Polarized shades are a great choice if you’re looking for a stylish and effective pair of sunglasses. Polarized lens technology helps reduce glare from reflective surfaces, preventing eye fatigue and strain.
Finding a solid pair of shades that suits your lifestyle can seem daunting. Quality sunglasses blend timeless style with essential eye protection.
The best sunglasses will depend on what activities you’ll be doing while wearing them. We selected the top shades for different needs, from athletic sunglasses to everyday wear.
Read on to find the best men’s sunglasses to keep you safe and stylish on sunny days.
Pro Tip: Knockaround Sunglasses sorts their sunglasses by sports.
Top Recommendations
Top Men’s Polarized Sunglasses
We’ve divided our top selections into 10 categories. Here are our recommendations:
Best Polarized Sunglasses for Driving
Driving sunglasses should provide a wide field of vision and be easy to put on and take off.
Polarized lenses will help reduce harsh glare from reflective surfaces on the road. Aviators are a great option because their lens width protects and keeps 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
Sporty sunglasses should be made from impact-resistant plastic and fit snugly on your head.
Oakley's three-point fit means they only contact your face on 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.
Peripheral vision is also important for driving or keeping your eye on multiple lines. That's 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 Aviator Style Polarized Sunglasses
Aviators are a timeless classic and look great on most face shapes. They have thin metal frames and large lenses. Our top pick for aviator-style polarized sunglasses is the Ray-Ban RB3386. These glasses have a unique brow bar that stands out from traditional aviators.
Ray-Ban RB3386
Features:
- Stainless steel frames
- 100% UV protection
- Different colored lenses
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, some options won’t break the bank. We choose the BNUS Sunglasses for this category.
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. This isn’t true.
Polarized lenses themselves don’t provide UV protection unless specified. However, many polarized sunglasses have a coating that protects your eyes from harmful UV rays.
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
Benefits of Wearing 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.
Things to Consider When Shopping for Polarized Sunglasses for Men
How to Find the Best Sunglasses for Your Face
Ultimately, your favorite shades will be the ones you feel comfortable wearing. Keys to comfort, like a lightweight frame and adjustable nose pad, can make a huge difference.
You’ll also want to consider the size and shape of your face and head. Quality sunglasses come in a wide range of designs, so there’s something for everyone.
The general rule is to select a style that contrasts your face shape. For example, if you have a round face, try a more angular design.
Click here for more information on the best types of sunglasses for your face shape.
When Should You Not Wear Polarized Sunglasses?
Polarized lenses can make it hard to read liquid crystal display (LCD) screens, such as:
- Vehicle dashboard controls
- Cell phones
- Certain watches
- ATMs
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. This article contains several pairs of affordable sunglasses to help you see and protect your eyes.
Generally, more expensive sunglasses are made with higher-quality materials. They may boast features like impact resistance and a lightweight design. However, you can get a decent pair of shades for a lower cost.
Eye health is the most important thing to consider. 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 sense to start with a cheaper pair.
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
1-800 Contacts is our #1 recommendation to buy contacts online.
Also Great
GlassesUSA has a huge selection of contacts, glasses, & sunglasses.
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