The 7 Best Safety Glasses of 2022
Updated: Nov. 03, 2022Keep your eyes protected and your vision clear with these picks for best safety glasses on the market.
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When tackling DIY projects, woodworking jobs or renovations at home, one of the most important protective gear items you should buy is a quality pair of safety glasses. They’re basic and affordable, but do an essential job of keeping your eyes safe from dust, debris and UV rays. The best safety glasses are also sturdy, comfortable to wear for long periods of time and help you see your work clearly both inside and outdoors. Designs have come a long way, with more stylish options (like Stoggles) now available. We’ve gathered up the top options on the market to help you protect your peepers while getting the job done.
How We Chose the Best Safety Glasses
During our research we turned to trusted brands in the industry, and also looked for products with thousands of positive customer reviews. We also considered the following features and criteria when making our selections:
Durability: Obviously when it comes to any kind of work wear, durability is essential. When you’re woodworking, cleaning up the yard or climbing through a dusty crawlspace, glasses go through a lot of wear and tear. We picked tough products that are built to last, and won’t break while you’re in the middle of a project.
Lens Quality: Your eyes deserve more than a simple plastic barrier to keep them safe. The lenses should be made from strong yet lightweight polycarbonate, are resistant to both glare and fog and protect against harmful UV rays.
Comfort: If your glasses are uncomfortable, you’re less likely to wear them, so comfort is key. Many of the options below feature adjustable nose pads and arms for the best fit, and soft foam padding for all-day wear.
Best Overall Safety Glasses
3M Virtua CCS
With an affordable price tag (just $12 per pair!) and 14,000+ five-star reviews on Amazon, the 3M Virtua frames are our overall pick for best safety glasses. They have all the desirable features important in safety gear, including an anti-fog and anti-scratch coating, polycarbonate lenses and a wrap-around design for peripheral protection and unobstructed viewing. The stand-out detail is the foam-lined gasket that seals out even the smallest dust particles, while adding a layer of soft cushioning for comfort.
Pros
- High impact protection
- 99.9% UV protection
- Corded system keeps eyewear secure, and includes optional earplug attachment
Cons
- Not adjustable
- Some reviewers report foam padding coming loose
Most Durable Safety Glasses
DeWalt Concealer Goggles
The DeWalt Concealer goggles are built for your toughest DIY projects. The heavy-duty lens resists scratches and protects against impact (like flying debris while woodworking). The dual-injected rubber seal conforms the goggles to your face for a snug fit that blocks out dust and debris. Built-in ventilation offers breathability and helps to reduce fogging. The elastic cloth head strap keeps them securely in place, no matter how hard you’re working.
Pros
- Durable hard-coated polycarbonate lens
- 99% UV protection
- Adjustable cloth head strap for a custom and comfortable fit
Cons
- Might fog up in hot weather because of the rubber seal
- May not be comfortable for all-day wear
Most Comfortable Safety Glasses
Honeywell Hypershocks
The Honeywell Hypershocks are comfortable enough to wear all day. The molded nose piece rests lightly on your face, while the soft, molded inserts at the temples help avoid chafing or tight pressure on the side of your head. The integrated hinges tighten or expand to provide a customized fit for any head size. The ultra-lightweight design means you’ll barely notice them, but the impact-resistant frames don’t skimp on safety features.
Working in the dark? You’ll want to check out these lighted safety glasses instead.
Pros
- Lightweight and easy to wear all day
- Molded nose piece and soft temples
- Anti-fog and anti-scratch coating
- Full frame, wrap-around design
Cons
- No rubber or foam gasket to protect from dust
- Not polarized
Best UV Protection Safety Glasses
Edge Kazbek Polarized Wrap-Around Glasses
As you may know, UV protection for your peepers is an essential summer safety tip, but it’s actually important to consider all-year long. While many options offer UV protection, we chose the Edge Kazbek safety glasses as our top pick because of their extremely-light design and high-tech vision features. Seriously, their lenses use technology originally developed by NASA for astronaut helmets! Not only do they block 99.9% of UVA, UVB and UVC rays; the tapered lenses also eliminate refraction, which reduces eye fatigue and distortion. Plus, the wrap-around polarized design reduces glare from both above and below.
Pros
- Blocks 99.9% of UVA, UVB and UVC rays (the highest level of protection on the market)
- Aqua Precision mirrored lenses blocks infrared light
- Straight temple arms eliminate pressure on head and temples
Cons
- No anti-fog coating
- Not an adjustable fit
Best Tinted Safety Glasses
KleenGuard Nemesis
If you’re attempting an outdoor woodworking project on a bright and sunny day, reach for the KleenGuard Nemesis Safety Glasses. The tinted polycarbonate lenses with outer mirror coating reduce glare and provide protection against 99.9% of harmful UVA, UVB and UVC rays. Particularly useful in hot and humid environments, these tinted glasses have a flexible nose piece designed to channel sweat away from the eyes, and help prevent slippage down the nose.
Pros
- Smoke lenses reduce glare but aren’t too dark to impair vision
- 99.9% UV protection
- Convenient removable neck cord
Cons
- Not polarized
- No anti-scratch coating
Most Stylish Safety Glasses
Stoggles Square Safety Glasses
Is there such a thing as chic safety glasses? Stoggles proves the answer is yes! These glasses look fashion-forward without being too flashy; and most importantly, still have all the features important for shop safety devices. They also have impact-resistant polycarbonate side and top shields, an anti-fog coating, plus blue light and UV-blocking lenses. Bonus points for the eight fun color options!
Pros
- Stylish yet practical
- Two size options
- Side shields for peripheral protection
Cons
- Not polarized
- No anti-scratch protection
Best Anti-Fog Safety Glasses
NoCry Anti-Fog Safety Glasses
You’ll find many options with anti-fog properties, but the NoCry Anti-Fog Safety Glasses are the clear winners (just ask the 38,000+ five-star reviewers!). The Vanguard Plus double-coated lenses offer fives-times more fog resistance and two-times more scratch resistance than standard picks, and there’s no optical distortion for crystal-clear vision at all times. One happy customer Michele explains: “Wearing safety glasses 12-plus hours a day, I can highly recommend these! Not one tension or pinch point…the adjustable arms and nose are great. No fog, no scratches.” By the way, keep your frame safe with this safety glasses insurance trick.
Pros
- Vanguard Plus anti-fog and anti-scratch coating
- Adjustable nose pad and soft rubber arms for a perfect fit
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- Cannot fit over prescription glasses
- No safety certifications
Questions to Ask When Buying Safety Glasses
How do you keep safety glasses from fogging up?
If your glasses keep fogging up, you might be wearing a pair that’s too tight that doesn’t have adequate airflow. Make sure to invest in a quality pair of anti-fog glasses with a snug fit that still allows for ventilation. Also consider applying an anti-fog coating, which are available in sprays, wipes or gels. Apply it to both sides of lenses for a clearer view.
When should safety glasses be worn?
According to the American Optometric Association, you should wear safety glasses any time there is a risk of particles, flying objects or dust harming your eyes. That includes woodworking, auto repair, electrical work, welding, yard work and more. If you’re working with chemicals, switch to goggles for extra protection.
Where can you buy prescription safety glasses?
Many eyeglass manufacturers also offer prescriptions, including Zenni Optical and Frames Direct. You can also shop for prescription options at specialized safety gear stores like Safety Gear Pro or RX Safety.
What are safety glasses made of?
Most of these glasses (and all of our top picks) are made with polycarbonate lenses, which are impact-resistant and scratch-resistant for the best protection. The frames, meanwhile, are made from various materials including rubber, nylon and plastic.
Do safety glasses have UV protection?
The best ones definitely include this feature. Sun exposure can burn your corneas and damage your vision. Look for options that block more than 99% of UVA and UVB rays. Another note: UV protection is not related to how dark the lenses are. Both dark and clear lenses can block UV rays as long as they’re treated with a UV protective coating.
