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Safety glasses might not be as sexy as a cerakote titanium alloy 300-in-1 adventure-ready multitool, but a quality pair of protective eyewear is an essential piece of toolbox gear. Four and two-wheel wrenching presents its own set of safety threats, including boiling chemicals, chunks of rust and crud, explosive vapors, and unexpected projectiles all hellbent on inflicting permanent eye damage. And no, your safety squints are not enough. Choosing from thousands of different types and styles can leave you seeing double. Tints, shades, and coatings add protection for specific tasks like torch welding. Dust-rated goggles are well suited for bodywork and Bondo dust. We got our hands on a bunch of safety glasses and checked them out to help you pick the right glasses for you.
Summary List
- Best Overall: Pyramex Intruder
- Best Value: Nemesis V30
- Honorable Mention: Bouton 5900
- Second Best Traditional Safety Glasses: Magid Y50
- Best Diopter Safety Glasses: 3M Nuvo Reader
- Best Over Prescription Glasses Safety Glasses: Uvex Ultra-Spec 2000
- Best Safety Glasses for Sun Glare: 3M Solus 2000
Our Methodology
Choosing the best safety glasses starts with what kind of work you’re doing. Working in, on, or around cars or motorcycles presents dangers including but not limited to flying particles, heat, unexpected projectiles, scalding liquids, sharp cutting tools, acids, chemical gases, explosive vapors, and more. We’ve been through it more than once, and our experience is a lot to draw from. Still, we used a fair bit of research to make sure we’re giving you solid recommendations to work with.
Best Safety Glasses Reviews & Recommendations
Best Overall
Pyramex Intruder
Pros
- Super comfortable
- Economically priced
- Wide range of lens tints
- Available in different sizes
Cons
- Style appeal is subjective
- No prescription lens option
- Some prefer full-frame
Best Value
Nemesis V30
Pros
- Elastic neckband included
- Nearly unbreakable
- Light and comfortable
- Wraparound lenses
Cons
- Sporty style is not for everybody
- Lenses attract fingerprints
- Limited side protection
Honorable Mention
Bouton 5900
Pros
- Time-proven safety record
- Excellent durability
- Side screens reduce dust
- Classic design and style
Cons
- Heavier than frameless types
- Retro style might not be you
- Higher price over frameless
Second Best Traditional Safety Glasses
Magid Y50
Pros
- Good side protection
- Classic styling
- Amber lens improves definition and contrast
Cons
- Style isn’t for everyone
- Lenses scratch easily
- Fogging is a somewhat common issue
Best Diopter Safety Glasses
3M Nuvo Reader
Pros
- Diopter lens replaces reading glasses
- Offers impact and UV protection
- Various lens intensities are available
Cons
- Lens limits to those with reading glasses
- Nosepiece may be uncomfortable
- Hinged joints break easily
Best Over Prescription Glasses Safety Glasses
Uvex Ultra-Spec 2000
Pros
- Adjustable length
- Vented sides keep air flowing
- Wrap-around design offers a secure fit
Cons
- Limited fit with hearing protection
- Fitment varies with glasses frames
- Lenses scratch easily
Best Safety Glasses for Sun Glare
3M Solus 2000
Pros
- Comfortable and customizable fit
- Highly resistant to scratches and fingerprints
- Red tint cuts down sun glare, optimizing outdoor performance
Cons
- Limited to outdoor use
- Can be difficult to adjust
- May fog easily
Our Verdict on Safety Glasses
We’ve gone through countless pairs of Bouton 5900 specs at work and home but discovered some new favorites writing up this review. The ultralight Pyramex Intruder and full-frame MAGID Y50 found a new home in the toolbox. Safety glasses and goggles are a small part of the automotive personal protective equipment arsenal. The manufacturers in this review are safety suppliers to the world. If you find a set of specs you like, take a look at that company’s PPE lineup and gear up!
What to Consider When Buying Safety Glasses
More often than not, DIYers buy safety glasses as they need them. The result of doing so is often heading to the local hardware store and buying whatever’s on the shelf. This hardly heeds the best results. That’s exactly why we’ve put this buying guide together that will help you ensure you always have the proper eye protection at your disposal.
Types of Protective Eyewear
Safety Glasses
Safety glasses come in all kinds of types and styles, but their American National Standards Institute or ANSI rating is the primary consideration for eye protection. Look for at least an ANSI Z87 stamp molded into the glasses for basic impact resistance or a Z87+ for high-velocity impact. Additional alpha-numeric codes represent specific types of protection.
While safety glasses are essential to any general labor, they shouldn’t be treated as the ultimate line of defense. They do only offer protection for the eyes, not the remainder of your face. That is why we want to talk a little about some other options to consider in this section, not just safety glasses.
Safety Goggles
Goggles that fit over eyeglasses are an inexpensive and effective alternative to prescription safety glasses. Depending on their rating and type, the larger lens coverage area and ventilation system give goggles the advantage over glasses for splash protection, chemical and organic vapors, dust, heat, and impact resistance.
In other words, you shouldn’t solely look at safety goggles as something to wear over set prescription glasses. These are an excellent option to consider if you’re working in particularly dusty areas, if you’re handling chemicals, or just need a little more protection than traditional safety glasses offer.
Face Shields
Full or partial face shields can add another layer of safety but ensure the shield carries a Z87+ high-velocity impact rating like safety glasses or goggles. Thin transparent face shields might stop some projectiles, but a broken cutoff wheel or fan belt will slice through the shield like butter.
We know you’re thinking that a welding helmet with a grind mode is a great choice for a face shield. It might be. It might not. Even if it’s able to provide some clarity when using power tools, it might not shield you from much more than harsh light. You should make sure a welding helmet is rated to handle impacts before you lean on it for protection.
Safety Glasses Key Features
ANSI Rating
Frame design and trick lens shapes aren’t all that separate safety glasses. The differences can be quite substantial, depending on the rating attached to the glasses. It should go without saying that you want to pick a rating that matches the abuse the glasses may encounter while in use otherwise, they can cause more harm than good.
We’ve already mentioned the importance of the Z87 rating but what it doesn’t cover is as important as what it does. Z87-rated eyewear does not protect against pathogens, microwaves, lasers, masers, or x-rays. Consult ANSI Z136.5 if your car has onboard laser weaponry or microwave thought disruptors.
Tints and Shades
Sure, safety glasses can leave you looking dapper if they match your attire and everyone on the job site will envy you. They’re intended for work, though, so the shade is more purpose-oriented than style-driven. Like the ANSI rating, the shade of safety glasses you pick should complement the kind of work you intend to use them for.
Clear polycarbonate lenses filter 99% of UV radiation by nature of the material. Indoor lens tints like yellow, amber, and orange can improve low-light vision but are not recommended for outdoor use. Conversely, dark smoke or mirrored lenses can filter too much light for safe indoor use.
Bifocal or Prescription
Picking out a proper set of safety glasses when you wear prescription glasses presents a whole new setlist of challenges. So much so that it warrants a full-length discussion of its own. Still, we can take a minute to highlight some of your options here.
Safety glasses that come with prescription lenses are often the best choice, but they can cost hundreds of dollars and styles are limited. Bifocal reader lenses with built-in magnifying diopters are a viable and inexpensive substitute in some cases. Over-the-glasses visitor specs or wraparound goggles are the next best thing.
Safety Glasses Pricing
The good news is that you don’t have to spend a fortune on safety glasses, as they can be surprisingly affordable. There are plenty of high-quality safety specs like our best overall Pyramex Intruder that list for under $10, but be wary of cheap multi-pair deals and unsafe knockoffs in this price range. Moving to the $10-$20 price range will typically offer you high-quality full-frame, over-the-glasses or visitor specs, and safety goggles. Some multi-pair deals. Specialized specs and prescription protective eyewear can cost more than $20, but multi-pair packs can add up to significant savings over a single pair price.
FAQs
You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers!
Q: When do I need to wear safety glasses?
The answer depends on the job. OHSA requires eye or face protection whenever a worker is exposed to “flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation.” Z87+ rated eyewear won’t stop high-powered lasers but are A-OK for automotive and home repairs.
Q: Can I weld with safety glasses?
That depends on what kind of welding you’re doing and lens shade or IR rating. Welding or W shades 3-4 are OK for torch brazing, 4-8 for gas welding, and 10-14 and up for electric arc welding. Do not arc weld with anything less than shade 10.
Q: Can I get prescription safety glasses?
Yes, but expect to pay for it. Consider a pair of over-the-glasses visitor specs or goggles, depending on the work environment. A pair of tinted visitor specs and separate dust-rated goggles offer a more comprehensive range of eye protection at a more reasonable price.
Q: Will regular glasses or sunglasses protect my eyes?
Nope. Not from high-velocity impacts; they won’t. Get the proper protective eyewear for less than a sawbuck and see another day. Some outdoor safety glasses and goggles might double as sunglasses, but Z87 eyewear is not recommended for sports and recreation activities.
Q: Are goggles better than glasses for dust and liquid protection?
A larger one-piece lens offers more protection than smaller glasses, but not all goggles are better. Look for an alpha-numeric code stamp or marking on the goggles. D3 is liquid splash certified. D4 or D5 means protection against dust and fine dust, respectively.
