Best Sunglasses for UV Eye Protection

Sunglasses, shades or sunnies. No matter what you call them they’re an essential part of sun safety. You probably already have a pair or two… or four if you’re like me.

Not only a great accessory, sunglasses protect your eyes and surrounding area from UV rays. Some serious consequences of not wearing sunglasses include:

• Cataracts – a clouding of your eyes’ usually clear lenses. This may cause blurred, dimmed vision and tend to get worse over time.
• Macular degeneration – an eye disease that eventually ends with loss of vision.
• Pterygium – an annoying and often painful growth on the eyeball.
• Skin cancer around the eye area.

The Skin Cancer Foundation talks about how sunlight damages the eye and the consequences of not wearing sunglasses here if you want to learn more about this.

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For more information on the top five UV sunglasses brands we recommend, check out the information below.

Buyer’s Guide on Sunglasses for UV eye protection

To make sure your eyes get the best UV protection sunglasses, you should look for these must-have features:

UV Protection

Firstly, what is the best UV protection for sunglasses? The best protection for your eyes is going to be sunnies that provide 100% UV protection. This can also be labeled as ‘UV400’.

Both of these labels mean your sunglasses will prevent 100% of both UVA and UVB light from reaching your eyes. It’s important to ensure protection from both as each has the potential for different but serious damage – UVB burns and UVA alters DNA below the skin’s surface.

The UV400 terminology comes from the wavelength of light the lenses block. Protection up to 400 nanometers means both UVA and UVB are taken care of.

Anything less than that and you are cheating yourself out of protection. Always ensure you buy the maximum protection available.

If you are wondering how UV protection and sunglasses actually work – here’s a great breakdown.

Lens Color

Let’s start with a couple of myth busters about lenses:

• Darker lenses provide more protection – not always. While it’s good to ensure your lenses are dark enough that you can’t see your eyes when looking in the mirror, this does not mean they provide high, or better, UV protection. The best UV sunglasses rating is 100% so always look for this when making your purchase.
• Different color lenses will provide better protection – the color of your lens will not change the protection it provides. Different color lenses are used by athletes to assist in improving contrast during certain times of day. For the rest of us it’s more than likely a fashion choice!

So with that said, here are some lens colors you may come across and what they do are below:

• Blue – enhances colors and contrast
• Red – reduces glare and may assist in reducing eye fatigue
• Brown – ideal for driving
• Green – enhances colors in low light conditions and reduces eye strain
• Yellow – ideal at dawn and dusk. Also useless in foggy conditions

Polarization

Polarized lenses are a HUGE selling point for sunglasses. But do you know what this means and what you get out of it?

Polarized lenses help to block polarized light. That is, light that’s reflected off a flat surface and travels towards your eyes in a uniform pattern. This helps to cut down glare.

These lenses are great for outdoor use – particularly around water as this flat surface reflects a lot of light up towards you.

However, there are times when polarized lenses aren’t the best option. For example, they can make LCD and LED displays (like the ones in your car) harder to see – which can be problematic.

An even more specific issue is downhill skiing. Reflections off icing patches of snow can alert you and prevent an accident. Polarized lenses would cut out these reflections and leave you vulnerable.

Outside of these instances polarized lenses are a great addition to your UV sunglasses as they help to stop more light reaching your eyes.

Frames

This is where the fun begins. You will want to think about your usage and determine what frames will suit your needs. Some frame types are:

• Wraparound frames – ideal for sports, they give you the ultimate sun protection my extending or ‘wrapping’ around your face
• Flat arm frames – super handy when wearing headgear their arms are flat so they don’t interfere with other safety gear
• Floating frames – handy if you are in the water, if these guys come off they will just bob along the surface of the water waiting for you to find them
• Fashion – come in all shapes and colors. The choices are endless.

Anti-fog

If you live in the humidity or plan on undertaking some serious sport you don’t want to be all fogged up unable to see. Lucky there are a couple of options available to help.

Some lenses are available with anti-fog technology or if you are after a not-so-fancy option look for a style that gives you plenty of air flow.

Style

This is most likely the first thing you’re going to look at, you actually probably already have a style in mind! Some popular styles include:

• Aviators
• Sports style
• Classic ‘Ray Ban’ style

Use

The activity you are going to undertake whilst wearing your shades will have a big impact on which style you will buy. It’s unlikely you’re going to wear pilot shades while cycling.

Some popular styles for certain activities can be seen below

• Rock Climbing – sports style with band to ensure they stay put
• Cycling – sports style with flat arms and/or look for a snug fit
• Walking – any style will work as long as they provide UV protection. If you are undertaking slightly vigorous hiking you’ll want to make sure that you have a pair that won’t fall off.

Price

Always wanting the best value you’ll want to take the price into consideration when making your purchase. Higher priced items may provide better quality or better features.

Don’t be scared to spend a little more if it means you will get a pair of shades that better meet your needs, or will last longer.

Best UV Sunglasses for Eye Protection Comparison

5 Best Sunglasses for UV Protection

After thorough research that combined discussing issues with customers, reviewing customer feedback, examining manufacturer specifications, participating in sun protection forums, SimplySunSafe has chosen the 5 best UV sunglasses for protecting your eyes from the sun.

All of these sunglasses provide the features we discussed in the buyers guide. Covering everything from lens colors, frame, and options for everyone’s budget.

1. LUENX Aviator Polarized Sunglasses

Last update on 2023-05-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

You knew I was going to put a pair of these in didn’t you? Of course. And they’re my top pick as the best sunglasses for eye protection!

I’m getting major Tom Cruise ‘Top Gun’ vibes with these. Firstly, they’re fashionable, aviators are one of my favorites to put on to run to the store.

These Luenx shades have 100% UV protecting polarized lenses. The lenses are also mirrored and have an additional back coating to help with blocking out glare!

The metal frame is nice and light while still remaining strong enough to handle all the opening and closing of the arms. The lenses are also shatterproof but let’s not voluntarily start testing that!

They also won’t be falling down your nose thanks to the soft nose pads that are environmentally and skin-friendly. Each pair of glasses comes with a nice case, pouch and cleaning cloth so no need to clean them with your shirt!

The sizing on the men’s are slightly different so check out which will be the best fit for you. Ladies have a few neutral color choices along with some cool lens choices of pink, purple and blue options. For the gents it’s blacks, browns, blues and greens.

So budget friendly you really should get two pairs! The positives of these sunglasses meant that it really was an easy winner. Plus the different sizes for men and women is great as it can be hard to tough to find a perfect fit with unisex glasses.

2. UV-BANS Round Sunglasses With Unbreakable Frame

Last update on 2023-05-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

So these ones are my personal favorite. I love the style and the colors these are available in. Let’s start with the important stuff though. These provide 100% UV protection and polarized lenses to help with glare. The style is a great choice for both men and women.

These 2nd best sunglasses for uv protection are made from eco-friendly material and are super light.

A one size fits all set of shades. There are multiple color combinations available including blue lenses or white mirror lenses if that is more your look. Super budget friendly so you can add more than one pair to your collection.

3. Cloudfield Wood Wayfarer Sunglasses

Last update on 2023-05-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

These real wood glasses are something completely different, and yes, I said real wood!

Safety first though so it’s of course 100% UV Protection from these. They’re a classic sunglass style so not suited to extreme sporting… leisurely activities only! They lenses are also polarized to assist with glare – so they’re great for driving.

These handmade eco-friendly glasses come in a bamboo case which makes them look classy enough for a gift for that special someone. Each pair also comes with a microfiber pouch and cloth.

Reviews state that these glasses are lighter than expected but are a great pair of sunglasses. Cloudfield seem very responsive to reviews if you do have any issues. It’s great to see a company so responsive to their customers.

They’re available in one size only and just the one wooden color selection, however, they have a choice of black or brown lenses. A great pick for both girls and guys.

These glasses are a little on the higher scale of the budget but if you are after something handcrafted and unique these are the ones for you.

4. J+S Active PLUS Outdoor Sports Sunglasses

Last update on 2023-05-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

To all my sporty readers – this pick is for you. I know how important sunglasses are when you are cycling, biking and doing anything adventurous. These wraparound glasses offer 100% UV protection. The extra wrap of these glasses provides extra sun protection for your eye area and also protects them from dust, twigs and any other nasties you might encounter.

The lenses in these shades are made from polycarbonate which means they are scratch resistant and lightweight but still built tough. The arms have anti slip legs to ensure they stay in place.

Now here is where it gets really interesting. You pick your lens color based on the activity you want to undertake or the time of day you will be using your glasses.

The black/charcoal lens is the standard go to for most people but you might want to check out the other options too. In summary they are:

• Clear – best for dawn/dusk and low light conditions
• Yellow – best for night use. Reduces glare from oncoming traffic. Also good for cloudy and foggy days
• Brown – all weather. Best for cloudy and hazy days

Suitable for both girls and boys, these glasses are also budget friendly and won’t break your bank!

5. RIVBOS Polarized Sports Sunglasses

Last update on 2023-05-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Another pair for those of you who are looking for a sporting sunglasses option. The Rivbos sports sunglasses provide 100% UV protection from harmful UV rays. They feature a polarized and mirrored lens to help with glare and contrast.

They give a distinct sporty look and are a wraparound style to provide extra protection to the eye area. A tight snug fit also ensures protection from dust and insects.

Made from high grade material they are strong and sturdy. Rivbos aren’t one to skimp on extras so you’ll get a durable glasses case you can attach to your belt, soft glasses pouch, cleaning cloth, polarized test card strap, and a head wrap.

For sizing it’s a one size fits all for both men and women so check the dimensions to ensure a nice fit. Lens options are extensive depending on the use you are after.

Wrap Up on Best Sunglasses for Eye Protection

I wrote this article for everyone looking to update their sunglasses. I covered fashionable and sporty options so if you are after some new shades I hope it has provided some useful guidance. Remember to look for the features in the buyers guide to make sure you get the best pair for you.

SimplySunSafe recommends the LUENX Aviator Polarized Sunglasses for Men and Women as our champion picks and the sunglasses you should definitely consider purchasing. After taking into consideration all the features that make the best UV filter sunglasses, this was the product that came out on top.

If one of the other four better suits your needs, go ahead and choose that one because ultimately the decision is about you and your needs.

Remember sunglasses need to be used with other sun protection. To refresh your memory on skin cancer prevention recommendations see the Centre for Disease Control and Preventions tips on protecting yourself when outdoors.

I love hearing from you guys, so if you purchase one of these items or find another pair of sunglasses you think are better please let me know about it in the comments. I love researching and will update my guide. I hope you enjoyed my article on the best sunglasses for UV protection.

FAQs on Sunglasses for UV protection:

Q: Can sunglasses be both polarized and have UV protection?

A: Yes, though polarization is not about UV protection, several glass manufacturers combine the two into sunglasses. You can simply confirm this through the information on the labels.

Q: Does wearing sunglasses protect your eyes while on the computer?

A: Though sunglasses are designed to block UV rays and reduce glare, they can give clearer vision when you’re out in sunlight or indoors working on your computer as well. Simply look out for shades with yellow, orange, or dark amber tints to filter the harmful effects of blue light from the screens.

Q: Which color sunglasses protect us from sunlight?

A: Blue sunglasses protect your eyes best from the glare of blue sky, water, or snow. Brown sunglasses are best for driving or other outdoor activities where you need all-around protection against the sun’s light. 

At the same time, gray is the most popular tint color for shades because of its neutrality and glare protection on both sunny and cloudy days. Green glasses also dim glare while brightening shadows. 

However, when looking for sunglasses, apart from colors, be sure they’re labeled as both ‘UVA’ and ‘UVB’ protective.

Q: What are good ways to test sunglasses that claim to be 100% UV protected?

A: The International Standards Organization determines all UV protection claims. This being said, there are a number of ways to test if your sunglasses are 100% UV protected.

You can test the effectiveness of your sunglasses in a few seconds with an instrument called a photometer that is readily available with eye care professionals.

To test at home, you will need a UV flashlight and U.S paper money (as these are made with fluorescent fibers that glow when exposed to UV light). Shine the UV flashlight on paper money, and if it glows even after passing through your glasses, then they are not doing their job!

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