# The best baby sunglasses > Source: > Published: 2026-06-18 11:07:39+00:00 **Getting your** [Trinity Audio](//trinityaudio.ai)player ready...## Which baby sunglasses are the best? You probably rarely walk out the door on a sunny day without grabbing your shades, but do you make sure to grab your baby’s sunglasses too? If not, you might want to rethink that. Sun damage to the retina is irreversible and can lead to many vision issues later in life. Not only that, a baby’s eyes are more susceptible to this damage than an adult’s because they aren’t yet fully developed. These days, there are many companies that make cute sunglasses specifically to fit little heads, many of which have features like pinch-free designs, headbands and highly durable frames and lenses. When choosing sunglasses for your baby, UV protection is more important than style. Luckily, there are many pairs like the [Minishades Polarized Baby Sunglasses](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TXBU390/?tag=dsrt4493ng1941-20) that offer both style and protection in a single package. ## What to know before you buy baby sunglasses ### Why do babies need sunglasses? Babies should wear sunglasses for both comfort and safety. Because a baby’s eyes are still developing, the lenses inside of them are not as effective as an adult’s at filtering out UV rays. This makes the retinas more susceptible to damage and also makes their eyes more sensitive to bright lights. Once damaged by UV rays, which can happen in just short periods of exposure, the damage is not reversible and can lead to cataracts, macular degeneration, the dulling of color and other vision issues later in life. ### Protection against UVA and UVB rays When choosing a pair of sunglasses for yourself or a baby, the most important thing to look at is the amount of protection they provide against UVA and UVB rays. These are the rays that can damage the retina, and it is important to note that just because the lenses on a pair of sunglasses look very dark, that doesn’t mean they offer the highest level of protection. Baby sunglasses may offer as little as 95% blockage or as much as 100%. It is best to opt for a pair that provides at least 99% blockage. ### Tint While you may enjoy buying a pair of sunglasses with colored lenses for yourself, you should avoid doing so for babies. Sunglasses with colored lenses can interfere with the proper development of color recognition. Instead, choose a pair with a basic gray tint. ### Coverage Sunglasses should not only protect a baby’s eyes, but also the delicate skin around them. The eyelids and the skin around the eyes are thinner than most other parts of the body, which makes them more susceptible to damage. A good pair of baby sunglasses should provide enough coverage to help protect these areas. ### Durability Babies aren’t known for being gentle on their belongings, so you’ll want to choose a durable pair of sunglasses for them that can withstand being dropped, thrown, bent and otherwise abused. When determining the durability of baby sunglasses, consider the materials of both the frame and the lenses. The former should be soft and slightly flexible, such as rubber, and the latter should be impact- and shatter-resistant, such as polycarbonate. ## Features to look for in quality baby sunglasses ### Polarized It is a common misconception that polarization is the same as UV protection, but this is untrue. Polarizing sunglasses lenses makes them more effective at reducing glare. This is especially important if your baby will be spending time around water or in other settings where the sun will be bouncing off a lot of reflective surfaces, such as metal, snow, and so forth. ### Headband Babies don’t have fully developed noses, which means that regular sunglasses may easily slip off their faces. To combat this, some manufacturers make baby sunglasses that utilize a headband, rather than the standard temples found on adult models. If choosing a pair without a headband, consider a model that has curved temples or a frame made of rubber. ### Hinges There is a good chance your baby will often fiddle around with their sunglasses. To ensure they don’t accidentally hurt their little fingers, consider buying a hingeless pair or one with pinch-free hinges. ### Style Babies in sunglasses are cute regardless of the design, but you can certainly kick up the cuteness a few notches by outfitting them with a pair that matches their clothes. You may also want to consider a pair with a fun shape to the frame, such as cat eyes or hearts, or an eye-catching pattern like polka dots. Another option is to simply opt for a pair of aviators that match your own. ## How much you can expect to spend on baby sunglasses The majority of baby sunglasses cost between $5-$40. Polarized options usually start around $10. ## Baby sunglasses FAQ ### At what age should babies start wearing sunglasses? **A. **There is no minimum age for a baby to start wearing sunglasses. However, according to the [American Academy of Pediatrics](https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/should-you-put-sunscreen-infants-not-usually), babies should be kept out of direct sunlight until at least six months old, so they won’t be needed before that point. ### What to do if my baby won’t wear sunglasses? **A. **Babies can be fussy about things, so don’t be surprised if your child doesn’t like wearing sunglasses at first. To make the adjustment process easier for them, start out by only putting the sunglasses on them when they are already in a good mood. Also, make sure they fit them comfortably, without anything pinching their skin or putting a lot of pressure on the sides of their face. If they ever begin to cry and fiddle around with the sunglasses, this is a sign that they are bothering them and should be taken off for a little while. ## What are the best baby sunglasses? ### Top sunglasses for babies [Minishades Polarized Baby Sunglasses](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TXBU390/?tag=dsrt4493ng1941-20) **What you need to know: **Stylish and comfortable, these sunglasses make a great choice for any baby. **What you’ll love: **The frames are made from a nearly indestructible rubber and the lenses are impact-resistant and offer 100% UV protection. **What you should consider: **They may slip a bit on some faces. ### Worth checking out [Babiators Original Baby Navigators](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078PNPJL4/?tag=dsrt4493ng1941-20) **What you need to know: **The Babitors Navigators are ideal for parents who want their mini-me to don a pair of shades that matches their own. **What you’ll love: **There are several colors to choose from, and the company will replace lost or broken pairs for up to a year after purchase. **What you should consider: **Some users have issues with plastic pieces breaking. *Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.* *Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales.* *BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. 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