Personal safety, primarily eye protection, is often neglected on the job, leading to thousands of injuries every day. Many of these incidents could have been prevented by using adequate safety equipment.
From bits of dust causing discomfort to potential permanent visual impairment, eye injuries range from mild to severe. That’s why we’ve prepared a list of the best safety glasses and goggles on the market to help you choose the most suitable option for you.
Best Safety Glasses and Goggles for 2022
3M GoggleGear 6000 Series Safety Goggles
Pros
- Anti-fog coating
- Indirect venting
- UV-absorbing lenses
- Comfortable and durable
Cons
- May not fit all faces
3M is a famous science-based brand that offers various products, including personal protective equipment, safety glasses, and goggles. While the company offers a wide variety of models, the anti-fog GoggleGear 6000 Series is among the best safety goggles over glasses options.
The frame is made of tough nylon, and the nose bridge is compatible with reusable respirators of many brands. If you find the temples uncomfortable, you can remove them and purchase an adjustable neoprene or nylon fiber cloth strap.
This pair has Scotchgard anti-fog coating. The testing has confirmed that it lasts and stays clear longer than traditional coatings and is less prone to scratching.
All 3M safety glasses are created for demanding indoor and outdoor work conditions and situations with different temperatures. This model has indirect venting that reduces fogging by air circulation even in the most challenging environments.
The goggles feature polycarbonate lenses that absorb 99.9% harmful UV rays and are also droplet, splash, and dust rated.
Safety glasses require proper care. These can be washed with soap and water without damaging the coating and can even be disinfected with alcohol wipes or diluted bleach.
While the clear lenses are perfect for indoor use, you may prefer a tinted pair for outdoor purposes. 3M products are meant for job-related tasks and trained occupational and industrial customers, but anyone can purchase the safety glasses on Amazon.
As with any other model, the size might be an issue, so make sure to check the measurements.
KleenGuard V30 Nemesis Safety Glasses
Pros
- 99.9% UV protection
- Highly flexible
- Extremely comfortable
Cons
- No anti-fog coating on the regular model
KleenGuard is another good safety glasses brand you can’t go wrong with. It offers a wide assortment of protective gear, but the V30 Nemesis safety glasses stand out. They have clear polycarbonate lenses that protect from 99.9% of UV rays and come in a bulk package of 12.
These high-quality safety glasses have a simple, sporty design, very comfortable temples, and are extremely flexible. The patented Flex-Dry nose piece channels sweat away from the eyes while keeping the glasses from slipping down.
Additionally, each pair comes with a detachable and adjustable neck cord. As for the fit, these will suit both men and women and are available in a smaller size — Nemesis Small.
Nemesis glasses are, by many standards, the best safety glasses for construction and anyone who faces harsh and dangerous work conditions. The glasses don’t blur, impair, or affect your vision (including peripheral), nor do they cause headaches.
You can choose among clear lenses, various tinted ones — blue mirror, smoke, IRUV shade 5 — or an anti-fog coating. Whichever one you choose, KleenGuard makes sure you’ll have a pair of cool safety glasses.
Tavool Anti-Fog Safety Goggles Over Eyeglasses
Pros
- Comfortable over regular glasses
- Anti-fog coating
- Breathable vents
- Durable military-grade materials
Cons
- Not suitable for shooting
If your eyesight isn’t the best, you may want to consider wearing safety goggles over your regular prescription glasses. The particular design of Tavool is large enough to fit over your glasses perfectly while still being comfortable and flexible enough.
The coating of the clear safety glasses prevents fogging, which might reduce your vision, including when exposed to water vapor. Moreover, the breathable vents on the sides further prevent fogging, even if you’re wearing a protective face mask.
Tavool’s glasses polarize light by filtering and reflecting harmful ultraviolet and infrared rays (99–100%). Also, the model’s complete transparency allows for a broad, unblurred vision.
Another benefit of the best anti-fog safety glasses from Tavool is the lightweight yet rugged, military-grade impact and pressure-resistant plastic materials. On top of that, PC materials are explosion-proof, so your eyes will be shielded from any unfortunate accident.
Regardless of the quality materials, you shouldn’t use the glasses for shooting because they are still plastic. But they’re perfect for lab, healthcare, wood, and construction workers or regular homeowners who need safety glasses that fit over glasses.
Three pairs come in the package.
Edge Reclus Polarized Safety Glasses, Anti-Scratch, Non-Slip
Pros
- Comfortable
- Clear vision
- Excellent for outdoors
- UV protection
Cons
- Might not fit all sizes
Edge Reclus is a stylish pair of safety glasses that provide ultimate comfort while still hitting all safety standard marks. The goggles are suited for high impact and comply with the military standards for intense ballistic velocities during combat. Edge tests its products extensively to ensure the consumers get the best quality possible.
These scratch-proof safety glasses have polycarbonate polarized Aqua Precision mirror lenses. The cutting-edge Tapered Lens Technology (TLT) provides clear vision, zero visual distortion, prevents eye fatigue, and 99.9% protection from ultraviolet and infrared rays.
The frame is highly flexible and durable TR/90 nylon, and the temple tips are soft for a good fit and comfort. In addition, the wrap-around frame design doesn’t block peripheral vision but protects your eyes from dust and debris.
Polarized lenses are particularly helpful when working outdoors. There are other more expensive options on the market, but these are the best polarized safety glasses for the price.
However, if standard glasses don’t fit you, check the measurements before purchasing.
ToolFreak Rebel Bifocal Safety Glasses
Pros
- 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 diopters
- UV protection
- Refund guarantee
Cons
- The transition from clear to bifocal can be uncomfortable
Bifocal glasses are perfect if you need protective eyewear and prescription glasses simultaneously and don’t want to put them on top of each other.
Rebel by ToolFreak is one of the best bifocal safety glasses you can find for the price. You have the option of choosing the clear or a tinted (Dark Smoke) model. Each comes with a built-in reader (as 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 diopters), providing a clear vision and long-lasting performance.
The frame and the lens are both high-quality polycarbonate that offers impact protection and filters UV rays. Rebel features a lightweight sprung tension frame for extreme comfort without slipping. It’s flexible enough to fit most people and be worn a whole day.
The brow ventilation of these comfortable safety glasses enables airflow around the eyes and prevents fogging. They are also scratch-resistant.
ToolFreak glasses come with additional accessories — a water repellent pouch, a protective case, a lanyard to wear the glasses around your neck, and a cleaning cloth.
The warranty includes material or manufacturing defects. Contact their customer service, and they’ll gladly provide you with a refund if you’re not satisfied with the purchase.
You can, however, face some problems as with any bifocal best prescription safety glasses — the transition from the clear to the bifocal part of the lens could prove slightly uncomfortable and blurry.
YesWelder True Color Auto Darkening Welding Goggles
Pros
- True colors
- Excellent visibility
- Can substitute a welding helmet
- Compatible with hard hats
- Additional mask, battery, and lens in the package
- Battery lasts for 3,000 hours
Cons
- The nose piece isn’t padded
- Too flexible head strap
Due to the nature of their work, welders are among the professionals who are most in danger from eye injuries. That’s why we added the best safety glasses for welders to our list.
Although a full mask is the best choice for welding protection, sometimes the place you’re working in limits the possibility of wearing one. Durable welding goggles from YesWelder are just what you need in those situations.
The goggles come in handy for different types of welding (TIG, MMA, MIG, ARC), grinding, and plasma applications. The True Color feature with a 1/1/1/2 optical clarity rating improves visibility and colors. Your eyes will not strain additionally because the goggles minimize the lime green color in the viewing screen.
The viewing screen of the best safety glasses for welding is 4.82 by 1.37 inches and features a dual sensor. You can easily adjust the sensitivity, delay, and shading. These goggles come with a free welding mask, a spare lens, and a Lithium Metal battery that lasts for 3,000 hours.
You can wear them over prescription glasses or smaller protective eyewear. Another thing that places them among the best safety goggles is their compatibility with hard hats and respirators. The fit is pretty good, although not for everyone, and the inside rubber is soft.
Some users have complained about a problematic plastic nose piece that causes pain. You can solve this by putting some padding or grinding down the plastic.
Another possible issue is the flexibility of the head strap. While some models have too tight straps, this one needs to be adjusted often because it may slip.
Tips for Finding the Best Safety Glasses
Protective eyewear is an essential part of safety equipment for everyone working in a dangerous environment. Many incidents occur due to underestimation of the value of protective measures or not picking the appropriate gear.
To minimize the chance of injuries, we compiled a list of tips on picking the right safety glasses for your needs.
- If you’re ordering online, you need to measure your head, eye width, spacing between the eyes, etc. Then, you can measure a good-fitting pair of glasses or sunglasses and compare the numbers.
- Always choose top-rated safety glasses that offer UV protection.
- If you work with chemicals, pick goggles that provide splash resistance and protect the wider area around your eyes. The model should be vented but without any large holes, or the substances might still get in. We recommend models with internal venting.
- Go for models that have ANSI approval and have the Z87 mark. That means they’re tested and approved for various job sites and challenging conditions.
- For working with dangerous fumes or radiation, pick a full mask or helmet with breathing filters.
- The best safety glasses for shooting must be made from high-impact-resistant materials, as not every pair is suitable for such purposes.
- Amber lenses are fantastic for low-light conditions.
- If you wear glasses, then get a pair of goggles that will fit over them. You can also get bifocal goggles or safety glasses, but those are more expensive.
- Maintain the glasses properly, following the instructions, to ensure they last long and serve you well.
People Also Ask
Which safety goggles are best?
You can’t go wrong with 3M GoggleGear 6000 Series goggles. This model has clear UV-absorbing polycarbonate lenses coated with a long-lasting Scotchgard anti-fog. Fogging is further prevented by vents that provide air circulation.
The frame is made from rigid nylon material and is very comfortable on your face. But, if you’re not satisfied with the comfort of provided temples, 3M makes adjustable neoprene and nylon fiber cloth straps that are compatible with this model.
These can even be worn with a reusable respirator or over smaller prescription glasses and are droplet, splash, and dust rated.
Why are safety goggles preferable to safety glasses?
Although safety glasses look nicer and still provide excellent protection for your eyes, many prefer safety goggles because they cover more of the face. Goggles include padding, most frequently rubber, to protect your eyes better.
If the fit is snug enough, goggles will prevent even the tiniest particles of dust or, for example, spray paint from entering.
Well-designed, high-quality protective goggles will be very comfortable to wear all day. Another reason many prefer goggles — they can usually be worn over prescription glasses.
What are the best tinted safety glasses?
Edge Reclus is one of the best and affordable polarized safety glasses with a stylish design and comfortable to wear. The lenses are polycarbonate, scratch-proof, and protect you from 99.9% ultraviolet and infrared rays.
The wrap-around design of the TR/90 nylon frame protects your eyes from dust and debris, but your peripheral vision will still not be obstructed. Also, Edge implemented Tapered Lens Technology that keeps your vision clear and your eyes rested while enhancing colors in direct sunlight.
Do I need safety glasses if I wear glasses?
You still need protective eyewear because standard glasses are not made to be resistant to everything. They help you with eyesight, while safety glasses protect your eyes and surrounding area from chemicals, debris, dust, liquid particles, and UV rays.
If you want to wear safety glasses with your regular glasses, you can — just choose a goggle model that will fit. On the other hand, if you don’t want to wear two pairs, you can opt for bifocal safety glasses.
What is the best eye protection?
Protective eyewear specifications vary depending on the workplace, industry, or type of hazard, so you’ll have to follow workspace guidelines when choosing safety glasses. However, certain characteristics, such as UV-absorbing ability, are highly recommended.
For example, if you’re a welder, the best protection will be a suitable full helmet or a great pair of auto-darkening glasses. On the other hand, if you work in a lab, you’ll need a snug pair of safety goggles that are chemical splash-resistant.
When shooting, or being exposed to flying objects, dust, and debris, choose appropriate impact and dust-resistant glasses or goggles.
Which safety glass lenses are the most impact-resistant?
Polycarbonate lenses are more impact-resistant than glass or plastic pairs. They further protect better from dust, debris, and even flying projectiles. The material doesn’t scratch, and due to its resilience, it’s the safer option.
It can be made into prescription glasses and regular sunglasses. Although it’s pricier than standard glass or plastic, it’s thinner, lighter, and more durable, making it ideal for active people and kids.
Polycarbonate provides excellent UV rays protection, so we recommend your pick of the best safety glasses to have such lenses, especially if you work outside.