America's Best Eye Exam: 2026 Cost, 2-Pair Deal and Insurance Guide

America's Best Contacts and Eyeglasses is one of the largest budget optical chains in the country, with more than 1,000 stores nationwide.^5,6 The brand is best known for a signature offer: two pairs of glasses plus a free eye exam, starting at $95. This guide covers the 2026 deal details, exam pricing with and without insurance, Eyecare Club terms, what to expect at an appointment, and how America's Best compares to Costco, Walmart, Warby Parker, and LensCrafters.

The Signature 2-Pair Deal: Free Exam With Two Pairs of Glasses

America's Best's signature offer is two pairs of single-vision eyeglasses plus a free eye exam, starting at $95.¹ The free exam alone is listed as a $69 value, so the deal effectively bundles an exam with two pairs of glasses for less than many competitors charge for the exam by itself.

Here is how the offer breaks down in 2026:

• Two pairs of single-vision glasses plus exam: starting at $95¹
• Two pairs of progressive lenses plus exam: starting at $195¹
• Free eye exam value when bundled: $69¹
• Exam-only price (no glasses purchase): $69¹
• Contact lens exam: $119¹

A few details shape the final price. The base offer uses frames tagged at $79.95 with single-vision uncoated plastic lenses; pricier frames, premium lens materials, and add-ons such as anti-reflective coating or transitions cost extra. State legal disclosures also list a $89.95 exam-included two-pair offer in California and Washington, so the entry price differs in those states.¹ Contact lens fittings are priced separately and are not included in the two-pair offer. Confirm the final number at the store before you order.

How Much Does an America's Best Eye Exam Cost in 2026?

The exam itself costs $69 as a standalone visit, or $0 when bundled with a qualifying two-pair purchase.¹ A contact lens exam is $119.¹ Your final cost depends on your insurance, the type of exam, and any added tests or fittings.

For broader market context, see our guide to the national average cost of an eye exam.

Eye Exam Costs With Insurance

America's Best accepts several national vision plans alongside FSA and HSA funds.⁴ Accepted plans vary by location, but commonly include:

• EyeMed
• Davis Vision
• Humana Vision
• MetLife
• UnitedHealthcare Vision and Spectera
• Superior Vision

VSP is listed as an out-of-network provider at America's Best. The company says a store associate will submit your VSP claim on your behalf, though it is worth asking your store and your plan whether any upfront payment applies before reimbursement.⁴ Most insured patients pay a copay between $10 and $40, with the plan covering the balance of the exam fee. Confirm which plans your local store accepts before booking.

Eye Exam Costs Without Insurance

A walk-in exam without insurance is $69, and a contact lens exam is $119.¹ If you are buying glasses anyway, the two-pair deal starting at $95 is the cheaper path because the exam is included.¹ Additional costs can apply for contact lens fittings, dilation, specialty tests, or premium lens upgrades.

America's Best Eyecare Club Membership

The Eyecare Club is a $129 three-year membership built around free contact lens exams and ongoing discounts.³ Membership benefits include:

• Free contact lens exams: up to two exams per year during the membership term
• 10% off replacement contact lenses, prescription eyeglasses, and accessories
• Members-only promotions on lens upgrades and frames

Key limitations to know: the Eyecare Club is not available in California, cannot be combined with insurance or coupons, and is not reimbursable through vision insurance.³ The membership tends to pay off fastest for contact lens wearers who plan multiple annual exams and reorders.

America's Best Insurance and Payment Options

America's Best accepts most major vision insurance plans, along with FSA and HSA funds.⁴ For a broader walkthrough of plans and what they cover, see our guide to vision insurance.

Bring the following to your appointment:

• Insurance card and member ID
• A list of any current medications
• Your current glasses or a copy of your last prescription
• Photo ID for new patients

America's Best Eye Exams: What to Expect

An eye exam at America's Best usually takes about two hours from check-in to check-out. The visit includes initial paperwork, prescreening tests, the comprehensive exam itself, eyewear selection, and payment. Here is what each step looks like.

Booking Your Appointment

You can book online at americasbest.com or by phone with your local store. To find a nearby location and its phone number, use the store locator.

The online booking flow runs as follows:

1. Go to americasbest.com and open the appointment scheduling page
2. Enter your zip code and click "Find My Store"
3. Fill in your information (exam type, insurance details, contact info)
4. Choose your preferred day and time
5. Confirm and verify insurance coverage with the store before your visit

To cancel or reschedule, contact your appointment location directly.

During the Exam

A pretest technician runs the initial screening, then a licensed optometrist conducts the comprehensive exam and writes your prescription. According to America's Best, a comprehensive exam may include:⁷

• Visual acuity test using a Snellen eye chart
• Color vision assessment
• Eye pressure measurement
• Eye movement evaluation
• Retinal evaluation
• Depth perception test
• Autorefraction to provide a base prescription

If the doctor sees a sign of eye disease, you may be referred to an ophthalmologist for follow-up care.

After the Exam

After your exam, you will choose frames and lenses, add features such as anti-reflective coating or progressive lenses, and pay for your order. Most glasses arrive within 7 to 10 business days, though delivery times can vary by store and lens type.

Comprehensive Eye Exam vs. Digital Eye Exam

A digital eye exam at America's Best uses on-site pretesting and imaging equipment, then connects you with a remote licensed optometrist over video for the refraction and consultation.⁸ You still visit a physical store, and the workflow covers the same core tests as an in-person exam.

The digital format is most useful when in-person doctor availability is limited at a given store, or when patients want a faster scheduling window. It is not a fit for every situation: suitability can depend on patient needs, state rules, and medical complexity.⁸ If you have a complex prescription, an active eye condition, or symptoms that need a hands-on evaluation, ask whether an in-person optometrist is available at your location.

Does America's Best Offer Specialty Eye Exams?

America's Best focuses on routine vision care, not specialty eye care. Specialty exams (treatment for glaucoma, macular degeneration, or post-surgical follow-up) are generally handled by an ophthalmologist, not a retail optometry chain.

If you have a condition such as diabetes, regular and sometimes dilated eye exams are essential because diabetes can damage the eyes and lead to vision loss.¹⁰ America's Best doctors can flag signs of disease and refer you to a specialist for further evaluation.

Pros and Cons of America's Best Eye Exams

Below are the strongest reasons to choose America's Best, along with the most common drawbacks reflected in customer reviews.

Pros

• Low-cost eyewear and a strong two-pair deal starting at $95
• Free eye exam included with the two-pair purchase
• Online and in-store booking with more than 1,000 locations^5,6
• Accepts most major vision insurance plans, FSA, and HSA⁴
• Digital eye exam option at participating stores⁸

Cons

• Extra charges may apply for contact lens fittings, lens upgrades, coatings, and specialty tests
• Customer reviews flag frequent complaints about prescription accuracy and product quality
• VSP is handled out-of-network⁴
• Eyecare Club is not available in California³
• Limited specialty care: complex prescriptions and eye disease are referred out
• Low aggregate review scores on BBB and Trustpilot^11,13

What Are Customers Saying?

America's Best customer reviews skew negative across major review platforms. The Better Business Bureau profile (which covers headquarters and corporate-owned locations, not necessarily every store) shows a 1.52 out of 5 rating from 164 reviews, with 466 total complaints in the last three years.^11,12 Trustpilot shows a 2.1 out of 5 rating from 265 reviews.¹³

These scores reflect a self-selected pool of unhappy customers, so they overstate dissatisfaction relative to the broader customer base. Still, the consistent themes are worth noting.

Common complaints include:

• Wrong or unstable prescriptions
• Long waits for eyeglass and contact lens delivery
• Inconsistent customer service across locations
• Surprise charges beyond the advertised deal price

Positive reviews tend to highlight knowledgeable staff and good value at specific locations, particularly when shoppers come in for the two-pair deal and leave without add-ons. Review quality varies significantly by store, so checking your local store's reviews is more useful than relying on the brand-level average.

America's Best vs. Costco, Walmart, Warby Parker, and LensCrafters

The table below compares America's Best against four common alternatives for affordable eye exams and eyewear. Prices for Costco, Walmart, and LensCrafters vary by location because doctors set their own fees.

A note on LensCrafters exams: in most states, eye exams are provided by independent doctors of optometry located at or next to LensCrafters, while doctors in some states are employed by LensCrafters directly. Either way, exam pricing is set locally rather than nationally.

If you need a budget bundle with an exam and two pairs of glasses, America's Best wins on price. If you have a Costco membership and only need an exam, Costco is often the cheapest option per visit. Warby Parker tends to fit shoppers who want a more curated frame selection and at-home try-on. LensCrafters and Walmart prices vary too widely to summarize in one figure.

Is America's Best Right for You?

America's Best is the right call if you are buying two pairs of glasses, want the exam included, and have a routine prescription. The signature deal starting at $95 makes it one of the lowest cost-per-pair options in retail optical, and the 1,000-plus-store footprint makes appointments easy to schedule.

Look elsewhere if you have a complex prescription, an active eye condition, or want hands-on specialty care. Customer reviews suggest the experience can vary by location, so check the reviews for your specific store before booking. For pure exam pricing without a glasses purchase, Costco or a local independent optometrist can be cheaper, especially if you already have vision insurance.

When to See an Eye Doctor

Schedule an eye exam at America's Best (or any provider) if:

• It has been more than two years since your last comprehensive exam⁹
• You notice blurry vision, frequent headaches, or eye strain
• Your current prescription no longer feels right
• You have diabetes or another condition that affects vision health¹⁰
• You need a contact lens fitting or an updated prescription for glasses

If you have sudden vision changes, eye pain, flashes of light, or new floaters, do not wait for a routine appointment. Contact an ophthalmologist or urgent eye care provider promptly.