We researched dozens of safety glasses, evaluating comfort, durability, and lens quality. Our favorites, the 3M Virtua CCS Safety Glasses, have a foam gasket to seal the space between your skin and the lenses, as well as anti-scratch and anti-fog coating, 99.9-percent UV-blocking protection, and even a cord that can keep earplugs from getting lost. Here are the best safety glasses. But that’s not all we love about this protective eyewear. The glasses have a removable foam gasket that runs around the inside of the frame to provide a more effective seal against dust, small debris, and airborne fluids. Plus, if your personal protective equipment includes earplugs, the glasses have an optional cord attachment to keep the earplugs secured and that serves as a lanyard when not wearing your PPE. These safety glasses meet the high impact requirements of ANSI Z87.1-2020, which is the most recent edition of the American National Standard’s guidelines for safety glasses and similar PPE. Choose from blue frames with clear lenses, blue frames with mirrored lenses, or black frames with gray lenses. All are very reasonably priced and surprisingly attractive for safety glasses, to boot. Price at time of publish: $14 These protective glasses meet ANSI Z87.1+ standards for safety and MIL-PRF 32432 Ballistic Impact (military) standards for impact resistance. That means the glasses are highly resistant to breaking or shattering, even if struck directly by debris or another object. The lightweight, comfortable frame is made of flexible yet durable nylon, with rubber pieces at the bridge of the nose and the temples to keep the glasses from slipping even if you get sweaty. The Ergodyne Skullerz are available in a wide range of frame and lens colors. Price at time of publish: $44 With TR-90 nylon arms and an adjustable nose piece, these glasses are suitable for men or women and can accommodate various face shapes and head sizes. (TR-90 nylon is a type of ultra-flexible yet endlessly durable thermoplastic.) The ANSI-approved safety glasses have large rectangular frames and wraparound shields to help protect you from chemicals, particles, paint, and other irritants from every angle. They are ideal for anyone who enjoys DIY projects involving power tools, works in construction or another field that’s potentially dangerous to the eyes, or works in the medical field and needs to ward off potential exposure to fluids or chemicals. Price at time of publish: $45 With a resilient polycarbonate frame and clear wraparound lenses, you’ll be protected from all angles without distorting your vision. The lenses resist scratching and block up to 100 percent of UV rays, and soft tips minimize pressure around your temples. The extendable arms can be adjusted to fit various head sizes, so they work for men, women, and kids. You can also wear them as normal safety glasses without a prescription pair underneath. These specs are certified safe by the ANSI, CSA, and OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration). They fit over most regular prescription glasses that are up to 5.7 inches wide, 1.37 inches high on the outer sides of the lenses, and 1.77 high at the inner edge of the lenses. Price at time of publish: $19 The scratch-resistant polycarbonate lenses block 99 percent of UVA and UVB rays from the sun, as well as UVC radiation from artificial lamps or lasers. They also block up to 87 percent of blue light emitted from electronic devices, such as computers and phones. The sandstone-bronze lens for outdoor wear is undeniably cool looking, but the glasses are also available with clear or gray lenses if that’s your preference. Price at time of publish: $11 The polycarbonate lenses meet ANSI and CSA requirements for high-impact protection and block almost 100 percent of UV rays. They also have anti-scratch and anti-fog coating. These glasses fit comfortably, with adjustable temples and a soft nose piece. The wraparound style includes a protective brow bar and side shields to protect your eyes in all directions. Price at time of publish: $19 The ANSI-certified polycarbonate lenses resist scratching and have a special anti-fog coating. Not only that, but the lenses block UV rays and the design helps minimize glare. You’ll also appreciate the panoramic design, which provides a wide field of vision and complete protection from particles and irritants. Price at time of publish: $30 While these glasses are not ANSI-certified for high-impact eye and face protection, they do offer good protection for tasks unlikely to create impact, such as DIY projects, medical or dental work, or working in dusty conditions. They’re also scratch- and fog-resistant and reduce reflective glare. If you do venture outside wearing these glasses, you’ll have peace of mind knowing they block 90 to 100 percent of the sun’s UV rays. They are available in several different colors of frame and lens. Price at time of publish: $17 Made of impact-resistant polycarbonate, the glasses have an anti-fog and anti-scratch coating, as well as a transparent side shield that stretches all the way around the lens, making these somewhat of a hybrid between safety glasses and goggles. The side shield provides extra protection against dust, fluids, or chemical splashes. These comfortable, well-fitted glasses come in several colors, including brown or black leopard, solid black, blue, gray, and white. Price at time of publish: $19
Lens Material
Safety lenses are usually made from one of four materials: polycarbonate, NXT, acrylic, or glass. Polycarbonate is the best option for most uses, as it’s lightweight, impact resistant, and offers UV protection. If you’re in need of prescription glasses, however, you might opt for NXT or glass lenses, which offer greater optical clarity.
Tints and Treatments
In addition to the lens material, you’ll also want to consider the lens color and any tints or treatments that have been added. For indoor or low-light activities, it’s safest to go with clear lenses. Shaded or tinted lenses are helpful for outdoor use, protecting you from bright sunlight or lights. You can opt for polarized coatings to further reduce glare, or an anti-fog coating to reduce or eliminate lens fogging (particularly useful for mask wearers). Other treatments include anti-scratch, blue light blocking, hard coat, and hydrophobic coatings.
Safety Certification
If you’re buying safety eyewear in America, make sure that it has an ANSI Z87.1 Certification. This ensures that the glasses have been properly tested and meet the standard for personal Occupational and Educational Personal Eye and Face Protection Devices. You should see it clearly marked on the inside of the lens.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Michelle Ullman is the home improvement/tool expert for The Spruce. She has extensive experience not only in writing about all things related to the home, but also in carrying out various DIY projects, including landscaping, painting, flooring, wallpapering, furniture makeovers, and simple repairs around the house and yard. For this roundup, she considered dozens of safety glasses, evaluating each for design, UV filtering capabilities, safety certifications, and overall function. She also considered feedback from customers, both positive and negative. Additional reporting and research for this article was done by Timothy Dale, a long-time home improvement expert specializing in plumbing, construction, and product recommendations, among other topics.
