Ask any parent who has a child that wears glasses - buying frames for your kids can be really tough.
After the somewhat stressful process of discovering your child’s prescription, many of us are faced with the challenge of selecting from a poor and limited choice of frames in-store at your local opticians. If your child is resisting wearing glasses at all, getting their buy-in and encouraging them to try on even a select few frames for size can really put your patience to the test.
Whilst it’s not recommended to buy prescription glasses for children under the age of 16 online, online retailers often have a far wide choice of stand-alone frames for children, as contrary to popular belief, not every child wants to wear Disney or Marvel designs.
To ensure eye safety, children’s frames can be purchased with plain lenses and then taken to be glazed with prescription lenses at your local optician.
Many online retailers also offer a range of innovative tools that can help improve your child’s confidence as they explore and ‘virtually try on’ a range of designs and styles.
We’ve researched the best online retailers where you can buy durable, comfortable, skin-friendly and fashionable frames for kids, with price points to suit a wide range of budgets.
Smartbuyglasses
Best for: Designer frames with fast delivery
Average prices: With a fairly extensive range, you can choose from the latest collection of kids’ designer glasses (with prices up to £190 for designer brands such as Gucci) or opt for more affordable frames from SmartBuys own collection with prices starting at £25.
The look: Bright and bold frames to full-rimmed metal designs
The process: Browse the range of kids’ frames online to find the brands and designs that work best for you. The discounts from RRP are clearly marked so you can see how much you are saving. Each listing will specify the sizes the frames are available in and similar designs are recommended at the bottom of the page. Once you’ve selected the size, add a clear lens before checking out.
Shipping Delivery and Returns: Frames from Smartbuyglasses are shipped free of charge. If the items are marked as fast shipping or in stock, they will be shipped within 24 hours when purchased Monday to Saturday. For items not in stock, you’ll need to allow slightly longer - between five and 11 days.
Smartbuyglasses also offer a 100 days return, providing a free return or exchange if you’re not happy for any reason. You can also buy with confidence thanks to their best price guarantee - if you find a lower-priced product after you’ve purchased from Smartbuy - they’ll reimburse the difference.
Special Features: Smartbuyglases have an online face shape guide to help parents discover which style frames will suit their child best. If you really want to get your child excited about glasses, they will love the handy virtual try-on tool, which using your webcam, allows them to see countless different designs on their own face, both face on and from the side.
Buy now, Smartbuyglasses
Framesbuy
Best for: Bright colours
Price Range: Prices start at £41 through to £56 for the most expensive.
The look: Traditional frames with a pop of colour, and a wide range of comfortable glasses with an adjustable strap - no hinges or metal parts that can catch or irritate your child’s skin.
The process: Browse through a range of lightweight and flexible frames suitable for children from toddlers to active kids. Select the dummy lenses, and Framesbuy will deliver them straight to your door.
Shipping Delivery and Returns: With some longer delivery times than some, Framesbuy send frames via courier within 12 - 16 days. They offer a 15-day unconditional return on non-prescription eyewear, frames and cases, allowing you to order and try on a selection of frames at home.
Special Features: To help you buy the right glasses frames for your child, Framesbuy has a range of helpful guides including a Face Shape Guide and guides to measure your child’s pupillary distance if you haven’t already been provided with this from your optician.
Buy now, Framesbuy
Opticians Direct
Best for: Discounted designer brands
Average prices: 50 per cent off high street prices on designer brands with prices ranging from an affordable £34, through to more expensive frames up to £93.
The look: With a wide choice of designer frames such as Oakley, Stella McCartney, Ray-Ban and Ted Baker, kids can choose from cat-eye frames, coloured, havana or traditional black-framed designs.
The process: Browse the range and check it’s available (either in stock or preorder) in your child’s size. Clear non-prescription lenses are supplied as standard, so you can proceed straight through to secure checkout. It’s worth noting however that stock levels change regularly and as such, you may find many designs are out of stock or discontinued.
Trial run: If you are worried that the glasses will fit your child, Opticians Direct recommend you purchase a few different styles without a prescription (up to four per order). Once you are confident with your selection, you can return the ones you don’t like within 30 days to receive a full refund.
Shipping Delivery and Returns: In-stock items are dispatched between three and seven working days whereas those that are available on preorder take slightly longer - around seven to 14 days.
Delivery is via Royal Mail (signature required) and the frames come with a 30-day full money back guarantee.
Special Features: Opticians Direct doesn’t have a virtual try-on tool for kids’ frames, however, you can ring their opticians for advice and support should you need assistance with your choice.
Buy now, Opticians Direct
SpeccyFourEyes
Best for: Licensed frames such as Peppa Pig, Barbie and BMX
Average prices: SpeccyFourEyes claim to be up to 80 per cent cheaper than the high street with prices starting at just £1 through to £118 for designer brands such as Nike and Ted Baker.
The look: Plastic or metal-framed glasses in a range of colours and lens shapes to suit every face shape.
The process: All children’s frames are available with non-prescription lenses only and frame dimensions are clearly marked so you can easily select the right size for your child.
Trial run: ââA very small selection of the children’s frames are available for Try At Home (not designer frames). You can opt to try up to three of these frames at any time.
Shipping Delivery and Returns: SpeckyFourEyes delivers frames via Royal Mail and charge £5.99 for postage and packaging anywhere in the UK. If you need your frames sooner, they also offer a Next Day shipping via Royal Mail for £10.99.
The frames come with a 100 per cent Satisfaction Guarantee and you can return them for free if there is a problem with your order. If your child simply doesn’t like the designs you have selected, you can return them for credit which you can use to choose an alternative pair.
Special Features: SpeccyFourEyes don’t have a virtual try-on tool, however, they do have a customer advice line for any advice and an extensive guide to buying glasses online.
Buy now, SpeccyFourEyes
Goggles4u.co.uk
Best for: Budget-friendly frames
Average prices: Discounted designer frames between £40 and £90 or discounted rectangular frames for under £20.
The look: For kids that want to be on-trend - Goggles4u offer a range of geek, chic, cat-eye, classic vintage and retro designer frames.
The process: Select your choice from either designer or discount eyeglasses and chose Quick Order to select basic lenses.
Shipping Delivery and Returns: Non-prescription frames are sold on a no-returns basis, so perhaps a riskier choice without trying them on.
Special Features: Goggles4u does offer a virtual try-on tool - ‘My mirror’ although this is recommended more for adult use.
Buy now, Goggles4u.co.uk
Verdict
It’s fair to say that whilst it can offer a wider choice, buying frames online isn’t without its challenges. If your child has particularly strong views on the style or design of their glasses, you may feel more comfortable ordering for delivery into a local store via your local opticians so your child has the freedom to try them on before they buy.
For their innovative virtual tools and fast delivery options alone, Smartbuyglasses is probably the closest you can get to an in-store experience. Having put their virtual try-on tool to the test, we were really impressed, allowing you to get a genuine feel for how well the frames suit your face shapes.
