The Best Cheap Men’s Sunglasses to Wear This Summer

Sunglasses are one of the most important pieces of any guy’s stylish wardrobe, but they come with a few caveats. They’re small, easy to break, even easier to lose/misplace, and on top of it all, designer models can cost hundreds — if not thousands — of dollars. As you might surmise, these things don’t mix well. There’s nothing worse than buying a brand new pair of $300+ glasses, only to lose them, scratch them, or dismember them within a month of ownership. That’s why a lot of style-focused men have turned to the more affordable side of the genre to get their eyewear fix. Whatever you’re looking for, you’re bound to find a stylish alternative in our best cheap sunglasses guide.

What to look for

UV Protection: It’s important to choose a pair of sunglasses that block at least 99% of UV rays, as the rays can damage your eyes. UV 400 protection (which blocks all rays below UV light’s 400-nanometer cutoff) is one of the most common you will see among sunglasses, and it does the job of blocking nearly 100% of UV rays.

Polarization: Polarized lenses will decrease light glare and strain on your eyes, which is especially important if you’re driving or doing intense activities outdoors. Most options will be polarized, or at least have the option to add it. But if you’re just worried about style, then it may not be an issue.

Durability: While this may be a budget list, that doesn’t mean these are flimsy sunglasses. However, glasses made of mostly plastic are ideal if you want some beaters, and glasses with sturdier construction (like those that have metal hinges) will be more durable.

Cheap vs. Expensive Sunglasses

While low-cost eyewear was once shunned by the community due to bad taste, horrible design choices, and exceedingly questionable quality, advances in technology, material construction, and architecture have opened new doors for eyewear providers. Gone are the days when pair of glasses in the ~$50 range will leave you high and dry after a handful of uses. Instead, companies have found a way to durably mimic some of history’s most iconic styles, without the designer price tag.

Cheap Sunglasses: $50 Cutoff – We kept our picks around the ~$50 price range as we can consider them cheap, but still stand by the quality of the product.

A.J. Morgan Grad School

The Best Budget Pick: A.J. Morgan’s Grad School glasses might not inspire with their low price point, but they’re as close as you’re going to get to a pair of designer shades without spending hundreds of dollars. These fashion-forward eyewear accessories are sleek, stylish, and protective, offering UV400 lens protection, impact-resistant qualities, and an injection-molded plastic/metal frame that can take a licking but keep on ticking. The best part? They’re available in a variety of colorways, including a timeless tortoiseshell sheen.

goodr OGs Polarized Sunglasses

The Best Wayfarer-Style Sunglasses: goodr’s OG sunglasses are an interesting, under-the-radar take on the traditional Wayfarer silhouette. While they’re not as sharp, blocky, or defined as the original, they offer wearers a handful of similarities, making them a viable alternative when you’re strapped for cash. While many of the OG colorways are outfitted with run-of-the-mill lenses and hardware, specific colorways come with polarized, UV400-protective lenses, a suite of enhanced, non-slip silicone inserts, and a lightweight frame that sits close to the head for a snug fit during exercise and activity.

ATTCL Men’s Driving Polarized Sunglasses

The Best Driving Sunglasses: ATTCL’s Men’s Driving Polarized glasses are a bit much, but if you’re looking for an overstated eyewear piece that’s been built for the city, this is it. Each example boasts a metal frame, a set of polarized, composite lenses, and a sharp demeanor that integrates unique texturing into its overall composition. To keep things light and strong, an aluminum-magnesium metal alloy frame helps to ensure that you won’t suffer from fatigue and discomfort following long periods of wear, making them a viable companion for running, driving, cycling, skiing, or any other activity where durable eye protection is a must.

Knockaround Mount Evans

The Best Aviators: If you’re a regular within the affordable eyewear space, it’s likely that you’ve heard of Knockaround. To say that these guys are one of the driving forces behind the stylish, low-cost movement would be an understatement. As such, the Mount Evans Aviator provides a perfect illustration of the brand’s devotion to stylish recreations of the greats, without the hefty price tag. Each example features a slim, gold-metal frame, tortoiseshell rubber detailing, polarized, square-shaped lenses, and an FDA-approved, impact-resistant rating, making them an attractive alternative to your more expensive glasses. Like many on this list, they offer full UV400 sun protection, shielding your eyes from the detriments of dangerous light exposure.

Huckberry Cruisers Sunglasses

The Best Sunglasses Overall: Huckberry has a thing for the preservation of heritage style, but that doesn’t mean that the styles it decides to feature on its site aren’t versatile. And these Cruiser Sunglasses are the perfect example, as they have a stylish round silhouette and fit comfortably on any face. These modern shades have been constructed with heavy-duty plastic and feature scratch-resistant lenses. On top of that, the temples guard the outside of the hinge for added protection.

Blenders Amber Coast

The Best Colorful Sunglasses: Blenders designed these glasses to look great and perform well in the city or in nature. The simple frame means that these shades will never go out of style – and with two lens colors to choose from (amber and blue light), you can make them your own. Additionally, the sunglasses have 100% UV protection and polarized lenses, so your eyes will have the protection it needs.

Shady Rays Nitro

The Best Single-Lens Sunglasses: Now that summer is here, the Nitro sunglasses from Shady Rays might be just the thing you need. These shades have a face shield style with a mirrored single lens, and the durable matte black frame features a unique paint splatter pattern. You can also adjust the nose pad to get the perfect fit on your nose. Additionally, these glasses come with Shady Ray’s warranty and protection coverage, which will have you covered if you lose or break them, and replace any glasses with manufacturing errors.

Kent Wang Sunglasses Keyhole

The Best Round Sunglasses: Round glasses have certainly been making a comeback over recent years, so if you want a modern pick, then consider these shades from Kent Wang. As opposed to the plastic used in many glasses in this price range, these glasses have been made with cellulose acetate (or horn) that are carved into shape out of blocks. Additionally, the spring hinges allow for more flexibility and a wider range of motion in the arms.

Sunski Seacliff Polarized Sunglasses

The Best Outdoor Sunglasses: Like Knockarounds, Sunski is a lauded name within the affordable eyewear space. The brand’s mission to recreate iconic shapes and styles at a fraction of the cost of its competitors has made it a go-to for many frugal individuals, and when it comes to silhouettes like the Seacliff Polarized, we can see why. Not only do these glasses boast a light and slender persona, but they’ve also been gifted with a set of certified UVA/B/400 polarized lenses, a hand-polished frame, and a classic, simplified style that bridges the gap between a number of iconic shapes.

IZIPIZI #C

The Most Stylish Sunglasses: Izipizi’s #C sunglasses are an interesting model that capitalizes on the return of vintage shapes. It adopts a classic silhouette that looks like it was pulled straight out of the 70s, amplifying it with the inclusion of Category 3 polarized lenses, flexible arms, a grippy, rubberized texture, and a clean aesthetic that’ll leave an impression on anyone you come in contact with. The best part? They’re lightweight, comfortable, and affordable, checking off all the boxes that we look for when we’re in the market for a pair that we can utilize without fear of loss, damage, or dismemberment.

Nooz Cruz

The Best Lightweight Sunglasses: Coming in at only twelve grams, these super lightweight and comfortable glasses from Nooz are perfect if you’re looking for something unobtrusive. Although these are quite light, the heavy-duty screwless design and steel temples make sure that they can still stand up to daily wear. The use of Swiss TR90 in the frame, one of the best optical nylons in the world, also adds to this durability.

The Best Short Sleeve Button-Ups for This Summer

Now that summer is here, you might want a shirt to go with your new sunglasses. So check out our best short-sleeve button-up shirts guide.