Safety glasses are a useful way to keep your eyes protected at work, on runs, and in harsh environments. Whether you work in construction, dentistry, or your eyes are easily irritated by dust when you perform outdoor sports, purchasing a reliable pair of safety goggles or spectacles can prevent eye infections and vision damage.
In this buying guide, we'll go over the difference between category A and B glasses, how to choose reliable anti-fog and UV protective lenses and much more to help you to find the best pair. We've even ranked the top 10 safety glasses in the UK on Amazon and eBay, including ones with prescription and bifocal lenses!
In this section, we will discuss the most important factors to consider when buying your own pair of safety glasses. From classes to materials, we've covered both the basics and the intricacies so you can do all the necessary research from one place - right here!
There are two main types of safety glasses that you can find online; Category A and Category B. It's crucial that you know the difference between the two as a tiny change can make a great impact on your level of safety.
In order to meet the requirements of Category A, your glasses must serve the basic level of protection by shielding your eyes from flying particles. This can either be with two lenses, a one-piece lens with side panels, or a full particle protective casing.
Providing that your glasses can guarantee a low risk of particles such as dust, wood, or metal entering your eyes, they can be classed as Category A. This is useful for science projects, DIY projects, minor construction work, or speed sports such as motorbiking and horse racing.
Glasses that belong in Category B are determined by whether or not they have a Z87+ marking. This marking shows that the glasses are designed to protect your eyes from high inertia particle hazards, also known as high impact protection.
These glasses are ideal for risky construction jobs or DIY tasks that could result flying chunks of material, such as using a breaker or a chainsaw.
However, the most important thing about buying a set of Category B glasses is that you understand the extent of their protective ability. Ask yourself what exactly you plan on doing while wearing your glasses and consider whether you need protection grade B?
If you're using safety glasses, you're probably doing something that requires your full concentration and attention. This means that you need to minimise distractions as much as possible, starting by preventing UV-light-induced headaches and fogged up lenses!
While you're cracking on with outdoor tasks, it's important that your eyes are protected from harsh UV rays, whether from the sun or a welding project. UV damage to the eyes can cause headaches, cataracts, growths and vision impairment, and these effects can be long-term.
To avoid the risk of UV damage, look to a set of UV protective glasses to ensure that your eyes are kept safe from any potential light-related hazards that could lead to complications with your sight.
During your project, you may find that your glasses start to fog due to a number of potential factors such as sweating, heavy breathing, cold outdoor temperatures, or poor ventilation. Fog is a minor obstacle as it can be easily wiped away. However, if it comes at an inconvenient time, this can lead to errors in your work from impaired vision.
Glasses that have an anti-fog coating can prevent your lenses from clouding over altogether. It's an incredibly useful feature and it makes little to no impact on the overall price of the product. For that reason, it's a good idea to shop for an anti-fog lens if you plan to use your glasses for an extended period of time.
The majority of lenses used for safety glasses are crafted with polycarbonate, which is a combination of carbonate chemical structures and thermoplastic polymers. This creates an extremely durable and strong material that's ideal for protecting your eyes during labour-intensive tasks.
Tried and tested, polycarbonate glasses can shield your eyes from flying solid particles to ensure that you're safe from physical damage. However, another top material that you can choose from is Polyvinyl Chloride, also known as PVC.
This material is a lot more difficult to scratch than polycarbonate due to its sturdy chemical makeup. That said, it won't offer the same overall durability, so select the material your glasses are made from depending on the intensity of your project.
The frame is often made from the same material as the lenses. This is highly beneficial as the material used for safety glasses lenses is exceptionally resistant to damage and difficult to break. However, these can be fairly uncomfortable to have to rest on your face all day, especially if you're grafting long hours in a manual job.
If you plan on using your glasses for long hours, such as a full day's work on a construction site, you should look for a pair of glasses with rubber on the frame. This will cushion the edges for improved comfort, so you can wear them for as long as you need without irritating your skin.
Now, we can take a look at some top-quality safety glasses to help you land on your decision. Remember, if you're feeling stuck for choice, you can scroll back up to the buying guide to steer you in the right direction.
£0.88
Class | A |
---|---|
UV Protection | No |
Anti-fog | No |
Lens Material | Polycarbonate |
Frame Material | PVC |
£4.39
Class | A |
---|---|
UV Protection | Yes |
Anti-fog | No |
Lens Material | Polycarbonate |
Frame Material | Polycarbonate |
SB7010SDT
£15.50
Class | A |
---|---|
UV Protection | Yes |
Anti-fog | Yes |
Lens Material | Polycarbonate |
Frame Material | Polycarbonate |
£73.96
Class | B |
---|---|
UV Protection | Yes |
Anti-fog | Yes |
Lens Material | - |
Frame Material | Rubber |
£16.99
Class | B |
---|---|
UV Protection | Yes |
Anti-fog | Yes |
Lens Material | Polycarbonate |
Frame Material | Polycarbonate |
£9.99
Class | A |
---|---|
UV Protection | Yes |
Anti-fog | Yes |
Lens Material | Polycarbonate |
Frame Material | Polycarbonate |
£28.23
Class | B |
---|---|
UV Protection | No |
Anti-fog | Yes |
Lens Material | PVC |
Frame Material | Polycarbonate |
DPG82
£9.98
Class | B |
---|---|
UV Protection | No |
Anti-fog | Yes |
Lens Material | Polycarbonate |
Frame Material | Polycarbonate, rubber |
£15.99
Class | B |
---|---|
UV Protection | Yes |
Anti-fog | Yes |
Lens Material | Polycarbonate |
Frame Material | Polycarbonate |
DPG58
£5.44
Class | B |
---|---|
UV Protection | Yes |
Anti-fog | Yes |
Lens Material | Polycarbonate |
Frame Material | Polycarbonate, rubber |
Image | 1 ![]() Dewalt | 2 ![]() NoCry | 3 ![]() Dewalt | 4 ![]() Neiko | 5 ![]() voltX | 6 ![]() Safeyear | 7 ![]() Mysandy | 8 ![]() Pyramex | 9 ![]() Portwest | 10 ![]() BeeSwift |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Reinforcer Smoke Ploycarbon Safety Glasses | Lightweight Protective Safety Glasses | Concealer Safety Goggles | Anti-Fog Safety Goggles with Wide-Vision | GT Adjustable Safety Glasses | Anti-Scratch Safety Glasses | Safety Glasses With Side Shields | I-Force Safety Goggles | Visitor Safety Spectacle | General Purpose Goggles |
Features | Cool Every-Day Safety Glasses by a Leading Industrial Brand | Sleek, Stylish and Super Subtle | The Construction Worker's Dream Glasses | Suitable for Splashes and Spills | Great Daily Glasses for Low Risk Environments | A Bargain Duo for Work and Sport | A Casual Style With a Durable Build | Strong, Durable and Great for Travelling Fast | Best for Small DIY and Science Projects | Shopping for Basics on a Budget? Look No Further |
Price | £5.44 | £15.99 | £9.98 | £28.23 | £9.99 | £16.99 | £73.96 | £15.50 | £4.39 | £0.88 |
Class | B | B | B | B | A | B | B | A | A | A |
UV Protection | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Anti-fog | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
Lens Material | Polycarbonate | Polycarbonate | Polycarbonate | PVC | Polycarbonate | Polycarbonate | - | Polycarbonate | Polycarbonate | Polycarbonate |
Frame Material | Polycarbonate, rubber | Polycarbonate | Polycarbonate, rubber | Polycarbonate | Polycarbonate | Polycarbonate | Rubber | Polycarbonate | Polycarbonate | PVC |
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When you first searched for safety glasses, you likely already had a job in mind. Whether it's sanding, pressure washing or strimming, we've found a few more guides to the best tools and DIY equipment in the UK!
Hopefully, you found the advice in our guide helpful and you now feel ready to buy a new pair of safety glasses. Whether you work in a dentist's office or a car workshop, it's crucial that you choose a reliable piece of eyewear PPE to ensure safety at all times.
Author: Annie Speight
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