There's no question that the accessory of the summer — every summer, in fact — is sunglasses. Of course, they're super important for keeping your eyes safe from harmful UV rays, but finding a stylish pair can make or break a cute poolside outfit.
Sunnies come in a variety of shapes, sizes and, most importantly, prices. So, we tapped the experts — aka, the Shop TODAY team — to share the pairs they plan to wear all season long. Shop their favorites below, all fitting a range of styles and price points.
Editor-favorite sunglasses under $50
Production associate Audrey Ekman says she has a bad track record of losing and/or breaking her sunglasses, so as much as she loves her nice sunglasses, she always has a cheaper — but still stylish — pair on hand. "I initially bought these sunglasses over two years ago (I purchased them in a set of two for $18) and just repurchased them after losing them on a trip," she admits. "I have a small/narrow face and find that most frames look huge on me, but these are perfect. The vintage-inspired, '90s shape is so flattering and they go with everything."
Commerce writer Emma Stessman also says she's a little lax with caring for her sunnies, but she'll go for this Amazon pair every time. "I love these sunglasses! They're so stylish and do a good job of keeping my eyes protected in the sun," she says. "I have lost them on multiple trips, but they're so cheap that I don't feel guilty about repurchasing them."
Editorial director Adrianna Brach is a huge fan of the brand behind these Shop TODAY Viewer’s Choice sunnies. She says this pair is flattering on most face shapes, plus they come in plenty of colors to fit everyone’s personal style. And since they’re only $16, we recommend shopping a few colors to match your favorite summer ‘fits.
When senior partnerships editor Francesca Cocchi Zabloudil was on the hunt for sunglasses for her grandmother, she needed a pair that could look chic and be easily replaced if broken or misplaced. "These sunglasses look nearly identical to a more expensive pair I own [pictured below]," says. "They look so chic on her — much more expensive-looking than the $17 price tag. She wears them whenever she's sitting outside at her assisted living center or in the backyard for family gatherings at my sister's house."
"One of my running friends put me onto these sunglasses, after I was struggling to find a pair that would stay on while running," said former associate editor Sierra Hoeger. She's a big fan of the rubber grips and no-slip design, making them perfect for wearing while on the move. They're even stylish enough that she now uses them as her everyday pair. "I bought them two years ago," she said, "and only until recently have I thought about replacing them with a second pair."
A fellow Goodr sunglasses fan, senior social media editor Kate McCarthy, says this style has been her go-to pair for years. "I find myself wearing them for all occasions," she says. "They're super durable, having survived countless drops on vacations, beach days and runs. They also have a classic look, but Goodr has plenty of other fun options if you want something a little more funky."
Editor-favorite sunglasses under $100
"I've tried so many sunglasses that look and feel similar to Sunski's Dipsea style, but none come close to the real thing," says associate editor Lauren Witonsky. She raves that the round frames are universally flattering and so lightweight that she often forgets she's even wearing them.
"I have a higher nose bridge, so I like that these don't have nose pads, which offers me more control over where they sit on my face," she adds. "They're also really durable, as I've worn my pair for over two years now and there's not a single scratch on the polarized lenses."
Self-proclaimed Eye Buy Direct super-fan associate editor Annie Shigo says she owns multiple pairs of the brand's glasses and sunglasses. "They are always so affordable," she says. And good thing, too, since Shigo gave her frames to her brother because he loved them so much. Looks like she's in the market for a second pair!
Editor Aaron Radford-Wattley loves to wear these olive frames in the summer. He says, “They’re understated, lightweight and the right side of edgy, instantly elevating a basic outfit.”
Social media video producer Anita Chomenko received these trendy sunglasses from the brand and immediately fell in love with the design. "I like that they're kind of bigger, but they don't take over your face," she says. They're small enough to throw in your purse, and they came in a nice protective sunglasses sleeve."
Editor Shannon Garlin's frame style of choice: Oversized. She says this pair is incredibly stylish and chic but also fits comfortably on her nose and behind her ears. "They don't leave any marks or smudge my makeup," she adds. "They also feel really sturdy and well made."
I've only recently become a "sunglasses person" and have a few options to choose from in my current collection. However, these oversized shades are the ones I tend to reach for the most. It's just the coolest pair I own, from the giant square frames to the golden tip near the brow. Who wouldn't pair this with literally everything?
Writer Jannely Espinal uses this pair from Freyers as her everyday pair of sunnies. She says, “I have let them fall so many times, but the acetate material still remains indestructible. They’re easy to clean, have great UV protection and are timeless — which is a great option for everyday activities.”
More editor-loved sunglasses
Garlin also says this DIFF style is worth considering, since it's, in her opinion, "the perfect size." She says the square frames look like they will suit round and heart-shaped faces really well. Plus, she can also attest to their sturdy and durable construction, which makes them feel much more expensive than they actually are.
Garlin has these sunglasses from the Jojo Fletcher line at Diff Eyewear. She says, “I get so many compliments and they’re the only slim pair that looks good on me.”
Espinal likes to wear these frames when she hangs outside. She says, “These sunglasses are made with a ChromaPop lens, which means they will filter light and add clarity when you’re outdoors. For example, if you’re looking into a lake and can’t see the bottom, these sunglasses will help block the glare and allow you to see any fish (even crocodiles) near the surface. Basically, they maximize clarity when you’re outside.”
Shigo is a big fan of round sunglasses, and she swears by these Monos glasses. She says, “I wear these all the time; they are comfortable, look chic and don’t give me a headache during all-day wear.”
These are the only pair that Espinal trusts for sports. She says, “If you’re a runner, a cyclist or an outdoor enthusiast, this is the pair you need. I have been using this pair in all my races and reach for them before heading out the door. They’re the safest ones I have since they can be adjusted to your head. All you have to do is pull the strings and voila!”
Garlin tested these Ray-Ban Meta glasses and loved all the features. She said, “These smart glasses can do more than I anticipated with the Meta AI technology. My favorite features — and the ones I use most — are the point-of-view photography and video function, which I use often when I’m traveling, attending events or just coming across pretty scenery. The function is so easy to use and takes high-quality images.”
Editor Vivien Moon and social media producer Dani Musacchio both grabbed this pair during a BOGO sale and cherish them. Moon says, “ I truly never go anywhere without these because they’re perfect and provide the exact amount of protection while still being clear enough to see through, which can be hard with sunglasses sometimes.”
Affordable sunglasses to shop
Want to be the most stylish person in the room? Looks like it will only cost you $12. The tortoiseshell frames are anything but boring, and we can see them elevating any look this season.
These sunglasses stray from the typical look with handles made of walnut wood. According to the brand, they can fit any head shape (men or women!) and also offer 100% UVA/UVB sun protection.
There's only one word to describe these frames: Showstopper. There are 13 colors and bold patterns to choose from, so I'm confident there's a cool style for everyone.
Who doesn't love a color gradient? You'll have heads turning when you walk into the room (or onto the beach) donning these trendy frames.
Planning on going sport mode this summer? Try these performance sunglasses from Salt Life. They are made with polarizing frames and wrap around your head to keep them secure as you move.
If you don't have at least one retro-inspired pair of sunglasses, you're truly missing out on a few standout looks. Shoppers are raving about these aviators, with a few five-star reviewers saying that they've become their new go-to pair.
Just because Warby Parker is known for its chic and affordable eyeglasses doesn't mean you should sleep on its sunglasses collection. There are a bunch of sleek styles that go for less than $100.
Get designer frames at a major discount with these Burberry frames that are on sale for 50% off. They have the classic Burberry pattern, so you can pair them with your favorite pieces. LensCrafters has a lot of great designer frames at a major discount, too.
How we chose
The Shop TODAY team rounded up the best affordable sunglasses recommended by Shop TODAY editors and staff. We also included shopper picks to complete the list, prioritizing positive user reviews and customer feedback.
