"Polarized" gets printed on a lot of lenses, and "anti-glare" on even more. Some are properly polarized. Some are just tinted. You can find out which in about ten seconds, without any tools.
Test 1: the screen test
This is the quickest, and it works with a phone, laptop or most digital screens.
- Turn on a screen and set it to something bright and white.
- Hold your sunglasses in front of it and look through one lens.
- Slowly rotate the glasses about 90 degrees.
If the screen goes noticeably darker or almost black at one angle, the lens is polarized. Many screens give off light that is already polarized, so when the lens filter and the screen line up at right angles, the light is blocked.
If nothing changes, try a different screen before deciding. A few displays are built to avoid this effect.
Test 2: the two-pairs test
If you have another pair you know is polarized:
- Hold one pair in front of the other, lenses overlapping.
- Rotate one pair 90 degrees.
If the overlapping area turns dark or black, both are polarized. If it stays the same, at least one of them isn't.
Test 3: the glare test
Find a shiny surface with a clear reflection: a glossy table, a car hood, a window or water.
- Look at the reflection without sunglasses.
- Put them on and look again.
- Tilt your head well over to one side, toward your shoulder.
If the glare drops sharply with the glasses on, and creeps back as you tilt your head over, the lens is polarized. A plain tinted lens makes everything darker but leaves the shine in place.
What if they fail?
If your pair fails all three, it is a tinted lens, not a polarized one. That isn't necessarily bad. Tinted lenses still cut brightness, and if they carry UV400 they still protect your eyes from ultraviolet light. They just won't take out glare.
Polarization and UV protection are separate. A lens can pass these tests and still lack proper UV protection, so look for UV400 on the label as well.
Why it matters
Polarized lenses earn their keep anywhere there is reflected light, on the road, at the beach, on snow and on wet streets. If that is how you use your sunglasses, it is worth knowing you have the real thing. See polarized sunglasses for driving and polarized vs non-polarized sunglasses for when it makes the biggest difference. And if you have heard the word "polaroid" used for all of this, here is why.
Most of the Vibes range uses polarized lenses, including Loft, Nova and Nexus. Try the screen test on yours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Look at a bright phone or laptop screen through one lens and rotate the glasses slowly. If the screen darkens at one angle, the lens is polarized.
No. Anti-glare can mean a polarizing filter, an anti-reflective coating or just a tint. Look for the word polarized, then test it.
Yes. Polarization cuts glare and UV protection blocks ultraviolet light. They are separate features, so check for UV400 as well.
Many screens emit polarized light. When the lens filter and the screen line up at right angles, the light is blocked and the screen looks dark.
