Review: Finding the Best Lenses for Prescription Glasses (Progressive Multifocal Edition)

Over six weeks, I tested four different brands of premium prescription lenses. If you require progressive lenses—which help you see clearly at a distance, up close, and everywhere in between—you’re likely aware they can come with a hefty price tag.

My objective was straightforward: to find custom progressive lenses that deliver sharp vision without the typical $400 retail cost. We zeroed in on the SHINU Custom Progressive Multifocal lenses, which promise to handle everything from reading to offering protection during screen time.

Our Testing Method: How We Evaluated the Lenses

We assessed custom prescription lenses across four critical areas. Glasses must do more than simply correct your vision; they need to be comfortable and built to last.

Our evaluation criteria included:

  1. Clarity and Transition: How seamless is the shift from the reading zone (bottom) to the distance zone (top)? A jumpy or abrupt transition means the lenses fall short.
  2. Weight and Comfort: Heavy glasses become uncomfortable after an hour. We measured the combined weight of the frame and lenses.
  3. Durability: We examined basic scratch resistance. Inexpensive lenses often scratch quickly.
  4. Value (Price vs. Quality): Does the quality justify the cost?

Verdict: We discovered that a high price doesn’t always guarantee high quality, particularly when it comes to lens coatings and custom progressive designs.

Comparison Table: SHINU vs. The Competition

We compared the SHINU progressive glasses (listed as Mozaer below for consistency) against a high-street retail brand (Brand A) and two other budget-friendly online options.

It's worth noting: Brand A was noticeably heavier. This extra weight frequently leads to nose fatigue after just a few hours of wear. The Mozaer/SHINU option stood out immediately because it felt roughly 30% lighter than the standard retail alternative.

Why SHINU Progressive Lenses Won Our Test

The SHINU Custom Progressive Multifocal Reading Glasses won due to their exceptional value and the high-end features packed into a budget-friendly price. Most premium progressive lenses cost between $250 and $500 for the lenses alone. SHINU delivers the complete package for under $80.