Little do people know, many sunglasses for driving aren’t suitable because they may not allow enough light to enter the eyes. The AA recommend that there should be between 18 to 43% of light transmission in order for the sunglasses to be safe driving. Polarized sunglasses for driving are the perfect style to go for because they reduce glare, which is a major drawback when compared to a standard set of sunglasses.
From our research and testing of many sunglasses on the market, we found that the best sunglasses for driving are the Maui Jim Mens Peahi Pair. They also have the benefit of being available with a range of lens and frame colors to suit even the most savviest of drivers. However, if you are on a budget and simply want a cheap pair of driving sunglasses, the ATTCL Aviator Set is the perfect budget alternative.
Whilst testing and researching a number of driving sunglasses, we based our recommendations upon the style, build quality, lenses available, warranty length, option for prescription lenses and value for the money.
Table of Contents
Driving Sunglasses Comparison
| Driving Sunglasses | Construction | Polarized |
|---|---|---|
| Maui Jim Peahi | Grilamid Frame & Glass Lens | Yes |
| Serengeti Velocity | Titanium Frame & Glass Lens | No |
| Ray-Ban RB3183 | Metal Frame & Plastic Lens | Optional |
| Oakley Holbrook | Plastic Frame & Plastic Lens | Optional |
| ATTCL Aviator | Metal Frame & Composite Lens | Yes |
| DUCO Classic | Metal Frame & Composite Lens | Yes |
| J+S Military | Metal Frame & Composite Lens | Yes |
Low sun in the mornings or late afternoons that blinds you whilst driving has the potential to cause a serious accident. Even though many drivers wear glasses as they drive their car, they aren’t all suitable for driving. The correct pair reduce glare and provide the perfect amount of visibility of the road.
From frame to lens materials, there are a range of options to choose in order to find your perfect driving sunglasses. Investing into a high quality pair not only looks better but will be more durable and long lasting.
Below is a list of the best sunglasses for driving that reduce glare and allow enough light to enter the eyes.
The Best Sunglasses For Driving
1. Maui Jim Peahi Polarized Driving Sunglasses
Unlike other sunglasses, this pair sit much closer to your face and wrap around your head. The benefit of this style is that there is less room for the light to pass through and blind your eyes.
Other features of the Maui Jim Peahi Sunglasses include:
- Lens contains a 100% UV protected coating
- Choice of six different styles
- Grilamid frame
- Blue light protection
- Supplied with a hard case
- Two year manufacture’s defect warranty
The Maui Jim Peahi are the best polarized sunglasses for driving that have been designed for comfort and come with a choice of styles to choose from. However, the main drawback of these sunglasses is the fact they are one of the most expensive but for peace of mind, they are backed by a two year warranty.
Check it Out2. Serengeti Velocity Sunglasses For Driving
Some people don’t like the polarized look but still want driving sunglasses that provide clear visibility. This is where the Serengeti Velocity sunglasses are the perfect option because they use photochromic technology, which constantly lightens and darkens throughout the day.
This is made possible by the lens, which includes molecules that actively expand in brighter environments where UV radiation is heavy. They react by creating a darker lens in order to absorb more light. The molecules will then compress in darker scenarios to allow more light to your eyes.
Other features of the Serengeti Velocity Sunglasses include:
- Non polarized gradient lenses
- Espresso titanium frame
- Upgraded silicon gel nose pads
- 60 x 38 mm in size
- Includes a 2 year manufacturer warranty
The Velocity model by Serengeti are the best non-polarized sunglasses for driving, which is thanks to the adaptive lens reducing eye strain and providing top UV protection. Another benefit of these sunglasses is that they allow you to clearly view digital speedometers or a car HUD, which is very desirable.
Check it Out3. Ray-Ban RB3183 Prescription Sunglasses
Ray-Ban is one of the largest sunglasses company in the world and produce a wide variety of styles. These RB3183 are prescription ready sunglasses for driving, which are available in 7 different styles to suit your requirements.
Depending upon your personal preference, these driving sunglasses are available with or without polarized lenses.
Other features of the Ray-Ban RB3183 include:
- Prescription ready
- 100% UV protection coating
- Plastic lens (63mm width)
- Choice of seven styles
- Lightweight and curved metal frame
- Supplied with a case
The Ray-Ban RB3183 are excellent all-round set of sunglasses for driving that are prescription ready, lightweight and look great. They also have the reputable backing of the Ray-Ban brand and are by far one of the most popular sunglasses on the market.
Check it Out4. Oakley Holbrook No Glare Sunglasses
In terms of the construction, the lens is made from durable plutonite material and there is an option to choose an iridium lens coating. There is also a choice of two different widths, which are either 57 or 55 millimeters.
Other features of the Oakley Holbrook Sunglasses include:
- Lightweight plastic construction
- Option of a polarized lens
- 100% UV protection
- Rectangular lens style
- Three-point fit system
- Prescription ready
- Made in the USA
There are many different styles to choose from but the Holbrook are the best Oakley sunglasses for driving. They also benefit from being prescription ready, which is a major requirement for many people.
Check it Out5. ATTCL Aviator Driving Polarized Sunglasses
For those that are on a budget and want an aviator style pair of sunglasses for driving, the ATTCL design is perfect. They are a polarized composite lens with a metal frame that provides 100% UV protection.
In terms of the different styles that the brand offer, there is a choice of black, blue, gold and silver frames available.
Other features of the ATTCL Aviator Sunglasses include:
- Composite polarized lens
- Durable and lightweight metal frame
- Choice of four styles
- Impressive lifetime warranty
- Desirable aviator styling
- Blocks 99% of harmful UV rays
Compared with some of the more expensive aviator sunglasses, these offer excellent value for money. They are by far the best cheap sunglasses for driving that are backed by an impressive lifetime warranty for complete peace of mind.
Check it Out6. DUCO Classic Women’s Sunglasses for Driving
Finding stylish women’s sunglasses for driving can be a difficult task but the Italian designed DUCO sunglasses are perfect. They use polarized composite lenses and provide 100% UV protection to protect your eyes.
In terms of the design, the brand offer five different styles that have different frame and lens colors to best suit your requirements.
Other features of the DUCO Classic include:
- New and improved design
- Shatterproof and polarized polycarbonate lens
- Blocks 100% of UV rays
- Blue light protection
- Five different styles available
- Supplied with a cloth, case and fabric pouch
The DUCO Classic’s are by far the most popular and best women’s sunglasses for driving that won’t disappoint. Considering they are designed in Italy and come with various accessories, they also offer excellent value for the money.
Check it Out7. J+S Military Style Polarized Driving Sunglasses
The J+S Military style sunglasses are another popular and cheap option for those on a budget. They are available in 17 different styles and the choice of classic or square lenses that are 62, 58 or 55 millimeters wide.
Compared to similar priced alternatives, these driving sunglasses block out 100% of UVA and UVB radiation for complete peace of mind whilst protecting your eyes.
Other features of the J+S Military Sunglasses include:
- 17 different designs
- Polarized lenses (55, 58 or 62 mm wide)
- 100% UV ray protection
- Lightweight metal alloy frame
- Adjustable anti-slip nose pads
- Spring loaded hinges for comfort
- Supplied with a case and cloth
- Includes a 1 year warranty
Overall, the J+S Military sunglasses for driving are comfortable to wear, lightweight and stylish. They provide far better build quality compared to cheaper alternatives and are available in a variety of different designs to best suit your requirements.
Check it OutHow We Rated The Driving Sunglasses
As you can imagine, there are hundreds of sunglasses for driving on the market. This makes the decision of choosing the best much more difficult than other products on the market. In terms of how we rated the driving glasses, we rated them according to a number of factors. These factors include the styling, lenses available, warranty length, build quality, option of prescription lenses and value for the money.
As we’ve owned multiple driving sunglasses, we knew exactly what makes the difference between a quality set and those that are destined for the trash.
Driving Sunglasses Buying Guide
Most people own a pair of sunglasses but not all of them are suitable for driving. For example, you may own an expensive pair of Ray-Bans that look great but they don’t let enough light to enter the eyes or the lens color may not be suitable for viewing road objects.
When driving, it’s crucial that you have clear visibility with no glare as it can cause a serious accident on the road. Even in low light conditions, there are anti glare night driving sunglasses available that ensure you have the best visibility of the road.
To help you make an informed buying decision, we have produced the below guide regarding driving sunglasses.
Sunglasses Frame Design
The frame is the main design feature and there is a wide variety to choose from. These include oversized frames to frames that allow for large lenses with thin arms.
In terms of driving, it’s important that you have a clear peripheral vision and your eyes are protected from the sun. Any obstruction can increase your chance of missing hazards and causing a car accident.
Avoiding oversized frame is a good start for driving glasses and a pair that have large lenses and thin arms is the best option. A frame that wraps around your head such as the Maui Jim Peahi are great for sun protection and blocking the sun from entering your eyes.
Tint and Color of the Lens
The difference of color can affect how much light is able to reach the eyes and for this reason, it’s one of the most important factors to consider. Choosing an incorrect colored lens may affect the way hazards are perceived on the road or even increase the amount of glare.
Avoid a pink or green lens because when you are at a set of traffic lights, the red light may look no different to the others. The best lens color for driving is grey or brown with polarisation increasing the safety.
On top of the lens color, you can also have a range of different tint densities to choose from and they are usually rated between 0 and 4. Class 0 is virtually clear and class 4 only lets around 3 to 8% of light through the lens. A tint level of between 1 and 3 are most suitable for driving and all sunglasses for state a tint level.
Adaptive and Graduated Lenses
Some driving sunglasses will come with light sensitive lenses that will change the tint density based on the degree of UV light, which is great for driving. The Serengeti Velocity sunglasses are an example of this sort of technology in the lens.
A graduated tint is a type of lens that is darker on the top of the lens than the bottom. This is great for viewing your cars dashboard information whilst still being protected from the UV light and having a clear view of the road. They are great for driving but a setting/low sun can cause some issues as the lower part of the lens will let more light through.
Polarized Lens
The purpose of a polarized lens is to reduce glare and strain on your eyes as well as improving UV protection. Light can reflect from a range of objects whilst driving such as car bonnets, grills, headlights and much more.
The best way to think of a polarized lens is to think of it as a special filter that blocks intense reflecting light. They are by far the best choice for driving but they do come with some drawbacks that put people off choosing a polarized type of sunglasses.
Disadvantages of polarized driving sunglasses include the inability to view certain LED/LCD displays that are common in almost all cars. For example, you may have issues viewing a car GPS navigation system, HUD, speedometer and other components.
Coating of the Lens
To improve the sharpness of your view whilst driving, you can also opt for a coating such as an anti-glare coating. Not only do they provide improved visibility but the coating can also reduce water spots and grease marks. You can even opt for an anti-scratch coating to ensure they are kept looking brand new for longer.
When choosing your sunglasses, its always recommended to check out the types of coatings, which is usually an optional extra.
Conclusion
Owning a pair of sunglasses for driving should be an essential part of your driving equipment. Unlike leather driving gloves, which is simply a luxury, driving sunglasses play an essential role in improving your safety on the roads as you are able see much more clearly with reduced glare.
Our recommendations within this article are some of the most rated sunglasses for driving and offer a range of styles and optional extras.
