When selecting high-quality sunglasses, you might come across the terms “mirrored” and “polarised” lenses. Both types offer glare reduction and eye protection, but they have unique characteristics that might make one a better fit for your needs. This guide explores the pros, cons, and key features of mirrored and polarised sunglasses to help you make an informed decision.
What Are Mirrored Sunglasses?
Mirrored sunglasses feature a reflective coating on the outside of the lenses. This coating is typically metallic and provides a distinctive, shiny appearance. The primary function of this reflective layer is to reduce glare by reflecting light away from the eyes. Mirrored lenses can block 99-100% of harmful UV rays, offering excellent eye protection.
Advantages of Mirrored Sunglasses
- Glare Reduction: The reflective coating helps diminish glare from surfaces like water, snow, and roads.
- UV Protection: High-quality mirrored lenses provide full protection against UVA and UVB rays.
- Eye Concealment: The mirror effect completely hides your eyes, which can be a fashion statement or provide privacy.
- Variety of Colours: Mirrored lenses come in a wide range of colours, from silver and gold to blue and green, adding a vibrant touch to your style.
Disadvantages of Mirrored Sunglasses
- Scratch-Prone: The mirror coating can be easily scratched, affecting both the appearance and functionality.
- Frequent Cleaning: The reflective surface shows smudges and fingerprints more easily, requiring regular cleaning.
- Cost: These sunglasses are generally more expensive due to the additional coating process.
- Bold Aesthetic: The flashy appearance might not appeal to those who prefer a more understated look.
What Are Polarised Sunglasses?
Polarised sunglasses use a special filter that blocks horizontally reflected light, significantly reducing glare. This filter is either applied to the surface or embedded between layers of the lenses. While polarised lenses also offer UV protection, their main advantage lies in their ability to enhance visual clarity and reduce eye strain.
Advantages of Polarised Sunglasses
- Glare Elimination: Polarised lenses effectively block nearly all glare, providing clear and comfortable vision.
- UV Protection: Like mirrored lenses, polarised sunglasses offer full protection against UV rays.
- Reduced Eye Strain: By blocking harsh reflections, they reduce visual fatigue and headaches during prolonged exposure to bright light.
- Enhanced Visual Clarity: These lenses improve colour and contrast perception, which is beneficial for activities like driving and fishing.
- Subtle Appearance: Polarised lenses look similar to regular sunglasses,
Disadvantages of Polarised Sunglasses
- Higher Cost: Polarised lenses are generally more expensive than non-polarised ones due to the additional manufacturing processes involved.
- LCD Screen Distortion: Polarised lenses can make it difficult to see LCD screens on devices like smartphones, GPS units, and ATMs.
- Reduced Visibility in Low Light: These lenses can darken your vision, making them less suitable for use in low-light conditions, such as dawn or dusk.
- Limited Colour Options: Polarised lenses typically come in fewer colour options, often limited to shades like Gray, brown, and green.
- Potential Discomfort: Some people may experience dizziness or nausea when wearing polarised lenses due to the way they filter light and alter depth perception.
Comparing Mirrored vs. Polarised Sunglasses
UV Protection
Both mirrored and polarised sunglasses provide excellent UV protection, blocking 99-100% of harmful rays. Therefore, either option is safe for your eyes in terms of UV exposure.
Glare Reduction
While both types of sunglasses reduce glare, polarised lenses are more effective at completely blocking it. Mirrored lenses reflect a significant amount of light, but polarised lenses eliminate nearly all horizontal glare.
Aesthetics
Mirrored sunglasses are bold and vibrant, often making a fashion statement with their reflective coating and wide range of colours. In contrast, polarised sunglasses offer a more classic and subtle appearance, closely resembling regular sunglasses.
Eye Concealment
Mirrored lenses completely hide your eyes behind a reflective surface, providing privacy. Polarised lenses, on the other hand, do not conceal your eyes and appear similar to standard sunglasses.
Durability
Mirrored lenses are more prone to scratches and require frequent cleaning to maintain their appearance. Polarised lenses, while still requiring care, do not have an external coating that is as easily damaged.
Price
Both types of sunglasses can be more expensive than non-polarised, non-mirrored options. Mirrored sunglasses tend to be pricier due to the reflective coating, while polarised sunglasses are also costly due to the special filter used.
Use Case
- Mirrored Sunglasses: Ideal for bright environments where glare is a major issue, such as snowy landscapes, water sports, and high-altitude activities. They are also a good choice for those who want a bold fashion statement.
- Polarised Sunglasses: Best for activities requiring enhanced visual clarity and comfort, such as driving, fishing, and general outdoor use. They are suitable for those who prefer a more classic and understated look.
Choosing between mirrored and polarised sunglasses depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you prioritise maximum glare reduction and visual clarity, polarised sunglasses are the better choice. However, if you want a bold look and are involved in activities with high glare conditions, mirrored sunglasses may be more suitable. Both options offer excellent UV protection and can significantly improve your comfort and eye health in bright conditions.
