What are blue light glasses?
With all the time we spend on our devices — switching back and forth throughout the day from phone to computer to television screens — we’re exposing ourselves to high amounts of blue light, which can disrupt our sleep and cause eye strain.
Wearing glasses with special lenses that filter out blue light while you’re on your screens or under artificial lights can improve our circadian rhythm so you can get a better night’s sleep. They may also protect your eyes from damage.
What started as a wellness fad is here to stay with blue light glasses flooding the marketplace. Not all blue light glasses provide the same level of protection and effectiveness, so read this buying guide to learn more before making a purchase.
Health benefits of blue light glasses
Sleep
Blue light is a short wavelength naturally emitted by the sun during the day, with the highest amount at noon. Because our devices and artificial lighting, especially LED and fluorescent lighting, constantly emit this wavelength associated with daytime, it suppresses our body’s natural production of melatonin.
Studies show that wearing blue light glasses three hours before sleep improves sleep, as well as mood and mental performance, because the blue-light blocking lenses cancel out the suppressing effect on melatonin, which regulates our sleep and our mood.
Eyes
Many wearers of blue light glasses find a decrease in eye strain and eye strain-related symptoms like headaches, dry eyes, blurry vision, sore neck, shoulders and back and difficulty concentrating. There is also some evidence that the blue light emitted by our devices and lights causes retinal damage that can harm vision.
Be wary of the bold health claims that some manufacturers of blue light glasses make, because more research needs to be done on the extent of the effects of blue light.
What lens color should you choose?
Blue light glasses feature tinted lenses. Their color determines how effective they are at filtering out blue light.
Clear
Blue light glasses that feature clear lenses only block out around 40% of blue light. However, you may feel more comfortable wearing clear lenses in a public or work setting because they look like normal glasses. Also, these allow you to see a fuller range of colors, if your job requires that.
Yellow
Yellow lenses are ideal for working during the day because they block out 75% of blue light while allowing 25% to come through. Some may need a small amount of blue light to keep alert during the work day.
Orange
Blue light glasses with orange or amber color lenses block out 98% to 99% of blue light. We recommend these for evening time because they block out sufficient levels of blue light so you can properly sleep well at night.
Red
Red lenses featured on blue light glasses not only block out 100% of blue light, but also green and violet light. Be aware these will make it difficult to see all of the colors properly on your screen but are ideal for bedtime or for people with light sensitivities.
Price
Blue light glasses cost between $6 to $150. Mid-range glasses with durable frames and magnification options cost between $14 and $36 and include clear, yellow and amber-tinted lenses.
The best blue light glasses of 2021
High-end
Baxter Blue Carter Maple Tortoise Blue-Light Glasses: available at Baxter BlueA unisex square frame that’s universally flattering. Baxter Blue’s proprietary Blue+ Lenses filter 50% of blue light and noticeably reduce headaches and other eye strain symptoms.
YesGlasses.com Retro Cat-Eye Blue Light Blocking Glasses: available at YesGlasses.comA retro style of blue light glasses. These frames are incredibly lightweight with a sleek twist on the cat-eye. Option to purchase them as regular frames, blue-light filtering, or prescription blue light glasses.
Wilkie Blue-Light Filtering Glasses: available at Warby ParkerOffering a variety of custom options, including a variety of widths, these never-fail frames offer the perfect fit with men’s and women’s sizes. Select prescription or non-prescription blue-light filtering lenses. Go to Warby Parker’s home try-on here.
Most stylish
Warby Parker Morgan Blue-Light Filtering Glasses: available at Warby ParkerA charming pair of blue light glasses with a contemporary flare. Comes in blue-light filtering or prescription blue-light filtering that also blocks out 100% of UV rays. Also available in a narrow width. Go to Warby Parker’s home try-on here.
I Heart Eyewear Shelby Blue-Light Blocking Computer Readers: available at DiscountGlasses.comThe perfect frame for all your video calls, these tortoise-shell glasses filter out 60% of blue light and feature anti-reflective coating. Pink temples add a bit of fun out-of-sight from your work calls.
TIJN Blue-Light-Blocking Glasses: available at AmazonNot only are these round frames stylish, but they’re also comfortable and functional. They deliver both blue light protection and UV protection. Affordable two packs also offered.
Most affordable
LifeArt LA Chillax Black Blue-Light-Blocking Glasses: available at Amazon These trendy round frames are lightweight and budget-friendly. They come in nearly two dozen magnification options and all lenses are coated with an antireflective, 7-layer blue light filter.
LifeArt Blue-Light Blocking Glasses: available at AmazonA neutral frame that fits virtually every face and offers blue-light filtering at a low, low price. A cost-effective solution to eye strain issues and headaches without the glare of other budget frames.
Livho Blue-Light Blocking Glasses, 2-Pack: available at AmazonThese two-for-the-price-of-one blue light glasses are affordable, but not without perks. Their blue-filtering lenses also offer UV protection and glare reduction.
For kids
Babiators Blue-Light Glasses: available at DiscountGlasses.com These blue light glasses made for kids help protect children’s eyes during screen time and gaming. Childproof frames come in two kid-friendly sizes: 3–5 and 6+. Also available at Amazon.
Baxter Blue Bailey Crystal Red Blue-Light Glasses: available at Baxter Blue From the premium blue-blocking brand, these Baxter Blue frames for kids are a solid investment. These lightweight but durable frames will last. Unisex sizing fits ages 8 to 11 and comes in red and tortoise.
Ana Sanchez is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
