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Stop Stressing Over Lost Sunglasses. Order Cheaper Ones

Don’t stress if yours go missing — these are all affordable.

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By Evan Malachosky and Jacorey Moon

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As warmer weather settles in and days in the sun become more abundant, we’ve rounded up inexpensive eyewear — all under $60 (or just above) — that exude style while still keeping your retinas safe from the scorching sun. And if they disappear into shuffled sand, at least you’re only out around half (sometimes a little more) a hundred bucks.

Cheap vs. Expensive

Sure, cheap is subjective. If your sunglasses go missing, it’s still money out of your pocket. As such, it’s OK to lament the minor loss. But then, grab a new pair, and summer on. The sunglasses listed below are rarely above $60 bucks, making them fairly easy to replace and forget.

Truthfully, I wore cheap sunglasses exclusively back when I wore contacts because I could wear any, with my vision being reliant on small circular films inside my eye instead of the frames on my face. If you do wear prescription glasses, though, I’d argue a pricier pair is more worth your money. That way you get to see even when you’re being protected by the sun. And, as a contacts-to-glasses convert, who really wants to wear contacts after all?

Another critical detail regarding sunglasses prices and whether they’re cheap or expensive are the materials, production methods, and location. Options on the costly end of the scale, like Ray-Ban and some designer frames, hail from places like Italy and China and use relatively accessible materials. For example, options from brands like Persol are handmade in Italy and use various lens types that help to block UV rays while giving off a glowing/colorful finish and have earned a reputation for being both high-end and fashionable. Also, whether expensive or not, a few brands design their sunglasses in one location and then mass produce them in countries like China, which helps lower the overhead for creating and selling shades.

More Sunglasses for Men

12 Pairs of Cheap Sunglasses

Huckberry’s in-house eyewear line features hardy frames matched with scratch-resistant, polarized lenses. At under $40 dollars, they’re well worth it for whenever you want to put a pair through the wringer — without the guilt of getting a nicer pair grimy. This option from Huckberry comes in eight color options and is lightweight, but uses hardy construction, for a pair of shades that can take a bruising. They also feature polarized lenses to help reduce eye strain and glare.

sojos retro semi rimless polarized sunglassesAmazon

Best Affordable Cheap Sunglasses

SOJOS Retro Semi Rimless Polarized Sunglasses

This is a classic look done at a fraction of the cost of more popular brands’ designs. Put ’em on and envision it: ’50s, jazz clubs (hence the Ray-Ban’s Clubmaster). Made from metal, these are polarized and feature soft, adjustable silicone nose pads. Sojos uses composite polarized lenses to block out harmful UVA and UVB rays. These shades also come in six color options that each have polarized lenses and added nose pads for comfort.

Quay’s Jackpot has all the makings of a classic frame. The key-shaped nose, round-shaped and polarized lenses, are design codes for the brand. The Jackpot sunglasses frame silhouette is made with plastic and incorporates polarized lenses for a pair of sophisticated sunglasses that protect your eyes. This frame style comes in three color options that should suit your sun-blocking fancy.

trouva sunglasses style EquinoctialTrouva

Best Rounded Cheap Sunglasses

Le Specs Equinoctial Alt Fit Black Sunglasses

Le Specs became a star in the sunglasses business thanks to celebrities like Beyoncé, Rihanna, Zayn Malik, and Justin Bieber sporting the brand’s shades in past years. You can get in on the action with this pair, which has round-shaped lenses and skinny arms for shades that feel modern but vintage simultaneously. The lenses are polarized as well.

This is another one of Huckberry’s in-house products. The Weekenders, a sibling of the Cruiser, have a different shape, with a more rectangular frame and bigger lenses. They come in the same array of colors, though. This option employs heavy-duty plastic for the frame and features scratch-resistant polarized lenses that help reduce glare and enhance colors. The lenses are also 100% UVA and UVB resistant.

Blenders’ bold orange sunglasses, dubbed Amber Coast, pass for a far more expensive pair. They’re colorful, compact and comfortable. This bold option from Blenders also uses polarized lenses to reduce glare and filter bright lights, and the frame is also made with plastic. These shades also provide 100% UV protection, which means that you’ll have the utmost protection from sun rays that can harm your eyes or the skin around them.

asos sunglasses styleASOS

Best Square Cheap Sunglasses

AJ Morgan Census Taker Square Sunglasses

Sometimes when a cheap pair tries super hard to appear expensive, it only looks cheaper. This isn’t the case with AJ Morgan’s simple sunglasses. They’re sleek, shiny and the right shape. This pair of square-shaped shades use plastic for the frame and gradient lenses for a stylish touch. The skim arms on the frame give them a modern yet vintage edge that’s in accordance with current fashion trends.

Metal elements and black acetate elevate the Highland square sunglasses, making them a strong contender in the cheap sunglasses conversation. For $20, this pair of frames feels modern yet sophisticated—everything you should want in shades. They’re made out of plastic and have little metal accents to break up the monotony of the all-black frames and lenses. Also, they have tinted uv-blocking lenses. And the notched nose bridge should help them stay put on your face.

styleAmazon

Best Blue Light Blocking Cheap Sunglasses

Carfia Polarized Sunglasses

It’s easy to be let down by budget buys off Amazon. (There are almost too many options.) Carfia’s, on the other hand, are unexpectedly nice for their price. Typically, sub$-25 dollar sunglasses don’t make it through a week-long vacation, but these, which are made from corrosion-resistant acetate, withstand the usual wear and then some. Carifa’s polarized sunglasses block out 99% of UV rays and are UV 400 protected—which means these shades block out light at the top of UV spectrum, i.e. blue light.

Goodr makes sunglasses for specific sports — biking, running, golf, lifting and, yes, gaming — but also basic pairs for everyday wear. The Back 9 Blackout is designed for the green, but it’s plenty practical elsewhere. These shades come in three sizes depending on your noggin size (small, medium, and large), and encompass a grip-coated frame. Also, the lenses have UV 400 protection and block 100% of UVA and UVB rays.

knockaround sunglasses styleKnockaround

Best Tortoise Shell Cheap Sunglasses

Glossy Black and Tortoise Shell Sunglasses

Knockaround makes a number of cheap frames based on iconic designs: sub-$40 dollar aviators, Ray-Ban-looking riffs for $24 bucks and beyond. The Paso Robles frame, featured here with a tortoise shell print and black lenses, exudes confidence and refinement. The lenses are UV400 protected and they’re polarized. Also, the lenses are impact resistant, meaning, that they’ll be able to withstand drops and bumps without the lenses shattering.

amazon sunglasses styleAmazon

Best Aviator Cheap Sunglasses

J+S Premium Military Style Aviator Sunglasses

For those who fancy the sleekness of aviator shades, J+S offers a versatile option. The military-style aviators have a lightweight metal alloy frame and black polarized lenses that have a 400UV rating—which means that the shades can block up to 99% of UVA and UVB rays (and that’s all for $19). These shades come in 18 lenses/frames color options and the polarized lenses block 99% of glare.

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