Picking the best Ray-Ban sunglasses can be challenging given the wide variety of shades they’ve made over the years. Luckily, some of their most iconic styles are timeless, with new colorways and improved lenses being the only update since their inception. Ray-Ban pioneered the aviator sunglass line, now a ubiquitous pair of shades that have inspired many spin-offs since their introduction in 1929.
Ray-Ban has fit themselves into many cultural trends over the years, from hipster culture to Hollywood types, to the high-performance landscape of the Air Force. You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who takes their fashion seriously and hasn’t owned a pair. Similarly, those who fret over performance will drool over a new pair of Ray-Ban shades. Here, we ambitiously set out to define for you the proper Ray-Bans for your needs, lifestyle, and design choices.
The Best Ray Ban Sunglasses
Ray-Ban Rb2132 New Wayfarer Sunglasses (BEST CHOICE)
Our top pick! Ray-Bans New Wayfarer Sunglasses are a refined take on the original. These have been sized down slightly from the standard Wayfarer and feature a slightly softer eye shape. These are unisex sunglasses but fit people with a smaller face-size. One of the best features of the Wayfarer is its durable nylon frame construction and solid glass, G-15 lenses.
For those who are looking to live with a bit more color in their life, Ray-Ban offers several color options and lens shades. Lens treatments include crystal green, a variety of gradients, and the classic brown finish.
— Unisex design
— Non-polarized
— 100% UV Protection
— Durable nylon frames
— Multiple frame colors
— Weight: 3 ounces
Ray-Ban Rb3025 Aviator Classic Gradient Sunglasses
You don’t have to star in Top Gun to sport these bad boys. Aviators are a classic design, made famous by top pilots around the world, and they will look great on you no matter what you’re doing. The timeless design is made out of metal, wrapped around big and bold photochromatic lenses that lighten and darken depending on UV light conditions.
Like many models, Aviators are offered in many sizes, denoted by the width of the lens. Once you’ve figured out what size is appropriate for you, it’s time to choose between the different lens colors. Your options include crystal brown, crystal green, and a variety of G-15 non-polarized colors. All Ray-Bans lenses are made considering optimal visual clarity and feature 100% UV protection.
For more cool shades that will help you upgrade your style and confidence, check out our selection of the top Gucci sunglasses.
— Unisex design
— Metal frames
— Non-polarized
— 100% UV Protection
Ray-Ban RB4171 Erika Sunglasses
The Erika is a classic twist on Ray-Ban’s traditional, oversized round lens design. The frames are nylon and have a two-tone appearance between the frame and the arms, which strikes a beautiful contrast in colors. These fashion-forward shades are the perfect complement to finish any trendy outfit ensemble.
Like most in the lineup, the Erika offers several customization options with a wide variety of lens and frame combinations. With over 1,100 reviews and an 80% 5-star rating on Amazon, the Erika are highly sought after and loved by many.
For those of you looking for perfect shades for outdoor adventures, we have prepared the selection of the best hiking sunglasses. Don’t miss them.
— Unisex oversized design
— 100% UV protection
— Nylon frames
— 0.8 ounces
Ray-Ban Rb3016 Clubmaster Square Sunglasses
The Clubmasters are a full on vibe, ensuring your passerbys that you’re either an intellectual, Hollywood-type, or both. These mid-century classics were one of the first pairs of shades to feature a combination of nylon and metal frame.
Fifty years ago, you might have only been able to get your hands on these in a black frame with gold accents. Now you’ve got 32 styles to choose from as well as two frame sizes. There’s a look for everyone and every occasion. You can even wear them as driving sunglasses.
— Unisex oversized design
— 100% UV protection
— Nylon frames
— Durable acetate frames
Ray-Ban Rb4165 Justin Rectangular Sunglasses
The Justin takes the original Wayfarer form factor and squares the edges off of the lenses to create a more angular look, complementing square-shaped faces. The frames are a rubberized finish atop a nylon base.
Twenty-nine fashionable and fun color combos are available in the Justin model, with lenses ranging from the classic grey to gradients, to a mirror finish in multiple colors. This model makes a great pair of prescription glasses thanks to their glass lens. So, if you need an Rx in your shades, the Justin might be the way to go.
If you are looking for more affordable options, check out our guide to the best sunglasses for men under $50.
— Unisex oversized design
— 100% UV protection
— Nylon frames
Ray-Ban Rb3447 Round Metal Sunglasses
If counter culture is your thing and you long for the summer of love, the Ray-Ban Round Metal Sunglasses are a perfect throwback for the 1960s. These shades are iconic to the Summer of Love. And they are comfortable, with adjustable nose cushions and padded end tips that rest gently behind the ears.
The Arista Frame with the green lens is the classic look, but you’ve got seventeen other options. If you are looking for polarized sunglasses, however, these aren’t the choice for you. The Round Metal models feature 100% UV protection. They block out the majority of blue light from screens, which admittedly was less of a problem in the 60s but is a serious concern these days.
— Unisex design
— 100% UV protection
— Metal frames
Ray-Ban Rb2140 Original Wayfarer Sunglasses
The Original Wayfarer style is as timeless as the Rolex Submariner, as a Ford Thunderbird, as beautiful and elegant as a Frank Lloyd Wright living room. These spectacles, for almost 70 years, have spoken to the notion that if something is truly perfect, it shouldn’t be changed.
Luckily for all of us, the Original Wayfarer model is still available. These prescription-ready sunglasses come in a staggering 39 frame and lens combinations. They do tend to be on the smaller size of the Ray-Ban lineup but have lens width options up to 54 millimeters. If you’ve got the face for them, these may be the last sunglasses you’ll ever buy.
— Unisex design
— 100% UV protection
— Acetate frames
Ray-Ban RB3548N Hexagonal Flat Lenses Sunglasses
Good news: you barely needed to pass Geometry in school to identify the unique stylings of the Ray-Bay Hexagonal sunglasses. And though the geometric patterning is faint in the frame of these shades, a keen eye will pick up on their subtle six-sided circumference.
There are only 13 colorway options in these spectacles, but the unique shape supersedes the limited options. You can be sure that the photochromatic lenses offer 100% UV protection.
Find some affordable but quality options by checking out our guide to the best sunglasses under $100.
— Metal frames
— 100% UV protection
— Case & lens cloth included
Ray-Ban Rb2180 Round Sunglasses
You: smart, clever, well-read, and looking for a good time. Them: circular, riveted, and ready. The Ray-Ban Round Sunglasses are a modern take on a classic design, with a look that screams highfalutin, but everyone really knows that you just have exceptional taste are ready to have a good time.
Dark Tortoise should probably be your choice here, timeless. But if you’re looking to jazz up these specs, you can take colors like Dark Blue Havana or bright Yellow for a spin. It’s up to you. Just make sure you’re ready to live up to the unspoken expectations of a pair of shades that will leave an impression before you even open your mouth.
If you are into sports and running, be sure to invest in some quality sunglasses for running from our list.
— Acetate frames
— 100% UV protection
— Case & lens cloth included
Ray-Ban Rb4125 Cats 5000 Aviator Sunglasses
We are not entirely sure you are ready for these things. Are you? Can you possibly live up to the expectation that this modern interpretation of the aviator has taken on? If you’re not ready to pretend like you just stepped off a boat in Monaco for the Grand Prix or are sipping a Pimm’s cup at Wimbledon, you best not slip these on because they have an attitude for miles.
All models feature gradient lenses, perfect. But where you might take pause is choosing between the Light or Stripped Havana, or any of the other three colorways. Just make sure that once you’ve donned these UV dimmers, you’re ready to make the impossible possible.
You may also be interested in some of the top American made sunglasses from our list. Check them out.
— Acetate frames
— 100% UV protection
Ray-Ban Men’s Rb2027 Predator 2 Rectangular Sunglasses
We’re not entirely sure the name of this model has aged well, but you can be sure the sunglasses themselves will last you a lifetime. The Predator 2 Rectangular Sunglasses feature a sporty design that will lend themselves well to high speed, low drag environments where the function is key.
With four colorways to choose from, you’ll likely end up with our favorite, matte black frames and green lenses. Included in your order will be a carrying case and lens cloth to keep your line of sight clean and clear and ready for whatever comes your way.
— Acetate frames
— 100% UV protection
— Case & lens cloth included
Ray-Ban Rb3647n Round Double Bridge Sunglasses
Some may say you take yourself a bit too seriously, but you just think that fashion and function can live together in harmony. The double bridge is both a conversation starter and a debate driver. Sure the added rigidity of the Ray-Ban Round Double Bridge upper nose bridge’s necessity is debatable, but ultimately this fashion icon is yours to choose and wear.
The frame is full metal, and the lenses are of top quality, offering top-of-the-line clarity and UV protection. But don’t let this high-quality talk get in the way of choosing a pair of shades with the added bridge that will have everyone talking. Get out there and challenge those single-bridge wearers, you’re ready.
— Metal frames
— 100% UV protection
Ray Ban Sunglasses Buying Guide
Features to Look For in Ray Ban Sunglasses
There’s not a massive list of features when it comes to sunglasses. You’re first likely to look at the shape and style of the spectacles. Once you’ve passed that critical sniff test, you’ll inevitably bubble up some words like UV protection, blue light blockers, whether or not a lens can hold a prescription. All of these are important, and all of these considered with Ray-Ban sunglasses.
All of Ray-Ban’s lineup will give you strong UV protection, and almost all lenses will block out the blue light of your smartphone. You’ll need to look a little closer when it comes to polarization, auto tint, and any other features. Each pair of Ray-Bans is different, so once you’ve settled on a color and shape that suits you, make sure you investigate the finer details.
Shape — Ray-Ban is one of the few companies to offer you a shape guide to purchasing their specs. The hard part is coming to terms with whether you’ve got a round face or an angular one. Once you’ve settled on the design of your face, picking a pair of frames becomes much more manageable.
Ray-Bans style guide will tell you that if you are lucky enough to be blessed with an angular jawline and blocky features, you’re going to want to look at their more rounded line. If your face has more of a rounded design, you should be looking at a more blocky design. The sunglasses that are fit for your face are usually the design opposite of your face shape. Opposites attract, so get used to it.
Style — You could hardly believe the total volume of style influence Ray-Ban has had over the near-century of sunglass production. Everything from Hunter Thompson cruising through the Vegas desert to Tom Cruise soaring through the skies has a Ray-Ban element to it. One doesn’t have to look far to find a pair of their sunglasses in nearly all of the significant cultural movements in the last hundred years.
When you’re choosing a pair of Ray-Bans for your wardrobe, it’s important to remember the era and inspiration that built that pair of shades. If you’re taking home the Round Metal Sunglasses, note that this specific pair drew inspiration from the cultural revolution of the American 1960s. If you are ready to embody the spirit of the ’60s, it’s time to embrace the Ray-Ban spirit.
Lenses — You may not realize this, but Ray-Ban pioneered the auto tint industry. Long before your dad’s auto tints failed to transition to clear after coming in from mowing the lawn, Ray-Bans lenses were changing just slightly in response to evolving UV exposure. This new technology set them apart from their competition, who were still doing standard tinting and coloring. Ray-Ban was and always has been ahead of their time.
Most all of their popular sunglass models offer multiple lens variations. The wearer needs to realize that every lens has a different application. Hazy days have a different demand than the full sun when it comes to blocking UV and directing the right amount of light to the wearer’s eyes.
Material — Ray-Ban uses a great variety of materials for their frames. Most are acetate, which is a fantastic material that is lightweight, durable, and very flexible, which is incredibly useful as glasses take a lot of abuse.
Polarization — Most of Ray-Ban’s designs have a polarized option. Polarization is essentially a process of creating glare-filtering layers in lenses that block out harmful UV rays and other light spectrums that restrict your ability to see your surroundings.
Sources:
Edel Optics – A history of Ray-Ban
Ray-Ban Behind the Wayfarers – History, Philosophy, and Iconic Products
11 Things You Didn’t Know About Ray-Ban
HOW RAY-BAN INVENTED SUNGLASSES AND FRAMED 20TH CENTURY STYLE