We preferred full metal construction whenever possible. The EyeBuyDirect Good Vibrations sunglasses are a great choice if youre looking for an aviator shape thats even more classic than that of our top pick. This vetted assortment should provide enough variety for most people to find sunglasses in the size and style that work with their lifestyle and face shape. If you want a punchier look, over 20 color combinations are available at this writing. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Although the Drifter glasses looked good in our testing, the coloring was closer to an angry red tortoiseshell than the traditional orange color you may be used to in tortoiseshell patterns. In 2021 Kent Wang increased its return-period policy to 60 days (up from 30 days) and added a two-year warranty. But reviewers on Sunglass Warehouses site comment that the shades scratch easilysomething that we noticed during testing, too. Per Goodr, these glasses have wider frames, longer arms, and bigger lenses than our OGs, with an overall frame width of 146 mm and a temple length of 155 mm, notably longer than anything else we looked at. Whether it's finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we'll help you get it right (the first time). For a total cost a little over $50, EyeBuyDirect offers only a short, 14-day return policy for fit and style but thankfully adds a year-long warranty covering materials and workmanship. Although the bright aesthetic of the Blenders Sydney pair works for Wayfarer-style sunglasses, it looks strange on a pair of aviators. But at $80, the Good Vibrations sunglasses cost $15 more than the Kent Wangs, and you dont need to spend that much for a great pair of aviators. After initially researching more than 142 affordable pairs of sunglasses from trusted retailers, as well as popular pairs of sunglasses on Amazon, we found 37 models that we wanted to test from suppliers such as EyeBuyDirect, Goodr, Kent Wang, Sunglass Warehouse, Sunski, and ZeroUV. Dorie added that the very dark look is classic and goes with just about anything. Staff writer Dorie Chevlen put it best, saying they were much too big for serious consideration. Comfortable, sturdy aviators: J+S Classic Aviator. These sunglasses lacked the angles, points, and curves of the others we tested and loved. Why theyre great: Goodrs The OGs are versatile, unisex sunglasses that work on almost any face, regardless of size or shape, and they were the most universally loved Wayfarer-style sunglasses we tested. Unfortunately, they simply cannot compete with the Kent Wang Keyhole sunglasses, which I will have buried with me. The Camina sunglasses are comfortable, with durable, robust-feeling hinges. Although we like the idea behind Sunskis recycled plastic, the Dipsea pair we tested was uncomfortable, and we preferred the Keyholes cellulose acetate material instead. At $65, the Nooz Optics Cruz sunglasses are more expensive than some others we recommendnearly four times as much as the Sungait Vintage Round Sunglassesbut the price isnt absurd, and we think theyre worth it. Hes very well versed in carrying. Why theyre great: The Nooz Optics Cruz sunglasses are a travelers dream: lightweight, flat, and flexible. Why theyre great: As soon as I saw the $50 Blenders Sydney sunglasses, I felt a twinge of excitement at their vibrant frames. That test works because polarization limits the amount of light coming in horizontally while still letting light through vertically, and therefore two of the same lenses stacked at 90-degree angles should block out all light. The OGs come in a pouch that doubles as a microfiber cleaning cloth. The level of UV radiation entering the eye in the early morning and the late afternoon was nearly double that at midday. Comments on Amazon, however, mention a variety of problems: The sunglasses broke within their first day of use, the lenses were too dark to see through, or their lenses began to bubble. The ZeroUV C822 and ZeroUV C828 cat-eye sunglasses are a good buy for the price; they were pretty comfortable, and they seemed well made. If you want to check how strong the solar radiation is in your particular area at any given time, you can consult online resources such as AccuWeathers UV Index Forecast. We still like them, and we appreciate Sunskis mission to create less waste by choosing recycled plastic to make its sunglasses. 2022 Wirecutter, Inc., A New York Times Company. And unlike most other Wayfarer-style sunglasses, they have a keyhole nose bridge, which helps make them look visually lighter and less overwhelming on the face. The Sungait glasses were the most comfortable and sturdy of the affordable round sunglasses we tested. The Sunski Camina glasseswith their overwhelmingly large lenses and their feline upsweep at the frames outer edgesembody the look that Audrey Hepburn made popular in Breakfast at Tiffanys. We had no issues with their understated design, although there is a small goodr logo written in white on the sides of the arms.

If youre looking for a great pair of prescription sunglasses, we recommend EyeBuyDirect. Why theyre great: Though the Kent Wang Keyhole sunglasses are more than three times the price of the Sungait pair, theyre the most comfortable round sunglasses we tested, with a lightweight but solid build, as well as replaceable lenses. Even so, the design on both was a little outlandish for most of our panel testers. We are dedicated team of designers and printmakers. Kent Wangs aviators cost more than the J+S aviator pair, but theyre especially comfortable and notably compact, and they come with a great two-year warranty. This style is available with 58 mm (medium) or 62 mm (large) lenses, with the latter version having an overall 152 mm frame width, the largest of any sunglasses we tested. All of the frames Goodr sells as The OGs are Wayfarer-style glasses, just in different frame and lens color combinations, and all should be equally good. And the Keyhole pairs lightweight acetate body made these sunglasses easy to wear for even longer periods of time, too. We tested the Quay Blueprint sunglasses in the hope of unearthing why Quays advertisements kept targeting us. Wirecutter's Nick Guy said they were nice and light, with an attractive shape and good plastic quality. Nick continued: The tapering makes them look like cat-eye sunglasseswhich I wouldnt wearalthough theyre not quite there. We ultimately decided that the Sungait glasses were a better buy for anyone who wants a round pair. The company has a lovely mission: When you buy a pair of its sunglasses, Shady Rays donates 10 meals to fight hunger in the US. The Sungait Oversized Vintage Polarized Cat Eye Sunglasses looked peculiar compared with the more traditionally shaped Sunski Camina sunglasses that we recommend for cat-eye wearers. Higher-quality round frames: Kent Wang Sunglasses Keyhole. We used the following criteria for consideration: In 2019, I judged 37 pairs of sunglasses over the course of a week, walking around Manhattan, reading outside coffee shops, and taking the subway. The Nooz Optics Cruz sunglasses fold almost totally flat. Nooz Optics doesnt include a cleaning cloth; although its a small touch, weve come to expect a cleaning cloth alongside a good pair of sunglasses, especially at this price. We also had more difficulty opening and closing the arms. This pair was also less comfortable than our picks in testing. And as we found in our research for our guide to the best prescription sunglasses, the company began offering an unmatched no- or low-cost two-day shipping option for a wide variety of frames in 2020. All of our panelists found the Kent Wang Keyhole sunglasses comfortable, and they were the ones I kept reaching for even after testing finished. The Sunski Headland sunglasses are a previous pick, and they look good. We have over a decade of experience creating beautiful pieces of custom-made keepsakes and our state of the art facility is able to take on any challenge. We also appreciate the Sydney designs minimal branding: two, white slanted stripes on their arms that are easy to miss unless youre looking for them.

A final note because Im finicky: The Sydney sunglasses dont sit perfectly flat on a table when theyre folded. On the outside of the arms, the Dipsea pair features unsubtle white circles containing the brand name. The EyeBuyDirect Cartel sunglasses have a pretty, classic shape, and they werent overwhelmingly large, said Wirecutter staff writer Dorie Chevlen, who also noted the glasses good-looking tortoiseshell pattern.

Finally, Quay seems intent on telling you how Australian it is. Kent Wang recently added a two-year warranty to its sunglasses, double the protection that much of the competition offers. We tested the Nooz Optics Cruz sunglasses in tortoise and honey; theyre also available in a dozen other colors (from pink to green to black).

Adding a prescription costs around $20 in addition to the price of the frame, and polarized lenses are $40 more on top of that. Goodr offers only a 30-day return window, but the glasses have a year-long warranty. The Sunski Dipsea sunglasses have good lenses, but overall theyre not as good as the Kent Wang Keyhole sunglasses we recommend. Another panelist noted that the arms felt loose. He previously wrote about tech at Wirecutter. The site provides a rating for your area from 0 to 10; the higher the number, the more dangerous the suns UV emissions are, and the more precautions you should take to protect your eyes. Its unfair to call the Kent Wang Knox a pair of Wayfarer-style sunglasses. Beyond their striking colors, the Sydney sunglassess interesting design sets them apart from other Wayfarer-style pairs. Wirecutter senior editor Marguerite Preston and staff writer Dorie Chevlen both said The OGs were the most comfortable Wayfarer-style sunglasses they tried. The Kent Wang aviators are smaller, and more angular, than the big, rounded aviators we tested. You simply wont find a better pair of thin, portable sunglassesin a variety of colorsat this price. Round prescription-ready sunglasses: EyeBuyDirect Taylor. The plastic felt light and hollow. The Kent Wang pairs steel frame feels noticeably sturdy compared with the metallic alloy of the cheaper J+S Classic Aviator pairthe Kent Wang sunglasses have been strong and resilient over the two-plus years weve worn them. You can choose from a variety of colors for the J+S Classic Aviator pair, from classic to flashy, all of which complement the traditional shape. The Cashs arms were stiff, too, and we didnt like the black and tortoise design, which starts as black on top and then fades into a tortoiseshell pattern. They actually exist more as a pair of tiny sunglasses. Oversize cat-eye sunglasses: Sunski Camina. The EyeBuyDirect Taylor sunglasses have a laid-back, sporty aesthetic, and their round frames suited everyone on our panel. Its important to protect against UV rays because they can cause and accelerate many eye diseases associated with aging, including cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, and solar damage to the eye surface, Pershing said.

Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing to save people time, energy and money when making buying decisions. A premium pair of aviators: Kent Wang Sunglasses Aviator. Flaws but not dealbreakers: The Sunski Camina sunglasses cost around $60, but we think the price is justified by their expansive lifetime warranty, which includes breakage. They come with a number of accessories, though, namely a chunky, soft-shell case plus a cleaning cloth and a storage pouch. The group includes aviators, round sunglasses, cat-eye sunglasses, and Wayfarer-style sunglasses, as well as a skinny pair of sunglasses for traveling. Frame width: medium (140 mm), large (152 mm)UV-protected: yesPolarized: yesWarranty: one yearReturn policy: within 30 days. You can view just how we did itand how to try this test yourself with your own sunglassesin the animation below. Over years of testing and wear, we still think the Sungait sunglasses fit more people better than similarly priced alternatives. In 2021, I tested another seven pairs of sunglasses with the assistance of staff writer Dorie Chevlen. Ive been wearing them for years, and I havent noticed any scratches or signs of wear (though we have babied them a little due to their price). Theyre unusually shaped in how deep and wide they are, but I like them, she said. But we cant get past the branding. Flaws but not dealbreakers: Our biggest issue with the EyeBuyDirect sunglasses is the add-on fees. These sunglasses are lightweight, they provide lots of coverage, and as with most of the aviators we tested, the nose pads are adjustable, so the glasses can better fit your face. The Blenders Sydney sunglasses come with a microfiber pouch to keep them safethough we wouldve preferred a hard case, its better than nothing. Weve reviewed this guide and still stand by our picks. Learn more. The Cartel sunglasses would be decently priced at their base cost of $22, but polarization is an additional $40. The EyeBuyDirect Nevada sunglasses are as comfortable as Goodrs The OGs, and theyre made from acetate, which gives them a more premium look and feel. Nooz Optics backs its sunglasses with a two-year warranty, though the policy doesnt cover loss or normal wear and tear. Foster Grants Hugo sunglasses are a bit wider than the others in this category and a little shorter in height. Even when theyre not folded, theyre impressively thin.

They also come with a lifetime warranty that even covers you if you break them, which is shockingly great for their price. *At the time of publishing, the price was $65. The colors are classic but not as exciting as the wackier variety of color options available on the J+S aviators we also recommend. Despite being bulkier than the Sungait pair, the Kent Wang sunglasses weigh about the same. In our testing for this guide, we liked the Wayfarer-style EyeBuyDirect Nevada and the round EyeBuyDirect Taylor (as well as the cat-eye Cartel pair that we recommend) because theyre comfortable, attractive, relatively inexpensive sunglasses. The frame has no external branding, but it does have a small, gold-foil Kent Wang logo on the inside of the left arm; the logo is tasteful and attractive, and its impossible to see while the sunglasses are on your face. Why theyre great: The comfortable EyeBuyDirect Cartel sunglasses fit all of our panelists well, and many of our testers thought the shape was a better fit for a smaller face than the Sunski Camina pair. A more subtle cat-eye pair: EyeBuyDirect Cartel. During my first round of testing, I was able to cut the list of contenders by a third, to 25 pairs. Weve been recommending this pair since late 2017, and we havent had a single issue with them. The gold frames on the Thomas James LA Fame sunglasses looked cheap compared with the frames on the other sunglasses we tested, and the glasses felt less sturdy than the competition. Look for a string of three numbers on the inside of the arm: The first number is the horizontal width of the lenses. Dont skip this step. Too often, great ideas and memories are left in the digital realm, only to be forgotten. Frame width: one size (130 mm)UV-protected: yesPolarized: yesWarranty: two yearsReturn policy: within 60 days. After I completed these preliminary tests, I collected opinions from co-workers and family members by sharing photos and videos of myself wearing the prospective picks over Slack and text messages, as well as in person with my parents. We were impressed by how comfortably the J+S Classic Aviator pair fit our testers. Our favorite Wayfarer-style sunglasses: Goodr The OGs. They weigh just 0.4 ounce, and when folded shut, theyre just 0.4 inch thick (even in their case, they measure only 0.5 inch). Why theyre great: This is the Holly Golightly eating a croissant while looking in the window of Tiffanys realness were looking for. One of our testers, who is Asian, found that the Keyholes were especially comfortable and good-looking on her low-bridge nose. Thomas James LAs Cruise (no longer available) sunglasses were a little too large on my faceand I have a big faceand they felt like they would break easily.