The Best Driving Sunglasses of 2024

From the first time trying them on, to our daily drives and extended road trips, we were impressed with the Smith Redding ChromaPop Glass Sunglasses ($275) for providing some of the best optical clarity and color accuracy of any sunglasses we tested.

Smith Optics is a big player in the outdoor eyewear game, and their ChromaPop lenses have become some of our favorites for both sunglasses and ski goggles for their accurate color representation and excellent contrast.

We also appreciate the wraparound style of these glasses that provides excellent peripheral coverage. Many other sunglass models have flatter base angles, meaning that glare from reflections off of buildings, pavement, other cars, or bodies of water can sneak in through the sides of the glasses and distract you or affect your vision while driving. While we appreciate a classic pair of Aviators, we really like how the Redding provides excellent protection and blocks light from every angle.

While we appreciate the wraparound design, this gives these shades a decidedly sporty look, which might not suit drivers going for a more classic aesthetic. We also noticed that the close-fitting design reduces ventilation, and that these sunglasses fogged up quicker than most during more fast-paced activities like trail running.

Given the excellent optics and wraparound protection, we love the Smith Redding ChromaPop Glass Sunglasses, and highly recommend them for driving or daily use.

Tifosi Optics is a relatively newer eyewear company (founded in 2003) that has made an impact with their affordable athletic eyewear. The Tifosi Swick Polarized ($60) is a high-quality example of a great all-around pair of sunglasses ideal for driving, faster-paced activities, or regular daily wear.

We really like how easy-wearing these sunglasses are. They’re lightweight, provide nice coverage, and have a generous fit that still stays put during faster-paced activities. Their style is on the sportier end, but they have enough of a casual flair that we were comfortable wearing them in our day-to-day activities, not just while driving in the car.

The Emerald Polarized lenses that we tested provide great clarity and tend to make colors appear a little warmer (more reddish), which we typically prefer over lenses that make colors appear a little cooler (more blueish).

We really like the versatility of the Tifosi Swick Polarized and appreciate the affordable price tag.

Obviously, we had to include the classics. The Ray-Ban Classic Aviator ($230) sunglasses were originally made for U.S. aviators in 1937 and have been a mainstay in U.S. culture ever since.

Not one to rest on its laurels, Ray-Ban’s current aviators sport G-15 polarized lenses for amazing clarity. The instantly recognizable lens shape gives drivers a wide area of coverage. Additionally, the minimal wireframes allow for a wide range of peripheral vision.

Ray-Ban offers these iconic sunglasses in a wide variety of lens and frame color combos, as well as lens width so that you can personalize your style with the perfect set.

If you wear glasses and want to avoid a pricey set of prescription sunglasses, this over-the-glasses option from Fiore ($17) is a great way to go. They fit comfortably over most pairs of glasses without creating that look that will immediately label you an octogenarian.

In addition, the lenses block both UVA and UVB rays, while the polarization helps cut glare. The lenses extend around the frame to either side, allowing for a wide field of vision without exposing your eyes to the sun’s rays.

The latest version of Oakley’s classic frame, the Oakley Holbrook Mix ($270), controls light transmission, enhances contrast, and increases overall visibility.

The frame has been updated with stainless steel reinforcements while retaining the comfort and style of the original. For bright days and summer driving, these lenses are ideal for providing a crystal-clear view. Plus, the styling and fit are on point.

Steve McQueen wore these sunnies ($482) in the legendary film The Thomas Crown Affair. If that fact alone doesn’t make you rush out and buy these handmade Italian shades, the durable acetate frame, three-point foldability, and timeless style should do the trick.

In addition, the Meflecto tech relieves stress on your temples, which means you can rock them during your entire road trip without fatigue. And if you want to go big, they’ve also released 24-carat gold-plated lenses to celebrate this model’s anniversary (yes, you can see through them).

Pairing classic aviator style with modern technology, the Maho Sundance ($195) is among our favorite driving sunglasses for road trips. The acetate and stainless steel frames are feather-light and provide a clear view of the road, while the patented Zuma earpieces provide a perfect no-slip fit.

The polarized grey lenses block glare (though they do make LCD screens hard to read). They can also be fitted with prescription lenses. We tried these glasses out on rides around town and on long road trips, and they performed well on both sunny and overcast days, providing clear vision and an excellent feel.

These sunglasses offer unbeatable value. They have the look and feel of a high-end pair but cost less than half the cost of many high-end models. If you’re looking for a great-looking, top-performance pair of sunglasses for the road (or really anywhere you want to look cool), the Maho Sundance is a great option.

The Pierce sunglasses from RAEN ($185) have an aggressive square frame. Not only does this provide a sharp, stylish look, but it also allows for bigger lenses and better sun protection, a definite must-have in the best driving sunglasses.

The lenses themselves sport tech from Carl Zeiss Vision. Carl Zeiss, a company known for its exceptional SLR and mirrorless camera lenses, builds its sunglass lenses with the same precision and quality. This provides pristine optics and top-of-the-line sun protection.

The five-barrel hinges have embedded wire cores in the temples, and the handmade acetate frames have a polished finish.

If you’re shopping on a budget, it’s hard to go wrong with these polarized sunglasses from Merry’s ($30). The aluminum frames are lightweight, and the lenses come in eight color options.

The lenses are also polarized, which is a rarity in sunglasses in this price range. You won’t find the bells and whistles that you would on some of the pricier options on this list, but if you’re just looking for a solid pair of glasses (or want to buy several different lens colors), these are a great option.

Plus, you don’t have to treat these as precious. It’s nice to own a reliable pair of sunglasses that can stand to be tossed around a little that won’t set you back a car payment if you break them.

If you’re looking for a super lightweight pair of sunglasses, the Legere Round ($110) is the way to go. Weighing in at a mere 17 g, these sunnies have a sports glasses feel with styling that would fit in at the racetrack. And that lightweight doesn’t mean fragility: Legere’s proprietary UltraCarbon frame material is extremely durable and highly flexible. You can actually sit on them without having them lose shape.

And that’s exactly what we did during testing. On one of our drive test days, a tester made the same mistake we’ve all made at least once and left the Legere Round on the driver’s seat. Though embarrassing, it provided the perfect confirmation of durability, as the shades kept their shape and still fit like a glove. That durable frame, combined with the scratch-resistant lens coating, makes these the lightest and most durable shades we’ve seen.

Since their inception five decades ago, these sunglasses from American Optical ($194) have been a mainstay for U.S. military pilots. And you might even recognize them as similar AO sunglasses featured in popular media, including the classic film Taxi Driver.

The minimalist wireframe maximizes visibility while driving, and the optional polarized lenses cut glare and protect your eyes while on the road. They also come in three different sizes, so you can grab the perfect pair to fit your face.

This list wouldn’t be complete without at least one pair of Maui Jims ($319). For driving, we like the Wiki Wiki not only because it’s fun to say but also for the minimalist wireframe as well as the warm bronze lens.

It comes in both bronze and gray lenses, but we’re particularly fond of the bronze for its ability to provide a clear view in a wide spectrum of situations. That makes these sunglasses great for varying weather conditions and cloudy days where the sun tends to disappear and reappear while you’re on the road.

We had to include these Ray-Bans for anyone who has to share their ride — or their sunglasses. The Clubmaster Square sunglasses ($163) are comfortable and come with different color lenses to block light and give you clear vision during your drive.

Even better, these unisex sunglasses look good on both men and women so that you can leave them in the car, and your partner can use them as well. In general, it makes them a great fit for anyone who needs some glare protection. Note: avoid the blue and pink lenses, as they can distort colors like red and green.