The Netflix of Prescription Glasses: A Warby Parker Review

By on at • @mggjim

Smudge on the Lens

Okay, so it’s clear I had a pretty good experience with Warby Parker, but not everything is perfect. First, the company’s selection of frames is limited compared to most eyeglass stores. It’s also heavily skewed to what I would call a “hipster” style. There are a few more generic designs but, by and large, most designs are big and bold and those looking for a more subtle design may be out of luck.

However, the company is aggressively adding new designs to its catalog. During the time since we first ordered our home try-on, Warby Parker has released at least three new frame designs. So if you’re intrigued by the concept, but can’t find a frame you like, make sure to check back occasionally to see what’s new.

Another issue is a lack of inventory for the home try-ons. There were two frames that looked interesting and I wanted to add them to my home try-on kit, but with limited inventory neither were available. Of course, I could always have waited a few days and tried again, but I was eager to replace my old glasses. Hopefully the company will expand its home try-on inventory as it grows.

Worth a Look

Overall, however, my experience with Warby Parker was overwhelmingly positive. My new glasses are well-made and fit nicely, and the ordering process was simple and fun. As a start-up, they’re currently geared toward providing exceptional customer service and I hope that they can continue to maintain their current level of service as the number of customers increases.

If you’re looking for a new pair of glasses or sunglass (or, heck, even a monocle), I recommend that you give Warby Parker a try. You may not find a frame design that suits you, but browsing the site and giving the home try-on program a shot is a fun experience.

As I mentioned at the beginning of this review, I first heard about Warby Parker from The Mac Observer’s Mac Geek Gab podcast. The company is running a promotion for free expedited shipping. Use the promo code MGG at checkout and you’ll get your frames a bit faster.

Finally, and this shouldn’t need to be said for regular TekRevue readers, but for those just stopping by I want to clarify that this review is not part of Warby Parker’s grand marketing strategy. This is an unpaid and unsolicited independent review of my experience and neither I nor TekRevue received compensation or consideration of any kind for its publication. Happy eyeglass shopping!

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  • nanabuuui

    Thanks for the review! Did you end up liking the lens?

    I just ordered my first batch of the home-try-ons! Let’s hope it goes well :]

  • Robyn J

    I just got a home try-on kit, fingers crossed!

  • Pingback: Warby Parker: He’s Not Your Average Hipster | Consumption, Culture, & Identity()

  • StewyStan

    I just received my replacement pair of glasses from Warby Parker, and I’m very happy with them. However, I have some advice for anyone with a strong prescription opting for the high index lenses: When you pick out the sample frames you like, TAKE THEM TO YOUR EYE DOCTOR AND HAVE THEM MEASURE THE OC HEIGHT. Here’s why…

    When I received my first pair and put them on, I immediately noticed that something was off. I wore them for a full day and decided that it wasn’t just a matter of an adjustment period. Everything beyond 12 feet or so was slightly out of focus. I eventually noticed that if I titled my head back and looked further down the lenses, the focus improved. When I called WP and explained my issue, the customer service rep immediately identified the problem: the ocular focus on my lenses was off. She told me to take my glasses to my optometrist to have the OC height measured. She said that if they charged me, WP would reimburse me up to $50. Thankfully, they didn’t charge me anything. I called WP back with my OP height, and my new and improved glasses arrived in the mail a week later.

    Apparently, the ocular focus isn’t an issue for everyone, particularly if you have a lower prescription. However, if you do have a strong prescription (I’m around a -5.00), I would strongly recommend taking your sample frames to your eye doctor and getting your OC height measured (go ahead and get your PD checked too while you’re at it) before shipping them back to WP. Just give them a call when you place your order and tell them the measurement. I’m considering ordering some sunglasses at some point down the road, and this is definitely the approach I’m going to take next time. Above all, I must say that Warby Parker’s customer service is fantastic.

    • Beth

      I’m looking into Warby Parker and I’m at a -7.00 in my worst eye, I’ll definitely have to look into the OC height. Thanks for the heads up.

  • http://www.adrieltrott.com Adriel Trott

    I recently ordered from Warby Parker and I wanted to add my two cents. I had one issue with customer service: they contacted me to get approval for thinner lenses which I did pay for. Then when I called back for a receipt for that additional expenditure (they didn’t automatically send that receipt), they told me that they hadn’t charged me for that but discounted me the costs of thinner lenses. But it turns out that was not the case. So I had to call back to insist on a receipt.

    I’m happy with the glasses, generally — I get regular compliments especially on one pair (I ordered two). But I did have to get them adjusted at a place that has an optometrist. The optometrist showed me that the frames have very thick eartips or whatever you call the part of the glasses that go over the ear which contributes to a certain amount of pressure produced by the glasses on my head. If there is one thing I would recommend to WP it’s that they find a way to take some material out of the ear end.