How to choose sunglasses: a 10-point checklist before you buy

Short answer: To choose sunglasses, check UV protection first (look for UV400), then the lens category for your daily use, the lens colour, and finally the size and fit. A pair that blocks UV, matches the light you live in and sits comfortably without slipping is a good pair – whatever it costs. Style comes last, but it still matters: you will only protect your eyes with sunglasses you actually like to wear.

How to choose the right sunglasses: the 10-point checklist

Go through these ten points in order. The first four are about the lens, the next four about the frame, and the last two about what you are paying for.

1. UV400 first – darker does not mean more protection

The most important thing is UV protection, and you cannot see it. A very dark lens without a UV filter can be worse than no sunglasses, because your pupils open wider behind the dark tint and let more UV in. Look for UV400 on the label: it means the lens blocks UVA and UVB light up to 400 nanometres. Our guide to UV400 and lens categories explains it in more detail.

2. The right lens category for how you use them

Sunglass lenses are sorted into filter categories from 0 (almost clear) to 4 (very dark). For most people:

• Category 2: medium tint for changeable, cloudy-bright days.
• Category 3: the everyday choice for bright sun in the city, on holiday and at the beach.
• Category 4: only for extreme light such as glaciers and high mountains – and never for driving.

The category is set per lens, so check it on each product page rather than assuming a whole brand uses the same one.

3. Lens colour: grey, brown – and gradient or solid

Lens colour is mostly about comfort and style. Grey lenses keep colours the most natural; brown lenses add warmth and contrast, which many people like in hazy light. Green sits in between. Read more in our guide to sunglasses lens colours.

Also think about how the tint is spread. A gradient lens is darker at the top and lighter below – great in the car and the city – while a solid lens is even all over and better at the beach or in the snow. See gradient vs solid lenses for the full comparison.

4. Polarised or not?

Polarisation is an extra filter that reduces some reflected glare from water and wet roads. It is a nice-to-have, not a must, and it has nothing to do with UV protection. To be clear: ECO SHADES lenses are not polarised. They are UV400 lenses in recycled PMMA. If you are unsure what you need, compare polarised and non-polarised sunglasses.

5. Size in real millimetres

“One size” is rarely one size. Look at the three numbers printed on the inside of the temple, such as 55□21-147: lens width, bridge width and temple length in millimetres. Compare them with a pair you already own and like – that is the quickest way to know whether a new frame will fit. Our guide to measuring sunglasses shows you how.

6. Face shape – a guide, not a rule

A common tip is to choose a frame that contrasts with your face: angular frames for a round face, rounder frames for a square face. It is a useful starting point, but not a law – if a shape makes you smile in the mirror, wear it. Find your outline in our guide to sunglasses for your face shape.

7. Coverage and fit

A good pair covers your eyes from the side as well as the front, sits close without your lashes touching the lens, and stays put when you look down. Your eyebrows should roughly follow the top of the frame. If your current pair keeps sliding down your nose, the bridge is probably too wide or the temples too short.

8. Build quality you can feel

Open and close the temples a few times. They should move smoothly and stay firm, without wobbling. Look at the hinges and screws: multi-barrel hinges and screws that do not loosen by themselves make a frame last much longer. Check the lens too – hold the sunglasses at arm's length and look at a straight line through them while you move them slowly. The line should not bend or wave.

9. CE marking

In Europe, sunglasses must carry the CE marking. Check the product page or the inside of the temple. All ECO SHADES sunglasses are CE, UKCA and FDA approved.

10. A fair price – pay for the glasses, not the logo

A high price does not automatically mean better UV protection – often you are paying for a famous logo and big advertising budgets. Instead, judge what you get: UV400, the right category, good hinges, a frame that fits and a warranty. That is where your money should go.

ECO SHADES frames that tick the boxes

All the frames below have UV400 lenses in recycled PMMA and a category 3 lens according to their product pages, and come with a 2-year warranty.

• Everyday rectangle: Capelli Havana – the featured pair, a warm tortoiseshell frame from our rectangular sunglasses. 56□18-145.
• Classic aviator: Lai Grey – a timeless shape for city days and the car. 57□17-145.
• Roomy square: Morello Brown – a wider frame (around 144 mm) for medium to large faces. 55□21-147.
• Light metal: Dyhr Gold Brown – a slim frame made from recycled metal. 56□17-138.

Capelli, Lai and Morello are made from 100% recycled plastics with 5-barrel optical hinges. Want to compare more shapes and sizes? Browse all our sunglasses and check the measurements on each page. Questions about fit or lenses? Just contact us.

Quick FAQ

What is the most important thing when choosing sunglasses?

UV protection. Look for UV400 first – a dark tint alone does not protect your eyes.

Which lens category should I choose?

Category 3 suits most bright, sunny days. Category 2 works for changeable light. Category 4 is only for extreme light and must never be used for driving.

How do I know if sunglasses will fit?

Compare the three numbers on the temple (lens width, bridge and temple length) with a pair that already fits you well.

Are expensive sunglasses better?

Not necessarily. UV400, the right lens category, good hinges and a good fit matter more than the brand name.

Are ECO SHADES lenses polarised?

No. ECO SHADES lenses are not polarised – they are UV400 lenses in recycled PMMA.

With 30 years of optical experience and 20,000+ happy customers, we design sunglasses to tick every point on this list – so you can stop worrying about the checklist and simply enjoy the sun.