Good sunglasses don’t have to be expensive. Whether a pair is any good depends not on the price tag or the logo, but on the UV filter, the right lens tint and a frame that copes with everyday life. Here you’ll find out how to recognise cheap and reduced sunglasses with good UV protection, and where you can save if your budget is small.
Key points at a glance
- Look for the UV400 label (or “100% UV protection”) and the CE or UKCA mark. This applies to cheap sunglasses just as much as to expensive ones.
- The lens category from 0 to 4 tells you how dark the lens is, not how well it filters UV. For summer, category 2 or 3 is usually right.
- You can spot quality by sturdy hinges, clean edges and lenses that keep straight lines straight.
- You can save in the sale and on last season’s models from well-known brands. Don’t compromise on proven UV protection.
How to recognise cheap sunglasses with good UV protection
You can’t tell by looking at a lens whether it reliably filters UV radiation. Even very dark lenses can let UV through. This matters because your pupils open wider behind dark lenses: without a UV filter, more UV radiation can reach the eye as a result. So rely on the labelling, not on the colour of the lens.
UV400 and the CE mark: the minimum
UV400 means the lenses filter UV radiation up to a wavelength of 400 nanometres, which covers both UVA and UVB. The CE mark, or the UKCA mark in Great Britain, shows that the sunglasses meet the requirements for sunglasses under the standard EN ISO 12312-1. The labelling also includes the lens category, usually on the inside of the arm, for example “Cat. 3”.
If this information is missing, for instance on sunglasses from a beach stall or an unknown source, the UV protection is uncertain. An optician can measure how much UV your sunglasses let through. You can find out more in our article What You Need to Know about UV Radiation.
Lens category: how dark should the lens be?
The lens category (also called filter category) indicates how much visible light the lens lets through. It has nothing to do with UV protection: even sunglasses with a light tint can have UV400.
| Category | Light transmission | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 80–100% | clear or almost clear lenses, fashion, dull weather |
| 1 | 43–80% | light tint for cloudy days and the city |
| 2 | 18–43% | medium sunlight, everyday use in the UK |
| 3 | 8–18% | bright sun, summer, the beach, holidays in the south |
| 4 | 3–8% | extreme brightness in high mountains and on glaciers, not suitable for driving |
For everyday wear, category 2 or 3 is the right choice. If you only want one pair for the summer, go for category 3.
Polarisation: nice to have, but not a must
Polarised lenses reduce glare from reflections, for example on water, snow or a wet road. They aren’t needed for UV protection, which depends only on the UV filter. If you spend a lot of time near water or in the snow, a polarised pair is still worth considering. Our article on polarised lenses explains how they work.
Quality in frames and lenses: hinges, materials, finish
Cheap sunglasses shouldn’t fall apart after one summer. You can check these points as soon as you unpack them:
- Hinges: Good hinges are made of metal, screwed or riveted, and move smoothly without play. Spring hinges give a little and forgive you for putting your sunglasses on with one hand. Wobbly hinges, or hinges that are only glued in, are a warning sign.
- Finish: The edges are smooth, the paint or colour is even and the lenses sit firmly in the frame. If you put the sunglasses upside down on a table with the arms open, both arms should touch the table.
- Fit: The frame sits securely without pinching and covers your eyes well. Large, slightly curved lenses or a shield model with one single lens let in less light from the sides.
Frame material: acetate, plastic or metal
Acetate is a high-quality plastic made from cellulose. It feels pleasant, has a rich depth of colour and can be adjusted by an optician. Injection-moulded plastic is light and cheap to produce, but depending on the quality it can be less stable. Metal such as stainless steel or titanium is thin, light and robust. Here, make sure the nose pads fit well.
Lens material: plastic, polycarbonate or mineral glass
Most sunglasses have plastic lenses. They are light and less likely to break than glass, but they scratch more easily. Polycarbonate is particularly impact-resistant, which is why it is common in sports sunglasses. Mineral glass is scratch-resistant and optically very clear, but heavier.
There’s a simple test for optical quality: hold the sunglasses at arm’s length and look through one lens at a straight edge, such as a door frame. When you move the sunglasses slowly from side to side, the line should not bend or ripple.
Where to find reduced sunglasses: the sale and last season’s models
Save on timing and choice, not on quality. Three ways to get good branded sunglasses on a small budget:
- Sale: Reduced sunglasses are often models that are making room for a new collection. The discount doesn’t change anything about the product itself.
- Last season’s models and colours: Many brands launch new collections every year. Models and colours from the previous season are then often cheaper, even though they hardly look any different.
- Timeless shapes: Aviators, square Wayfarer-style frames and round panto shapes never go out of fashion, so you’ll get more wear out of your purchase.
Be careful with designer sunglasses at rock-bottom prices from unknown sellers: with fakes, it’s unclear without proof whether they have any UV protection at all. It’s better to buy from a retailer that sells genuine products.
Designer sunglasses in the sale: brands currently reduced
The Edel-Optics sunglasses sale currently includes models from a wide range of brands. The selection changes all the time, so here’s just an overview:
- Levi’s: The denim brand makes sunglasses for women and men and has several models in the sale, such as the LO26803 and the LO22393.
- Le Specs: The Australian brand is known for eye-catching retro shapes such as the Halfmoon Magic cat-eye. In the sale you’ll find models like the Impala, Float Away and Entitlement.
- Sporty and casual: Converse, Puma, Superdry and Scotch & Soda.
- Elegant: Longchamp, Moschino and Esprit.
- Luxury brands: DITA, for example with the Grandmaster-Seven, and the Porsche Design P8508 in the EdelOptics Limited Edition.
Here is a selection of the models currently reduced:
Levis LO22395 05£52.82 £66.03Porsche Design EdelOptics Limited Edition (P8508 EO)£125.37 £208.95Levis LO26803 02£66.20 £82.74Levis LO26791 02£66.20 £82.74Converse SCO284Q BLGO£25.68Levis LO22393 04£52.82 £66.03Levis LO26798 02£66.20 £82.74Levis LO26813 04£46.14 £57.67Frequently asked questions about cheap sunglasses
Do cheap sunglasses have poorer UV protection?
Not necessarily. What counts is the UV400 label and the CE or UKCA mark, not the price. With more expensive models, you mainly pay for the brand, design, materials and workmanship.
Which brand is good if my budget is small?
Check UV400, the CE or UKCA mark and solid workmanship first, then the brand. You have a good chance of finding an affordable designer model in the sale, currently for example from Levi’s, Le Specs, Converse, Esprit or VOOY by edel-optics.
How can I make cheap sunglasses last?
Keep them in their case and never put them down lens-side first. Don’t leave them in a hot car, and clean the lenses with water and a microfibre cloth rather than your T-shirt. More tips: 10 Things You Should (Not) Do With Your Sunglasses.
