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The Best Blue Light Glasses to Help With Eye Strain and Sleep

Protect your eyes with our top selections.

Our Experts

Headshot of Laurie Kelso
Headshot of Taylor Leamey
Written by  Laurie Kelso
Written by  Taylor Leamey
Article updated on 
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Laurie Kelso
Laurie Kelso is a health and wellness writer for CNET living in the Bay Area. She's passionate about spicy food and petting soft dogs.
Headshot of Taylor Leamey
Taylor Leamey Former Senior Writer
Taylor Leamey wrote about all things wellness for CNET, specializing in mental health, sleep and nutrition coverage. She has invested hundreds of hours into studying and researching sleep and holds a Certified Sleep Science Coach certification from the Spencer Institute. Not to mention the years she spent studying mental health fundamentals while earning her bachelor's degrees in both Psychology and Sociology. She is also a Certified Stress Management Coach.
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What to consider

Prescription

Blue-light-blocking capabilities

Frame style

Additional features

Price

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If you spend a lot of time looking at a computer screen or staring at your phone, you may have heard that a pair of blue light glasses will protect your eyes -- especially right before you go to sleep.

Our Picks

If you're new to the blue light glasses game, start with a simple, dependable option, like Benicci blue light glasses. They're our pick for the best overall blue light-blocking glasses because they're comfortable and neutral-looking. They have a classic frame style that just about anyone will like. Unlike many other blue light glasses, this pair has no tint. (Not everyone likes the blue or yellow tint to the lenses. These have clear lenses.) They're also so light you almost forget you're wearing them. The Benicci blue light glasses also include a case and cloth -- a nice addition that some brands don't have. 

Pros

  • Neutral style that suits most face shapes
  • Anti-glare
  • Affordable

Cons

  • Cannot add prescription to them
  • No virtual try on

Many people want blue light glasses that are also prescription glasses, so you just need to keep track of one pair. We found that the best prescription blue light glasses come from Warby Parker. Warby Parker is a trusted glasses retailer known for quality and dependability. You can choose from a wide selection of blue light glasses on the site. Don't worry if you don't know your current prescription; you can use Warby Parker's online vision test before you buy.

Pros

  • Anti-scratch
  • 100% UV protection
  • Can add your prescription
  • Virtual try on

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Returns and exchanges may have limitations if you add a prescription to the lens

Peepers' blue light glasses are our pick for the best budget blue light-blocking glasses. They're affordable (under $30), and with magnification, they can double as reading glasses.

Pros

  • Stylish design
  • Lightweight and comfortable
  • Non-prescription options for those who don't need vision correction
  • Virtual try on

Cons

  • Limited lens customization
  • Don't feel as sturdy as other glasses

You might have recognized the Felix Gray brand name from its impressive eyewear marketing, featuring attractive people sporting these sleek frames. All of the company's models seem to instantly appear smarter just by sliding on a pair. You can get that in blue light designs as well. 

Pros

  • Available for nonprescription, prescription and readers
  • 100% UVA and UVB protection
  • Organic acetate

Cons

  • Heavy frames

There are claims that blue light glasses can reduce eyestrain and headaches, but a 2023 systematic review found insufficient evidence to support the claim that blue light lenses reduce eyestrain. For their benefits when it comes to sleeping after wearing these glasses, more research is needed. Since the data isn't strong enough, the American Academy of Ophthalmology doesn't recommend blue light glasses.

Still, some people have reported that their blue light-blocking glasses have helped them feel less eye discomfort and that their sleep quality has improved after wearing them. If you're interested in trying them for yourself, it may be better to start off with a less expensive pair to see if you like them first.

To find the best blue light glasses, we researched all the options out there and read user reviews to help you narrow down your search.

What are the best overall blue light glasses?

Benicci glasses are our choice for the best overall blue light glasses. They're a no-fuss option that gives you blue light protection while looking good. They're the kind of blue light glasses that will work for anyone because they have a classic look, no tint and are lightweight. If you stare at screens all day or watch TV late at night, you might benefit from a pair of Benicci blue light glasses.

The only downside to the Benicci blue light glasses is that they don’t come with a prescription option. So if you usually wear glasses, you might not be able to use them all the time. But if you're just getting into blue light glasses and want something reliable, you'll definitely find the Benicci ones a solid choice.

Best blue light glasses of 2026

Pros

  • Neutral style that suits most face shapes
  • Anti-glare
  • Affordable

Cons

  • Cannot add prescription to them
  • No virtual try on

If you're new to the blue light glasses game, start with a simple, dependable option, like Benicci blue light glasses. They're our pick for the best overall blue light-blocking glasses because they're comfortable and neutral-looking. They have a classic frame style that just about anyone will like. Unlike many other blue light glasses, this pair has no tint. (Not everyone likes the blue or yellow tint to the lenses. These have clear lenses.) They're also so light you almost forget you're wearing them. The Benicci blue light glasses also include a case and cloth -- a nice addition that some brands don't have. 

These glasses are not prescription glasses, so they're only suited for people who just want a pair of blue light glasses to reduce headaches and sleep better at night. They can't fix vision problems. 

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Pros

  • Anti-scratch
  • 100% UV protection
  • Can add your prescription
  • Virtual try on

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Returns and exchanges may have limitations if you add a prescription to the lens

Many people want blue light glasses that are also prescription glasses, so you just need to keep track of one pair. We found that the best prescription blue light glasses come from Warby Parker. Warby Parker is a trusted glasses retailer known for quality and dependability. You can choose from a wide selection of blue light glasses on the site. Don't worry if you don't know your current prescription; you can use Warby Parker's online vision test before you buy.

Warby Parker offers several lens coatings, like anti-scratch and UV protection. A virtual try-on is another feature you don't get from other brands. All you have to do is give the site permission to use your camera, and you can try on different glasses styles virtually. The price tag of blue light glasses from Warby Parker is a little higher, starting at $145, but the quality and prescription lenses make it well worth it.

 ... Show more

Pros

  • Stylish design
  • Lightweight and comfortable
  • Non-prescription options for those who don't need vision correction
  • Virtual try on

Cons

  • Limited lens customization
  • Don't feel as sturdy as other glasses

Peepers' blue light glasses are our pick for the best budget blue light-blocking glasses. They're affordable (under $30), and with magnification, they can double as reading glasses.

The company says its blue light-blocking technology can filter 40% of harmful rays from the blue-light spectrum -- ideal for when you're trying to avoid the pitfalls that come with overexposure to artificial light from a computer screen and prevent digital eye strain. These tortoise square frames instantly caught my attention. If you're like me and not looking to always be super-extra, these blue light glasses also come in neutral tones like black and cream, so you look trendy while minimizing light exposure. These glasses also provide UV protection.

 ... Show more

Pros

  • Available for nonprescription, prescription and readers
  • 100% UVA and UVB protection
  • Organic acetate

Cons

  • Heavy frames

You might have recognized the Felix Gray brand name from its impressive eyewear marketing, featuring attractive people sporting these sleek frames. All of the company's models seem to instantly appear smarter just by sliding on a pair. You can get that in blue light designs as well. 

Along with great style, Felix Gray embeds blue light filters directly into the lenses and adds an anti-reflective coating to help protect against artificial blue light. These classic round Roebling frames come in two frame color options, a fun blue or tortoise brown, starting at $119. Because of their price, they are considered among the best luxury blue light glasses available. 

 ... Show more

How we evaluate the best blue light glasses

This curated list of blue light glasses is based on product research and user reviews. Not all products on the list were tested in-house. Let's dig into the factors we considered when choosing the best blue light-blocking glasses for this list. 

Blue light-blocking level

When choosing the best blue light glasses, we started by assessing each pick's blue light absorption. In other words, do they do what they say they should? What level of blue light-blocking does each pair have? This information is noted in each of the product reviews.

Additional features

It's not just blue light-blocking capabilities that matter. There are several other factors we considered when evaluating blue light glasses. One of the main additional features we looked for was prescription availability. Not all blue light glasses offer this, which often comes at a higher price, but it's an appealing feature for many people. Other features we looked for included lens coatings such as anti-glare and UV protection. 

Customer reviews

How glasses look and if they help with headaches or sleep is subjective. We consider each product's price and customer reviews to ensure that our selections represent the full picture of the glasses. 

What to consider when shopping for the best blue light glasses

There are many factors to consider when it comes to glasses. Some of which will be personal preference, like how they look. Most will be essential, like comfort and prescription options. Here are the key things to consider when shopping for the best blue light glasses. 

Prescription

First and foremost, you must ensure that the blue light glasses you like can be tailored to your prescription if you have one. Some options on the market can't be, making them unsuitable for people who need corrective lenses and blue light features. 

Usage

How often you plan to use your blue light glasses will determine factors like weight and shape. If you are going to wear them all the time while gaming or staring at your computer screen at work, comfort is essential. If they are something you wear every once in a while at your computer at night, then you have more versatility in your selection. 

Blue light-blocking capabilities

Deciding how much light you want to block out will help you decide which pair is best for you. Glasses with a yellow or orange tint will block out more of the light spectrum. They can distort colors on your computer. The clear blue light glasses won't do this, but they won't be able to block out as much light. 

Frame style

This is mainly a personal preference, but your frame style matters. Glasses, while useful, are also a way to express yourself. The good and bad news is you have tons of options to choose from. In addition to shape and style, you can choose from different materials like plastic, acetate and wire. 

Additional features

Depending on how much you plan to use the glasses, you may be interested in features like anti-glare, UV protection or an anti-scratch coating. Not all options offer these features, so look closely to ensure your desired pair fits your needs. 

Price

Blue light glasses are more affordable than prescription lenses, averaging anywhere from $15 to $100. Prescription options often cost even more. Finding your budget will help you determine which glasses are within your price range. The more additional features you want your glasses to have, the higher the price tag. 

What is blue light?

The human eye can detect blue light wavelengths. We're constantly surrounded by blue light, thanks to the exposure from the sun, laptops, TVs and phones. During the day, it's good to have blue light around; it can increase alertness and boost your mood. 

The dark side of blue light is that it can interrupt sleep and strain your eyes. Blue light glasses are recommended for people who spend extended periods looking at screens. Limiting your exposure to blue light before bed is also recommended, as it can suppress melatonin production in the brain. 

How do blue light glasses work?

Blue light-blocking glasses have filters in the lenses that block or absorb the blue light emitted by screens. So when you look at a screen while wearing them, less blue light will get to your eyes.

While some brands suggest that blue light glasses will reduce digital eye strain, this hasn't been proven true. There's no harm in wearing them, especially if you are watching TV or on your laptop before bed.

Blue light glasses FAQs

What are blue light glasses?

Blue light is a short, high-energy wave of light that is said to keep us awake and alert. Blue light is all around us. It comes from the sun, artificial lighting and devices. The latest science suggests blue light might affect sleep less than yellow, but there's still evidence that squinting into digital screens all day can mess with your circadian rhythm and inhibit melatonin production, which can prevent you from getting a good night's sleep.

Blue-light-blocking glasses block out blue light from artificial sources like computers, TVs and cell phones and ease eye strain. Even if you're not sure if the hours staring at a screen are to blame for your insomnia and eye fatigue, mitigating some of that blue-light exposure by wearing blue-light glasses can't hurt.

Do blue light glasses really work?

The short answer? We don't know. Blue-light-blocking glasses have filters that block blue light waves given off by any light source -- the sun, screens, lightbulbs, and so on. They aren't recommended by medical organizations like the American Academy of Ophthalmology because research hasn't proven a health benefit.

Blue light glasses remain popular, and some people do find them useful. Some folks may also want to do whatever they can to block blue light at night and preserve melatonin production.

How do I clean blue light glasses?

First, you should always refer to whatever cleaning instructions come with the blue-light-blocking glasses you buy. In general, you can clean blue light glasses the same way you would clean any other eyeglasses, with a soft, lint-free cloth that won't cause scratches and a gentle cleaning spray designed for glasses.

When should I wear blue light glasses?

Blue light generally energizes you, helps you concentrate and boosts your mood; all good things during the day. When you're winding down from your day in the evening and want to relax, blue light can interfere. For most people, wearing blue-light-blocking glasses in the evening while watching TV or staring at any screen will be the most beneficial.

Some people also find that blue light glasses can help reduce eye strain, blurry vision and headaches that come from staring at screens while working. You can try both or either to see what works best for you.

Why is blue light bad?

The blue light we expose ourselves to by looking at computer screens, phones and TVs can negatively impact our health. While there is no evidence that blue light will damage your eyes, it can lead to digital eye strain and discomfort. Additionally, blue light suppresses melatonin production, which throws off your sleep schedule. Long-term sleep deprivation has been linked to serious health conditions like hypertension, stroke, obesity and diabetes.

Can you wear blue light glasses all the time?

You can wear blue light glasses all the time. Most blue light glasses have a tint that can discolor or distort colors, so you may not want to. There are no negative side effects of wearing blue light glasses all the time.

Can people tell you're wearing blue light glasses?

If you're expecting blue light glasses to feel or look different, perhaps like goggles, don't fret. Blue light glasses and normal prescription glasses look the same. Anyone looking at you, either at a glance or from a distance, will see no real difference.

However, there is one small change to blue light glasses: the lens. Blue light glasses lenses do have a blue sheen to them when you hold them up to a light.

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.