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The Differences Between Polarized vs Non-Polarized Sunglasses – March 2021 - Eyewear Genius
The Differences Between Polarized vs Non-Polarized Sunglasses – March 2021
With all the lenses and coating options available on the market today, it’s easy to understand how many people can be confused when shopping for new sunglasses. Polarized lenses are one of the most misunderstood eyewear features available and because of this (and a higher price tag), they often get overlooked by less informed consumers.
Polarized lenses provide amazing glare reduction, sharpness, and color purity that is unmatched by non-polarized lenses. Because of these reasons, we almost always recommend them over any other lens type. That said, polarized lenses cost more than regular tinted lenses which can be a deal breaker for some people.
Polarized vs Non-Polarized Sunglasses: A Quick Comparison
Polarized Sunglasses Pros & Cons
Pros
Filter out harsh glare & surface reflections.
Enhanced vision clarity & color purity.
Significantly reduce eyestrain & headaches.
Great for fishing & water sports; Allow you to see below the surface of the water.
Available in either regular or mirrored tinted lenses.
Cons
Can cost substantially more than standard tinted lenses.
LCD screens on dashboards (cars/planes/heavy machinery), & GPS displays are difficult to read.
Problematic in icy driving conditions & some winter sports.
Base lens color is all but limited to grays, greens, and ambers.
Best For
Everyday use especially in bright conditions.
People with excess light sensitivity.
Those looking for the best performance.
Water sports, especially fishing, boating, & sailing.
Costs
Typically $40-$90 more per pair than non-polarized.
Non-Polarized Sunglasses Pros & Cons
Pros
Sufficiently block bright light, if not harsh reflections/glare.
Typically much cheaper than polarized sunglasses.
Lenses are available in dozens of colors, hues, and finishes.
Cons
Don’t block reflections or glare.
Can experience eyestrain & headaches over time even with extremely dark lenses.
Color and clarity won’t be nearly as enhanced as polarized lenses.
Best For
Everyday use & general protection from sunlight.
More budget conscientious consumers.
Winter driving & sports as they won’t filter out glare from ice.
Anyone looking for a large variety of lens colors & finishes.
Costs
Much cheaper than polarized on average, though special coating can increase the final price.
Key Benefits
Benefits of Polarized Sunglasses
The key advantages of polarized lenses are their ability to filter out harsh glare and reflections. When sunlight enters our atmosphere, it scatters until it collects, or becomes concentrated on flat surfaces. This newly concentrated sunlight is also referred to as polarized light.
Polarized light is emitted as bright, horizontal glare that can pose significant vision issues including cataracts, macular degeneration, or photokeratitis (snow blindness).
However, polarized sunglasses filter out the glare which in turn enhances your field of vision by creating sharper images and allowing the pure color of your surroundings to reach your eyes. It’s these qualities that put them in a league of their own when compared to other sunglass lenses.
Benefits of Non-Polarized Sunglasses
Non-polarized sunglasses may not be able to compete with their high-performance counterparts, but they still offer many substantial benefits and solid protection. Sunglasses are fundamentally important to vision health as they help to block out bright sunlight and, more importantly, harmful UV light.
So long as regular tinted sunglasses have 100% UV protection rating, referred to as UV400, you will be no less protected compared to polarized sunglasses with the same level of UV protection.
Winner
Polarized Sunglasses
Despite the increase in price, we can’t overlook the awesome qualities that polarized lenses provide. If you have had polarized lenses in the past then you comprehend exactly what we mean. If you haven’t, we strongly suggest you try some out the next chance you get!
Key Drawbacks
Neither lens type has any significant drawback when you consider their fundamental purpose of blocking bright sunlight and protecting your eyes from harmful UV rays. Again, assuming that each lens includes adequate UV Protection (UV400). That said, there are specific cost and performance drawbacks of each lens which doesn’t make either absolutely perfect.
Drawbacks of Polarized Sunglasses
The most obvious drawback here is the increased cost of polarized lenses. The manufacturing process is much more complicated than that of regular tinted lenses and this causes the sometimes drastic price increase ( more further down).
What we want to focus on specifically, is the potentially dangerous performance quirks associated with this polarized lenses. Simply put, polarized lenses and LCD displays don’t get along well. In fact, polarized sunglasses will make some screens found in cars, heavy machinery, and airplanes impossible to read. While the first two instances are mostly just annoying, the latter two can pose some obvious higher risks.
Polarized lenses will also block any reflections from icy surfaces which can make them a risky choice to wear while downhill skiing, snowboarding or driving in snow. This is due to the horizontal elements in the lenses blocking out reflections and glare from icy patches that could cause falls or accidents. We understand this might not be a big concern for many, but we feel it’s worth noting.
Drawbacks of Non-Polarized Sunglasses
Really, the only real drawback of non-polarized lenses remains the fact they can’t filter out harsh glare and reflections from surfaces like roads, water, snow, and cars. Because of this, you can indeed still experience eyestrain and develop headaches after enough exposure, even while wearing darkly tinted sunglasses.
Other negative effects of non-polarized lenses include muted colors and less vision clarity when compared to polarized lenses.
Winner
Draw
Alright, this is a bit of a draw here. Yes, polarized sunglasses appear to have more drawbacks but we are really knit-picking unique issues with otherwise great features. Likewise, non-polarized sunglasses don’t have anything inherently wrong with them as long as they have adequate UV protection.
Lens Cost
Costs of Polarized Sunglasses
We alluded to the inflated price tag of polarized lenses above, but you may be wondering,’just how much more are we talking here?” The simplistic answer is most polarized sunglasses will run you an extra $40 – $90 more than the exact same pair of sunglasses without polarized lenses. To some, that cost simply isn’t justifiable and may even be unnecessary depending on what your primary need for sunglasses is.
Costs of Non-Polarized Sunglasses
The apparent winner for lowest cost would be non-polarized or regular tinted sunglasses as they are altogether easier and less expensive for manufacturers to produce. However, when you consider the additional benefits of polarized lenses, the pricing battle becomes considerably closer in our opinion. Regardless, if you merely want a nice pair of sunglasses that will block out the sun and provide adequate UV protection, non-polarized are more than capable of accomplishing this.
Winner
Non-Polarized
This particular race may be tighter than it appears, but we have to give this to non-polarized sunglasses. We know not everyone can, or is willing to pay the premium on polarized lenses. Also, if you have a specific lens color in mind, you will likely have more luck finding it available in a non-polarized lens. Despite this, we will also spring for polarized lenses whenever we can!
Choosing The Best For You
This mostly comes down to individual preferences and budget for most. If you want the best in performance we recommend you go with polarized sunglasses. If performance isn’t the most important factor, then you would probably be better suited looking at non-polarized sunglasses.
Whichever path you choose to investigate, check out our guides to the best sunglasses and best sunglasses retailers to start your search!
If you need help getting started, check out the lists of our favorite online eyewear retailers and brands to get you going. We break down some of the industries best brands and hottest upstarts to help you find the perfect pair of sunglasses that will make you and your wallet happy!
My brother told me that he’s going out fishing for the first time tomorrow. I think I should buy him some sunglasses if I can find a professional that sells them since he’ll need them to see fish while they’re swimming underwater. It’s good to know that polarized ones will filter out the harsh reflections that he’ll face when he’s near the water, so I might buy those for him.
Great! Yes, polarized sunglasses are incredible for fishing! He will absolutely love how he can see the contours of the bottom in shallower water and even the fish! Thanks!
There are a number of polarized sunglasses for men offered at $20 or less. Uniformly, they receive hundreds, even thousands, of 4- and 5-star reviews on Amazon, which would suggest the glasses are a sensible buy. My question is: Are they, in your opinion?
Hi Richard, many of them could and probably do include lenses that are both polarized and have UV400 protection. The largest downside will be the materials and the way they contract the frame. The lenses will likely last 10x longer than the frame could ever dream. Regardless of the price point, we would recommend a frame material like Mazzucchelli acetate or TR-90 surgical paired with stainless steel hinges at a minimum. Otherwise, you may find yourself purchasing multiple $20 pairs when a quality $80-100 pair would last much longer. Thanks!
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The Differences Between Polarized vs Non-Polarized Sunglasses – March 2021
Our Quick Recommendation
With all the lenses and coating options available on the market today, it’s easy to understand how many people can be confused when shopping for new sunglasses. Polarized lenses are one of the most misunderstood eyewear features available and because of this (and a higher price tag), they often get overlooked by less informed consumers.
Polarized lenses provide amazing glare reduction, sharpness, and color purity that is unmatched by non-polarized lenses. Because of these reasons, we almost always recommend them over any other lens type. That said, polarized lenses cost more than regular tinted lenses which can be a deal breaker for some people.
Featured Topics:
Polarized vs Non-Polarized Sunglasses: Pros & Cons
Benefits of Polarized Lenses
Benefits of Non-Polarized Lenses
Drawbacks of Polarized Lenses
Drawbacks of Non-Polarized Lenses
Costs of Polarized Lenses
Costs of Non-Polarized Lenses
Choosing the Best For You
Polarized vs Non-Polarized Sunglasses: A Quick Comparison
Polarized Sunglasses Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
Best For
Costs
Non-Polarized Sunglasses Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
Best For
Costs
Key Benefits
Benefits of Polarized Sunglasses
The key advantages of polarized lenses are their ability to filter out harsh glare and reflections. When sunlight enters our atmosphere, it scatters until it collects, or becomes concentrated on flat surfaces. This newly concentrated sunlight is also referred to as polarized light.
Polarized light is emitted as bright, horizontal glare that can pose significant vision issues including cataracts, macular degeneration, or photokeratitis (snow blindness).
However, polarized sunglasses filter out the glare which in turn enhances your field of vision by creating sharper images and allowing the pure color of your surroundings to reach your eyes. It’s these qualities that put them in a league of their own when compared to other sunglass lenses.
Benefits of Non-Polarized Sunglasses
Non-polarized sunglasses may not be able to compete with their high-performance counterparts, but they still offer many substantial benefits and solid protection. Sunglasses are fundamentally important to vision health as they help to block out bright sunlight and, more importantly, harmful UV light.
So long as regular tinted sunglasses have 100% UV protection rating, referred to as UV400, you will be no less protected compared to polarized sunglasses with the same level of UV protection.
Winner
Polarized Sunglasses
Despite the increase in price, we can’t overlook the awesome qualities that polarized lenses provide. If you have had polarized lenses in the past then you comprehend exactly what we mean. If you haven’t, we strongly suggest you try some out the next chance you get!
Key Drawbacks
Neither lens type has any significant drawback when you consider their fundamental purpose of blocking bright sunlight and protecting your eyes from harmful UV rays. Again, assuming that each lens includes adequate UV Protection (UV400). That said, there are specific cost and performance drawbacks of each lens which doesn’t make either absolutely perfect.
Drawbacks of Polarized Sunglasses
The most obvious drawback here is the increased cost of polarized lenses. The manufacturing process is much more complicated than that of regular tinted lenses and this causes the sometimes drastic price increase ( more further down).
What we want to focus on specifically, is the potentially dangerous performance quirks associated with this polarized lenses. Simply put, polarized lenses and LCD displays don’t get along well. In fact, polarized sunglasses will make some screens found in cars, heavy machinery, and airplanes impossible to read. While the first two instances are mostly just annoying, the latter two can pose some obvious higher risks.
Polarized lenses will also block any reflections from icy surfaces which can make them a risky choice to wear while downhill skiing, snowboarding or driving in snow. This is due to the horizontal elements in the lenses blocking out reflections and glare from icy patches that could cause falls or accidents. We understand this might not be a big concern for many, but we feel it’s worth noting.
Drawbacks of Non-Polarized Sunglasses
Really, the only real drawback of non-polarized lenses remains the fact they can’t filter out harsh glare and reflections from surfaces like roads, water, snow, and cars. Because of this, you can indeed still experience eyestrain and develop headaches after enough exposure, even while wearing darkly tinted sunglasses.
Other negative effects of non-polarized lenses include muted colors and less vision clarity when compared to polarized lenses.
Winner
Draw
Alright, this is a bit of a draw here. Yes, polarized sunglasses appear to have more drawbacks but we are really knit-picking unique issues with otherwise great features. Likewise, non-polarized sunglasses don’t have anything inherently wrong with them as long as they have adequate UV protection.
Lens Cost
Costs of Polarized Sunglasses
We alluded to the inflated price tag of polarized lenses above, but you may be wondering,’just how much more are we talking here?” The simplistic answer is most polarized sunglasses will run you an extra $40 – $90 more than the exact same pair of sunglasses without polarized lenses. To some, that cost simply isn’t justifiable and may even be unnecessary depending on what your primary need for sunglasses is.
Costs of Non-Polarized Sunglasses
The apparent winner for lowest cost would be non-polarized or regular tinted sunglasses as they are altogether easier and less expensive for manufacturers to produce. However, when you consider the additional benefits of polarized lenses, the pricing battle becomes considerably closer in our opinion. Regardless, if you merely want a nice pair of sunglasses that will block out the sun and provide adequate UV protection, non-polarized are more than capable of accomplishing this.
Winner
Non-Polarized
This particular race may be tighter than it appears, but we have to give this to non-polarized sunglasses. We know not everyone can, or is willing to pay the premium on polarized lenses. Also, if you have a specific lens color in mind, you will likely have more luck finding it available in a non-polarized lens. Despite this, we will also spring for polarized lenses whenever we can!
Choosing The Best For You
This mostly comes down to individual preferences and budget for most. If you want the best in performance we recommend you go with polarized sunglasses. If performance isn’t the most important factor, then you would probably be better suited looking at non-polarized sunglasses.
Whichever path you choose to investigate, check out our guides to the best sunglasses and best sunglasses retailers to start your search!
If you need help getting started, check out the lists of our favorite online eyewear retailers and brands to get you going. We break down some of the industries best brands and hottest upstarts to help you find the perfect pair of sunglasses that will make you and your wallet happy!
6 replies to “The Differences Between Polarized vs Non-Polarized Sunglasses – March 2021”
Angela Waterford
My brother told me that he’s going out fishing for the first time tomorrow. I think I should buy him some sunglasses if I can find a professional that sells them since he’ll need them to see fish while they’re swimming underwater. It’s good to know that polarized ones will filter out the harsh reflections that he’ll face when he’s near the water, so I might buy those for him.
Tony Parrish
Great! Yes, polarized sunglasses are incredible for fishing! He will absolutely love how he can see the contours of the bottom in shallower water and even the fish! Thanks!
Richard
There are a number of polarized sunglasses for men offered at $20 or less. Uniformly, they receive hundreds, even thousands, of 4- and 5-star reviews on Amazon, which would suggest the glasses are a sensible buy. My question is: Are they, in your opinion?
Thank you.
R.L.
Tony Parrish
Hi Richard, many of them could and probably do include lenses that are both polarized and have UV400 protection. The largest downside will be the materials and the way they contract the frame. The lenses will likely last 10x longer than the frame could ever dream. Regardless of the price point, we would recommend a frame material like Mazzucchelli acetate or TR-90 surgical paired with stainless steel hinges at a minimum. Otherwise, you may find yourself purchasing multiple $20 pairs when a quality $80-100 pair would last much longer. Thanks!
Global Eyes
Great! Yes, polarized sunglasses are incredible for fishing!
Tony Parrish
Absolutely agree! Love seeing the muskies and pike follow in that shallows!
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