Black woman wearing sunglasses clasping hands at waist. Wearing a light pink shirt on an ombre pink background.

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While you might be in the habit of remembering to wear sunscreen, it’s just as important to don a pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes.

Proper shades can shield your eyes from ultraviolet (UV) light exposure. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), this can lower your risk of health conditions like cataracts, eye cancer, and snow blindness.

You might want your sunglasses to make a statement, and show off your personality. Our top picks offer both protection and style.

While evaluating a wide range of sunglasses, we automatically eliminated pairs that didn’t clearly note 99 to 100 percent UV protection, per AAO and American Cancer Society (ACS) guidelines.

We looked for safety features, such as scratch-resistant and polarized lens. We kept an eye out for impressive style notes, a wide variety of color options, and highly regarded customer reviews.

Pricing guide

A good pair of sunglasses can cost a lot depending on the brand and features. Our choices use a price guide.

  • $ = under $50
  • $$ = $50-$150
  • $$$ = over $150

Best aviators

J+S Premium Aviator Sunglasses

Price: $

“You can’t go wrong with a classic aviator, even if they have a 4.2-star rating and over 1,000 reviews on Amazon.”

You can choose from six different colors to show off your style. If the traditional width of the aviator feels too big, you can choose a square version.

Pros

  • It is a budget-friendly price.
  • The glasses help reduce glare.
  • You can choose from six colors to match your outfit.

Cons

  • People with smaller faces may not be able to see as well with these sunglasses.
  • The metal arms may scratch the lens.
  • It is not as durable as other options.
Shop now at Amazon

Best round sunglasses

ROKA Mallorca Ultralight Performance Sunglasses

Price: $$$

Retro fashion is back, and round sunglasses toe that nostalgic-yet-modern line with flair. This lightweight pair transitions well between sporty activities (hello, stylish runner) and leisurely wear, helping you get the most out of the expensive price tag.

That said, the price reflects an abundance of features: proprietary nonslip nose and temple pads, water- and fingerprint-resistant coatings, and anti-scratch and anti-fog properties.

Learn more about ROKA here.

Pros

  • It has anti-scratch and anti-fog features.
  • It has a coating that resists fingerprints and water marks.
  • It has a nose and temple.

Cons

  • It has a higher price than other options.
  • It is only available online.
  • Some customers report incorrect product deliveries.
Shop now at ROKA

Best square sunglasses

Warby Parker Nancy Sunglasses

Price: $$

Boxy frames like these look amazing on round and oval face shapes. Not to mention, the three color variations look chic with just about any outfit.

The lenses are scratch-resistant to avoid any unwanted lasting marks. Bonus: You can also opt for an impact-resistant prescription lens, so you can skip the contacts and get the eye protection you need.

Learn more about Warby Parker here.

Pros

  • The lens are scratch- resistant.
  • There are three different colors.
  • There is an impact-resistant prescription lens.

Cons

  • It is somewhat expensive compared to similar options.
  • It is only available for purchase online.
  • The eye exam is required for the prescription lens.
Shop now at Warby Parker

Best oversized sunglasses

GQUEEN Women’s Oversized Cat Eye Sunglasses

Price: $

While oversized sunglasses may feel synonymous with celebrities of the early ’00s, they’re making a comeback for both fashion and your health. The AAO recommends bigger sunglasses that offer more coverage, as it limits the opportunity for UV rays to damage both your eyes and the sensitive surrounding skin.

As far as fashion statements go, these polarized GQUEEN sunglasses come in 15 mirrored hues, while the cat-eye frames say hello from the start. (The frame width is also adjustable for a comfy fit.)

While the 4.3-star Amazon rating speaks for itself, we’d be remiss not to mention the packaging your sunglasses arrive in. The manufacturer notes it’s eco-friendly and includes a waterproof pouch and microfiber cleaning cloth.

Pros

  • It has extra protection.
  • It has a frame width that is adjusted.
  • It has a waterproof pouch and microfiber cloth.

Cons

  • The glasses are very high on the nose.
  • Some reviewers say glasses break less than a month after purchase.
  • Users say the lenses pop out.
Shop now at Amazon

Best wraparound style

Suncloud Women’s Contemporary Sunglasses

Price: $$

Much like oversized sunglasses provide more protection, the AAO says wraparound-style glasses can lower the risk of UV rays entering your eyes from the side.

This pair from Suncloud features an 8-base frame and lens curvature, which means it’ll wrap on your face more. A more traditional 4-base pair tends to sit flat.

The lenses have a hefty number of features, too. Not only are they polarized and anti-reflective to filter glare and bump up the contrast (great for playing in the water or snow), they’re also designed to feel light and airy while nixing distortion and adding impact resistance.

Pros

  • “The wraparound design protects against the sun’s harmful rays.”
  • The anti-reflective and anti-pollution lens cut down on glare.
  • The lens are impact resistant.

Cons

  • “The dark glasses may not be able to block the sun’s light.”
  • The frame is not adjusted.
  • It is not as stylish as comparable options.
Shop now at Amazon

Best wayfarers

Smith Optics Lowdown 2 Sunglasses

Price: $$

A quality, stylish pair of wayfarers is great for anyone’s sunglasses collection, as the versatile design works for most face shapes.

Plus, this pair from Smith Optics has a variety of options for lens and frame color mixing. You can take a more classic route (think vintage tortoise frames) or add a pop of personality (like with a red mirror lens).

These also offer all the tech features you need: full UV protection, polarized lenses (one reviewer says the clarity is “like putting on HD glasses”), impact resistance, and smudge-, moisture-, and reflective-resistant coatings.

Pros

  • The wayfarer design works for most face shapes.
  • You can change the frame color and lens.
  • “The glasses have a design that protects against the sun’s harmful rays.”

Cons

  • These glasses are more expensive than the others.
  • They may not be the best buy.
Shop now at Smith Optics

Best for giving back

DIFF Eyewear Bella II Sunglasses

Price: $$

When you’re in need of a versatile pair of sunglasses, a chic tortoiseshell delivers — especially when it comes in a modern cream-grey gradient. But this pair from DIFF Eyewear is extra special.

According to the World Health Organization’s 2019 World Report on Vision, at least 1 billion people worldwide are living with a vision impairment that could have been prevented or hasn’t been addressed.

To help fix this, DIFF partnered with international development charity Sightsavers. For every pair sold, someone in need receives eye exams, glasses, medication, or surgery.

As for the shades you’ll receive, the 4.8 stars and over 200 reviews scream positivity: The oversized frames provide added coverage, and the lenses are scratch-resistant. Note that reviewers say these run a little large for someone with a smaller head.

Learn more about DIFF Eyewear here.

Pros

  • Someone in need of glasses or an eye exam can be helped by each purchase.
  • The model has scratch-resistant lens.
  • The frames have a lot of coverage.

Cons

  • These sunglasses are large for a small head.
  • Some reviewers think the glasses are heavy.
  • Others say the glasses are too loose on their face.
Shop now at DIFF Eyewear

Best eco-friendly sunglasses

Solo Eyewear Dominican Sunglasses

Price: $$

Sunglasses with bamboo arms immediately lend a cool factor — and they let everyone know you care about reducing your carbon footprint.

These glasses have repurposed bamboo arms, with polarized, prescription-friendly lenses. Plus, the company donates 10 percent of their profits in partnership with Aravind Eye Care System and Restoring Vision. This helps to fund eye exams, glasses, and cataract surgeries for those who need them.

Pros

  • These sunglasses have bamboo arms.
  • The glasses are prescription friendly.
  • Ten percent of the profits go to people in need of glasses.

Cons

  • The bamboo collection is not a case.
  • Customers wish the lens were darker.
  • The frames are too big for some customers.
Shop now at Solo Eyewear

Best pop of color

Aerie Bright Side Sunglasses

Price: $

Standing out in a crowd is easy with these colorful sunnies. Reviewers love how comfortable and sturdy they feel.

The lenses aren’t polarized, though, so it’s best to don them when you don’t have to worry about glare (so, don’t wear them while you’re driving). At a low price point, you can nab a pair in both colors, making it easy to mix and match to your mood.

Pros

  • It is affordable.
  • Reviewers say the glasses are sturdy.
  • There are several color options.

Cons

  • The lens are not touching each other.
  • Users say that the lens scratch easily.
  • Some say the nose pieces sit differently.
Shop now at Aerie

Best for beach days

Rheos Nautical Eyewear Eddies Sunglasses

Price: $$

Whether you prefer to dive in the waves or are more of a stay-in-the-sand type, these sunglasses are great for a day with sun, sand, and surf.

They’ll help keep your eyes safe with full UV protection and a wraparound style. Plus, your visibility will stay on point under bright conditions thanks to their polarized, scratch-resistant lenses.

They’re also designed to float on water — you know, just in case they happen to slip after a photo-worthy cannonball — and come in eight colors.

Pros

  • These sunglasses are made to protect against the UV rays.
  • The lens are scratch-resistant.
  • The glasses are wet.

Cons

  • Reviewers say that there is no durability.
  • Users say frames are small.
  • The lens color may change.
Shop now at Rheos Nautical Eyewear

Best unbreakable sunglasses

REKS Polarized Round Sunglasses

Price: $$

REKS says these lenses are made with an optical-grade polycarbonate that’s 10 times more shatter-resistant than glass or plastic. That means you can toss this pair in your bag without worrying about pulling out cracked glasses.

With seven color options, you’ll be able to mix and match to any outfit.

Pros

  • The material is resistant to shatters.
  • You can choose from seven colors.
  • They are very affordable.

Cons

  • The lens may scratch easily.
  • The frame is too flexible.
  • The glasses are not dark enough.
Shop now at REKS

Product Price Polarized lenses
J+S Premium Aviator Sunglasses $ Yes
ROKA Mallorca Ultralight Performance Sunglasses $$$ No
Warby Parker Nancy Sunglasses $$ No
GQUEEN Women’s Oversized Cat Eye Sunglasses $ Yes
Suncloud Women’s Contemporary Sunglasses $$ Yes
Smith Optics Lowdown 2 Sunglasses $$ Yes
DIFF Eyewear Bella II Sunglasses $$ Yes
Solo Eyewear Dominican Sunglasses $$ Yes
Aerie Bright Side Sunglasses $ No
Rheos Nautical Eyewear Eddies Sunglasses $$ Yes
REKS Polarized Round Sunglasses $$ No

It is equally important that your sunglasses offer proper protection, because a stylish pair of shades is fun.

First and foremost, the ACS recommends sunglasses provide 99 to 100 percent UV or UV400 protection, meaning they block both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. The label may also read “UV absorption up to 400 nm” or “meets ANSI UV requirements,” according to the ACS.

The only pair labeled ascosmetic that will block 70% of the UV rays is a pair of shoes. If you want to avoid sunglasses with no label, try to avoid them at all costs.

Size also plays a role. The AAO follows the logic of “bigger is better,” noting that the more coverage your shades can provide, the less likely it is you’ll have sun damage.

The AAO recommends oversized or wraparound-style glasses.

Keep in mind that dark lenses don’t necessarily mean your sunglasses are up to the task. And colored lenses don’t do a better job at blocking UV. But the AAO says some, like brown or rose-colored lenses, can increase contrast.

While UV protection is not offered by the lens, it can help reduce glare to make outdoor activities safer for your eyes.

There are six face shapes. You can find your face shape by taking a photo and tracing your finger around it. Some sunglasses frames flatter certain face shapes better than others.

You can try a few styles for your face shape.

  • Square: aviators, cat-eye, or anything with a rounder shape
  • Round: wayfarers, rectangular frames, or frames with rounded bottoms
  • Heart: square-shaped frames, cat-eyes, or aviators
  • Oval: aviators, square-shaped frames, or anything with a rounder shape
  • Rectangle: rectangular frames, aviators, or anything with a rounder shape.
  • Diamond: rectangular frames, aviators, or wayfarers

“When your sunglasses don’t move on your face, they are a good fit. They leave marks when you take them off, but they feel snug around your ears and nose. You don’t want glasses that pinch you.”

“If you see half of your eyebrows above the frame, you’re in good shape. This can help you figure out if a pair of sunglasses fit.”

Measure the distance between your temples to get a precise fit. The temple size is listed on the inside of the arm.

Are you looking for more information about the best sunglasses? Take a look at the questions.

What are the hottest sunglasses for 2022?

Square or rectangular frames are the biggest sunglasses trends in the year 2022. Modern design upgrades are a hit with the Aviators. The sunglasses with transparent frames are a good option for people with a more minimal style.

What are the most popular women’s sunglasses?

The styles of sunglasses that have stood the test of time are the aires and cat-eye sunglasses. The popular choice is the Wayfarer sunglasses, which suit almost every face shape. Square or rectangular shades are also seen on a lot of faces.

What type of sunglasses offer the best sun protection?

The AAO recommends choosing sunglasses that have 100 percent UV protection or UV400 protection to block both UVA and UVB rays. Any sunglasses with 100 percent UV protection should do a good job of protecting your eyes. Oversized sunglasses (any style that offers extra coverage, such as wraparound glasses) provide additional coverage so UV rays can’t enter your eyes from the side.

Buying and wearing the right sunglasses is important for eye health. Look for labels that say your shades offer full UV protection.