The best blue-light glasses for 2025, tested and reviewed

Yahoo

a day ago

Eight hours of screen time used to be unthinkable. Now it's just Tuesday. So it's no surprise that upwards of 70% of adults experience digital eye strain in this pixel-powered world and are searching for relief through blue-light glasses. After all, finding the best blue-light-blocking glasses could mean saying goodbye to tired eyes and disrupted sleep. Available with or without prescription lenses, these specs are designed to intercept the blue-light waves that our devices — laptops, phones, monitors, tablets — blast at us all day, and help reduce the annoying symptoms of digital eyestrain.
"Blue light is part of the visible light spectrum, coming from both the sun and artificial sources," says Jackie Key, a dual-licensed optician and vision center manager at Walmart in North Augusta, S.C. "While prolonged exposure can tire your eyes, blue-light glasses can help limit exposure to the harmful parts of the spectrum." (Some research even suggests blue light may potentially contribute to premature aging and dark spots.)
These glasses may make a difference for anyone dealing with digital eyestrain symptoms — from dry eyes and blurry vision to headaches. In fact, "anyone who shows signs of headaches, squinting or difficulty focusing with near vision tasks or has difficulty sleeping may benefit from blocking blue light," says optometrist Ralph Gentile, senior lead doctor at SVS Vision in Mount Clemens, Mich.
Best overall blue-light glasses
-More bluelight glasses we like for 2025
Factors to consider when purchasing blue-light glasses
How we chose
Other products we tested
FAQs
Meet the experts
Between work and leisure, most of us spend countless hours in front of screens. Personally, I go from my laptop to my phone and sometimes a little iPad interlude to catch the latest episode of my favorite show before I nod off for the night. That's why I went on a side quest to find the best blue-light glasses — so you don't have to.
"Shopping for blue-light glasses is a lot like choosing regular glasses or sunglasses — you want something that balances quality, comfort and of course your budget," says Danielle Richardson, OD, an optometrist in Los Angeles. Here are some key features to keep in mind when selecting the right pair:
Lens technology: "Look for glasses with lenses that block blue light effectively — usually in the 400-450 nanometer range," says Gentile, referring to where blue light falls on the visible-light spectrum, which ranges from 380 nm (nanometers) to 700 nm. Blue light is in the range Gentile describes, roughly 380 nm up to about 500.
Tint: Blue-light glasses are available in several tints including clear, yellow, amber, red and orange. The lighter the lens, generally, the less blue light is being blocked. The choice of tint will depend on what you need them for as certain lens tints work better for certain activities. If you are a gamer and playing a lot in a darkened environment, for instance, you may want to go with a red or orange tint. If you are using your blue-light glasses during the day, it makes sense to go with a clear or yellow tint so not all blue light is filtered out. We need a certain amount of blue-light exposure to maintain a healthy sleep rhythm, so it's not recommended to wear full blue blockers during daylight hours. If you experience migraine headaches or overall light sensitivity, you may want to consider a rose tint, which is referred to as FL-41. "FL-41 rose tinted glasses have been shown to benefit some patients with photophobia, or severe light sensitivity," says Dr. Robert Kinast, vice-chair of ophthalmology at the Legacy Devers Eye Institute and CEO and cofounder of GentleDrop. "These blue-blocking glasses may also have some benefit for chronic eye pain and migraines."
Material and comfort: Blue-light glasses frames are made of various materials including plastic and steel. Choose based on your personal preference. Since you'll likely wear these glasses for long periods, a comfortable, lightweight frame is essential. Look for retailers with good return policies so you can ensure the right fit.
UV protection: If you plan to wear your blue-light glasses outdoors, you'll want to find a pair that provides UV protection. Many do, even those you buy over-the-counter without a prescription.
Style: If you're wearing your blue-light glasses daily in an office environment, you'll possibly want to consider how they'll look with your typical outfits and the appearance of the glasses on your face. Just like in choosing a pair of prescription glasses frames, trying on lots of different pairs may help you zero in on the ones that most flatter you.
Another important factor? Your expectations. I (and many others) found real relief from eyestrain while wearing blue-light-blocking glasses, and experts see them as helping with screen-time discomfort. Here's the honest scoop: While these glasses might ease existing symptoms, research hasn't proven they can prevent digital eyestrain from developing.
The good news? There's no downside to giving them a try. As Richardson explains, "The only real 'risk' is thinking of them as a magic solution." Remember that blue-light glasses work best as part of your overall eye care routine. They can't replace the basics like taking regular screen breaks, keeping your eyes hydrated and getting your annual eye exam.
To find the best blue-light-blocking glasses, we consulted two optometrists and an optician and asked them what makes blue-light glasses worth wearing and how to choose the right pair. Then came the hands-on testing: We put nine different pairs through real-world trials, wearing each one during a full workday (about eight to 10 hours). We paid attention to everything that matters in daily use — how comfortable they felt, how well they fit and how effectively they performed.
SOJOS Cat Eye Blue Light Blocking Glasses: While budget-friendly, these glasses fell short. They felt flimsy and became uncomfortable after extended wear.
Always With You VisionGuard Pro Blue Light Blocking Glasses: The slim design of these blue-tinted glasses may be a selling point for some, but they were too tight and too slim for our testers. Plus, the lenses were so small they hardly covered our tester's field of vision.
Horus X - Gaming Glasses: These block blue light effectively, but fall short on comfort compared with Gunnar gaming glasses. The build quality feels a bit cheap. I wouldn't bet on them surviving a teen gamer's daily use!
Blue-light-blocking lenses contain filters that block or absorb blue-light wavelengths (typically between 400 and 500 nanometers) coming from digital screens. When these filters catch the blue light, they reduce the amount reaching your eyes, similar to how UV-filtering sunglasses shield you from UV rays.
Maybe! "Blue-light glasses can reduce exposure to blue light from artificial sources, which helps maintain normal production of melatonin, a hormone that supports better sleep quality," says Gentile. In fact, a 2021 study found that wearing blue-light-blocking glasses about two to three hours before bedtime may help wearers fall asleep faster, but experts note that more research is needed.
Yes, you can wear nonprescription blue-light glasses while wearing contact lenses.
"Using a microfiber cloth and a mild lens cleaner, gently wipe in circular motions to avoid scratching the lenses," says Gentile. "When it's time to toss the microfiber cloth in the laundry, skip the fabric softener, which can make the cloth abrasive."
Danielle Richardson, OD, an optometrist in Los Angeles.
Ralph Gentile, OD, optometrist and a senior lead doctor at SVS Vision in Mount Clemens, Mich.
Jackie Key, a dual-licensed optician and vision center manager at Walmart in North Augusta, S.C.
Robert Kinast, M.D., vice-chair of ophthalmology at the Legacy Devers Eye Institute and CEO and cofounder of GentleDrop in Portland, Ore.
Our health content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional on questions about your health.