When you’re exposed to artificial blue light throughout the day, it can trick your internal clock into thinking it’s time for activity at night, not rest—which is part of why experts believe blue light can negatively affect your sleep quality. Blue light glasses aim to mitigate these effects by filtering out a percentage of the potentially harmful light. But with so many options to choose from, it can be difficult to decide which is the best pair for you. Read on for our picks, along with expert tips on how to choose. Though there’s no true consensus on their ultimate effectiveness, blue light glasses aim to filter out or block some of the light from reaching your eyes. For the best results, it’s important to wear the glasses in the hours just before1 your head hits the pillow. Todd Handel, an optician at East Coast Optometry, says the evidence connecting blue light exposure to eye strain is murky, but that the sleep connection is not. Exposing your eyes to blue light right before bed suppresses melatonin, which makes it more difficult to fall asleep. “Some studies suggest that devices like monitors and cellphones have a blue light wavelength that affects vision in two ways: The first is that it’s harmful to your eyes and can cause possible long-term damage,” he explains. “The second, and more important, effect is that blue light can affect circadian rhythms and negatively impact your sleep patterns.” Customers who spend 10 hours a day on the computer say these glasses make their eyes feel “instantly” better and “really do make a difference.” Some note that they are a bit clunky, but the majority find them to be comfortable. What our testers say: “I’m using them to reduce excessive blue light exposure when working indoors on my laptop, with the goal of a) sleeping better and b) preserving my eyesight. They fit very well, and are comfortable on top of my regular glasses.” - Doug K. While some reviewers lament that these glasses prevent them from differentiating colors, most people speak glowingly about the product’s impact on their sleep. Our tester found they made a noticeable difference in their sleep quality, raving, “These are the most effective blue-light-blocking glasses I’ve tried, and they make it noticeably easier to fall asleep after spending the night on screens. The red lens color looks very silly and takes some getting used to, but it’s well worth it for the circadian rhythm support.” Customers rave about not only the quality and aesthetic of these glasses, but also the brand’s customer service. One writes, “While working from home, I noticed I was getting headaches quite often. But with these glasses, the way they sort of dim the lighting of my computer has helped overnight. Worth buying if you are working at a computer all day. And they look good.” Google customers appreciate that these glasses do not significantly distort colors in the way other models do. Some customers criticized the quality of the product, referring to the frames as “on the cheap side of the spectrum.” However, others praised the glasses and said they quickly noticed a positive impact on their sleep: “The product does as it says. I wake up feeling much more refreshed since wearing them before bed,” one reviewer says. While the frames are $35, it will cost an additional $29 to add the SightRelax technology, and there will be added fees for a prescription. All purchases come with a 14-day return policy and a one-year replacement warranty. EyeBuyDirect does not separate blue light reviews from frame reviews, but customers love the Potter glasses. With an average of 4.8 out of five stars on the company’s website, there are sky-high marks for style and fit. There is not a ton of feedback on the Bon Charge kids models yet, but all the reviews they do have are positive. One customer says, “Bought the Piper Sleep+ for my daughter and I wish I had done so sooner. She loves them! A game changer in her sleep quality!”
