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Aug 18, 2023

13 Best Sunglasses For Men 2023

The best sunglasses for men are the ones you’ll actually wear: They shield your eyes from UV light, have a comfortable, lightweight design for travel and are durable enough to withstand being

The best sunglasses for men are the ones you’ll actually wear: They shield your eyes from UV light, have a comfortable, lightweight design for travel and are durable enough to withstand being accidentally dropped (or sat on).

The best sunglasses for men are stylish yet functional, shielding your eyes and preventing glare.

The hardest part about buying sunglasses is narrowing down the options out there. Regardless of whether you’ll wear your shades while running, relaxing at the pool, cycling or driving, you’ll want high-quality, well-fitting glasses. Knowing how you’ll mostly use the glasses helps determine which criteria—specifically, the size, weight and lens quality—matter the most to you. We spoke to experts, tried out some frames ourselves and evaluated the different options out there to find the best sunglasses for men. Here are 14 pairs we highly recommend for every price and style preference.

Ray-Ban

Time-tested and stylish, Ray-Bans got their start in the 1930s by providing frames for Air Force pilots. New York-based stylist Audree Lopez considers this pair the perfect addition to one’s collection. The lenses are scratch resistant, UV-protected and have a modern and minimal shape, which flatters almost every face shape, says Lopez. One reviewer, who has purchased three pairs, described them as “their favorite glasses.” Keep in mind: You can also add customized options for an additional price. This pair is available in five colors, making it a versatile choice, and we also like the Wayfarers and Clubmasters.

Maui Jim

A lot of brands offer polarized sunglasses—which get rid of glare that washes out colors and fatigues your eyes—but Maui Jim’s are among the best for its specific technology. Their lenses eliminate 99.9% of glare, including horizontal glare that reflects from any flat, smooth or shiny surface. There’s also a bi-gradient mirror applied to the top and bottom of the lenses, which “squints” for you, reducing the brightest light from above and below, allowing your eyes to relax. One recent purchaser described them as “the best sunglasses I have owned.” Keep in mind: The high quality lenses drive up the price. These sunglasses are available in four different frames and lens colors, and we also like the Relaxation Mode and Kiawe styles.

Knockaround

If you tend to lose your sunglasses (or sit on them) and don’t want to invest in an expensive polarized pair, Knockaround’s are a good alternative. They include basic amber polarized lenses, which provide full UV400 protection, and that are molded out of high quality materials, so they can handle wear and tear. One consumer was pleased with the budget-friendly pricetag, remarking that the lenses were clear and the frames were stylish. Keep in mind: These frames are on the larger side so they might be difficult to fit in a pocket. Check out the Torrey Pines frames for a bold look or the Premiums for something more practical.

RAEN

Raen’s sunglasses are handmade from zyl acetate and built to last with five barrel hinges, a wire core embedded in each temple for strength and polarized lenses that give you 100% UVA/UVB protection. They’re stylish at a reasonable price and you can experiment with bolder options with the virtual try-on feature that works remarkably well. Keep in mind: These glasses have a slightly narrow fit. For other stylish options, consider the Adin or the Myles.

Warby Parker

Warby Parker simplifies the process of getting stylish prescription sunglasses, with their free Home Try-On option. The brand also gives back—for every pair purchased, it distributes a pair to someone in need. These frames have clean lines and a flat brow for modern look. Keep in mind: The price increases with the more customization you add on (the base price with a prescription is $195). We also like the Haskell and Raider frames.

Huckberry

San-Francisco-based Huckberry makes sunglasses with durable materials and quality lenses that aren’t super expensive, which makes them great to take on the road when traveling. The Weekenders have a lightweight, sturdy construction that won’t snap easily. And in case you need a spare (or need to replace a pair you left behind in a hotel room,) Huckberry offers $100 off when you buy two pairs. Keep in mind: These glasses don’t come with a carrying case so make sure they’re protected when in your bag. For another affordable option consider the Cruisers.

Oakley

A bestseller from the brand known for performance sunglasses, Oakley’s Gascan frames have been tested and retested under extreme conditions to ensure they stay put on the bridge of your nose and temples without pressing too hard. You can customize the lenses, including adding polarization and prescription features. A recent purchaser described the glasses as being “authentic glasses for a quarter of the price.” Keep in mind: These glasses tend to run on the small side. Other top picks include the Half Jacket 2.0 and the Straightlink.

Persol

Persol sunglasses are pricey but deliver a lot of Italian craftsmanship. The 714 frames—the same that Steve McQueen regularly wore—stand out for being the first-ever folding glasses model. The sunglasses have a pilot shape, keyhole bridge and collapsible bridge that allows you to fold them and put them in your pocket. This technology requires ten additional manufacturing steps to achieve, which explains the higher price tag. Fashion stylist Lopez is a fan and also likes that pair come with a two-year warranty. One user described the glasses as having “amazing craftsmanship and fantastic lenses.” Keep in mind: The price point is high. For more classic styles, also check out the 649 and PO3285S.

Costa

If your head is on the large size, sunglasses often fit uncomfortably or stretch out over time, which weakens the materials. Costa’s sunglasses come in various sizes—from small to XXL—which you can filter on their site, along with features such as lens color, material and frame style. The Reefton has blue mirror polarized lenses, which are best for bright light and reducing glare off the water. One buyer described the 580G blue mirrors as being “some of the best lenses on the market as far as clarity and making things look high-definition in extremely bright sunlight.” Keep in mind: These are meant for a high nose bridge (meaning the bone extends up higher up than the curve of your pupils) so they might not fit securely on those with flatter noses. For a sporty version, try the Reefton Pro and the Sampan in the XXL size.

ROKA

Roka is known for high-quality performance glasses that stay put (no matter what you’re doing) but don’t look like performance frames. Sure, you can go with proper cycling specs or ski goggles, but you can also choose from fashionable frames that look like “normal” sunglasses. Choose your style (round, square, titanium aviators, etc.), pick a color (some styles come in up to eleven colors) and then consider add-on features like mirrored or polarized lenses, anti-scratch or anti-blue light coatings. Also great: If you opt for prescription lenses, they can be high-indexed down, creating thinner versions of typically thick lenses. Keep In Mind: Because these are high-end sunglasses, they are pricier than many other options on this list but one of our gear writers swears by these specs and wears them for everything from hiking and biking to kayaking and casual travel.

Kaenon

Optics brand Kaenon specializes in Japanese frames handcrafted in Italy. While most of their sunglasses cost about $200, buyers demanded a more budget-friendly pair. Their new Ojai polarized sunglasses are flat-front style wayfarer and are ultralight, fashionable and versatile enough to wear everyday. Keep in mind: The Ojai are square frames but if you want a rounded frame, we also love the Avalon frames, which come in multiple colors.

Zenni

With over 3,000 styles of glasses, including sunglasses, prescription glasses and blue-blockers, Zenni has a vast selection to choose from: The Oh Hey sunglasses are simple but sturdy, with an anti-scratch coating and UV protection, for a price that’s much lower than other aviators out there. And they hold up well, according to customer reviews (one buyer reports that after more than a year, these sunglasses “still serve me well.”) One of our writers has happily ordered several prescription pairs from Zenni, too. Keep in mind: These frames can also be made with prescription lenses, as can the equally affordable round Hawkeyes, which are just as stylish.

Nathan Sports

Most sport sunglasses tend to be fairly expensive and, while we admit that ultra high-end frames do have some nice features, if you’re new to running or if you just want a pair of reliable sunglasses that won’t break the bank, these Nathan running sunglasses are excellent. Not only is the frame lightweight, but the glasses also have grips that ensure the frame stays in place. The lenses are also polarized, which offers additional sun protection and helps reduce eye strain. Keep in mind: Only use warm water to clean the lenses rather than soap or a paper towel, which can cause damage.

Here at Forbes Vetted, we approach every product recommendation with transparency and a critical (and fashionable) eye. Our passion for fashion and high-quality products in general extends to our recommendations for the best sunglasses for men. We know that readers trust us to provide the most accurate information available, so we consider our own experience wearing sunglasses and weigh that against testimonials we review from actual users.

Whether it’s comfortable dress shoes or jeans for men, we've researched, tried on, evaluated a lot of clothing and accessories through the ringer to rate the performance, quality and value for your money. With the level of thought, research and expertise we put into each story, you can trust our opinions when it comes to finding the right sunglasses for men whatever your needs and budget. To ensure you’re getting the most accurate information, we regularly update this list to ensure it contains the most relevant information available. This list was last updated in August 2023.

Powell recommends finding frames that balance your face. “The general guideline is to choose a pair of sunglasses that contrasts with your face shape and extends to just outside the cheekbone area,” says Powell. “Keeping this advice in mind makes it easier to shop online when you can’t try on pairs in person.” Generally, if you have a round face, try something more angular or square. If you have a strong jawline, contrast that with a round style and vice versa. But remember, fashion rules are meant to be broken. Dorsey recommends using your instincts. “If you feel most confident in a certain style of shades, go with your gut.”

Dorsey suggests investing in a classic frame—such as an Aviator or Wayfarer shape, both of which have a balance of straight and curved lines—rather than overly trendy styles. Also consider the color. “Standard black, brown, or gray frames are so versatile and the average guy will get a lot of use out of them,” he says. Similarly, Powell says, “It's rare for me to suggest a splurge on a sunglasses trend or statement pair.” Instead, she prefers timeless options that feel authentic to her clients. “These are the pairs that you’ll want to replace if lost, instead of choosing something new.” She also finds that, “the frames typically have a neutral finish and fit your general fashion style.”

“Sunglasses should never take away from the outfit,” finds Powell. “They should feel like an extension of one. Your outfit tells a story and sunglasses should fit the theme of what you’re going for.” Dorsey also pays attention to color. “The easiest trick is to match your sunglasses to the color of your outfit or use your sunglasses as a pop of color to contrast with your outfit.”

That depends. For many people, it’s fine to wear the same sunglasses across multiple activities. After all, if they fit well, you like them and they do a good job protecting your eyes, then it may not be necessary to invest in multiple pairs. However, if you want a pair of professional or more luxurious sunglasses to wear to the office but you also need more performance-oriented sunglasses for hiking, golfing or boating, then you may need to consider multiple pairs. Depending on your personal preferences and style, you may need to invest in several pairs of sunglasses, or you may be able to get away with a fashionable pair of performance sunglasses, which transition easily from the office to the hiking trail to the yoga mat.

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