Safety glasses are an essential protection item whether you work in a construction-related field or you regularly enjoy hobbies that have the potential to damage your eyesight. It can be easy to overlook the importance of safety glasses, but this small yet mighty item can effectively protect you from major injury and the risk of losing your eye in an accident.
Deciding which type of safety glasses to purchase can be an overwhelming task, especially when there are so many great options out there. To help you in making your decision, we’ve gathered a list of the best safety glasses and evaluated them all for comfort, durability, and style. Read on to learn all about our top safety glasses picks.
- Why Should You Purchase Safety Glasses?
- Top 10 Best Safety Glasses 2023
- 1. Best Overall Safety Glasses: Dewalt DPG82-11C Concealer
- 2. Best Premium Safety Glasses: MAGID Iconic Y50 Design Safety Glasses
- 3. Best Budget Safety Glasses: Crews BK319 BearKat 3 Safety Glasses
- 4. Most Durable Safety Glasses: Dewalt DPG94-1C Dominator Safety Glasses
- 5. Most Comfortable Safety Glasses: NoCry Safety Glasses With Wrap-Around Lenses
- 6. Most Lightweight Safety Glasses: KleenGuard Maverick Safety Eyewear
- 7. Best Over-Glasses Safety Glasses: NoCry Over-Glasses Safety Glasses
- 8. Best Safety Glasses for Workshop Use: 3M Safety Glasses
- 9. Best Dual-Pack of Safety Glasses: MAGID Y50BKAFC15 Safety Glasses
- 10. Best Outdoor Safety Glasses: KleenGuard V30 Nemesis Safety Glasses
- Your Full Buyer’s Guide to Safety Glasses
- The Best Way to Protect Your Vision
Why Should You Purchase Safety Glasses?
You may not think you need them, but anyone who works in carpentry or construction, as a mechanic, or has hobbies such as shooting or DIY building can benefit from a quality pair of safety glasses.
Not only do safety glasses work to provide clear, unobstructed eyesight while you are wearing them, they can also reduce your risk of serious injury should something from your surroundings come flying towards your eyes.
If you want to learn more about the in-depth benefits of safety glasses, skip ahead to our full buyer’s guide below.
What to Look For When Buying Safety Glasses
These factors are very important to consider when it comes to purchasing the best pair of safety glasses for your needs.
Material
Both the lenses and the frames of safety glasses can be made out a number of different materials. Frames are most typically made from rubber or plastic, and the lens are made out of either glass, plastic, or polycarbonate; different materials on glasses are suited for different uses, something we will discuss later.
Glass is very scratch-resistant and slightly clearer than other materials, but it offers less protection from impact and fogging; plastic offers more durability and is fairly lightweight, but it also tends to scratch fairly easily.
Polycarbonate is one of the most popular choices in safety glasses because it is both durable and lightweight, in addition to offering more protection against scratches. It can also resist impact fairly well, which makes it a great choice for use in a workshop. The Dewalt DPG82-11C Concealer glasses are perfect if you are looking for a pair of safety glasses featuring polycarbonate lenses.
Comfort
In addition to the material of your safety glasses, comfort is another important deciding factor. You want to make sure the glasses you purchase can be worn for an extended period of time without becoming painful or irritating your skin.
Some glasses, like the NoCry Safety Glasses, will offer adjustable side and nose pieces that allow you to customize the glasses for a perfect fit. Other glasses will provide additional padding on the nose or the side area, making the item more comfortable for long-term wear.
Durability
When you purchase safety glasses, you want to make sure that they will protect you no matter what flies at your eyes. Glasses that are highly durable will be able to withstand impacts and be fairly scratch-resistant.
You should also keep in mind that the more durable your safety glasses are, the more use you are likely to get out of them before it is time to purchase a new pair.
Another thing to consider with durability is whether or not the glasses have a safety rating; look for an ANSI (American National Standards Institute) rating on the glasses you are purchasing for extra assurance that the item will provide you with quality protection and durability. And if you are interested in learning the details of this rating, skip down below.
Style
There are two main styles of safety glasses – goggles, which completely enclose the eye area, and traditional glasses, which protect the eye area, but do not create a complete seal to your cheek.
Goggles provide more extreme protection and are generally better for areas like workshops where there is a lot of dust and small particles that could irritate your eyes, in addition to protection from large flying items.
Traditional glasses are better suited for less extreme working situations and areas that don’t require a complete seal around your eyes for protection.
If you are looking for a great pair of safety glasses for your workshop, you may want to go ahead and skip down to the 3M Safety Glasses.
Additional Benefits
In addition to protecting your eyes, some safety glasses are designed to give you helpful benefits that make wearing the glasses all the more comfortable. These include things like anti-fog technology, which allows your glasses to stay clean and clear no matter the environment, blue light blocking, which can be beneficial if you also work with computers, and peripheral vision protection additions, which can take the form of side panels added onto the safety glasses.
You may be able to find one or more of these added benefits on your safety glasses depending on the style and the material of item you invest in.
Now that we’ve discussed the most important things to look out for when purchasing safety glasses, let’s head into our list of the top 10 products available!
Top 10 Best Safety Glasses 2023
1. Best Overall Safety Glasses: Dewalt DPG82-11C Concealer
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Material: Rubber frame, polycarbonate lenses
- Durability: High
- Additional Benefits: Anti-fog and hard-coated lenses
The Dewalt Concealer Safety Glasses are goggle style, so you can be sure to keep out dust and other smaller particles with the cheek seal that this item offers. It is a great choice for wearing outside to cut the grass or while working in a shop due to this added protection. Plus, the lenses on the glasses are hard-coated to make them even more impact and scratch-resistant.
The durability of these lens allows them to be fairly long-lasting, and even if the lenses become too scratched up, the clip attachment on the glasses allows the lens to be replaced quickly and easily. There are added ventilation chambers that help with fog control, so you can maintain your visibility at all times. This item is a good choice if you are concerned about keeping a clear line of vision while wearing safety glasses.
On the downside, these glasses can be a little uncomfortable to wear. The rubber in the frames isn’t very flexible, and neither is the area that seals to your cheek. They can be hard to wear for prolonged periods of time without taking frequent breaks. If you are looking for a more comfortable product, you may want to check out NoCry Safety Glasses instead.
Pros
- Very durable
- Hard-coated lenses for impact and scratch-resistance
- Seals to cheek for added protection
- Built-in ventilation for fog control
Cons
- Can be uncomfortable to wear
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Material: Rubber frame, glass lenses, polycarbonate side shields
- Durability: Medium
- Additional Benefits: Blue light blocking and anti-fog lenses
These safety glasses are the perfect combination of style and safety. The glasses are designed to look more like a traditional pair of glasses, and while the lens and frames may be a little bit bigger than normal, the item is still a great option for anyone interested in a fashionable, low-key design for their safety glasses.
There are added polycarbonate side shields attached to these safety glasses that adds even more protection; this design protects your peripherals when wearing without obscuring your field of vision. The lenses themselves have blue light blocking technology built in, perfect for preventing eye fatigue when looking at screens. This item is a great choice for anyone who does lab or engineering work and needs eye safety as much as they need relief when looking at computers.
Unfortunately, these lenses are a little more prone to scratching and can be damaged easily if you aren’t very careful when handling them. Additionally, the anti-fog technology that is supposed to be on the lenses doesn’t work the best and may leave your lenses full of condensation instead of fog.
Pros
- Stylish, low-key design
- Added polycarbonate side shields for full protection
- Blue light blocking lenses prevent eye fatigue
- Great for engineering or lab work
Cons
- Can scratch easily
- Anti-fog technology is hit or miss
3. Best Budget Safety Glasses: Crews BK319 BearKat 3 Safety Glasses
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Material: Plastic frame, polycarbonate lenses
- Durability: Medium
- Additional Benefits: Tinted lenses cut down on glare
The Crews BearKat 3 Safety Glasses are a fantastic affordable option for anyone who needs basic eye protection. At under 5 dollars per pair, anyone shopping on a budget or casual DIYers will be able to pick up these glasses and still receive a durable pair of glasses that work to protect from both impact and scratches, thanks to the polycarbonate lenses.
These glasses are designed with a slight tint in the lenses that is intended to stop glare. This makes them a great choice for outdoor use and completing projects out around the home, such as painting or mowing the grass. Another great option for outdoor safety glasses can be found in the KleenGuard V30 Nemesis Safety Glasses.
However, due to the tint of these glasses, some users may find them a little bit too dark for maintaining clear visibility in workshops or buildings. There is also no anti-fog technology built into these lenses, which may make the visibility even worse, depending on the conditions you are wearing the safety glasses in.
Pros
- Designed with a slight tint to stop glare
- Very affordable
- Great for outdoor use
Cons
- Visibility is not the best
- No anti-fog technology
4. Most Durable Safety Glasses: Dewalt DPG94-1C Dominator Safety Glasses
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Material: Rubber frame, polycarbonate lenses
- Durability: High
- Additional Benefits: Veryimpact-resistant, non-slip frames, UV protection
These safety glasses are ANSI-rated and highly durable for both indoor and outdoor use. They effectively resist impact from flying objects and are fairly scratch-resistant, making them a good choice for a versatile, long-lasting pair of glasses.
There is an added UV light protection filter on these glasses that works to protect the wearer’s eyes and block out 99 percent of harmful UV light. This prevents eye fatigue and can make the user much more comfortable when working outdoors. Additionally, the non-slip rubber frames are designed to stay put no matter what, promoting comfort and safety.
One drawback of theses glasses is that the fit is not very flexible when it comes to those with different head sizes or facial features. You can’t really adjust the frames, and they seem to be designed more for smaller head types. There is also no extended side lens that gives you added peripheral protection, which may be a dealbreaker for some users.
Pros
- Very durable for long-lasting use
- Effectively resists impact and scratches
- Non-slip rubber frames for comfort and safety
- 99 percent UV light protection
Cons
- Fit is not very flexible for different head sizes
- Doesn’t offer the best peripheral protection
5. Most Comfortable Safety Glasses: NoCry Safety Glasses With Wrap-Around Lenses
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Material: Rubber frame, polycarbonate lenses
- Durability: High
- Additional Benefits: Wrap-around lenses, adjustable pieces for comfort, anti-fog lenses
These safety glasses from the NoCry brand offer a completely customizable wear, boosting comfort by providing wearers with adjustable side and nose pieces. These adjustments allow wearers to tailor the glasses to their unique face shape, making comfortable long-term use possible. This also makes this item a great choice for anyone who needs a pair of safety glasses for the workplace.
The double-coated lenses on this item provide clear visibility to wearers, no matter the environment the glasses are worn in. The anti-fog technology prevents large amounts of condensation and fog from obscuring vision, and the unique wrap-around lens design adds extra peripheral protection without taking away from the wearer’s field of vision.
You do need to be careful with these glasses, as the nose piece can break off easily when adjusted too often. Additionally, you should make sure to store these glasses properly, because while they are durable, they are slightly prone to scratches and can be damaged easily if not taken care of.
Pros
- Good for long-term wear
- Adjustable sides and nose piece for added comfort
- Double-coated lens provide clear visibility
- Wrap-around lens design for extra protection
Cons
- Nose piece breaks easily
6. Most Lightweight Safety Glasses: KleenGuard Maverick Safety Eyewear
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Material: Plastic frame, polycarbonate lenses
- Durability: Medium
- Additional Benefits: Lightweight design, anti-fog
The frame and lenses of these safety glasses are both designed to be lightweight, making this item easy to wear. Users won’t feel any tightness or discomfort due to the frame thanks to this design, and they are fairly non-slip. They are a good choice for someone who needs eye protection, but doesn’t want to be reminded at every turn that they are wearing the glasses.
There are wider and taller lenses on these glasses that work to provide complete eye protection. Built-in side-shields protect the peripherals, and the polycarbonate material the lenses are made out of is treated with anti-fog technology and very clear to see out of. These safety glasses are a great choice for medical or lab workers who need full eye protection that’s easy to wear on long shifts.
The thicker frame of these safety glasses, while providing efficient non-slip support, may be too thick for some users. It can block the peripheral vision slightly, making it hard to see out of the side shields of the glasses, or making wearing the glasses uncomfortable. If you are looking for eye protection that doesn’t compromise the peripheral vison, we recommend checking out MAGID’s Iconic Y50 Design Safety Glasses as well.
Pros
- Very lightweight and easy to wear
- Wider lenses offer full eye protection
- Great for lab or medical workers
Cons
- Thick frame can lower visibility
7. Best Over-Glasses Safety Glasses: NoCry Over-Glasses Safety Glasses
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Material: Rubber frame, polycarbonate lenses
- Durability: High
- Additional Benefits: Wrap-around lenses, designed for use over glasses
If you already wear prescription glasses but need added safety for your eyes, the NoCry Over-Glasses Safety Glasses are the perfect product for you. This item is designed to fit perfectly over your existing eyewear, so you don’t have to compromise on uncomfortable contact lenses or losing any of your eyesight ability.
The frames of these glasses have soft rubber tips that are designed to eliminate pressure from wearing the glasses, making them all the more comfortable. The arms of the frames are also adjustable, so you can perfectly customize the glasses to your head size and comfort level. As another added bonus, the wrap-around lenses protect the sides of your prescription eye wear and your peripheral vision.
Unfortunately, these glasses cannot safely be worn over prescription sunglasses, as this obscures the field of vision too much, making it hard to see things. And depending on the type of glasses you regularly wear, the gap between them and these safety glasses may be too large, causing vision distortion. Be sure to double check the size of your prescription glasses with the recommendations on the product page to make sure they properly fit under the safety glasses.
Pros
- • Great for users with prescription eyewear
- • Wrap-around lenses provide peripheral protection
- • Soft tips designed to eliminate pressure
Cons
- Cannot be worn over sunglasses
- Layered glasses can cause vision distortion
8. Best Safety Glasses for Workshop Use: 3M Safety Glasses
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Material: Plastic frame, polycarbonate lenses
- Durability: Medium
- Additional Benefits: Dust defense seal, anti-fog and wrap-around lenses
The design of the 3M Safety Glasses includes a removable foam gasket; this foam works to seal the area around your eyes, so while it won’t quite seal to the cheek like the Dewalt Concealer Safety Glasses would, it is still very effective in providing soft cushioning and a seal against small particles.
These glasses are a great option for use in workshops or construction zones; there is an included area to safely connect a corded ear plug system, making wearing ear and eye protection together seamless. Plus, the frames are contoured for a snug fit to the head, making them fairly non-slip.
On the downside, these glasses do not have an anti-fog technology built in and can be prone to fogging in the right conditions. The tint on the glasses may also be a little bit too dark for some users, especially those who will be mostly using the glasses in indoor, brightly light areas.
Pros
- Foam gasket provides cushioning and seals against small particles
- Included corded ear plug system
- Great for use in workshops or construction zones
- Contoured frames for snug fit
Cons
- Prone to fogging
- Tint may be too dark for some
9. Best Dual-Pack of Safety Glasses: MAGID Y50BKAFC15 Safety Glasses
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Material: Nylon frame, polycarbonate lenses
- Durability: Medium
- Additional Benefits: Versatile dual pack, included carrying case
The dual pack of glasses from Magid provides extra versatility and value, and are a perfect option for someone who needs eye protection both inside and outside, as one of the glasses is tinted for outdoor use, with the other designed for traditional regular use.
There are soft temple pads added to the frames of these glasses, making them extra comfortable for long-term wear. Additionally, each of the glasses comes packed in a soft carrying case, which is perfect for easy storage of the glasses and to help clean dust off of the lenses.
The peripheral side shields on these glasses do have larger gaps, which can make them a little less secure in terms of protecting the eyes from small particles and liquids. The company’s quality control on this product can also be a little bit hit or miss, with some safety glasses arriving to users with warped lenses, making it hard to use the glasses and a return or exchange necessary.
Pros
- Added value dual pack
- Versatile options for indoor or outdoor use
- Soft temple pads for added comfort
- Included carrying case for easy storage
Cons
- Peripheral side shields have larger gaps
- Quality control can be hit or miss
10. Best Outdoor Safety Glasses: KleenGuard V30 Nemesis Safety Glasses
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Material: Thermoplastic polyurethane frame, polycarbonate lenses
- Durability: Medium
- Additional Benefits: Mirror coated lenses, added flex dry technology
The mirror-coated lenses of these glasses is perfect for wearing if you need to spend extended time outdoors. The lenses are optimized for working in sunlight and will shield your eyes from 99 percent of UV light, while offering protection from projectile objects or other eye hazards.
The flex dry technology of these glasses works to wick sweat and other moisture away from the lenses, allowing the safety glasses to stay fog and condensation-free, boosting the visibility. A removable neck strap is included with this product for easy wearing, and the glasses are sold in a bulk pack of 12, which adds some extra value. This product is a good choice for someone who frequently works outside and needs a consistent supply of safety glasses.
The frames on these glasses, while very flexible, can be a little bit too flimsy, and might break if handled too roughly or not stored correctly. The lenses are also a little smaller in size and don’t quite wrap around the peripherals, meaning that they are not suited in cases where extreme eye protection is needed.
Pros
- Mirror coated lenses for extended outdoor use
- Flex dry technology keeps glasses moisture-free
- Included removable neck strap
- Sold in bulk pack
Cons
- Frame can be too flimsy
- Lenses don’t offer the most extreme eye protection
Your Full Buyer’s Guide to Safety Glasses
Our full buyer’s guide will give you all of the need-to-know information about safety glasses you could ever need.
The Benefits of Safety Glasses
These fantastic benefits of safety glasses are all the more reason you should invest in a pair instead of working with your eyes exposed to danger.
Prevents Vision Damage or Loss
With over 800 thousand workplace eye injuries occurring annually and 90 percent of these injuries being preventable, it’s no wonder that proper eye protection is such a hot topic. When worn correctly, your safety glasses can prevent vision damage due to floating or projectile objects, including pieces of wood, metal, and chemicals that may be in the air.
Glasses that seal to your cheek, like the Dewalt Concealer Goggles can also offer protection against small particles, such as dust or dirt.
Reduces the Risk of Major Accidents
In addition to preventing vision damage or loss, safety glasses reduce the risk of a major accident happening. Safety glasses will shield your eyes from foreign objects, but they can also prevent you from accidentally rubbing or scratching your eyes with hands that might be contaminated.
Plus, if there happens to be an accident in the workplace that was not foreseeable, your eyes will be protected from whatever happens, reducing your risk of being seriously injured.
Added Vision Benefits
Many safety glasses are designed to be scratch and fog-resistant. This means that you will be able to see your work clearly while also being protected. Some brands of safety glasses even have added UV radiation protection, keeping your eyes safe when you work outdoors.
And if you work both in areas that are high-risk of floating or projectile objects and with computers, you can purchase safety glasses with a blue light filter that will reduce eye strain caused by screens and prevent foreign objects from coming into contact with your eyes.
Considerations for Buying Safety Glasses
When purchasing safety glasses, you may be confused due to the sheer number of options and designs available. However, asking yourself a few simple questions can help to narrow down these choices and make an easy decision.
What Style Do You Prefer?
The style of the glasses refers to whether the safety glasses are designed like goggles or like a traditional pair of glasses. If you tend to prefer traditional glasses, you may want to stay away from goggles that will completely seal to your cheek. However, if you want to be sure you get the utmost protection, goggles might be the way to go.
You can also opt for an in-between option when it comes to style are traditional glasses that have added side, or peripheral, protection, such as KleenGuard’s Maverick Safety Eyewear. If you don’t need protection from small dust particles, these glasses can be a great compromise between goggles and traditionally-shaped safety glasses.
Where Will You Be Using the Glasses?
A very important question to ask yourself when shopping for safety glasses, consider where exactly you will be using the glasses. If you will be on construction sites or in a workshop working with tools, you may want to purchase a pair of safety glasses that give you clear indoor vision and the utmost protection, such as 3M Safety Glasses.
However, if you need protection mostly outdoors, you may want to consider a pair of safety glasses with UV and sunglass-style protection, like KleenGuard’s Nemesis Safety Glasses.
Alternately, if you work both indoors and outdoors equally, a dual-pack item like Magid’s Glove & Safety Iconic Y50 Safety Glasses can give you the versatility and value you need to seamlessly transition between both areas.
How Long Will You Be Wearing the Glasses?
The amount of time you will be wearing your safety glasses has a lot to do with how comfortable you need your glasses to be. If you will be wearing your glasses for more than 6 hours a day, you may want to consider purchasing the NoCry Safety Glasses, as they are adjustable and customizable, giving you the most comfortable fit throughout the day.
On the other hand, if you are only going to be wearing your safety glasses for a few minutes to a few hours here and there, you have a lot more room when it comes to the comfort of glasses, because while you need something that won’t hurt to wear, you don’t have to be looking for safety glasses that are suited to long-term use.
A Word About Safety Ratings
So, you can see the safety rating on your pair of safety glasses, but what does it mean exactly? Don’t worry too much, because we’re here to tell you what you need to know.
As we briefly discussed above, the American National Standards Institute, or ANSI for short, sets a guideline for the creation of certain protective equipment pieces, including safety glasses. Safety glasses that have been created to the specifications set forth by the ANSI are certified to hold up to the testing standards that ANSI has decided on as being the most protective for wearers. These standards include things like impact-resistance, chemical splash resistance, and optical light radiation protection.
It is for these reasons that purchasing a pair of safety glasses that meet ANSI standards is a much better idea than purchasing a relatively untested pair of glasses; with safety glasses that meet the standards, you are for more likely to be protected from anything your workplace or hobby throws at you.
The rating you should be looking for on your safety glasses should have start with this sequence – Z87.1 – as this is the rating that refers to occupational eye protection devices. This sequence will then be followed with a year, indicating the updated year that the standards are adhering to.
When Are Safety Glasses Required?
There are many professions in which safety glasses are a required part of the job. This includes careers in construction, engineering, carpentry, and metal working.
OSHA requirements outline instances in which safety glasses are required in the workplace, but even if you come into contact with eye hazards like chemicals, flying objects, or sparks as a hobby, you should invest in a quality pair of safety goggles to prevent injury.
Caring For Your Safety Glasses
Once you’ve purchased your safety glasses, you should make sure to take good care of them, as this will keep them useable for as long as possible.
- Before using your glasses, make sure to dust off any dirt or debris on them; this can be done with a can of compressed air, or by running a small amount of water over the lenses and then drying with a clean cotton cloth. You shouldn’t use detergent on your glasses, but you can use a small amount of dedicated lens cleaner.
- Make sure not to handle your safety glasses too roughly when they are not in use, or use abrasive cleaners and cloths on them, as you don’t want to weaken the lenses in any way or scratch up the glasses.
- Store your glasses in a clean, dry area, preferably in a hard case or in a microfiber storage bag, as these will keep the most dirt and dust off of the lenses.
- Always remember to inspect your safety glasses before wearing them and make sure that there are no deep scratches, cracks, or chips in the lenses or frames of the glasses that could put your eyes at risk. You should also make sure you can see clearly out of the lenses, without scratches or general wear and tear obscuring your vision.
The Best Way to Protect Your Vision
When you regularly work with power tools, in the field of construction, or in hobbies that pose a risk to your eyes, a pair of safety glasses is one of the best investments you can make. A true quality pair of safety glasses will keep your eyes out of harm’s way and ensure that you don’t fall victim to an accident that damages your vision.
As long as you select a pair of glasses that best suits your lifestyle and needs, and regularly inspect the glasses to ensure they maintain their quality and durability, a pair of safety glasses are the best way to protect your vision, no matter what.