13 Best Sunglasses for Beach Days

Who doesn’t love beaches? They’re the perfect place to relax and enjoy summertime while lounging or playing a sport like beach volleyball. Whether you like building sandcastles, sipping mojitos, or enjoying indulging in an activity on the beach, what you really need, besides swimwear, of course, is a good pair of shades. For our trip, we were on the lookout for the best sunglasses for the beach that would not only make us look stylish but also protect our eyes from the sun. What’s more, we’re here to tell you that you’ll need them at any time of the year when at the beach, and not just in the summertime. For this article, we not only looked at a variety of brands, but we also looked at the budget, style, and, of course, whether the glasses were polarized and with UV protection or not. 

Are you taking a trip to one of the best beaches in California? Check out our best recommendations, along with a useful guide as to how to go about choosing such sunglasses.

Meanwhile, you might also want to read up on the best UV protection beach umbrellas and best portable beach chairs for your upcoming trip.

Ray-Ban RB2132 Wayfarers

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Best value for money. Whether you go to exotic Pattaya or the stunning coasts of Maui, chances are you’ll spot at least one person wearing Ray-Ban RB2132 Wayfarers. These absolutely enchanting and forever classic pair of sunglasses not only look cool but also feature a frame that’s made of tough material. What’s more, these wayfarers even came with UV lenses that prevented the harmful sun rays from harming our eyes. We loved that the shades also have the option of adding extra protection with a polarized option. And since Ray-Ban offered nearly hundreds of lens color options, we’re sure that everyone will find something to suit their summer style. Three lens widths, a mirror coating, and the fact that they cost just around 200 USD make these wayfarers an excellent value for money buy.

Check out what the Modest Man has to say about these wayfarers in this detailed review.

What We Love

These are one of the most popular sunglasses around the globe. The frames look cool and are made of tough material.

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Oakley Holbrook Square Sunglasses

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We found the Oakley Holbrook Square Sunglasses to be one of the best masterpieces from the able stable of the California-based brand. Despite being marketed as lifestyle accessories rather than high-performance shades, these sunglasses still offered a fair amount of sporty features. First of all, we loved the lightweight frames that allowed us to stay hassle-free and not have the feeling of wearing sunglasses.

What’s more, the Holbrook, just like other sunglasses from the brand, is made from sturdy material to guarantee a long-lasting life. And in case you accidentally break it, Oakley even offers a variety of replacement frames for you to purchase. We also loved the fact that the Holbrook takes into account personal preferences and is available in both regular and polarized versions. Wrapping up the features is the square plastic frame, which held within its folds an insane number of choices for lens colors, like the amazing Prizm Jade below.

What We Love

These shades have lightweight frames that allow you to stay agile while on the beach.

Quay Australia Women’s Honey Cat-Eye Sunglasses

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Cat-eye? Check. Dark tint? Check. Renowned brand? Triple-check! There was nothing to complain about the Quay Australia Women’s Honey Cat-Eye Sunglasses. Straight out of the able stable of the acclaimed Australian-based brand, these sunglasses were specifically crafted for fun in the sun. Seriously, we loved the lovely cate-eye design, which is a classic and works especially well for a relaxing day on the beach. What’s more, the lenses are polarized, thus ensuring further protection from the sun’s rays. The plastic frame is sturdy, while the temples are thin, just as we like them. Check out more details about these sunglasses on the official product website, and see what great things the reviewers have to say about them.

What We Love

These shades have a lovely design – perfect when you want a relaxing day around the beach.

REKS Polarized Round Sunglasses

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We were tired of constantly losing and dropping our sunglasses while traveling. At the same time, we were looking for a good pair of round sunglasses that didn’t look funny on our faces. That’s when we came across the Reks Polarized Round Sunglasses, which practically saved our lives. These shades boasted nearly indestructible frames and also came with UV400 lenses to ensure that our eyes were safe from the harmful sun rays. Since these sunglasses are durable, they didn’t break even when we dropped them. This is all thanks to the polymer material, which is about 30% tougher than most other plastics used to make sunglasses. Besides being polarized, the lenses also came with a mirror coating, making them perfect to wear for a day out in the sun.

What We Love

These sunglasses have nearly indestructible frames and feature UV400 lenses to ensure your eyes are impervious to harmful rays.

Native Eyewear Catamount Sunglasses

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Sunglasses needn’t have an entirely complete rim; sometimes, half-rim sunglasses look even better, like the Native Eyewear Catamount Sunglasses. These sunglasses, which come with green lenses in a grey frame, were perfect for when we wanted to enjoy a sandy holiday. We especially loved the premium polarized lenses, which helped shield the glare from the sun. The fact that the set included interchangeable lenses came in handy when we wanted to take the same pair hiking and camping. Moreover, the Catamount frames even featured the brand’s proprietary Cushinol composition. It ensured a nonslip grip at the arms, the temple tips, and the nose pads, keeping them in place when we were playing sports at the beach. 

The best bit? The sunglasses are constructed in such a way that they could cope with a wide variety of weather extremes, ensuring super-clear vision for most of the day. In case you’re worried about protection, the Catamount is also available in a polarized N3 version. Plus, these sunglasses come with a lifetime warranty.

What We Love

They come with interchangeable lenses and are really useful when you go camping or fishing.

Kaenon Unisex Driver Sunglasses

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The Kaenon Unisex Driver Sunglasses are an excellent pair of aviator-style sunglasses that we loved and have included on this list. They boast an ultra-lightweight frame, making them comfortable for us to wear all day long. And thanks to the unisex design, these sunglasses sat more than perfect on many of our faces. So, we were actually able to swap sunglasses for a while with other people! Other features worth mentioning about these sunglasses are that they came with polarized lenses and hypoallergenic recessed Variflex nose pads. What’s even better is that Kaenon also accepted our order for prescription lenses! If that wasn’t enough, we were also able to choose from various tints based on our preferences and needs. Our tip: go for the brown tint in gold frames for versatility.

What We Love

These sunglasses come with a unisex design and are perfect for any ladies and gentlemen out there.

Costa del Mar Ballast Sunglasses

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When someone suggested rimless sunglasses, we weren’t very sure. After all, how could a pair of sunglasses with the same specifications as rimless spectacles look cool? But all our doubts went flying out of the window with the Costa Del Mar Ballast 6S9071 Rectangle Sunglasses. The stylish frames made for the perfect addition to our outfit and complemented our two-piece summer vacation set so well. What’s more, these shades featured the iconic 580p polarized lenses, which claim to block 100% of harmful UV rays.

‘We wouldn’t have thought to choose rimless sunglasses ever, but the Ballast sunglasses from Costa Del Mar completely changed our ideas!”

WOW Travel

Another thing we loved about the Ballast sunglasses was just how lightweight the frames were and how comfortable they felt over our faces. In fact, we even forgot that we were wearing sunglasses after a while! Wrapping up the features is the fact that these sunglasses came in not one or two but four colors. SportRx reviews them in this detailed YouTube video, which is what makes it one of the best mens beach sunglasses.

When it comes to sunglasses, Costa del Mar is a legendary brand known for its ultimate comfort and high performance. Also, check out the best Costa del Mar sunglasses for men.

What We Love

They’re perfect for anyone who is constantly moving from place to place

Cloudfield Bamboo Sunglasses

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Best eco-friendly. Practical, stylish, and comfortable – those were the three words that accurately described the quality of the Cloudfield Bamboo Sunglasses. As the name implies, these shades are made from 100% pure bamboo. That makes it the only eco-friendly product on this list of best beach sun shades. There’s a lot more we liked about these sunglasses than just their eco-friendly make. For one, the sunglasses come equipped with polarized lenses for complete UV protection. So, we were able to stay out for an entire day on the beach without the sun’s rays hitting our eyes. What’s more, they were available in 10 color options for the frame and lenses, and we particularly loved the Shadow Black version. All in all, the wooden frame and the polarized color lenses of these sunglasses elevated our beachy style.

What We Love

They’re made from 100% pure bamboo, making it the only eco-friendly product on this list

Sungait Oversized Vintage Polarized Cat Eye Sunglasses

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Most stylish. We were looking for stylish oversized polarized sunglasses but didn’t want to spend much. Imagine our delight when we found the extremely stylish SUNGAIT Oversized Vintage Polarized Cat Eye Sunglasses for less than 20 USD! That way, we didn’t lose sleep while wearing these sunglasses about accidentally losing or damaging them.

But these sunglasses were so amazingly value-for-money that we were afraid of losing or damaging them! For one, the polarized lenses are of high quality with UV400 technology that blocked harmful sun rays and reduced glare and eye strain. Apart from that, the extra-wide frames looked fabulous on any face shape, so we were even able to exchange sunglasses and click great photos. However, what we liked the most is that the lenses came with four color options, including the lovely purple gradient ones you see below.

What We Love

They’re one of the most value-for-money sunglasses on the list.

TAIQX Polarized Flying Aviators

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Aviators have been the ultimate definition of cool since they were launched. And with movies such as Top Gun, they reached notorious levels of fame – but the good kind. If you want a pair of excellent aviators but one that won’t hurt your wallet, check out the TAIQX Polarized Flying Aviators. These sunglasses have been designed with care, following a strict building standards. Therefore, you can expect nothing but a perfect fit from their products. We personally loved the spring-hinged temples made from soft silicone, so it didn’t feel like they were clamping our faces. Rounding up the features are the soft non-slip nose pads and the plate foot covers that felt comfortable.

What We Love

Built with care, these sunglasses follow a strict assembly standard. They will give you nothing but the perfect fit.

Rheos Wyecreeks Round Floating Sunglasses

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We’re not exaggerating when we say that the Rheos Wycreeks Round Floating Sunglasses are one of the best sunglasses for the summer we’ve ever used. We loved wearing these sunglasses and floating out in the ocean as they’re featherlight and unsinkable. The retro-inspired round frames hark back to the vintage era, and since they’re lightweight, we didn’t feel like we were wearing them at all. But the biggest feature in these sunglasses is the biggest innovation in lenses since polarization, which is nylon optics. Basically, they’re rated for 120 hours of continuous exposure to saltwater and humidity, which is the industry’s highest! Plus, wearing the Wycreeks made us a part of a huge movement; a small portion of every Wycreeks’ sale goes to organizations that protect the coastline. How cool is that!

Are you interested in a new pair of sunglasses but don’t have much to spend? Well, don’t worry. Check out our best cheap sunglasses for men.

What We Love

These sunglasses boat fantastic buoyancy. You can run around without fear of losing them.

Duduma Polarized Sunglasses

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Most versatile. We found the Duduma Polarized Sunglasses to be one of the most versatile pairs of sunglasses on this list. They’re perfect for a relaxing day at the beach, as well as an intense kayaking session out in the water. Rated UV400, these sunglasses protected our eyes from all kinds of harmful rays. What’s more, they were equipped with 99% UV400 protection on the polarized lenses, thus eliminating glare and allowing us to see better. 

When it comes to construction, these sunglasses boast tough polycarbonate lenses and sturdy frames that are scratch-resistant. And since they come in 12 different lenses and frame colors, we were easily able to find a model that fit our style. And with a price tag of just 18 USD, we didn’t lose any sleep in case we lost them in the middle of the trip!

What We Love

These sunglasses boast tough polycarbonate lenses and rugged, scratch-resistant frames.

Le Specs Unreal Sunglasses

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Sitting at the top of the list is the Le Specs Women’s Unreal Sunglasses, which is rather sensible when we went looking for a new pair of sunglasses for the summer. There are a lot of things we loved about these sunglasses. For one, they’re well-made and come with one of the toughest frames we’ve ever seen. As for the design, these sunglasses are inspired by the traditional 90s style of sunglasses but with some modern touches. Think a medium-size fit and rectangular lenses. If that wasn’t enough, the sunglasses even come with a protective pouch with a handy storage pocket and even a navy microfiber cleaning cloth. So, we had everything we needed to take care of our sunglasses right at hand.

What We Love

These are well-made sunglasses and are equipped with tough frames.

Our Verdict!

While we love all beachy sunglasses from above, we’ve also curated a specialized list for their special features.

• Best value for money: Ray-Ban RB2132 Wayfarers
• Best eco-friendly: Cloudfield Bamboo Sunglasses
• Most versatile: Duduma Polarized Sunglasses
• Most stylish: Sungait Oversized Vintage Polarized Cat Eye Sunglasses

How to Choose The Best Sunglasses for Beach?

While we know that most of you want a pair of beach shades out of fashion, we thought that there should be some important features that shouldn’t be missed. First, your sunglasses should be able to provide complete protection, preventing harmful UV rays from entering your eyes. Next, they should have a lightweight frame, allowing you to wear the shades comfortably for extended periods of time. That way, you’ll get yourself perfect beachwear. With all that in mind, here are three crucial things we thought about when looking for a new pair of sunglasses for the summer.

Protection

Beaches are places where you’re most likely to get longer and more intense sun exposure. Therefore, we made sure that you got shades for the beach with two or three levels of protection. For those looking to go out on the water, be sure to get polarized sunglasses. They’ll help reduce glare and allow you to see better.

Price

Keep in mind that paying more doesn’t equal more protection. Sometimes, a pair of sunglasses can cost so much because they have a designer logo. Therefore, we did our research and made sure that we got quality sunglasses for the summer. A pair of sunglasses will cost you anywhere between 50 to 200 USD. So, choose wisely and decide based on your needs and budget. 

And speaking of sunglasses, be sure to check out our best sunglasses for water sports. Discover some of the best options to make your fishing and kayaking even more enjoyable!

Toughness

Lastly, make sure that your sunglasses are tough. That way, you can move around without worrying that your precious shades will be scratched or damaged. You can get sports sunglasses if you want. But if you don’t want to spend a lot, the best sunglasses for a beachy holiday with a rigid frame will be more than enough.

Which is better, UV or polarized sunglasses?

Lastly, we made sure that the sunglasses we were choosing were tough. That way, we were able to move around without worrying that our precious shades will be scratched or damaged. You can get sports sunglasses if you want. But if you don’t want to spend a lot, the best sun shades with a rigid frame will be more than enough.

Should I Wear Shades at the Beach?

Yes, you should. A beach is a place where the sun will be more intense than usual. Wearing sunglasses will prevent overexposure to UV, which can have an adverse impact on the quality of your vision in the long run. Therefore, don’t forget to pack your sunglasses whenever you plan to go to enjoy the sun, sand, and the sea.

Speaking of sunglasses, do you have any old Costas frames that you would like to restore back to their prime condition? If that’s the case, make sure you check out our best Costa del Mar sunglasses lenses.

Will sand scratch my sunglasses?

Yes, they’ll scratch the lenses. The same will happen when you accidentally drop your sunnies in the sand when you put them down. To prevent this, you can wear sunglasses retainers, get sunglasses with scratch-resistant lenses, or simply put them in a protective case when they’re not in use.