The Best Men's Polarized Sunglasses of 2023

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Cut the glare and protect your eyes in style with the best polarized sunglasses.

High-quality sunglasses are just as important as high-SPF face sunscreen (and, arguably, a much more exciting purchase to make). Unlike regular sunglasses with tinted lenses, polarized sunglasses reduce glare in addition to protecting your eyes from harmful rays, so you can avoid squinting through your day and getting eye strain and a headache. They're excellent for anyone who's sensitive to bright light and are particularly helpful for driving. And, as you may guess, polarized sunglasses are ideal for cutting glare during outdoor activities. They're a smart choice for cycling in the heat on a sunny day, training for a midsummer 10K, or just relaxing on the beach with a good summer read.

Polarized sunglasses are available in a huge variety of styles as well as price points, so there's no need to continue suffering with your $10 drugstore buy. Whether you want a pair that'll last you multiple summers or you lose sunglasses every few months, we've scouted some of the best men's polarized sunglasses that are worth checking out.

The frame material can determine factors like durability, weight, and style. Our pool includes plastic, acetate, and metal, and each has pros and cons. The majority of frames are plastic or plastic-like acetate, made of nylon and more durable and flexible than conventional plastic. Metal wire frames are lightweight but can feel a bit fragile in hand, so if you're hard on sunglasses you may want to opt for acetate, like our best overall pick.

All of the models we chose will protect you from UVA/UVB rays, and, of course, are polarized to reduce glare. The lens color—gray, green or brown being the most popular—may be more cosmetic for your personal style and preferences, but some are better than others for specific activities. If you spend time on the water reeling in bass or kayaking, a metallic chrome coating can give you even better coverage.

For contact or optic lenses wearers, check to see if there is an option to put your prescription in the sunglasses frames. We've made a note of those that give you the option from the seller, but in most cases you can take them to your local optometrist to have prescription lenses made if you decide you want them later on. I have an astigmatism and terrible vision, so I usually go to my eye doctor and I've never had an issue with any frames.

We searched for polarized sunglasses from our favorite brands and retailers, and included a variety of styles and price-points in our selection to suit different tastes and budgets. We considered the material and durability of every frame we write about, and offer options that work well for specific activities—including not doing much of anything. As a lifelong wearer of glasses and contacts, I'm picky about frames, whether I'm using them to hang out at a patio bar or to go for a long run. And, I've only lost one pair of sunglasses in my life (impressed?), so I can speak to the durability of the frames I've owned.

The Remmy frame is flattering on a lot of face shapes and Raen makes sure both design and construction are up to par. The brand uses an acetate frame that has a steel rod going through the arms to bolster durability, ensuring they can take a beating. It has a key-hole bridge for a throwback feel and comes in both 48 and 52-millimeter widths for narrow and large faces.

The polarized green lenses allow just enough light in so you don't feel like you're looking through a wine bottle, nor are they overtly dark, requiring you to remove them to take in the colors of a full view.

I can personally attest to the quality of these glasses, as I've had them going on five years now. They've been part of the daily rotation for multiple summers and have yet to fall apart or gain any noticeable scratches. The hinges have kept their grip and the arms stay in place when I fold them. If you want men's polarized sunglasses that are effective without being overbearing, you can't go wrong with the Remmys.

Huckberry's in-house men's polarized sunglasses have been a customer favorite since they first came out in 2020 because they look more expensive than they are—and can take a beating.

The frame is a sportier version of the classic Ray-Ban Wayfarer design, giving them a casual, modern look that's flattering on a lot of faces. Scratch-resistant lenses and heavy-duty plastic add to the frames' durability and customers say the fit is snug without being uncomfortable.

These hit the sweet spot between a pair you buy and expect to lose and a pair you're too afraid to wear; they're stylish, durable and you'll want to protect them without feeling the need to baby them.

If you spend a lot of time on the water, Costa Del Mar's "Pro Series" builds frames with water activities in mind. The men's polarized sunglasses are designed to address the issues boaters and fishers frequently run into—sweat, sun glare, splashing, fog from humidity—with features like sweat drain channels and adjustable, ventilated nose pads.

The temples of the frames have a hooded shield for a goggle-like fit to block out the sun at every angle. These are a sporty frame that may not suit an everyday style.

This Runner's World tested pair of men's polarized sunglasses is more than a great budget pick for running glasses—they're a great pick in general. They're well-built, affordable, and don't bounce when you're biking or running, so they're sure to stay in place when you're relaxing on the beach or boating. Silicon inserts at the nose and temples keep these secure on your face and the retro style looks good on virtually anyone.

The Torino men's polarized sunglasses are great for cycling and running because of their lightweight construction and no-bounce design.

I use mine for both active and casual wear. They're comfortable all day and have a retro shape that provides a lot of coverage while also suiting my style. Rubber pieces at the nose and temples keep them from slipping down even on the hottest days and they hug my face snugly without feeling tight or uncomfortable. The action on the hinges have more of a smooth, snap rather than a "fold down" and the arms never flop around.

These are versatile, but if I have something that is more formal—or as formal as anything I can wear sunglasses to—I opt for something else. The Torino frames have a matte finish that skew on the sporty, active side.

I had buyer's remorse for a couple minutes after getting these, but it quickly subsided once I put them on—that was 10 years ago.

The Persol 714's were made famous by Steve McQueen and have been a style staple for guys that want upscale shades but don't want the ultra-flashy designer frames. They have a heavy-weight acetate construction with metal accents and hinges throughout; they have five different points of articulation and fold down to the size of just one of the lenses. The gradient lenses provide protection and block glare while giving everything a subtle blueish hue, and have a mirror effect on sunnier days.

While these men's polarized sunglasses are pricey, they've held up superbly over a decade and I still wear mine quite a bit. The hinges haven't lost their grip though I try not to fold mine down completely if I can help it. The wide frames give me a lot of coverage and I like the blue hue of the gradient lenses. These are a heavy pair and I can feel the weight if they're on all day, but they're comfortable on most outings. Durability isn't a question on these but if you tend to lose glasses a lot, I understand if you want to opt for another pair.

The classic Aviator frame has remained largely unchanged since it first came out in 1937, and still has us singing tunes from Top Gun whenever we put on a pair. The gold metal frames are lightweight for all-day wear and the large lenses provide maximum coverage from the sun; adjustable nose pads ensure a comfortable fit. They also suit a wide array of face shapes and different styles.

The metal frames can feel a bit fragile when folding them down, but that's just the nature of wire frames. If you tend to be tough on your eyewear, you may consider going with a thicker pair of men's polarized sunglasses made from plastic or acetate.

These glasses look similar to another pair. Now, you can get shades like this that look just like the first pair that went to the Moon.

Danny Perez is a Commerce Editor for Popular Mechanics with a focus on men's style, gear, and home goods. Recently, he was coordinator of partnership content at another product journalism outlet. Prior to that, he was a buyer for an independent men's shop in Houston, Texas, where he learned all about what makes great products great. He enjoys thrifting for 90s Broadway tees and vintage pajama sets. His spare time is occupied by watching movies and running to impress strangers on Strava.

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