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Who among us isn’t staring at some digital screen or other for far longer than we should each day? While the jury is out on whether exposure to blue light from digital devices actually causes long-term retinal damage, there’s no doubt that many find wearing blue light glasses reduces or eliminates the amount of eye strain, headaches, and sleeplessness caused by our online-all-the-time lives.
But with everyone and their mother selling blue light blocking glasses these days, which should you get? Here are our top picks:
Best Clear Lens Blocker
Liingo Eyewear Heber
If you don’t like the yellowish tint that many blue light glasses have, Liingo Eyewear has blue light lenses that are crystal clear. Unlike many off-the-shelf blue light glasses, the filter isn’t a surface coating applied to the lens, which can wear or scratch off over time. It’s sandwiched between the lens layering so it lasts.
The Heber frame is a classic round frame that comes in multiple colors, has spring hinges, and fits most average-sized faces. You can try it on at home – for free – before you decide to purchase. Any pair of Liingo glasses can be made with their blue light blocker (which adds $59 to the cost). Single-vision Rx lenses are included if needed, and there’s also a 60-day no-questions-asked return policy. What’s not to like?
Also Consider
EyeBuyDirect Mandi
A close runner-up in the clear lens category is EyeBuyDirect’s EBDBlue 360, which is their premium blue lens filter. (The standard EBDBlue Plus has a slight orange tint, so be sure to get the 360 for the crystal clear lens.) Besides blocking blue light, it also has UV-protection.
The EBDBlue 360 has an extra anti-reflective coating that helps deflect glare, another big cause of eye strain. The rectangular Mandi frame is best for narrower faces and is one of EyeBuyDirect’s most popular glasses for its timeless style and comfort. Besides literally hundreds of frame choices to choose from (including Ray-Ban and Oakley), select frames are available for 2-day delivery, like the Mandi.
Best Blue Light Reading Glasses
EyeBobs Board Stiff
No one likes to be boring. If you’re looking for a pair of statement glasses, Eyebobs has you covered. With funky, bold colors and names like “Peckerhead” and “Seymour Glass”, their glasses have some serious personality. Available in +1.00 to +4.00 powers, blue light lenses are an additional $40.
Not the most economical, for sure, but they are high quality and come with a free case (your choice of hard or soft), free shipping, and 90-day returns.
Best for Gamers
Gunnar MOBA Razer
For the serious gamer, you’re going to need a yellow or amber lens to filter out more of the High Energy Visible (HEV) light spectrum that blue light sits in. The undisputed heavyweight in gaming eyewear, Gunnar has 4 different lens filters depending on the amount of protection you need.
The amber lens (pictured) is the standard for most gaming, filtering out 65% of blue light and leaving just enough to get through for good contrast and clarity when viewing a digital screen. The MOBA Razer frame is lightweight with thin temple arms that fit well under headsets and is even FSA-approved for those with flexible spending accounts.
Can You Wear Blue Light Glasses All Day?
Also Consider
GameKing ULTRA 8001
The GameKing Ultra 8001 is a TR90 frame with slim silicone arms that don’t put pressure behind your ears. It’s lightweight and roomy enough to fit even large heads comfortably, so you can work or play (or both) for hours.
The amber lens blocks 60% of blue light from entering, plus 100% of UV rays. It definitely does the job in terms of reducing eye strain and headaches, though some users feel the lenses scratch too easily.
Best Prescription Blue Light Lenses
GlassesUSA (Ray-Ban RX7066 Frame Pictured)
For prescription blue light glasses, head on over to GlassesUSA, where you can choose from thousands of designer or economical frames. You can add their digital block technology to any frame you choose, including these awesome Ray-Bans. (And yes, the company is a legit retailer for premium designers – no need to worry about fakes.)
Their blue light coating is clear, so you can wear them all day and not look like a nerdy gamer while deflecting excess HEV light from bothering your peepers. Single-vision prescriptions are included in the price, and adding the blue light blocker is only an additional $29. If you’re looking for amazing prices on your favorite Oakley, Michael Kors, or Ray-Ban glasses, this is the real deal.
Also Consider
Zenni Blokz Blue Blockers
No need to break the bank if you get a pair (or two or three) from Zenni – the well-known online retailer that sells frames as low as $6.95 – with very reasonable pricing for prescriptions lenses. Their line of blue light filters are called Blokz, and can be added to any pair of glasses (including sunglasses and light-transitioning lenses) starting from $16.95.
And if you’re worried that they just slap a cheap coating on the lens, it’s actually a polymer baked into the lens to absorb blue light. They’ll even throw in a blue light laser pen so you can check to see how well your lenses block blue light.
Best Sleep Glasses
Roebling with Amber Lens
Arguably the most important benefit to wearing blue light blocking glasses is that they help those of us who just can’t help doomscrolling through Instagram or Facebook right before bed get some actual shut-eye. Felix Gray is one of the higher-end blue light glasses retailers around, so they’re not for everyone.
But, they make high-quality frames and excellent lenses that specifically block the spectrum of blue light (440-500 nm wavelengths) that disrupts the body’s natural melatonin production. Both sides of the lens have anti-glare coating applied so both your eyes and your body starts to ease up on the day and eventually drift off into slumber.
They also offer a 30-day return or exchange policy, and free shipping both ways.
Also Consider
Baxter Blue Wells
Australian company Baxter Blue makes good quality blue light eyewear including sleep glasses that block up to 80% of the HEV wavelengths that can cause headaches and blurred vision. They’re an eco-conscious company that uses sustainable packaging, and even has biodegradable frames made of a bio-acetate material manufactured without the use of fossil fuels.
There’s minimal color distortion with their sleep glasses, though it might take a bit to get used to if you’ve never worn amber lenses before. The key is to get used to them over several days by putting them on a little earlier each evening. Consistent use does make a difference in reducing eye strain and helping you fall and stay asleep.
Dry, Irritated Eyes? Try This Natural Eyelid & Eyelash Cleanser
Best Blue Light Glasses for Kids
Gunnar Cruz Kids Small
If you’re worried about all that screen time kids are getting these days, you should be. When almost half of all children 8 and under in the U.S. have their own tablet, it’s a good idea to protect their eyes and sleep routines.
Gunnar makes a kid version of their teen Cruz frame in a durable nylon material that comes with either a clear (35% blocking) or amber (65% blocking) lens. The size is just right for most 5 to 8-year-olds, and they’re available in fun colors like magenta (pictured), as well as teal and gray.
Also Consider
AHXLL Kids Blue Light Blocking Glasses 2 Pack
It’s never too early to start protecting your kids eyes, and the AHXLL Kids blue light glasses are perfect for kids as young as 2 1/2. They’re quite economical, don’t break when bent, and come in 2- or 3-packs, which is great if you have more than one tyke at home.
It also comes with a tester that shows you how much blue light the lens blocks. Without the lens, you’ll see a purplish mark appear on the test card after shining the light on it. They come in plenty of colors, and measures 122m across, with 47mm wide lenses.