Safety glasses are arguably the most important piece of equipment to have on hand when tackling a DIY project. Even a tiny piece of flying debris can cause serious injury to your eye in a split second, easily resulting in an expensive trip to the ER, or complete loss of your eyesight.
Safety glasses are specifically designed to be strong enough to deflect flying debris without shattering, and, unlike regular glasses, use side panels or wraparound frames to protect the sides of your eyes. Given the value of your eyesight, and the low cost of safety glasses, there’s really no reason not to have a pair or two on hand at all times.
The Best Safety Glasses
What to Consider
The best safety glasses for you are the ones that you’re actually going to wear. Take some time to think about what features would be most useful to you, and which would make you more likely to put them on and keep them on. Consider useful features like adjustable frames for wearing over your hat, shaded lenses for wearing out in the sun, or integrated LEDs for wearing in the dark.
You should also consider the types of projects and tasks you’ll be performing. A basic pair of safety glasses, like the NoCry Safety Glasses, will be sufficient for most home repair and DIY construction projects. For tasks that involve a lot of dust, like when drilling masonry, you may want to go with an option with a rubber or foam seal around the lenses, like the DEWALT DPG82-11C Dual Mold Safety Goggle.
If you already wear glasses, you’ll want to choose safety glasses that are specifically designed to fit on top of your existing frames. These are usually a bit bulkier than regular safety glasses, but their large lens will provide a lot of visibility. (Also, if you’re assuming that your existing eyeglasses or sunglasses will provide enough protection, you’re wrong.)
How We Selected
I’ve used dozens of safety glasses over the years during my time as a commercial carpenter, and have seen their effectiveness firsthand. I kept this experience in mind when putting this list together, and in addition to including a variety of types and styles that I know to be useful, also added specific models that I still use today.
Although I did keep pricing in mind, and even added a low-cost option for bulk orders, I made sure not to compromise safety. All of the options listed here, regardless of price, meet or exceed ANSI 787.1 standards for impact resistance. Whether or not you choose one of our picks, please ensure that the pair you end up choosing is marked with a “Z87” stamp.
3M Over The Glass Plastic Safety Glasses
3M Over The Glass Plastic Safety Glasses
Pros
- Wide lens for visibility
Cons
- Too bulky to be used without glasses
Key Specs
- Frame Material: Plastic
- Lens Material: Plastic
- UV Protection: 99.9%
- Lens Color: Clear
- Anti-Fog: No
If you wear prescription glasses, you need to either get prescription safety glasses with side shields (they’re expensive) or choose one of these 3M models that are boxy enough to fit over your existing glasses. They’re also impact-resistant and scratch-resistant, so they should be able to stand up to the wear and tear of a job site. We’ve been using 3M products like these for years, and have always been satisfied with their durability and quality construction.
CRAFTSMAN CMXPERA220 Comfort Fit Safety Glasses
CRAFTSMAN CMXPERA220 Comfort Fit Safety Glasses
Pros
- Adjustable nosepiece
Cons
- Not practical for indoor use
Key Specs
- Frame Material: Plastic
- Lens Material: Plastic
- UV Protection: 99.9%
- Lens Color: Tinted
- Anti-Fog: No
Thanks to the tinted lenses and 99.9 percent UV and UVB protection, these glasses are perfect for mowing the lawn, tackling landscaping projects, or working on a driveway job site. The rubber-lined frame ensure that they’ll stay nice and snug on your head, and the adjustable nosepiece helps maintain a comfortable fit. Plus, they use a wraparound design that provides maximum coverage from flying debris.
BISON LIFE Safety Glasses
BISON LIFE Safety Glasses
Pros
- UV protection
Cons
- Probably not durable enough for heavy-duty projects
Key Specs
- Frame Material: Plastic
- Lens Material: Plastic
- UV Protection: Yes (No percentage given)
- Lens Color: Clear
- Anti-Fog: No
If you’re purchasing for a large crew and want to keep prices down, these bulk Bison Life glasses could be a great cost-effective option. You’re getting a dozen pieces for less than $2 a pair, and can choose between 12 different color options. Weighing just one ounce, these will be comfortable to wear for long periods of time, and they use an anti-scratch coating that should stand up reasonably well to light-duty use.
V.W.E. Rx-Bifocal High-Performance Protective Safety Glasses
V.W.E. Rx-Bifocal High Performance Protective Safety Glasses
V.W.E. Rx-Bifocal High Performance Protective Safety Glasses
Pros
- Range of magnifications
Cons
- Won’t be useful for those without vision issues
Key Specs
- Frame Material: Plastic
- Lens Material: Plastic
- UV Protection: 99.9%
- Lens Color: Tinted
- Anti-Fog: No
If you prefer not to wear safety glasses over your bifocals, these V.W.E. glasses could be just what you’re looking for. You can customize the magnification level, from 1.5 to 3X, and they are available in clear, brown, or tinted lenses. An anti-slip nose pad provides a comfortable, sturdy fit. We’re also big fans of the protective cover included with these glasses—something you don't typically find on most pairs.
DeWALT DPG82-11C Dual Mold Safety Goggle
DeWALT DPG82-11C Dual Mold Safety Goggle
Pros
- Relatively low price
Cons
- Bulkier than regular glasses
Key Specs
- Frame Material: Rubber
- Lens Material: Plastic
- UV Protection: 99%
- Lens Color: Clear
- Anti-Fog: Yes
Even though these are more goggles than glasses, we wanted to include them for those looking for a bit more protection. I’ve been using this exact model for years, and have purchased them multiple times because of their comfortable fit and large, clear face mask. The elastic strap is simple to adjust to your head size too, and small ventilation channels keep the lens from fogging up. The soft rubber gasket is both comfortable on your face and effective at keeping out fine dust and paint spray that standard glasses wouldn’t be able to handle.
NoCry Safety Glasses
NoCry Safety Glasses
NoCry Safety Glasses
Pros
- Anti-fog design
Cons
Key Specs
- Frame Material: Rubber
- Lens Material: Plastic
- UV Protection: 99%
- Lens Color: Clear
- Anti-Fog: Yes
Safety glasses with adjustable frames are useful not only when you have to buy safety glasses for a group and want to ensure a good fit for everyone, but the length-adjustable temples also ensure a better fit when you're wearing a hat. They’re also available in a range of frame and lens-color options too, and NoCry backs them up with a limited lifetime guarantee if any issues arise.
Ergodyne Skullerz Odin Polarized Safety Sunglasses
Ergodyne Skullerz Odin Polarized Safety Sunglasses
Pros
- Polarized lens
Cons
- Gasket must be purchased separately
Key Specs
- Frame Material: Nylon
- Lens Material: Plastic
- UV Protection: 99.9%
- Lens Color: Tinted
- Anti-Fog: Yes
These Skullerz glasses aren’t the cheapest option, but their multifunctional design, polarized lenses, and bendable nylon frame could be worth the price tag. Our favorite feature of these glasses is the fact that they can be used with or without an optional foam gasket.
You can remove this gasket for added breathability when you don’t require as much protection—or are just using them as sunglasses—and add it back on when working with ultra-fine particulates and debris. Plus, the nonslip nose piece and rubber temples are designed to stay put, and won’t slip and slide off when you get sweaty.
Bouton Traditional Eyewear with Clear Anti-Scratch/Fog Lens
Bouton Traditional Eyewear with Clear Anti-Scratch/Fog Lens
Bouton Traditional Eyewear with Clear Anti-Scratch/Fog Lens
Pros
- Scratch-resistant polycarbonate lenses
Cons
Key Specs
- Frame Material: Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)
- Lens Material: Polycarbonate
- UV Protection: 99.9%
- Lens Color: Clear
- Anti-Fog: Yes
If you prefer the look and feel of traditional glasses, these Bouton ones could be just what you’re looking for. Their thick thermoplastic polyurethane frames are sturdy and durable, and feature temples that are actually made of wire mesh to increase breathability. Plus, the metal hinges—as opposed to plastic ones—will reduce the chances of breakage if they're dropped or banged around.
Coast SPG500 Rechargeable Lighted LED Safety Glasses
Coast SPG500 Rechargeable Lighted LED Safety Glasses
Coast SPG500 Rechargeable Lighted LED Safety Glasses
Pros
- Includes lanyard
Cons
- Heavier than standard glasses
Key Specs
- Frame Material: Nylon
- Lens Material: Plastic
- UV Protection: Yes (no percentage given)
- Lens Color: Clear and Yellow
- Anti-Fog: Yes
An integrated LED light makes these glasses perfect for working in basements, attics, or under the sink. Since it uses a rechargeable battery with an impressive 13-hour runtime, you won’t need to worry about fumbling with tiny disposable batteries. The interchangeable clear or yellow frames are a nice perk, and the nylon frame will hold up well to any chemical or heat issues on the job site. We’re also big fans of the included lanyard, which ensures that they stay around your neck if they slip off your head.
Alex Rennie is a freelance writer who specializes in the Home Improvement, DIY, and Tool space. As a former residential and commercial carpenter, Alex uses his hands-on experience to write practical buying guides, how-to articles, and product reviews. His work has also appeared in Business Insider's Insider Picks, and before his writing career, he was a full-time carpenter living in New York City. There, he worked as part of a team designing, building, and installing large furniture pieces, as well as performing a variety of home repair and maintenance projects. Alex currently lives in Los Angeles, CA, and spends his free time exploring the beaches and mountains with his fiancé and their dog Louie.
Roy Berendsohn has worked for more than 25 years at Popular Mechanics, where he has written on carpentry, masonry, painting, plumbing, electrical, woodworking, blacksmithing, welding, lawn care, chainsaw use, and outdoor power equipment. When he’s not working on his own house, he volunteers with Sovereign Grace Church doing home repair for families in rural, suburban and urban locations throughout central and southern New Jersey.
