations now appear in the Specsavers store list.
If second-hand shopping is part of your plan, our Toronto thrift-store price comparison explains why a used item is not automatically good value.
Keep a frame you like, if an optician says it can be reused
New lenses in a comfortable frame can solve the problem without another style search. Ask the optician to inspect the hinges and frame condition, quote the lenses and explain who pays if the frame breaks during the work.
Check this before buying a frame elsewhere. Some shops decline outside frames or limit their responsibility for them. A cheap frame isn't a saving if no one will fit the lenses you need.
Keep a usable spare while the work is done. Some customers rotate two frames or use prescription sunglasses while waiting, but a one-hour service reported by someone else isn't a guaranteed turnaround.
Frames sold alone can also receive different tax treatment from a complete prescribed pair. The Canada Revenue Agency says qualifying prescription eyewear has a zero GST/HST rate. Ask for a tax-inclusive frame-only quote and a lens quote that lists each charge rather than assuming the two purchases have identical tax treatment. Read the CRA guidance.
Protect the fitting, not the sales pitch
Ask who is responsible for your fitting. The College of Opticians of Ontario recommends checking that you're dealing with a licensed professional. A salesperson's confidence isn't a substitute for that role.
Pupillary distance, often called PD, measures the space between your pupils. It isn't the whole fitting. The position of the selected frame and the lens design matter too. Ask what measurements your lenses need and who will check the finished pair.
You can request your own personal health information, including measurements held in your optician's records. That doesn't mean every measurement is included in an ordinary prescription or that an old frame-specific measurement suits a new frame. Read the College's records guidance.
If a new pair causes distorted vision, headaches or persistent discomfort, contact the person who fitted your glasses promptly. Ask them to check the prescription, lenses and fit. Don't accept a blanket instruction to ignore a problem, and don't drive in glasses that leave your vision unsafe.
Serious concerns about an optician's conduct can go through the College's complaints process. Individual online allegations aren't enough to diagnose eye damage or prove professional misconduct.
Check coverage before shopping
Insurance plans differ. One person's $350 every two years or child's $500 annual benefit isn't your entitlement. Check the remaining balance, renewal date, exam coverage, eligible retailer and paperwork. Overseas or online purchases can have different claim requirements.
OHIP covers some eye exams based on age and medical circumstances. It does not make every adult's routine exam free. Check Ontario's current eye-care coverage and ask the clinic what will be billed before the visit.
Toronto residents receiving Ontario Works should ask their caseworker about the City's eyewear arrangement with City Optical. Other low-income residents can contact the City's Application and Support Centre at 416-338-8888 to ask about eligibility for health-related help. Don't buy first and assume you will get the money back. See Toronto's vision-care support.
Walmart and Costco were suggested for exams, while a customer reported a $99 Bailey Nelson exam. Current fees depend on the clinic and tests. Ask for the routine-exam price and any optional imaging charge separately. We couldn't establish a city-wide $100 minimum.
What about buying abroad or getting laser surgery?
Buying glasses during an already planned trip to Japan, Europe or Jamaica can be another comparison. It isn't a reason to delay needed care or book a trip to save on frames. Check the complete lens specification, currency, adjustments, remakes and insurance before paying.
Laser surgery is a separate medical decision. It can reduce dependence on glasses, but it can also cause dry eyes and other complications, and reading glasses or further correction may still be needed later. A person's old $2,000 operation is not a current quote or proof of lifetime savings. Read Health Canada's overview.
If you already have dry eyes, ask a qualified eye surgeon about your individual suitability. Monovision, which gives the two eyes different focusing roles, also needs a proper discussion. Don't choose surgery simply because a glasses salesperson gave you an upsetting quote.
A practical Toronto shopping route
For Queen West, compare KITS at 735 Queen Street West with Clearly at 315 Queen Street West. These are separate stops, not neighbouring storefronts. Start with the shop that has the frame you want to try.
Choose one budget shop and one shop whose frames you like. Bring your prescription, current glasses and a firm maximum budget. Compare the written totals at home.
Pay extra for a feature you understand and need. Ask what a blue-light filter, anti-fog treatment, special hinge or thinner lens adds for your own use. Don't buy every upgrade because it appears in a bundle.
Put every quote on one page
Ask each shop for a written total that separates the frame, two lenses, lens material, coatings, measurements, warranty and tax. Record what happens if the glasses need to be remade.
| Quote detail | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Lens index or material | A cheaper quote may use a thicker or different lens. |
| Pupillary distance and fitting height | Progressive and stronger prescriptions depend on accurate positioning. |
| Coatings | Scratch resistance, anti-reflective treatment and tint can change the total sharply. |
| Warranty and adjustment | A low price is weaker if remakes or ongoing fitting are excluded. |
| Return conditions | Custom lenses often have different rules from an unused frame. |
Wear a promising frame for several minutes. Look down, smile and turn your head. Check that it does not slide, pinch behind the ears or rest on your cheeks. A frame that needs a small adjustment can work; one that is the wrong width usually remains the wrong frame.
For progressives or a strong prescription, ask how the chosen frame affects usable lens area, thickness and distortion. Buy the frame only after the optician confirms it can carry the lenses you need.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to spend $600 on frames?
No. Current Canadian ranges include frames and basic prescription glasses far below that amount. A higher price can reflect materials, design or branding, but it doesn't mean a frame will fit you better.
Why does my quote cost more than the advertised pair?
The headline often uses a selected frame range and basic lenses. Progressives, prism, different lens materials, tints and coatings can change the total. Ask for the price of each addition and the least expensive suitable alternative.
Is a second pair really free?
Read what the offer includes. It can cover the frame or certain lenses while charging for extras on both pairs. Also check whether both must be for one person and whether you actually need the second pair.
Can I get glasses online with a strong prescription?
Some retailers accept strong prescriptions, but acceptance isn't a promise of comfortable fit. Ask your eye-care professional about the frame and lens requirements before ordering. A clear return and remake policy is especially useful here.
Do all online shops accept prism prescriptions?
No. Check the exact lens type and prescription limits. Zenni's current single-vision prism option doesn't extend to its progressives or bifocals, and another retailer's offer can be different.
Can I use my current frames for new lenses?
Often, but the shop needs to inspect them and agree to the work. Ask about damage responsibility, turnaround and the complete lens price. Keep a usable spare while your main pair is away.
Should I buy the frame now and decide on lenses later?
Get the lens quote and compatibility check first. A frame can look right but be a poor choice for the lenses you need. Check return terms before paying for a frame-only purchase.
What should I do if the shop keeps pressuring me?
Take the written quote and leave. You don't need to explain your full insurance balance or agree to financing to try a frame. Buy when the fit, style, lenses and final price all work for you.
The best saving is a pair you'll wear comfortably. Start with a clear budget quote, protect the fitting and stop paying for features no one can explain.