Top 11 Best Sunglasses for UV Protection in 2024 – Top Rated Picks

When we decide to change sunglasses, we often throw ourselves simply by choosing their aesthetics or brand. So how to choose the ones that are most suitable for us? There are more technical characteristics that are really important in order to make a choice more suited to our needs.

Dark lenses are the best weapon against sunlight. Day after day, especially in countries where the climate is particularly benevolent, we are continuously exposed to the sun’s rays and, therefore, to the most harmful radiation, ultraviolet ones. In the summer, we worry about buying the best sunscreen to protect the skin from painful and uncomfortable sunburn, but who thinks about protecting our eyes?

Thinking about fans of outdoor activities, walks by the sea, in parks or at high altitudes, we have prepared this guide with some information that will make you think not only about how important it is to wear progressive glasses or single vision sunglasses but also on how to choose the best lenses according to your needs.

If you are looking for the best sunglasses for UV protection, we have selected some of the best models on the market. If you don’t have time to devote to the complete reading of our article, here are the first eleven in the ranking.

Buying Guide for The Best Sunglasses for UV Protection

Uva and Uvb: The Two Enemies to Block

This accessory, now considered on the fashionable and indispensable market, actually has the very important scientific purpose of protecting our eyesight from damage caused by UV rays. The UV rays, divided into UVA and UVB, are invisible radiation coming from the sun and only partially shielded from the Earth’s atmosphere and clouds. These waves can damage the skin, in the form of burns or with the development of tumor forms, following prolonged exposure, but are particularly harmful for the delicate mucous membranes of the eyes.

When choosing a pair of glasses, it is necessary to pay close attention to the type of lenses used, which must guarantee almost total protection against this type of radiation. And remember always to be wary of models that don’t report any information about it.

The Materials Are Not All the Same

Once you have ascertained that the model you like offers adequate UV shielding, another factor to consider is the material with which the lenses have been made. If you compare prices, you will see that the best brands choose polyurethane, which combines lightness, flexibility to respond well to impacts, resistance to scratches, and, above all, a clear vision, despite the dark color.

Polycarbonate

Polycarbonate represents an interesting compromise between quality and price, maintaining good robustness, while glass, in the face of the typical fragility that has decreed its considerable disuse compared to the past, remains an excellent material for quality of sight.
There is nothing better than a beautiful and sunny day to get us out of the house and take advantage of the good weather for a walk or, in summer, a refreshing swim in the nearby beach. Together with the appropriate clothing in the heat or the costume, our favorite sunglasses cannot be missing.

After having talked so much about the protection and quality of materials, the time has come to tackle the topic most heard by users: aesthetics. The manufacturers of sunglasses, often associated with the major fashion brands, have teams of designers charged with creating shapes and colors that conquer the masses and become objects of desire, at the top of the rankings of the magazines in the sector.

There are models with large and enveloping lenses, which give a tone to the face, highlighting it, and others thin and with an essential frame, such as technical products for skiers and mountaineers, which efficiently cover the eyes, following the lines of the head to anchor to it and resist gusts of wind and jolts.

How to Use Sunglasses

During the summer season but also in winter on particularly sunny days, it is good practice to wear a functional and quality pair of sunglasses. In choosing the model with the shape that best suits your needs, we have highlighted some fundamental points that we advise you not to overlook.

Don’t Forget the Case of Sunglasses

It seems obvious, but often most people do not store the pair of glasses at the end of the day in the area dedicated to their conservation; that is the case. There are soft, rigid, and semi-rigid types on the market. Our advice is to aim for the model that ensures total protection from bumps and falls.

Check that The Protection Index Is High

UV protection must be complete and able to ensure a safety factor and adequate shielding against the effects of sunlight, which can damage the eye.

Do Not Scratch the Lenses of Sunglasses

The quality of the lenses must be preserved by avoiding placing the glasses on surfaces or areas at risk. If they are not designed to be scratch-proof, in fact, they can be permanently ruined and preclude the goodness of vision with unsightly signs that reduce the quality of observation of what surrounds you.

Buy Sunglasses in Specialized Stores

The purchase of a pair of sunglasses is recommended at those stores born with the specific vocation for the sale of glasses and optical products. Better get advice from professionals who can suggest different types of lenses by combining the pleasure of shape with adequate protection.

Clean the Lenses with Suitable Products

Cleaning the lenses is a simple operation, but to be carried out with certain care and delicacy. To do this, it is good to use the appropriate pieces and a suitable detergent that removes any deposits of drops or other material, without damaging or scratching the lens.

Put on Your Glasses for A Try

The choice of one type of glasses rather than another responds not only to an aesthetic taste but also to the selection of a lens capable of better protecting the eye and the surrounding area. For this reason, it is good to mediate between a line that is captivating but also functional.

Avoid Too Heavy Frames

The comfort factor plays a major role, especially if you wear glasses for a long time. Feel and experience the comfort that these objects transmit to you, paying particular attention to the area of the nose and the weight of the side arms behind the ear and the height of the eye.

When Eye Protection and Style Meet

The charm of sunglasses is what made them the most loved accessories over time. But compared to other gadgets that we wear every day and that make up our look, sunglasses perform an important function: to protect our eyes from ultraviolet rays. Originally used by aviators and motorcyclists, over the years, they have spread on a large scale, becoming elements of style. Round, square, oversize sunglasses with metal or plastic frames: many possible combinations.

In our guide, however, in addition to the aesthetic component, we have placed the emphasis on the construction quality and, above all, on the effectiveness of the lenses. In the beginning, as always, we have included a juicy proposal that includes the most captivating models, divided into three price ranges.

The Price

The quality of the lenses significantly affects the final price of the glasses, as well as the style of the frame. But the name of the manufacturing company contributes greatly to raising the price. By evaluating all these variables, we have selected cheap, mid-range, and high-end sunglasses for you.

Lens Characteristics

The shape and color of the lenses are two key aspects when choosing. And not only for a purely aesthetic but also functional issue. In addition, we will see how much construction materials affect the quality of the glasses.

The Importance of Filters in Sunglasses

The main purpose of the lenses is to filter and contain ultraviolet rays, whose direct exposure is harmful to the eyes. But choosing polarized sunglasses, reflections will also be muted.

Special Treatments for Lenses

There are also special treatments that make the lenses suitable for specific uses. We will talk about it in this section, describing the photochromic, mirrored, and degrading lenses.

In addition to the filters present in the lenses of the sunglasses, some special treatments to which they are subjected can further improve the quality of the image. Photochromic lenses, for example, are designed to vary the intensity of their color based on the amount of light entering. In other words, they darken outdoors while they are gradually becoming more transparent indoors. Often mounted on graduated sunglasses, they offer unparalleled comfort at a price that is not exactly low.

For those looking for lenses that can block the most intense light sources, mirror sunglasses are the perfect answer. By adding a very thin layer of metal, these lenses prevent the passage of light in a more decisive way. And not surprisingly, mirrored sunglasses are born as technical models for winter sports. Finally, the degrading lenses are very interesting; that is, they consist of a darker upper portion and an almost transparent lower portion. Ideal for those who drive a lot, they best block sunlight. But by tilting the head slightly upwards, we will be able to enjoy an extremely natural vision.

The Frame Between Design and Comfort

The non-secondary element in the choice of glasses is the frame or the frame inside which the lenses are embedded. Dimensions, weight, and design of the frame exert a certain weight in terms of comfort, and the materials used to determine their greater or lesser resistance.

Sports Sunglasses

Sports glasses are designed to meet particular needs, filtering a certain type of light in the best possible way. Cyclist glasses or skier models, while behaving differently, share the same solidity and superior stability.

Folding Sunglasses

Folding glasses, also called folding or foldable, deserve a separate section. We are talking about special models with joints on the frame that allow them to be closed up to take up very little space. Pocket and compact, they are very comfortable to carry.

Sunglasses for Children

Comfortable, soft, resistant, and safe: here is the identikit of sunglasses designed for children. Designed to protect the health of their eyes, they dress in bright colors and fun patterns.

The Choice Based on The Shape of The Face

It might seem a secondary aspect, but in reality, it is fundamental in choosing the right model. The lines of the glasses, in fact, merge with those of the face, showing themselves more or less harmonious, depending on the case. In this section, we have deepened the rules on the basis of this aesthetic partnership.

Lens Characteristics

We have concentrated in this section a series of elements that could come in handy when purchasing. Speaking of sunglasses lenses, we will see how construction materials, colors, and shapes are much more than purely aesthetic characteristics.

Building Materials

While glass lenses have a rather long history, plastic lenses were only introduced in the post-war period. But their large-scale diffusion revolutionized the eyewear market. Today, many manufacturers choose plastic lenses for their cheap and non- sunglasses. In fact, compared to glass ones, they cost less and are unbreakable. Extremely light and flexible, they offer a very clear vision.

As for image cleaning, however, the glass lens remains unbeatable. In addition, it is clearly more resistant to scratches. In terms of lightness, however, it is the plastic lens that comes out the winner. Alongside these two materials, new ones have been recently introduced. This is the case, for example, of polycarbonate, a plastic compound capable of combining unbreakability and scratch resistance. Even better is the NXT polyurethane, which makes the lenses incredibly light and flexible. And for this, it is used to build the best sunglasses.

The Most Common Colors

There are many colors for the lenses of sunglasses. And this different chromatic approach is not configured as a mere aesthetic factor. In fact, different colors behave differently in filtering the light. Green or brown lenses, for example, are among the best because they produce a slight increase in contrast, without distorting the image. And the same goes for orange and yellow lenses. The red lenses, on the other hand, in the face of superior color distortion, increase the contrast significantly more. Finally, gray lenses are the most neutral, capable of attenuating light but without any kind of optical distortion.

Shapes Beyond Design

The shape of the lenses also takes on practical value. We are not referring so much to the difference between round sunglasses and square models. Rather, we think of the curve that the lens makes to follow the lines of the face. Glasses with wraparound lenses are more protective for the eyes, better contrasting the sun’s rays and the wind. Precisely for this reason, the best sports sunglasses wrap the face with great precision.

Lens Filters: The Heart of Glasses

Lens filters differentiate low-quality sunglasses from safe and reliable models. In particular, it is the filters that block ultraviolet rays that deserve a thorough analysis. Harmful to the eyes and skin, UV-A, and UV-B rays are invisible to our gaze. Furthermore, while 100% of the UV-A rays pass through the atmosphere, only 5% of the UV-B rays hit the ground.

It must be said, however, that the latter is far more aggressive than the former. Responsible for tanning as well as sunburn, they also exert their negative effect on the eyes. For this, the best sunglasses can count on ultraviolet filters capable of blocking these light radiations. Check that our new glasses are UV400 certified; it guarantees us complete protection from ultraviolet rays. On the other hand, lower numerical values correspond to less effective filters.

In addition to UV protection, polarized sunglasses also offer a shield against bright glare. Polarizing filters, in fact, are able to block the rays reflected by water, ice, or mirror surfaces as normal lenses do with direct radiation. Perfect for driving, they also ensure superior safety for skiers.