Acetate vs. Metal Frames: Pros and Cons and How To Choose

Acetate is a highly durable, flexible, and long-lasting form of plastic. This frame material can withstand some serious wear and tear, and it’s our go-to choice for just about everyone who wears glasses.

Let’s examine the pros and cons of acetate frames to determine whether this eyewear material is right for you.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Metal Frames?

Plastic frames have some big selling points and a few potential drawbacks. However, there’s so much to love about these glasses that you might not notice any of those possible cons. Instead, you’ll be too busy enjoying how easy it is to wear these frames and make them match your style.

Here’s what you need to know:

Extra Durability

Eyeglass frames made from acetate can last for a long time with proper care. Unlike metal frames, they don’t bend easily and can withstand accidental drops —which happen to everybody occasionally.

Easy To Clean

Acetate frames are also low-maintenance and easy to keep clean. All you need to maintain these frames is a microfiber towel and soapy water. You can wipe off dust, dirt, and fingerprints from your glasses as often as needed, cleaning both lenses and the frames in just a few minutes.

Affordable Price

Acetate eyeglasses are a popular choice because they’re more affordable than other materials. You can get a high-quality pair of cellulose acetate frames for as little as $60, and they can last for years.

Versatile Style

When you go with high-quality plastic frames, you have plenty of colors, shapes, and styles to choose from. A pair of glasses made from acetate can be opaque or clear, and you can easily find pairs that feature classic patterns like tortoise.

As a bonus, the plastic frames from Pair work with our one-of-a-kind magnetic top frames, which help you switch up your style and express yourself even more. Our top frames snap seamlessly onto your base frames, giving you a new way to show off your unique style.

Minimal Allergy and Irritation Concerns

Acetate is a hypoallergenic material, which makes it an ideal option for folks with sensitive skin. On the other hand, some metal eyeglass frames — especially pairs containing nickel — can cause allergic reactions.

If you’ve previously had a reaction to a pair of stainless steel or titanium frames, we recommend switching to plastic eyeglass frames to protect your skin from redness and irritation.

No Nose Pads

Many pairs of metal glasses come with adjustable nose pads, making the frames a bit easier to fit to the shape of your nose. However, many people find these nose pads annoying and uncomfortable.

If you don’t like nose pads on glasses, acetate is the way to go. However, if these little pads add extra functionality to your glasses, you might prefer a pair made from a different material.

The Verdict

Overall, high-end acetate glasses (like ours at Pair Eyewear) are easy to recommend to everyone. They’re durable, fit any face shape, and are easy to clean. Plus, acetate frames come in various colors and are even more personalizable thanks to Pair’s magnetic top frames.

What To Know About Metal Glasses

Metal eyeglasses are popular for their cool, minimalist look and timeless design. Metal frame materials have been used since people started wearing glasses, and they’re not going anywhere anytime soon.

These frames are definitely classics, and they can be a practical, durable option as well. However, just like acetate frames, metal glasses have pros and cons.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Metal Frames?

Here’s what you need to know about the potential benefits and drawbacks of metal eyeglass frames:

Less Durability

Metal frames are more prone to breaking, as the material isn’t quite as durable as acetate. Some metals used for eyeglass frames are more damage-resistant than others, especially titanium alloy. However, no matter how well you protect your frames, they’re more likely to break if they’re made from metal.

Glasses made from pure titanium can be expensive, but they’re also a stylish, timeless option that can work well for most glasses wearers. However, if you wear thicker lenses with a specialized prescription, acetate or another material might work better for you.

Higher Price Point

Speaking of expensive, metal frames are often pricier than their plastic counterparts. That’s not because frames made from plastic materials are less stylish or practical — metal is just more costly to source.

Budget is a big factor when you’re looking for the perfect pair of glasses. Bear in mind that your frames aren’t the only part of the price tag —you’ll also need to pay for prescription lenses and any other add-ons you might need.

Considering the price, metal frames might not be as reasonable an option, especially if you’re on a budget like many of us. If saving money is a big priority, go with acetate.

Elegant Style

It’s hard to deny that a pair of stainless steel frames is ultra-classy. These frames look awesome, and their timeless style makes them ideal for anyone who wants to look like they stepped out of a 1950s movie.

Some Allergy and Irritation Concerns

If you have sensitive skin, metal frames might not be for you.

As mentioned above, some folks experience reactions to nickel when wearing metal eyeglass frames, although this isn’t a very common problem. If you’ve had reactions in the past, consider talking to your optician about whether they recommend avoiding metal glasses.

Nose Pads

Metal frames usually have nose pads, which can be a big nuisance. They’re meant to make your glasses more practical and functional, but that’s not always the case.

Whether glasses with nose pads will work for you depends on your preferences and how sensitive you are to the feeling of your glasses resting on your nose. Some people can’t stand it, but others don’t mind.

Which Frames Are Right for You?

It’s up to you to decide which glasses suit you best. But who says you can't have both? Pair Eyewear's new mixed material frames blend the best of both worlds, combining durable acetate with sleek gold or silver metal temples.

These mixed material frames are more than a fashion statement—they’re a seamless blend of innovation and style, offering a versatile choice for those seeking the perfect balance of modern design and practicality.

Browse our best-selling Base Frames’ all-new temples to find themetal twist that suits you!

If you’re having trouble deciding which glasses to buy, try our virtual try-on feature. This handy tool allows you to experiment with different frame shapes and color options to see what looks best.

How To Style Your Glasses for a Unique Look

Everyone has their own unique look, and the right pair of glasses can really tie that look together.

We make it easy to find glasses that match your style and the shape of your face with helpful guidelines on all of our product pages. Once you figure out your own face shape, you can take a look our recommended face shapesfor each frame.Use this as aguideline to help you find a pair that matches you perfectly!

When it comes to color, it’s all about finding the right match for your skin tone. Our metal temples are available in sleek silver or gold allowing youto choose the perfect finish that complements you and your personal style.

Whether you prefer the warm elegance of gold or the modern edge of silver, our frames are designed to elevate your look effortlessly. Check out this video to learn how to determine your skin tone!

@paireyewear ✨Gold or Silver 🪩 What finish are you gravitating towards? #gold #silver #undertones #jewlery #paireyewear #coloranalysis ♬ vlog, chill out, calm daily life(1370843) - SUNNY HOOD STUDIO

Adding Customization

Our top frame collection features original designs and licensed collabs with some of the biggest franchises in the world, including Star Wars, Marvel, Harry Potter, Disney, and many more. We even recently released a new line of Top Frames in partnership with The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and they’re works of art in their own right.

If you need a separate case to hold your top frames, we have you covered. Our Top Frame Cases come in green tan, and navy and hold two frames each. If you want to change your look in a snap (literally), one of these cases is all you need.

The Bottom Line

Overall, acetate frames are the clear winner in our book when it comes to style, affordability, and durability. These are glasses for the modern age, and they’re built to hold up against busy schedules and active lifestyles. If you need a pair of glasses that won’t bend out of shape or go out of style, plastic is the way to go.

As a bonus, you can customize your plastic frames with top frames from Pair, which match seamlessly with our base frames. Make sure to add a few top frames to your order and use them to level up your style instantly.

Sources:

What Is an Optician? | Cleveland Clinic

Allergies: Symptoms, Reaction, Treatment & Management | Cleveland Clinic

Hypoallergenic: What Does It Means and How to Find Safe Products | Healthline

Cellulose Acetate - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics