Polarized vs Non-Polarized Sunglasses: What's Worth It? (2026)

Polarization handles glare, UV400 handles protection, and at Adam & Westcott the polarized pair does not cost more.

Last updated: October 2026

Polarized sunglasses are worth it if you drive, sit near water or squint through low autumn sun, because they cut reflected glare; a non-polarized UV400 pair still blocks UV and suits city days. Of the 25 active Adam & Westcott pairs, 12 are polarized and 23 state UV400, and the polarized median price is $24.98 against $23.99.

In this article

• What do polarized lenses actually do?
• How do polarized and non-polarized pairs compare?
• Is polarized the same as UV protection?
• Do polarized sunglasses cost more?
• Which should you buy?
• FAQ

What do polarized lenses actually do?

They filter the horizontal glare that bounces off water, wet roads and car hoods, which is why 12 of 25 Adam & Westcott pairs carry them.

Light reflecting off a flat surface turns into concentrated horizontal glare. A polarized lens carries a filter that blocks that orientation, so reflections drop and contrast comes back. It changes nothing about UV. That is a separate job, done by the lens rating.

How do polarized and non-polarized pairs compare?

Polarized pairs run $16.99 to $39.99, non-polarized $17.99 to $35.99, and both groups state UV400 on almost every listing.

Pair	Polarized	UV rating stated	Lens extras	Price
UV400 Square Sunglasses	Yes	UV400	Category 3, polycarbonate frame	$34.99
Lightweight Sun Shades	Yes, TAC	UV400, 100%	Metal-core arms	$24.99
Bold Square Sun Shades	Yes	UV400, 99.9%	Oversized square	$16.99
Polarized Sport Sunglasses	Yes, TAC	UV400	Oversized coverage	$39.99
Gradient Lens Sunglasses	No	UV400, 100%	Gradient, mirror, anti-reflective	$35.99
Travel Day Sunglasses	No	UV400	Lens adapts to light, mirror	$21.99
Vacation Square Sunglasses	No	UV400, 99.9%	Photochromic, mirror, gradient	$19.99

Is polarized the same as UV protection?

No. Polarization cuts glare; UV400 blocks ultraviolet light up to 400 nanometres. Adam & Westcott states UV400 on 23 of 25 pairs, polarized or not.

A lens can be polarized without a UV rating, and a lens can block UV without being polarized. Check both lines on the listing. The Bold Square Sun Shades state both at $16.99, blocking 99.9% of UV light. The Gradient Lens Sunglasses state 100% UV blocking with no polarization, relying on a gradient tint and mirror finish to soften brightness.

Do polarized sunglasses cost more?

Not here. The cheapest polarized pair is $16.99 and the cheapest non-polarized one is $17.99; medians are $24.98 and $23.99.

Eight of the 12 polarized pairs cost under $25, including the Noir Double Bar Sunglasses at $19.98 and the Polarized Eye Protection Sunglasses at $24.98. The price is set by the frame, not the filter.

Which should you buy?

Polarized if you drive, fish or sit by water; non-polarized UV400 if you read screens outdoors or want a photochromic lens, starting at $19.99.

Buy polarized for driving and water. The Polarized Sport Sunglasses at $39.99 add oversized coverage. Skip it if you read phone or dashboard screens through your lenses all day, since polarized filters can dim some LCD displays at certain angles. Then a lens that adapts to light, like the Travel Day Sunglasses at $21.99 or the Vacation Square Sunglasses at $19.99, covers changing autumn light. Many men keep one of each.

Frequently asked questions

Are polarized sunglasses worth it?

Yes if you drive or spend time near water: they cut reflected glare. At Adam & Westcott 12 of 25 pairs are polarized and 8 of those cost under $25.

Do polarized lenses block UV?

Not by themselves. Polarization handles glare. Look for UV400 as well; the UV400 Square Sunglasses at $34.99 state polarized, UV400 and Category 3.

Are polarized sunglasses more expensive?

Not at Adam & Westcott. The cheapest polarized pair is $16.99, a dollar under the cheapest non-polarized pair, and the medians are $24.98 and $23.99.

Why do screens look odd through polarized lenses?

Many LCD screens emit polarized light, so a polarized lens can dim them at some angles. It is harmless. A non-polarized UV400 pair such as the Travel Day Sunglasses at $21.99 avoids it.

What does Category 3 mean on sunglasses?

Category 3 is the filter rating for bright sun. The UV400 Square Sunglasses, the best-selling Adam & Westcott pair over 30 days, state a Category 3 polarized lens.

Go deeper: the four sunglasses styles, sunglasses for your face shape, sunglasses for travel and the beach and our 2026 gift guide, where sunglasses need no size.