11 of the best baby sunglasses

baby sunglasses

by Emily Gilbert |
Updated on

The UK isn't exactly renowned for sunny weather, but come summertime (and those occasional bright days), along with baby sunscreen and swimwear, your little one's eyes should always be a top priority - that's where the best baby sunglasses come in. Not only will a good pair of shades make your child look super cute, but they'll also protect them in the warmer weather and help them see more easily.

It's recommended that they start wearing sunglasses from 6 months old, as babies shouldn't be exposed to the sun before that age because their eyes are delicate and the skin doesn't produce much melanin (which protects our skin somewhat from the rays).

Kids' sunglasses can be tricky to pick, especially if your little one has anything to say about it. There are plenty of options to choose from, including those with tinted lenses and adjustable arms, as well as detachable and built-in straps to keep them securely on their head.

The best baby sunglasses at a glance:

Best affordable baby sunglasses: Baby's Category 4 Sunglasses - Buy now from Decathlon
Best for UV protection: Baby Banz Retro Banz - Buy now from Amazon
Best adjustable baby sunglasses: Mausito® Baby Sunglasses - Buy now from Amazon
Best cute baby sunglasses: Flower Sustainable Sunglasses - Buy now from Kidly

Instead of searching far and wide for the best baby sunglasses, all you have to do is choose the cutest one for your tot. We've combed through the internet and selected the best baby sunglasses available, sure to please both parents, babies and older children too.

The best baby sunglasses 2023

Best for simplicity

Description

We can't get over how good these baby and kids' sunglasses are. Not only are these available in five colours, but they come in three age ranges too. Whether you're going on holiday or need a new pair because your child lost the old ones, these are the ones to get.

Review: "These are fantastic glasses. They wrap around a little so good coverage. They have served us very well for 3 years, just minor scratches to lenses."

Another reviewer said: "Love it! Perfect solution for my 4mo old son who tries to remove his glasses. Fit great and enough strap for him to grow."

Pros

  • Although they have a rigid frame, it means they have a secure fit for your tot
  • If your child hates wearing sunnies, there is a sunglasses strap to match

Cons

  • Limited colour options

Best for security

Description

The detachable strap of these sunglasses are also adjustable, ensuring a snug fit for your youngster and that they won't get lost - or pulled off! We love that there are no gaps around the frames for sunlight to get through.

Review: "Bought these for my 5 month old to protect her eyes from the sun. They work a charm do the job. When she tries to remove the glasses she cannot because of the handy adjustable strap. They are made from good quality plastic and can wrap around her head."

Pros

  • Includes detachable, adjustable strap
  • The maximum UV protection

Cons

  • Can be quite tight

Best for stability

Description

Next, we have the ultimate eyewear accessory - the sunglasses strap. This little accessory will fasten around your baby's head - gone are the days of spending an hour looking for them at playschool.

Review: "These are great, kept my two-year-old from losing them down his face which really frustrated him! Took a little while to get used to but he loves them not falling off!!"

Another reviewer said: "These straps are very good to keep glasses in place when playing on park equipment."

Pros

  • Technically not sunglasses, but this strap is good for keeping their sunglasses on
  • It has a Velcro fastening which is easy to use

Cons

  • Velcro could get stuck to their hair, so take care

Best affordable baby sunglasses

Description

Recommended for hiking, these baby sunglasses from Decathlon are a must-have for any fun trips out. Whether you're popping to the local park, visiting a theme park or going for a long walk around a nature reserve, you should never leave home without them.

Review: "Finally! Amazing price! So I bought this pair and babiators which are super expensive but now going to return Babiators as this pair from Decathlon does the job perfectly for my 4.5-month-old when taking her out in the pram, they stay on her face and don't drop down, she doesn't take them off and I'm finally able to have the pram hood down so she can look around without wincing at the sun constantly. They are lightweight, bendable and have the maximum category 4 eye protection, they feel high quality. I'm really pleased with this purchase."

Pros

  • They're made from non-allergenic plastic
  • Ideal for sunny weather because of the category four lens and 100 per cent UV filter

Cons

  • Could be more durable

Best newborn baby sunglasses

Description

Your baby can chew and bend these shades to their heart's content, as according to Roshambo, they're unbreakable. They are also extremely lightweight and built to float, so there's no need to worry about losing them in the pool or sea.

Review: "These are brilliant. They are flexible, damage-resistant, and must be comfortable as my finicky 2 year will wear hers without fuss. She even asks to put them on whenever she feels like it! I spent a lot of time looking for sunglasses with real SPF protection to help keep her sensitive eyes protected all year long. We tried a few others first, but these are the only ones that have worked for us, so I've now bought 3 pairs."

Pros

  • Lightweight frames mean these glasses weigh just 28g
  • 100 per cent UVA, UVB and UVC protected
  • The flexible, lightweight arms bend gently inward to help keep the shades on your baby's head

Cons

  • Arms may be too long

Best plastic baby sunglasses

Baby sunglasses

Rrp: $27.99

Price: $25.19

Description

Made from a flexible rubber that is claimed to be indestructible - these Babiators won't break if your toddler bends or twists them. The lenses are impact and shatter-resistant, offering 100 per cent UV protection from the sun.

Review: "Love the fit, colour of the frames, flexibility and great to know the guarantee covers a new pair if we have any mishaps! Really happy with our second pair of Babiators for our newest arrival - the pair look great together in their matching sunnies."

Pros

  • UV400 lenses that offer 100 per cent UVA and UVB protection
  • Free drawstring bag included to keep the glasses safe and sound
  • If you lose or break your Babiators in the first year, Babiators will replace them for free (all you pay is shipping)

Cons

  • Some report that the packaging needs improvement

Best for UV protection

baby sunglasses
Price: $19.40

Description

Choosing the right sunglasses for children is difficult. Picking the right sunglasses for newborns is almost impossible. Luckily here at Mother&Baby, we found these incredible glasses from Banz that have a headband to ensure they stay on. You'll never misplace your baby's eyewear again.

Review: "These are by far the best sunglasses I have ever bought. I have already 6 pairs of them. One in the nursery, one at grandma's, one in the car, one always in my handbag (just in case) and two at home. I also have smaller sizes, as I started to buy them when my little one was 6 months old, now she is 4. They fit her head perfectly, no sun is getting in, and they offer round-the-eye protection. They are dark, so my super sensitive-to-sun child doesn't cry at all. They stay on the head even when she runs crazy. They are easy for her to put on and take off herself if she needs them. Overall PERFECT."

Pros

  • These sunnies are designed with category three shatterproof lenses
  • Not only does the band keep the sunglasses secure, it'll also ensure kids don't lose them
  • These glasses provide the full benefit of UVA and UVB sun protection

Cons

  • May grow out of them quickly

Best travel sunglasses

baby sunglasses
Price: $17.99

Description

Providing total practicality, these Baby Banz Adventure Sunglasses feature a slimline design and a comfortable strap that secures them to protect their little eyes. We know what it's like when your little one won't stop taking their sunglasses off, only to misplace them. Thankfully, the design of these glasses may help to prevent this from happening.

Review: "Easy to strap-on baby sunglasses. Didn't have any problems using them when my boy was six months old, but he wasn't too happy to wear them when he was ten months old! Ha! I guess that's because he wanted to play with them, instead of wear them. They are quite handy to protect sensitive eyes from sun glare and bits of flying sand. They are also sturdy and cool-looking!"

Pros

  • These wraparound sunglasses feature different colours that your little bubba is sure to love
  • A comfortable band keeps the glasses secure to make sure light is blocked out efficiently
  • They offer 100 per cent UV protection

Cons

  • Depends on their head shape as to how well they fit

Best adjustable baby sunglasses

Description

Did you know that according to optometrists, wraparound sunglasses are the most effective design for babies' sunglasses? This is because it blocks out the most amount of light and protects their eyes from harmful rays. These Mausito glasses are perfect for young babies and feature a soft nose bridge with an adjustable headband.

Review: "We bought these glasses because we go to the beach almost every day in the summer or simply spend time in the garden. To protect the eyes of our 4-month-old son, we ordered these glasses. There was no crying or anything like that when we put them on him. On the contrary, after a short period of irritation, he was visibly happy. He likes to wear these sunglasses and they're really easy to put on."

Pros

  • Frames are 100 per cent BPA-free
  • The comfortable band is adjustable to your child
  • 100 per cent UV400 protection with a category three lens

Cons

  • Strap is quite thick

Best colourful baby sunglasses

Description

Available in yellow, blue, pink black and white, these IZIPIZI Sun Kids Sunglasses will protect your child from the sun's rays come summer or winter. Thanks to the handy silicone strap, your little bubba will never lose another pair of shades again. Not to mention they certainly look the part, too.

Review: "Fits my newborn granddaughter perfectly. Super soft and looks gorgeous."

Another reviewer said: "Great selection of pretty colours in amazing designs! They are really soft and comfortable and the delivery was really quick and simple."

Pros

  • As well as polarised lenses, they also offer UV3 protection
  • Straight temple allows babies to grow into their glasses
  • Comes with a storage pouch

Cons

  • Only a few sizes available

Best cute baby sunglasses

Description

Stylish, sustainable and safe, there's a lot to love about these fabulously fun-looking flower sunglasses. The sturdy 100 per cent recycled polycarbonate frames have scratch-resistant gradient polarised lenses to protect little their eyes while also looking cool.

Review: "These are a great fit and don't fall off even when my daughter is zooming around the neighbourhood on her bike or scooter! She loves the purple flower design and I love that they have UV protection. Win-win!"

Another reviewer said: "From the second these glasses arrived my three-year-old adored them and wore them for hours around the house. A gorgeous style, fantastic fit and lovely choice of colours."

Pros

  • Category three UV400 protection
  • Scratch and impact-resistant
  • Made from recycled materials

Cons

  • Not as strong as others

Do babies need to wear sunglasses?

They certainly do. Sure, the sunnies may be adorable, but sunglasses aren't just a stylish accessory - along with baby swimwear, they offer your baby real protection against the sun. They should wear them as soon as possible to not only get them used to them but to keep their eyes safe too.

What to look for when choosing the baby sunglasses

UVA/UVB protection: Pick glasses that filter at least 99% of UVA and UVB rays to protect your baby's eyes.

A strap or headband: When it comes to newborns and young children, it can be a tough job to get them to keep their sunglasses on. Consider opting for wraparound sunglasses rather than ones that sit on their nose - not only will it stop light from entering through the sides, but it'll prevent them from slipping down their nose. Or from pulling them off entirely. If you fall in love with an adorable pair that doesn't have one, don't worry, you can buy a strap separately.

Comfort: Choose your baby's sunglasses based on the material they're made from. If the design is based on a more flexible substance, this will almost guarantee comfort for your little one.

Lenses: Sunglasses lenses are available in many different tints but don't worry too much about the darkness of the tint, UV blockage is more important. You may want to consider polarised lenses, it will reduce glare and increase your baby's visibility.

Want to check out the quality of lenses? Hold the sunglasses at arm's length and look through them at something with a straight line. If the straight edge sways when you move the lenses across in a line, the optical quality is poor. If it stays straight, then you are good to go!

Strength: Pick out a pair of sturdy sunglasses: plastic or alternative tough materials that won't break easily if dropped. Polycarbonate lenses are recommended as they are durable, won't break or don't scratch easily.

How to protect your baby's eyes from the sun

•UV light is the strongest at midday and in the early afternoon, so make sure they wear sunglasses, and you take precautions at these times.
•Never let your little one look directly into the sun, as this can be very dangerous and can damage their retinas, particularly for long periods of time.
•On particularly sunny days, they should wear a sun hat, baseball cap or other wide-brimmed hat that will cast a shadow over their eye area.
•Remember that snow and water reflect the light, so make sure that their eyes are covered when they're playing outdoors on these occasions.

What UV protection should baby sunglasses have?

Ideally, the sunglasses should offer 100 per cent UVA protection (which is a category 4). Check that they conform to European safety standards and block most of the UVA and UVB rays that could potentially cause damage to their eyes.

Emily Gilbertis the Features & Reviews Editor for Mother&Baby and has written for the website and previously the magazine for six years. Specialising in product reviews, Emily is the first to know about all the exciting new releases in the parenting industry.

Just so you know, whilst we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website, we never allow this to influence product selections - read why you should trust us
How we write our articles and reviews
Mother & Baby is dedicated to ensuring our information is always valuable and trustworthy, which is why we only use reputable resources such as the NHS, reviewed medical papers, or the advice of a credible doctor, GP, midwife, psychotherapist, gynaecologist or other medical professionals. Where possible, our articles are medically reviewed or contain expert advice. Our writers are all kept up to date on the latest safety advice for all the products we recommend and follow strict reporting guidelines to ensure our content comes from credible sources. Remember to always consult a medical professional if you have any worries. Our articles are not intended to replace professional advice from your GP or midwife.