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10 Best Safety Glasses of 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks
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We do many activities regularly that require some form of eye protection. Whether you’re working, playing, or just going about your day, there are almost endless options.
To save you time, we’ve gone ahead and scoured numerous reviews on the internet to bring you our top 10 picks for safety glasses. We hope that these reviews will have at least one option that fits your particular needs.
Wiley X makes some of the best safety glasses on the market. These Valor changeable lens sunglasses make our best overall spot due to their versatility and quality. Whether you’re looking for safety glasses for work or outdoor sports, or just want a stylish way to keep your eyes protected, these glasses are a great option.
The Valor sunglasses are available in both polarized and non-polarized with numerous lens color options as well. The shatterproof lenses block 100% of UV rays and are certified to ANSI Z87.1-2003 specs. So, they are accepted as adequate eye protection by OSHA.
Coming in at a more affordable option than the Valar sunglasses, the Saber safety glasses offer incredible protection for everything from the gun range to the worksite and are the best safety glasses for the money. The only downside is they lack the stylish looks of an everyday wear pair of glasses. But if you’re not looking for the best-looking option, these are one of the best safety glasses for the money you can get.
Unfortunately, they aren’t available in a polarized lens option. However, multiple colors and shade options are available depending on whether your primary use of them is indoors or out—and the lighting conditions. In addition to the lenses being shatterproof polycarbonate that meets OSHA standards, they also offer 100% UVA/UVB protection.
The Sawfly Eyeshield safety glasses are marketed as shooting safety glasses, but that isn’t their sole use. With indestructible, optical-grade polycarbonate lenses, you can be assured they will withstand anything that would harm your eyes.
This particular kit is our premium choice because you’re getting a kit that comes with a carrying case, multiple lens options, and a cleaning cloth for a bit of extra money. In addition to blocking 100% of all UV rays, the lenses are also chemical-resistant.
Another top pick for casual-wear safety glasses is the Censor Black Ops Edition by Wiley X. You won’t want to use these for indoor work, but if you’re looking for a way to protect your eyes for outdoor work or sports, these are a great option. In addition to their high safety ratings, these sunglasses are stylish enough for everyday wear.
Like all Wiley X sunglasses, their polarized lenses meet OSHA requirements for shatterproof lenses on safety glasses. The main downside to these safety glasses is that they aren’t adjustable, so wearing them all day at work could be uncomfortable if they don’t fit properly.
Pros
Polarized lenses
Stylish
OSHA-approved protection
Glasses include a case, strap, and a cleaning cloth
If you’re looking for a simple pair of safety glasses to get the job done without any fanfare, these side-impact safety glasses from NoCry are the ticket. Their wraparound protection qualifies them for approved eyewear in pretty much any industry. They are comfortable enough for all-day wear and are even designed to wear over prescription glasses.
While the lenses are not polarized, they offer UV400 protection which is 90%–100% UV protection without optical distortion. They are also made from a scratch-resistant polycarbonate material to last through the most challenging jobs.
3M has long been a major manufacturer in the safety industry. These particular foam gasket safety glasses do an excellent job of preventing small dust particles from bothering your eyes in a dusty environment. They meet all North American safety requirements, so they can be used in any industry or setting.
Like any other foam gasket safety glasses, these have the potential for fogging up—even with the anti-fogging lenses. However, a big difference in these glasses is that you can remove the foam for cleaning, which is a big plus. We’ve personally used these glasses extensively, and if you decide to go this route, we recommend applying an anti-fog spray to give a little assistance to the anti-fog lenses.
Pros
Keeps small particles out of your eyes
They meet ANSI Z87.1+ and CSA Z94.3 High-Impact requirements
Another pair of glasses on this list that is marketed to the sport shooter remains a great option for anyone who needs some solid safety glasses. If you’re looking for OSHA-approved safety glasses that look great, then these Acid Gambit safety glasses are worth checking out.
These glasses have a tiger-eye lens option which isn’t too bad for outdoor use. However, they lack some of the other features that many glasses on this list have, such as UV and blue light protection or polarized lenses. And because they are non-adjustable, either they fit, or they don’t. Still, if you’re able to try a pair on to ensure fitment, these are durable and well-built safety glasses.
If you’re looking for goggle-like fitting safety glasses, these Gateway Safety are a good option. Because the lens hugs your eye socket with its foam backing, they provide full protection. Depending on how tight you want them to fit, they are also available with or without a strap. Because of their construction, even tight is not uncomfortable for these particular safety glasses.
However, there is a fairly large negative. While the foam padding does an incredible job of protecting your eyes from fine particles like dust, the lens is prone to fogging. Gateway Safety claims these lenses are anti-fog, but fogging could be an issue if you tend to get hot while working.
These safety glasses make the list not because they offer the most incredible protection but because they offer a stylish option for everyday wear. If you live in an area prone to dust storms or other weather that blows particles through the air, these provide suitable protection. Because of their fully-enclosed design, they can even help with allergens blowing around during allergy season.
Keep in mind that these glasses aren’t meant to protect you while performing dangerous work on a job site or at the firing range. However, they offer blue light and UV protection, and they have an anti-fog lens coating.
These are similar to the other NoCry safety glasses on this list. However, they are not OTG safety glasses, so their functionality is slightly limited. That being said, if you don’t wear prescription glasses, these are a good and affordable option.
A major downfall of these particular safety glasses is that they are not ANSI Z87.1 certified. Therefore, they are not OSHA-approved. OSHA-approved safety eyewear is required in many industries, so these would not be suitable. However, if you aren’t required to use safety glasses that meet those requirements, they offer front and side protection.
Pros
Affordable
Scratch-resistant lenses
Adjustable
Cons
No OTG fitment
Non-polarized
Not OSHA certified
Lenses are not chemically resistant
Buyer’s Guide: How to Select the Best Safety Glasses
These are far from the only 10 safety glasses available today. Unless you know exactly what you want, it can become overwhelming trying to figure out which ones best suit your needs. Read on for a few tips on choosing the best safety glasses.
Safety Glasses Terminology
Image Credit: Tama66, Pixabay
ANSI Certification
If you’re looking for safety glasses that will be acceptable for your workplace, in most cases, you will have to find ANSI-certified safety glasses. ANSI is a private organization in the United States responsible for working with the government to achieve acceptable safety standards on all safety equipment.
Polarized Lenses
A polarized lens has a laminated filter sandwiched in two pieces of polycarbonate. Its job is to block horizontal light, reducing the reflected light entering the eye and improving visual clarity.
A polarized lens will affect interior visibility, but it is most noticeable outdoors. For example, if you’ve ever had polarized sunglasses while fishing, you’ll notice a huge difference in being able to see into the water because of how it affects reflections.
UV Protection
The sun produces harmful ultraviolet rays. So, if you’re using your safety glasses mostly outdoors, it would be beneficial to purchase glasses with at least a UV400 protection rating that blocks 90%–100% of harmful UV rays. These special lenses protect your eyes from the sun much the same way that sunscreen protects your skin.
Scratch-Resistant Lenses
Whether they are getting rubbed in a rugged tool bag or hit by projectiles, using safety glasses for work makes them prone to scratching. Some safety glasses are engineered with a scratch-resistant coating. These types are generally a bit more pricey than safety glasses without the coating but worth the money in the long run.
Durability Matters
Another factor to consider when purchasing safety glasses is how durable they are. If you’re looking for everyday wear sunglasses/safety glasses, durability isn’t as big of an issue. However, if you’re looking for safety glasses to wear every day for work and you know they’ll take some abuse, it’s better to purchase a high-quality pair instead of some throwaway safety glasses.
Comfort
In many applications, you’ll be wearing your safety glasses most of the day. So it’s important to think about comfort and fit when shopping for glasses. Many different safety glasses are adjustable and have extra padding in key points like behind your ears and the bridge of your nose. Keep these things in mind when deciding which ones to go with.
Conclusion
After reading these reviews, we hope you found some safety glasses that will fit your needs and wants. If you’re looking for the best overall safety glasses, the WX Valor with the changeable lenses is great for their versatility and quality. These sunglasses not only provide you with safety but stylish everyday wear glasses.
However, if you’re not as interested in your safety glasses being stylish, the Saber Advanced Eyeshield safety glasses offer excellent protection—both from projectiles and harmful UV rays. They are more affordable, but you do sacrifice looks and polarized lenses.
Robert’s obsession with all things optical started early in life, when his optician father would bring home prototypes for Robert to play with. Nowadays, Robert is dedicated to helping others find the right optics for their needs. His hobbies include astronomy, astrophysics, and model building. Originally from Newark, NJ, he resides in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where the nighttime skies are filled with glittering stars.
