Polarized vs. Non-Polarized Sunglasses: Which Is Best?

If you’re looking for new sunglass lenses, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by your options. You know you want glasses that block out harmful UV rays and bright sunlight, but you might not be sure what you need beyond that.

The most significant decision you’ll make when buying sunglasses is the type of lens. There are two main types to compare — polarized and non-polarized. Below, we’ll walk you through the key differences between the two and help you decide which option is best for you. Hopefully, we’ll save you a lot of time in the process.

Polarized Lenses vs. Non-Polarized Lenses: What’s the Difference?

No matter what type of sunglasses you choose, you’ll benefit from some shade from sunlight. However, some sunglasses take the protection a step further with special coatings that block out ultraviolet light — ideally both UVA and UVB rays.

Polarized lenses add even more features for comfort and functionality. They boast a special polarization filter that blocks out horizontally reflected light, making it easier to see and reducing the amount of glare. Besides glare reduction, these lenses also feature the highest levels of UV protection.

Another aspect that sets polarized lenses apart is a unique chemical film that lets vertical light through while blocking out as much horizontal light as possible. The result? You’ll deal with dramatically less glare and enjoy more visual clarity.

But how much of a difference do polarized lenses make when spending time in bright light? When you wear polarized sunglasses, you might not immediately notice a change. However, as time goes on, you’ll likely find that you can enjoy bright, sunny days more than ever with this subtle glare protection.

Interesting side fact: Polarized sunglasses were originally developed by NASA to protect astronauts’ eyes from UV light. These high-energy wavelengths can otherwise cause cataracts or macular degeneration. The NASA scientists came up with the idea after studying eagles’ vision. In fact, the chemical that filters the light in your polarized sunglasses mimics an oil that occurs naturally in eagles’ eyes.

Benefits of Polarized Sunglasses

Choosing polarized vs. non-polarized sunglasses really pays off when you’re taking part in outdoor activities on a bright and sunny day. Reflective surfaces can wreak havoc on your eyes, creating eye strain and making it difficult to see clearly. A few hours in the sun can add up to fatigue and a headache. And who wants that after a wonderful day out in the sun?

Polarized sunglasses filter ambient light and reduce the glare from a variety of surfaces, such as:

• When you’re driving or biking on a bright day, polarized lenses cut down on the light reflecting off the hard, flat surface of the road, or from the bumpers and windshields of other cars, making travel much safer.
• If you’re a skier out on the slopes, polarized sunglasses reduce the glare from the snow, allowing you to see the contours of your run (provided you’re not expecting icy patches — see more on this below).
• When you’re fishing, polarized lenses decrease the surface reflection so you can see through the water’s surface to what’s going on underneath.
• For water sports like boating, polarized glasses help you see the surface clearly so you can read the waves.
• If you’re a mountain biker or trail runner, polarized sunglasses reduce the glare of hard surfaces like rocks, allowing you to view the trail ahead clearly.
• And on a slightly different note, polarized glasses cut down on reflections from sunlit windows, allowing you to comfortably window shop on a sunny day.

Polarized lenses offer relief to the wearer’s eyes, making all those experiences much more pleasant. This type of lens also creates more contrast in what you’re seeing, so colors can appear brighter and richer, which adds impact to the scenery if you’re out hiking in nature or admiring a sea view.

When Non-Polarized Sunglasses Work Best

In the comparison between polarized vs. non-polarized sunglasses, polarized lenses usually win out. However, there are a few instances when non-polarized lenses do work better:

For example, if you’re looking at an LCD screen, the horizontal light wave filtration from your polarized lenses will make it harder to see the display. That means you might not want to use polarized shades while working outside on your laptop or texting on your smartphone.

Luckily, it’s easy to avoid this issue — simply slip off your glasses, send that text, and put them back on.

In addition, it’s best to avoid wearing polarized lenses on icy days. Polarized sunglasses can camouflage shiny patches of ice if you’re driving, walking, or skiing after a snowfall, which can be a slip hazard. So, you need to weigh that against the benefits of seeing the contours clearly.

Polarized sunglasses aren’t really designed for reading, working indoors, or doing anything in low-light conditions.

In all these cases, you’ll be better off with non-polarized lenses. However, you’ll still find plenty of useful times to have polarized lenses handy, especially if you spend lots of time outside.

How to Tell if You Have Polarized vs. Non-Polarized Sunglasses

In case you’re not sure whether your glasses are polarized or not, there are a couple of ways you can test this:

• Sit in front of an anti-glare computer screen. Hold up your sunglasses, look through them, and then slowly turn them by 90 degrees. If they’re polarized, the lenses will go dark as the two types of light cancel each other out.

or

• Look at any reflective surface through your sunglasses. Then turn them again through 90 degrees and if the glare starts to come back, they’re polarized. Turn them the right way again, and it will go away.

Choosing Your Polarized Sunglasses

Polarized lenses can be a fantastic option if you want a pair of sunglasses that keeps you comfortable while putting your eye care first.

If you’re looking for polarized shades, there’s no better place than Pair. Here, you’ll find unique Sun Tops, which you can snap seamlessly onto your Base Frames to instantly turn them into sunglasses. These stylish lenses can work with both prescription and non-prescription eyeglasses, providing access to a whole new level of protection — as well as summer fashion.

Plus, Sun Tops are easy to swap out whenever you want. If you’re in the mood to change things up, you can detach your current pair and achieve a completely new look in seconds.

If you’re not sure which style is right for you, we recommend giving our virtual try-on feature a shot. All you have to do is upload a photo of your face, and you can take any of our eyeglasses — including our sunglasses — for a spin.

Live Your Best Life With Polarized Sunglasses

On a busy day, you really don’t need a side of eye strain or a killer headache. Luckily there’s no need for that if you choose polarized vs. non-polarized sunglasses. Polarized eyewear filters out horizontal light, reducing the reflection from flat surfaces, as well as UV rays that can damage your eyes.

With Pair Eyewear, your sunglasses will cut through the glare to help you see clearly wherever you are and whatever you’re doing. And as a bonus, you can pick from a range of designs to suit your personality at a great price point.