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Kids are spending more time than ever streaming media and learning on smart devices. Blue-light-filtering glasses are becoming more and more popular for those looking to reduce their blue light exposure.
Nonprescription blue light glasses specifically designed for kids are now hitting the market. They’re intended to protect young eyes from extended screen use. There are a lot of product offerings to sort through, and it can be hard to know which offer any value and durability.
We rounded up a few of our favorites, and also put together a list of quick tips for when you’re shopping for blue light glasses for your kids.
- Best for toddlers: Babiators Screen Savers: Black Ops Black Keyhole
- Best for remote learning: Nooz Optics Cruzy Bluelight Glasses
- Best budget-friendly option: EyeBuyDirect Little Bristol
- Best for before bedtime: Felix Gray Roebling
- Best for tweens: Jonas Paul Charlie Kids Glasses
- Best for durability: Zenni Kids’ Flexible Cat-Eye Glasses
- Best for streaming: Gunnar Cruz Kids Glasses
- Best prescription glasses: Revel Bam Kids
In terms of safety, yes, it is safe for kids to use blue-light-filtering glasses. But do they need to?
Before you start shopping, keep in mind that blue-light-filtering glasses don’t decrease eyestrain or correct for symptoms of too much screen time.
According to the current guidelines from the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), blue light itself doesn’t cause digital eyestrain. In addition, blue light from computers hasn’t been shown to lead to eye disease.
What blue light can do is stimulate the brain in certain ways that affect sleep quality later. This is why it’s best to avoid using screens around bedtime.
We chose the products listed below based on a few criteria:
- Transparency. Some companies make impossible or erroneous claims about what blue-light-filtering lenses can do for kids. We wanted to highlight companies that are honest about the real benefits of blue light glasses.
- Customer reviews. We also read through hundreds of independent reviews to get an idea of what customers loved about the brands and styles of glasses we chose.
- Company reputation. Finally, we put a lot of stock in what customers had to say about using these companies. We wanted to spotlight companies that sell durable, stylish blue-light-filtering glasses for kids, but that also have comprehensive and easy-to-use return policies and ordering processes.
Pricing guide
We also aimed to represent a wide range of budges so that there is something for everyone.
- $ = under $35
- $$ = $35–$85
- $$$ = over $86
Best blue light glasses for toddlers
Babiators Screen Savers: Black Ops Black Keyhole
- Price: $
- Why we like them: These simple frames are sized specifically for smaller faces and are easy to slip on and off. They’re also lightweight, so your child may feel less irritation while wearing them. Plus, the classic black style is simple and multifunctional.
- What to keep in mind: The company offers these glasses in two sizes: those for kids ages 3 to 5 and those for ages 6 and up. Make sure to order with that in mind, as some customers say that Babiators’ return process isn’t the easiest.
Best blue light glasses for remote learning
Nooz Optics Cruzy Bluelight Glasses
- Price: $$
- Why we like them: These glasses are flexible, with no screws that can come loose. They’re also super lightweight and come equipped with anti-scratch coating. The combo of durability, high protection lenses, and the possibility of long wear make them a great option for days when your child has to spend a lot of time in front of a screen.
- What to know: With a 4.5-rating on Trustpilot, a 30-day return policy, and a 2-year warranty, chances are high that you’ll be a satisfied customer. These glasses come in two sizes — one for kids ages 3 to 6 and one for kids 6 and up — so make sure you choose the appropriate one.
Best budget-friendly blue light glasses for kids
EyeBuyDirect Little Bristol
- Price: $
- Why we like them: These ultra simple, super affordable blue light glasses don’t sacrifice style. If you have a little flexibility, you can upgrade the blue-light-filtering lenses with anti-glare or even ultraviolet (UV)-blocking technology. But the basic blue-light-filtering lenses, which are included at the base price, get the job done.
- What to know: EyeBuyDirect charges for shipping for orders under $80, and you’ve only got 2 weeks to return the product if you don’t like it. Also, these frames aren’t as durable as others on this list, so they may work better for kids ages 6 and up.
Best blue light glasses before bedtime
Felix Gray Roebling
- Price: $$$
- Why we like them: These stylish frames come with a UV-blocking coating, blue-light-filtering technology, anti-glare, and a slight tint. These Felix Gray glasses claim to increase melatonin production in the hours for bedtime, which makes it a great choice for a movie night spent winding down. Felix Gray also offers customer-friendly warranty and return policies, along with free shipping.
- What to know: As far as blue light glasses go, Felix Gray is one of the most popular brands on the market. But they’re also one of the priciest. Since the benefits of blue-light-filtering glasses for kids are still being established, you might want to hold off on making a big investment in them.
Best blue-light-filtering glasses for tweens
Jonas Paul Charlie Kids Glasses
- Price: $$
- Why we like them: These glasses are designed for slightly older kids. The clear unisex design is discreet, with no yellow tint. For children prone to adventure (and breaking things), Jonas Paul will give you 50 percent off a replacement pair if the glasses are broken within 6 months of purchase.
- What to know: Jonas Paul has a few glowing customer reviews on their website, but the Michigan-based eyewear retailer has yet to have an established Trustpilot or Better Business Bureau presence — not necessarily something to beware of, but something to keep in mind.
Most durable blue-light-filtering glasses for kids
Zenni Kids’ Flexible Cat-Eye Glasses
- Price: $
- Why we like them: These heavy-duty glasses come with an adjustable strap to keep them on your kid’s face. The frames are flexible and responsive, even if your kid tends to drop them once in a while. You can order these frames with blue-light-filtering lenses, or make them even more durable by choosing blue-light-filtering, impact-resistant lenses for a few dollars more.
- What to know: To order these glasses, you’ll need to choose nonprescription lenses when you begin the checkout process. Of course, you can also order them with prescription lenses and add blue-light-filtering to your order. Keep in mind that if you remove the strap, the flexible frames may not fit as snugly.
Best blue-light-filtering glasses for streaming kid shows at home
Gunnar Cruz Kids Glasses
- Price: $
- Why we like them: These glasses are available in natural focus (no prescription) or with prescription lenses. You can also choose between two blue-light-filtering options: one that blocks 35 percent of blue light and another that blocks 65 percent of blue light and adds an amber tint. These glasses come in a durable nylon frame and also block UV light. The glasses come with a 12-month warranty to give you peace of mind.
- What to know: If you choose the amber tint option for blue-light-filtering, keep in mind that it does cast a bit of an amber glow and can change the colors of what your child is looking at. If your child feels self-conscious about wearing glasses, this pair isn’t the most discreet.
Blue-light-filtering prescriptions glasses for kids
Revel Bam Kids
- Price: $$
- Why we like them: These glasses come in a classic shape with your choice of three cool colors. GlassesUSA, where these glasses are sold, makes it easy to enter your prescription information.
- What to know: GlassesUSA offers a 365-day warranty and a money-back guarantee, making their policies one of the most customer-friendly around. On the other hand, you should be aware that as you add prescription lenses, blue-light-filtering, and smudge-proof coating to your glasses order, the price goes up significantly.
Brand | Price | Age range | Warranty options | Blue light blocking capabilities |
---|---|---|---|---|
Babiators Screen Savers: Black Ops Black Keyhole | $ | 3-5; 6 and up | Free replacement minus the cost of shipping for one year | blocks 55% of blue light |
Nooz Optics Cruzy Bluelight Glasses | $$ | 3-5; 6 and up | 30-day return policy; 2-year warranty | blocks up to 40% of blue light |
EyeBuyDirect Little Bristol | $ | 6 and up | 14-day free returns; one-time replacement for defective glasses offered within 12 months of purchase | blocks up to 40% of blue light |
Felix Gray Roebling | $$$ | 4-8; 9-13 | 30-day money-back guarantee; 1-year manufacturer warranty | blocks 50% of blue light |
Jonas Paul Charlie Kids Glasses | $$ | 8-12 | 30-day return window on unworn glasses, excludes cost of shipping; no warranty offered | blocks up to 40% of blue light |
Zenni Kids’ Flexible Cat-Eye Glasses | $ | 4-8 | 30-day return window, excludes cost of shipping; 30-day warranty period | blocks up to 40% of blue light |
Gunnar Cruz Kids Glasses | $ | 4-8 | 365-day warranty | blocks 35%-65% of blue light |
Revel Bam Kid | $$ | 6-10 | 14-day return window; no warranty offered | blocks up to 40% of blue light |
When you’re shopping for blue-light-filtering glasses for kids, there are a few things we recommend:
- Durability. Look at the materials that the glasses are made of to see if they’ll measure up to the wear-and-tear your child might put them through.
- Return policies and refunds. Glasses break, especially kids’ glasses. Look into how customer friendly a retailer’s policies are, and see if the glasses come with a manufacturer’s warranty before you buy.
- Company claims. Blue-light-filtering glasses might help kids fall asleep more easily at night, especially if they use their devices close to bedtime, and they do mitigate a small amount of blue light. But beware of companies that claim that their products can eliminate digital eyestrain altogether. Only healthy habits can help with that.
Blue light glasses aren’t the only strategy you can try to reduce your child’s exposure to blue light:
- Manage screen time so that your child is device-free for at least 2 hours before bedtime. Ideally, keep devices out of the bedroom to make this possible.
- Use an app or browser plug-in that initiates 20-20-20 reminders to reset your little one’s eyes and reduce digital eyestrain.
- Keep in mind the recommendations of the American Pediatric Association, and establish screen-free zones in your house to encourage a substantial break from lit screens every day.
- Manage your child’s screen time by keeping track of it using parental control features on your devices.
- Consider using screen filters, such as dark mode, to get kids ready for bed in the evening hours.
What can you do to avoid eyestrain?
To reset our eyes and prevent digital eyestrain, the AAO recommends taking breaks every 20 minutes to focus on an object 20 feet away, for at least 20 seconds. This is also known as the 20-20-20 rule, and it applies to kids, too.
When looking at a screen, we’re often gazing at a fixed distance, we tend to blink less, and we move our eyes much less than we would when not focused on one.
Do kids need blue-light-filtering glasses?
Blue-light-blocking glasses neither decrease eyestrain nor correct symptoms caused by too much screen time. What’s more, according to AAO, blue light itself doesn’t lead to eyestrain and it doesn’t cause eyestrain.
However, because blue light can be stimulating to the brain, it can interfere with sleep quality. That’s why experts recommend avoiding screens before bedtime.
What else can parents do to help their children avoid eyestrain?
The AAO recommends taking breaks every 20 minutes to focus on an object 20 feet away, for at least 20 seconds. This is known as the 20-20-20 rule.
Can kids wear blue-light-filtering glasses all day?
It’s not harmful for kids to wear blue-light-filtering glasses all day, but remember that doing so won’t relieve symptoms of eyestrain.
Are blue-light-filtering glasses for kids one-size-fits-all?
No. These glasses come in different sizes generally based on age range. However, sizing varies from brand to brand, so check the manufacturer’s specifications for proper sizing.
What should I keep in mind when I shop for blue-light-filtering glasses for kids?
First, consider how durable your child’s glasses need to be so you can opt for materials that will stand up to their daily life. It’s wise to check return policies and warranties.
Also keep in mind that blue-light-filtering glasses for kids won’t necessarily help your child sleep better if they use devices before bed. So, you’ll want to avoid brands and companies that make unreasonable claims about their products.
Blue-light-filtering glasses for children are popping up everywhere. If you’re considering them for your child, it’s important to understand that blue light itself doesn’t create eyestrain and it can’t resolve symptoms linked to too much screen time.
However, these glasses will block some percentage of blue light, which could help your child fall asleep more easily if they use devices before bed. If you have concerns about your child’s eyestrain, speak to your eye doctor.