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The Best Blue Light Blocking Glasses of 2022

If you work on a computer, you probably need a pair. Here’s how to pick the right one.

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By Evan Malachosky and Gerald Ortiz

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It’s everywhere. At your 9-to-5 job, on the train, in the bathroom, even in your bed as you’re trying to fall asleep. If you’re reading this, it’s right in your face — blue light. Ever since we’ve been able to tap away at a computer screen we’ve been faced with an unnatural amount of blue light.

What Is Blue Light?

Not all light is created equal. Blue light tells our brain it is daytime. When the sun is out and a clear blue sky is overhead, our brains tell our bodies that we should be awake. The blue light wavelengths have been shown to increase our attention and reaction time while also lifting our moods.

Many of our electronic devices emit this same light. Our laptops, our phones, our tablets all fire incognito caffeine waves into our eyes via blue light. This can be an issue at night, when drifting off to sleep staring into our devices, because it inhibits our body’s natural ability to wind down. We produce less melatonin and end up staying awake longer — even if we feel drowsy.

Why Is It Bad?

With excessive blue light exposure, our circadian rhythms get knocked off course, increasing the likelihood of a few major health problems including diabetes, depression and more. On top of that, blue light has been shown to have an even more profound affect on our melatonin secretion compared to other wavelengths of light. So, while having your table lamp turned on will affect your circadian rhythm, blue light specifically can shift your circadian rhythm by up to twice as much.

But blue light also impacts our eyes. According to Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical School, “The fear is that it’s causing cumulative damage over a long period of time, as it passes through the cornea and lens and reaches the retina… Damage to the retina can cause vision problems such as age-related macular degeneration, which can lead to permanent vision loss. Up to 9-percent of people will experience macular degeneration, which is the most common reason for blindness in adults in the western world.”

How Do You Block It?

Aside from making sure you put away your electronic devices two to three hours before bed and using more red-tinted lights in your house (which have less of an affect on melatonin secretion), a good way to avoid blue light oversaturation is to wear blue light blocking glasses. While red light is helpful, not everyone appreciates its aesthetic. Plus, if you’re like many a modern worker, you likely have to be on your devices frequently (aka all day). Glasses made specifically to block blue light can help keep your body on track and avoid health complications later on.

The Best Blue Light Blocking Glasses

Pros

  • Can be added to any frames, even non-prescription

Cons

  • Additional fee ($50) for blue light blocking lenses

DTC Warby Parker has been able to deliver stylish frames to the masses for a measly price. They’ve churned out a vault’s worth of designs, so there’s something for everyone. Warby Parker’s no-fuss try-at-home service allows you to try up to five frames before you commit to one, making it a breeze to nail down the right shape for you. The brand’s wide selection starts at just $95 and the blue-light-blocking lenses are just $50 on top of that. They’re scratch-resistant, block 100-percent of harmful UV rays and are anti-reflective, making them a great option for those who have to stare down a laptop all day.

Pros

  • Super affordable

Cons

  • Non-prescription
  • Cheap

Using spring hinges which adapt comfortably to the wearer and UV-protected scratch-resistant lenses, TIJN’s eyewear covers all the bases. Plus, they’re just under 10 bucks. No wonder they’ve been some of the most popular on Amazon.

Pros

  • Highest quality glasses we've ever tested

Cons

  • Cost doesn't include prescription
  • Expensive

Jacques Marie Mage sunglasses pay homage to a diverse array of style icons — and their eyewear. The brand is the brainchild of designer Jerome Mage — who has also designed for the Elder Statesman, among others — and features industry-leading craftsmanship and the highest quality materials available. Jacques Marie Mage frames are striking and sculptural, representing the pinnacle of artisanal eyewear. These lenses used to block blue light are a new addition to the brand’s portfolio, but they don’t feel like a dumbing down.

Pros

  • Easy to wear

Cons

  • Cost doesn't include prescription

Yes, your tried-and-true Wayfarers come in blue-light-blocking lenses, too. Still made in Italy using premium acetate, these modern-day lenses are polarized to reduce glare and increase clarity, all white dampening the blues.

Pros

  • Two colors
  • Anti-glare coating
  • 100% UV protection

Cons

  • Only comes in one width

For $75, you get simple frames in one of two colors that offer 100-percent UV protection. (For $45, for example, you only get 90-percent protection. It’s worth the extra $30.) Pixel is entirely dedicated to blocking UV light, whether with their computer glasses (which these are), amber-colored nighttime scrolling glasses, or sunglasses.

Pros

  • Come with blue light blocking clear lenses
  • Stylish
  • Plant a tree for every pair sold

Cons

  • Lenses aren't prescription; must be swapped out

Los Angeles-based brand Akila has floored us with its range of eyewear. The designs are interesting, and history of collabs both exciting and unexpected. The frames themselves are made in small batches with some serious bang for your buck. The recent addition of blue light blocking lenses makes Akila a must-cop.

Pros

  • Blue light lenses can be added to any pair

Cons

  • Blue light lenses cost extra ($80)

These days, many storied eyewear brands offer blue light blocking lenses as an option, including Garrett Leight’s legendary frames. They use DuraVision BlueProtect lenses made by Carl Zeiss which divert harmful blue light waves into the spectrum of light which actually helps us fight insomnia and depression. That innovative tech coupled with Garrett Leight’s reputation for quality and design makes these a top-tier set of blue light blocking glasses.

Pros

  • Comes in three widths

Cons

  • Are non-prescription

MVMT’s blue light blocking glasses aren’t necessarily cheap, but think of them as sunglasses for…inside, where laptops rule and phones are forever glued just a few inches from your face. Here, the frame name is Reveler, while MVMT’s blue light blocking lens technology is aptly titled Everscroll.

Pros

  • Scratch resistant

Cons

  • Prescription costs $40 more

Diff’s glasses are another solid option if you’re looking for a range of well-designed silhouettes (with blue light blocking tech, too). Its Sawyear frame is a classic round style featuring hand-cut acetate and scratch-resistant lenses.

Pros

  • Tinted for nighttime scrolling

Cons

  • Look a little out of place at work

Felix Gray’s slick frames are aimed at getting you to bed. The lenses target the range of blue light that decreases melatonin the most and, despite the tinted appearance, give you a true sense of color.

Pros

  • Made for gamers

Cons

  • Kind of gimmicky

Goodr might come across as a bit gimmicky, but the brand’s carved out quite the lane for itself. Instead of focusing on wearing their blue light blocking glasses to work (bleh), Goodr targets gaming — an equally eye-stressing activity millions enjoy. Plus, with a name like “Insert Coin to Continue” and a $25 dollar pricetag, I see no problems here.

Pros

  • Customizable
  • Affordable

Cons

  • Blue light lenses cost extra ($17)

Available in two colors, Zenni’s affordable optical frames are an easy way for someone to introduce blue light blocking technology on a budget. These prescription glasses are just $30 dollars, and while adding blue light lenses costs extra, it’s only $17 bucks. Plus, when you check out, you can add tinted or polarized lenses.

Pros

  • Can be converted to readers

Cons

  • Non-prescription
  • One width and size

Umizato’s Brighton’s offer a simple square frame design that works well with most faces. The lenses offer UV-400 protection, cut down on screen glare and filter up to 90-percent of blue light. Plus, they’re available in several magnifications, making them a great pair for reading.

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