Whether you’re working on a job site, or on a project at home, wearing protective eyewear can help prevent an eye injury. But with an abundance of options, it can be overwhelming if you’re unsure of what to look for. Fortunately, we’ve put together a list of the best safety glasses the market has to offer.
When putting together the list, we considered characteristics like ANSI standards and wearability. Rest assured, any of the following will provide excellent eye protection while you’re on the job:
The Best Safety Glasses:
Wiley X Saber Advanced provide everything you could possibly want. And they deliver it in a no-fuss design. The wraparound silhouette has inward-curving temples to ensure superior grip, comfort, and protection.
But where these glasses really shine is in their impact-resistant lenses. The shatterproof polycarbonate lenses meet the MIL-PRF-32432(GL) ballistic standards. This means your eyes are protected from whatever comes their way.
Besides being tough, the lenses can accommodate both single-vision and multifocal prescriptions. These prescription lenses come in varying tints that you can interchange to adapt to various environments. They also come with anti-fog and scratch-resistant coating to keep vision unobstructed.
It feels like Wylie considered every user aspect when designing these. For this reason, they’re our pick for best overall prescription safety glasses.
Safety sunglasses can protect from eye injuries and potentially harmful UV rays. While that may sound like a tall order, Black Flys Fly Jefe Z87 safety sunglasses fit the bill, making them our pick for best safety sunglasses.
The trendy oversized frames with added side shields offer plenty of coverage across the eye area and sides of the face. Lenses come in a variety of colors, including mirrored lenses, which help reflect intense light.
Certain color options also have polarized lenses that help reduce glare. If you want eye safety, sun protection, and a statement piece, you can’t go wrong with Black Flys Fly Jefe Z87.
If you’re looking for safety glasses that can double as a pair of progressive eyeglasses, the WX Judge prescription glasses by Wiley X WorkSight are for you. They have a classically cool Wayfarer-style frame with removable side shields that meet ANSI Z87.1 standards.
The side shields make these into OSHA-compliant safety glasses at work. But once you’re off the clock, you can remove the shields and have a sturdy pair of regular glasses. There are many different lens options, including polarized, anti-fog, and blue light-filtering lenses.
Any of these options can be made into single vision or progressive lenses, making them our pick for best progressive safety glasses.
Safety glasses that slip down your nose are an unnecessary obstacle when you’re working. The Fly Ballistics 2 / safety sunglasses from Black Flys stay put on particularly sweaty days. This earned them the spot as best men’s safety glasses.
The no-nonsense frames have an oval profile for a sophisticated look and wirecore temples that adjust for a comfortable fit. Frame arm tips are designed wide for added comfort and stability behind the ears.
If you’re looking for tried and true protective eyewear that meet ANSI Z87.1 standards, the Fly Ballistics 2 from Black Flys have you covered.
When shopping for safety goggles or glasses, there are some key features to look for to secure the highest level of safety. Lens details, like color and material makeup, are important for protecting the eyes themselves.
Frame coverage and fit make sure the area surrounding your eyes is protected. It also guarantees you’re comfortable when wearing your safety eyewear.
One critical characteristic of safety glasses is their lens durability. What influences the durability of a lens is the materials used to make it. While Trivex and polycarbonate lenses are some of the most durable options on the market, they can be expensive. Plus, they aren’t actually required for safety glasses to meet ANSI standards.
ANSI, which stands for The American National Standards Institute, creates the requirements for protective eyewear. To meet the standards, the eyewear goes through a series of tests that reflect common hazards within the workplace.
Many safety glasses can meet ANSI standards with lenses made of durable plastic. This is usually more affordable than a Trivex or polycarbonate lens option. Regardless of your lens preference, be sure your protective eyewear is ANSI compliant to ensure your eyes are safe.
The whole point of safety eyewear is to create a barrier between hazardous materials and your eyes. For this reason, it’s important to make sure your protective eyewear offers generous coverage around your eye area.
Wraparound styles are handy in this area, as they protect from many angles, including your peripherals. When shopping for protective eyewear, make sure they cover your eyes and face without obstructing your vision.
While eye protection is important, it’s equally important for you to be able to see what you’re doing. This is why lens colors and coatings are important.
If you do most of your work indoors with harsh fluorescent lighting, clear lenses with anti-reflective coating may benefit you. People who do most of their labor outdoors should invest in darker lenses with 100% UV protection. In some cases, mirrored lenses may be needed to help reflect intensely bright light.
Most importantly, people who need vision correction should either get a pair of prescription safety glasses. It's also possible to find protective eyewear that will fit over prescription eyewear. Before investing in protective eyewear, understand your work environment and focus your search on those that accommodate it.
Just like with other types of eyewear, safety glasses are not a one-size-fits-all solution. When it comes to frame fit, there are four boxes that a proper pair must check:
Don’t forget to incorporate a little bit of your personality into the protective eyewear you choose and make them your own. It’s possible to protect your eyes with quality safety glasses while also reflecting your individuality and personal style.
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