As with any , there's something for all budgets; but of course, you want to make sure you're getting good bang for your buck. Or in this case, protection for your investment. There are certain things to look out for when considering what to buy. There are plenty of options that won't break the bank and will have you looking cooler than Neo in no time.
?
- Market rate: From $0 to infinity and beyond! Basically, if you want to spend $1000 on a pair of , someone will find a way to sell them to you for that price.
- The average range: Between $20 and $150. If you want corrective lenses too, then expect to add at least $100 to this price range.
- The right price: Between $30 and $70, without corrective additions.
, or blue light filtering (as they're also known) can cost anything from $15 at entry level on Amazon, all the way up to several hundreds of dollars. These are usually by "big" brands who think they can get away with adding a huge margin thanks to their brand appeal.
And sadly, they think it because they can....
But the fair price is the one that gives the best value for money while also providing a good degree of protection, comfort, and style. It's a fine balance and companies deserve to be paid what they're worth, without going overboard of course.
That's why we believe between 30 and 70 dollars is a really fair range. Here, you can find a number of superior , with a variety of characteristics you might be looking for.
And there are a few things you should consider. Some of which include a and ways to reduce eye fatigue.
Let's take a look.
Characteristics of good
Your is important. That's why a good pair of must meet several criteria, as well as look goooood.
Here are some things to consider when choosing your pair:
- 🔵 Do they filter ? And if yes, do they do it correctly?
- ☀️ Do they also filter UV?
- ✨ Are they equipped with anti-reflective lenses?
- 😀 Are they ergonomic and comfortable to wear?
- ✅ Is there any guarantee or warranty on the ?
- 🏭 Is the company that produces them highly recommended and reviewed?
While you might not find everything on the above list necessary, these are certainly all points you'll want to consider and fully understand before purchasing a pair of anti-.
We'll go into a little more depth on each of these points below.
1. Recommended filtration
This is the most important thing to consider. After all, if you're not looking at what they filter, what's the point in getting these ?
But here's where it can get confusing.
need to filter certain specific wavelengths of , not all. If they fail to specify what they are blocking, chances are it's the wrong kind.
Filtration can be split into three categories:
🔴 Total filtration (380 to 400 nanometers): This spectrum is the most dangerous and borders on UV. It's essential the you purchase promise to block 100% of these rays to avoid eye damage.
🟠 Strong filtration (400 to 430 nanometers): This is classed as the high-intensity part of the spectrum and emits a lot of energy, which is harmful in the long run. The more of these rays that can be blocked, the better it is.
🟡 Partial filtration (430 to 450 nanometers): This is the least powerful. The further away from UV on the spectrum is, the less harm it causes. Depending on your use or it's sometimes useful to block part of these rays to help prevent . But overall, it is far less important than the two filtration ranges mentioned above.
2.
Ultraviolet rays are even more powerful and dangerous than , and not just if you sit on a tanning bed for too long. They're actually also pretty damaging to your . And you won't get cool laser vision like Cyclops. Instead, you can expect these long-term dangerous side effects:
- AMD: Age related
- Eyelid skin cancer
- Sunburn on your corneas
- Age spots
- Growth of tissue on the surface of the eye
It therefore should go without saying that it's essential you have that's 100% integrated into your anti-, even if you're not in direct sunlight.
UVs hide everywhere, even indoors depending on the conditions. In fact, do you hear knocking...?
Pssst.... If you do spend a lot of time in the sunshine, check out our sunglasses, with 100% .
3. Anti-Reflective Lenses
Integrated into your glasses lenses, the anti-reflection allows you to have ultra-clear vision.
Reflections can be sneaky, and not in a creepy horror movie corner-of-your-eye type way. Instead, of terrifying you, they generate surprising visual fatigue. That's because your forcefully create the image in a way that your brain can understand.
This creates unpleasant or even painful additional tension and that can be easily avoided with anti-reflective lenses. An essential consideration when choosing your .
4. Ergonomics
Comfort is crucial. You're not going to wear the if they don't sit comfortably on your face, and look stylish while they do.
An unsuitable pair of will create painful pressure points on the nose and ears and could even obstruct your field of vision. Which would make them more pointless than house keys in Friends.
Check the size of the . If you're at the optometrists, it's pretty easy. Put them on your face.
Are they comfortable? Do they slip down your nose?
If you're happy you can go ahead and purchase! If you're buying online then make sure you check the brand's sizing guidelines and see if they have a virtual "try-on" feature or 3D tester.
And of course, to be extra sure you can exchange them if they arrive and you realize you've accidentally ordered a size big enough for the BFG, double-check their return and refund policy.
Make sure materials are suitable. It's important to see what materials are used. You don't want it to feel like you have miniature weights hanging off your face. It's also important to ensure they're compatible with your skin.
We recommend checking out with polycarbonate (ultra-, ultra-resistant and recyclable) frames. You can also choose frames made from steel as it has the ideal mechanical properties for making . And Terminators.
5. Warranties
If you're as clumsy with your as Velma then you want to make sure you have some sort of guarantee if they break. Whether that's two days from now or two years.
Any company that offers should also offer some sort of guarantee or standard warranty. If they don't then we advise you to be hesitant before buying them. Good quality should stand the test of time and always help reduce .
Horus X for example (that's us) offer a money-back and a lifetime guarantee on all our products - that's how confident we are.
6. The company behind the
The face behind the lenses... so to speak. Did your come straight out of a magical cave of wonders? Did they promise you ultimate comfort, protection and longevity all for $2.99?
In which case... we'd suggest being a bit wary.
In all seriousness, the brand and reputation of the company selling the is a good indicator of the quality of the product you'll receive.
Consider:
- What are their values?
- Do they bother to patent their technologies?
- Does the company want to improve their environmental impact, and take steps to do so? For example, by joining a green initiative like 1% for the planet.
These questions might not be directly related to the product, but companies that care about these things, care about the overall value and standard of the materials they're producing. Therefore, it's a pretty good bet their will be of good quality.
Our selection of the best , according to their price
Perhaps you're thinking, that's all very well, but actually if they are from reputable companies?
Well, here are our favorites. All the listed below meet the criteria set out above, and we also cover modifications for .
Check out their specifications to see which pair would best suit your lifestyle. You can trust us; we know what we're talking about.
The essentials: $35 or less
We've chosen our favorite two polycarbonate , ultra-, and ultra-resistant, for uncompromising protection.
Daily use version: The Stockholm
Not to toot our own horn, but these are the perfect anti- for the more casual user. Equipped with ghost technology from the world of gaming, they offer protection during regular daily use. They're a cool vintage style and with their low price point, it's hard to find a better option.
Gaming version: The Gaming One
Equipped with a more powerful filter on an aerodynamic , these gaming or are ideal for marathon players who need reinforced protection for long sessions in front of screens.
Clip-on version: The Shields
If you already wear low- and want to reinforce their existing protection these simple anti- lense clip-ons will fit snugly over your existing lenses. Depending on your needs and sensitivity you can choose between the more intense , or the all-day clear ones.
Professionals: $55 or less
Daily use version: The Ushuaia
A classic style revisited with a modern feel. These masterfully finished metal alloy round give character and style to your ensemble, while protecting your days from inside and out.
Gaming version: The Gaming Revolution
These are the evolved version of "The Gaming One" pair mentioned under our essentials list. Just as stylish, even more efficient. The Gaming Revolution offer ultra-thin temples for optimized headphone wearing for gamers and streamers. One of the best pairs of on the market, and for less than it costs to buy more cool skins in COD.
The overpriced: Over $70
Unless you need to improve your vision, rather than to block , there's no point going above the price point of $70. Unless the frames are made from solid gold, a cheaper pair of $70 or under will offer a comparable protection point, and stylish look, without breaking the bank.
That being said, in October this year, we're releasing a brand new model of anti- , specifically for pro gamers at $70 for top-of-the-range comfort, style, and protection. They'll have ultra-advanced components for digital screens and could give you that edge to win in League of Legends.
Other
The model above isn't coming to Horus X until 2023 and if you don't want to wait around we also recommend:
- Gunnar Optiks
- Barner
Although of course, we don't think they've got quite the same edge as us. Their filters aren't the most powerful but they are more advanced than average. We'd say "why wait?", but really, you should.
Price of : the final word
Buying is a long-term investment for more comfortable, less tiring and therefore more productive work. Plus, it has long-term health benefits and reduces .
If you have any concerns you can always consult an optician before purchasing, and check out the latest studies on .
Any other questions?
Comment below or send us a message on social media - let's chat!
