Sunglasses protect your eyes from the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays and shield them from its harsh glare. But instead of spending a lot of money on expensive designer brands, there are plenty of affordable high-quality stellar looking shades that are stylish, comfortable to wear and provide an excellent level of sun protection.
The 10 Best Cheap Sunglasses
- GAMMA RAY CHEATERS Best Value Polarized UV400 Wayfarer Style Sunglasses (Our Top Pick)
- Tifosi Jet Wrap Sunglasses
- Joopin Semi Rimless Women Men Retro Brand Sunglasses
- Duduma Aviator Mens Womens Mirrored Sunglasses Shades
- WOODIES Wayfarer Walnut Wood Sunglasses for Men or Women
- Siskiyou MLB Unisex Wrap Sunglasses
- WearMe Pro – Classic Small Round Retro Sunglasses
- Dollger John Lennon Round Steampunk Sunglasses
- Duco Women's Shades Classic Oversized Polarized Sunglasses
- RIVBOS Sunglasses for Children Age 3-10
Our Top Pick for the Best Cheap Sunglasses
Our top pick for the best cheap sunglasses is the GAMMA RAY CHEATERS Wayfarer Sunglasses range.
With an excellent level of UV protection and polarization, a sturdy and comfortable frame, and an extensive collection of bright colors, the stylish Gamma Ray Cheaters sunglasses are extremely cheap but they their quality is unsurpassed. As they have sizes for men woman and kids, they are perfectly suited for the whole family.
Stylish and Functional Sunglasses
Welcome to the wonderful world of sunglasses. For many people, sunglasses function like a fashion accessory that compliments their wardrobe or emulates their favorite celebrity, but sunglasses should also be functional. Whether you are relaxing at the beach, by the pool, playing sport, fishing, hiking, skiing, or socializing at an outdoor cafe, sunglasses need to protect your eyes from the sun's damaging rays and its bright glare.
How to Choose the Best Pair of Cheap Quality Sunglasses
Cheap But Not Nasty
The word “cheap” can conjure up images of nasty throwaway plastic frames and lenses. But these days, manufacturers are using premium materials and innovative technologies to create affordable sunglasses that rival expensive designer shades. Affordable quality sunglasses look fabulous and have the sun protection you need. Some manufacturers include generous warranties and extra goodies like a carrying case, a soft cleaning cloth and a small screwdriver for quick fixes.
So whether you need to upgrade your old sunglasses or would like a few pairs to mix and match with different outfits, here are some important features that will help you find your perfect pair of cheap sunglasses.
UV Protection
To stay safe while you enjoy the sun, you need to wear a hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses that block out harmful ultraviolet radiation that can have serious short term and long term health issues from overexposure to the sun's harmful UV rays. UV protection is supplied by special UV-blocking coatings that are applied to the lenses of the sunglasses.
The best type of coating blocks out 99 -100% percent of UVA and UVB rays. It is even better if the lenses also block out all harmful blue light up to 400 nanometers (UV400) and UVC rays.
Polarization
Polarization refers to an anti-reflective coating that filters out the bright glare from the sun. This optical process reduces any discomfort and strain on your eyes, especially when the sun's rays are cast on reflective surfaces like water, snow or a wet road.
Tints
While a lens tint looks very stylish, it is not just designed to make the sunglasses look super cool. The right type of tint can provide better visibility, clarity, and can increase eye comfort. Fortunately, most manufacturers give us plenty of color tints to choose from, and some have an extra wide selection like Gamma Ray, Dollger, and Joopin.
Finding Your Perfect Fit
One of the worst things that can happen when you put on your new sensational sunglasses is that they may not feel comfortable on your face or they might be too big or small for your face shape. Finding the right type of sunglasses depends on a person's (men and women) individual style, but the best way to find your perfect fit is to know what type of face shape you have and what type of sunglass design will suit you best.
Comfortability
Sunglasses that are comfortable to wear is especially important for engaging in outdoor activities like fishing, hunting, sports or hiking, and if you need to wear the sunglasses for long period of time. Sunglasses like the Tifosi Jet Sunglasses or the Siskiyou MLB Unisex Sunglasses have a wrap-around design that fits securely on most faces and will not slip off.
Other specifications that will increase your eye-wear comfort is an ergonomic design that makes the sunglasses easy to slide on, a smooth gloss resin finish and flexible nose pads.
Frame and Lens Material
Sunglass frames are made of plastic, metal, nylon, or a combination of plastic and wood like the Woodies sunglasses.
While plastic, nylon, and metal are all good choices, plastic can get slippery in hot weather and metal frames can be thin and break easily if you use them while participating in contact sports.
Lenses are made of plastic, polycarbonate thermoplastic, or multi-layered (Triacetate Cellulose) TAC material.
While plastic is a good choice for everyday sunglasses, the best type of lenses are made from polycarbonate or triacetate cellulose (TAC).
Polycarbonate is a strong but lightweight material that offers a high level of optical clarity and is 50 times more impact resistant than optical glass. Triacetate cellulose is an extremely impact-and scratch-resistant hard coating on the outer layer of the lens. It can block 100% of all UV rays and eliminate 99% of the sun's glare and enhances visibility by improving color contrast.
Smart optical technologies help to create stronger and more durable lenses. The Joopin, Siskiyou, and Duco sunglasses have (Tri-Acetate Cellulose) TAC lenses that have multiple layers. The Joopin or the Duduma sunglass have lenses with 9 layers, which make the lenses highly resistant to impact, scratches, and oil and water.
Design
If you like to mix and match your sunglasses to match your clothes or even your mood, there is a design and color to suit your particular style. Designs can vary from a Ray-Ban wayfarer-style, wrap-around, round retro glasses, aviator mirrored glasses or oversized designer brand lookalikes.
Best Cheap Sunglasses Reviews
1. GAMMA RAY CHEATERS Best Value Polarized UV400 Wayfarer Style Sunglasses
Protect your eyes from the sun's damaging rays and bright glare with the Gamma Ray Optics Wayfarer-style Cheaters sunglasses. These classic-style sunglasses have sturdy but lightweight and ergonomic plastic matte frames that are comfortable to wear and the reinforced metal hinges are easy to open and close.
The UV400 polycarbonate lenses are scratch and impact resistant and 10 times stronger than other plastic or glass lenses and provide 100% UV400 protection against harmful UVA/UVB rays. The anti-glare polarization properties give you good visibility and clarity even in bright sunlight.
Gamma Ray has an extensive collection of colors and styles to choose from and tinted lenses such as blue or orange, grey, pink, mirror blue, or silver. They also make sunglasses for kids aged between 5 and 10 as well. Finding your perfect size is made extra easy with Gamma Ray's size guide.
The sunglasses can be purchased separately or in a 3-pack.
Gamma Ray offers a 90-day money back satisfaction guarantee and a lifetime frame and lens breakage warranty.
Pros
- Extremely affordable price
- Ergonomic design
- Lightweight sturdy plastic frame
- Polycarbonate lenses are scratch and impact resistant
- Excellent anti-glare polarization properties
- 100% UV400 protection against harmful UVA/UVB rays
- Different sizes for kids and adults
- An extensive collection of colors and styles
- Available in a 3 pack
- 90-day money back guarantee
- Lifetime frame and lens breakage warranty
Cons
- The label on the side of the frame says “Cheaters”
2. Tifosi Jet Wrap Sunglasses
Featuring a comfortable and sporty, streamlined design, the Tifosi Jet Wrap Sunglasses are perfect for runners, bikers, or endurance athletes who need tough performance shades.
The Tifosi sunglasses are made from Grilamid TR-90 nylon material that makes an incredibly light and durable long-lasting frame. The hinges are fully integrated and the Optics hydrophilic rubber nose pieces provide all-day comfort for everyday wear or sporting activities.
The shatter-proof polycarbonate lenses have a 100-percent UV protection coating and the wrap-around design gives you extra protection from the sun and wind and the size fits most face shapes.
Tifosi offers 7 different color frame and lens combinations: glossy black frames with smoky lenses; matte black frames with polarized green lenses; matte black frame with green lenses; metallic frame with blue lenses; stylish tortoise frame with brown lenses, white and gunmetal lenses, matte white with brown lenses.
Even though the lenses are non-polarized, the tints are quite dark to shade your eyes from the glare.
Every pair of Tifosi sunglass comes with care and use instructions, a zippered shell case and cleaning bag.
Pros
- Very comfortable
- Affordable price
- Very good value for money
- Shatterproof polycarbonate lens
- Streamlined design
- Ideal for runners, bikers, or endurance athletes
- 100% UV protection coating
- Optics rubber nose pieces
- Strong Grilamid TR-90 nylon material
- Incredibly light and durable frame that resists chemical & UV damage
- The wrap-around design gives you even protection from the sun and wind
- Size fits most face shapes
- Dark tint filters out a lot of glare
- 7 different color frame and lens combinations
Cons
- Non-polarized
3. Joopin Semi Rimless Women Men Retro Brand Sunglasses
If you love the retro 80's look, then the Joopin Semi Rimless Ray-Ban Clubmaster inspired style sunglasses are a great fit for you and they come at an extremely affordable price. The classic style sunglasses have a vintage-inspired classic semi-rimless Ray-Ban frame design and will fit both men and women.
Designed for all types of outdoor activities, like driving or riding a bike, fishing or skiing, the sunglasses have an ergonomic design, a smooth gloss resin finish, and flexible nose pads, which provide the ultimate in comfortability.
The sturdy frame construction is lightweight and the high-quality reinforced hinges can be opened and closed thousands of times without breaking, while the lenses are impact and scratch resistant.
You can expect full ultraviolet protection as the special triacetate cellulose lenses are engineered with 9 layers, including a water and oil resistant layer, which effectively block out 100% UVA/UVB and UVC rays and all harmful blue light up to 400 nanometers. Whether it is cloudy or bright and sunny, the polarized lenses provide clear images with true colors and eliminate any glare which reduces eye fatigue and irritation.
There is a variety of 11 stylish colors and designs to choose from and Joopin includes a durable hard case, a drawstring bag, and a cleaning cloth. The sunglasses are covered by a lifetime breakage warranty on frame and lens and 30-day money back guarantee.
Pros
- High-quality design
- Excellent price
- Very good value for money
- Classic retro Clubmaster style
- Designed for men and women
- Sturdy and smooth resin frame and reinforced hinges
- Lightweight and durable frame
- Comfortable nose pads
- Outstanding anti-slip performance
- Special triacetate lenses are engineered with 9 layers
- Very effective anti-glare polarization reduces eye fatigue and irritation
- Eliminates image distortion and provides true colors
- UV400 UV lens block out 100% UVA/UVB and UVC rays
- Impact and scratch resistant lenses
- 11 different colors
- Comes with hard case, drawstring bag, and a cleaning cloth
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- Sizes tend to run small
4. Duduma Aviator Mens Womens Mirrored Sunglasses Shades
For complete UV protection, the aviator mirrored and bridged sunglasses from Duduma are a great choice for men and women.
Wherever you want to wear the aviators – shopping, driving, fishing on your boat, playing tennis or relaxing at the beach or by the pool, they are very comfortable with a smooth finish. The quality hinges can be adjusted if they are too tight and the soft non-slip silicone nose pads are 45-degree adjustable for the perfect fit.
The high-quality metal frame is strong and lightweight and the high-definition polycarbonate resin lenses that feature special Revo lens technology are impact, shatter-proof and scratch resistant. As the lenses have 9-layers, they can block out 99-100% of UVA/UVB and UVC rays and blue light as small as 400 nanometers. For a more natural and clear vision, the lenses also feature Duduma's innovative true color technology.
Stylish and classic, the mirrored shades come in 8 fabulous frame and lens colored combinations so you are sure to find a pair to suit your lifestyle.
Duduma offers a 30-day money back guarantee and the sunglasses are covered by a lifetime warranty.
As well as choosing a pair for yourself, the Duduma aviators are the perfect gift for family and friends. The sunglasses come with a soft microfiber pouch, a soft cleaning cloth, and a hard case.
Pros
- Very good quality
- Great price
- Fantastic value for money
- High UV400 protection UVB and UVA and UVC protection
- High-quality polycarbonate resin 9-layered lenses
- Stylish and classic ultralight frame
- Great fit
- Ideal for men and women
- Exclusive Revo and True Color technology
- Perfect clarity of vision
- Scratch and impact resistant
- High-quality durable construction
- Helps to reduce surface reflections
- Adjustable hinges and nose-pads
- 8 frame and lens color combinations
- 30-day money back guarantee
- Lifetime lens and frame guarantee
- Soft microfiber pouch, a soft cleaning cloth, and a hard case
Cons
- Thin, bendable metal
- The frame may be too big for small faces
- The bridge may sit up too high on some faces
- Can see the wearer's eyes through the lenses
5. WOODIES Wayfarer Walnut Wood Sunglasses for Men or Women
If you would like a unique alternative to plain plastic sunglasses, why not consider the Woodies Wayfarer-style sunglasses.
Beautiful and functional, the sunglasses feature real walnut wood arms and the lenses and frame are made from strong plastic and the double-spring, stainless-steel hinges are sturdy and long lasting.
Lightweight and comfortable, the wayfarers are ideal for hot weather conditions as the wood will not be affected by humidity and the smooth wooden finish feels comfortable on the face. The sunglasses are designed for men and women and will fit all face shapes and the walnut color suits all skin tone. Each pair is completely unique and has its own wood variations.
For all-day protection from the sun's damaging and irritating glare, the high-quality anti-reflective plastic lenses block out 100% of UV rays. The dark polarized coating provides distortion-free image and shields your eyes from any glare in intense lighting conditions.
Keep your sunglasses safe in the durable black carrying case and you can keep them clean and in top shape with the microfiber lens cleaning cloth and wood guitar pick.
The sunglasses are covered by a 30-day money back guarantee.
Pros
- Very good quality
- Great value for money
- Very affordable
- Dark tinted polarized lens
- Durable
- Lightweight
- Very comfortable
- Beautiful natural walnut arms
- Strong plastic frame
- Lenses absorb UVA and UVB rays
- Durable double-spring, stainless-steel hinges
- Ideal for men and women
- Durable black carrying case, microfiber lens cleaning cloth, and wood guitar pick
Cons
- Lenses can pop out easily
- Might be too large on small faces
- Arms can feel tight around the ears after long periods of wear
6. Siskiyou MLB Unisex Wrap Sunglasses
Are you a baseball fan? Support your team and protect your eyes from the harsh summer sun with the brightly colored MLB unisex officially licensed wrap sunglasses from Siskiyou.
There is a lot to love about these sunglasses. The unisex sports wrap frame is made from thick plastic and wraps comfortably around your face and the strong spring hinges are durable and the rubber sports grips offer tension-free comfort.
You have great sun protection for your eyes as the polarized smoke colored triacetate cellulose TAC polarized lenses block out 99.7% UVA and UVB rays and provide superior visual acuity and polarization clarity.
Show your team pride boldly by choosing your favorite team from 7 different baseball teams: New York Yankees, Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, Philidelphia Phillies, and the San Francisco Giants. Each of the sunglasses features the team colors and one arm features their team-colored log and other side displays the team's name and there are team-colored rubber accents on each arm.
Pros
- Great price
- High-quality
- MLB Officially Licensed
- Sturdy thick plastic frame
- Strong spring hinges
- Comfortable rubber sport grips
- Polarized smoke colored triacetate cellulose TAC lenses
- Superior visual acuity and polarization clarity
- 99.7% UV400 UVA and UVB protection
- Features Team Colored Logo, team's name
- Team-colored rubber accents on each arm
- 7 different basketball team choices
Cons
- Small sizing
- Can break easily
7. WearMe Pro – Classic Small Round Retro Sunglasses
The super retro classic sunglasses from WearMe Pro are suitable for both men and women and they are perfect for any occasion.
These iconic round sunglasses are designed with a special touch of timeless retro style that harkens back to the 80's decade of synthesized pop music, distinctive hairstyles, and fashionistas.
The sunglasses are made of durable but lightweight plastic which feels comfortable for all day wear and especially sporting activities.
Whether it is sunny or cloudy, the polycarbonate high-quality lenses block out 100% UVA and UVB rays and shield your eyes from intense light.
You can choose from 8 fabulous colors and the sunglasses come with mirrored lenses or normal solid lenses.
All of the sunglasses meet all the European Safety Standards and they come with a microfiber pouch which you can use to store your sunglasses when you are on the go and clean them at the same time.
WearMe Pro only offers a 14-day money-back guarantee but they will replace the sunglasses if they are defective or damaged when you receive them.
Pros
- High-quality
- Great price
- Durable plastic
- Very good value for money
- Iconic retro design
- Shatter-proof polycarbonate lens
- Blocks 100% UVA/UVB rays
- Lightweight
- Ideal for sporting activities
- Very good fit
- Designed for men and women
- Comfortable
- 8 vibrant colors
- Tint provides protection against glare
- Available in mirrored or solid lenses
- Microfiber pouch can be used to clean the sunglasses
- Excellent customer service
Cons
- Size is too large for a small face
- Lenses can scratch easily
- Non-polarized
8. Dollger John Lennon Round Steampunk Sunglasses
The ultimate fashion accessory that includes great UV protection, the groovy Dollger celebrity sunglasses feature the round style that was made famous by John Lennon. These timeless sunglasses are designed for both men and women to suit any face shape.
The sunglasses have an unparalleled durability and comfortability, as the strong and super lightweight metal frame sits comfortably on your face. The Steampunk style temples have reinforced “Flex Fit” spring metal hinges and the silicone nose pads provide good stability.
The polycarbonate lenses have UV400 protection which blocks against UVA and UVB rays, and restores true color and eliminate any reflected or scattered light so the sunglasses are also a great choice for golf, cycling, running, fishing.
Dollger offers a premium sunglass package that includes the sunglasses, a brand gift box, a sturdy case, an authentic pouch to store your fab glasses in, a soft cleaning cloth, and a small screwdriver keychain to fix the glasses if the screws fall out.
Dollger also offers a lifetime breakage warranty on the frame and lenses and lifetime after-sale service for all products.
Pros
- Retro and stylish John Lennon design
- Blocks 100% harmful UVA & UVB rays
- Restores true color and eliminates reflected and scattered light
- Polycarbonate lens
- Reinforced Steampunk spring “Flex Fit” metal hinges
- Suitable for sports or other outer door activities
- Sturdy metal frame
- Suitable for men and women and all face shapes
- Very good fit
- Easy to clean
- 30-day money back guarantee
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Gift Box, sturdy case, storage pouch, soft cleaning cloth, small screwdriver keychain
Cons
- Non-polarized
- The lens can scratch easily
9. Duco Women's Shades Classic Oversized Polarized Sunglasses
Ladies! If you are looking for a fabulous pair of shades to protect your eyes, look no further than the Classic Oversized Sunglasses from Duco.
These stunning oversized sunglasses have an upgraded design that includes an unbreakable plastic frame, high strength copper alloy hinged springs that open and close smoothly, and the sturdy screws keep the arms securely fastened to the frame. The delicate nose pads are comfortable and keep the sunglasses sitting securely on your face.
You will draw admiring glances and receive compliments as the attractive Duco sunglasses look like expensive Designer style shades with a smooth finish and strong metal accents embellishments.
The fully polarized triacetate cellulose TAC lenses offer 100% UVA/UVB protection from the damaging rays of the sun and they are impact and shatter resistant and block intense reflected light, reduce any scattered glare and restore vivid color.
Keep your stylish sunglasses sparkling clean with the included soft cleaning cloth, and there is also a soft fabric sunglasses pouch, a polarized testing card, and a mini screwdriver to reattach wayward screws. Duco offers a 30-day money back guarantee and a lifetime breakage warranty on the frame and lens.
Duco also makes a fabulous range of sunglass for kids.
There are 5 different color selections to choose from: black, brown, champagne, purple, and wine red.
Pros:
- Good quality
- Very good value for money
- Upgraded design
- Very affordable price
- Beautiful and fashionable
- Copper alloy hinges
- Unbreakable plastic frame
- TAC lenses offer 100% UVA/UVB rays
- Polarization blocks intense reflected light and reduce any scattered glare and restores vivid color
- Impact and shatter resistant lens
- High strength copper alloy hinged springs that open and close smoothly
- Sturdy screws
- Delicate nose pads are comfortable
- 5 different color selections
- Cleaning soft cloth, soft fabric sunglasses pouch, a polarized testing card, and mini screwdriver
- 30-day money back guarantee
- Lifetime breakage warranty on the frame and lens
- Kids range available
Cons:
- Hinges tend to break over time
- Too big for small face sizes
- Do not filter out strong sunlight
10. RIVBOS Sunglasses for Children Age 3-10 RBK003
Keep your precious little one's eyes safe from the harsh damaging UV rays of the sun with these brightly colored kids sunglasses from Rivbos.
The sunglasses are specially designed for kids aged 3 to 10 and the plastic material includes a revolutionary soft and super flexible silicone rubber that is strong and sturdy and virtually indestructible and the ergonomic design makes the sunglasses very comfortable and safe to wear.
Your kids will have the best eye protection as the polarized plastic lenses filter out 100% of UVA/UVB rays and harmful blue light and minimize the sun's glare.
These super cute sunglasses come in a massive collection of 17 bright fun colors, so your kids will have no problem choosing their favorite shades.
Rivbos offer a 30-day money back guarantee and a lifetime breakage warranty on the frame and you can find extra accessories on their website like a strap to secure the glasses for extra safety during your child's playtime.
Pros
- Great quality
- Excellent price
- Revolutionary virtually indestructible soft and flexible silicon rubber frame
- Durable
- Safe for kids to wear
- Cute and colorful design
- Ideal for boys and girls
- 100% protection against UVA, UVB, and harmful blue lights
- Strong polarized plastic lenses
- Good polarization
- Ergonomic comfortable design
- Available in 17 bright, bold colors
- 30-day money back guarantee
- Lifetime breakage warranty on the frame
Con
- Plastic lenses only
- Wide fit
- No hard glass case
Our Top Pick for the Best Cheap Sunglasses
Our top pick for the best cheap sunglasses is the GAMMA RAY CHEATERS Wayfarer Sunglasses range.
With an excellent level of UV protection and polarization, a sturdy and comfortable frame, and an extensive collection of bright colors, the stylish Gamma Ray Cheaters sunglasses are extremely cheap but they their quality is unsurpassed. As they have sizes for men woman and kids, they are perfectly suited for the whole family.
