If you're looking for the ideal pair of sunglasses, you've come to the right place! We've put together a complete comparison to help you find THE pair that offers excellent UV protection without sacrificing style and quality.
Whether you're looking for a pair of sunglasses for sports or everyday use, we're here to help you find exactly what you need.
Why choose the best brand of sunglasses?
The role of sunglasses, in addition to being a fashion accessory, is to protect your eyes from the sun's rays, specifically ultraviolet rays. UV rays, while invisible to the naked eye, can cause damage to your skin and your precious peepers due to their very short wavelength.
In short, be aware that there are many dangers UV rays pose to your eyes: increased risk of cataracts, corneal damage, irritation, and other eye discomforts await if you neglect to use high-quality sunglass lenses.
💡 Good to know: The sun's UV rays are present even on cloudy days. So remember to always have your sunglasses with you when you go out!
Finally, know that your sunglasses are there to protect you from UV rays, but that's not all! They also help fight glare: you know, that oh-so-pleasant sensation of the sun in your eyes when you forgot your glasses in the hallway drawer? Well, that's what your sunglasses are for too: to stop squinting and finally be able to leave your house without being blinded.
Criteria to consider when choosing sunglasses
So yes, a pair of sunglasses isn't (just) for showing off; it's really for protecting your eyes from UV rays and glare! So, before heading to the checkout, remember to check and compare several points to be sure you choose your future sunglasses wisely.
🦸♂️ Protection Rating
The protection rating or category of sunglass lenses corresponds to the degree of light filtration and not, as is often believed, solely UV filtration.
There are 4 categories of sunglasses based on this criterion:
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☁ Category 0: sunlight filtration between 0 and 20%.
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⛅ Category 1: filtration from 20 to 57%.
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☀ Category 2: filters between 57 and 88% of sunlight.
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🌞Category 3: the most suitable for effectively protecting yourself from the sun on a daily basis, as this type of lens filters between 82 and 92% of sunlight.
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🏔 Category 4: glasses designed for use in very sunny conditions (seaside, mountains), forbidden for driving. These lenses filter up to 97% of sunlight.
👉 If you want our opinion, the best protection against daily sun rays is the one offered by category 3 sunglasses.
⚖ CE Standard and UV ray protection
Beyond the light filtration rating, we advise you to pay attention to the standards marked on the sunglasses. Indeed, the CE mark on the arms of your sunglasses guarantees 100% protection against UV rays, regardless of the lens category.
🔬 Lens Material
Did you know? There are several materials for sunglass lenses, and they all have different properties.
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Mineral glass: also called natural glass, this type of lens is made of sand and chemical elements. It is very fragile and only provides 85% UV protection.
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Organic lens: made of synthetic elements, it offers UV protection that can go up to 95%. Its downside: it scratches easily.
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Polycarbonate lens: the team's choice, unquestionably! This very lightweight type of lens filters up to 100% of UV rays, is very resistant, and if you get it treated against scratches, it will be PER-FECT.
🧪 Lens Type and Treatments
In addition to choosing the right material and the right category of lenses for your sunglasses, look also at the treatments that can be applied based on your needs.
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Anti-reflective coating: Improves comfort and helps reduce glare. This is, incidentally, one of the many strong points of our Horus X sunglasses!
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Anti-scratch coating: quite nice if you want to extend the life of your lenses. We remind you that a scratched lens cannot be repaired and will protect you much less effectively.
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Anti-fog and anti-smudge coatings: not essential but can be useful.
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Polarized lenses: this type of lens offers many advantages (especially in very sunny conditions, outdoor sports activities, or driving), but makes reading screens difficult.
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Photochromic lenses: also called transition lenses, these have the ability to darken based on the level of UV rays. If you want to switch to photochromic lenses to combine sunglasses and prescription glasses, it's better to try them on first, as their usage might not suit you. They change color too slowly to be effective in a car, but are very good for cycling trips in changing conditions, for example.
💡 Good to know: we have listed here only the lens treatments that are truly useful, not marketing arguments to push you to buy. You're welcome, it's our pleasure.
🌈 Sunglass Lens Color
You thought it was over? Not at all! Know that the color of your sunglass lenses can also be important:
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🌑 gray: for better color rendering, suitable for everyday use
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🟤 brown: for outdoor activities in very bright environments
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🟢 green: the perfect mix between the advantages of gray and brown lenses, for versatile everyday use
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🟡 yellow: useful for the perception of details, contrasts, and depth; they have the major advantage of being useful in cloudy weather
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🔵🟣 blue and purple: fight against glare in snow or rain, provide better perception of contours and colors.
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🔴 red and pink: (we are talking about sunglasses here, we see you coming) they allow for better perception of contrasts and depth in overcast weather. Little bonus: they improve visibility while driving and filter a small amount of blue light.
✨ What about mirrored effects?
This little detail that adds style to your glasses is designed to further filter the sun's rays and reduce glare. Be careful, however, to choose good mirrored lenses: a mark of quality is when the treatment is applied uniformly. Otherwise, keep looking.
🕶 The right frame choice for sunglasses
As you will have understood, the lens is the number one criterion for choosing your pair of sunglasses. But the frame can also be a factor!
The first criterion of choice is shape and size: opt for a pair of sunglasses suited to your face shape, so that they fit you perfectly.
Then comes the question of material: depending on your needs and tastes, it's also a detail you might want to dwell on. You will generally have the choice between:
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acetate: natural, hypoallergenic, but rather heavy
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metal: for style and discretion, but beware of allergy risks and overly heavy frames
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titanium: light and comfortable, thin and discreet design
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eco-friendly materials like wood or recyclable materials: well-tolerated by the skin, ecological, though a bit expensive
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and our little favorite, polycarbonate: resistant, light, recyclable, and inexpensive
💡 Good to know: if you are hesitant but can't get to a store, why not try your sunglasses online before making your choice? This feature is obviously available on the Horus X website and allows you to see which model suits you best!
The best lifestyle sunglasses
If you're looking for good sunglasses for everyday use, here is our selection!
Lifestyle sunglasses for women
Ray Ban Erika Classic
Lens material: polycarbonate
Category: 3
Lens color: green, brown, gray, purple depending on the model chosen
Available with polarization: yes
A timeless classic that doesn't need updating! Its strengths: anti-UV and anti-reflective protection thanks to its category 3 lenses, which can be polarized on certain models, a discreet and light frame that doesn't lack style.
Le Specs Armada (Havana color)
Lens material: polycarbonate
Category: 3
Lens color: gray
Available with polarization: no
Good value for money and a flawless look with its tortoiseshell frame! This pair of sunglasses combines a glamorous look with the UV400 protection of its dark category 3 lenses.
Horus X Ushuaïa Sun (Gold version)
Lens material: polycarbonate
Category: 3
Lens color: gray + bluish reflections
Available with polarization: yes, with X-Pol® sunglass lenses
This is obviously our favorite lifestyle sunglasses for women! Lightweight and comfortable, their round lenses give them a stylish look while protecting you 100% from UV rays, 96% from blue light, and also from glare thanks to the anti-reflective coating.
Lifestyle sunglasses for men
Oakley Holbrook
Lens material: polycarbonate
Category: 3
Lens color: available in gray, brown, red, yellow, green depending on the models
Available with polarization: yes, depending on the model chosen
A timeless piece available in many tints and finishes, perfect for everyday protection with its category 3 anti-UV lenses and shock-proof frame.
Polaroid PLD 1013/S
Lens material: polycarbonate
Category: 3
Lens color: gray
Available with polarization: yes
Careful, we're not talking about instant cameras here, but about sunglasses! The PLD 1013/S are a good compromise between quality and a low price, and we love their round, unisex, and versatile look. Important point: the category 3 anti-UV and anti-scratch lenses are polarized, which is worth noting for mid-range sunglasses.
Horus X Ushuaïa Sun (Silver version)
Lens material: polycarbonate
Category: 3
Lens color: gray + bluish reflections
Available with polarization: yes, with X-Pol® sunglass lenses
And here is our favorite pair of sunglasses again, but this time in the Silver Black version! The ideal combo of style, comfort, and performance (all that!) thanks to its protection against UV rays but also against blue light. We love them so much that we've guaranteed them for life, yes, indeed.
Children's sunglasses for daily protection
We can never say it enough, but protecting eyes from a young age is es-sen-tial! And that includes wearing sunglasses adapted to their age.
Izipizi Sun
Lens material: polycarbonate
Category: 3
Lens color: gray or blue
Available with polarization: yes, on certain models
This French brand offers category 3 sunglasses for children from birth to 10 years old. The Sun model comes in several versions depending on your little one's age, with the advantage of an adjustable silicone headband to keep the Sun Baby glasses on the heads of children under one year old.
Julbo Line
Lens material: polycarbonate
Category: 3
Lens color: red, green, blue or red
Available with polarization: no, but mirror effect treatment on some models
Designed to protect the eyes of children aged 4 to 8, these versatile sunglasses will follow them on all their adventures.
Best sports sunglasses
Need sunglasses for outdoor sports activities? We've got what you need: pairs that combine comfort and protection to help you reach your goals!
Sports sunglasses for women
Oakley Feedback
Lens material: polycarbonate
Category: 3
Lens color: blue, brown, gray
Available with polarization: yes
A great classic from one of the best brands of sports sunglasses for women, the Oakley Feedback combines lightness, protection, and comfort.
Cébé S'TRACK M 2.0
Lens material: polycarbonate
Category: 3
Lens color: gray, purple, transparent
Available with polarization: yes, depending on the models
The French brand Cébé offers the S'TRACK M 2.0, glasses designed for comfort and foolproof stability thanks to their adjustable nose pads and non-slip temples. The lenses can be polarized or photochromic depending on the model chosen and all feature anti-scratch and anti-fog coatings.
Sport sunglasses for men
Julbo Aero
Lens material: polycarbonate or Trivex depending on the model chosen
Category: 3
Lens color: gray, brown, red, blue, or transparent
Available with polarization: no, but mirror effect available on some models
A model highly appreciated by runners for its lightness and aerodynamics (hence the name), Julbo Aero sport sunglasses offer category 3 protection, either with mirror-effect lenses or photochromic lenses that adapt to light conditions.
Oakley Cables
Lens material: polycarbonate
Category: 3
Lens color: gray, brown, red, purple, blue
Available with polarization: yes, depending on the model
If you're looking for versatile and sturdy sport sunglasses for men, we recommend you take a look at this Oakley classic, available in a wide range of lens colors (polarized or not) and frames. A little extra: they can be fitted with prescription lenses.
Sport sunglasses for children
Julbo loop
Lens material: polycarbonate
Lens color: gray
Available with polarization: no, but anti-reflective mirror-effect treatment
The big sister to the Julbo Looping model (the number 1 baby sunglasses on the market), the Loop has nothing to envy! Comfortable, lightweight, and equipped with category 4 anti-UV and anti-reflective lenses, it comes in 3 versions based on the child's age: S from 0 to 18 months, M from 1 to 3 years, and L from 3 to 5 years.
Cébé Avatar
Lens material: polycarbonate
Lens color: gray, red, blue, or green
Available with polarization: no, but anti-reflective mirror-effect treatment
For older kids aged 6 to 10, the Avatar model from Cébé has the advantage of protecting against UV, glare, and blue light thanks to its category 3 mirror-effect lenses. A small detail that makes a difference when you know kids: the lenses are also treated against scratches for a longer lifespan!
The best sunglasses for specific activities
Here, we are mainly going to focus on sunglasses best suited for activities in very sunny environments, which provide effective protection against the sun, UV rays, and glare, as well as good contrast perception and foolproof comfort.
This type of eyewear is made for you if you practice activities like mountaineering, winter sports, or water sports. And at the opposite end of this sporting spectrum, we have also chosen glasses for enjoying screens in the sun.
The team's recommendations:
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🧗♂️ for mountaineering: the Julbo (them again!) Shield sunglasses, to be chosen with category 4 Spectron or category 2 to 4 photochromic polarized Reactiv lenses. You can also look at the Bollé Adventurer or the Cébé Everest, both of which are category 4.
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🎿 for skiing: nothing beats a goggle, but if you still want ski sunglasses, the pairs mentioned above may suit you. Also test the Smith Optics Flywheel, which have the advantage of offering the same protection as the brand's ski goggles.
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🚤 for water sports: the Bollé Haulman or Breckman with their category 3 polarized lenses as well as the Julbo Montebianco or Camino (category 4 anti-reflective lenses) will effectively protect you from both UV and glare.
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💻 for enjoying screens in the great outdoors: because exercising is good, but sometimes you just want to chill on the beach while looking at your phone. And to combine screens and sun, nothing is better than our own Horus X sunglasses with Darkmatter® lenses, the only sunglasses designed to protect against both the sun and blue light.
The best sunglasses for driving
As you have seen in this selection, not all sunglasses are equal, and your choice will depend on how you use them: whether they are versatile, for everyday wear, for sports, or for specific activities. When you are on the road, the most important thing is to choose a pair that effectively protects against glare, with brown or gray lenses, and preferably polarized, like our One Sun or Stockholm Sun sunglasses.
Finally, for driving, avoid wearing category 4 sunglasses or photochromic sunglasses, as they are not suitable for this use.
Final word: the best sunglasses
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When it comes to sunglasses, important criteria for choice include the protection category (ideally category 3, the most versatile), CE and UV400 standards, the type of lenses and frame, and the intended use.
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You won't need the same sunglasses for daily use, exercising, driving, or practicing a specific activity (in the mountains or at sea, for example).
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For everyday sunglasses, we recommend our unisex Ushuaïa Sun sunglasses, which protect you from UV rays, glare, and blue light with style.
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If you play sports, we recommend the Oakley Cables or Feedback, the Cébé S'TRACK M 2.0, or the Julbo Aero. It all depends on your tastes and activity: you might need photochromic glasses if light levels vary.
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For children, take a look at sunglasses brands like Julbo, Cébé, or Izipizi, which offer pairs suitable from birth to 10 years and even older.
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Finally, if you are looking for sunglasses for driving, opt for category 3 anti-UV sunglasses like the Horus X One Sun or the Horus X Stockholm Sun. (Quick self-promo, but they deserve it!)
