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The Best Mirrored Sunglasses for Men

Last updated on February 13, 2023

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Whether you spend a lot of time outdoors or just venture out once in a while, it’s important to protect your eyes from the sun’s dangerous UV rays. A high-quality pair of mirrored sunglasses is an excellent purchase for men who spend time in very bright conditions. As the name suggests, mirrored sunglasses are covered with a thin metallic layer that reflects glare away from your eyes.

To start with, make sure you know the difference between mirrored sunglasses and polarized sunglasses. Both types may look similar and are used to reduce glare, but mirrored sunglasses are more protective against UV rays and come in many colors. Polarized lenses generally don’t have a mirrored look and are best for filtering out horizontally reflected light. Polarized sunglasses are not a good choice for use in cars because the tint on the lenses can cause distortion when looking through some car windows and screens (as with smartphones). However, this problem doesn’t occur with mirrored sunglasses.

Mirrored sunglasses are a great choice for men who enjoy outdoor activities in sunny conditions, such as hiking, biking and running. They are especially ideal in snowy conditions, as they reduce the bright sunlight that bounces off white surfaces into your eyes. If you’re skiing, ice skating, snowboarding or just going for a walk in the snow, mirrored sunglasses are your best option.

The most important element to consider when buying mirrored sunglasses for men is UV protection. Harmful UV rays can lead to eye cancers, cataracts and other eye issues. Proper protection from your sunglasses is essential for good eye health. Be sure your mirrored sunglasses for men have 100% UV protection, or UV400, against both UVA and UVB rays.

You’ll also want to consider fit. Consider how the sunglasses feel on top of your nose and behind your ears. These areas should be snug and you should feel the sunglasses’ weight being evenly distributed. If your eyelashes touch the frame or the lenses, the glasses are too close to your face. Some sunglasses come in different lengths or have adjustable temples, so look for those features if you want more flexibility when choosing your size.

Shape is also a consideration, especially if you’re using your sunglasses for sports. Wraparound frames can block UV rays from the sides, for example, while the teardrop shape of aviators helps protect from glare that comes from below you. You’ll want to go for large frames for the most sun protection.

Look at the materials your sunglasses are made from, which affect weight, clarity, cost, and longevity. The frame may be of metal, or a type of plastic, or another material, like nylon. The lenses may be of glass, polyurethane, polycarbonate, or acrylic. All have different pros and cons and you’ll want to consider your personal preference.

Our Picks For The Top Mirrored Sunglasses for Men

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Product Overview
Our Take
 Top Pick

Ray-Ban Rb3025 Classic Mirrored Aviator Sunglasses For Men

Don't Waste Your Money Seal of Approval

Ray-Ban

Rb3025 Classic Mirrored Aviator Sunglasses For Men

Get the aviator look with these classic Ray-Ban sunglasses. The flash mirrored lenses offer 100% UV protection. These glasses are available in many frame and lens colors; they also have varied sizes to suit your face.

Overall Take

Vintage LookGo for a classic vibe with these high-quality unisex mirrored sunglasses.

 Runner Up

Duduma UV400 Protection Mirrored Sunglasses For Men

Duduma

UV400 Protection Mirrored Sunglasses For Men

You'll get full UV400 protection with these sunglasses, which are also highly durable. They are lightweight, shatterproof and impact resistant, with polycarbonate lenses in different colors that provide great clarity.

Overall Take

Clear ChoiceThese sunglasses are lightweight and shatterproof and offer great clarity.

 We Also Like

Cyxus Polarized Classic Mirrored Aviator Sunglasses For Men

Cyxus

Polarized Classic Mirrored Aviator Sunglasses For Men

Because they are polarized and mirrored, these sunglasses for men are ideal for many outdoor activities. They offer 100% UV protection and have spring hinges to reduce pressure on the sides of your head.

Overall Take

For Outdoor ActivitiesPolarized as well as mirrored, these sunglasses work well for active men.

 Also Great

LUENX Polarized Mirrored Aviator Sunglasses For Men

LUENX

Polarized Mirrored Aviator Sunglasses For Men

These mirrored sunglasses are also polarized. They have a durable frame with flexible metal arms, metal-cored silica gel nose pads and thickened hinges; you also receive a case and cleaning cloth.

Overall Take

For DrivingThese mirrored sunglasses for men are ideal when you’re behind the wheel.

What to Look For

  • Consider lens color, as this affects how much visible light reaches your eyes and how well you see other hues. Typically, darker colors of lenses are best for sporting activities because they cut through glare and reduce eye strain in moderate to bright conditions, while lighter colors are better for moderate and low-light conditions in which you need depth perception and contrast, like driving. Note that color does not affect your level of UV protection.
  • Choose as large a frame as you can handle. This offers your eyes more protection from the sun and reduces eye strain.
  • The mirrored coating on mirrored sunglasses can be delicate and may get scratched easily, so look for a pair that also hasa  scratch-resistant coating.
  • You may also want to consider a hydrophobic coating that repels water, or an anti-fog coating for humid conditions.
  • With mirrored sunglasses, don’t skimp on quality. That’s because cheaper mirrored sunglasses use a spray-on coating, which will get scratched more easily. Higher-quality mirrored sunglasses have a coating applied to the interior.
  • When cleaning your sunglasses, use a microfiber cloth and only approved lens cleaners.
  • Do not keep your sunglasses in the car. Excessive heat can degrade the coatings.

More to Explore

Back in the day, glass was the standard for eyeglasses. But in 1972, the Food and Drug Administration decreed that all prescription glasses and sunglasses must be shatter-resistant. That’s when manufacturers turned to plastics — but while plastic isn’t prone to shattering, it is prone to scratches.

NASA is responsible for the first scratch-resistant plastic lenses; Dr. Ted Wydeven was working on a spacecraft purification system when he coated a filter with a plastic film using the electric discharge of an organic vapor as part of his process. This coating was then used for the visors on helmets and the plastic surfaces of other aerospace equipment. Later research by eyewear company Foster Grant made scratch resistance possible for glass as well. However, plastic lenses are still standard for sunglasses.

More to explore