Costco Glasses vs Buying Online: Prices, Eye Exams, Progressives and Returns
What Costco Optical really charges for frames, lenses and eye exams, what's included, how it compares with Zenni, EyeBuyDirect and Warby Parker, and who should buy where – checked against Costco's own sites.
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Short answer: Costco is a strong choice if you want mid-priced glasses with in-person help – especially progressives, which it sells only in the warehouse. Frames cost $59.99–$169.99 (median $74.99), lenses are extra, and anti-reflective coating is always included. But you need a membership, and for the cheapest possible pair, online stores win easily: Zenni from $6.95 and EyeBuyDirect from $6 for frames, or Warby Parker at $95 with lenses.
We pulled Costco’s full online frame catalog (256 frames) and read Costco’s optical pages on November 4, 2026. Costco doesn’t publish lens or eye-exam prices online, so for those we cite a 2024 Clark.com phone survey and say so. We haven’t bought glasses at Costco for this guide.
Costco Optical at a glance
| Costco Optical | |
|---|---|
| Frames | 256 frames online, $59.99–$169.99 (median $74.99); 52 brands incl. Kirkland Signature ($59.99–$74.99) |
| Lenses | Priced on top of the frame; not published online |
| Included with every Rx lens | Anti-reflective, scratch-resistant and UV treatment |
| Progressives | Kirkland Signature HD progressive, warehouse only |
| Eye exam | Independent optometrist in or next to the warehouse; price varies (about $65–$105 in a 2024 survey) |
| Membership | Member service (most online frames marked members-only): $65/yr Gold Star, $130/yr Executive |
| Insurance | “Most major vision insurances accepted” |
| Turnaround | Pickup in 5–7 days (most warehouse orders); online orders ~7–10 business days |
| Guarantee | “100% Member satisfaction guaranteed”; free adjustments, even on frames not bought at Costco |
Swipe to see the full table →
The most common prices are $74.99 (78 frames) and $69.99 (51 frames). Designer names sit at the top: Montblanc $159.99, Saint Laurent $169.99.
What a pair costs: Costco vs online
| Store | Cheapest published price | What it includes | Progressives |
|---|---|---|---|
| Costco | Frame $59.99 + lenses (single-vision lenses averaged about $63 in Clark.com’s 2024 survey → roughly $120+) | AR, scratch and UV treatment on every Rx lens; membership required | KS HD progressive in store; price not published |
| Zenni | Frames from $6.95 | Basic options are cheap; coatings and upgrades add cost | Progressive lenses from $37.95 |
| EyeBuyDirect | Frames from $6 | Coatings and upgrades add cost | From $49 on eligible frames |
| Warby Parker | $95 frame + single-vision lenses | Lenses included; free shipping and 30-day returns | From $325 |
Swipe to see the full table →
Online prices are from our glasses price tracker (checked Nov 2, 2026) and best progressive glasses online (Oct 20, 2026).
The pattern: for a basic single-vision pair, online stores are far cheaper. The gap narrows once you add anti-reflective coating online, and Costco’s in-person measurements matter most for progressives, where fitting height and centration affect how well you see.
Where Costco wins
- Progressives with a fitting. An optician measures you in person, and you can return for adjustments.
- Everything coated by default. AR, scratch-resistant and UV treatment come with every prescription lens – online stores often charge extra for these.
- Free adjustments, always – Costco says this covers frames bought elsewhere too.
- Insurance in person. Costco accepts most major vision plans, so the optician can apply benefits at the counter.
- Exam and glasses in one trip, with the optometrist in or next to the warehouse.
Where online wins
- Price floor. You can get a basic pair online for a fraction of Costco’s cheapest frame.
- No membership. $65 a year is a real cost if you only shop at Costco for glasses.
- Selection and try-on at home. Big online stores have much larger catalogs; Costco’s online catalog has 256 frames.
- Clear return windows. Online stores publish exact terms – see online glasses return policies. Costco promises member satisfaction but routes eyeglass returns through the warehouse, and custom lenses can’t be returned on Costco.com.
Who should buy where
| You are… | Best bet |
|---|---|
| Buying your first progressives | Costco (in-person fitting) or a store with a long return window |
| Already a Costco member, single vision, want AR coating | Costco – coatings included, free adjustments |
| On the tightest budget, simple prescription | Zenni or EyeBuyDirect – see cheap prescription glasses online |
| Want one all-in price and easy returns | Warby Parker ($95 incl. lenses) |
| Need a backup pair or prescription sunglasses | Online – see prescription sunglasses online |
Swipe to see the full table →
EyeBuyDirect
Cheapest online alternativeBest for: Low-cost single-vision and progressive pairs without a membership
- Frames from $6
- Progressives from $49 on eligible frames
- 30-day refund or one-time replacement
- Coatings and lens upgrades add cost
- No in-person fitting
Tips if you buy at Costco
- Bring your prescription – or book the independent optometrist; ask for your PD too, so you can also order online later (how to measure PD).
- Ask for the lens price before you pick a frame – lens choice usually matters more than frame price.
- Ask about your insurance allowance at the counter.
- Check the pair at pickup and use the free adjustments.
For more ways to stretch your benefits, see using vision insurance online and FSA and HSA glasses.
Key takeaways
- Costco Optical's 256 frames run $59.99 to $169.99 (median $74.99) on glasses.costco.com on November 4, 2026 – and that's the frame only.
- Every Costco prescription lens includes anti-reflective, scratch-resistant and UV treatment; online, the included single-vision lens is 1.60 high-index.
- Costco Optical is a member service ($65 a year Gold Star, $130 Executive); most frames online are marked members-only. Eye exams are run by independent optometrists; prices vary by location.
- Online, Costco sells single-vision only (distance or reading); Kirkland Signature HD progressives are in-store only.
- Costco wins for mid-priced single-vision and progressive glasses with in-person fitting; Zenni and EyeBuyDirect win on rock-bottom price; Warby Parker is the simplest all-in price at $95.
Frequently asked questions
How much are glasses at Costco?
Frames on Costco's optical site cost $59.99 to $169.99 on November 4, 2026, and 150 of the 256 frames are $74.99 or less. Lenses are extra. A 2024 Clark.com phone survey found single-vision lenses starting around $60–$66 at the warehouses it called, for a basic pair from roughly $120.
Do you need a Costco membership to buy glasses?
In practice, yes – Costco Optical is a member service, and 157 of the 256 frames on its optical site are marked members-only (Gold Star membership is $65 a year, Executive $130). The eye exam is run by an independent optometrist in or next to the warehouse; call that office to ask about price and whether it sees non-members.
Does Costco take vision insurance?
Costco says most major vision insurance plans are accepted at its optical departments. Coverage and allowances depend on your plan, so check with the warehouse before your visit.
Is Costco cheaper than Zenni?
Not for the cheapest pair. Zenni's frames start at $6.95 and EyeBuyDirect's at $6, while Costco's cheapest frame is $59.99 before lenses. Costco becomes competitive on mid-range pairs and progressives, where AR coating is included and you get in-person measurements and free adjustments.
What brand are Costco's progressive lenses?
Costco's own Kirkland Signature HD progressive lenses. Its online store says they are available at your local Costco Optical department – they aren't sold on glasses.costco.com, which offers single-vision (distance or reading) lenses only.
Are glasses cheaper at Costco or LensCrafters?
It depends on the pair and the promotion. Costco includes AR, scratch-resistant and UV treatment with every prescription lens. LensCrafters advertised frame-plus-lens deals from $99 (single-vision lenses $25 on select frames) when we checked on November 2, 2026, but promotions change – compare the full quote with the coatings you want.
How long does Costco take to make glasses?
Costco says most warehouse orders are ready for pickup in 5–7 days. Orders on glasses.costco.com are estimated at about 7–10 business days for delivery.
- Costco – Optical department page (what's included, insurance, pickup time)
- Costco Optical online store – frame catalog and lens options
- Costco – Membership fees (Gold Star $65, Executive $130)
- Clark.com – Costco Optical prices by city (phone survey, updated April 2024)
- Healthline – Costco Optical review (2021)
- GlassesPicker – Online glasses price tracker (Zenni, EyeBuyDirect, Warby Parker prices)