Buying prescription glasses online sounds like a great idea until you actually have to do it. Entering your prescription correctly, choosing a pair that actually suits your face, and hoping they fit when they arrive? It’s enough to make anyone nervous. But after buying four pairs of glasses from Firmoo, I’ve learned what works and what to avoid. Here are my top 5 tips if you’re considering ordering your next pair online.
1. Do your homework — are they legit? What’s the returns policy? How long does delivery take?
Are they legit?
Before ordering from anywhere new, always check reviews. Firmoo had a Trustpilot rating of over 4 stars, and I’d already seen a few people talk about them on TikTok. Their social media presence and blog gave me more confidence – they’re clearly a real business with proper customer support. After buying 4 pairs without any problems, I’ll be returning when I need a new pair.
Firmoo also allow you to upload photos wearing the specific glasses after purchasing. This massively helped me feel better about the brand as I could see real-life people wearing them. It also helped when choosing styles.
Returns policy
I’d recommend checking the returns policy. Firmoo offers a 60-day return and 365-day lens replacement warranty. That made me feel reassured – if they weren’t right, I could sort it (none have been returned).
Delivery timescales
If you need them urgently, it’s unlikely you’ll find quick delivery when buying online. My last Firmoo pair took 24 days to arrive.
2. Enter your prescription (and PD) carefully
You’ll need a copy of your prescription. I got mine from Specsavers when I had my last eye check (free with my employer).
The most important part? Entering your pupillary distance (PD) correctly. You might not see it written clearly, but it’s often on the second page or can be requested.
Firmoo’s system is pretty straightforward, but still – triple-check everything before hitting submit. They have a very detailed prescription FAQs section to help you with measurements.
3. Use the virtual try-on and frame measurements
Some websites let you upload your photo to see what glasses look like on you. I can’t say I’ve ever seen a decent one. Firmoo’s virtual try-on tool is ok, but not ground-breaking. I know what style suits me because after my eye exam, I spend time trying them on and taking photos. Yes it’s awkward but if it saves me £80+ then it’s worth it.
You can filter frames by size (small, medium, large) and check specific measurements: lens width, bridge width, and arm length. Measure an old pair you love and try to match those numbers.
Firmoo have a very impressive FAQ/help section where they take you through how to measure.
Firmoo useful FAQs:
- How to measure the size of glasses
- What glasses style will suit your face shape
- How to use the virtual try-on
Here are my glasses in the above photo: OBM2007A.
Here are my glasses in the above photo: MT77989.
4. Be selective with extras
You’ll get the option to add things like anti-scratch, anti-reflective coatings, blue-light filter, etc. I added blue-light filter to one pair but didn’t notice a massive difference. My main tip? Don’t add everything “just in case” — it can push up the price quickly.
If you’re buying glasses mainly for everyday wear, the standard lenses with scratch resistance are usually fine. You can always upgrade next time.
I went crazy in my last order and bought sun clips and night-driving clips. I didn’t need either, and haven’t worn either! They were only £5 each but pushed up the price to £52. They might come in useful one day….
- Firmoo extras explained – have a read to figure out which ones might be useful to you!
I tend to buy anti-scratch which helps the lenses stay protected as I usually put them down on a table the wrong way. I also get anti-reflective which reduces reflection; good for driving and working with computers.
5. Check the fit (and be ready to adjust)
The comfort of your glasses often comes down to fit. My most recent pair had metal nose pads which didn’t fit well. A hairdryer and a gentle bend fixed them – it’s worth knowing a few basic hacks to tweak the fit. More on that in my Firmoo review blog.
You can also take them to a local optician for adjustments. Many will do it for free or for a small fee, even if you didn’t buy the glasses from them.
My larger glasses had nose pads built into the frame, whereas my newer smaller glasses has metal pads. I didn’t notice this whilst buying. I prefer the built-in ones as I had to alter my latest glasses to fit properly.
Prices – how much are they?
Prices are on average (from looking at Firmoo’s 2 for 1 page) £23-27 – with a few £30 ones.
They start off very cheap (some as low as a fiver in the clearance section) but the price quickly adds up (I’m a prime example!) with add-ons and extra lense types.
The glasses I’ve chosen have always been around £30 but with add-ons they’re generally around £45-50.
Offers – I haven’t taken advantage of the offers, but one of my colleagues regularly buys from the 2 for 1 deal. She likes glasses to match her outfits so has several pairs with the same prescription.
I’d suggest to always look around for discounts (social media, newsletter sign up) as you’ll usually find one.
