Rank: | Photo: | Model: | Rating: | More Info: |
#1 |  | BEST FOR MEN Maui Jim Makaha | ||
#2 |  | Gucci GG 0010S | ||
#3 |  | Ray-Ban Rb3025 Classic Aviator | ||
#4 |  | BEST FOR WOMEN Ray-Ban Rb3016 Clubmaster | ||
#5 |  | Ray-Ban Rb4171 Erika |
You know the drill: you should never leave the house without your trusty sunglasses. Not only will they protect your eyes from the damaging UV rays, but they’ll also protect the delicate skin around your eyes from wrinkles and sun damage.
Are polarized glasses better? Polarized glasses are ideal for cutting out glare and eliminating light from horizontal surfaces, such as water, which makes them good for outdoor activities.
Whether you want polarized or non-polarized lenses, we’ve got you covered. Here’s our guide to the best sunglasses for the money: look cool while protecting your eyes. The first three pairs in our guide are for men, while the last two are the best sunnies for women.
Best Sunglasses – Reviews & Buying guide for 2021
Best Men’s Sunglasses: Maui Jim Makaha
These luxury sunglasses have everything you need in a quality pair of sunnies, and more. Let’s check them out to see why Maui Jim has become such a popular brand.
Specs
- Frame: Nylon
- Lens: Polycarbonate
- Polarized: Yes
Pros
- These lenses are polarized for greater comfort and durability. They prevent glare and are resistant to moisture and scratches. They also improve color and details in what you’re looking at, making these sunnies great for many different outdoor activities.
- They offer UV protection as well as blue light protection. What blue light protection means is that the glasses will decrease high-energy visible radiation without reducing blue colors in the world around you.
- These best quality sunglasses for the money have achieved the Skin Cancer Foundation Seal Of Recommendation because of how effective they are at filtering UV light so that it can’t damage your eyes.
- They have polycarbonate lenses which are ideal for active lifestyles. They offer clear, crisp optics, are lightweight, resistant to impact, and comfortable to wear. They also have a clear scratch-resistant coating to further protect them from scratches and other types of impact, increasing the lifespan of your glasses.
- You can get the lenses in a neutral grey, bronze, or rose color. All of these have important benefits. The gray lens provides good contrast and the best reduction of light, and it’s ideal for all light conditions. The bronze lens is ideal for low-light environments, while also offering good contrast. Finally, the rose lens is best for better visibility on overcast or foggy days.
- The frame is semi-rimless so that your view is not obstructed. It’s also flexible and lightweight, which makes it comfortable to wear every day.
- The glasses have a rubber nose grip to ensure your glasses don’t budge. This further makes them the best sunglasses for running and other outdoor activities.
- Both the frame and lens are saltwater safe.
- As a bonus, the glasses come with a case so that you can keep them in good condition when you’re not wearing them.
Cons
- Some people who have purchased these sunglasses have reported that they break easily when dropped.
Runner Up: Gucci GG 0010S
Gucci is a brand that’s known for its luxury reputation, but it also offers stylish yet affordable sunglasses. Here’s what to know about this trendy pair.
Specs
- Frame: Acetate
- Lens: Plastic
- Polarized: No
Pros
- These sunglasses are made of high-quality materials, such as premium cellulose acetate, lightweight titanium, and stainless steel.
- The lenses are made from impact-resistant prescription material. When wearing them, you’ll be pleased to get 100 percent UV protection.
- To keep them strong and durable, the glasses are resistant to nicks and scratches. They’ve also been coated with a superhydrophobic treatment to repel water and anti-reflective treatments.
- What’s great about these glasses is that they are stylish but subtle. As a nice nod to the brand, they have the Gucci colors on small fabric on the arms that don’t feel pretentious.
- The arms are rubber coated for extra durability.
- These best cheap glasses come with a velvet Gucci case, a cleaning cloth, a soft pouch, and a certificate of authenticity, so you can be sure that you’re getting a quality product.
- People who have purchased these sunglasses have reported that they stay in place even during outdoor activities.
Cons
- Some people have reported issues with potential fake Gucci glasses purchased from Amazon, as they did not receive the pouch and certificate of authenticity. This is something to be aware of so that you ensure you get authentic glasses.
Alternative: Ray-Ban Rb3025 Classic Aviator
The aviator style of sunglasses was originally designed for pilots, but it’s such a popular and timeless style that it should be in your eyewear collection.
Specs
- Frame: Metal
- Lens: Crystal
- Polarized: Yes
Pros
- These Ray-Ban glasses have photochromic lenses which ensure a gradual change of lens color from a lighter one to a darker one when you step into UV light. Then, when you go back inside, the glasses will gradually change again from a darker to a lighter color to accommodate the light.
- They’re one of the best-polarized sunglasses to own, and a must if you want to cut out the glare so that you can see better.
- They have metal frames that are durable and strong, sure to last you for a long time. This also makes it easier for you to choose from a variety of different lens colors, such as crystal green or brown.
- People who have purchased these best sunglasses for men have reported that their lenses have an excellent finish and the frame is also of high quality.
- These are unisex.
- The glasses come with a carrying case and cleaning cloth so you can keep them in excellent condition.
Cons
- The sunglasses’ arms are quite thin, so you have to be careful when handling them.
- Some people who have purchased these sunglasses have reported concerns regarding how the lenses don’t have the large Ray-Ban logo on them.
Best Women’s Sunglasses: Ray-Ban Rb3016 Clubmaster
These clubmaster sunglasses are great for you if you want a throwback look – this type of sunglasses design was inspired by the 50s so they’re beautifully retro while remaining timeless. Let’s check out their features in greater detail.
Specs
- Frame: Acetate
- Lens: Glass
- Polarized: No
Pros
- These sunglasses are made with 100-percent acetate frames that have a few metal additions to give the glasses greater durability and stability.
- You can get the frame in colors such as tortoise or black, and the lenses come in a variety of colors and treatments to suit your needs.
- People who have purchased these sunglasses have reported that they work well to block out UV light.
- They’re comfortable to wear and have a 4.3 out of 5 ratings for being value for money.
- The glasses come in a soft black leather case and your purchase will include a cleaning cloth.
Cons
- Since they’re made of glass, these glasses are a bit heavier to wear.
Runner Up: Ray-Ban Rb4171 Erika
The Erika sunglasses by Ray-Ban are super stylish and have a round design, so they’re sure to keep you on-trend. Appearance aside, let’s see what features they have to offer.
Specs
- Frame: Plastic
- Lens: Plastic
- Polarized: Yes
Pros
- These sunglasses have prescription-ready plastic lenses. Although you might worry about plastic not being as strong as other materials, plastic lenses do carry the benefit of being much lighter to wear. If you wear your sunglasses for many hours at a time or on a regular basis then you’ll want to ensure they are light on your face.
- The lenses have been treated with a UV protective coating.
- They come in a variety of lenses, such as polarized and gradient, as well as many different colors, so you’re sure to find the best glasses for your needs.
- These sunnies don’t have separate nose pads so you can comfortably slide them on your head without them getting stuck in your hair.
- These glasses come with a cleaning cloth and carrying case so you can keep your glasses in excellent condition with ease.
Cons
- If you have a very small face, you might battle to find the right fit with these sunglasses.
- While a lack of nose pads might be right for you, they do come with the potential drawback of causing the sunglasses to slip off your face.
Best Sunglasses For The Money FAQ
Now that we’ve looked at five of the best sunglasses for the money to help you stay trendy while keeping your vision in good condition, there is important information you should know about sunglasses, such as what some drawbacks are when it comes to polarized lenses as well as how cheap sunglasses really fare when pitted against more expensive, high-end ones.
What are the disadvantages of polarized sunglasses?
Polarized sunglasses have become popular, and there are good reasons for this. Basically, polarized lenses make use of filters that cut out more than 99 percent of glare. This not only makes it easier to see but it keeps your vision healthy.
Another benefit of polarized lenses is that they improve the color contrast of what you’re looking at, as a result of how horizontal light waves are filtered by them. This makes your eyes have to strain less in order to see clearly.
While that sounds great, what are some of the drawbacks associated with polarized lenses? Let’s see.
- You might battle to view LCD screens when wearing polarized glasses. This is as a result of the chemicals that have been used to produce the glasses’ filtering mechanism. This reduces how much light your eyes can process when looking at LCD screens from an angle. In addition, polarized lenses also affect the color that you can perceive when looking at these screens. Therefore, you won’t be able to wear them when looking at car dashboard controls, cell phones, some watches, and ATMs.
- You will battle when looking at shades of white. Since they filter horizontal light waves, this can make using polarized glasses difficult when you want to differentiate between variations in white shades of color, such as if you’re snowboarding or taking part in other outdoor activities in the snow.
- You’ll have to pay much more for them. Polarized sunglasses can cost up to 30 percent more than if you purchase regular lenses (via Connectus), which can be too expensive for some people.
- You might battle to drive while wearing them. Polarized sunglasses are said to react negatively to certain windshield tints, which can make it difficult – and unsafe – to drive while wearing them.
- You can’t wear them at night. There have been claims that wearing polarized glasses at night can be beneficial, but these are not suitable for night-time conditions, especially if you’re driving, as they can be dangerous. Since their lenses are so dark, this makes it difficult to see through them in low-light conditions.
Which is the best sunglasses brand?
If you’re looking for the best sunglasses in the world, you have quite a few options from which to choose. Let’s check out some of the most popular sunnies that are made with quality and style in mind.
Ray-Ban
Ray-Ban is an eyewear industry powerhouse. Their Wayfarer glasses are fashion icons and have been worn by important people throughout history, such as President John F. Kennedy and Bob Dylan.
Ray-Bans have even made it onto the big screen numerous times – you’ll recognize them in movies such as The Wild One, Top Gun, Reservoir Dogs, and Dirty Harry.
Ray-Ban glasses are known for being trendy and durable, and earlier we featured three of the top Ray-Ban sunglasses to consider, but we’ll explain more about what makes them so popular later on in this article.
Oakley
In 1984, Oakley stormed onto the scene with their Factory Pilot Eyeshades. Since then, they’ve become renowned for use when partaking in outdoor activities.
The brand offers a range of sporty shades, which is perfect for those leading active lifestyles, but that doesn’t mean you can’t rock them if you don’t.
One thing you’ll love about Oakley sunnies is how they offer polarized lenses with their sporty frames, and this has made them a comfortable and stylish choice for pro athletes, such as American distance runner Gwen Jorgenson and American professional beach volleyball player Kerri Walsh.
Maui Jim
Known for their durable sunglasses, Maui Jim is a brand that started out in Hawaii to give people greater comfort against the harsh UV light and then moved to the U.S. where it became a household name.
Their quality lenses enhance how colors are viewed. Maui Jim sunglasses are sporty as well as trendy, so they cater to a variety of styles.
It’s no wonder that Maui Jim has become one of the best sunglass brands, and Maui Jim Makaha Rimless sunglasses made the number-one spot on our list of reviews for good reasons!
Are cheap sunglasses worth it?
If you’re on a budget but you still want to invest in sunglasses, you might wonder if cheap sunnies are really worth it or not. Let’s explore how cheap sunglasses fare when it comes to various categories.
Sun protection
Do more expensive lenses offer greater UV protection? Not necessarily. You’re actually likely to find sunglasses that give you excellent UV protection for as little as $10 or $20.
That said, it’s worth researching how much UV protection cheap sunglasses you want to buy really offer. If these glasses only block out some light, this will cause your eyes’ irises to open up more and let in more light, which can increase the damage caused to your eye from UV light.
Lens Construction
One of the biggest issues you might encounter with cheaper sunglasses is that the lenses are usually made of plastic with a very thin, tinted coating. These could look just like Ray-Bans or Oakleys, but they don’t have the same quality.
High-end sunglasses usually have extra lens coatings to keep them in good condition for longer and make them resistant to daily wear and tear. They also usually have polycarbonate or glass lenses that are more durable.
In addition to how their lenses are made, you might find that cheap sunnies will have uneven lenses when it comes to their size and color, which doesn’t make them worth it.
Outdoor Activity Benefits
Sometimes splurging on sunglasses that are more expensive can really be worth it, like if you need specialized glasses to help you excel at your outdoor activities.
An example is if you like to engage in fishing or hiking, as high-tech glasses will help you to better view the world around you.
If you’re going to buy cheap sunglasses, make sure you bear the previous points in mind so that you make the right choice. It’s also good to know that more expensive glasses do come with extra features that you will enjoy.
In a study, when 11 pairs of cheap sunglasses were tested against more expensive ones, it was found that they performed the same when it came to blocking out UV light.
But, expensive glasses are said to provide you with tougher frames, more stylish designs, and usually a more comfortable fit.
Why is Ray Ban so expensive?
While Ray-Ban might not seem to be a super-luxurious brand of sunglasses, unlike Chanel and others, you can still expect to pay a few hundred dollars for a pair of sunglasses. Why is this the case? Let’s explore some reasons why Ray-Ban is considered to be expensive.
It’s controlled by Luxottica
Luxottica is a company that controls over 80 percent of the eyewear business, which means that it can determine how much sunglasses and other glasses should sell for. Many brands, including Ray-Ban, are made by this company.
It provides quality sunglasses
Since the 1930s, Ray-Ban has been a leading brand when it comes to offering sunglasses that are of the highest quality. Every pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses offers excellent protection against the harmful UV rays.
Their polarized lenses block more than 99 percent of all reflected glare, for example.
There’s a style to suit everyone
In addition to the range of trendy, contemporary sunglass styles that are on offer, the brand offers limited-edition glasses that are inspired by history or icons.
If you don’t find what you’re looking for, you can even get a custom pair made with your own frame, lens, and shape preferences. This makes the sunglasses a real investment.
Ray-Ban frames are durable
Not just stylish, Ray-Ban makes high-quality and durable frames. These were originally made for men leading active lifestyles, which is why they’re built to last.
Some of the frames on offer include ones that are made out of laser-cut steel so that they’re hypoallergenic, while others will be made of titanium alloy, which is resistant to allergies and light on your face.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for the most stylish sunglasses that will also keep your eyes (and the skin around your eyes) safe from the sun, look no further than our guide.
We’ve featured five of the best sunglasses for the money, looking at their pros and cons to help you choose a pair of sunglasses that will reflect your personal style while protecting your vision.
Resources:
- CBSNews.com
- BusinessInsider.com
- ChicagoTribune.com
- ConnectUsFund.org
- HealthLine.com
- Aao.org
- HowStuffWorks.com
- ABCNews.go.com
