William Painter Sunglasses Review in 2024 – Our Picks, Pros & Cons

Last Updated on Jan 03 2024

Review Summary

What do an F-22 Raptor aircraft and a pair of William Painter sunglasses have in common? They’re both made of aerospace-grade titanium, an extra durable alloy that can withstand temperatures of up to 1000°F, and resist corrosion from salt water. William Painter sunglasses are built to last you a lifetime.

The company is named after William Painter, an American inventor from the 1800s, most recognized for his invention of the crown cork bottle cap, and the bottle opener. William Painter sunglasses pay homage to the inventor by including a discrete bottle opening function into the arms of their “The Hook” sunglasses.

If you live the life of an active adventurer (and happen to appreciate bottled drinks), a pair of William Painter sunglasses might be perfect for you! On the other hand, if you like to purchase new sunglasses regularly to match up and coming trends, or if you prefer a glamourous lifestyle, you probably don’t need a pair of William Painters.

Overall, William Painter sunglasses are affordable to most, they look great, and their durability is remarkable.

At a Glance: The Best William Painter sunglasses:

	Image	Product	Details
Most Popular		The Hook	Durable titanium frames Bottle opener technology High-quality, polarized lenses	CHECK PRICE
		The Empire	Durable titanium frames High-quality, polarized lenses Retro clubmaster style	CHECK PRICE
		The Level	Made from aerospace-grade titanium World's lightest lenses Scratch-resistant	CHECK PRICE
		The Oasis	Top quality polarized lenses Titanium frame	CHECK PRICE
		Constellation	Lightweight Classic aviator design Full UVA/UVB protection	CHECK PRICE

William Painter sunglasses Reviewed

The Origins of William Painter Sunglasses and Where They’re Produced

William Painter was set up by co-founders and American entrepreneurs, Matt DeCelles and Patrick Eckstein after the former submitted their idea for bottle-opening, aerospace-grade titanium-built sunglasses as a crowdfunding project on Kickstarter. After hitting their target within 3 days, the duo embarked on starting their venture in earnest.

The sunglasses are produced in China, with an emphasis on quality for the customer. William Painter are known for their “lifetime guarantee.”

Who William Painter Sunglasses are Best Suited For

William Painters are best suited to anyone who wants a pair of sunglasses to last them a lifetime. They’re also great for those who take part in sports and activities, bikers, and anyone who’s accident-prone! These sunglasses are built to be durable.

That doesn’t mean they don’t look good. In fact, William Painter sunglasses look stylish, with several frame shapes and color options available. 

Those of You Who Might Do Better with a Different Brand

While a pair of William Painters aren’t in the high-end market for designer sunglasses, they may be priced out of some people’s budgets. For those looking for a pair of high-quality durable shades for their outdoor activities, we recommend the Tifosi Veloce.

On the other hand, if you’re not worried about durability, or you aren’t looking for “the last sunglasses you’ll ever need,” then you might find William Painter’s selection limiting. For glamour and fashion aficionados and trend-setters, we recommend the Cazal 9081, for an unmatched dash of elegance. 

A Quick Look at William Painter sunglasses

Reviews of the 3 Best William Painter sunglasses Products

Here’s our review of the 3 best William Painters, The Hook, The Empire, and The Oasis. 

1. The Hook – Our Favorite

The Hook is the original and classic William Painter sunglasses. These wayfarer-style sunglasses are built from aerospace-grade titanium frames that are painted with a military-grade protective coating. The Hook features William Painter’s famous bottle-opener technology. The wayfarer style adds a touch of intellectual class to any look.

The Hook’s high-quality, polarized, Japanese nylon lenses feature full UVA/UVB protection, and they are harder to scratch than glass lenses.

Every pair is shipped with a hard case that’s custom-made for The Hook. These sunglasses are available in three lens colors: blue, black, or red, to suit your style.

Some customers do find The Hook to be a little on the heavy side, though this is to be expected because of the frame’s sturdy material. For the same reason, you can expect a pair of these sunglasses left in direct sunlight to get pretty hot!

2. The Empire

The Empire sunglasses represent William Painter’s clubmaster-style offering to the world of sunglasses. These sophisticated sunglasses come in various color combinations, but our favorite combination is the black/gold frames with blue lenses. 

As with The Hook, The Empire’s arms are also made of titanium material and weighted at the back for balance. These sunglasses are also fitted with polarized Japanese nylon lenses and offer 100% UVA/UVB protection. 

3. Constellation

Constellation is William Painter’s aviator-style sunglasses. They feature a classic, sleek design, and are built from stainless steel for durability.

Constellation features gradient tinted lenses and comes in two frame colors: black, or gold. Unlike William Painter’s titanium series of sunglasses, Constellation is lightweight, though it does not feature polarized lenses.

Constellation’s lenses are, however, made of the same Japanese nylon, and give 100% UVA/UVB protection.

Conclusion

In a world where most designer sunglasses are made by the same parent company, William Painter sunglasses offer a unique alternative. Their sunglasses are known for durability, but that doesn’t take away from their fantastic style.

Aside from The Hook’s cool bottle-opening party trick, William Painter’s lifetime guarantee makes them worthy of serious consideration. Customers report excellent service from the company, who appear to stick to their promise and send replacements, and offer huge discounts, even if a pair of sunglasses has been lost or stolen, no matter how long ago they were purchased.

So, if you’re looking for a stylish, durable pair of forever sunglasses, look no further than William Painter!