An Optics Supplier Review: My personal Where-to-buy-What

As optical engineers first we often need to build something from off-the-shelf stuff. While databases like Meetoptics, FindLight, GoPhotonics, Laserdiodedriver, Alibaba, eBay are great for hunting down niche components, most of us end up gravitating toward the "Giants" — the suppliers which appear on the search bar as soon as we type the first letter.

But after years of ordering you notice patterns. Here is my short review of the world's largest optics suppliers you will likely order from in 2026.

Edmund Optics

The "Amazon" of Optics

If you need it, they probably have it. Edmund Optics (EO) undeniably holds the title for the most comprehensive optical components catalogue in the game.

The Good: EO is the king of inventory. Whether you are hunting for simple singlets, aspheres, specially coated lenses, or high-end imaging optics, their range is massive. Unlike others who just buy companies and slap a sticker on the box, EO actively partners with third-party innovators. You can buy galvo scanners from ScannerMax, Raylase, cameras from FLIR directly through them. A huge convenience that simplifies procurement.

The Bad: While their glass game is strong, their mechanics are weak. Their optomechanics and fibre optical selection feel like an afterthought compared to the rest of their portfolio.

Thorlabs

Come for the Lab Snacks, Stay for the Fibers

Thorlabs knows their audience. Engineers and Physicists love gummy bears (who don’t?)

The Good: They are the undisputed heavyweight champion of fibre optics and optomechanics. If you need to build a setup from scratch, their ecosystem is unmatched. They have also expanded aggressively into complete systems—OCT setups, femtosecond lasers, and splicing machines are now just a click away.

The Bad: "Available" doesn't always mean "User-Friendly." While they sell complex systems, I hesitate to recommend them to manufacturing clients. The software often feels designed by lab nerds for lab nerds— bugs, quirky controls, and interfaces that will make you think about other suppliers. Great for research, risky for production.

Newport (MKS)

The Fading Giant

Once the gold standard, Newport now feels like a legacy act surviving by selling with a large margin.

The Good: They still manufacture excellent motion components and optomechanics—the heavy-duty stuff that feels solid in your hand. Also, amusingly, they have started sending "Photon Food" (their version of lab snacks), clearly trying to keep up with Thorlabs.

The Bad: Since the MKS takeover, the soul seems to have left the building. Development feels stagnant, and their website organization is certainly not my favourite. And while they list fancy (and expensive) MKS lasers, good luck finding a price tag without getting into a sales email chain.

OptoSigma

The Cylindrical Specialists

OptoSigma is a bit of an enigma—reliable, but occasionally confusing.

The Good: If you need cylindrical lenses, they are the best choice on the market with probably the largest choice of sizes and focal lengths.

The Bad: They lack focus. They offer the essentials, but nothing feels "special" outside of their niche. Worse, their regional gating is baffling. Need a specific crystal? It might only be on the UK site. Want a certain microscope objective? Only in Japan or eBay.

EKSMA

The Lithuanian Powerhouse

Is it now EKSMA or EKSPLA? The connection to Lithuania’s booming laser industry is obvious.

The Good: This is your go-to for ultrashort pulse laser optics. If you are blasting components with femtosecond pulses, you will need the right GDD, wavelength and damage threshold. Their proximity to the ultrashort pulse laser industry means they actually understand those special needs.

The Bad: It is January 2026, and their website still loads like it's 1999. I only endure the 60-second page load times because I know I literally cannot find these specific femtosecond laser components anywhere else.

Qioptiq / Excelitas

Nostalgia in a Box

Is it "Optic" in French? Who knows. Qioptiq (now under Excelitas/Teledyne umbrellas depending on the specific division) triggers nostalgia for the days when they were a dominant force.

The Good: I still have a soft spot for them because they made the basic WinLens 3D software available for free—a legendary move. They also still produce decent Electro-Optic Modulators (EOMs).

The Bad: It feels like a slow sunset. Back when Newport was in its prime, these guys were selling a lot of optics. Now, opening their website feels like visiting a museum. With recent corporate acquisitions, I suspect the standalone optics department might be fully phased out or absorbed within the next decade.

Standa

The Lithuanian Everything-Store

Think of Standa as the "Lithuanian All-Star Team."

The Good: They are a fascinating hybrid: the automation of Newport, the optomechanics of Thorlabs, the lasers of CNI, and the optics of Edmund—all based in Lithuania. They are a massive resource for serious hardware. The LUMS software is a remarkable effort but I would prefer to pay less for it.

The Bad: The user experience is stuck in the past. You can't just "Add to Cart" and pay. You have to "Add to Inquiry" and start a game of Quotation Ping-Pong. If they modernized their checkout process, they would likely double their sales overnight.

Zolix / GoldenWay / ETC

The "Good Enough" Option

Sometimes, you don't need aerospace precision. You just need a metal plate with holes.

The Good: They are cheap. Not "10x cheaper" (they like profit too), but significantly more affordable than the big Western brands. If you just need to mount a floodlight on a micrometre stage, do not waste money on Thorlabs. Buy this instead.

The Bad: You get what you pay for. Chinese manufacturing quality has improved massively, but quality control can still be hit-or-miss. I’ve bought stages where the screws arrive loose. It’s not a dealbreaker—you just have to remember to tighten them every now and then.