Best Baby Sunglasses Of 2020

Sunglasses look adorable on babies, but they might seem a bit unnecessary. The truth is, they are more than just a fashion accessory. Exposure to sunlight also means exposure to harmful UV rays, which are known to cause damage to the unprotected eye.

A number of health issues have been connected to the damage caused by ultraviolet light, including cataracts, macular degeneration and even some types of eye cancers. Because of this, sunglasses are an important accessory for protecting the health of your baby. 

How Early Should Children Start Wearing Sunglasses?

Natural sunlight doesn’t instantly hurt anybody’s eyes, but prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light from the sun can lead to serious health issues.

A baby’s eyes are especially vulnerable because they are still not fully developed and they don’t have the same level of natural protection as adult eyes. Adults have pigments in their eyes that help filter out the ultraviolet light which infants and young children still do not have. 

Thus, young children are more likely to suffer retinal damage. In fact, a study has shown that 81 % of children aged 12 to 15 and 26% of children aged 9 to 11 already have early signs of sun damage. The damage that was done early in life might not be visible immediately, but it can still show up later in life, like in the case of cataracts.

Still, there is no need to panic. A little sun is healthy for children. Infants that are still in a stroller are sufficiently protected by the strollers shade.

A hat will block about 30% of harmful radiation, but if a baby is exposed to direct sunlight, it’s a good idea to use sunglasses too. Therefore, babies can start wearing sunglasses when they are about six months old, or as soon as they start playing outside. 

Also, you should be aware that cloudy weather doesn’t mean less UV radiation. Furthermore, snow and water reflect UV radiation making it much more harmful, so if you are skiing or close to the water it is even more important that your child wears sunglasses. 

How to Choose the Best Baby Sunglasses

First of all, the shape of sunglasses for a baby should be rounded, without any sharp edges. This way there is a lesser chance of your baby accidentally getting hurt, and rounded sunglasses are also harder to break.

Also, choose flexible and fairly soft materials. You’ll need glasses that are comfortable but can also withstand every day (ab)use of a toddler. Good sunglasses should also provide coverage around the eyes, so your child peripheral vision is protected from harmful glare. 

Second, you should look for lenses that are shatterproof, because you definitely wouldn’t want small broken pieces around an infant.

They should also block 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays. Baby sunglasses that provide adequate protection should have a label that says they are compliant with CE or American Optometric Association guidelines. 

Keep in mind that the tint of the lenses is not connected with the level of UV protection, even though darker glasses might feel more comfortable. Grey lenses are a good option because they preserve normal color recognition while reducing overall brightness. 

However, UV radiation is not the only thing that can hurt young eyes. Blue light, also known as HEV radiation, is associated with retinal damage and macular degeneration. In this case, color does matter, and sunglasses that block a significant amount of HEV radiation are usually bronze or copper tinted. 

Polarized lenses are also an option. Polarization reduces glare and makes the image more clear. It does make the sunglasses more comfortable babies’ eyes, but it is not necessary. It is a nice addition, but a high level of UV protection is more important. 

What if Your Little One is Refusing to Wear Sunglasses

It can be hard to convince your little one to keep the sunglasses on. Many kids just don’t like it when you put things such as glasses or hats on their heads, and they also like throwing things around. There is no magical solution for this problem but here are a few tips that can help you:

If a child refuses to wear sunglasses, they might just be uncomfortable. They shouldn’t be too big or too small, and also not too heavy.

Even though the strap is useful for keeping the glasses on, some kids don’t like it. Try letting them wear sunglasses without the strap and see what happens.

Let the first time your baby wears sunglasses be outside in the sun, so he or she can feel the difference

Let the child learn from your example. Wear sunglasses every time you go out.

If your child takes off the sunglasses as soon as you put them on, try distracting them. Put on the sunglasses and then quickly get them interested in something else.

The hardest and the most important part is consistency. Every time you go out, sunglasses have to be on, no exceptions. 

The 5 Best Baby Sunglasses Reviewed

There is no pair of sunglasses that would fit every baby perfectly, but we have put together a list of 5 great options to help you narrow your choice. All 5 of these follow safety guidelines for baby sunglasses, but they are different regarding design and style. 

My First Sunglasses Baby Aviators

You don’t have to spend a fortune to get adequate protection for your baby’s eyes. My First Sunglasses Baby Aviators prove that this is true.

These sunglasses have polycarbonate UV400 lenses with 100% protection from UVA and UVB rays. The frame is made of a flexible thermoplastic which makes it bendable and almost impossible to break. These Baby Aviators

Also meat FDA and CE safety guidelines.

The frame is 110mm wide, and it can fit babies from 6 to 24 months old. These sunglasses are also offered in 2 packs which makes them even more affordable. They come with a microfiber pouch that can be used for cleaning the glasses too.

What We Liked

• checkVery flexible and virtually unbreakable
• checkLightweight and well constructed
• checkThey come with a convenient microfiber pouch that can be used for cleaning

What We Didn’t Like

• exclamation-triangleCan be hard to keep on, because the extremely flexible frame can lead to sunglasses slipping off the baby’s nose
• exclamation-triangleThe arms of the glasses might be too long for very young babies

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Real Kids Shades Explorer Sunglasses

The manufacturers of Real Kids Shades Explorer sunglasses claim that they are unbreakable. That might as well be true since they are super flexible.

The shatterproof lenses offer 100% UVA and UVB protection. The standard version of the Real Kids Explorer is not polarized, but there is also a polarized version which makes them eliminate glare.

These glasses come with an adjustable strap that helps with keeping them on, but the strap can also be removed once your child gets used to wearing sunglasses. The wraparound design protects the eyes from light coming in through the sides, and several color combinations make these glasses super fun.

What We Liked

• checkYou can choose whether you want the lens to be polarized
• checkThe smallest size is small enough even for babies younger than six months, which can be hard to find
• checkAdjustable strap to keep the glasses on

What We Didn’t Like

• exclamation-triangleIt can be hard to find the right size
• exclamation-triangleSome users found them uncomfortable

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Kushies Sunglasses

The Kushies baby sunglasses are made of Dupont rubber with polycarbonate, scratch-resistant lenses which makes them very resistant to damage. There are two size options – “newborn” for babies up to 12 months, and “toddler” for older babies.

This makes it very easy to find the right size to fit your baby. They are also quite affordable, which is great since toddlers will outgrow the smallest size quickly.

The lenses block out 100% of UV radiation, and they are grey-based which is probably the best option when it comes to the color of the lenses.

Grey lenses will only reduce brightness and keep the color balance and contrast normal and similar to natural vision. These glasses meet the American Optometric Association standards, so you can rest assured that they are completely safe. The only feature they lack are polarized lenses.

My first impression about the shape and design of these sunglasses was that they look like they are made for adults, and I wasn’t sure how they would look on a baby. I was wrong because they fit great on a baby’s face, although they do make little ones look a bit like rock stars. Available in black, pink and yellow.

What We Liked

• checkTwo size options make it easy to find the perfect fit
• checkSoft and light which makes them comfortable for most babies
• checkLow price point

What We Didn’t Like

• exclamation-triangleThe lenses are not polarized
• exclamation-triangleThese sunglasses don’t come with a strap, which might make it hard to keep them on young kids’ faces

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Sun Smarties Wrap Sunglasses

If you find it hard to convince your little one to keep their sunglasses on for more than 2 minutes, Sun Smarties Wrap Sunglasses might be the solution.

They are super comfortable, and the stretchy, adjustable neoprene headband makes sure they stay on. The strap is wider and softer than most others, which makes it less likely to irritate. 

The lenses block 100% of UVA and UVB rays. They are flexible, and there is a unique feature that makes them only bend outwards and not inwards making them even safer.

Sun Smarties Wrap Sunglasses have won the iParenting Media Award which they probably deserve since they are one of the most functional baby sunglasses out there. The dark blue option looks a bit too serious and gloomy for a baby, but there are green and pink alternatives. 

What We Liked

• checkComfortable stretchy neoprene strap
• checkHigh-quality materials make them very durable
• checkFlexible lenses can only be pushed out (not pushed in) for superior safety

What We Didn’t Like

• exclamation-triangleEven though the age recommendation is up to 24 months, these glasses will most likely become too small at some point before your child turns 2
• exclamation-triangleNot polarized

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FCTRY Mustachifer Baby Opticals

While the shape of these hipster glasses is fashionable, they are not a close fit, so there is no protection from light coming from the sides, which can still be harmful. They are flexible and durable though, and they come with a headband. 

These fashionable sunglasses conform to CPSIA, FDA and CE standards and they are BPA, Phthalate, and PVC free, of course. Besides being UVA and UVB resistant, the lenses are also polarized which is sometimes hard to find in baby sunglasses. 

Maybe the best thing about Mustachifer Baby Opticals is the replacement policy. If you register on their website, the manufacturers will replace your sunglasses if they are broken or even lost. 

What We Liked

• check1-year warranty
• checkPolarized lenses with 100% UVA and UVB protection
• checkFashionable design

What We Didn’t Like

• exclamation-triangleProne to breaking
• exclamation-triangleThe shape of these glasses might not fit a baby’s face perfectly, so they don’t block out the harmful side glare

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Conclusion

From personal experience, babies always need time to get used to wearing sunglasses. Because of that, the most important thing about baby sunglasses is to find a pair that your baby will like wearing. If they are uncomfortable in any way, almost every baby will keep taking them off after two minutes. 

Because of this, we chose Sun Smarties Wrap Sunglasses as our favorite although all five sunglasses that we chose are solid options with 100% UV protection. 

All of the glasses on our list are made of flexible material, but Sun Smarties Wrap Sunglasses are designed in such a way that they fit most comfortably on a baby’s face. We especially like the headband which is very soft and wide, so your little ones probably won’t even feel it is in their head.