At some point in their lives, more than 6 out of 10 people will need reading glasses — and that number increases with age! As you grow older, you're likely to develop a condition called presbyopia. This affects nearly everyone over the age of 40, causing you to lose your ability to focus on small print and objects.
Luckily, it’s easy to pick up a pair of cheap and stylish reading glasses for those times when the print in a book or newspaper is just a bit too hard to decipher. You don't even need a prescription, as long as you know which lens strength will help you to see clearly. We’ve rounded up the UK's best reading glasses for men and women, available online at Amazon, eBay and Boots — so you’ll have no problem reading our recommendations in the future!
Quick List - Top Reading Glasses
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We’re going to take a look at the main factors you need to be aware of when shopping for a pair of reading glasses, from the lens strength to the different frame styles available. Whatever you're looking for, there's sure to be something out there for you.
Glasses can be a little confusing to understand and you may be unsure about which lenses you should buy. Even though lens strength is often referred to as a prescription, you don’t actually need a prescription from an optician for reading glasses and it’s perfectly fine to buy a pair over the counter — or online!
Reading glasses are measured by the amount of magnification they provide, usually ranging from +0.25 to +6.00 — this denotes how much they’ll magnify text compared to reading without. Think of them like small binoculars, making small or hard-to-read text bigger and easier to read.
While it’s always good to have regular eye tests with an optician, you don’t need to have one to determine which strength you’ll need. There are many ways to check this online or at a local pharmacy, and it's as simple as looking at a few different sized lines of text to see which ones are blurry and difficult to make out.
A pair of glasses should complement your style rather than define it, so it’s important to consider which frames will do exactly that. Whether you opt for something rectangular, circular, thick or thin, there are plenty of designs out there to suit every face!
If you’re looking for a pair of glasses that make a statement, opting for a thicker frame can help to create a distinctive retro look. This style suits people with larger heads and a wider nose, as the focus be on the glasses themselves, but it all depends on whether you want your glasses to be noticeable or not.
As well as being more eye-catching, thicker frames tend to be more noticeable to the wearer, meaning that you’ll be able to feel them on your face and see the edges out of the corner of your eye. You will get used to the feel of your glasses over time, but it’s something to keep in mind when shopping.
Thin frames are a popular choice for reading glasses because they’re lightweight and easy to carry around, as well as being less noticeable than a thicker pair. You won’t be wearing your reading glasses all the time, so you may not want something too distinctive.
The only downside is that thinner frames are much easier to misplace because they’re smaller and less visible by design. If you have a tendency to lose items but you're determined to have thin frames, you may want to consider picking up a couple of spares just in case!
While mostly a matter of personal preference, there are some things to consider when deciding the shape of your reading glasses. A general rule of thumb when it comes to style is to opt for a pair of glasses that are the opposite of your head shape. For example, if you have a square-shaped head, opting for circular or oval frames will soften your features and vice versa.
You should also note that narrower lenses, like rectangular or oval shapes, will let you look over the top of your glasses easier — this can be beneficial if you want to alternate between looking at things that are close up and those that are further away. Circular and square rims, on the other hand, will keep you focused on whatever you're reading or writing.
Reading glasses come in all manner of colours, so it may be tempting to choose something bright and cheery. When it comes to frames for wearing in a work environment though, you’ll want to stick to classic colours that match up nicely with smart attire.
Keep your frame size and style in mind too — a thick pair of black glasses will work for those aiming for nerdy chic vibes, but that same frame in a bright colour may have you looking clownish! In order to get your money's worth, you’ll want to opt for something that suits as many different outfits as possible.
You’ll find that most glasses on the market today are either made from plastic or metal. While the former is lightweight, flexible and generally cheaper, it's also not particularly durable. It's therefore a good idea to purchase a spare set, just in case you accidentally snap your primary pair reading glasses!
Metal, which tends to be a bit more expensive, is much more hardwearing in comparison so will appeal to those seeking a more robust reading accessory. If you have sensitive skin or any allergies though, it’s usually best to avoid any blended metals that contain nickel, as it can act as an irritant. Titanium and aluminium are considered safe as they rarely cause any dermatological issues.
Most over-the-counter reading glasses are unisex rather than geared towards one particular gender. As they're not designed to be worn all the time, many brands feel that it's not important to cater to the differences in men's and women's faces.
You may come across some products that are aimed at either men or women for aesthetic reasons such as the colour or pattern. There isn't too much choice in terms of size though, because reading glasses are designed to be as universal as possible.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | The Reading Glasses Company Readers | ![]() | Amazing Value for a Classic Design | |
2 | Opulize Reading Glasses | ![]() | A Range of Striking Designs at a Bargain Price | |
3 | Boots Classic Reading Glasses|Style 3 | ![]() | Sophisticated, With Built-in UV Protection | |
4 | Eyekepper Rimless Reading Glasses | ![]() | These Rimless Readers Are Almost Invisible | |
5 | Boots Ryan Reading Glasses | ![]() | The Grandad Look Is Back in Style | |
6 | Occi Chiari Large Frame Readers | ![]() | Bold, Retro-Looking Specs for Ladies | |
7 | Amazotti Quality Reading Glasses | ![]() | Fun and Budget-Friendly | |
8 | Foster Grant Magnivision Peter | ![]() | Smart, Durable Glasses for the Workplace | |
9 | Eyekepper Ladies Reading Glasses (Pack of 3) | ![]() | A Colourful Bundle That's Great for Reading at Home | |
10 | Soolala Half Moon Reading Glasses | ![]() | Metal Half-Moon Glasses in a Leather Pouch |
Our top pick is this classic, incredibly versatile design from the aptly named Reading Glasses Company. These comfortable glasses have scratch-proof lenses available up to +3.50 magnification and come in four different designs.
They're also the cheapest option on our list, although you wouldn't be able to tell that from the brilliant quality. It's well worth picking up a couple of these pairs in order to make sure you have some spares around the house or workplace — why not go for one in each colour? They're so affordable that you might as well!
We love these round glasses from Opulize — the fashionably large frames come in a range of striking designs that really turn your readers into a statement-making accessory. Choose from block colours like black and grey, a tortoiseshell pattern or totally transparent rims.
Comfort and quality are the names of the game here, as the flexible plastic means they're unlikely to break and they sit comfortably on your nose. The large, round lenses mean you'll be able to focus easily on what's ahead and this pair even comes with a little pouch to keep them safe!
If you're after something sleek and sophisticated for the office, look no further! These superb reading glasses from Boots are extremely well made, plus they go perfectly with both business and smart casual attire.
We love the fact that these glasses come with built-in UV protection as well as a 2-year guarantee for peace of mind. You'll find that the lenses are of fantastic quality too, so you're paying for much more than just the design when choosing them.
Clear, rimless designs are perfect for those who don't want to draw too much attention to their glasses — or detract from the rest of their outfit. Those who prefer minimalist designs will hence be right at home with this almost invisible pair.
The narrow lenses are also great for those who aren't used to wearing glasses all the time, as you'll barely notice that they're there. Plus, this pair comes with a hard carry case, so you can throw them into your bag for reading on the go!
You may not have realised it, but the grandad look is having a bit of a resurgence in the world of men's glasses. Some people would argue it never really went out of style, and we have to say that that this pair does have a timeless feel!
Featuring narrow, scratch-free lenses as well as a 2-year guarantee, these glasses are extremely sturdy and well made — even though they look thin and flimsy. We reckon they'll last you a long time and will suit practically anybody.
We've found that many of the reading glasses aimed at women are brightly coloured and often have wacky patterns, so it's nice to see a pair of women's glasses that create a striking look without resorting to a distracting design.
These glasses are great if you need a strong level of magnification, as they're available in every strength up to +6.00. The large frames may not be to everyone's taste, but those who appreciate retro-style specs will love them. A pouch, cleaning cloth and glasses rope are also included in the price.
These fun and inventive readers are available in 10 different colours, from bold blue and chic grey to a rather innovative transparent option. They're unisex too, and the rectangular frame will suit most face shapes.
Since they're a budget-friendly option, the lenses aren't scratch-proof and you shouldn't expect these specs to last forever. Still, if they do break, they're super cheap so it won't be too much of a hassle to pick up another pair.
If you're someone who doesn't pay too much attention to the latest fashions, and you just need something simple and durable for work, then you can't go too far wrong with this option from Foster Grant.
The high-quality lenses and lightweight frame mean that you'll barely notice they're on when you're at the office, while anti-scratch properties and the included carry case ensure that they'll stay pristine. This isn't the most stylish pair, but it's a reliable one!
We understand that it may be prudent to have a few extra pairs of reading glasses handy, as they have a tendency to go missing from time to time. This pack of 3 colourful readers is therefore ideal to have around the house.
While you probably can't get away with these brightly striped frames at the office and they won't match every outfit, they're perfect for reading at home when you're free to be as outlandish as you like in terms of fashion!
These half-moon reading glasses are a solid option for everyday reading use, as well as being a good choice for the office. Thanks to the included leather pouch, it's easy to slip them into a pocket or handbag when you're on the move.
While style is of course subjective, we're not too sure about the design of these readers as they give off strict librarian vibes. If that's your thing, go for it, but there are much more fashionable options below.
Whether you need a new pair of glasses for driving or some stylish sunnies to keep out UV rays while you're at the beach, we've got plenty more spec-tacular recommendations — check out the links below for more info!
There you have it, our list of the top 10 best reading glasses available to buy online today. We hope you were able to find something amongst our recommendations that took your fancy, even if you had to zoom in on the page a little!
Author: David Sexton
No. 1: The Reading Glasses Company|Readers
No. 2: Opulize|Reading Glasses
No. 3: Boots|Classic Reading Glasses|Style 3
No. 4: Eyekepper|Rimless Reading Glasses
No. 5: Boots|Ryan Reading Glasses
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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