Confused about which blue-blocking glasses you should buy?
We’ve tested dozens of pairs to narrow down the best of the best so you don’t have to keep pulling your hair out and deciding which company to trust.
How We Did Our Testing
We used our lab-grade spectrometer to take readings of a full spectrum light source before and after each lens was placed over the spectrometer.
This gave us the ability to compare each pair of glasses apples to apples.
So what did we compare? Two important things…
Reducing Circadian Light
While most glasses claim they block “50% of green light” or “99% of blue light“, these claims are rather vague…
So we improved them!
Instead, we decided to use Circadian Light Reduction.
This is a metric developed by the LHRC that uses a complex weighted algorithm to determine how biologically impactful a light spectrum is to your circadian rhythm.
Since not all blue light or green light is equally impactful to the suppression of melatonin, it’s much better to use this weighed scale to determine what kind of impact a pair of blue blockers may have.
You can read more about circadian stimulus here.
Reducing Lux or Brightness
Lux is basically a measurement of how visually bright a light source is.
Generally speaking, the more circadian light you block, the “darker” your environment will appear.
BUT.
This is not always the case.
Since the light that suppresses melatonin is different than the light that we are most visually sensitive to, some lenses can block similar amounts of circadian light but differ vastly in how dark they make the environment seem.
For example, the two lenses below each block around the same amount of lux at 8%.
However, one clearly blocks more blue light, to the tune of 20% more circadian light.
This is really just a matter of personal preference really. If you’re doing color-sensitive work or don’t want to distort the color of your environment choose a lens with lower lux reduction.
However, if you are sensitive to light or will be in a very bright environment late at night, a higher lux reduction will be useful.
Which Blue Blocker Lenses to Pick
When it comes to blocking blue light at night, you’ve got three main categories to choose from:
Yellow Lenses
These block most of the blue light while letting through almost all of the green light.
Examples of what yellow lenses let through:
These lenses are great if you know you’ll have to drive somewhere at night and still need to see very well, or if you’re doing color-sensitive work and don’t want to distort colors too much.
Pros
Cons
Amber Lenses
These are a great middle-ground that cut down on most blue and green light.
Examples of what amber lenses let through:
These lenses are the best all around for color clarity and blue light-blocking abilities.
These are really the best of both worlds if you don’t have to drive anywhere and just need a pair for out on the town or at home.
Pros
Cons
Red Lenses
Red lenses don’t let any blue or green light through.
Examples of what red lenses let through:
These lenses are a must-buy if you find yourself very sensitive to blue/green light.
Anyone with sleep phase disorders or insomnia should consider using red lenses at night to avoid delaying melatonin secretion.
These are also a good pick for anyone looking to fully maximize their sleep quality.
Pros
Cons
The Best Blue Blockers
Without further ado! Here are our recommendations:
Best Yellow Blue Blocker
A pair of yellow blue blockers are perfect for cutting down on circadian light without diminishing colors too much.
TrueDark Daylights
These will give you a pretty sizable reduction of over 50% of circadian light, while still retaining amazing color rendering.
What do they block?
- Circadian Light: 58.4%
- Lux: 18.5%
Use coupon code OPTIMIZE for 10% off!
TrueDark Daylight Fitovers
The same as the others! These just fit over glasses.
What do they block?
- Circadian Light: 58.4%
- Lux: 18.5%
Use coupon code OPTIMIZE for 10% off!
Best Amber Blue Blockers
Here are our picks for the best amber-colored blue blockers around!
Infield Terminators
These are my favorite budget amber blue blockers!
With the wraparound format, they effectively block all blue light and much of the green, and don’t look half bad either!
What do they block?
- Circadian Light: 98.6%
- Lux: 66.1%
TrueDark Gradient
These unique lenses block more light at the top, and less at the bottom, which is really what you need!
These are probably my favorite “social” blue blockers.
What do they block?
- Circadian Light: 95.7%
- Lux: 74.8%
Use coupon code OPTIMIZE for 10% off!
EyeKeeper Fitovers
If you’re looking for a pair of amber blue blockers to wear over your prescription glasses, these are a great choice!
What do they block?
- Circadian Light: 97.4%
- Lux: 56.1%
Best Red Blue Blockers
Here are our favorite red lens blue blockers, perfect for insomniacs and biohackers alike!
TrueDark Twilight Classics
These lenses by TrueDark are the ultimate blue blocker. The best we tested.
Grab these if you’re looking for some glasses that’ll knock you out no matter where you are!
What do they block?
- Circadian Light: 99.9%
- Lux: 92.8%
Use coupon code OPTIMIZE for 10% off!
DEWALT Laser Safety Glasses
My go-to budget red lens blue blocker recommendation.
These let through a little more yellow light than the TrueDarks, which makes it a little easier to see stuff.
What do they block?
- Circadian Light: 99.8%
- Lux: 86%
TrueDark Twilights Fitovers
If you’re looking for a pair of lense blue locking glasses that will fit over your glasses, look no further!
What do they block?
- Circadian Light: 99.9%
- Lux: 92.8%
Use coupon code OPTIMIZE for 10% off!
And that’s it for our recommendations! Hopefully, you’ve found your pair!
If not, check out our extensive blue blocker database where you can sort through over 30 of the best blue blockers on the market!
hi Derek absolutely brilliant work you’re doing in the biohacking space, I have been using uvex blue blocking safety glasses for years and find them working well but wondering if you have tested them and what the circadian and lux rating was on them. also I’m having some light come from underneath the glasses and trying to engineer something too stop that from happening not sure if it’s a big deal if a little bit of light comes from underneath the glasses or not. would appreciate your thoughts and thank you
Hey Christian! Thanks for the comment.
I have tested the UVEX Skyper which can be found in the Blue Blocker Database, I’m not sure if you have a different pair but that’s the only UVEX glasses I’ve tested as of right now.
A little light coming from underneath probably isn’t too big of a deal, however different people have different responses to light at night. One thing to keep in mind is that exposure to a lot of bright light during the day can help offset the negative effects of any light at night. But if it really bothers you there are some glasses that might fit better like the Infield Terminators for example.
Hope that helps!