John PerryFinding the right pair of frames in the city is a lot like tracking down a great aesthetic clinic or a reliable flower delivery service. You want quality, style, and people who actually listen.
But standing in front of endless frame walls across Philadelphia can get overwhelming fast.
So I dug into the local optical scene to find the best eyewear in Philadelphia, focusing on shops with sharp lenses, trendy frames, and staff who make the whole thing easy. Here are the spots worth your time.
How much does it cost to buy eyewear in Philadelphia?
A complete pair of eyeglasses in Philadelphia usually costs $150 to $600 without insurance, though your final price shifts based on the retailer and the lens options you pick.
| Retailer Type / Cost Factor | Estimated Price Range |
| Budget & chain retailers | $70 to $150 |
| Direct-to-consumer brands | $145 to $200 |
| Local independent opticians | $300 to $800+ |
| Online brands | $40 to $80 |
| Standalone eye exams | $50 to $100 |
| Lens upgrades & add-ons | $50 to $200+ |
1. Cohen’s Fashion Optical (Philadelphia Eyeglass Labs)
Website: https://www.cohensfashionoptical.com/
Address: 1030 Arch Street
Contact: (215) 238-1444
Hours: Mon-Fri 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM, Sat 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Walking into Cohen’s Fashion Optical gets you a mix of local lab precision and a national retail network, so the lens customization is genuinely top-notch.
The frame selection is huge, with names like Gucci and Furla. That’s why routine vision fixes often turn into a bit of a fashion moment here.
You can knock out a full eye exam and pick out frames in one visit, which is a real time saver. One of our researchers actually got her driving glasses made here last month and kept raving about how fast they turned around her single-vision lenses.
One thing to flag, though: some exams run through telehealth video instead of an in-person doctor. Peak hours can also mean a wait.
Still, the central location and easy insurance processing make it a solid pick for anyone living in the city.
Customer Reviews
A vast selection of eyewear
A positive experience once again, including a thorough eye exam and a vast selection of Eyewear from which to choose. The representative who provided assistance – Mar – was very kind and helpful, going above and beyond, ensuring great customer service!
- Geo Hod | Google Review
The fashion expert par excellence when it comes to eyewear
If you want to walk out of an eyeglass store feeling good about yourself in your new frames then come see Karen at Philly eye lab on Passyunk Avenue. She is the fashion expert par excellence when it comes to eyewear. I know because I’ve been coming to see her exclusively since the first time I came to her store many years ago. She knows what she has and she knows what will look good on you.
- Pat MacMaster | Google Review
2. America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses
Website: https://www.americasbest.com/
Address: 1315 Walnut Street
Contact: (215) 546-1666
Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30 AM – 6:30 PM, Sat 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
If you’re trying to stretch a budget, America’s Best is built for it. Their famous deal hands you two complete pairs of glasses for under a hundred bucks, and it even folds in a free eye exam.
That combo makes it a go-to for families and anyone watching their wallet.
Plus, the high-volume production labs keep prices down and turn standard prescriptions around quickly.
The whole place runs efficiently, so you can walk in for an exam and leave with your order placed.
The catch is that the base price climbs fast once you add specialty lens coatings, and a few people mention the front desk feels a little short on billing privacy.
For straightforward, affordable eyewear packages, though, it holds up as a reliable choice.
Customer Reviews
My choice for eyewear
My choice for eyewear. Convenientl located. Courteous & professional staff. Budget friendly if you only need single vision. Stopped in today to have one of my pair of glasses realigned (fell asleep in them). Thank America’s Best
- Jeffrey Holmes | Google Review
Totally impressed with the knowledge, sense of style
I went for my eye exam, and was totally impressed with the knowledge, sense of style, and professionalism of Jenny. She was kind and so attentive. She and Dr. Roman will be the reason I will go to America’s Best Eyewear for all my optical needs! Jenny, you made look good.
- Mark Latka | Google Review
3. For Eyes
Website: https://locations.foreyes.com/
Address: 1711 Chestnut Street
Contact: (215) 546-2227
Hours: Mon-Fri 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Sat 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Over on Chestnut Street, For Eyes pairs on-site independent optometrists with a solid price-match guarantee, so you get clinical-grade vision testing plus a lifetime of free frame adjustments.
The inventory runs from dependable everyday frames to stylish sunglasses, covering a lot of different tastes and budgets without feeling overwhelming.
Sorting out your vision insurance is also painless here since they take most major health networks.
The one thing to watch is their strict ten-minute late policy, which can auto-cancel your appointment if you cut it too close.
Still, we found the post-purchase guarantees reassuring. Plus, the overall reliability makes this a safe bet if you care about long-term satisfaction rather than a quick in-and-out.
Customer Reviews
Outstanding experience for anyone in need of eye care
I had an outstanding experience at ForEyes on Chestnut! Dr. Kim was incredibly attentive and took the time to thoroughly explain everything during my annual check-up. Demetrius and the rest of the team in the retail area were equally impressive, making the process of selecting new frames enjoyable and stress-free. I highly recommend this location for anyone in need of eye care and eyewear!
- Angel L. Venegas | Google Review
Took their time in helping me pick great glasses
Christian and Demetrius were incredibly helpful and delightful to work with. I’m incredibly indecisive on selecting frames and they took their time in helping me pick great glasses. They took the time explaining my insurance coverage, specials and the various types of lenses to choose from. I highly recommend For Eyes for anyone needing prescription eyewear in Philadelphia.
- Susan Callanen | Google Review
4. Warby Parker Walnut St.
Website: https://stores.warbyparker.com/
Address: 1523 Walnut St.
Contact: (215) 845-0987
Hours: Mon-Sat 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM, Sun 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
If you’re into modern design, Warby Parker’s Walnut Street showroom is an easy place to love. Their direct-to-consumer setup means stylish in-house frames without the usual middleman markup.
The space is bright and open, and it combines full eye health exams with app-based digital tools for hybrid shopping. I stopped in to try on a few tortoiseshell frames myself and really appreciated how upfront the pricing was.
The exchange policy gives you thirty days to swap frames if you change your mind, which takes the pressure off.
The downside is that weekends get packed, so you might end up browsing without much hands-on help from staff. Between the clean designs and the flat-rate pricing, it’s an easy win for anyone who cares about how their glasses look.
Customer Reviews
Professional, personable and an expert in eyewear
Had an excellent retail experience at the Warby Parker on Walnut Street, Philadelphia with manager, Anna. She’s professional, personable and an expert in eyewear. I’m planning to buy my first prescriptive eyeglasses from her because she’s made an otherwise stressful decision into one that is based on expertise and personal experience. ie I trust her!
- Maree Lavo | Google Review
Excellent service
Dr. G provided a professional, thorough and comfortable eye exam. Adolph assisted me with frames. He was wonderful. They both made me welcome and I will now use this store as my main source for eyewear. Excellent service.
- gretch1966 | Google Review
5. South Philly Optical
Website: https://www.southphillyoptical.com/
Address: 1807 E Passyunk Ave
Contact: (215) 575-5188
Hours: Mon 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Tue 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM, Wed-Fri 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Sat 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tucked along East Passyunk Avenue, South Philly Optical leans into curated global luxury frames paired with personalized style consultations.
On the clinical side, they run advanced diagnostic tech for same-day exams, so you get neighborhood warmth and high-end eye care in the same visit. It feels far more personal than a big chain, and they really focus on matching frames to your face shape.
The luxury inventory also gets refreshed often to keep pace with international trends.
The one quirk is that the displays don’t show visible price tags, so you’ll need to ask the staff what something costs before you fall in love with it.
If you want a premium, tailored shopping trip with plenty of attention, this little boutique is a treasure.
Customer Reviews
I found cute glasses that I love
What a great experience at south philly optical. The entire team is very friendly, and the doctor I saw was so kind and helpful and really explained everything I needed to know in a way that was easy to understand. I found cute glasses that I love and I would recommend to all my philly friends to go here!
- Sarah Gersch | Google Review
Amazing selection of frames
i love this place! they have an amazing selection of frames and are very helpful and patient (!) when you’re shopping for new frames. i brought in a prescription from another optometry and they were able to apply it to the new frames with no issue. everyone here is so kind! i’ve been recommending them to everyone i know (that wears glasses).
- R | Google Review
