So many of us find ourselves glued to screens late into the evening, right?
Whether it's finishing up a few last bits of work on the computer, watching TV, or scrolling through social media - the blue light emitted from these screens can have a significant impact on our sleep and overall health.
But don't worry! There's a simple solution.
Blue light blocking glasses can shield your eyes from some of this disruptive blue light, helping to maintain your body's natural circadian rhythm and improve your sleep quality.
In this article, we'll take a look at the top seven blue light blocking glasses designed to reduce restless nights and help you wake up feeling refreshed.
How Does Blue Light Affect Sleep?
Blue light, a high-energy visible light, plays a crucial role in regulating our circadian rhythm.
When we get natural exposure to blue light from the sun at varying levels throughout the day, it regulates our body's internal clock which basically signals when it's time to be awake and when it’s time to sleep.
This means that exposure to natural blue light during the day boosts alertness and mood.
However, excessive exposure to artificial blue light (like that emitted from screens), especially during the evening, can suppress melatonin production, the hormone responsible for sleep. This can make it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep.
The 7 Best Blue Light Blocking Glasses for Sleep
Here's a quick overview of our top blue light blocking glasses for sleep:
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Best Overall: Dream Recovery's Blue Light Glasses
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Best for Gamers: Gunnar Overwatch Reaper Elite
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Best Budget-Friendly: Sleep ZM Blue Light Glasses
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Most Stylish: Quay Australia Blue Light Glasses
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Best Eco-Friendly Choice: Covry Blue Light Glasses
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Best for Prescription Wearers: Warby Parker Blue Light Filtering Lenses
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Best for Kids: Cyxus Blue Light Filter Kids Glasses
Best Overall: Dream Recovery’s Blue Light Glasses
When it comes to all-day eye protection, Dream Recovery’s Blue Light Glasses stand out as the best overall choice for deeper sleep.
Unlike other mass-produced glasses, each pair is hand-crafted, resulting in a polished, smooth, and high-quality finish. The frames are crafted from premium Italian Mazzucchelli acetate, known for strength and durability, plus it’s also incredibly lightweight.
These glasses also feature two specialized lens options: Amber for daytime use and orange for nighttime use. These options are designed to provide continuous blue light protection for different times of the day. Let’s take a closer look:
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Day lenses: Block harmful blue light from screens, reducing eye strain and improving focus during the day.
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Night lenses: Filter out both blue and green light, helping your body relax and prepare for sleep by supporting natural melatonin production (the body’s most important sleep hormone).
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Get your hands on Dream Recovery’s Blue Light Glasses and pair them with the Dream Recovery New Year Bundle and Sleep Tight Bundle for the best sleep of your life!
Best for Gaming: Gunnar Overwatch Reaper Elite Gaming Glasses
It’s no surprise that gamers are exposed to high amounts of artificial blue light due to extended periods in front of screens. This makes eye protection really important, especially if you’re gaming in the evenings or late into the night.
Gunnar is renowned for its wide range of gaming glasses that reduce eye strain and enhance visual comfort.
Their lenses are designed to block blue light and reduce glare, making them ideal for long gaming sessions.
Their Overwatch Reaper design has a wrapped shape, to ensure comfort and full eye coverage while gaming, especially when using multiple screens positioned at different angles.
These glasses also have a G-Shield® lens coating which is both anti-reflective and smudge resistant.
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Best Budget Option: Sleep ZM Blue Light Glasses
For those looking for an affordable yet effective way to protect their eyes from blue light and get a better night’s sleep, the Sleep ZM Blue Light Glasses offer great value.
These glasses are designed with highly tinted amber lenses that are perfect for wearing during the evening to improve sleep quality by blocking a high percentage of blue and green light.
They have aviator-style frames for a stylish look and a lightweight design to ensure comfort during extended wear.
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Best Style Options: Quay Australia Blue Light Glasses
Quay Australia offers a range of fashionable blue light glasses that come in various frame styles and colors to ensure you can find a pair that complements your personal style while safeguarding your sleep at the same time.
They also have clear lenses and therefore don’t necessarily look like blue light blocking glasses, making them a great option to wear out.
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Best Eco-Friendly Choice: Covry Blue Light Glasses
For those who are environmentally conscious, Covry offers blue light glasses made from plant-based acetate derived from cotton and wood pulp.
Covry frames are not only sustainably made but are also very comfortable. You can also get them made with your prescription lenses, as an additional blue light filter can be applied to these to help support better sleep quality.
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Best for Prescription Wearers: Warby Parker Blue Light Filtering Lenses
Warby Parker offers blue light filtering as an add-on to their prescription lenses, allowing those with vision correction needs to benefit from blue light protection in their everyday glasses.
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Best for Kids: Cyxus Blue Light Filter Kids Glasses
Adults aren’t the only ones struggling with the negative consequences of artificial blue light, kids are too!
That’s why Cyxus offers blue light blocking glasses specifically designed for children. These glasses help protect young eyes from prolonged screen exposure, which can disrupt sleep patterns and cause eye strain.
They are appropriately sized for smaller faces and come in a few fun color options that kids will love, making them an easy addition to your child’s routine (especially during any nighttime movies or tablet sessions).
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Benefits of Blue Light Blocking Glasses for Sleep
Incorporating blue light blocking glasses into your routine can offer several benefits:
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Improved overall sleep quality
By reducing blue light exposure from screens like TVs, smartphones, and computers, these glasses help maintain natural melatonin levels (the main hormone responsible for sleep) facilitating a better night of rest.
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Easier to fall asleep
When your natural release of melatonin isn’t disrupted by artificial blue light, your body gets the signal that it’s time to sleep in the evenings. This can leave you feeling naturally tired and ready for bed, making it easier to fall asleep.
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Wake up feeling more rested
Not only does protecting yourself from the hormonal disruptions of blue light make it easier to fall asleep, but it can also help you get into a deeper, more restful sleep. This means you’ll wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day.
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Reduced eye strain
Filtering out blue light may also decrease digital eye strain, which can lead to more comfortable screen time (especially if you work in front of the computer for long hours) and an easier time reading your book in bed.
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Enhanced Focus
Less eye fatigue from artificial blue light can result in improved concentration and productivity during the day. That means more downtime at night to help you wind down before bed. Yes, please!
Key Features to Look for in the Best Blue Light Blocking Glasses for Sleep
When selecting the best blue light blocking glasses for sleep, it's essential to consider specific features that will enhance their effectiveness. Here are the key factors to keep in mind:
1. Level of blue light blocking
Some glasses filter only a portion of blue light, while others, like amber or red-tinted lenses, block nearly 100%. For optimal sleep benefits, glasses that block at least 90% of blue and green light are recommended.
3. Comfort and fit
Since you'll likely be wearing these glasses in the evening before bed, they should be lightweight and comfortable for extended wear. Adjustable nose pads and flexible frames can enhance the overall experience too.
4. Prescription or non-prescription options
If you require vision correction, opt for blue light blocking glasses that come with prescription lenses.
5. Style and design
While functionality is obviously key when using a product that supports your health, there’s no denying that aesthetics matter too. Many brands, like Dream Recovery, offer fashionable frames, so you can find a pair that matches your personal taste while providing essential blue light protection at the same time!
If you’re looking for more tips to improve your sleep beyond blue light, check out our articles on ways to train yourself to sleep with your mouth closed and how to improve HRV during sleep.
Plus, get your hands on the Dream Recovery Sleep Well Bundle.
How to Choose the Best Blue Light Blocking Glasses for Sleep?
With so many options on the market, selecting the right pair of blue light blocking glasses for sleep can be overwhelming. Here are some key factors to consider when making your decision:
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Determine your needs: If you're looking for sleep improvement, go for glasses that block at least 90% of blue and green light. If you need them for general screen use, a lower percentage with clearer lenses may suffice but it’s not ideal.
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Check the lens tint: Amber or yellow-tinted lenses are best for blocking blue light at night. Clear lenses may offer mild protection but won’t be as effective for sleep.
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Assess the frame style and fit: Ensure the glasses fit well and feel comfortable for long wear (especially if you’ll be using them for several hours before bedtime).
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Look for third-party tested options: Choose brands that provide third-party testing data like Dream Recovery to support their blue light blocking claims.
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Read customer reviews: It’s always important to see what real users say about the effectiveness and comfort of the glasses before purchasing - don’t just take the brand’s word for it!
FAQs
What are the best glasses to wear before bed?
The best glasses to wear before bed are the Dream Recovery Night Blue Light Blocking Glasses. These stylish frames have third-party tested tinted amber lenses, to ensure they block 98% of blue light to support deeper sleep.
Do blue light glasses help with sleeping?
Yes, blue light glasses help with sleeping. That’s because they block the artificial blue light we’re exposed to from screens, which is known to disrupt melatonin levels - the primary hormone needed to help us fall asleep and stay asleep.
Is blue light bad for eyes at night?
Blue light can be bad for your eyes at night by worsening digital eye strain and negatively impacting the release of the sleep hormone melatonin.
Can you block 100% of blue light?
While it may not be possible in all instances to block 100% of blue light, glasses like those made by Dream Recovery get pretty close at 98%!
Conclusion
Blue light exposure from screens, LED lighting, and other artificial sources can significantly impact your sleep quality, alongside other aspects of your health too.
The best blue light blocking glasses can help to counteract this by filtering out some of these disruptive light wavelengths. The great news is that whether you're looking for maximum blue light protection, a stylish everyday pair, prescription lenses, or an affordable solution, there is an option available for you!
If you’re ready to take control of your sleep, explore our top recommendation: Dream Recovery’s Blue Light Glasses.
With premium lenses designed to block nearly 100% of sleep-disrupting blue and green light, they are the best investment for an amazing night of sleep!