In short: Choose Pair if you want one prescription pair that changes looks and turns into sunglasses with a magnetic Top Frame, from $80, including Rx. Choose Warby Parker if you'd rather shop in a store that sells only its own brand. The difference comes down to how each brand handles a new look. A Pair Base Frame takes magnetic Top Frames, so a new color, pattern or pair of sunglasses is a Top, not a second prescription pair.

Pair vs Warby Parker at a glance

	Pair Eyewear	Warby Parker
Starting price	From $80, including Rx	Frames listed from $95
Change your look	Magnetic Standard Tops from $25	Buy another pair
Prescription sunglasses	Sun Tops from $30 snap onto your existing glasses	A separate prescription sunglasses pair
Progressives	FluidFocus from $199	Available
Thinner lenses for strong prescriptions	FinestFocus, add $59, up to 20% thinner	Available
Try on before you buy	Virtual try-on, plus Pair frames in retail stores including America's Best, where an eye exam is included	Virtual try-on and its own stores. Its Home Try-On program has ended.
Returns	30-day free returns and exchanges	Free returns
Insurance and FSA/HSA	FSA/HSA eligible, accepts some in-network vision insurance	FSA/HSA eligible, accepts vision insurance

Where Pair wins

One prescription, many looks. Your lenses stay in one Base Frame, and Top Frames snap on magnetically to change color, pattern or licensed design, including Disney, Marvel and Harry Potter. New Tops drop every week.

Sunglasses don't need a second prescription pair. A Sun Top from $30 turns your everyday glasses into prescription sunglasses for driving or the beach.

Here's the cost of variety, worked out. A Base Frame from $80, including Rx, plus three Standard Tops at $25 and one Sun Top at $30 comes to $185. That's four looks plus prescription sunglasses, all on one prescription.

"I got a new set of glasses with two different sunglasses for $300 less than one pair of eyeglasses I picked out at my doctor's office. The prescription is spot on and being able to easily switch to sunglasses is so fun!" (Spring L., Pair customer)

Every lens is made in Pair's own California Lens Lab. Standard lenses come with scratch-resistant, 100% UV-blocking, anti-reflective and hydrophobic coatings, and a thermal hardcoat that lasts more than twice as long as standard spin coatings.

If you wear progressives, FluidFocus lenses start at $199, with up to 40% wider field of view. Pair has sold more than 193,000 progressive lenses.

Where Warby Parker wins

Warby Parker runs its own branded stores with optometrists on site. Pair doesn't have its own stores, but you can find Pair frames in retail stores including America's Best, where an eye exam is included.

Fit, frames and who each brand suits

Pair Base Frames come in acetate, metal and mixed material, in narrow, medium, wide and extra-wide fits, for adults and kids. The Frame Style Quiz matches a shape to your face. The Murphy is a wide square frame that suits oval, heart, oblong and triangle faces. The Larkin is a narrow, modified rectangle that suits oval and round faces.

For kids, one Base Frame plus licensed Tops means a child can change the look without a new prescription pair. Adults of every age use it the same way.

"A lot of people think they are only for young people, but I'm 75 and it's exciting to be able to change the look without the expense of purchasing multiple frames." (Suzanne H., Pair customer)

"I liked the ability to change frame styles based on outfit instead of feeling like I had to find a universally matching frame. And the ability to throw on a sunglasses Top Frame is amazing rather than having to buy a separate prescription sunglasses pair. I'm officially converted to Pair." (Sarah V., Pair customer)

Pick Pair if you like to change your look, want prescription sunglasses without a second pair, or wear progressives. Pick Warby Parker if you'd rather shop in a store that sells only its own brand.

Pair vs Warby Parker: common questions

Is Pair cheaper than Warby Parker?

Pair starts from $80, including Rx, and each new look is a Top from $25. Warby Parker frames are listed from $95, and a new look there means another pair.

Do Pair's magnetic Tops stay on?

Yes. Tops attach to the Base Frame with magnets and stay on through everyday wear. If a Top doesn't work for you, every order has 30-day free returns and exchanges.

What if my glasses aren't right?

Every Pair order has 30-day free returns and exchanges, including prescription glasses.

How long does Pair take to arrive?

Each Pair is crafted in about a week. Standard shipping is then free and takes 5 to 7 business days, with priority, 3-day and next-day options available.

Can I try Pair in a store?

Yes. Pair frames are sold in retail stores including America's Best, where an eye exam is included. You can also use virtual try-on at paireyewear.com.

Find your Base Frame with the Frame Style Quiz, then add the Tops that match your week. Every order has 30-day free returns and exchanges. Shop Pair Eyewear