Published on: January 30, 2023

What Does “Polarised Sunglasses” Even Mean?

If you've shopped online or in-store for sunglasses before, you might have seen or heard of "polarised sunglasses" or polarisation. But what does that mean exactly? A pair of polarised sunglasses have an extra filter built into the lens that blocks glare that reflects off of reflective surfaces like water, snow, glass, metal and road. Glare is an intense and often uncomfortable bright light that can distort vision and hide detail, polarised lens technology deflects the bright light from hitting your eyes which can be a huge advantage for sports and driving as vision isn't compromised. Offering the best protection against UV rays, polarised sunglasses can also enhance colour and contrast in more detail.

Polarised eyewear is recommended for anyone who spends a lot of time out in the sun, especially for those who are exposed to bright light out on the water. Favoured by fishermen and boaters, polarised technology will protect your eyes from the harsh sun while allowing you to see through the water more clearly as glare is eliminated off of the water's surface.

With images appearing more vivid and clear, polarised sunglasses increase visual clarity while providing extra comfort to your eyes. Their anti-glare properties can also help people who suffer from light sensitivity, offering the best protection against UV rays, eyewear with polarised lenses have more health benefits than non-polarised sunglasses.

Polarised vs Non-Polarised Sunglasses

While all sunglasses are designed to protect your eyes against UV light, not all sunglasses are polarised. The difference between polarised and non-polarised eyewear is that polarised sunglasses block glare from an added filter built into the lens, while non-polarised sunglasses only block UV light. Many non-polarised sunglasses have a category 3 lens which provides high protection against sun glare, however, these sunglasses do not have the filter built into the lens that stops glare as polarised lenses do.

Choosing between polarised and non-polarised sunglasses generally comes down to personal preference and the purpose of their use. As polarised lenses hide all glare and reduce the ability to read LCD displays, it is recommended that pilots wear non-polarised sunglasses that won't minimise glare reflected off of other aircraft nearby, or distort the control centre. Some tennis players and golfers also prefer not to wear polarised sunglasses as these specialty lenses can affect the depth of perception and influence the way the ball is tracked. If you play these sports casually, polarised sunglasses will provide the best protection against UV during the hottest parts of the day, but if you're a dedicated player, you might want to skip the polarised lenses.

How to check if sunglasses are polarised?

Unsure whether your sunglasses are polarised or not? As most LCD screens such as your phone or computer use the same anti-glare technology to help you see the screen in bright light situations, your polarised sunglasses will cause the screens to turn black when looking through them. While it makes it difficult to use both objects at once, screens are a great way to test if your sunnies are polarised. There are a few easy ways you can check if your favourite pair of sunglasses have polarisation, try any of these quick and easy methods below for when you're at home or on the go.

Technique 1: Use a Computer

Hold your sunglasses up to your computer screen and rotate to a 60° angle. If your lenses darken in colour, this means your sunglasses are polarised. If they stay the same, they are non-polarised.

Technique 2: Compare Two Pairs

Grab two of your sunglasses and hold them together so that the lenses are in line with each other. Rotate one pair of sunnies at a 60° angle, if both pairs are polarised, the overlapping lens will become darker. If the lens doesn't darken, at least one of the sunglasses is not polarised.

Technique 3: Use a Reflective Surface

As polarised lenses are designed to block glare, an easy way to test whether your sunnies are polarised is to hold your sunnies up to a reflective surface like metal or glass. Turn your sunnies at a 60° angle, if the glare diminishes, your sunglasses are polarised, if there is no change, your sunglasses are non-polarised.

What polarised sunglasses should you buy?

There are a lot of fantastic polarised eyewear brands around, each with its own premium polarised technology coupled with performance frame designs or fashionable styles. Choosing the right pair of polarised sunglasses comes down to your lifestyle and their intended purpose. For those who are looking for something stylish but protective, fashion-forward brands like Ray-Ban, Bask Eyewear and Prada offer a large collection of trendy styles with polarisation. If you require polarised sunglasses for sport and need something secure and comfortable, sports performance brands like Oakley, Maui Jim and Spotters should be your go-to. For an all-rounder pair of polarised sunglasses for both sports and leisure, check out top lifestyle brands like Serengeti, Raen and Carve. There are plenty of high-quality polarised sunglasses for men and women, check out our favourite styles below.