Polarized shades are a great choice if you’re looking for a stylish and functional pair of sunglasses. Polarized lens technology helps reduce glare from reflective surfaces, preventing eye fatigue and strain.
Choosing the best pair of polarized sunglasses will depend on your style and lifestyle. In this article, we give the top picks for different needs—from athletic sunglasses to everyday wear.
Pro Tip: Knockaround Sunglasses sorts their sunglasses by sports.
Top Recommendations
Top Picks for Men’s Polarized Sunglasses
Our selections are divided into 9 categories. Here are our recommendations:
Best Polarized Sunglasses for Driving
Driving sunglasses should provide a wide field of vision, while being easy to put on and take off. Polarized lenses are great for driving because they help reduce harsh glare from reflective surfaces on the road.
Polarized aviators can be great driving sunglasses because their lens width can protect your sight while keeping your peripheral vision open.
Ray-Ban Aviator Classic Polarized Sunglasses
Features:
- Metal frames
- 100% UV protection
- High quality, scratch-resistant glass lenses
- Free Shipping & Returns
Best Polarized Sunglasses for Sports
Sports sunglasses should be made from impact-resistant plastic and fit snugly on your head. Oakley’s three-point fit means they only come into contact with your face through the bridge of your nose and just behind your temple.
This provides a comfortable but secure fit. Interchangeable lenses allow you to change the lens color depending on the time of day and personal preference.
Oakley Men’s Half Jacket 2.0
Features:
- 100% UVA, UVB, UVC, and harmful blue light protection
- Patented High Definition Optics (HDO) provides superior optical clarity
- O Matter stress-resistant frame is lightweight & durable
- Interchangeable lens system designed to optimize performance in any environment (extra lenses sold separately)
- Free Shipping & Returns
Best Polarized Sunglasses for the Beach
The classic Wayfarer style is a perfect option for a day at the beach. They’re one of the top-selling frame styles in the world and a great all-around option for daily wear.
Ray-Ban RB2132 New Wayfarer
Features:
- Ray-Ban polarized lenses improve clarity and contrast and reduce glare and eye strain
- Made from high-quality scratch-resistant glass
- Frame is made from lightweight and strong acetate
- Free Shipping & Returns
Best Polarized Sunglasses for Fishing and Boating
If you will be on the boat all day, you need to ensure your eyes are protected from the sun. You’ll also have to make sure your peripheral vision isn’t blocked.
This is why we chose the Oakley Gascans as our top choice. Their plutonite lenses provide protection from the sun’s rays, and their field of vision is unparalleled.
Oakley Gascan OO9014 Sunglasses
Features:
- Wide wraparound lenses for maximum protection
- Plutonite lenses filter 100% of UVA, UVB & UVC light
- 3-point fit for optimal comfort
- Thermoplastic O-Matter frame improves strength and durability
- Free Shipping & Returns
Most Stylish Polarized Sunglasses
Looking for an iconic pair of shades that highlight your style while protecting your eyes? Geometric frames are fashionable and can elevate any outfit to the next level.
Ray-Ban Hexagonal Flat Lenses Sunglasses
Features:
- 100% UV protection
- Eliminate glare, increase visual clarity, enhance contrast, and reduce eye strain
- Steel frame
- Free Shipping & Returns
Best Clip-On Polarized Sunglasses
Clip-on sunglasses allow you to wear regular glasses and benefit from polarized lenses. Placing these sunglasses over your regular frames will provide the same anti-glare protection as traditional polarized lenses.
Percey Clip-On Medium
Features:
- Available in different colors
- Lightweight yet sturdy
- Comes in an easy-transport pouch
Best Prescription Polarized Sunglasses
If you have vision problems, your best bet is to get prescription polarized sunglasses. These are made from the same materials as non-prescription sunglasses but feature custom lenses that match your vision needs.
Warby Parker offers various prescription polarized sunglasses. Our top pick are the Durand frames.
Durand Frames
Features:
- Hand-polished cellulose acetate
- Akulon-coated screws
- Prescription lenses are made from polycarbonate
- Scratch-resistant lenses that block 100% of UV rays
Best Polarized Sunglasses Under $50
Polarized sunglasses can be expensive. Fortunately, there are a lot of affordable options on the market, like the BNUS Sunglasses.
BNUS Sunglasses
Features:
- Nylon frame
- Glass lens
- Non-Polarized
- Scratch Resistant Coating
Best Polarized Sunglasses Under $20
If you’re looking for polarized sunglasses under $20, these are for you. These lenses can filter out sunlight-reflected glare and protect your eyes from UV damage.
SOJOS Polygon Polarized Sunglasses
Features:
- Metal frame
- Polarized composite lenses
- UV400 protection
- Ultra-light and ultra-thin frame
Polarized Lenses and UV Protection
Many people think all sunglasses block ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun, but this isn’t true. Polarized lenses themselves don’t provide UV protection unless specified.
To ensure your sunglasses offer complete UV protection, look for one of the following:
- 100% UV protection
- UV400 protection
- Blocks both UVA and UVB rays
When is It Best to Wear Polarized Sunglasses?
Polarized lenses are ideal for outdoor activities and other bright light conditions, including:
- Driving in daylight
- Biking
- Fishing or boating
- Sports
- Jogging
- Skiing or snowboarding
Click here for more information on the best types of sunglasses for your face shape.
Where to Buy Sunglasses
Biggest Selection: GlassesUSA
Fastest Delivery: EyeBuyDirect
Best Independent Retailer: Warby Parker
Things to Consider When Shopping for Polarized Sunglasses for Men
When buying sunglasses, you’ll want to consider the size and shape of your face and head. The general rule is to select a style that contrasts your face shape to provide balance in your features.
For example, try a more angular design if you have a round face. To learn more, you can read our article on the best sunglasses for your face shape.
Fortunately, quality sunglasses come in a wide range of designs, so there’s always something for everyone. Ultimately, your favorite shades will be the ones you feel comfortable wearing.
When Should You Not Wear Polarized Sunglasses?
Polarized lenses can make it hard to read liquid crystal display (LCD) screens, like dashboard controls, cell phones, ATMs, etc. Additionally, there are situations where allowing more light to pass through your lenses might be better, including:
- Driving in icy conditions
- Skiing on icy terrain
- Driving at night
Some polarized sunglasses are designed specifically for night driving. However, it’s unclear whether these lenses do more harm than good.
See your ophthalmologist if you’re having trouble with glare and halos around lights while driving at night. This could signify an eye condition that needs treatment, such as cataracts.
Further Reading: Polarized vs. Non-Polarized Sunglasses (What’s the Difference?)
Are Polarized Sunglasses Worth the Expense?
Sunglasses don’t need to be expensive to be effective. The priority should ultimately be your eye health. However, polarized lens technology may be a worthwhile investment if you spend a lot of time under the harsh rays of the sun.
Generally, more expensive polarized sunglasses are made with higher-quality materials, offering both comfort and functionality. But you can still get a decent pair of polarized shades at a lower cost.
If splurging on high-end sunglasses means you won’t be able to replace them if they fall off a ski lift or slide into the water, it might make more sense to start with a cheaper pair.
In this article
Best Places to Buy Glasses
Best Overall
Warby Parker has stylish, high-quality frames at affordable prices.
Also Great
Liingo Eyewear is another great option to buy glasses online.
Best on a Budget
EyeBuyDirect has a wide variety of budget frames starting at $6.
Best Places to Buy Contacts
Best Overall
Discount Contacts is our #1 recommendation to buy contacts online.
Also Great
GlassesUSA has a huge selection of contacts, glasses, & sunglasses.
