Liingo Eyewear Reviews: How They Stand out From Warby Parker

Key Takeaways

• Liingo offers affordable frames, eyeglasses, and sunglasses
• Frames start at $79 on Liingo compared to $95 on Warby Parker
• Every Liingo eyeglass you buy includes free prescription lenses
• Liingo lets you try up to 4 different frames at home for free
• You can also try any frame virtually on your phone or computer

Liingo Eyewear has been making a name for itself with contemporary designs and relatively low prices. So I tried it myself to see what the fuss was about.

I bought separate pairs of eyeglasses and sunglasses from Liingo’s website to assess the quality of its frames and lenses.

I also tested every aspect of their service, from ordering and shipping to customer support, to get a better feel for their process.

Having tried both Liingo and Warby Parker, I’ll discuss their similarities and differences in this review so you can decide where to buy your next frames!

Pros & Cons of Liingo Eyewear

Liingo Pros

• Wide selection of stylish frames that cater to various preferences
• Competitively priced compared to traditional in-store retailers
• Allows customers to try on frames virtually or at home
• Risk-free ordering with free delivery and returns

Liingo Cons

• There are no physical locations for in-store prescriptions and fitting
• Limited availability of prescription lenses

What Is Liingo Eyewear?

Liingo Eyewear is an online glasses retailer that debuted in 2016 and was later acquired by 1-800 Contacts in 2018.

The brand carries a range of stylish eyeglasses and sunglasses for men and women. When you buy a pair, they’ll include non-prescription lenses for free.

You can also ask your glasses to be fitted with prescription lenses:

• Single-vision lenses
• Progressive or multifocal lenses
• High-index lenses

Liingo earned its reputation as an affordable alternative to competitors like Warby Parker. It keeps prices down by having its own lab, working directly with managers, and using online models to showcase its eyewear collection.

My Experience With Liingo Eyewear

Frame Materials: 8/10

Lens Materials: 9/10

Comfort: 10/10

Style: 10/10

Cost: 9/10

Selection: 6/10

Customer Service: 10/10

Shipping: 8/10

App: 5/10

In-Store Experience: N/A

Overall: 8.5/10

Liingo Eyewear Shipping Time

I ordered prescription glasses and sunglasses from Liingo and received them 2 weeks after uploading my prescription on their website.

Delivery can take up to 3 weeks, but for $12.95, you can expedite your shipment by 3 to 7 days. For the home try-on program, your frames should arrive within 5 to 7 business days.

My glasses arrived in perfect condition. They were packed securely in colorful cylinder tubes. Each pair came in a protective case with a soft inner lining.

Liingo Eyewear Frame Quality

I got Liingo Addison frames in two styles: one entirely made of metal and another with acetate rims and stainless steel arms.

I was surprised and a little disappointed with them:

• The good: They’re thin and extremely comfortable
• The bad: Their metal frames were on the flimsy side

My Liingo glasses felt insubstantial compared to the pair I bought from Warby Parker, even though they both had stainless steel legs.

Their lightweight and minimalist designs made them more comfortable. But I’m sure my Warby Parker James will outlast them.be careful with them.

We recommend Warby Parker's metal frames for glasses that are durable enough for daily wear. Liingo’s acetate frames may also be a decent option for long-term use—the acetate rims on my sunglasses felt quite sturdy.

Liingo’s metal frames might be worth adding to your collection if you only wear glasses occasionally, such as reading, working, or driving. They're also a good choice if you prioritize comfort or already own different types of glasses.

If you go with Liingo, just be careful with them so they’ll last long.

Liingo Eyewear Lens Quality & Range

Liingo offers free single-vision lenses with its eyewear. Since my prescription is slightly higher than average, I upgraded my lenses to play it safe.

I got 1.67 high-index lenses and blue light filtering for my clear glasses. People with even higher prescriptions can opt for 1.74 high-index lenses.

I didn't notice much difference between Liingo's high-index lenses and Warby Parker’s polycarbonate lenses, except they're slightly thinner. But they didn’t affect my vision in any way.

All Liingo lenses are also scratch-resistant, anti-glare, and 100% UV-protected, which says a lot about their quality.

Overall, I loved the quality of my new lenses. But spending $49 on the upgrade felt like an unnecessary upsell for my prescription strength.

You might benefit from it if you experience the “Coke bottle effect” with higher prescriptions and thicker lenses, such as polycarbonate.

Liingo Eyewear Customer Service

1-800 Contacts own Liingo Eyewear so that you can expect the same excellent customer service from the online retailer.

For instance, you can chat with a live agent within minutes on their website. I never had issues with getting my questions answered via this feature.

You can also call or email them. Their 60-day free return policy is likewise very generous, as is their reimbursement for glasses adjustments (up to $25).

Liingo Rx Reader App Review

The Liingo Rx Reader is a free Google Play or Apple App Store app. It identifies the prescription of your current eyeglasses so you can choose which lenses to buy from the Liingo website.

Despite many positive reviews, I found it to be virtually useless. The app couldn’t read my prescription, probably due to my astigmatism. 

Even if it successfully reads your lens strength, it won’t be a valid prescription, so you can’t use it to buy prescription lenses. 

If your prescription has expired or you currently don’t have one, you should see an eye doctor for a comprehensive eye exam. 

Alternatively, you can get a virtual eye exam from Warby Parker or 1-800 Contacts so they can renew your prescription online.

What Customers Say About Liingo

We also evaluated feedback from actual customers as part of our review process. As of this writing, Liingo Eyewear has a 3.8⭐ rating on Trustpilot.

Here’s a summary of what people say about it online:

• Helpful customer service that promptly answers questions
• Customers like how they can try and order glasses online
• Liingo’s app provides inaccurate prescriptions
• Its high-prescription lenses are too thick based on reviews
• Few reviewers received damaged lenses or frames
• Some people experienced delays in receiving their glasses

How Much Does Liingo Cost?

Liingo Eyewear costs $79, $99, or $199, depending on the materials. When you buy frames from Liingo, you can get the following upgrades:

Some pairs may include water and smudge-resistant lenses for free or $39. You get free shipping with every order and free returns for 60 days.

You can get your Liingo glasses adjusted at any optical shop. If the company charges you for the service, it will reimburse you up to $25.

How Does Liingo Eyewear Work?

Liingo lets you try the lenses before making any purchase. You can:

1. Choose up to 5 frames to try on at home
2. Try on frames virtually on the Liingo website

Virtual Try-On With Liingo Eyewear

Liingo offers virtual try-ons for all its frames so you can get a sense of what they look like when worn. The tool is easy to use and effective.nse of what you’ll look like in them before ordering.

Liingo Virtual Try-On Image

Actual Lenses from Liingo

Just move your head from left to right, and you’re good to go! You can use your phone or computer camera to record a short clip of your face.

Try using a credit or debit card to measure your pupillary distance (PD), the distance between the centers of both eye pupils.

While Warby Parker allows virtual try-on, you’ll need to download their app. Unfortunately, the app is limited to iPhone X and newer models, so it won't work if you have an Android device or an older Apple phone.

Liingo’s virtual try-on tool produces lower-quality images than Warby Parker’s app, but it does the job and won’t be a dealbreaker.

Home Try-On With Liingo Eyewear

Liingo also offers a home try-on program. Here are the steps:

1. Search for glasses you’d want to try on Liingo’s website. The filter for “In-Home Try On Available” must be turned on.
2. Choose from frames available for home try-on and add up to 5 pairs to your cart. You can preview them using the virtual try-on.
3. Enter your shipping and billing information and finalize your options. The frames should arrive in 5 to 7 business days without any lenses.
4. You have 5 days to try the frames. When you're done, place them back in the box and return them with the prepaid shipping label.

Once you’ve decided on the frames you like, you can purchase them anytime.

How To Order From Liingo

Liingo’s ordering process is simple and straightforward:

1. Find the frames you want and click “Select Lenses & Buy.”
2. Choose your lens prescription: single-vision, progressive/multifocal, or non-prescription.
3. Choose your lens type: clear, blue light, sunglasses, or light-responsive.
4. Choose your lens material: polycarbonate or 1.67 high index.
5. Choose your lens protection: essential or deluxe.
6. Click “Add to Cart” and enter any discount codes you may have. Next, enter your shipping and billing information.
7. Upload your current eyeglass prescription, then sit tight and wait—your prescription should be on its way!

Liingo vs Warby Parker: What To Choose?

Liingo Eyewear and Warby Parker are some of the best places to buy your glasses online. Below is a quick comparison of both brands:

Warby Parker is ahead thanks to its wider selection, convenient retail locations, more comprehensive services, and faster delivery times.

Unlike Liingo, the brand offers 1.74 high-index lenses ($150) and reader lenses with up to 2.75+ magnification (free) with your eyeglasses.

That said, Liingo Eyewear isn’t all too bad. It’s cheaper and has a decent selection of frames and lenses for people requiring lower prescriptions.

Read our full review of Warby Parker vs Liingo Eyewear.