Polarized vs Non-Polarized Sunglasses: What's the Difference?

Polarized sunglasses are one of the most searched-for styles, but a lot of people aren't sure what "polarized" actually does. Here's a plain-English guide to how polarized lenses work, when they're worth it, when a regular tinted lens is just as good, and how to tell the difference.

What does polarized mean?

When sunlight bounces off a flat, shiny surface like water, a wet road, a car bonnet or a glass shopfront, a lot of it comes back as glare: a harsh, bright reflection that makes you squint. A polarized lens has a filter built in that blocks much of that reflected light while letting the rest through.

A regular tinted lens works differently. It makes everything darker by the same amount, so the glare gets dimmer but doesn't go away. A polarized lens goes after the glare itself.

Polarized vs non-polarized: the quick comparison

• Glare off water, roads and glass: polarized lenses cut it much more than plain tinted lenses.
• Contrast and colour: with less glare, polarized lenses often make the view look crisper. Tinted lenses look more "natural" to some people.
• Phone, car and ATM screens: polarized lenses can make some screens look darker, patchy or rainbow-coloured when you tilt your head. Non-polarized lenses don't do this.
• Style: there's no visible difference from the outside. A polarized pair looks the same as a non-polarized pair in the same frame and colour.

Polarized is not the same as UV protection

This is the most common mix-up. Polarization deals with glare. UV protection is a separate feature of the lens material or coating. A pair can be polarized without UV protection, or protect against UV without being polarized. Every Misaki pair, polarized or not, has UV400 lenses, so you get UV protection whichever you choose.

When polarized sunglasses are worth it

• Driving: glare off wet roads and other cars' windscreens is exactly what polarized lenses reduce.
• Beach, lake and pool days: water is one of the biggest sources of glare.
• Walking in the city: glass buildings and shop windows throw a lot of reflected light.
• If you get tired eyes or squint a lot outside: less glare usually means more comfortable eyes.

When non-polarized is fine (or better)

• You look at screens a lot outdoors: for example a car dashboard display or a phone in a mount.
• Fashion first: if you mostly wear sunglasses for the look, on short walks or in the evening, a tinted lens does the job.
• Gradient and light tints: many soft gradient and coloured lenses are made as non-polarized styles, so you get a wider choice of looks.

How to check if sunglasses are polarized

Find a phone or laptop screen, hold the sunglasses in front of it and look through one lens. Slowly rotate the sunglasses. If the screen goes darker or nearly black at one angle, the lens is polarized. If nothing changes, it isn't.

You can also look at a shiny surface such as a car or a puddle, then tilt your head. A polarized lens will make the glare fade in and out.

Polarized styles at Misaki

Our polarized frames come in the shapes people wear every day: square, aviator, wrap around, rectangle, round, oval and cat eye. Every polarized style says "Polarized" in its name, so you can tell at a glance. A few to start with:

• Joey Polarized Square: a clean, straight-lined everyday frame.
• Harrison Polarized Wrap Around: a curved, sporty wrap.
• Karen Polarized Retro Rectangle: a slim 90s rectangle.

See the full range in polarized sunglasses.

Frequently asked questions

Are polarized sunglasses better?

They're better at cutting glare. They aren't automatically better at everything, because they can make some screens hard to read. Pick polarized if you drive a lot or spend time near water. Pick a tinted lens if the look matters most to you.

Do polarized sunglasses look different?

Not from the outside. The difference is only in what you see through them.

Are polarized sunglasses for men or women?

Both. Most of our polarized frames are unisex.

How much are they?

Every Misaki pair is $35, polarized or not. Get 2 for $60 or 3 for $75, applied automatically in the cart, with free shipping on 2+ pairs.

Not sure which shape to choose? Read our guide to sunglasses for your face shape.