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Sunglasses are designed to shield your eyes from the sun, but polarized sunglasses offer an added layer of protection. If you are planning on spending a lot of time by the water this summer, investing in a pair of polarized lenses might make the most sense. The protective coating over the lenses reduces glare and can sharpen otherwise muted colors. 

Over the years, polarized sunglass styles have come a long way. Ahead, our team rounded up our seven favorite polarized sunglasses for women.   

What are the best polarized sunglasses for women?

Best Overall: Gatekeepers by Tomahawk Shades

  • Gold Metal Frame

  • Polarized UV400

  • Green lenses

Best Affordable Sunglasses: Goodr They Were Out of Black 

  • Under $30

  • Polarized UV400

  • Slim fit 

Best Sporty: DIFF Eyewear Blitz

  • Scratch Resistant Lenses 

  • Buy one get one free 

  • Wraparound frames 

Best Mirrored: Sunski Dipsea Polarized Sunglasses

  • Available in 10 frame colors 

  • Polarized UVA/UVB/UV400

  • Lifetime warranty 

Best Sunglasses for Small Faces: COVRY Crux Napa 

  • Comfort first fit 

  • Elevated look 

  • At home try on feature 

Best Oversized Sunglasses: Ray-Ban Jackie Oh II Transparent Sunglasses

  • Stylish silhouette

  • Try lens color before you buy 

  • Can add prescription 

Best Prescription Sunglasses: Maui Jim Kalaunu Asian Fit Sunglasses

  • Ultra clear lenses 

  • Free repairs 

  • Can add prescription 

Best Overall: Gatekeepers by Tomahawk Shades

GATEKEEPERS Polarized women's sunglasses

The Gatekeepers by Tomahawk manage to walk the delicate line between practical and stylish. The gold frame and green lenses are versatile enough for everyday wear, but the polarized lenses are strong enough to protect the eyes from UVA and UVB rays. Also nice: priced at $60, this pair remains accessible for someone looking to try polarized glasses for the first time.

Best Affordable Polarized Sunglasses for women: Goodr They Were Out of Black

Goodr They Were Out of Black

Sunglasses can get expensive quickly, especially when you are adding features like polarization. If you want to try polarized sunglasses without spending a fortune, look no further than goodr. Their inexpensive frames don’t break the bank or skimp on quality. The gray frame feels versatile and unexpected and is so light that it won’t bounce up and down on your nose while wearing. 

Plus, their website offers a virtual try on, so you can make sure you love the style of your frames before purchasing.

Best Sporty Polarized Sunglasses for women: DIFF Eyewear Blitz 

DIFF Eyewear Blitz

Influencer Madi Nelson teamed up with Diff Eyewear to drop this low-profile, but high-style pair of shades. They’re retro but modern at the same time, and named after her daughter Noah. We love that the lenses are made from scratch-resistant polymer, that they’re polarized and offer full UVA and UVB protection and that they come with the cutest case and cleansing cloth.

Best Mirrored Polarized Sunglasses for women: Sunski Dipsea Polarized Sunglasses 

Sunski Dipsea Polarized Sunglasses

Mirrored polarized sunglasses have a reputation for looking a little cheap. However, Sunksi manages to design an elevated version of the style. The classic shape is functional enough for everyday wear. If tortoise frames aren’t for you, this style comes in 10 sophisticated colors to fit your personal style.  Plus, their frames are made from recycled resin. Despite the accessible price point, Sunski offers a lifetime warranty on their frames, so if you break or damage your pair, you can get a replacement. 

Best Polarized Sunglasses for small faces: COVRY Crux Napa  COVRY Crux Napa Comfort first fit

COVRY sunglasses are not cheap, but their focus on comfort and fit make them worth the high price tag. Small faces have a harder time finding sunglasses that rest comfortably on their face without slipping or slouching. These smaller frames are made to fit the shape of your face. Sounds too good to be true? Try them for yourself. COVRY allows you to select five pairs of sunglasses to try on at home before committing to the style that you like. 

Best Oversized Polarized Sunglasses for women: Ray Ban Jackie Oh II Transparent Sunglasses Ray Ban Jackie Oh II Transparent Sunglasses

Thanks to their protective powers, polarized sunglasses have a reputation for sporty silhouettes, however, the category has expanded to include all sorts of shapes and sizes. Enter the Ray Ban Jackie Oh II. These oversized frames boast a stylist shape and offer the traditional protective benefits found in polarized pairs.  To top it off, you can make these prescription if necessary. 

Best Prescription Polarized Sunglasses for women: Maui Jim Kalaunu Asian Fit Sunglasses 

Maui Jim Kalaunu Asian Fit Sunglasses

This pair may be the priciest on the list, but thanks to their two year warranty and high quality construction, the price feels worth the splurge if you can swing in. Buy these on their own or customize with your eye’s specific needs. Either way, these sunglasses are equipped with ultra clear lenses to prevent straining as well as a versatile silhouette that fits into any wardrobe. Also nice: you can choose from eight different lens shades based on your personal preference. 

Best Sunglasses for Round Face FAQ’s

What is the best use for polarized sunglasses?

Polarized lenses are specially coated to reduce glare and eye strain. Some users report that certain colors appear sharper when wearing polarized frames. If you lead an active lifestyle and spend a lot of time outdoors, it may be worth it to invest in a pair. 

How much should I pay for polarized sunglasses?

How much you choose to spend on polarized frames is entirely up to you. First, consider your budget. If you would like to try polarized sunglasses, but aren’t willing to invest a lot up front, look at the above option from Goodr. However, if you already love wearing polarized frames and want to invest in a pair you plan to wear often, a more expensive option might make more sense. 

How can you tell the quality of polarized sunglasses?

All polarized sunglasses basically do the same thing, however, they are not all made from the same material. Cheaper polarized sunglasses utilize acetate, and more expensive brands incorporate scratch resistant technology on their lenses. If you are unsure about a brands quality, look into their return policy and warranty before purchasing. 

Do eye doctors recommend polarized sunglasses?

Generally, eye doctors feel favorably toward polarized sunglasses, however, UVA/UVB protection is considered more important than just polarized frames. 

What damages polarized sunglasses??

Extreme weather can cause damage to polarized sunglasses. Do not wear in high heat, frigid temperatures, or in heavy precipitation. Thankfully, polarized sunglasses do not lose their polarization over time.

Anneke Knot is our go-to fashion aficionado at TheGirlsList.com. Her work can be found on websites like Real Simple and Health magazine.

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