The 7 Best Safety Glasses of 2021

Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.

Our Top Picks

Best Polarized:

Ergodyne Polarized Safety Sunglasses at Amazon

The polarized lenses minimize glare and prevent light from hitting your direct line of vision.

Read Review

Best Prescription:

RX Safety Prescription Safety Glasses at Rx-safety.com

The flexible arms and adjustable nose piece allow these glasses to fit various head sizes and shapes.

Read Review

Best Over-Glasses:

NoCry Over-Glasses Safety Glasses at Amazon

This pair fits over most prescription eyeglasses and can adjust to accommodate various head sizes.

Read Review

Best Outdoor:

Carhartt Carbondale Safety Sunglasses at Amazon

They absorb almost 100 percent of outdoor UVB and UVA rays and block UVC radiation from artificial lights.

Read Review

Best Readers:

3M Nuvo Reader at Amazon

With +1.5 magnifying strength, you'll be able to read small text and get a better look at close-up objects.

Read Review

Best Goggles:

SolidWork Safety Goggles at Amazon

With a stretchy strap and a soft material behind the frames, these comfortable goggles are designed to fit everyone.

Read Review

Best Indoor:

NoCry Safety Glasses at Amazon

Lightweight and comfortable enough for hours of use, these glasses are treated to protect you from artificial lighting.

Read Review

In This Article

Our Picks
What to Look for
Why Trust The Spruce?

Whether you work in an industrial, chemical, or construction setting or tackle lots of DIY projects at home, proper eye protection is essential. Protective eyewear blocks flying debris (including tiny particles you might not be able to see), safeguards your eyes from impact, and prevents liquid from splattering into your eyes. Most pairs also offer some glare resistance and UV protection.

You might think all protective eyewear is the same, but today's products come in a range of styles and are often designed for specific applications or environments.

We've rounded up the best safety glasses below.

Ergodyne Skullerz Dagr Polarized Safety Sunglasses

View On Amazon

Ergodyne Skullerz have polarized lenses, which minimize glare from things like water, sun, and glass. This prevents light from going directly into your line of vision, reducing sensitivity to reflective surfaces, and is generally more comfortable for the eyes.

The lenses also provide UV protection and resist scratching. These protective glasses meet ANSI standards for safety and MIL (military) standards for ballistic impact resistance. The blade-style frame is made of flexible yet durable nylon, and rubber around the bridge and temples keeps them in place.

View On Rx-safety.com

The best prescription safety glasses are this pair from RX Safety. With TR-90 nylon arms and an adjustable nose piece, they're suitable for men and women and can accommodate various face shapes and head sizes. (TR-90 nylon is a type of ultra-flexible yet endlessly durable thermoplastic.)

These ANSI-approved safety glasses have large rectangular frames and wraparound shields to help protect you from chemicals, particles, paint, and other irritants from every angle. The frames come in a few different colors, including black, clear, red, and yellow.

The 7 Best Deck Paints of 2021

View On Amazon View On Nocry.com

If you're looking for something to wear over your prescription eyeglasses, check out this pair from NoCry. They fit over most reading classes and cost substantially less than a pair of prescription safety glasses.

With a resilient polycarbonate frame and clear wraparound lenses, you'll be protected from all angles without distorting your vision. The lenses resist scratching and block over 90 percent of UV rays, and soft tips minimize pressure around your temples.

The extendable arms can be adjusted to fit various head sizes, so they work for men, women, and kids. You can also wear them as normal safety glasses without a prescription pair underneath. These specs are certified safe by the ANSI, CSA, and OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration).

View On Amazon View On Ace Hardware

Carhartt has been a go-to for work apparel for over a century, so it's no surprise the brand makes the best outdoor protective eyewear. These ANSI and CSA-approved safety sunglasses have a flexible nylon frame and extra-durable, scratch-resistant polycarbonate lenses.

The lenses block 99 percent of UVA and UVB rays from the sun, as well as UVC radiation from artificial lamps or lasers. With dual-injected arms and a soft rubber bridge, these glasses feel as comfortable as a custom pair.

The 8 Best Circular Saws of 2021

View On Amazon

3M Nuvo offers +1.5 magnifying strength. You don't need a prescription for these protective readers, but they'll help you read small text and see close-up objects in better detail while you're working.

The polycarbonate lenses meet ANSI and CSA requirements for high-impact protection and block almost 100 percent of UV rays. Thanks to wraparound shields and a protective brow bar, you'll have coverage from all sides.

View On Amazon View On Sears.com

SolidWork Safety Goggles are designed to fit everyone. A super-soft material between the frame and your face ensures a perfect fit and a protective seal. They have an adjustable band that wraps around your head without digging into any pressure points.

The ANSI-certified polycarbonate lenses resist scratching and have a special anti-fog coating. Not only that, but the lenses block UV rays and are polarized to minimize glare. You'll also appreciate the panoramic design, which provides a wide field of vision and complete protection from particles and irritants.

View On Amazon

For indoor jobs and interior home improvement projects, we suggest NoCry's Safety Glasses. With a lightweight construction and wraparound design, they offer ample protection while still keeping you comfortable. They also have an adjustable construction, so you can customize the side and nose pieces to fit your face. Score!

This pair meets ANSI standards for high-impact eye and face protection, and the lenses are treated to protect your eyes from radiation emitted by artificial indoor lights. They're also scratch- and fog-resistant and reduce reflective glare. If you do venture outside wearing these glasses, you'll have peace of mind knowing they block 90 to 100 percent of the sun's rays.

The 7 Best Safety Glasses of 2021

Comfort and Fit

Comfort is key, particularly if you’re planning on wearing your glasses for an extended period of time. Though you might not be able to try on the pair you’re buying in person, look for soft nosepieces, rubber temples, and ergonomic frames. You can also find styles with different frame sizes to better fit your face.

Lens Material

Safety lenses are usually made from one of four materials: polycarbonate, NXT, acrylic, or glass. Polycarbonate is the best option for most uses, as it’s lightweight, impact resistant, and offers UV protection. If you’re in need of prescription glasses, however, you might opt for NXT or glass lenses, which offer greater optical clarity.

Tints and Treatments

In addition to the lens material, you’ll also want to consider the lens color and any tints or treatments that have been added. For indoor or low-light activities, it’s safest to go with clear lenses. Shaded or tinted lenses are helpful for outdoor use, protecting you from bright sunlight or lights.

You can opt for anti-reflective or mirrored coatings to further reduce glare, or an anti-fog coating to reduce or eliminate lens fogging (particularly useful for mask wearers). Other treatments include blue light blocking, hard coat, and hydrophobic coatings.

Safety Certification

If you’re buying safety eyewear in America, make sure that it has an ANSI Z87.1 Certification. This ensures that the glasses have been properly tested and meet the standard for personal Occupational and Educational Personal Eye and Face Protection Devices. You should see it clearly marked on the inside of the lens.

This roundup was written by Theresa Holland, a freelance writer with substantial experience researching, testing, and reviewing home improvement products and DIY supplies. You can check out more of her work on Byrdie, MyDomaine, and Verywell Health.

Lily Sperry, a commerce editor at The Spruce, conducted additional research for this round-up, reading through third-party reviews and expert safety considerations at ANSI and Safety Gear Pro to help you find the right pair of safety glasses for your needs.