Good candidate
A simple single-vision prescription, a known frame size and a buyer who wants a backup pair.
Low-price buying guide
Prescription glasses under £20 in the UK: what to check before ordering
Under-£20 glasses can be useful for simple spare pairs, but only if the finished order still includes the lenses, delivery and support you actually need.
UpdatedChecked on 29 April 2026.
Best forSimple single-vision spare pairs and low-risk orders.
Care pointLens upgrades, delivery and returns can change the real cost.
Medical noteUse an optician for eye-health or complex fitting advice.
Affiliate disclosure: Some retailer links may earn commission at no extra cost to you. We still compare suitability and caveats before linking out.
Be careful
Strong prescriptions, varifocals, prism, fitting-sensitive lenses or any order where aftercare matters.
Compare fairly
Use the final basket price after prescription lenses, coatings, thinning, delivery and any discount terms.
Next page
Use the cheap online glasses guide for the broader retailer checklist.
Can you really get prescription glasses under £20?
Sometimes, yes, but the phrase needs careful reading. A retailer may show a very low frame or entry-level glasses price, while the final order can change when prescription lenses, coatings, thinning, delivery and returns are included. The safest comparison is the finished basket, not the first price shown on a category page.
The under-£20 checklist
- Check whether basic single-vision prescription lenses are included in the displayed price.
- Confirm whether anti-reflection coating, scratch resistance or UV protection is included or optional.
- Enter the same prescription, PD and delivery option on each retailer before comparing totals.
- Compare frame measurements with a pair that already fits well.
- Read the prescription-glasses return policy, not only the general returns page.
- Keep screenshots or notes of the order summary in case a remake or support request is needed.
When spending more may be better value
A very cheap pair is not always the best-value pair. If you need high-index lenses, varifocals, complex measurements, strong prescription support or reliable aftercare, a slightly higher basket price can reduce the risk of an unusable order.
Best next step
Start with a low-risk basket, then compare it against the broader cheap prescription glasses guide before ordering.
Open cheap glasses guide