The Best Beach Sunglasses of 2025

Before checking the surf, you have to be able to see… so you might as well look good doing so. Photo: James Ferrell//The Inertia

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Shades, sunnies, beach eyes, or just plain old sunglasses. If you’re like us, you spend plenty of time in the outdoors and on the water — surfing, stand-up paddling, and more. Great sunglasses are a key piece of gear, no matter how you recreate.

These days, your options for sunglasses are virtually endless: color, frame style, price point, and more are all factors. The world of eyewear is also chock-full of jargon – some technical, some gimmicky – and can often be difficult to navigate. We have tested a wide range of sunglasses for all different pursuits, from full-coverage active shades to stylish casual frames. Check out the best beach sunglasses of 2025.

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Related: Best Flip Flops | Best Board Shorts | More Gear Reviews

Editor’s Note: We updated this guide in October 2024 with a few new picks, improved navigation, and dedicated sections for casual and technical sunglasses. We updated this guide once again in May of 2025, adding six new styles tailored to the beach. 

The Best Beach Sunglasses of 2025

Best All-Around Beach Sunglasses: Smith Lowdown 2

Most Versatile Beach Sunglasses: Oakley Frogskins

Best Beach Sunglasses For Larger Faces: Maui Jim Onshore Sunglasses

Best Beach Sunglasses for On The Water: Bajio Caballo

Best Beach Sport Sunglasses: Roka San Remo Air

Best Budget Beach Sunglasses: Goodr OG

Best All-Around Beach Sunglasses

Smith Lowdown 2 ($165)

Frame Material: Evolve bio-based
Lens Material: ChromaPop or Carbonic
Polarized? Yes

Pros: Comes in small, medium, and large, timeless style
Cons: Not great for high-intensity activities

One of the things we love about Smith is their attention to detail when it comes to fit. The Smith Lowdown 2 sunglasses are available in small, medium, and large frames, so they work well for pretty much anyone. The Lowdowns sport a timeless style and come with multiple different frame and lens color options.

The Lowdowns have a larger fit, which provides maximum coverage and protection from the sun. Despite their oversized style, they feature soft rubber nose pads that help the Lowdowns stay in place all day long. Although they offer a secure fit, the Lowdowns aren’t the best fit for high-intensity activities, but they’re perfect for a day at the beach. If you’re looking for a pair of shades that can keep up with any and every activity, the Roka San Remo Air is our choice for sport-style beach sunglasses.

The Lowdowns have a smudge and moisture-resistant coating, which helps maintain clear vision all day long. We wore the Lowdowns for a few stand up paddling outings and found that they fared well against splashes but didn’t stay perfectly clear unless you wiped the water off. The glasses also have an anti-reflective coating, which we appreciated for long days on and near the water. Overall, the Lowdowns are reliably comfortable, durable, stylish, and provide clear vision, which is why we awarded them the title of best all-around beach sunglasses.

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Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia

Most Versatile Beach Sunglasses

Oakley Frogskins ($130)

Frame Material: O Matter
Lens Material: Polarized or Iridium
Polarized? Yes

Pros: Secure fit, lightweight, can wear for lounging/working out
Cons: Small fit won’t work for large faces

Upon first inspection, the Oakley Frogskin sunglasses may be mistaken for cheap gas station sunglasses. But when you look closely, the Frogskins are high-quality shades that are available in either polarized or iridium lenses. The lightweight O Matter frames come in 11 different colors, so it’s easy to find ones that fit your personal aesthetic.

One of our favorite things about the Frogskins is their secure fit coupled with their lightweight feel. They are great shades for lounging at the beach, but we found that they also are a solid option to wear while playing beach volleyball, running, or paddling. The one-size-fits-all Frogskins work for most face sizes and shapes, but the fit is on the smaller side, so if you have a large face, you’d be better off with a larger frame like the Bajio Hopedales.

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Lightweight and comfortable, the Oakley Frogskin sunglasses work for a wide range of activities. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia

Best Beach Sunglasses For Larger Faces

Maui Jim Onshore Sunglasses ($279)

Frame Material: Injected nylon
Lens Material: PolarizedPlus2
Polarized? Yes

Pros: Effectively blocks glare, brightens up surroundings
Cons: Large fit, pricey

Born in 1987 in Lahaina, Maui, Maui Jim was created to fill a “need in the market for technology that could protect eyes from intense glare and harmful UV while bringing the brilliant colors of the island to life.” If you’re looking for a pair of shades to enhance your beach experience, look no further than the Maui Jim Onshore Sunglasses.

Available in four different lens colors, the Onshore glasses feature Maui Jim’s signature Polarized2Plus lenses, which not only shield your eyes from UV rays but also enhance the colors around you. Once you put the Onshore sunglasses on, you’ll want to wear them constantly as they truly do brighten your surroundings. They also effectively block glare, which is a huge plus when you’re often near the water.

The frames themselves are made from an injected nylon that is supposed to be lightweight, but we found them to be fairly normal weight for sunglasses — they aren’t lightweight, nor are they heavy. Both a pro and a con of the Onshore sunglasses is that they are designed for larger faces and sport larger frames accordingly. They’re probably not the best pick for women, but if you have a hard time finding sunglasses that are large enough for your face, these should do the trick. For reference, the frames are 58 mm wide. If you have a smaller face, the Oakley Frogskin sunglasses are a good pick.

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The Maui Jim Onshore Sunglasses are a great fit for larger faces. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia

Best Beach Sunglasses for On The Water

Bajio Caballo ($209)

Frame Material: Plastic
Lens Material: Polycarbonate
Polarized? Yes

Pros: Excellent color and clarity
Cons: Large frames may be too large for some faces

While Bajio may be one of the least familiar brands to make our list, we’re confident that this won’t be the case for long. Launched in the midst of the pandemic by a cohort that cut their teeth at Costa before it was acquired by Luxottica, Bajio has sport fishing in its DNA.

In this context, it’s no surprise that Bajio’s offering ended up becoming our choice to meet the demands of those who spend hours and hours on the water, whether on a boat, doing some flat water SUPing, or any other prolonged activity on the water. Without question, the pair of shades that stayed put on the face the best during our test was Bajio’s Caballo — this was due in large part to grippy contact points on the nose and temple. On bright full-sun days, the Caballos also offered the most clarity of vision of any pair we tested. The colors were vivid and bright while reducing glare.

Further evidence that the Caballos are designed for on-water enthusiasts is their two-way hinges. Any fan of Croakies, Chums, or other eyewear retainers knows that they’re great for keeping you from losing your shades, but they can make getting your sunglasses off your face a little cumbersome. The two-way hinges of the Caballos allow you to widen the sidearms a bit to make this process a little bit easier. 

For how technical the Caballos are under the hood, the tortoise frames with grey lenses also earned major style points for us. As some of the largest frames we tested, the Caballos are ideal for those looking for maximum coverage, but they may be a little too large for certain face shapes. For something narrower, Bajio’s Calda frames may be a better choice.

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Comfortable, stylish, and capable, the Bajio Caballo is a top pick for water sports. Photo: Dylan Heyden//The Inertia

Best Beach Sport Sunglasses

Roka San Remo Air ($200)

Frame Material: Injection-molded TR 90 nylon
Lens Material: C3
Polarized? No

Pros: Lightweight frames, air vents, hydrophobic lens coating
Cons: Not the coolest style when you aren’t playing sports, not polarized

If you’re someone who rarely sits still during beach days, then you’ll need a pair of shades that can keep up with your lifestyle. Sporting a shield-style frame, the Roka San Remo Air sunglasses were designed to bridge the gap between sport and lifestyle sunglasses, making them a great pick for beach days.

For starters, the San Remo airs are incredibly lightweight and deliver a secure fit (even for smaller faces). The customizable titanium core wires ensure the glasses are secure and allow the wearer to adjust the temple pieces for a precision fit. The nose pads are interchangeable and come in four different sizes, making it easy to fit the shades to your face.

The wraparound style lenses provide maximum sun protection, and the minimal frame design delivers that barely there feeling. Designed with sports in mind, the San Remo airs have air vents to keep you cool, and the lenses have both a scratch-resistant coating as well as a hydrophobic coating that works to repel water.

We wore the San Remo Airs for beach walks, stand up paddling, and chilling in the sand, and thought they performed well across the board. Our only complaint about the San Remo Airs is that they aren’t the hippest style when you aren’t playing sports, but luckily, shield-style sunglasses continue to grow trendier each day. If you prefer a more stylish pair of sunglasses, the Smith Lowdown 2 isn’t as good for high-intensity activities, but they’re a great option for beach days and everyday wear.

The Roka San Remo Air sunglasses deliver an incredibly secure fit. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia

Best Budget Sunglasses

Goodr OG ($25)

Frame Material: Plastic
Lens Material: Triacetate Cellulose
Polarized? Yes

Pros: Great value, grip-coated frame, no frills style
Cons: Flimsier than other frames

Goodr is a company that has cornered the market on decent shades at an affordable price. And no pair embodies that more than the OG. A non-slip coating keeps the frames in place when wet, making them work well for lounging as well as more active beach activities like running, volleyball, or paddling. And overall, they are extremely comfortable for all-day wear. 

These shades are affordable, but that’s not to say they look or feel cheap. We were very impressed with how solid they felt for the price point. Comparing them to others on our list that cost upwards of triple what the OGs cost, the frames were somewhat more flexible, and the lenses didn’t offer the same clarity, which does make us somewhat leery of the durability of the OGs long term. But, hey! Polarized shades at this price point? For an everyday carry or backup pair, it isn’t a bad idea to give the OGs a try. 

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Affordable and functional. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia

Best of the Rest

Bajio Hopedale ($259)

Frame Material: Bio-based nylon
Lens Material: Glass or polycarbonate
Polarized? Yes

Pros: Stylish, keeps eyes well protected
Cons: Slides down nose sometimes, arms put pressure on ears if worn for long periods of time

Named after a fishing community that’s located along Bayou La Loutre in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana, Hopedale (aka La Chinche), the Bajio Hopedales were designed for life on and near the water. The Hopedales come in lots of different frames and color options, making it easy to find a combo that’s well suited to your tastes and needs.

The lenses come in glass or polycarbonate options, and they block out 100% of UV light, 90% of harsh yellow light, and 95% of bad blue light. We can’t speak to those exact percentages, but we can say that our eyes felt protected while wearing the Hopedales, and everything looked nice and clear.

Our only real complaint about the Hopedales is that we found that they would slide down our tester’s nose a bit and he’d have to push them back up on occasion. The arms also put a little too much pressure on the ears if you wear them for long periods of time. Fit and feel, of course, vary between individuals, but we found them to be functional and mostly comfortable.

The Bajio Hopedales were designed for life on and near the water. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia

Knockaround Premium Sport ($38)

Frame Material: Polycarbonate
Lens Material: Triacetate cellulose
Polarized? Yes

Pros: Plastic neutral, affordable
Cons: Can see the frames in your peripheral vision

If you’re looking for a budget pair of sunglasses that are still high quality, the Knockaround Premium Sport sunglasses are a great option. Priced at $38, the Premium Sport sunglasses offer full UV400 eye protection with polarized lenses. We tested the aquamarine frames with the fuchsia lens and loved the bright aesthetic of the sunglasses.

The Premium Sports are marketed as running or active sunglasses, and while they do have a secure fit, we found that the aquamarine of the frame was constantly visible in our peripheral vision. Perhaps the experience would be different with a different frame color, but it definitely took some getting used to. On the plus side, the Premium Sports have a secure fit for a wide variety of face shapes and a rubber nose pad that ensures they don’t slide around.

The frames are made from polycarbonate, which is equal parts lightweight and durable. To offset the plastic in their products, Knockaround partners with 4ocean to maintain plastic neutrality and work to improve the environmental friendliness of their process. If you’re looking for a pair of sunglasses that aren’t plastic neutral but are even more affordable, the Goodr OGs are just $25.

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If you’re looking for a budget pair of sunglasses that are still high quality, the Knockaround Premium Sport sunglasses are a great option. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The inertia

Costa Del Mar Aleta ($285)

Frame Material: Plastic
Lens Material: Crystal
Polarized? Yes

Pros: Incredible clarity
Cons: Style is a bit old-school

There really is something to be said for Costa’s 580 lens tech. The colors and contrast of the lenses, combined with the fact that every model is polarized, make these a favorite for people spending ample time near the water. While fishing and ocean sports seem to be their specialty, they also create some great, stylish glasses that perform exceptionally well.  The Aleta model for women checks all the boxes for looking great, but more importantly, it gives stunning clarity next to the water as well.

Our tester tried out the Polycarbonate lens, but they also come in a more durable, classier feel in glass. Whatever model chosen, the difference is noticeable.

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Glade Westslope w/ REVEAL Lens ($69)

Frame Material: Rilsan G850 RNEW
Lens Material: Tritan copolyester
Polarized? Yes

Pros: Great value, photochromic lens adjusts to conditions, solid price
Cons: Lenses don’t get super dark

Above, we mentioned why Southern California may be the best testing ground for sunglasses on the planet, but we’ll say it again. While we’re known for an abundance of sunshine, we also have running jokes about pervasive marine layers: from May gray to June gloom to no sky July. This can result in weird little conundrums – is it too cloudy for sunglasses? Is it too bright for my eyeballs? This is precisely why we were so excited to test out the Glade Westslope upgraded with the company’s REVEAL photochromic lens technology. Photochromic lenses change tint to automatically adjust to changing conditions, which would seemingly solve this issue.

First, a word on the frames themselves. Glade’s Westslope frames are a classic, stylish, large square frame that we found offered an ideal balance of coverage without being too big for the face. For smaller faces, we’d recommend Glade’s Townie frames.

Now to the lenses. True to form, the Westslope’s REVEAL lenses got darker in brighter settings and lighter in low-light settings. But the change wasn’t as dramatic as you’d expect. We also found that when driving, the lenses wouldn’t darken as much as when actually outside, which could be a bit annoying during a full-sun commute to the beach. 

Weirdly, what drove home the benefit of photochromic lenses for us, though, was working outside. While we get out and play as much as we can, occasionally we sit and plug away on the computer at articles like this one. And doing so outside is a great way to make it feel less like work. But, on bright days, a pair of shades may block out sunlight and the light of your computer screen, resulting in eye strain. The Westslopes, though, actually reduced the effect of glare from the sun while helping us to see our computer screen. And if that means fewer days working indoors, chalk that up as a major win.

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Photochromic lenses make the Glade Westslope a unique and high-performing pick. Photo: Dylan Heyden//The Inertia

RAEN Rece ($205)

Frame Material: Zyl Acetate
Lens Material: Zeiss CR-39 with UV coating
Polarized? Yes

Pros: Bio-based frames
Cons: Not great for active days

RAEN has gone all-in on bio-acetate as a material for their frames, and in a world of mostly injection-molded plastic sunglasses, the frames they supplied for testing stood out. First, compared to other pairs we tested, RAEN frames had a weight to them that imbued quality construction — all RAEN sunglasses are handmade. Second, not that it has anything to do with the performance of the glasses themselves, but worth noting is that each pair of RAEN’s shades comes in a classic leather hard case, as opposed to a soft case or even a flimsy microfiber lens pouch, which is a touch that says “we took a lot of care in crafting these, so here’s something to protect them.” While the Rece is far from the most technical shade we tested, they definitely are some of the more stylish and versatile. Think of being able to go effortlessly from surf check to beach day to early evening date night.

Where the Rece lost points for us was in the sporty category. These are not the first shades we’d pick, for example, to wear for a run or hike. The Rece also has a bit of a forward tilt to it that is difficult to discern when buying online. The technical term for this is pantoscopic tilt, which means the top part of the frame angles forward. Style-wise, this can be flattering for some face shapes but may not be ideal for practical use as it can let in additional light from above the frame.

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Ray-Ban Round Metal ($207)

Frame Material: Metal
Lens Material: Crystal
Polarized? Yes

Pros: Classic look, multiple size options
Cons: Not a ton of coverage

It’s really hard to argue with a classic that has endured for so many years. And Ray-Ban fits that description like a round peg in a round hole. Their sunglasses have achieved legendary status and are recognized the world over — you’ll be hard-pressed to find a sunglasses store that doesn’t carry at least a few styles from Ray-Ban. The Round Metal frames are a top pick when it comes to style, with a timeless fashion that looks good on almost anybody (wider faces might prefer another style like the Ray-Ban Aviators).

A favorite aspect of the Ray-Ban Round Metals is that they’re available in three different lens widths: 53, 50, and 47 millimeters. We tested the 50mm version and found it to fit great on a medium-width male face. They’re the size Ray-Ban recommends for most face sizes, but it’s nice to know that if need be, there are smaller (and larger) sizes available.

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Spy Discord ($161)

Smith Boomtown ($185)

Frame Material: Evolve bio-based
Lens Material: Polycarbonate
Polarized? Optional

Pros: Wraparound style without being overly flashy
Cons: Close fit means it’s prone to smudging and fogging

These days, the wraparound shades that were endemic in the ’80s are having a bit of a moment. Fashion, as they say, comes full circle. But, beyond simply being a fashion choice, wraparound-style shades offer added face coverage that can be particularly useful around the water or on the mountain. If you can pull off the oversized look, that is.

Of all the wraparound styles we got our hands on for this test, we found Smith’s Boomtown to be the most understated of the bunch, which means they can go effortlessly from beach to trail to slope without looking like you’re making a statement. They are incredibly comfortable and have a curve that offers an enhanced fit. One of the downsides of the Boomtowns is that they fit somewhat close to the face, which at times leads to smudging and fogging around the bridge. That said, the increased field of vision due to that closeness is a major benefit.

We also love Smith’s Chromapop lens tech and found the clarity of vision the Boomtowns offer to be insane. While other eyewear companies equally boast about their proprietary lens tech, Smith’s Chromapop blew us away in our test. The lenses cut glare while making colors more vivid.

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Ombraz Teton XL ($160)

Frame Material: TR-90
Lens Material: Zeiss polyamide
Polarized? Optional

Pros: Unique cord design is durable, keeps glasses in place
Cons: Some wiggling on the face

You have to hand it to the dudes at Ombraz for thinking outside the box. Eyewear has largely held to the same design principles – lens over each eye, sidearms resting above the ear to hold them in place – since the early days of bifocals. But, Ombraz has removed the most common point of failure in every pair of glasses – the hinge and sidearm – and replaced it with an adjustable cord that doubles as a leash to keep the things on your face. Better still, when not in use, Ombraz’s shades lie flat so they won’t immediately break if you sit on them, roll over them, or step on them. More recently, Ombraz has introduced removable rubber side shields as an add-on to its different styles. Again, because the side shields are rubber, they don’t compromise the durability of the sunglasses themselves.

For this test, we took Ombraz’s Teton frames in XL for a whirl and found they offered great coverage for large faces. The polarized grey lenses, the darkest of the lens options, offered superior clarity, and even with the side shields, they didn’t fog up during active pursuits. The cord is easy to adjust, though it does take some getting used to. We did find that the Ombraz would wiggle on the face a bit because they lacked the support of traditional sidearms.

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Costa Del Mar Tuna Alley Pro ($309)

Frame Material: Propionate
Lens Material: Crystal
Polarized? Yes

Pros: Tons of features
Cons: Very pricey (but can be found on sale)

Anyone who has tried on a pair of Costas will likely tell you about the lens quality. It’s the real deal. Their patented 580 lens tech refers to the 580nm yellow light that the lenses keep out of your eyes. Other colors, such as green, blue, and red, come through to give stunning contrast and clarity that lives up to the hype. Add in the fact that all their lenses are polarized, and it’s easy to see why Costa has been a favorite of fishermen (fisherwomen, too) and water sports enthusiasts for 40 years.

The Tuna Alley Pro is designed for long days out on the water, but we found it to be a winner on land as well. While jumping around on the sand playing volleyball, playing a game of pick-up football, or even general roughhousing on the beach (as it always seems to go), the frames stayed put through it all. But where other close-fitting frames have their drawbacks, these glasses stood out. The main example is in the ventilated sides and “sweat management channels” that provided a fog-free experience, even through exertion in the hot midday sun. The frames also have metal loops to attach a leash and adjustable nose pads to give you the type of features one would expect in such a premium pair of shades.

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Electric 12 ($225)

Frame Material: Rilsan Bio-Plastic
Lens Material: Melanin-infused Polycarbonate
Polarized? Yes

Pros: Excellent vision quality, removable side shields, bomber feel
Cons: Price, tight fit

Several years ago, Electric collaborated with then-team rider John John Florence on what the brand billed as the most impressive sunglasses they ever made. Fast forward to the present, and the 12s remain some of the most well-made, premium feature-packed shades out there, designed to meet the demanding needs of those who spend an inordinate amount of time in, on, or around water.

Grippy rubber temples and nose bridges keep the frames in place, while the injection-molded bio-resin frames feel incredibly durable and sturdy. Most importantly, though, the 12s offer superior clarity while reducing glare by 99.9 percent with polarized pro lenses. Removable side shields are a great touch for added protection from the elements, too. The only downside is that we wish they came in a bigger frame size to offer more coverage. 

Dragon Opus LL H2O ($219)

Frame Material: Plastic
Lens Material: Plastic
Polarized? Yes

Pros: They float
Cons: Not great coverage on the sides

The Dragon Opus is an all-around solid workhorse of a sunglass, with a solid round-frame style that’s never been out of fashion. Dragon’s Lumalens technology provides great visibility, and they’re polarized for better on-water performance.

Speaking of on-the-water, having frames designed to float is also an incredibly helpful feature. However, what edged these out of the top spot for On-Water Sunglasses in comparison to other sunglasses like the Bajio Caballo and Electric 12 was the round-lens frames. They sure look good, but lose points in the coverage category, which is where the Caballos shine, and with bright light coming at you from all angles on the water, coverage matters a bit more than usual. However, for a pair of sunglasses that can transition easily from water activities to drinks on the waterfront at sunset, look no further.

Shades on shades—we tested them all to bring you the best. Photo: Dylan Heyden//The Inertia

Best Sunglasses Comparison Table

We tried these shades everywhere, from beaches to hikes and adventures in between. Photo: Dylan Heyden//The Inertia

How We Tested The Best Beach Sunglasses 

Dylan Heyden took the lead on testing sunglasses. There may be no better testing ground for eyewear than a Southern California beach town, and not for the reason you may think. Sure, sunshine and a temperate climate may be Southern California’s best-known quality. But, as any resident will tell you, between foggy mornings, stubborn marine layers, and, yes, the occasional rain squall, the sun isn’t reliably shining at all hours of every day. These variable conditions often require shades that are able to offer protection in full sunshine but also aren’t too dark to be able to see in cloud cover. These conditions made testing particularly interesting.

We also had some long-term testing done in and around the California Bay Area, conducted by Senior Gear Editor Will Sileo, and in the scorching southwestern summer of Tucson, Arizona, by Gear Editor Nathan Lemin. Finally, Contributing Gear Writer Rebecca Parsons spent some time putting our most recent round of shades to the test during the spring in Santa Cruz, California.

Additionally, choosing the best sunglasses will always be a little subjective. Every person has their unique style, sensibilities, and needs. Not to mention face shape. However, for this test, we tried to center our analysis on the needs of those who spend extended periods in or around the ocean and the beach. For one, polarized lenses are essential. Second, we considered fit, comfort, and face coverage as features to evaluate for comparison purposes. We tried our best to find gender neutral styles.

If you often find yourself staring into the afternoon sun while you hunt for waves, beach sunglasses are an essential item. Photo: James Ferrell//The Inertia

Beach Sunglasses Buyer’s Guide

What Are Beach Sunglasses?

We’re aware that beach sunglasses isn’t an official term, but it’s one that we use regularly. In short, beach sunglasses are shades that you’d wear for a day at the beach, lake, or pool. Beach sunglasses are typically polarized and offer UV protection. Bonus points if they help cut down on glare, as you’ll be spending a fair amount of your beach time near or on the water.

Beach sunglasses aren’t typically sunglasses that are suited for high-intensity activities, although some beach sunglasses double as sports sunglasses as well. Styles like the Roka San Remo Air and the Oakley Frogskin work well for both chill days at the beach and high-intensity activities.

Beach sunglasses are a broad category that covers shades that work well for hanging out at the beach, pool, or lake. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia

Acetate vs. Injection-Molded Plastic Frames

Sunglass frames come in a variety of materials — including wood and metal — but by and large, the most common material is plastic. And under the larger umbrella of plastics, there are two primary constructions: acetate and injection-molded plastic. Whether acetate or injection molding, many manufacturers, especially those catering to surfers and ocean enthusiasts, are leaning away from petroleum-based plastics and instead use terms like bio or plant-based. The key difference between acetate and injection-molded plastic construction is that acetate is typically produced in sheets that are then cut into the parts, which are then assembled as a pair of frames.

Injection molding means that a plastic material is shot into a mold to create the frame. The advantage of acetate is that it’s more flexible and hypoallergenic, and that the material doesn’t need to be painted, dyed, or coated to create colors and patterns — those come from the material itself. Injection molded frames are generally lighter and, since they are made from a mold, can be curved or take on other shapes.

RAEN’s sunglasses, like the Rece, are handmade with bio-acetate resin. Photo: James Ferrell//The Inertia

Plastic vs. Glass Lenses

Most lenses are made from either glass or plastic. However, most often other words for plastic are used to sound a bit fancier, such as polycarbonate, acrylic, composite (which can use other materials), and others. Plastic lenses are usually much lighter and impact-resistant than their glass counterparts. Glass lenses, while often a bit heavier, generally offer superior vision quality. The downside is that they are more prone to breaking. Most lenses these days have some sort of scratch coating, but plastic lenses are often more scratch-prone. And last but not least is budget: usually, if a pair of sunglasses offers both a glass and plastic version of their lenses, the glass version is generally more expensive.

Additionally, some lenses are said to include crystal, which most of the time means glass, but a more refined process. These are generally reserved for premium models with the price tag to match, but with superior optics as well.

Ultimately, it will come down to what you are doing while wearing the sunglasses that will help determine whether to get plastic or glass lenses. If you need to see in the distance or are shooting photos, glass might be the call. If you’re being active and there’s a chance of impact, plastic is the way to go.

Polarized vs. Non-Polarized

For anyone who spends an extended period on or around water, polarized lenses are essential. But what does polarized mean exactly? First, it’s worth understanding what glare is and how it works. Glare typically occurs when light reflects off a flat surface in a horizontal manner and can be intense, making it difficult to see. Think of how the ocean shines and shimmers on a bright sunny day.

Polarized lenses have a chemical treatment that only allows for vertical light waves to pass through, blocking glare. While typically pricier than non-polarized lenses, polarized lenses have major benefits for surfers, fishermen/women, and general water enthusiasts, including reducing eye strain and allowing you to see natural features and obstacles. Many sunglass makers have their own proprietary lens treatments in addition to polarization, but our best advice is to choose polarized sunglasses like the Oakley Frogskin or the Maui Jim Onshore Sunglasses when and wherever possible.

Almost all of the sunglasses we tested have polarized lenses. Our top pick, the Smith Lowdown 2, is no exception. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia

Photochromic Lenses

First marketed toward glasses wearers frustrated with having to switch to their sunglasses outside and back again once inside, photochromic lens technology has been around for some time. In theory, the idea is pretty simple. In brighter settings, the lenses get darker to protect the eyes, and in lower light settings, the lenses lighten up to enhance clarity.

Photochromic ski goggles have become more and more popular in recent years, leading mountain and outdoor-oriented sunglass makers to begin to experiment with photochromic lenses in their eyewear. In testing, we found that there were some weird quirks with photochromic lens technology. But, photochromic lenses like those featured in the Glade Westslope are definitely worth your consideration if you’re looking for a single pair of shades that will function well in varying light conditions.

The Oakley Frogskins are a versatile pair of beach sunglasses. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia

Blue Light Coating

Blue light-blocking lenses have recently become popular for their application in blocking harmful light that mostly comes from staring at screens all day. The logic is that spending a bunch of time staring at an illuminated screen disturbs our circadian rhythms and contributes to eye strain. The scientific evidence to back up these claims is definitely lacking, but there is some evidence to support the fact that blue light exposure can negatively impact sleep patterns. Some higher-end pairs of sunglasses on our list, like the Bajio Caballos and Electric 12s, specifically mention the ability of their lenses to filter out blue light.

The Roka San Remo Air is a great option to wear while stand up paddling. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia

What’s The Deal With Side Shields?

These days, it feels like every sunglass company is pushing its own version of sunglasses with side shields. So what’s the deal? Well, sunglasses with side shields have roots in mountaineering and iconic glacier glasses popularized in the 1950s. In function, side shields block out light from entering from the side of your frames and damaging the eye.

While this may be overkill for casual strolls around town or morning beach checks, for extended periods in high-glare environments like in snow or on the water, a pair of shades with side shields may not be a bad investment to give your eyes extra protection. They also have the added benefit of blocking wind and keeping out dust and other particles. Look out, though, side shields will reduce your peripheral vision – so activities like driving a car may be safer without ‘em.

A collection of sporty shades. Photo: Dylan Heyden//The Inertia

VLT

Finally, a helpful concept to understand before pulling the trigger on a pair of sunglasses is VLT, or visible light transmission. VLT refers to how much visible light is allowed to pass through a pair of lenses. Generally, this is expressed as a percentage; the lower the number, the darker the lens, and the higher the number, the lighter the lens. A VLT of 25% or less is generally appropriate for a bright sunny day, while on overcast and flat light days, a higher VLT is usually necessary (20-70%).

Understanding VLT can be crucial when deciding what sunglasses to pull the trigger on, depending on specific use. For example, if you want a single pair of shades for a variety of conditions, from bright sun to overcast, a higher VLT might be beneficial. Whereas if you already own a pair of shades with a higher VLT and are looking for max light blocking, you’ll want to go very low VLT.

Side shields and the unique drawcord design of the Ombraz Teton. Photo: Dylan Heyden//The Inertia

What Are the Best Sunglasses for Surfing?

Surfing and sunglasses don’t usually go so well together. Not only are waves and the ocean a pretty easy place to lose sunglasses, but there’s nothing like trying to peer through a lens full of water droplets to make you question your decision to take sunglasses surfing in the first place. That said, we’ve found some styles that can reasonably be used in the water, whether that’s stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, engaging in windsports like kiteboarding, windsurfing, or wing-foiling, and yes, even surfing.

If you don’t plan on getting the lenses wet (even the best hydrophobic coating will leave some water droplets on the lenses, obscuring vision), the Ombraz armless design of sunglasses makes a great companion for ocean activities. The arm-replacing cord provides a secure fit and can easily accommodate a leash for added security.

Editor’s Note: For more sunglass styles, here’s our guide to The Best Ski Sunglasses. We’ve also reviewed other beach essentials like The Best Beach Umbrellas and The Best Beach Coolers. For more gear reviews and features on The Inertia, click here.

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