Protect your eyes from strain and fatigue with blue light blocking glasses for gaming and everyday screen use
A pair of the best blue light blocking glasses could be just what you need to protect your eyes from eye strain and prevent those pesky screen-related headaches from occurring. If, like me, you’re constantly staring at a computer screen and are becoming a little concerned about the impact of all that artificial light, then you might want to think seriously about splashing out on a pair of blue light glasses. Retro Eyewear
If you’re the kind of gamer who gets easily addicted to the best PC games , leading to spending hours sitting in front of a computer screen, blue light glasses should be a non-negotiable part of your kit. Feeling overwhelmed when it comes to selecting the right blue light blocking glasses?
For this guide, I’ve chosen blue light glasses based on how well they perform, how comfortable they are to wear, and the quality of their designs. Gunnar is a well-known name and, often, the go-to for blue light gaming glasses, but I’ve also been impressed by some less well-known brands.
When choosing a pair of the best-rated light-blocking glasses, take into account your budget, the design, and how comfortable they will be to wear. After all, you could be wearing them for hours at a time. We’ve tried and tested a whole bunch of glasses, in a bid to make sure that we’re only recommending the very best options.
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Gunnar’s Razer FPS glasses aren’t the most stylish option for gaming glasses, but they are super effective in blocking out blue light. The iconic yellow-tinted lenses ensure these glasses go that extra mile and block out 65% of blue light. They also come complete with a wide frame that’s lightweight and comfortable to wear, without digging into the sides of your head, no matter how long the gaming marathon.
What’s unique about these glasses, and why so many gamers rave about them, is that Gunnar developed their own Blue Light Protection Factor which can be used to tell users exactly how much of the peak blue light spectrum is being blocked.
Regardless of how well these work, if you’re looking for frames that blend in, these might not be the right choice for you. If you’re only going to be wearing them at home and are looking for a pair of glasses that’ll do the job and block blue light, then these are, without a doubt, our top pick.
While a slightly pricier option, the Spy Discord blue light blocking glasses are a great choice for anyone with a minor to moderate glasses prescription. They’re available in a range of prescriptions, from SPH -5.00 to +4.25, and can also incorporate a prescription from -6.00 to +6.00 for astigmatism. However, it’s worth noting that they don’t go any higher than that.
What’s great about these glasses, according to our reviewer, is that they feature a ‘hard case and resilient nylon material that makes them feel both flexible and durable’. They’re also available in both black and white designs. Despite the slightly more expensive price tag, in terms of cost these glasses, which come with subtly tinted lenses, are still within the mid-range.
The Smart Buy Kennedy blue light gaming glasses are a great budget-friendly option if you’re looking to spend no more than $20. We found that these lightweight glasses felt snug, secure, and comfortable when in place. They, admittedly, may not be the most stylish on this list, but if you are looking for a low-cost, well-fitting pair of blue light specs, these should be your go-to.
What’s great about these glasses is that they don’t tend to slide or move about, they sit snug to the contours of your face. So, whether you’re sitting at your PC gaming or working at the office, these should be both comfortable and convenient to wear.
In terms of looks, despite their low price tag these blue light glasses don’t compromise on either function or style. With simplistic rectangular-shaped frames, they’re designed to be contemporary.
Our reviewer said: “A budget buy that blocks blue light without breaking the bank. These clear-framed unisex glasses look very subtle, and are perfectly shaped for round faces like mine.”
If you’re looking for a designer pair of blue light blocking glasses, then look no further than these Tom Ford glasses. According to our reviewer, they’re ‘well-constructed, comfortable and exceedingly stylish’, what more could you want from a pair of technical specs?
They explained: “They’re designed for general screen use rather than just gaming, but that means you can wear them in lots of environments – including the office – without feeling conspicuous. If you’ve got more to spend and want glasses that look good above all else, these are the pair for you.”
The great thing about these glasses, aside from the fact that they look stylish on, is that they are diverse in terms of prescription type, catering to prescriptions with SPH from -14.00 to +10.00 and astigmatisms from – 6.00 to +6.00, which is normally unseen in gaming glasses.
If you’re looking for a pair of blue light blocking glasses on the more affordable end of the spectrum, then you might want to test out these $20 glasses that are durable, comfortable, and work effectively to block out blue light.
What’s great about these glasses is that they’re ultra-lightweight, fit well, and despite their low price tag are well-made. Featuring crystal clear, non-tinted lenses (that still block out blue light, of course), meaning that you won’t need to adjust to wearing different lenses.
In terms of the fit and feel, these glasses are made from a lightly textured material that helps to ensure that regardless of how long you’re wearing them for, they’re comfortable. This material is also great for stopping the glasses from slipping down your face or pinching your nose or ears.
When it comes to appearance, these frames come in a wide range of colors, which means that there are plenty of options for finding the perfect pair to fit your style. They glasses also include a blue light refraction tool, so that you’re able to monitor how much light they’re actually blocking.
Optician Beck Jinnette from Smart Buy Glasses explains “Blue light-blocking glasses are crafted to reduce the potential adverse effects of excessive blue light exposure from digital screens. “While the scientific evidence on their benefits is still being developed, many users of both non-prescription and prescription glasses with blue light filters report positive effects.”
While some people have reported getting headaches when first wearing blue light glasses, there haven’t been any reliable studies to support the use of these glasses causing headaches. Instead, most opticians put these headaches down to users needing to adjust to the new lenses, just like when getting a new glasses prescription.
According to Beck, there are a multitude of benefits of wearing blue light glasses, including reducing eye strain linked to extended screen time, improved sleep quality, enhanced eye comfort when using a screen, potential retinal protection, and a reduced risk of macular degeneration. She explained: “Gamers spend a lot of time in front of digital screens, which means their eyes are highly exposed to artificial blue light. This puts them at risk for eye strain, amongst other things. Wearing blue light blocking glasses can help combat the negative effects of excessive exposure to this wavelength.”
Thick Frame Eyewear Beth is PCGamesN’s E-commerce Writer and is on hand to create buying advice you can trust. A journalist with over six years of experience writing deals, buying guides, and reviews, Beth has worked on sites including HuffPost, CNET, Golf Monthly, TechRadar, Real Homes, Space.com, and Glamour. When she’s not scouring the web for all of the best tech and gaming gear you’ll find her baking brownies, walking her dog, reading on the Kindle that she’s totally obsessed with, or building yet another house on The Sims.