Aviators are one of the few sunglass styles that still work as both a fashion staple and a performance frame. The category is broad now, though, so the best pair depends on whether you want classic teardrops, a more modern square aviator, prescription lenses, or a lower-cost casual option.
That is why this page works best as a real ranked shopping guide. You need enough picks to compare, not just a short lecture on the history of aviators.
Everything We Recommend
| Everything We Recommend | |
|---|---|
| Best overall for men - | Randolph X Todd Snyder Sportsman |
| Best designer pick for men - | Versace VE2199 Price: $144.89 on Amazon |
| Best budget pick for men - | J and S Premium Military Style Classic Aviator |
| Best modern pick for men - | Ray-Ban New Caravan |
| Best prescription pick for men - | Warby Parker Abe |
| Best trend-driven pick for men - | SOJOS Retro Square Aviator Price: $15.99 on Amazon |
| Best overall for women - | Oakley Feedback |
| Best designer pick for women - | Gucci 59mm Aviator Sunglasses |
| Best budget pick for women - | Pro Acme Classic Polarized Aviator Sunglasses |
| Best modern pick for women - | Kate Spade New York Avaline Sunglasses |
| Best classic pick for women - | Ray-Ban Aviator Classic |
| Best prescription pick for women - | Warby Parker Raider |
Best aviator sunglasses for men
Randolph X Todd Snyder Sportsman
Randolph’s Sportsman is the best overall men’s pick because it gives you the heritage aviator look in a package that still feels premium and purposeful. If you want a serious pair rather than a disposable trend buy, this is the strongest place to start.
It earns the top spot because the build quality, bayonet temples, and military-inspired styling all feel intentional instead of nostalgic for nostalgia’s sake.
Highlights include:
- Strong heritage styling
- Premium metal construction
- Polarized lens options
- Comfortable fit under hats and headgear
Versace VE2199
Versace VE2199 is the men’s designer pick for buyers who want clear luxury-brand styling without leaving the aviator silhouette behind. It is not subtle, which is exactly why some shoppers will prefer it.
If brand presence matters as much as sun protection, this is the flashier option on the page.
Highlights include:
- Distinctive logo-heavy styling
- Adjustable nose pads
- Polarized options
- Prescription compatibility
Price: $144.89 on Amazon
J and S Premium Military Style Classic Aviator
This is the best men’s budget pick because it keeps the classic metal aviator look without asking you to spend designer money. It is a practical choice for casual wear, travel, and buyers who lose sunglasses often enough that an expensive pair feels stressful.
The main selling point is simple: it looks like an aviator should look, and it stays affordable.
Highlights include:
- Polarized budget-friendly lenses
- Lightweight metal frame
- Adjustable nose pads
- Good low-risk entry point into the style
Ray-Ban New Caravan
Ray-Ban New Caravan is the best modern men’s pick because it gives you a square-leaning aviator shape that feels cleaner and more contemporary than a pure teardrop lens. It is especially good if traditional aviators feel too familiar or too soft on your face.
This is the right choice when you want Ray-Ban heritage with a sharper outline.
Highlights include:
- Squarer aviator silhouette
- Polarized options
- Adjustable nose pads
- Strong everyday versatility
Warby Parker Abe
Warby Parker Abe is the best men’s prescription pick because it gives you an aviator-adjacent shape with prescription flexibility and an easier online buying process than many traditional sunglass brands. The appeal is not just the frame. It is the low-friction shopping experience.
If you need vision correction, that convenience matters more than a subtle design difference.
Highlights include:
- Prescription-friendly ordering
- Home try-on support
- Strong everyday frame proportions
- Good choice for buyers who need fit help
SOJOS Retro Square Aviator
SOJOS is the trend-driven men’s pick for buyers who want something cheap, bold, and easy to replace. This is not the pair you buy for heirloom quality. It is the pair you buy when you want the look without much commitment.
That still makes it useful. Not every aviator needs to be a forever purchase.
Highlights include:
- Low price
- Square retro styling
- Polarized budget lenses
- Good choice for experimenting with the shape
Price: $15.99 on Amazon
Where to Buy Glasses + Contacts
Best Overall: Warby Parker
Fastest Delivery: EyeBuyDirect
Also Great: Liingo
Best Place to Buy Contacts: Discount Contacts
Best aviator sunglasses for women
Oakley Feedback
Oakley Feedback is the best overall women’s pick because it blends aviator styling with a more performance-oriented build. It works well for buyers who want one pair that feels polished but still ready for active outdoor use.
This is the easiest recommendation for women who want an aviator that does more than sit in a handbag looking nice.
Gucci 59mm Aviator Sunglasses
Gucci’s 59mm aviators are the women’s designer choice for shoppers who want luxury styling first and classic aviator lines second. They are a statement pair, not a subtle utility frame.
That makes them best for buyers who want brand presence and fashion value from the category.
Pro Acme Classic Polarized Aviator Sunglasses
Pro Acme is the practical women’s budget pick. If you want a classic aviator shape for beach days, driving, or casual sunny weekends without overthinking the purchase, this is the lane.
The tradeoff is obvious: you get a lower-cost pair, not premium finishing.
Kate Spade New York Avaline Sunglasses
Kate Spade Avaline is the women’s modern pick because it pushes the aviator look toward a lighter fashion frame instead of a military-inspired classic. It suits buyers who want the silhouette softened by a more current design language.
This is the better pick if the original teardrop aviator feels too literal.
Ray-Ban Aviator Classic
Ray-Ban Aviator Classic remains the women’s classic pick because it is the frame most shoppers picture when they say “aviators.” If you want the category’s most recognizable look, this is still the benchmark.
It is the best choice for buyers who do not want to overcomplicate the decision.
Warby Parker Raider
Warby Parker Raider is the best women’s prescription pick because it makes an aviator-style sunglass easier to buy with corrective lenses. That becomes much more important when fit, lens tint, and prescription all need to line up in one order.
If you need vision correction, Raider is one of the more practical starting points.
How we chose
We restored breadth to this guide because aviator shoppers need enough options to compare. We prioritized a mix of classic, designer, budget, modern, and prescription-friendly picks rather than pretending one frame can cover every need.
We also favored frames that clearly fit a role. A useful aviator roundup should help you narrow the field quickly.
How to know if aviators suit you
Aviators often look best on oval, square, and heart-shaped faces, especially when the teardrop shape softens sharper features. If your face is round, a squarer aviator or navigator variation may feel more balanced.
Before you buy, pay attention to:
- Frame width
- Nose pad comfort
- Polarized versus non-polarized lenses
- Prescription availability
- Whether you want a classic teardrop or a squarer modern aviator
Summary
The best aviator sunglasses are the ones that match your face shape, lens needs, and budget. Randolph, Ray-Ban, Oakley, Warby Parker, Versace, Gucci, and the lower-cost picks here all belong in the conversation, but they solve different shopping goals.
If you want the most classic answer, start with Ray-Ban or Randolph. If you need prescription lenses or a lower-risk price, Warby Parker and the budget picks make more sense.
