15 Easiest Affordable Shades, Examined & Reviewed for 2023
<p class=”body-text”>Because I’m not the greedy kind, I’m here to share the wealth with my picks for the best affordable sunglasses to shop this spring and summer—all starting at just $13 with nothing over $90. From dramatic cat eyes to classic square shades and trendy shield options, there’s an effortless look to complement any style or face shape. I’ve even included my <a href=”https://www.elle.com/fashion/shopping/g38711019/best-sunglasses-on-amazon/” target=”_blank”>favorite sunglasses on Amazon</a>, so you can quickly get your pairs in time for that upcoming weekend wedding.</p>” />
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Best Oversized Cat Eye Sunglasses
Le Specs Air Heart Sunglasses
Best Oversized Cat Eye Sunglasses
Le Specs Air Heart Sunglasses
Pros
- Flattering shape
- Elegant style
Cons
- Some users say they’re a bit heavy
Beloved by stars like Meghan Markle and Olivia Palermo, Le Specs’ Air Heart sunnies channel all the glamorous vibes of an afternoon spent sailing the high seas or tanning on the French Riviera. Plus, these large cat eyes are designed to fit all face shapes and offer full UV protection. I’ll personally be shopping the black sunglasses Markle has sported, but these also come in three other versatile finishes: Caramel, Oatmeal, and tortoise shell.
Customer review: “I love Le Specs glasses. They are amazing quality, comfortable, and stylish. This pair may be my favorite yet. Nice large frame and the gold accent on top makes them stand out from other similar styles. Comfortable and unbelievable price. Buy them; you won’t regret it.”
Material: Plastic
UV protection: 100% UV protection
Polarized: No
Colors: Black, Caramel, Oatmeal, Tort
Best Retro Sunglasses
INDY Liotta Sunglasses
Best Retro Sunglasses
INDY Liotta Sunglasses
Now 19% Off
Small, Brooklyn-based eyewear label Indy makes some of the coolest vintage-inspired shades at budget-friendly prices—and these Bella Hadid-worn sunnies are no exception. They’re a fun, modern take on ’70s-style aviators and they do better for the environment, made with non-toxic dyes and plant-based frames.
Customer review: “I adore the shape of the frame, its wider sides bearing the logo, and the slightly colored lenses. Bought a kimono jacket to style these with and cannot wait until my holiday to get my outfit on. Photographs to follow. They arrived so well-packaged with a personalized thank you postcard. This made me feel extra special! Highly recommend a purchase from this small business before these sell out.”
Material: Bio-acetate frames
UV protection: 100% UV protection
Polarized: Yes
Colors: Peach, Sky Blue
Pros
- Chic look
- Should be durable
Cons
- Not eco-friendly
A pair of angular cat-eye frames screams classic with a little oomph. These must-have sunnies from sustainably- and ethically-minded eyewear brand Sloane Eyewear can be yours for only $29. They come in three wear-with-everything finishes and offer full UV protection, too.
Customer review: “Gorgeous glasses! The quality is amazing and comes in the cutest pouch :).”
Material: Plastic frame and lenses
UV protection: UV400
Polarized: No
Colors: Black, Tortoise, Taupe Marble
Best Square Sunglasses
SOJOS Oversized Square Sunglasses
Best Square Sunglasses
SOJOS Oversized Square Sunglasses
Now 35% Off
Pros
- Should be durable
- Trendy look
- Lenses are plant-based
Cons
- May not be the best fit on wider faces
With their sharp, elongated edges and oversized square frame, no one will guess these ultra-chic sunnies cost you just $12. Thousands of customers also mention they’re durable and look good on nearly everyone.
Customer review: “So stylish and look great on any face shape. Price is perfect for such good quality sunglasses. RUN AND BUY THEM! I wear my branded sunglasses most of the time, but I needed something I can wear every day that will not break the bank if I lose it or drop it. These are just as nice and stylish, if not sometimes more than some branded ones. Durability is way more than what I expected for the price I paid for. Love them!”
Material: Plastic frame, triacetate cellulose lenses
UV protection: UV400
Polarized: Yes
Colors: 10, including All-black, Beige/Brown, and Black & Marble/Grey
Best Clear Sunglasses
Spy Optics Bewilder Sunglasses
Best Clear Sunglasses
Spy Optics Bewilder Sunglasses
Now 25% Off
Pros
- Lightweight
- Flattering shape
Cons
- May not shade the eyes as much as darker lenses
I love the look of oversized glasses, but with my strong prescription, I much prefer wearing contacts for the majority of my day. These Spy Optics sunnies are a perfect solution for me. They can pass for spectacles, allowing me to achieve that coveted grandpa-esque aesthetic, while effectively protecting my eyes from the sun. And thanks to their punchy orange hue, they’re great to style with everything from all-black ’fits to vibrant colorblocked getups. FYI: I have an oval-shaped face, and these look great on me as they’re not too elongated.
Material: Bioplastic (made of 50% organic plant matter)
UV protection: 100% UV protection
Polarized: Option is available
Colors: Peach, Sky Blue
Pros
- Made from recycled sunglasses
- Gender-neutral
Cons
- The lenses aren’t recycled
The neat thing about Szade Recycled is that all of its frames are repurposed from sunglasses once destined for landfills—helping to remove tons of plastic waste from the earth. And once they’re given new life, they don’t skimp on style. Case in point: These sophisticated square shades, which, like the rest of the brand’s offerings, are meant to be inclusive and gender-neutral.
Material: Recycled plastic frames, polycarbonate lenses
UV protection: UV400
Polarized: No
Colors: Six, including Pinta Tortoise, Elysium Black, and Jaded Greens
Best Y2K Sunglasses
GUVIVI Shield Sunglasses
Best Y2K Sunglasses
GUVIVI Shield Sunglasses
Now 11% Off
Pros
- Flexible frame
- Vibrant color options
- Rhinestone details
Cons
- May run big
Y2K shield shades are so in right now, and this ombre, rhinestone-embellished pair is hitting all the right notes. Among over 700 reviews, dozens of customers mention they’re comfortable, lightweight, and even durable enough to be toddler-proof. In the words of Paris Hilton: “That’s hot.”
Customer review: “Okay, if you are looking for Y2k vibes, then please buy these! They look so cute with everything. I receive so many compliments when I wear them. I normally buy designer glasses, but I will not anymore. Thank you!”
Material: Metal, plastic
UV protection: UV400
Polarized: No
Colors: 10, including Silver Frame-Gradient Blue Lens, Gold Frame-Gradient Gray Lens, Gold Frame-Peach Lens
Pros
- Tinted lenses
- Includes vegan case & cleaning cloth
If the visor shades trend feels a bit too bold for your taste, allow us to recommend these subtly futuristic sunnies via Australian label Banbe. Peep their cool curved topline and of-the-moment tinted lenses.
Material: Acetate
UV protection: 100% UV protection
Polarized: Yes
Colors: Black-Blue
Pros
- Frames are plant-based
- Statement look
Cons
- May appear smaller in person
These oversized, checkered print beauties give giving main character energy. Anyone who likes to rock statement glasses—these shades are calling your name.
Customer review: “Super cute shades. I literally haven’t stopped wearing them since I got them. I get so many compliments on them when I’m out!”
Material: Bio-acetate frames
UV protection: UV400
Polarized: No
Colors: Black Check, Chestnut
Best Rectangular Sunglasses
BUTABY Rectangle Sunglasses
Best Rectangular Sunglasses
BUTABY Rectangle Sunglasses
Now 38% Off
Pros
- Should be lightweight yet durable
- Also available in sets
Cons
- May run tight
If you feel like you’ve been seeing rectangular shades everywhere lately, you’re not wrong. Both retro-leaning and timeless, a neutral pair can easily live in your lineup for years to come. By the way, TikTok loves this under-$15 style on Amazon.
Customer review: “I’ve been looking for chic sunglasses for a while and haven’t been able to find ones that don’t compromise on price or quality—until now. Pretty cheap for the quality they deliver. They feel strong and sturdy and fit my face really well. I also like the options, so I can pair them with any outfit. Great buy.”
Material: Plastic
UV protection: UV400
Polarized: No
Colors: 35, including Black, Leopard, and Beige
Best Prescription Sunglasses
EyeBuyDirect Lauren Sunglasses
Best Prescription Sunglasses
EyeBuyDirect Lauren Sunglasses
Pros
- Wide fit for those who prefer it
- Should be lightweight
- Fast delivery
Cons
- Multifocal lens option adds $109 to your purchase
When you don’t want to shell out on some new prescription sunnies, EyeBuyDirect has a range of stylish options at super competitive prices. Make like the fashion crowd this season and go for some oval shades, like this silhouette from the retailer’s in-house label. Available for under $100 with your prescription, these include an anti-scratch lens coating and metal-trimmed frames. For every pair of these sunglasses sold, EyeBuyDirect will also donate a pair of glasses to someone in need.
Customer review: “I am very impressed with these frames. At the glasses store, they always spend a bunch of time bending the frames to fit, but these looked great on my face as well as to my eyes right out of the box! I am so happy with the risk I took on buying glasses online. I purchased five frames without insurance for the same price I bought two frames from the optometrist through insurance.”
Material: Acetate and metal frames
UV protection: UV400
Polarized: No
Colors: Tortoise, Black
Pros
- Adjustable nose bridge
- Should be lightweight
- Oversized look for those who prefer it
Cons
- Some users say they wish these were more fitted
Few pairs of aviators are more recognizable than those from Quay Australia. A bestseller for the brand with over 19,000 reviews, this double-bridge version with gradient lenses looks especially luxe.
Customer review: “Big and fancy! Comfortable and protect [me] from the solar; shaped all up.”
Subject material: Steel
UV coverage: 100% UVA and UVB coverage
Polarized: Sure
Colours: 12, together with Gold/LensBrown Lessen Polarized, Dark/LensFade Polarized, and Bronze/LensBrown Red
Best Round Sunglasses
Privé Revaux The Riviera Shades
Best Round Sunglasses
Privé Revaux The Riviera Sunglasses
Execs
- Made to be anti-glare and scratch-resistant
- Blue-light blocking off
Cons
- Is probably not the most efficient have compatibility on smaller faces
Round sunnies are always a good move for square face shapes, as they help to create balance. Courtesy of celeb-loved and celeb stylist-designed brand Privé Revaux, these large metal frames have the feel of viral RayBans but with a much more accessible price tag. They’re also polarized and built to block blue light and scratches, featuring minimal red, white, and black details for a unique accent.
Customer review: “I am a BIG fan of wide frame shades/glasses and these are just the perfect size for my face. They look very stylish and are great quality for a good price.”
Material: Stainless steel frame, cellulose tips
UV protection: 100% UV protection
Polarized: Yes
Colors: Champagne Gold/Grey, Antique Silver/Blue Mirror
Best Sport-Inspired Sunglasses
GUVIVI Wrap Round Style Shades
Best Sport-Inspired Sunglasses
GUVIVI Wrap Around Fashion Sunglasses
Now 33% Off
Execs
- Must be sturdy
- A number of colour choices
Cons
- Would possibly glance just a little large on slim faces
I never thought I’d see the day when my dad’s cheap sport sunglasses would be considered “fashion,” but here we are. Since I’m not willing to go the designer route, these top-rated frames on Amazon are a low-risk way for me to dabble with the polarizing trend.
Customer review: “I wanted some cool-looking wraparound glasses and these not only look awesome but I can also see clearly out of them. I got the black with black lenses and can look directly at the sun without any issues. No purple shades or brown shades in the sky like other sunglasses I’ve worn. Clear and bright and my eyes don’t get gritty or bothered with these at all. I also like that they have a bit of Balenciaga flare but aren’t nearly as pricey.”
Material: Plastic
UV protection: UV400
Polarized: No
Colors: 21, including Silver Frame/Black Lens, Matte Black/Black Lens, Blue Frame/Blue Lens
Best Heart-Shaped Sunglasses
Independent Nation Middle Visions Shades
Best Heart-Shaped Sunglasses
Free People Heart Eyes Sunglasses
Execs
- Adjustable nostril bridge
- Tinted lenses
Cons
- Incorrect UV coverage
Barbie would definitely approve of these darling heart-shaped frames. And priced at just $25, you can shamelessly grab them in a few groovy colors.
Customer review: “Very beautiful. Look even better on my face than in the pic.”
Material: Metal & plastic
UV protection: No
Polarized: No
Colors: Purple, Turquoise, Tan
Senior Trade Writer
Sam Peters is a Senior Commerce Editor at Hearst covering fashion, beauty and lifestyle. Her writing has appeared in WWD, Footwear News, Real Simple, PopSugar and Bridal Guide, among others. She enjoys unpacking the latest trends and testing and reviewing some of the most innovative, emerging products on the market.
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