10 Cheap Sunglasses That Will Instantly Elevate Any Look
Protect yourself from UV rays with some fun and affordable eye candy.

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While getting a hit of vitamin D can benefit your overall wellbeing, it’s important to take necessary precautions to protect your skin and eyes when you’re heading out for a long day in the sun. Whether you’re out for a run or spending the day on the beach, sunscreen and sunglasses help protect you from harmful UV rays and that blinding brightness.
With tons of cheap sunglasses on the market, it can be difficult to find a pair that looks good, fits well, and lasts longer than a few weeks into summer. To make shopping for affordable shades a bit easier, we’ve gathered our recommendations for the best cheap sunnies, from vintage styles and classic looks to polarized and weatherproof running and cycling glasses.
The Best Cheap Sunglasses
What to Consider
Polarized
Polarized lenses are designed to help filter out extra light, thus reducing glare and blinding reflections off of shiny surfaces like water or cars. Polarized lenses can also help reduce eye strain and increase the clarity of your vision, so they’re a great selection for long days outside or runs at the track.
Non-Polarized
Most cheap sunglasses have non-polarized lenses, although they are more durable than polarized lenses. They also usually keep your view more true to color and don’t cause warping when looking at LCD screens, which can happen with polarized ones.
Scratch Resistance
You don’t have to sacrifice quality and durability for a pair of cheap sunglasses. Check to see if the glasses are scratch resistant or come with scratch-resistant coatings. Although these may not completely prevent your sunglasses from scratching, they help prevent scratches from menial drops and other items in your purse or bag.
How We Selected
To find the best cheap sunglasses among the many options on the market, we researched the most popular styles available and considered price, UV protection level, polarization, durability, and design. We looked at our own testing of sunglasses, as well as both expert reviews and customer ratings to settle on the sunglasses you’ll find below.
Before joining Runner's World, Gabrielle Hondorp spent 6 years in running retail (she has tested top gear from shoes, to watches, to rain jackets which has expanded her expertise—and her closets); she specializes in health and wellness, and is an expert on running gear from head-to-toe. Gabi began her journalism career as a Digital Editorial Fellow for Runner’s World and Bicycling Magazine, and has since advanced to a Runner's World Editor specializing in commerce. She has a double degree in English and Media and Communication from Muhlenberg College where she also ran cross country and track.
Jenna Clark is a freelance writer who covers commerce, travel, beauty, and lifestyle. Her work has been featured in Insider, the Daily Beast, Well+Good, and Taste of Home. When she's not reviewing the latest products or traveling, you can likely find her at a theme park or watching the latest Broadway show.

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