The Best Sunglasses for Maximum UV Protection and Minimum Social Interaction
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When the sun’s out, you should be wearing the best sunglasses. Whether it’s winter or the sweltering heights of summer on a planet going through a climate change catastrophe, you should be wearing sunglasses. That big ball of fire in the sky is constantly bathing us in harmful ultraviolet light. Over time, those UV rays can cause serious harm to your vision. One of the best ways to reduce your risk of developing conditions like cataracts and macular degeneration is a quality pair of sunnies.
We've tested dozens of pairs to find the best, most protective, most innovative sunglasses. To help you decide which ones to buy, we've done the research and broken down which lens coatings you should look for and what they do. So here they are, the sunglasses that have impressed us with their style, substance, and technological sophistication.
Don't forget to check out our other outdoor buying guides, including Best Hoodies, Best Leggings, and Best Travel Mugs.
Updated April 2025: We've overhauled this guide with new picks, including the Cubitts Cirrus and Oakley Velo Kato.
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Let’s Talk Lens Materials
Lens material makes a bigger difference than most shoppers realize. It affects everything from visual clarity to weight, durability, and price. Here’s what you need to know about the most common types on the market:
Glass lenses offer pristine optical clarity, but they’re heavier, thicker, and more prone to cracking than other materials on this list. Glass lenses are generally more expensive, and they don’t naturally block UV rays, so you’ll need a coating for that. They're best for driving or casual wear.
Nylon lenses are lightweight, tough, and built for movement. They’re ideal for action sports and outdoor activities, maintaining clarity even in high-altitude glare.
Polyurethane lenses are impact-resistant, optically sharp, and built for high-performance use, whether you’re high-speed biking or off-roading.
Polycarbonate lenses are lightweight, thin (up to 30 percent slimmer than glass or plastic), and impact-resistant—making them ideal for kids, athletes, and anyone who’s hard on their gear. They also block 100 percent of UV rays. The downsides are that they’re prone to scratches and the optical clarity isn’t as sharp.
Plastic lenses, especially CR-39 (Columbia Resin #39), have been popular since the 1970s because they’re lightweight, affordable, and tintable. They naturally block around 80 percent of UV light but need to be boosted with extra coatings. Plastic lenses, though half the weight of glass, tend to be thicker than glass lenses because they have a lower index of refraction. They’re also not scratch-resistant (without a coating) and not as durable as polycarbonate or Trivex. A solid option if you just want a casual pair to wear to the beach.
Trivex lenses offer impact resistance, optical clarity, and an ultralight feel. They’re designed to block nearly all UV rays and have minimal chromatic aberration (aka less color distortion). Ideal for sports like golf or skeet shooting, where precision and eye protection both matter.
Now, Frame Materials
Your frames determine the comfort and durability of your sunglasses. Here's what you need to know about the most popular frames:
Metal frames
- Titanium is hypoallergenic, strong, and corrosion resistant. It’s about 40 percent lighter than other metals, ideal if you want a durable but lightweight frame.
- Beta titanium is a blend of titanium, aluminum, and vanadium. This allow is more flexible than pure titanium, making it easier to adjust the fit.
- Memory metal is made from nickel and titanium. These frames can bend and bounce right back into shape.
- Beryllium is cheaper than titanium but still somewhat corrosion resistant. It’s lightweight, flexible, and comes in a variety of colors.
- Stainless steel is durable, corrosion resistant, and often sleeker than bulkier metals.
- Monel is a copper-nickel alloy that’s affordable and durable, though the quality of the plating matters. Lower-grade versions can discolor or irritate skin over time.
- Aluminum is lightweight and corrosion-resistant with a high-end modern finish.
Plastic frames
- Nylon is lightweight and tough, but it brittles with age. For that reason, this material has mostly been replaced by improved nylon blends (copolyamides, polyamides, and gliamides).
- Cellulose acetate is a plant-based plastic that is hypoallergenic, durable, and flexible. It also has the widest range for colors and finishes.
- Propionate is a nylon-based plastic that is hypoallergenic, lighter than acetate, and softer than other plastics.
Factors to Consider
Here’s what to keep in mind when shopping for your next pair:
UV protection: Always check for full UV protection. If your sunglasses don’t block 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays, they’re just a style accessory. UV rays can damage your cornea, retina, and lens, leading to cataracts, macular degeneration, and other eye conditions.
Polarized vs. non-polarized: Polarized lenses reduce glare from water, roads, and other reflective surfaces.
Lens materials: The best lenses for you depends on how—and where—you plan to wear your shades. Go glass for top-tier clarity, nylon or polycarbonate for high-performance activities, or plastic for affordable everyday wear.
Lens colors/tints: Darker or mirrored lenses don't offer better protection, but different tints do different things.
- Gray: Neutral, true-to-color, and for everyday use.
- Green: Reduces glare and eye strain. Great for tennis, golf, and everyday wear.
- Red/rose: Blocks blue light, sharpens contrast, and enhances depth. Ideal for cycling, driving, and snow or water sports.
- Blue/purple: Boosts color perception and works well in foggy weather.
- Amber/brown: Heightens contrast. Ideal for field sports.
- Yellow/orange/gold: Improves visibility in low-light conditions. Perfect for overcast days and indoor/outdoor sports.
Lens size: Tiny glasses might be trendy, but consider oversized or wraparound sunnies for maximum coverage from UV light.
Frame materials: Your frames determine comfort and durability.
Bonus features: Photochromic lenses adapt to changing light, darkening in bright conditions, and lightening indoors. Interchangeable lenses can be swapped out based on activity and lighting conditions.
Price: You don’t have to drop $500 for a good pair of sunglasses, but ultracheap shades often skimp on important features such as UV protection. Find a balance between function and fashion.
Lens quality: According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, you can check the quality of nonprescription sunglasses by following these steps:
- Photograph: Boutayna Chokrane
Most Versatile
Roka Oslo 2.0The eyewear industry would love you to believe you need a pair of hyper-specialized sunglasses for every activity. You don’t. The Roka Oslo 2.0 proves that one high-quality pair can handle it all without falling prey to the overconsumption game. With a round, minimalist design and a performance-driven ethos, these shades are made for urban commutes, backcountry adventures, and everything in between.
Built from injection-molded TR 90 nylon, the Oslo 2.0 is as tough as it is lightweight (0.71 ounces), able to withstand heat, sweat, and accidental drops. Roka’s patented nose pads keep the shades in place without pinching. Plus, each pair comes with three different nose pad sizes to ensure you’re not left with nose dents or a tension headache by the end of the day. They don’t slip, they don’t slide, and—thanks to their upgraded hinges—they don’t stretch out after a few wears.
As for the lenses, Roka offers a range of tints with varying light transmission and polarized coatings to reduce glare and enhance contrast on different terrains. Contributing editor Chris Haslam also loves Roka's Falcon aviators, which cost $310. They're just as light and don't slip while he's working out.
- Photograph: Boutayna Chokrane
Best for Running
Cubitts CirrusWhether you’re chasing a personal best or running a marathon, the last thing you need is gear that weighs you down. Clocking in at just 0.35 ounces, the Cirrus sunglasses by Cubitts are so light that you’d forget you’re even wearing them if it weren’t for the tint. Constructed from 99.7 percent pure titanium, these sunnies mold to your face, flex with your movement, and stay put, thanks to their ultra-grippy, crosshatched nose pads. These glasses fit so securely that that you don’t have to worry about pushing them up during sprints and downhill running.
The ZEISS shield lenses are designed to absorb 85 percent of visible light to reduce eye strain. They’re anti-reflective, UV400-rated (blocking UVA and UVB rays), and scratch-resistant. Plus, with a hydrophobic, oleophobic, and antistatic RiPel coating, they repel water, oil, and dust.
- Photograph: Boutayna Chokrane
Best for Cycling
Oakley Velo KatoOakley has been the unofficial uniform of cyclists for decades, and the Velo Kato is the brand’s most aggressive design yet. Instead of a traditional frame, this wraparound shield sits as close to your face as possible, maximizing coverage and peripheral vision while blocking out dust and debris. Oakley built rigidity into the lens itself, eliminating the need for a bulky frame. No hinges mean fewer weak points, better ventilation, and a streamlined profile that slices through the wind. Oakley’s Prizm lens tech lives up to the hype, enhancing contrast and details so you can spot every stray rock in your path. The lens also tilts to accommodate different face shapes, and it comes with two nose pads for added customization.
But the Velo Kato is an acquired taste with its sci-fi aesthetic. Plus, at around $100 more than its competitors, it’s a splurge. If you prefer something less flashy or more budget-friendly, the Sutro ($192) or Encoder ($256) might be a better match.
- Photograph: Adrienne So
Best Smart Sunglasses
Ray-Ban Meta Smart GlassesAt this point, there isn’t that much that I can say about the Ray-Ban Meta sunglasses that I haven’t already said. (I’m even wearing them in my Bluesky profile!) These are the best face computer because Meta capitalized on a preexisting fashion statement. Everyone already owns Wayfarers, so you won’t be an obvious Google Glasshole. Because they’re Wayfarers, they also come in an unbelievable variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. These include prescription and transition lenses, a standard fit or large, and a high bridge frame. (Meta sent me the standard fit Wayfarers to test and they fit, as per my previous two pairs of Wayfarers.)
As I’ve written before, the Meta Wayfarers are just a simple, stylish way to bring forth the phone-free internet. You probably won’t even realize how many times you pull out your phone to do ordinary tasks until you don’t have to do it anymore. You can just walk around mumbling to yourself to find out if the food cart is open or tapping and texting to send your parents a photo of some garden plants. Also, they sound great. I don’t need to grab a pair of workout headphones—I can listen to podcasts or go running without having to thread yet another accessory on my head. —Adrienne So
- Photograph: Boutayna Chokrane
Most Stylish
Persol PO3367SPersol—Italian for “for the sun”—has been handcrafting sunglasses since the 1930s, and the PO3367S is one of my favorite pairs. The medium-sized silhouette flatters most faces, while Persol’s signature Meflecto temples (introduced nearly a century ago) flex to fit your head shape like they were made just for you. The silver arrow emblem, inspired by ancient warrior swords, doesn’t just mask the hinges but also emanates a timeless, old-school swagger.
Each pair is handmade from cellulose acetate, then hand-brushed, smoothed, and polished by artisans in Italy. The crystal lenses come in polarized and non-polarized options, and you can even add prescription lenses. But let me be so clear: these aren’t your sports performance specs. They’re for summer strolls, road trips in a vintage convertible, and living la dolce vita. Add a custom engraving for $15 if you’re feeling extra.
- Photograph: Adrienne So
Electrochromic Lenses
Chamelo Music ShieldYou may have seen the Chamelo Music Shield in its former iteration when Chamelo was a company called Ampere and the Music Shield was a set of smart sports sunglasses called the Dusk Sport. But that’s OK because the Music Shield still works very well and is now much more reasonably priced. Chamelo is known for its electrochromic transition lenses—that is, you can transition the lens darkness by sliding a finger along the right arm of the glasses, from 63 percent light transmittance to a mere 17 percent. You can also connect it to your phone to play music while you’re running—just long-press the power button and it will automatically enter pairing mode when you turn it on. The battery lasts 100 hours for tint adjustment and 6.5 hours of audio life, which is important because there isn’t a battery indicator light and I often forget if I’ve turned them on or off. Best to just charge it every night to be safe.
These are one-size-fits-all with a medium-large fit. I’m a small woman with a big head and these fit well. Chamelo sent me a pair in the black colorway, but they also come in orange, blue, and red lenses. The speakers sit right above your ears and are clear, if not as powerful as the Wayfarer speakers—I did have to turn it up a bit to hear while I was biking. The lenses are also not polarized (you'll need the Dusk Classic for that). But the fit is secure, the transition slider is responsive, and it’s very cool to be able to keep your sunglasses on as the sun starts setting and not have to take them off and find a way to store them mid-activity. They are also $150 cheaper than in their previous iteration, which is great. —Adrienne So
- Photograph: Article One
Best for Active Lifestyles
Article One Avalon Active SunglassesWe featured the Avalons in 2023's Wish List. These are editor Adrienne So's favorite shades, and she says they're versatile enough for everyday use. The Avalons are from Article One's active line for sports. Adjustable nose pads, rubber temple tips, and spring hinges keep them glued to your face during outdoor activities like biking, paddling, or hiking. These chunky acetate-like frames are made from hexetate—which is the company's patented acrylic resin that is lighter and more durable than acetate. The CR39 (Columbia Resin #39) lenses offer UV protection, prevent road glare, and come in seven polarized and non-polarized tints. The Avalons are also backed by a 2-year warranty.
The Of the Moment Pair
Goggins GogglesI could listen to Walton Goggins of White Lotus fame huskily murmur, “If your goggles ain’t Goggins, they don’t belong on your noggins” all day. I thought the Walton Goggins Goggle Glasses were a joke (mainly because of Goggins' strange Super Bowl ad) but it turns out that they're very real, and very cool! These ski-inspired sunglass goggles are modular, which means that you can swap out pieces as you see fit. Maybe you like the wide, comfy back strap but not the top foam, or maybe you want glasses arms and a nose piece. It all clips together easily and comfortably. The lenses are polarized performance lenses by Revo, which has made eyewear protection for NASA since the 1980s, and moreover, the goggles are quite reasonably priced at a mere $150 a pop. Not bad, for procuring just a tiny piece of that unstoppable Goggins charisma.—Adrienne So
- Photograph: Jins
Best Interchangeable Lenses
Jins Switch Classic U178Reviews editor Julian Chokkattu loves JINS. He says that even after years of use, the original pair he got in Japan is still pristine. Now he has used and recommends the Switch system—thanks to the tinted, magnetic toppers, you'll have sunglasses when you need them and eyeglasses when you don't.
The magnets on each end of the frame are strong. Chokkattu says they never detached until he purposefully took them off, so you don't have to worry about them falling off. When you don't need sunnies, slip them into their little pouch. He says he wished the pink pair he tried had a darker tint, but they still provided adequate protection from the sun. —Medea Giordano
- Photograph: Hump Optics
Scratch-Resistant Aviators
Humps Optics Whiskey Tango SunglassesWhen Hump Optics emailed us about its indestructible Memory Metal sunglasses, there was only one way to test it. Contributing editor Chris Haslam gave them to his 9-year-old and told her to break them. She squashed, pried, and pulled at the arms and did her best to bend them, but true to their promise, they just bounced back into shape. Yes, an adult could snap them if they felt particularly malicious, but it would require contorting them beyond any real-life scenario.
Breakability aside, they have a classic aviator shape and polarized lenses. While they don't look especially premium, they're ideal for clumsy types, especially for the price. The brand also has recycled plastic designs at similarly low price points, and the hinges have all been stress-tested for durability, though we haven't tested those. —Medea Giordano
Honorable Mentions
We’ve tried so many sunglasses that not every pair can take a top spot. Here are some of the many pairs we've tested over the years that didn’t quite make the cut:
Ombraz Armless Sunglasses for $160: Ombraz has a recycled nylon cord that meets in the back with two strong beads. You pull the beads to tighten the fit and pull the cord to loosen it, but it shouldn't come apart. That way, when you aren't wearing them, you can let them dangle around your neck. They're surprisingly comfortable and sturdy, with polarized lenses. I do wish they had cuter designs. These are a little 1970s. The company plants 20 trees for every pair of sunglasses sold and is part of the sustainability nonprofit 1% for the Planet.
Maho Tulum No. 5 for $150: Maho makes many attractive shade styles, but Tulum is our top pick. The round lenses are flattering, and the glasses are lightweight, less than 7 ounces. The best part, though, is the Zuma fit and retention system (which is also baked into other styles). The nose pads and earpieces feature grooved thermoplastic sections, which use Van der Waals forces to become grippier on wet surfaces. The sweatier you are, the more secure the sunglasses will be. They don’t slide down your nose or work themselves toward the ground when you’re running; they stay put. Maho has a warranty that covers damage for a flat $40—weirdly, it's not valid if you purchased the glasses for more than a 40 percent discount.
Eco Belize Polarized Sunglasses for $150: Eco’s Belize sunglasses feature frames made from recycled metal, polarized lenses, and a robust build quality. They’re lightweight and comfortable, but there's a heft to them that goes beyond weight; they have substance. They've survived being tossed around in my bag for a few months now without ever bending, warping, or breaking. The slightly blue-tinted lenses themselves do an excellent job of keeping my sensitive eyes comfortable in bright sunlight without making everything too dim. Plus, the polarization eliminates reflected light, so when you’re at the beach, the water becomes almost transparent.
Rheos Floating Sunglasses for $65: Sweat-resistant glasses are important, but if you're bopping around in lakes or pools, you'll want quality sunglasses that won't sink to the bottom if they fall off. The polarized glasses in the Rheos x Southern Tide collection will stay at the surface. Plus, they're treated with a hydrophobic coating to repel water while you swim. We tried the Faris frames, but between the six frames available and multiple color combinations for each, we think there’s a pair for every person and style. (You could also just put a neck strap on your old pair.)
Tens Sunglasses The Classic - Polarized for $158: Tens sunglasses are all about the ~vibes~. Developed by photographers, the lenses are available in five styles, all tinted to apply a filter to your field of view. The Original adds warmth, while Boulevard makes pink and violet hues pop. Each lens comes in multiple style options.
Le Specs Outta Love for $65: These are perfect classic sunglasses that feel well-made and come with a carrying pouch. This sunglasses brand has a ton of options for men and women, including a line of “alt fits” designed for those with wide faces, high cheekbones, or low nose bridges.
Tifosi Rail Sunglasses for $80: These sporty sunglasses aren't polarized, but apart from that, they're solid. They won’t fog when you’re running, and the lenses are interchangeable. The nose pads and earpieces repel water, so the glasses stay put in sweaty conditions.
SunGod Zephyrs for $140: F1 fans might expect McLaren driver Lando Norris to boast a perfect pair of $1,000 shades, but he wears these sleek roundish glasses that WIRED associate editor Parker Hall also loves. WIRED UK contributing editor Chris Haslam also recommends the Tokas for $90 which are light and universally flattering with superb clarity.
Costa Del Mar Lido Sunglasses for $234: These glasses have an unfortunate price, but they're solid. WIRED senior reviewer Scott Gilbertson says that despite seeing Costa sunglasses in every fishing store, he'd never tried them until now, and he's “regretting all those years I ignored them." These Lido frames he's been using are tack sharp and polarized to reduce glare on the water. His wife loves the Calderas, too.
Avoid These Sunglasses
Not every pair of sunglasses we test stands up to rigorous scrutiny. While they might look great online or in person, every one of the frames on this list missed the mark in some way or another, which makes them hard to recommend.
Aview Sunglasses for $75: These interchangeable-lens sunglasses use lenses that slide in and out of the frames, but after a while, the slot holding the lenses started to loosen a bit for us. The lenses never fell out, but they did jostle around quite a bit after a while.
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