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We tested more than 21 pairs of cheap sunglasses for when you're not quite ready to drop triple digits on your shades but still want a sweet pair of sunnies
Credit: Justin Simoni
By Justin Simoni ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ Updated May 15, 2026
Some of us are prone to losing or breaking our shades, and others just don't want to fork over tons of cash for a premium pair. So, the question becomes: can you achieve stylish eye protection without coughing up the big bucks? The answer is yes.
Our go-to budget sunglasses are the Zenottic Phillip. A high quality frame and polarized lenses with a anti-scratch coating make these shades really stand out. We also think they look pretty great.
If you're looking to stretch your dollar even further, our favorite ultra-budget options are the Sungait Polarized Rectangular. They offer incredible value without sacrificing performance.
We tested dozens of pairs of the best cheap sunglasses around and then picked up the top sellers among them for a deep evaluation. We tested these sunnies in all kinds of lighting, from intense road glare on long trips to the direct hit of the setting sun on alpine slopes, backcountry trails, and breweries downtown.
Editor's Note: We updated this review on May 15th, 2026, adding products from Knockraround, Feidusun, Zenottic, and more.
Quick Picks
Here's a quick list of our favorite Cheap Sunglasses recommendations.
The Zenottic Philip's are the best pair of budget sunglasses. They offer exceptional comfort, sun blocking, and visibility. Their frame easily bends instead of breaking. After pressure is removed, they bounce back to their original shape, while others can bend and break. The spring hinges collapse the temples for storage with a satisfying “click” and keep them in place, avoiding damage. “I particularly loved the textured finish on the top of the frames, which gives it a distinctive look”, notes our tester. These lenses are also prescription-compatible, making them worth the investment if you're looking for a budget pair of corrective shades. Finally, the lenses that come with the Zenottic's are both polarized and have an anti-scratch coating.
The Zenottics are larger sunglasses than many of the other pairs found in our lineup, so if you have a smaller face, you may want to look at other comparable pairs if you don't like an oversized look. (For smaller faces, the Knockaround Fast Lanes are another solid choice with a better fit. The Fast Lanes are also prescription compatible and feature a more timeless design that draws on Mid-Century Modernism.) While the Zenottics are pretty scratch-resistant, they're not completely bulletproof. For unbeatable durability, you'll need to increase your budget. But, if you're looking for the most durable, comfortable, and sun-blocking pair of shades, the Zenottics are the way to go.
The Zenottic Philip have great coverage and can be worn from the town to the trail. Credit: Justin Simoni
The Zenottic Philip displayed some of the highest quality polarized lenses of any of the sunglasses we tested, with a smooth, dark gray tint with an anti-scratch coating. Credit: Justin Simoni
While most of the sunglasses in this category are made of polycarbonate/plastic, the Sungait Polarized Rectangular stand out by being made of almost all aluminum. The metal frame gives these shades a different look and feel from most other sunnies in the bunch. If standing out from the crowd appeals to you, these shades will likely spark your interest more than many others. They are also surprisingly affordable, even compared to others in this budget-conscious category, making them extra appealing. Features like spring hinges and adjustable nose pads are not universally found on inexpensive shades, but you'll find them on the Sungait Rectangulars, helping to dial in their fit for those who want something customizable. Their lens quality is also near the top of our list, with excellent polarization and little noticeable visual distortion. Our lead tester quickly relayed his findings: "I wouldn't have imagined such an affordable pair of sunglasses could pack so many features — talk about a sleeper hit!"
The Sungait Polarized are best enjoyed by those with larger faces. Temple to temple, they measure wider than most. You'll also want to wear these pretty close to your face, as the lack of coverage can some light can leak in through the sides. Wind can also get through these and into your eyes, so we don't recommend them for road biking. But, they're a great budget pair to bring along to a cafe or out on the town.
The Sungait demonstrated excellent-quality polarized lenses. Credit: Justin Simoni
The Knockaround Fast Lanes are a high-quality, classic pair of shades that can accompany you for any occasion and never go out of style. These feature a sleek and lightweight frame, strong hinges, and impressive polarized lenses. What we enjoy most about these sunglasses is their unique take on a timeless style that's been working for people of all ages and genders for decades. “The Fast Lanes help me channel my inner classic 60's movie star! They look great paired with any look,” said our lead tester. The lightweight, 24-gram frames also feel almost weightless when worn. If you're like us, you may even momentarily lose them before you realize they're just resting on top of your head. They're also prescription-compatible and make a fine pair of corrective sunnies without completely breaking the bank.
If you have a smaller face, these shades—however cool-looking and high quality—may not be exactly what you're looking for. We also wouldn't recommend these as activewear sunglasses, as they lack any grippy material and don't hold onto the face well when jumping or running. But, if you're looking for a lightweight, stylish pair of sunnies to shield your eyes from UV rays, these are a great option.
The Fast Lanes are stylish and offer a good amount of coverage. Credit: Justin Simoni
If you're tired of cheap sunglasses with subpar coverage that let light and wind in, then we recommend the Suncloud Mayor, which have exceptional coverage and UV blocking. These shades have just enough of a wrap to hug close to your face without looking like goggles, as some sporty models do. All our testers felt very protected wearing these glasses. One tester notes, “These feel lightweight when worn, even on a midsummer run; they sat on my face comfortably, without bouncing all over the place.”
The Mayor is on the narrow side of the glasses we tested, with a medium-small fit. That said, our wider-faced testers didn't find them uncomfortable to wear — they just preferred a more proportional look. On the style spectrum, the Mayor sunglasses definitely fall on the sportier end, though not to the degree that we couldn't pair them with a nice sundress or a collared shirt. One tester commented, “I have a rounder face, so these squared-off shades work well for me, no matter the setting.” The bottom line is that we love wearing these specs for long days in the sun when full coverage matters.
The Suncloud Mayor sit close to your face, with wide lenses and just enough curvature to provide excellent coverage. Credit: Maggie Brandenburg
The lightweight Sunski Yuba offers a more stylish than sporty look, but with a versatile performance, we found ourselves loving. Their lenses have good clarity and contrast and are pleasant to look through and wear. Though they're a touch on the small side, they quickly became a well-loved pair for those they fit. They stand pleasantly away from most faces and are one of the more comfortable pairs in this lineup for folks with small to average-sized heads. The thin but sturdy frames come in a decent variety of colors, allowing you to match your vibe. “I love the classic looks of these; they make me feel like an extra in a film set in the '60s,” said one of our testers when describing her experience in the Yubas.
Since the Sunski Yubas don't touch the face much, sunlight can sneak in through the extra room around the edges. Compounding that issue, the backs of the lenses are quite reflective. One tester jokingly commented, “There were times when I could clearly see my own eyeballs looking back at me.” If glare is a concern and coverage is your top priority, you may want to go all the way with the Suncloud Mayor. Folks with larger heads should consider other options, as the Yuba runs too small to be comfortable. But for those comfortable in a small to medium frame, we think many will like the added style they bring and their solid all-around performance.
Many of our testers love the look and lightweight feel of the Yuba. Credit: Maggie Brandenburg
Aviators are classically stylish sunglasses, and the Tifosi Shwae are our favorite pair when on a budget. “These are cool shades that have a great mirrored finish, and I love the shape,” tester Maggie Nichols reports. The lenses are pretty good, with a slight rosy tint to their brown shade. The Shwae also has numerous small hidden features that put them a step above the other aviators we've tested, like nose pads in sturdy metal plates and texturized rubber grips at the backs of the bows to hold them to your face rather than brittle arms that get stuck in your hair.
The nose pad plates on the Tifosi Shwae are not particularly adjustable, so try them on for comfort before committing. Also, the lenses aren't ideal in lower light conditions, and some back reflections can occur, making them challenging in certain bright situations. The flattened, open aviator design also lowers overall coverage in all the ways you would expect. But ultimately, when we want inexpensive aviators, it's the Tifosi Shwae we reach for. “I can't help but quote Top Gun when I put these on, to the chagrin of everyone I'm hanging out with,” says one of our reviewers.
Diggin' the style of the Shwae. Credit: Maggie Brandenburg
Product Comparison Table
After testing hundreds of sunglasses over the years ranging from $15 to $200+, we're happy to report that most sunglasses, regardless of the price, have great UV blocking abilities. Credit: Justin Simoni
How We Tested
We quite literally hunted through hundreds of cheap sunglasses to find the best budget-friendly models to buy and test. Once they were in our hands, we wore them practically non-stop, taking them on vacations and up mountains. We drove long distances and spent afternoons doing yard work, enlisting the help of our friends, family, and colleagues to test and rate these cheap sunnies.
We rated these affordable sunnies across five different testing metrics:
Lens Quality (30% of overall score weighting)
Comfort (25% weighting)
Style and Versatility (20% weighting)
Frame Quality (15% weighting)
Coverage (10% weighting)
Why Trust GearLab
Our test team for these budget sunnies includes Maggie Nichols and Justin Simoni, aided by outside consultant, Bradley Nichols.
Justin lives and breathes the high mountains of Colorado, home to some of the most intense rays found in the lower 48. Marathon days hiking the CT, CDT, and the spine of any appealing mountain range is Simoni's calling card, always with a pair of sunnies in hand. Not only is he a sunglasses enthusiast, but Simoni also devotes inordinate amounts of time to investigating the best ultralight backpacking equipment and other sun-protective gear, like sun shirts.
Bradley has been an outdoor adventurer for most of his life, living and recreating around sunny Tahoe and the intense sun of the northern Nevada desert. From summer hiking to winter skiing, Brad always looks for the best sunglasses to protect his eyes.
Maggie has been a backcountry guide for over 15 years in some of the brightest areas of the planet. Maggie has done everything from exploring the Galapagos and paddling the Virgin Islands to backpacking the Sierra Nevadas and dog-sledding the North Pole. She's a self-described “glasses junkie” who's been wearing glasses since she was 4 years old and has a lot of demands for her eyewear.
We've been testing sunglasses for years, exposing them to different lighting conditions and visual obstacles, to determine which ones are worth the dough.
Analysis and Test Results
Just about any pair of cheap sunglasses will sit on your face, but if you're here, we assume you want to know that your money is well-invested in what you buy. We put all the models in this lineup through rigorous side-by-side testing to tease apart their performances across five metrics. Below, we break those scores down and get nitty-gritty with the details.
Worse Value
Better Value
What's the Best Value?
The Sungait Polarized Rectangulars are some of the most unique frames in our lineup. Their polarized, amber tinted lenses effectively block UV rays and have little to no distortion. They are made primarily of metal and have features like spring hinges and adjustable nose pads that are curiously missing from much of the competition. For the price, these are an awesome deal.
The Sungait Polarized look great and effectively block sun rays at a super affordable price. Credit: Justin Simoni
Lens Quality
Having bad lenses is the number one way to hate your sunglasses. And just because you need some cheap sunglasses doesn't mean you have to sacrifice your vision. We took this testing seriously, looking into all the specifications each pair claimed and testing them side-by-side to see how well they performed. We checked their tint, color, and clarity, and we wore them in all kinds of challenging lighting conditions. We noted details like the reflections on the backs of the lenses and how comfortable they kept our eyes for hours in the bright sun.
While all lenses in the lineup are made of some form of plastic, there are clear distinctions in how they perform. One of the best lenses we tested is on the Knockaround Paso Robles. It has easy-to-wear amber lenses that increase contrast without making things look psychedelic. They're polarized, very clear, and work well in most lighting conditions. The Sungait Polarized Rectangular surprised us with its lenses' quality and soothing brown shade. The Merry's Polarized Aluminum features wide coverage and gray-tinted lenses with consistent quality throughout.
The Knockaround Paso Robles have an amber lens for increased contrast, which makes surroundings look more detailed and sharp in outdoor settings. Credit: Justin Simoni
The Suncloud Mayor also features high-performing lenses. Their polarization isn't entirely consistent, but their clarity is above average, and they're comfortable to wear in bright and lower light conditions. The Sunski Shoreline also features high-quality lenses, especially for the price. Our pair has an amber tint, which is great for those exposed to a lot of blue light. They also sharpen the details of your surroundings.
We were delighted by the Sunski Shoreline's quality recycled plastic frames and excellent lens clarity. Credit: Justin Simoni
The Le Specs Armada are slightly more particular but do well if you like their lens strategy. These blue-ish purple-y lenses have an intense gradient that leaves the bottom of the lenses relatively light while protecting from top-down rays. They're not polarized but still work well in medium to bright light.
The Le Specs Armada lenses are a pleasant purpley-blue, with a very top-heavy gradient that works well in bright light. Credit: Maggie Brandenburg
The Tifosi Swank also has good lenses, with great clarity and just minor reflections off their backs. They work well in versatile lighting conditions, and the brown lenses we tested offer just a touch of color enhancement. Both the Tifosi Shwae and the Sojos Round Vintage also perform well when it comes to lens color and clarity, with just an average amount of back-lens reflection.
The Sunski Dipseas aren't a bad choice either. Though we've tested several pairs of these over the years, and not every lens color is our favorite, the most recent brown lenses we tested are polarized and have good clarity, even if they are a little light for very bright conditions. The J + S Classic Aviator has average lenses that do just fine in most situations, although they don't rise to the surface as particularly impressive.
The Kaliyadi Polarized Mirror Lens 3 pack look fun and fresh—and may just be perfect to have on hand for an impromptu Frisbee game on a sunny day. Credit: Justin Simoni
The lenses in the Zenottic Philip have a darker tint with polarization that effectively blocks UV and harsh rays that would hurt your eyes. They're one of the few lenses that are marketed as having an anti-scratch coating—a rarity for less expensive shades. The Knockaround Fast Lanes have lenses that rival many of the better lenses in our lineup, while their total area gives excellent coverage.
The Zenottic's reduce a significant amount of glare. Credit: Justin Simoni
Some of the most inexpensive sunglasses also show the worst lens distortion. The Kaliyadi Polarized Mirror Lens 3 pack can be had for a song, but the quality of these lenses leaves a lot to be desired. We found their polarization could be a little uneven, the lenses in some cases popped out easily, and image distortion proved quite obvious. This super cheap multi-pack might be a great option if you like to keep emergency backup sunglasses on hand in a glove compartment or for lending out.
The Kaliyadi Polarized Mirror Lens 3 are a fun and ridiculously cheap, but their lens quality are leagues behind other options. Credit: Justin Simoni
We think the Vanlinker Retro Square Aviator lenses also demonstrated poor optics when we viewed them sandwiched between two polarized lenses. This kind of quality can lead to eye strain and even headaches when worn for prolonged periods.
The Vanlinker Retro Square Aviator illustrates what significant lens distortion can look like. This is revealed by sandwiching the sunglasses between two polarized lenses, which allow us to see the ways the plastic lenses can warp what you see in front of you. Credit: Justin Simoni
Comfort
Cheap sunglasses don't have to be uncomfortable. Our full panel of testers judged how comfortable each pair was to wear over long stretches. We noted where each pair touched our faces and if they were tight on certain face shapes or head sizes. We checked adjustability where applicable and considered any additional features like rubber cushioning and nose pads. We gauged whether they felt heavy, imbalanced, or squeezed any of our testers over several hours of wear.
The Merry's Polarized and Knockaround Paso Robles are also relatively comfortable in a familiar way. The Knockarounds are a touch narrower than we expected based on their advertised medium size, but still, they provide a cozy, snug fit. The Merry's pair fit easily, though their lenses are larger than most, which makes them somewhat front-heavy. However, this was only noticeable when we were overly active, and they would slide down a sweaty nose.
The adjustable nose pads and spring hinges make the Sungait Polarized extra comfortable. Credit: Justin Simoni
The Sungait Polarized Rectangular had more comfort features than most others we've tested. Adjustable nose pads and spring hinges aid in tuning these sunglasses to your own visage.
The Suncloud Mayor and the Sunski Dipseas are both more comfortable than average. The Mayor runs a bit smaller than average, and we found that frame most comfortable on medium to narrow heads. The Dipseas are also a bit narrow but have flexible plastic frames, making them more adaptable. Skinny bows can add pressure points on wider faces, but our testing team didn't find this an issue.
The Sunski Shoreline stay in place well, even when moving quickly around chasing discs. Credit: Justin Simoni
Flexible temples make the Sunski Shoreline quite comfortable, even if your face is a little larger than the frames are designed for. If you have a smaller face, the Sunski Yuba also works well, feeling feathery-light on the bridge of your nose.
The Tifosi Swank has a similar fit to the Mayor, with a shape trending toward the wraparound style. The Swank has embedded nose pads that most of our testers like, but the frames generally felt tighter over the temples than many others, which can create pressure points with long-term wear.
The Dipseas flexible frames help them to stay comfortable on more faces despite their narrower width. Credit: Maggie Nichols
Despite being exceptionally oversized, the Sojos Round Vintage are surprisingly well-balanced and fit more securely than we expected from such a front-heavy pair of shades. However, their metal bow ends sometimes scraped our faces as we put them on and took them off. The Sungait Designer Gradient and Wowsun Polarized Gradient are all rather similar in their fit, working well for most wearers of average head size. The bows don't squeeze too much, and the front-heavy frames are reasonably balanced. The J + S Classic Aviator is also reasonably comfortable for most, with adjustable nose pads and a looser fit that doesn't constrict.
For narrower faces, the Suncloud Mayor are rather comfortable. Credit: Maggie Brandenburg
Style and Versatility
There's no single style that everyone will love, so this is inherently a subjective metric. We did our best to identify trends and highly loved models across our testing panel to capture a somewhat objective assessment that might apply to all wearers. Some glasses truly seemed to look good on just about everyone, while others had more specific styles, fans, or uses. We also considered the versatility of all these sunglasses across activities. Do they work just as well for a backyard barbecue as on an all-day hike, or do they become slick and sweaty, falling down your nose?
If you're looking for new sunnies mostly for fashion reasons, grab a pair of the SOJOS Retro Aviators. Their lightweight tint allows them to be worn at night while you're painting the town red, and the rectangular, boxy look is striking in a world of wraparounds. Their aesthetic is going to affect their versatility, however. These aren't the shades you'll want to grab for all-day wear in the snowy Alps unless you keep to the brasserie in the center of town.
If you don't want to hide your beautiful eyes under dark shades, grab the SOJOS Retro Aviators to complement your look. Credit: Justin Simoni
The Merry's Polarized and Le Specs Armada impressed us with their unassuming yet elevated look. Our entire testing panel liked both pairs' fit and easy integration into numerous outfits and destinations. The Sunski Yuba are also rather fashionable but more on the spectrum of activewear glasses. They're a tad small, so not all our testers liked how they looked in them, but for those who fit, the Yuba adds some flair. Likewise, the Sunski Shoreline is sized a bit small, yet proved excellent for both playing on the beach and lounging around afterward.
We're big fans of the look, feel, and price of the Merry's Polarized Aluminum. Credit: Maggie Brandenburg
The Sunski Dipseas are very similar in appearance to the Yuba, with a keyhole bridge, round lenses, and narrow bows. The Dipseas lenses are slightly more circular, while the Yuba have straighter sides — both appealed to just about everyone on our testing team. The Goodr OGs are available in over 50 different colors, patterns, and lens options, making it easy to find a combination you like. The Tifosi Swank offers a slightly sportier — but still versatile — look in a few dozen colors with plenty of options.
The classic wayfarer style is one of our favorites for its timeless appearance, which pairs well with any outing. The Knockaround Paso Robles have a slightly smaller fit and more rounded edges, while the Knockaround Fast Lanes have larger lenses and slender frames.
The Knockaround Fast Lanes are perfect for looking (and keeping) cool while people watching at the local cafe. Credit: Justin Simoni
Both Knockarounds come in an impressive variety of colorways. The Feidusun Polarized have thick, bold temples and a more substantial frame.
The styling of the Feidusun Polarized are classic for a reason: they look great on anyone who wears them. Credit: Justin Simoni
The Vanlinker Retro Square Aviator is one of the most fashion-forward sunglasses in our lineup, with a lightly tinted frame that lets you wear them indoors or outdoors, best for complementing a vintage Las Vegas look or cosplaying as your favorite Martin Scorcesse gangster. We couldn't help passing them around at parties and exclaiming: "Where's my money, Tony?!"
The Vanlinker Retro Square Aviator have a fun, distinctive look. Credit: Justin Simoni
The Kaliyadi Classic Aviator, Kaliyadi Classic Aviator, and Tifosi Shwae are all classic, stylish aviators, with their drooping lenses and wired frames. The Shwae is fully mirrored lenses with tortoise shell covers on the bow ends.
If you're going for a “Top Gun” look, the Kaliyadi Classic Aviator's will deliver. Credit: Justin Simoni
The Suncloud Mayor is appealing to active folks, with a slight wrap and mirrored lenses. The Zenottic Philip also walks a fine line between something you could wear on a run or a bike ride and also running errands around town.
The Goodr OGs come in so many patterns and colors and lens styles that it's easy to find some to suit your style. Credit: Maggie Nichols
Frame Quality
A good pair of frames can help your shades last for years of adventures. We assessed frame quality by prodding, pulling, twisting, and generally wearing these glasses across all types of activities. We researched their construction materials, monitored them for scratches, and noticed if the hinges or lenses became loose. We also scoured the internet to review common complaints from buyers and tested each of these pairs of cheap sunglasses for those potential pitfalls.
Topping the charts here are the Sunski Yuba, Dipseas, and Shoreline with thin yet flexible frames. These sunnies have resisted breaking, warping, uneven hinge wear, and even most scratches over the years we've been wearing them. They seem flimsy initially, but we quickly discovered how sturdy these recycled frames are. The one complaint we have about the Dipseas frames is that the translucent colors sometimes catch the sun at an odd angle, creating a painfully bright glare beneath the lenses. This didn't happen often, but it's one caveat to an otherwise great frame. The semi-opaque finish Shorelines ensured this pair of Sunskis didn't experience similar issues, no matter the sun's angle.
The Sunski Yuba frames proved themselves worthy of every adventure we took them on. Credit: Maggie Brandenburg
The Zenottic Philip's plastic frames are confidently bendy, springing back to their original shape. The hinges are spring and satisfyingly flick down, locking in place. The patterned surface on the top half of the frame is a nice design detail.
The textured surface pattern looks almost screen printed on, but is actually a part of the lens mold, offering a grippy texture and unique style element. Credit: Justin Simoni
The spring hinges on the Zenottic are very bendy, but snap shut and stay put once collapsed. The frames themselves are made of a tough material that's pliable rather than stiff. Credit: Justin Simoni
The Knockaround Paso Robles and Suncloud Mayor both have pretty sturdy designs, too, with solid plastic frames and no obvious manufacturing flaws or weak points. The Tifosi Swank is built sturdily with solid-feeling plastic components and embedded nose pads in the frame. They're also among the few models in this lineup with autolocking hinges that “snap” into place when you open them.
The Tifosi Swank have autolocking hinges that make them easier to put on and take off one handed. Credit: Maggie Nichols
Several other models performed decently, even if they have components or aspects that cause us to worry about their long-term performance. The Le Specs Armada has a solid plastic frame, but the hinges continued to wear unevenly throughout our testing — a minor annoyance. The Merry's Polarized are similar, with unevenly loosening hinges and thin metal bows. The Sungait Polarized Rectangular features a very sturdy all-metal frame, but we worry that adjusting the nose pads too often will fatigue them. The spring hinges are a highlight, but forcing them to bend perpendicular to the hinge's pin may lead to the temple breaking off since the metal parts are so rigid.
The Sungait Polarized Rectangular all-metal frame certainly stays on your face when you're monkey-ing around! Credit: Justin Simoni
The SOJOS Retro Aviators have a time-tested, sturdy double-bridge design, with lenses that resist popping out. They're slightly thin in the temples near the hinge, but the partially metal design may actually help take away pressure from the hinge itself, a design we thought clever.
The Knockaround Paso Robles seem to live up to their name when it comes to frame quality. Credit: Maggie Nichols
Coverage
We first evaluated coverage by looking at the obvious factors, such as the base curve of each pair of sunglasses and their overall lens size. We then went further, asking our range of testers to wear each pair and point out gaps and any flaws they saw in the coverage of each pair. As everyone wears their glasses slightly differently and we all have faces of different shapes and sizes, coverage can vary between wearers. We noted where we found trends and glaring issues in any given pair.
The Suncloud Mayors blow the rest of these glasses out of the water when it comes to coverage. Despite their narrower fit, the Mayor has oversized lenses and a base curve that hugs the face, leaving less room around the edges for light to sneak in. No other cheap sunglasses we tested came close to matching the coverage of the Mayor. The next closest is the Le Specs Armada. Their oversized lenses help block more light, and they're comfortable to wear closer to the face, although they are much flatter than the Mayors.
The Suncloud Mayor provides great coverage. Credit: Maggie Brandenburg
The Sunski Yuba and Sunski Shoreline both have larger lenses that provide above-average coverage when worn close to the face. The Tifosi Swanks have a curved fit and sit closer to the face. They're not without their gaps, but the embedded nose pads and tight temples stop them from bouncing — even during sweaty runs. The Sungait Polarized Rectangular doesn't have the most expansive lenses either. Still, the almond shape of the lens closely matches your field of vision, and the lenses sit close to your face at an adjustable distance courtesy of the movable nose pads.
We put the Merry's Polarized Aluminum to the test to see how well they stayed on our face, passing with “flying” colors! Credit: Nolan Anderson
The Zenottic Philip and Knockaround Fast Lanes are larger in size, with proportionally larger lenses. Both offer great coverage for wider faces, but may overcrowd smaller faces.
The Knockraround Fast Lanes are wider frame, best for larger faces. Credit: Justin Simoni
Also notable are the wayfarer-style glasses we tested, including the Knockaround Paso Robles. Though flatter than some, these wayfarers have decently sized lenses and can comfortably be worn close to the face when you need extra coverage. The Merry's Polarized are in a similar boat to the Le Specs Armada, though they're not quite as large or as secure to wear close to the face.
The Sojos Round Vintage has solid coverage, as this pair has enormous lenses, even though they are quite flat. For a pair of aviators (not known for their great coverage around the sides), the Tifosi Swank performed better than expected. They still have gaps in all the typical places, but they sit closer to the face, closing those gaps more than most other aviators.
Even an inexpensive pair of sunglasses can look stylish and fashionable! Credit: Justin Simoni
How to Pick the Best Cheap Sunglasses
No one needs the existential grief caused by absent-mindedly leaving a pair of shades behind at the coffee shop, at the park, or on the plane. Sometimes you just want to get the job done — or have a little fashion fun — and not worry about whether or not an item may eventually go astray. But cheap doesn't have to mean low quality. Let us help you navigate the options.
What Style Suits You?
Seeking a fun pair of new sunnies to grab for the summer, to complement a new outfit for a special event, or maybe you want to ensure you don't lose your best pair when traveling? A good place to start is to consider the fashion goals you're trying to meet. Do you want something classic that can travel with you anywhere, or are you keen on trying out something fresh, trendy, or style-specific for a new look? Sunglass frames and lenses come in countless shapes, sizes, materials, and color combinations. Whether you are drawn to a modern hippie vibe, a vintage glacial-explorer style, or you want something that channels iconic movie moments (aviators haven't been the same since Top Gun), there's a pair to match.
Sungait Polarized RectangularSOJOS Retro Aviators
Frames with similar designs but different materials can really change the stylings of the sunglasses themselves, as is the case with these two double bridge aviator-style sunnies.
You'll also want to consider which frame style complements your face shape and how much coverage you need. Rounder faces may prefer how angular lenses fit, while rounder lenses can suit squarer faces really well. And some classics seem to work for nearly everyone. Frames also come in different materials, the two most common being metal or some varied iteration of plastic. Of course, it's important to note that this is true of premium pairs as well — plastic does not inherently mean cheap! The thickness and color of any frame can also change your look substantially, so you'll want to consider the aesthetic you are going for when considering options. Many cheap sunglasses will also forego extras that can help with fit, like springed hinges, adjustable nose pads, and rubberized temples or bows, all to keep the costs down. But, although such design tradeoffs are common, you can still find some variability at this price point.
Wraparound sunglasses, like the Sungait Polarized Rectangular, can more fully shade the eyes from light when compared to flat-framed sunglasses. Credit: Justin Simoni
If you'll be exposed to bright sun for many hours, you may want to grab something with more coverage, be it an oversized lens or a wraparound style. Also, while many frames come in a size “medium” to fit the widest range of wearers, you can find frames designed specifically for larger heads or sized more narrowly for those with a more slender build. Be sure to assess where you fall into that mix and target options to match.
The large, wide lenses on the Merry's Polarized Aluminum sunglasses have a slight curvature to provide excellent coverage on bright days. Credit: Justin Simoni
What Makes the Best Lens?
Most cheap sunglasses are made with polycarbonate lenses, while a few are made of more exotic materials like triacetate cellulose (a plant-derived plastic) or other recycled plastics. This is a significant cost-cutting measure by manufacturers. However, many premium shades also incorporate lenses made of the same or other plastic-based materials due to the quality and durability they can deliver. What matters most is how well you can see. Low-quality lenses often show more distortion, which many wearers find unappealing. So you will want to vet cheap pairs for this issue more than for the material used.
Sunski ShorelineKaliyadi Polarized
The lenses on the left show less visual distortion than the lenses on the right
Cheaper lenses also often skip out on premium treatments, like anti-glare or anti-scratch coatings. These are the compromises you make when aiming to spend less. If you want high-end features, you'll pay more. Many popular sunglasses also come in polarized or non-polarized versions. Polarized lenses reduce glare and help prevent eye strain, but these models are typically a bit pricier.
Take Care When Selecting Polarized Lenses
Be warned that some brands sold at online retailers have a “Polarized” label in the product listing but offer many different lens and frame combinations for purchase on the same web page. We recommend paying close attention to the lens options you select when ordering your sunglasses, to ensure you're getting exactly what you want.
The Sunski Shoreline sunglasses demonstrate a polarized lens when viewed in front of a computer display, which is also polarized. Credit: Justin Simoni
Are These Cheap Sunglasses Going to Protect Me From UV Light?
ALL the sunglasses in our lineup have 100% UVA and UVB protection up to 400 nanometers. This is labeled somewhere on the sunglasses or marketing as “UV400”. The protection comes not from the tint of the frame, but from the lens material itself, so even very light, or even clear lenses will be protective against UV light.
Even these very lightly tinted lens illustrate protection from the UV light. The lens material itself and not the tint is what is responsible for the UV light protection. In this case, coming from a UV flashlight. Credit: Justin Simoni
Is the Color of the Lens Important?
Lens tint can make all the difference to your experience wearing sunglasses, optimizing your vision to varied conditions, making some pairs better suited to certain outings and activities than others.
The blue lens tint of some sunglasses promote blue light (which keeps you alert) to pass through, and block more orange and yellow light. Credit: Justin Simoni
Light-colored lenses, be they yellows, oranges, or lighter shades of other colors, work best in lower light conditions, improving contrast and visibility. Darker lenses like black, grays, reds, darker amber/browns, etc., can be ideal for bright light, offering enhanced contrast and better depth perception.
Gray tinted sunglasses won't adjust the color of light coming in, just the intensity, thus this tint gives a neutral contrast adjustment. Credit: Justin Simoni
Some lenses now come with gradient colors, offering a blend of these benefits, transitioning from a higher degree of protection and contrast with darker shades up top to easier visibility in low-light conditions through a lighter shade at the bottom.
Gray, Brown, and Blue Lens Tints
Red and green can greatly reduce glare and promote eye health over extended wear. Blue-purples also do a good job of reducing glare and excel in snow, on water, or even in desert landscapes (although often these are not preferred for everyday use). Amber tones do a great job of warming views on cloudy days and can bring green grassy landscapes to life.
There's a pair of cheap sunnies out there for everyone! Credit: Maggie Brandenburg
If you're looking for a pair of sunglasses, no matter the price, our favorite sunglasses review covers the best of the best in a wide range of categories and applications. If you want to upgrade your full-body sun protection, see our articles on top-rated sun shirts and protective sun hats as well.
Conclusion
There are what feels like a million possible options to choose from for sunglasses, especially when it comes to cheap options. We hope our thorough testing across a panel of sunglasses lovers will help you identify which pair is perfect for your eyes and your wallet.
