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6 Best Sunglasses for Men, Tested and Reviewed

You won't want to take off these sunnies all summer long.

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Whether you lost your previous pair of sunglasses or you’re shopping for a gift for dad, high-quality men’s sunglasses are a must as the days get longer and the sun gets stronger. Not only are sunglasses a stylish accessory, but shielding your eyes from harsh UV rays is essential for your eye health.

To help you find the best pair, our experts narrowed down our favorite sunglasses for men below out of hundreds of styles and shapes. Our picks include sunglasses for everyday wear, outdoor use, water activity and more.

Our top picks:

The product analysts and fashion experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute have been reporting on the latest styles for decades, helping you shop for eyewear like prescription glasses, smart glasses, blue light glasses and more. To find the best sunglasses for men, we turned to our experts, product analysts and editors for their top picks and reviewed pairs for materials, price, design and construction. The men’s sunglasses ahead are comprised of best-selling styles from top-performing brands that we’ve previously tested, as well as ones with rave reviews from our editors and consumers.

After checking out the best men's sunglasses, continue scrolling to find out how to choose the right ones for your face shape as well as tips to keep in mind before purchasing your next pair.

1
Best Overall Sunglasses for Men

Ray-Ban Original Wayfarer

On Sale
Original Wayfarer

Pros

  • Classic, stylish design
  • Lightweight and comfortable
  • Durable, according to testers
  • Suitable for a variety of face shapes

Cons

  • May slide down nose

It’s hard to go wrong with these timeless Wayfarer sunglasses from Ray-Ban. Not only are they super versatile and a great choice for everyday wear, but they’re suitable for a variety of face shapes.

Our pros love their lightweight, comfortable design that dates back to 1952 and is available in 13 frame and lens combinations. You can even add a prescription if needed. They feature UV protection to protect your eyes from the sun and are available in polarized or non-polarized versions.

“I bought these for my husband nearly 10 years ago, and they're still in great shape!” says Apparel Reviews Analyst Amanda Constantine. “They're a classic style, and the brown tortoise shell print elevates the look, so he feels comfortable wearing them at the pool and to the office. They have polarized lenses, so he loves that he can see things clearly without a ton of color distortion, too.”

UV protectionYes
PolarizationOptional
2
Best Value Sunglasses for Men

goodr Circle Gs

Circle Gs
Credit: Goodr

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Extremely lightweight
  • Effectively stay in place during activity

Cons

  • Not as durable as other sunglasses

Our product analysts have tested several pairs of good sunglasses and though we’ll admit that they’re not the most durable, they check off a lot of boxes. Not only are they super stylish and available in tons of fun colors and designs for both men and women, but they’re super lightweight and come at an unbeatable price.

Our pros found that they resisted sweat effectively and stayed in place thanks to a grip coating no matter the activity, including everything from running to sailing, biking, hiking and more. “They look good, are well-made and super affordable,” says one GH editor.

UV protectionYes, UV400
PolarizationYes
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3
Best Polarized Sunglasses for Men

Costa Del Mar Ferg

Ferg
Credit: Costa Del Mar

Pros

  • Highly effective polarization
  • Multiple lens shade options
  • Lightweight and comfortable
  • Grip pads keep sunglasses secure

Cons

  • Not as attractive for everyday wear

Costa sunglasses are made for the outdoors, and our product analysts especially love them for days on the water. They feature grip pads that keep the glasses securely on the bridge of your nose and are available in six lens colors, including blue, green and gold.

You also have the choice between glass and polycarbonate polarization, both of which help make objects crisper and brighter even in harsh sun. For those seeking maximum clarity and virtually zero reflective glare, you should opt for glass polarization.

UV protectionYes
PolarizationYes, 580G or 580P
4
Best Everyday Sunglasses for Men

Ray-Ban Round Metal

Round Metal
Credit: Ray-Ban

Pros

  • Classic, retro style
  • Adjustable nose pads
  • Available in a variety of lens and frame colors

Cons

  • Design is a bit more fragile

These round metal frame sunglasses will make you feel like a rock star. What we like most about them is that they’re unisex and suitable for a variety of face shapes. Choose among 15 color combinations, including a gold, black matte and rose gold frame as well as tons of lens colors.

Polarized lenses are available for those who want the sharpest clarity, and adjustable nose pads will help the sunglasses from sliding down your face. Our pros do warn, however, that they’re a bit more fragile than other sunglasses due to their metal frame.

UV protectionYes
PolarizationOptional
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5
Best Trendy Sunglasses for Men

Warby Parker Brimmer

Brimmer
Credit: Warby Parker

Pros

  • Trendy design
  • Affordable
  • Easy to use virtual try-on feature
  • Excellent customer service

Cons

  • Oversized fit may not be suitable for all face shapes

Warby Parker is a popular choice for all types of glasses, offering hundreds of styles you can purchase directly online. Take advantage of home try-on if you’re undecided or use the virtual try-on feature to see in real-time whether the frames suit your face. According to our pros and previous Lab tests, the brand's customer service is top-notch should you run into any issues.

Though we could easily recommend several Warby sunglasses, we love this latest pair from the spring collection for its super trendy design. The sunglasses are available in three shades, including a sleek black and gold combo. However, note that the oversized lenses and wide frame might not be suitable for narrow faces.

UV protectionYes
PolarizationNo
6
Best Sports Sunglasses for Men

Oakley Holbrook

Holbrook
Credit: Oakley

Pros

  • Available in 32 colors
  • Lightweight, durable design ideal for performance
  • Choice of premium Prizm lens

Cons

  • Doesn’t feature grips on nose pad

Combining performance with style, these iconic Oakley sunglasses are made for outdoor enthusiasts and are designed to withstand impact. They feature nearly 7,000 five-star Amazon reviews, with online consumers raving about their comfort, quality and style.

Our pros love that they’re available in up to 32 gorgeous color combinations and are even customizable online. When it comes to lenses, you can opt for polarization or even upgrade to a Prizm lens for optimized color, contrast and detail, according to Oakley. Just keep in mind that nose pads aren’t built in so the glasses are at risk of sliding down in heavy sweat.

UV protectionYes
PolarizationOptional
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How we chose the best sunglasses for men

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Our product experts narrowed down the best sunglasses for men based on previous Lab tests of prescription eyewear and our decades of expertise reviewing glasses.

To make our selections, we reviewed each selection for specs such as material, price, design and construction, taking note of UV protection as well as polarization. Not only have we been hands-on with several of the brands and picks featured above, but we included selections that our editors, analysts and consumers love.

What to look for when shopping for men's sunglasses

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✔️ Activity: Ask yourself: Do you need sunglasses for everyday wear, like when you’re driving a car or having lunch outside? Or do you prefer a pair of sunglasses that are suitable for water sports, running outdoors, fishing or sailing? The type of activity you need your sunglasses for will determine which sunglasses are right for you. If you need sunglasses for running, consider a lightweight pair with nose pads to help keep the glasses securely on your face as you bounce up and down. If you plan on using your sunglasses on the water or by the beach, consider polarization, which should help reduce glare and improve clarity.

✔️ Comfort: Because you’ll be wearing sunglasses for hours at a time, they should be comfortable. Look for models made of lightweight materials as well as sunglasses with nose pads (or a sweat-resistant material) to prevent glasses from sliding down too much in case of heavy sweat. If your sunglasses feel too tight on the sides of your head, make sure to purchase a wider fit or consider taking them to a professional for adjustments.

✔️ Style: Sunglasses come in all sorts of shapes, sizes and styles. Though there’s no one-style-fits-all, make sure to choose a pair that speaks to you. Unfortunately, not all styles work with all face shapes so it’s best to try on sunglasses beforehand in person or virtually.

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How to find the best sunglasses shape for your face

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Our style experts always recommend trying on sunglasses in person before purchasing to ensure you like the fit and feel. If you prefer to directly purchase online, “my tip is to use the virtual try-on feature that many sites have,” says Chiara Butler, a product analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute. “They use your phone or computer camera to give you an idea of how the glasses will look on your face.” We also suggest double-checking return and warranty policies as well as whether free trials are available.

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

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Product analyst and writer Olivia Lipski covers everything from consumer electronics to travel, home, fitness and more. She regularly collaborates with our GH Institute Labs to test and review products, ranging from smart glasses to sweaters for men.

In preparing for this story, she consulted with Chiara Butler, product analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute's Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab, who has extensive experience reviewing eyewear like prescription glasses.

Headshot of Olivia Lipski
Olivia Lipski
Senior Reviews Writer & Analyst

Olivia (she/her) is a senior reviews writer and analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she tests and writes about tech, home, travel, fitness, parenting and health products. Since joining GH in 2021, she has continued to leverage her extensive product reviews experience by staying on top of the industry’s latest innovations and helping readers make better buying decisions. Olivia is a graduate of the George Washington University, with a bachelor’s degree in journalism, political science and French, and she holds a master’s degree in communications from Sciences Po Paris.


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