5 Best Sunglasses to Buy in Singapore [2024 Guide]

If you live in Singapore, you already know the weather can be unpredictable. As a country with a tropical climate, there are days when it rains non-stop, and then there are days when the sun shines bright. And when it does, you want to be sporting some stylish sunglasses that also provide protection from ultraviolet (UV) rays.

Of course, there are many options out there, both affordable and luxury. But if you’re after some sunnies that provide reliable protection and will stand the test of time, you’ll need to do some research. This buying guide with the top 5 sunglasses in Singapore [2024 review] will save you time and effort to research.

While you can find many eyewear brands and designs in Singapore, we have chosen timeless sunglasses from well-known international and local brands. But before we get to the best sunglasses in Singapore, let’s cover what you should know.

Things to Consider When Buying Sunglasses

Here are the main factors to consider when looking for your next pair of sunglasses:

UV protection

Although sunglasses can accentuate your look as a fashion accessory, the main purpose of wearing them is to protect your eyes from UV rays. Look for sunglasses that offer 100 per cent (400 nm absorption) of UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays penetrate deeper and are more harmful.

UV protection is necessary for preventing eye damage. Overexposure of eyes to the sun can cause macular degeneration, among other vision problems.

Polarisation

Polarised sunglasses have a special chemical coating that filters and blocks light. More importantly, polarised lenses in sunglasses reduce glare, which is caused by the reflection of sunlight.

Polarised lenses offer 100 per cent UV and glare protection. Such sunglasses are typically more expensive than those with lenses embedded with UV protection.

Lens material and color/tint

Lenses in sunglasses are usually made of glass or plastic. The latter is more common because of its low cost and durability. Glass lenses are heavy and can scratch or shatter more easily.

Aside from the material, pay attention to the tint of the lens. The lens tint impacts light transmission, i.e., the amount of light that passes through the lens. Lens tint also impacts colour perception and contrast.

Grey tint offers neutral colour perception.
Green tint is also neutral with low light transmission (good for both sunny and low light conditions).
Brown or amber tints enhance color contrast (ideal for low light conditions).
Pink or rose tints block blue light while also increasing contrast.
Blue tint improves colour perception by improving contours of objects.

Frame material and shape

One of the most distinguishing factors in sunglasses is the frame’s shape. Rectangle and round frames are common, but there are many variations. Some are more elongated, while some are large. Even shapes like hexagons are popular.

The frame shape is a personal preference. That said, rectangular or square frames may offer more coverage.

Consider your face shape when choosing the frame style. Rectangular styles suit most faces, whereas round styles are better for angular faces.

Frames are typically made of metal or plastic (acetate or nylon). While metal frames are durable, they can be heavy. In comparison, plastic frames are quite lightweight.

Prescription or non-prescription

If you require prescription glasses to see clearly, you have to take that into consideration. Fortunately, many brands offer prescription lenses for sunglasses.

Otherwise, you’ll need to invest in a pair that you can comfortably wear over your prescription glasses.

Comfort and fit

Pay attention to parts like the nose bridge and temples of the sunglasses because these will determine how they fit. Poorly fitting sunglasses can cause discomfort. Check the dimensions, such as nose bridge and temple length, to understand how they will fit.

Now that you know how to buy sunglasses, here are our top picks: