When it comes to buying polarized sunglasses one of the most common questions that people ask is whether or not buying a more expensive pair means that they are getting more effective glasses. This is a tricky question to answer as it covers many different aspects such as polarization levels, style, quality and durability to name but a few. There are some who feel like expensive sunglasses have stronger frames that are less likely to snap, while others say that there is no difference and that we are only paying for a brand name. In this article I want to focus on answering this question based only on the quality of polarization offered.
Do Polarization Levels Differ?
Polarized sunglasses are designed to reduce glare by filtering scattered and reflected light. There is a common misconception that polarized sunglasses are automatically more expensive than ordinary shades, but that is not true. You can pick up decent polarized glasses for as little as $20. Similarly, there is not a huge amount of difference in terms of the level of polarization offered by cheaper styles versus the more expensive brands. In fact, your sunglasses are either polarized or they are not! The danger comes when cheap unknown brands market sunglasses as polarized when they are not! Nowadays the majority of polarized glasses are accompanied by a tag test or lens sticker which confirms that they are actually polarized. It could be that more expensive brands are considered more trustworthy, but that does not mean that cheaper drug store glasses are any less effective you simply have to avoid unscrupulous brands who are misrepresenting their products for a quick buck.
Is Polarization Even Worth It?
You may be wondering if you even need polarized sunglasses. You probably don’t need them in so far as you can get by with ordinary shades, but in some situations they are certainly very useful. Polarized sunglasses are most popular among people like fisherman and sailors or anyone who spends time outdoors. Since they are not really much more expensive than a quality pair of standard sunglasses, if you engage in such activities it is probably well worth looking into buying a pair to help protect your eyes from the glare. Polarization is really more about comfort than UV protection.
So there you have it, buying a more expensive pair of polarized shades will not make them more effective. You may find that they are more stylish or longer lasting, but in terms of polarization there is no difference between designer and drug store.
If you are looking to buy fashionable polarized shades, you don’t necessarily need to pay a lot for them. There are plenty of affordable pairs on the market, for example I think you’ll love the Sassafras black model.