---
title: "Optical retail chains in the United States: Which are searched most?"
description: "Compare the optical chains people in the US go to for eye exams, glasses and contacts. Share of Search among LensCrafters, America's Best Contacts & Eyeglasses, Warby Parker, Visionworks, Eyemart Express, Pearle Vision, Walmart and Costco, the optical retail chains Brandwave compares in the United States, using the same methodology, market, and reporting period. Branded searches tell you how often people look for a brand by name or related terms. Comparing these searches across competitors helps you see how popular each brand is over time."
canonical: "https://gobrandwave.com/demand/us/categories/us-optical-retail-chains"
publisher: "Brandwave"
---

# Optical retail chains in the United States: Which are searched most?

Compare the optical chains people in the US go to for eye exams, glasses and contacts. Share of Search among LensCrafters, America's Best Contacts & Eyeglasses, Warby Parker, Visionworks, Eyemart Express, Pearle Vision, Walmart and Costco, the optical retail chains Brandwave compares in the United States, using the same methodology, market, and reporting period. Branded searches tell you how often people look for a brand by name or related terms. Comparing these searches across competitors helps you see how popular each brand is over time.

## Key facts

- **Competitive set**: Optical retail chains
- **Market**: United States
- **Brands compared**: 8
- **Month measured**: Sep 2026
- **Highest Share of Search**: LensCrafters, 26.8%

## Which brand is most popular in search among optical retail chains in the United States?

- In September 2026, LensCrafters was the most searched among optical retail chains in the United States, with an estimated 1M branded searches, 26.8% of all searches for the eight we track.
- America's Best Contacts & Eyeglasses is in 2nd place, 5.1 percentage points behind at 21.6%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, LensCrafters’ share of searches among optical retail chains in the United States increased from 24.9% to 26.8%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, America's Best Contacts & Eyeglasses’ share of searches among optical retail chains in the United States decreased from 24.6% to 21.6%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Warby Parker’s share of searches among optical retail chains in the United States increased from 16.7% to 18%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Visionworks’ share of searches among optical retail chains in the United States decreased from 13.7% to 12.1%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Eyemart Express’ share of searches among optical retail chains in the United States increased from 5% to 6.6%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Pearle Vision’s share of searches among optical retail chains in the United States decreased from 7.5% to 6.6%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, LensCrafters’ share of searches among optical retail chains in the United States peaked at 29% in November 2025 and was lowest at 24.3% in August 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, America's Best Contacts & Eyeglasses’ share of searches among optical retail chains in the United States peaked at 24.9% in March 2026 and was lowest at 21.4% in June 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Warby Parker’s share of searches among optical retail chains in the United States peaked at 18.6% in December 2025 and was lowest at 16% in November 2025.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Visionworks’ share of searches among optical retail chains in the United States peaked at 14.1% in January 2026 and was lowest at 11.6% in July 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Eyemart Express’ share of searches among optical retail chains in the United States peaked at 6.6% in September 2026 and was lowest at 4.5% in December 2025.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Pearle Vision’s share of searches among optical retail chains in the United States peaked at 7.5% in April 2026 and was lowest at 6.3% in January 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Walmart’s share of searches among optical retail chains in the United States peaked at 6% in August 2026 and was lowest at 4.2% in January 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Eyemart Express rose from 6th to 5th among optical retail chains in the United States.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Pearle Vision fell from 5th to 6th among optical retail chains in the United States.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Walmart and Costco held steady: their share of searches among optical retail chains in the United States each moved less than 0.5 percentage points.

## Top optical retail chains in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In Brandwave's three ChatGPT questions, America's Best Contacts & Eyeglasses, Walmart and Costco appeared every time. Costco was recommended most often, coming first in two out of three answers. America's Best Contacts & Eyeglasses was second, and Warby Parker was third. Visionworks, which ranked fourth in searches, was not mentioned at all.

Brands get a higher AI rank if they are mentioned earlier in the answers that list options.

| Brand | AI rank | ChatGPT answers that named it | All answers that named it |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Costco | 1st | 3 of 3 | 3 of 3 |
| America's Best Contacts & Eyeglasses | 2nd | 3 of 3 | 3 of 3 |
| Warby Parker | 3rd | 2 of 3 | 2 of 3 |
| LensCrafters | 4th | 2 of 3 | 2 of 3 |
| Walmart | 5th | 3 of 3 | 3 of 3 |
| Pearle Vision | 6th | 1 of 3 | 1 of 3 |
| Visionworks | Not ranked | 0 of 3 | 0 of 3 |
| Eyemart Express | Not ranked | 0 of 3 | 0 of 3 |

## Every AI answer about optical retail chains

- Asked ChatGPT "Where should I get an eye exam and glasses in the US?": 1. Costco, 2. Warby Parker, 3. America's Best Contacts & Eyeglasses, 4. LensCrafters, 5. Walmart
- Asked ChatGPT "What are the best optical store chains in the US?": 1. Costco, 2. Warby Parker, 3. LensCrafters, 4. America's Best Contacts & Eyeglasses, 5. Pearle Vision, 6. Walmart
- Asked ChatGPT "Which optical chain in the US has the cheapest glasses and eye exams?": 1. America's Best Contacts & Eyeglasses, 2. Walmart, 3. Costco

Not named in any answer: Visionworks and Eyemart Express.

Brands are listed in the order each answer named them. The answers were collected in United States on October 22, 2026.

## Compare search popularity between leading brands

- [LensCrafters vs America's Best Contacts & Eyeglasses: compare search popularity](/demand/us/compare/americas-best-vs-lenscrafters): 26.8% against 21.6% Share of Search.
- [LensCrafters vs Warby Parker: compare search popularity](/demand/us/compare/lenscrafters-vs-warby-parker): 26.8% against 18% Share of Search.
- [LensCrafters vs Visionworks: compare search popularity](/demand/us/compare/lenscrafters-vs-visionworks): 26.8% against 12.1% Share of Search.
- [LensCrafters vs Eyemart Express: compare search popularity](/demand/us/compare/eyemart-express-vs-lenscrafters): 26.8% against 6.6% Share of Search.
- [America's Best Contacts & Eyeglasses vs Warby Parker: compare search popularity](/demand/us/compare/americas-best-vs-warby-parker): 21.6% against 18% Share of Search.
- [America's Best Contacts & Eyeglasses vs Visionworks: compare search popularity](/demand/us/compare/americas-best-vs-visionworks): 21.6% against 12.1% Share of Search.
- [America's Best Contacts & Eyeglasses vs Eyemart Express: compare search popularity](/demand/us/compare/americas-best-vs-eyemart-express): 21.6% against 6.6% Share of Search.
- [Warby Parker vs Visionworks: compare search popularity](/demand/us/compare/visionworks-vs-warby-parker): 18% against 12.1% Share of Search.
- [Warby Parker vs Eyemart Express: compare search popularity](/demand/us/compare/eyemart-express-vs-warby-parker): 18% against 6.6% Share of Search.
- [Visionworks vs Eyemart Express: compare search popularity](/demand/us/compare/eyemart-express-vs-visionworks): 12.1% against 6.6% Share of Search.

## How did search popularity change for United States optical retail chains in September 2026?

- In September 2026, Eyemart Express overtook Pearle Vision to rank 5th among optical retail chains in the United States, with 6.6% of the searches.
- In September 2026, LensCrafters gained share of searches among optical retail chains in the United States, from 24.3% to 26.8%.
- In September 2026, Warby Parker gained share of searches among optical retail chains in the United States, from 16.4% to 18%.
- In September 2026, America's Best Contacts & Eyeglasses lost share of searches among optical retail chains in the United States, from 23.3% to 21.6%.
- In September 2026, Visionworks lost share of searches among optical retail chains in the United States, from 13.4% to 12.1%.
- In September 2026, Pearle Vision lost share of searches among optical retail chains in the United States, from 7.3% to 6.6%.
- In September 2026, Walmart lost share of searches among optical retail chains in the United States, from 6% to 5.4%.

## Share of Search ranking

| Rank | Brand | Share of Search | Estimated monthly branded searches | Change vs prior month | Owned by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | LensCrafters | 26.8% | 1M | 0.0% | LensCrafters |
| 2 | America's Best Contacts & Eyeglasses | 21.6% | 808K | -15.7% | America's Best Contacts & Eyeglasses |
| 3 | Warby Parker | 18% | 673K | 0.0% | Warby Parker |
| 4 | Visionworks | 12.1% | 450K | -18.2% | Visionworks |
| 5 | Eyemart Express | 6.6% | 246K | 0.0% | Eyemart Express |
| 6 | Pearle Vision | 6.6% | 246K | -18.3% | Pearle Vision |
| 7 | Walmart | 5.4% | 201K | -18.3% | Walmart |
| 8 | Costco | 2.9% | 110K | -18.5% | Costco Wholesale New Zealand |

## Historical estimated branded-search demand

| Month | Brand | Estimated monthly branded searches | Share of Search | Rank |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Oct 2025 | LensCrafters | 1M | 24.9% | 1 |
| Oct 2025 | America's Best Contacts & Eyeglasses | 988K | 24.6% | 2 |
| Oct 2025 | Warby Parker | 673K | 16.7% | 3 |
| Oct 2025 | Visionworks | 550K | 13.7% | 4 |
| Oct 2025 | Pearle Vision | 301K | 7.5% | 5 |
| Oct 2025 | Eyemart Express | 201K | 5% | 6 |
| Oct 2025 | Walmart | 201K | 5% | 7 |
| Oct 2025 | Costco | 110K | 2.7% | 8 |
| Nov 2025 | LensCrafters | 1.2M | 29% | 1 |
| Nov 2025 | America's Best Contacts & Eyeglasses | 958K | 22.7% | 2 |
| Nov 2025 | Warby Parker | 673K | 16% | 3 |
| Nov 2025 | Visionworks | 550K | 13.1% | 4 |
| Nov 2025 | Pearle Vision | 301K | 7.1% | 5 |
| Nov 2025 | Eyemart Express | 201K | 4.8% | 6 |
| Nov 2025 | Walmart | 201K | 4.8% | 7 |
| Nov 2025 | Costco | 110K | 2.6% | 8 |
| Dec 2025 | LensCrafters | 1.2M | 27.6% | 1 |
| Dec 2025 | America's Best Contacts & Eyeglasses | 988K | 22.4% | 2 |
| Dec 2025 | Warby Parker | 823K | 18.6% | 3 |
| Dec 2025 | Visionworks | 550K | 12.4% | 4 |
| Dec 2025 | Pearle Vision | 301K | 6.8% | 5 |
| Dec 2025 | Eyemart Express | 201K | 4.5% | 6 |
| Dec 2025 | Walmart | 201K | 4.5% | 7 |
| Dec 2025 | Costco | 135K | 3.1% | 8 |
| Jan 2026 | LensCrafters | 1.2M | 25.6% | 1 |
| Jan 2026 | America's Best Contacts & Eyeglasses | 1.2M | 24.5% | 2 |
| Jan 2026 | Warby Parker | 823K | 17.3% | 3 |
| Jan 2026 | Visionworks | 673K | 14.1% | 4 |
| Jan 2026 | Pearle Vision | 301K | 6.3% | 5 |
| Jan 2026 | Eyemart Express | 246K | 5.2% | 6 |
| Jan 2026 | Walmart | 201K | 4.2% | 7 |
| Jan 2026 | Costco | 135K | 2.8% | 8 |
| Feb 2026 | LensCrafters | 1M | 24.9% | 1 |
| Feb 2026 | America's Best Contacts & Eyeglasses | 988K | 24.6% | 2 |
| Feb 2026 | Warby Parker | 673K | 16.7% | 3 |
| Feb 2026 | Visionworks | 550K | 13.7% | 4 |
| Feb 2026 | Pearle Vision | 301K | 7.5% | 5 |
| Feb 2026 | Eyemart Express | 201K | 5% | 6 |
| Feb 2026 | Walmart | 201K | 5% | 7 |
| Feb 2026 | Costco | 110K | 2.7% | 8 |
| Mar 2026 | LensCrafters | 1.2M | 26% | 1 |
| Mar 2026 | America's Best Contacts & Eyeglasses | 1.2M | 24.9% | 2 |
| Mar 2026 | Warby Parker | 823K | 17.6% | 3 |
| Mar 2026 | Visionworks | 550K | 11.7% | 4 |
| Mar 2026 | Pearle Vision | 301K | 6.4% | 5 |
| Mar 2026 | Eyemart Express | 246K | 5.2% | 6 |
| Mar 2026 | Walmart | 246K | 5.2% | 7 |
| Mar 2026 | Costco | 135K | 2.9% | 8 |
| Apr 2026 | LensCrafters | 1M | 24.9% | 1 |
| Apr 2026 | America's Best Contacts & Eyeglasses | 958K | 23.8% | 2 |
| Apr 2026 | Warby Parker | 673K | 16.7% | 3 |
| Apr 2026 | Visionworks | 550K | 13.7% | 4 |
| Apr 2026 | Pearle Vision | 301K | 7.5% | 5 |
| Apr 2026 | Eyemart Express | 201K | 5% | 6 |
| Apr 2026 | Walmart | 201K | 5% | 7 |
| Apr 2026 | Costco | 135K | 3.4% | 8 |
| May 2026 | LensCrafters | 1M | 26.2% | 1 |
| May 2026 | America's Best Contacts & Eyeglasses | 933K | 24.5% | 2 |
| May 2026 | Warby Parker | 673K | 17.6% | 3 |
| May 2026 | Visionworks | 450K | 11.8% | 4 |
| May 2026 | Pearle Vision | 246K | 6.4% | 5 |
| May 2026 | Eyemart Express | 201K | 5.3% | 6 |
| May 2026 | Walmart | 201K | 5.3% | 7 |
| May 2026 | Costco | 110K | 2.9% | 8 |
| Jun 2026 | LensCrafters | 1M | 27.3% | 1 |
| Jun 2026 | America's Best Contacts & Eyeglasses | 783K | 21.4% | 2 |
| Jun 2026 | Warby Parker | 673K | 18.4% | 3 |
| Jun 2026 | Visionworks | 450K | 12.3% | 4 |
| Jun 2026 | Pearle Vision | 246K | 6.7% | 5 |
| Jun 2026 | Eyemart Express | 201K | 5.5% | 6 |
| Jun 2026 | Walmart | 201K | 5.5% | 7 |
| Jun 2026 | Costco | 110K | 3% | 8 |
| Jul 2026 | LensCrafters | 1M | 25.7% | 1 |
| Jul 2026 | America's Best Contacts & Eyeglasses | 933K | 24% | 2 |
| Jul 2026 | Warby Parker | 673K | 17.3% | 3 |
| Jul 2026 | Visionworks | 450K | 11.6% | 4 |
| Jul 2026 | Eyemart Express | 246K | 6.3% | 5 |
| Jul 2026 | Pearle Vision | 246K | 6.3% | 6 |
| Jul 2026 | Walmart | 201K | 5.2% | 7 |
| Jul 2026 | Costco | 135K | 3.5% | 8 |
| Aug 2026 | LensCrafters | 1M | 24.3% | 1 |
| Aug 2026 | America's Best Contacts & Eyeglasses | 958K | 23.3% | 2 |
| Aug 2026 | Warby Parker | 673K | 16.4% | 3 |
| Aug 2026 | Visionworks | 550K | 13.4% | 4 |
| Aug 2026 | Pearle Vision | 301K | 7.3% | 5 |
| Aug 2026 | Eyemart Express | 246K | 6% | 6 |
| Aug 2026 | Walmart | 246K | 6% | 7 |
| Aug 2026 | Costco | 135K | 3.3% | 8 |
| Sep 2026 | LensCrafters | 1M | 26.8% | 1 |
| Sep 2026 | America's Best Contacts & Eyeglasses | 808K | 21.6% | 2 |
| Sep 2026 | Warby Parker | 673K | 18% | 3 |
| Sep 2026 | Visionworks | 450K | 12.1% | 4 |
| Sep 2026 | Eyemart Express | 246K | 6.6% | 5 |
| Sep 2026 | Pearle Vision | 246K | 6.6% | 6 |
| Sep 2026 | Walmart | 201K | 5.4% | 7 |
| Sep 2026 | Costco | 110K | 2.9% | 8 |

## What is being compared

- **America's Best Contacts & Eyeglasses**: Measured on the search terms “america's best contacts and eyeglasses” and “americas best glasses”, summed into one figure.
- **Costco**: Measured on the search term “costco optical”.
- **Eyemart Express**: Measured on the search term “eyemart express”.
- **LensCrafters**: Measured on the search term “lenscrafters”.
- **Pearle Vision**: Measured on the search term “pearle vision”.
- **Visionworks**: Measured on the search term “visionworks”.
- **Walmart**: Measured on the search term “walmart vision center”.
- **Warby Parker**: Measured on the search term “warby parker”.

- [America's Best Contacts & Eyeglasses](/demand/us/brands/americas-best)
- [Costco](/demand/us/brands/costco)
- [Eyemart Express](/demand/us/brands/eyemart-express)
- [LensCrafters](/demand/us/brands/lenscrafters)
- [Pearle Vision](/demand/us/brands/pearle-vision)
- [Visionworks](/demand/us/brands/visionworks)
- [Walmart](/demand/us/brands/walmart-us)
- [Warby Parker](/demand/us/brands/warby-parker)

## Methodology

- [How is the Brand Demand Index measured?](/demand/methodology): Where the figures come from, what they compare, and how they may be reused.

## Frequently asked questions

### Which brand is most popular in search among optical retail chains in the United States?

In September 2026, LensCrafters was the most searched among optical retail chains in the United States, with an estimated 1M branded searches, 26.8% of all searches for the eight we track.

## Cite this page

Brandwave. "Optical retail chains in the United States: Which are searched most?". https://gobrandwave.com/demand/us/categories/us-optical-retail-chains

This page is also available as HTML at https://gobrandwave.com/demand/us/categories/us-optical-retail-chains. Brandwave publishes an index of its Markdown pages at https://gobrandwave.com/llms.txt.