The jury is still out on how, exactly, screen time affects us—and what we should do about it. But many people have turned to blue-light-blocking glasses as one potential way to mitigate screen time’s more negative effects. Blue light blocking glasses promise to filter out some of the high-range blue light emitted by our screens. And some research has linked blue light blocking glasses with enhanced mood, improved sleep quality, increased activity, and reduced retinal damage. Again, blue-light-blocking glasses are still pretty new, and the research surrounding them is far from definitive. But if you’re intrigued by their potential benefits and want to score a pair of your own, rest assured knowing there are plenty of great options to choose from. Here are the best blue light blocking glasses on the market. If you want to use these glasses as readers, you can. Simply choose a magnification level between +1.00 and +2.25. If you want to use them as standard blue-light-blocking glasses, simply opt for the +0.00 magnification level, instead. Price at time of publication: $15 What’s nice? If you want to add magnification, you can do so at no additional cost. Price at time of publication: $98 But if you want additional blue light protection, you can spend an extra $50 on Warby Parker’s blue light filtering feature. This add-on promises to block even more blue light than the brand’s classic lenses—without adding a yellow tint to your lenses. Price at time of publication: $95 What makes these glasses great readers, though, is the fact that they come with magnification. Opt for a magnification level between +0.50 and +3.00. And if you want classic, magnification-free glasses, simply choose the +0.00 option. Price at time of publication: $45 Also nice? The lenses are finished with anti-glare coating, which will keep reflections and other distractions from popping up in the corners of your lenses—allowing you to keep your head in the game. Price at time of publication: $30 This balance of ample protection and minimal color distortion makes the glasses great for everyday use. They’re discreet enough to wear to the office, but still protective enough to give your eyes a break. And since the glasses come in an array of shapes and colors, you can select a pair of frames that works for you. Price at time of publication: $25 The only potential downside? The glasses come with dark amber lenses. This makes them more conspicuous than options with clear or yellow-tinted lenses. But since they promise more intense protection, they might be worth the tradeoff. Plus, if you’re wearing them before bed, do they really need to be all that discreet? Price at time of publication: $75 Price at time of publication: $30 What’s nice? The lenses promise to be scratch-resistant, abrasion-resistant, and oil-resistant, too. So they should last you a while—even if they encounter a little wear and tear. Price at time of publication: $28 The primary purpose of blue light blocking glasses is to block blue light. But depending on your needs and preferences, you may not want to choose the most protective pair possible. Why? Glasses that offer more protection tend to come with amber-tinted lenses, which can distort the color of the environment around you. Consider how much you care about blue light protection—and weigh that against how much you care about having clear lenses. Then, opt for a pair that suits your priorities. Comfort If you spend a lot of time in front of screens, you’ll need a pair of blue light blocking glasses that are comfortable enough to wear for hours on end. Unfortunately, comfort can be hard to suss out when shopping online. But don’t be afraid to try stuff on at home—and send frames back when they don’t suit you. It may take a few tries to find the right pair, but you’ll be happy when you do. Style Blue light blocking glasses are a functional buy. But if you’re planning to wear them a lot, you probably want a pair that looks relatively nice. Opt for a set you’ll feel comfortable wearing to the office—or even to a nearby coffee shop. Blue light blocking glasses are worthless if you’re too embarrassed to wear them.
