Call them cheaters, readers, specs, or plain old reading glasses: if you’re reading these words, you might be wearing them to see them up close.

I’ve worn regular glasses since the fifth grade, and graduated to the standard glasses/contacts combo in college. I required slightly stronger prescriptions over the years, but no major changes occurred. Then I turned 42, and what felt like overnight, I could no longer easily see whatever text I was reading. The closer it got, the worse it was.

One day you’re a little bit cool, and the next you’re trading off one pair of reading glasses with your best friend to read the drink menu at a metal show. Just saying.

Once I accepted that I needed them at all, I set out to find cool readers. And I certainly did not stop at one pair. The Vision Council’s 2022 report says that 30 percent of consumers bought three or more pairs of readers at a time, and those of us who shop online were most likely to buy multiple pairs. Thanks for the validation, Vision Council!

Why do I suddenly need reading glasses now that I’m 40+?

Blame presbyopia, a medical term for the increasing inflexibility of our eye lenses as we age, typically in our 40s. The “presby-” part is from the Greek presbus, or “old man”, which I’m trying not to take too personally, and neither should you.

This shift in flexibility means that the eye can’t focus as easily — hence why what was once so close is now so very, very far away. (Seriously, have you ever been without your readers, staring down a menu or a pill bottle? Dark times.) And since we unfortunately cannot do the yoga for our eyes that we can for our joints, enter reading glasses, or, as they are more affectionately known, readers. Below, I’m sharing some of my personal favorite cool readers for women, and a couple of new finds from across the internet.

8 cool readers for women to treat your eyes this summer

Foster Grant, Agatha Rose Gold

Full disclosure: Foster Grant readers have been my go-to for years now. I love that they have a wide variety of styles, from regular readers to blue light glasses for those of us who look at screens way too often, and they run frequent online sales. My local drugstore always has a fully-stocked Foster Grant display — handy for someone who breaks or loses reading glasses as often as I do. Although I’ve moved on to a new fave — and read on for more on that — I still go here for readers that are also sunglasses! My true love was a discontinued style from Sofia Vergara’s FG line, but they have lots of worthy options to replace those. Some pairs even have the amazing bifocal combo, so you can read comfortably by the pool, protect your eyes from the sun, and still get up for a drink without falling down. (Who knew this would someday be a necessary combo? Not me, but we must adapt.) I am loving the Agatha Rose Gold, an aviator style in fun colors, available as a straight up sun reader or bifocal.

The Book Club, Shelve Angry Sven

What’s not to love about a product line inspired by books, and with silly literary wordplay names, too? Not much. You can find a wide range of trendy readers on this site, in every color of the rainbow, and reasonable price points. At my last scan there were also many on sale, so even the budget-conscious will have some options. I loved the Shelve Angry Sven (say that 12 times fast), mostly because I love a square, basic black reader with an edge, and also because it’s called Shelve Angry Sven. What can I say? I’m a writer. (I think I love you, The Book Club. Call me.)

Flutter Eyewear, Barrett

Full disclosure: Flutter’s stylish readers are more expensive than I would ever typically spend on reading glasses, because, as noted, I live to lose and break them. However, I tried on the Barrett style in Pistachio at Alt Summit in Palm Springs in March and just couldn’t resist. Green is my favorite color, especially to wear, and I loved the style, which suited my round face and hairline. And although I’m a devotee of the bargain cool reader, I fully admit that there is a heft and a lens quality to Flutter that my usual cheapies lack.

It’s almost like if I bought a nicer pair now and then, I’d be more careful about misplacing them? And if they’re sturdier they won’t break as easily? Hmm. I’ll report back at the end of the summer.

Aezuni, Oversized Square Reading Glasses for Women

These reasonably-priced readers are my most recent go-to. Available in four colors — my favorites are the clear and the black options — and the usual range of magnification levels, I can stock up (often) and keep them where I need them (which seems to be in every room.) They’re not fancy, but what they are is very square, and very big, so if your face is on the smaller side, they could overpower you. If yours is of the wider variety, like mine, you may find them as flattering and comfortable as I do. Because I’ve spent years pushing my glasses up, and I just don’t have to do that very often with these. It’s the little things — that are so often really the big things.

Zyzoo, reading glasses for women

A few of my friends swear by this other Amazon staple, so if you are also at the point where you need to leave a pair in every room, these make it easy to stock up, too. They’re also really cute, especially if you’re into statement glasses, or just statements in general.

Peepers, Vaughn

Peepers carries some cute readers! They also have a ton of bluelight options, plus sunglasses. This style is technically for men, but due to the aforementioned wide face, and also a belief that things can be for anyone who likes them, I am claiming them. Probably someone left their glasses in the car, so we’re going to have to share anyway.

Peepers, Next Level

I also love these Peepers Teal Botanica frames, and that they’re blue light readers — a must for those of us who stare at screens all day. (And when did everyone start making that font so small? It’s a conspiracy!) Mostly I love that at $29, they’re a stylish steal. Thanks, Peepers!

Zenni, Rainbow Square Glasses

Zenni has at least one billion pairs of glasses of all kinds — I did not count and I am not great at math, I am just estimating — so it makes sense that they have an extensive readers section. I rely on Zenni these days for regular eyeglasses, even progressive lenses, at super reasonable prices, and they’re now also on my list for reading glasses. Zenni deals mean you can have fun with different reader styles, which I think is a fantastic idea. Consider this rainbow pair, for instance. Should we all buy them? I’m in.

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