Magnetic Glasses: What They Are and How They Work

Magnetic glasses are all the rage nowadays, but what exactly are they? If you’re imagining attracting iron filings as you pass by, you won’t be alone. Luckily, they’re much more useful than that.

Let’s compare two different types of magnetic glasses and clarify how they work. We’ll also define the various kinds of prescriptions and add-ons available, and then run through how to choose the right magnetic glasses so you look and feel like your best self.

What Are Magnetic Glasses?

There are two types of magnetic eyeglasses you need to know about.

The first type — often used for reading glasses — has a frame that separates in the middle. The two halves of the frame are each attached to a cord that holds the glasses around your neck when you’re not using them. When you need them, you simply snap the two halves together to make a full frame. These are quite handy when you don’t use your glasses all the time. They’re available when you need them, and you’re less likely to put them down and then forget where you left them.

The second type of magnetic glasses works differently. These allow you to snap an outer frame onto an inner prescription pair or attach a pair of tinted lenses, converting your regular glasses into sunglasses or simply changing the look of the frames. If you’re old enough, think back to the old-fashioned flip-up sunglasses that were popular in the ‘80s and ‘90s — only with magnets — and you’ll get the idea (and possibly a wave of nostalgia too).

Types of Magnetic Clip-On Eyeglasses

At Pair Eyewear, we’ve taken the second type of magnetic glasses to the next level, creating a unique concept that allows you to change your look in an instant.

Your Pair magnetic glasses are made up of a Base Frame — which can also be worn on its own — and a Top Frame. The Top Frame clips magnetically to the Base Frame using tiny magnets that are extremely lightweight, so your glasses rest lightly on your face.

The Base Frame is the “working part” here and is custom-made to your specific prescription, with a choice of add-on features. For the Top Frame, you get to select from a wide range of designs to suit your personality, interests, and look for the day — all easily changeable with just a moment’s notice.

Our magnetic glasses can be made with several different types of lenses:

Magnetic Reading Glasses

Reading glasses are designed for close-up work like reading a book, messages on your cell phone, or the ingredient list of a product in the grocery store. They’re probably what you need if you’ve developed age-related presbyopia.

Magnetic Single Vision Glasses

Single-vision prescription glasses help you see clearly if you’re nearsighted or farsighted and/or have astigmatism. Your eye doctor will give you the right prescription for your needs.

Magnetic Multifocal Glasses

If you struggle to see at a distance as well as close up, you probably need bifocals. Progressive glasses are an upgrade on bifocals, with no dividing line between the different sections of the glasses. This not only looks better but avoids the nasty vision jump you often get with old-school multifocals.

And if you don’t need a prescription at all and simply want a pair of magnetic glasses as a style accessory, we cater to that too.

In addition to your lens type, you can also select add-ons like blue light filters, light-responsive lenses, or clip-on sunglasses.

Magnetic Blue Light Filtering Glasses

If you spend a lot of time on your computer, cell phone, or any other device, you probably need blue-light-blocking lenses. Blue light blockers protect your eyes from harmful blue light rays emitted by electronic devices, which can interfere with your sleep cycle.

Magnetic Light Responsive Lenses

Light responsive — or transition — lenses darken or lighten as the light around you changes. These are ideal if you move regularly between indoors and out during the day.

Magnetic Clip-On Sunglasses

Remember those flip-up sunglasses? This is our (much more stylish) version. Our Sun Tops clip magnetically to your Base Frame, seamlessly turning them into prescription sunglasses. They’re polarized and offer 100% protection from UVA and UVB rays. This super-affordable and lightweight magnetic glasses accessory solves the dilemma of how to incorporate sunnies into your glasses-wearing routine.

How to Choose Your Pair Eyewear Magnetic Glasses

The Pair process is simple.

Start by selecting the glasses frame that best suits your face shape. Our unisex, full-rim frames come in a variety of frame sizes and frame colors. Use the Virtual Try-On feature to check which magnetic glasses style works best for you.

For example:

If you have a round-shaped face, try one of our rectangular styles:

• The Larkin

• The Finley

• The Casper

• The Kirby

If your face is more angular, try a round style:

• The Twain

• The Reese

• The Soto

• The Otis

And for something a bit different, try one of our cat-eye styles:

• The Ella

• The Wanda

Each style has a different lens height, lens width, bridge width, and temple arm length, which you’ll find when you click through to that Base Frame. You can also check our Size Guide for further information.

You’ll then select your prescription type and any add-ons, before choosing one or more Top Frames that catch your fancy.

If you’re not ready to buy all the Top Frames you love yet, go ahead and add them to your Favorites Wish List by clicking the heart icon in the top right corner (you’ll need to be logged in to do this). Then you can come back and buy them when you’re ready. Just bear in mind that our best-seller Limited Edition Top Frames change regularly, so your favorite may not be around forever.

It’s also a good idea to plan ahead to keep your gorgeous new glasses safe when you’re not wearing them. Before you check out, simply add a Glasses Case and/or a Top Frame Case to your shopping cart to protect your glasses on the move or a Wall Hanger to store and display them at home.

All Pair Eyewear magnetic glasses have a 30-day warranty to give you peace of mind. If you’re not 100% satisfied with your purchase when it arrives, you can return it within 30 days for an exchange or refund.

If you have any questions about that, or any other Pair-related queries, have a look at our FAQ page or contact us directly at [email protected].

Choose Your Magnetic Glasses Today

There are two types of magnetic glasses: the first clips together in front and the second allows you to add a Top Frame to change your look or your level of sun protection. Magnetic glasses also come with a range of different prescriptions and add-ons to suit your needs.

Choose your Base Frames from Pair today, along with a selection of Top Frames to complement your personality and interests. Style and substance in one package — that’s you.