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The 11 Best Sunglasses for Tennis: Reviews & Buyer’s Guide

Will Boucek · March 22, 2023

When you buy a product through our links below, we may earn money from our affiliate partners to help support the site. However, this does not affect our evaluation or recommendation of each product. See our list of partners & how we get paid here. You can also learn our process for reviewing tennis gear here.

One of the most important pieces of equipment you can buy for playing tennis is a reliable pair of sunglasses. You need to see the tennis ball well while also protecting your eyes.

There are a lot of features to consider when it comes to purchasing new tennis sunglasses: comfort, affordability, quality, durability, and clarity are just a few.

Fortunately, we have compiled a list of the 11 best sunglasses for tennis, with reviews and a buyer’s guide to help you find the perfect sunglasses for you!

Detailed reviews of these sunglasses are below, but here is our list of the 11 best sunglasses for tennis.

  • Bolle Bolt Sunglasses – Best Overall
  • Nike Gale Force Sunglasses – Best Affordable Athletic
  • RIA Eyewear Sunglasses – Best High-End Athletic
  • Oakley Men’s Half Jacket 2.0 – Best Polarized Sunglasses
  • Under Armour Men’s Core 2.0
  • Bolle Lightshifter Sunglasses – Best Goggle-Style
  • Oakley Women’s Unstoppable – Best Overall Women’s
  • Tifosi Jet Sunglasses – Best Cheap Sunglasses
  • Oakley Men’s EVZero Pitch Asian Fit
  • Hulislem S1 Sport Polarized Sunglasses – Best Cheap Polarized
  • Under Armour Unisex Igniter – Best Affordable Polarized
Bolle Bolt Sunglasses Black
Our pick for the best sunglasses for tennis is the Bolle Bolt Sunglasses.

Quick Navigation
  1. Reviews of the 11 Best Sunglasses for Tennis Players
    1. #1 – Bolle Bolt Sunglasses
    2. #2 – Nike Gale Force Sunglasses
    3. #3 – RIA Eyewear Sunglasses
    4. #4 – Oakley Men’s Half Jacket 2.0 Sunglasses
    5. #5 – Under Armour Men’s Core 2.0 Sunglasses
    6. #6 – Bolle Lightshifter Sunglasses
    7. #7 – Oakley Women’s Unstoppable Rectangular Glasses
    8. #8 – Tifosi Jet Sunglasses
    9. #9 – Oakley Men’s EVZero Pitch Asian Fit Shield Sunglasses
    10. #10 – Hulislem S1 Sport Polarized Sunglasses
    11. #11 – Under Armour Unisex Igniter Sunglasses
  2. Different Features of Sunglasses
    1. The Frame
    2. The Lenses
    3. The Shape
  3. How to Choose the Best Tennis Sunglasses for You
    1. In What Conditions Do You Play Tennis?
    2. How Often Do You Play Tennis?
  4. Conclusion: Our Pick to the Best Sunglasses for Tennis

Reviews of the 11 Best Sunglasses for Tennis Players

Below is our list of the top 11 best sunglasses for tennis. Here, we will review these 11 best sunglasses in detail, describe the pros, cons, and best features of each pair.

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#1 – Bolle Bolt Sunglasses

We have chosen these Bolle sunglasses as the best overall because of the look, design, and affordability. Bolle is one of the top leading manufacturers of athletic sunglasses as they specialize in tennis and other sports.

Bolle incorporates a variety of groundbreaking technologies into each pair of sunglasses. The lenses are designed with an outer layer of water repellent that allows water to run off the lenses and not attach. Their lenses are also designed with an anti-fog coating to prevent the lenses from fogging over. This anti-fog coating also acts as a scratch-resistant.

The last feature worth mentioning on these Bolle sunglasses is the multiple Thermogrip pieces. There are three areas of the sunglass frame that are designed with Thermogrip pieces: the temple tips, nose pad, and adjustable nose piece. When mixed with water or sweat, these Thermogrip pieces become activated with additional grip.

Price | $$$
Styles Available | 2

Pros

  • Complete UV protection
  • Anti-fog and scratch-resistant
  • Interchangeable lens system
  • Nylon frames
  • Adjustable nose pads
  • Thermogrip technology

Cons

  • Not great for off court
Bolle Bolt Sunglasses Black
Buy On Tennis Warehouse

Other Sellers:

  • Amazon.com

#2 – Nike Gale Force Sunglasses

While Nike doesn’t make racquets, they do make some of the best shoes for tennis, sunglasses, and other gear. These Nike sunglasses have a sporty look and are the best affordable athletic sunglasses on our list.

The frames are made of lightweight, yet durable plastic. They wrap around your eyes and face for a contoured fit. Nike made these with a small gap at the top between the frame and lens which helps improve ventilation and prevent fogging. They also offer 100% UV protection. The flexible temple arms and ventilated nose pad help to keep the glasses in place as you wear them. They also come with Nike’s shatter-resistant MAX Optics lenses which enhance clarity, making it easier to see the tennis ball.

Price | $$
Styles Available | 2

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Lightweight & durable
  • Flexible temple arms & ventilated nose pads
  • Flying lenses help improve ventilation & prevent fogging
  • MAX Optics technology enhances clarity
  • 100% UV protection

Cons

  • Sporty design, not great for off the court
Nike Gale Force Tennis Sunglasses
Buy On Tennis Warehouse

Other Sellers:

  • Amazon.com

#3 – RIA Eyewear Sunglasses

Endorsed by former top 10 player, coach, and ESPN tennis analyst Brad Gilbert, the RIA Eyewear sunglasses are specifically designed for court sports like tennis.

These sunglasses have HD+ lenses that create more contrast between the court and the ball, helping you to more easily see the ball. The lightweight frames still have a secure fit and won’t slip on hot days when you’re sweating. You’ll actually barely notice that you’re wearing these sunglasses.

The nosepiece has ridges to help further prevent slipping as well. The nosepiece and fit may feel a little big for smaller faces, however. These sunglasses also have anti-fog technology, 100% UV protection, and come with a hard protective carrying case.

Read our full RIA sunglasses review.

Price |  $$$
Styles Available | 6

Pros

  • Lightweight frame (< 1 oz.)
  • HD+ lenses make it easier to see the tennis ball
  • Anti-fog technology
  • 100% UV Protection
  • Protective carrying case
  • Secure fit that won’t slip

Cons

  • Athletic look is not great for social events
  • May not fit small faces well
RIA Tennis Sunglasses
Buy On RIAeyewear.com

#4 – Oakley Men’s Half Jacket 2.0 Sunglasses

When it comes to sunglasses, Oakley is one of the best, and these are no exception. These Oakley sunglasses are filled with a variety of features, and are our top polarized sunglasses on this list.

The frames of these Oakley’s are made of a polycarbonate flexible, yet durable design described as an O-Matter frame. O-Matter frames are a stress-resistant frame that is made from injection-molded thermoplastic. O-Matter frames provide durability, flexibility, and longevity. O-Matter frames are designed to withstand years of physical endurance. The frames are also designed with ear socks and nose pads that increase their grip when you sweat on the tennis court.

The lenses offer 100% UV protection for UVA, UVB, and UVC rays. They have a patented HDO design (high definition optics), which give superior optical clarity looking through all angles of the lenses.

Price |  $$
Styles Available | 8

Pros

  • Interchangeable lenses
  • Available in polarized & non-polarized
  • O-Matter frame design is strong yet lightweight
  • 100% UVA, UVB, & UVC protection
  • High definition optics design for increased clarity & peripheral range

Cons

  • Athletic design for playing sports only
Oakley Men’s Half Jacket Sunglasses
Buy On Oakley.com

Other Sellers:

  • Amazon.com

#5 – Under Armour Men’s Core 2.0 Sunglasses

Under Armour is known for its wide range of activewear and sporting equipment. They aren’t a big tennis brand, but they do make some of the best tennis socks and sunglasses.

These Under Armour Core 2.0 sunglasses for men are athletically designed with an ArmourFusion frame and ArmourSight lenses. The ArmourFusion frame is made from a combination of titanium and Grilamid to make the sunglasses lightweight, flexible, and durable. ArmourSight lenses are patented to give users 20% more peripheral vision with 10 times more strength than other polycarbonate lenses.

The sunglasses can be adjusted to fit your exact head shape through the adjustable temples and nose pad. The sunglasses also include airflow technology to allow ventilation while wearing them.

Perhaps the best feature that sets these Under Armour sunglasses apart from the rest is the included “cap gripper” feature. The cap gripper is an additional gripping mechanism that allows your sunglasses to stay on your head when worn upside down on a cap. This means no more sunglass straps to wear around your neck and sling your glasses around. With this technology, you can place your sunglasses upside down on your hat and rest assured that they will stay in place.

Price |  $$$
Styles Available | 4

Pros

  • ArmourFusion frame (titanium and Grilamid material)
  • ArmourSight lenses
  • Durable lenses
  • Airflow technology
  • Cap gripper
  • Adjustable nose pad and temples

Cons

  • Not great design for off court
Under Armour Men’s Core Sunglasses
Buy On Amazon

#6 – Bolle Lightshifter Sunglasses

It’s no surprise that Bolle made our list three times. Bolle makes quality sunglasses that are designed specifically for tennis.

These Bolle Lightshifter sunglasses have an old school, goggle-style design with a white frame. What makes these Bolle sunglasses different from the rest are the photochromic phantom court lenses. These lenses were made to improve clarity and enhance contrast, making it easier to see the tennis ball. They also have 100% UV protection and a water-repellant, anti-fogging, and anti-scratching coating.

The nose piece is adjustable, and the lenses are also interchangeable, so you can have prescription sunglasses lenses made. These are the most expensive pair on our list, but if you’re looking for high-quality tennis sunglasses that will last, these are a great choice.

Price |  $$$
Styles Available | 1

Pros

  • Lenses are made for tennis – high contrast to see the ball
  • Adjustable nosepiece
  • Thermagrip technology helps sunglasses stay in place
  • Interchangeable lenses available in prescription (separately)
  • 100% UV protection
  • Goggle-style design

Cons

  • Only one color
Bolle Lightshifter tennis sunglasses
Buy On Amazon

#7 – Oakley Women’s Unstoppable Rectangular Glasses

While women can enjoy any of these sunglasses for tennis, this one is designed specifically for the ladies. These are the best tennis sunglasses for women.

The Oakley’s Unstoppable rectangular glasses for women are stylish, practical, effective, and come in a wide variety of colors. These are the best overall women’s sunglasses for tennis.

Oakley appropriately named these sunglasses unstoppable because they are designed for women to wear for any application in life. Sports, leisure, and style are all reasons to wear these sunglasses. You are not limited to just one reason for wearing these tennis sunglasses. They can be worn year-round for any application in life.

Lenses are available in polarized or unpolarized options, and there are five different frames and lens colors to choose from.

Price |  $$$
Styles Available | 5

Pros

  • Stylish; more than one use
  • Athletically built to stay in place when worn
  • Multiple colors to choose from
  • Includes carrying case
  • Polarized & unpolarized lenses available

Cons

  • More expensive than other options
Oakley Women’s Unstoppable Sunlasses
Buy On Oakley.com

Other Sellers:

  • Amazon.com

#8 – Tifosi Jet Sunglasses

If you are looking for a good pair of sunglasses for under $30, look no further than the Tifosi Jet sunglasses. These simple polycarbonate sunglasses are shatterproof and made of nylon for a lightweight and durable design. The nose pieces included are soft and waterproof rubber that will help grip your face when exposed to sweat or water.

Each pair of Tifosi sunglasses come with a protective case to keep them protected in your tennis bag, along with instructions for care and use.

For the money, these Tifosi Jet sunglasses can’t be beat, which is why they made our list.

Price |  $
Styles Available | 5

Pros

  • Very affordable
  • Simple athletic design
  • Lightweight and durable
  • Included carrying case
  • 100% UVA and UVB protection

Cons

  • Athletic design only
Tifosi Jet Sunglasses
Buy On tifosioptics.com

Other Sellers:

  • Amazon.com

#9 – Oakley Men’s EVZero Pitch Asian Fit Shield Sunglasses

These men’s Oakleys sunglasses are perfect for tennis because of their athletic design and rimless lenses. They come in three different stylish designs to choose from. They are Oakley’s lightest version of the O-Matter frame.

They are described as “Asian Fit” because they are specifically designed to give the best fit for customers who have high cheekbones. The nose bridge of these Oakley sunglasses is also wider in this design. The lenses of these Oakley sunglasses provide 100% UVA, UVB, and UVC protection.

Price | $$$
Styles Available | 3

Pros

  • Unique design for customers with high cheekbones & a wider nose
  • Three different styles & colors
  • O-Matter frame
  • 100% UVA, UVB, & UVC protection
  • Carrying case included

Cons

  • The Asian-Fit design may not fit your face frame
Oakley Asian Fit Shield Sunglasses
Buy On Amazon

#10 – Hulislem S1 Sport Polarized Sunglasses

For under $20, it doesn’t get more affordable than these sunglasses from Hulislem, especially with FDA-approved polarized lenses included.

There are eight total styles and colors to choose from. The polycarbonate frame is lightweight and durable, so you don’t have to worry about them breaking after just one use. The lightweight feel of the glasses will not weigh you down as you are shifting from one point of the court to the other, making them a perfect choice for tennis.

The lenses offer 100% UVA, UVB, UVC, and blue light protection. The lenses are HD (high definition) grade lenses to give you the clearest image possible. The polarization includes an iridium lens coating that eliminates the glare that comes from other sunglass lenses.

Price | $
Styles Available | 8

Pros

  • Very affordable
  • 8 designs/colors
  • Polarized lenses
  • 100% UVA, UVB, UVC, & blue light protection
  • HD lenses

Cons

  • Athletic design only
  • Lenses may be dark in cloudy conditions
Hulislem S1 Sport Polarized Sunglasses
Buy On Amazon

#11 – Under Armour Unisex Igniter Sunglasses

These Under Armour Igniter sunglasses are hard to beat. They are perfect for both men and women with their sporty design and variety of colors.

Under Armour specializes in its ability to create a lightweight yet durable frame, and these frames are no exception. The ArmourFusion ultralight frame is made from a combination of Grilamid, polycarbonate, and titanium. The nose pad and temples of the frames are designed with rubber to ensure a no-slip fit. This means the sunglasses stay in place as you are performing on the court.

The lenses are backed by ArmourSight technology. This means that the clarity of the lenses is at an optimal level, and the lenses are secured with impact resistance. The lenses also provide 100% UVA, UVB, and UVC protection.

Price |  $
Styles Available | 4

Pros

  • Affordability
  • Designed for both men & women
  • Lightweight & durable with ArmourFusion design
  • Polarized lenses
  • 100% UVA, UVB, & UVC protection

Cons

  • Athletic design limits stylish look
Under Armour Igniter Sunglasses
Buy On Amazon

Stop paying full price for tennis gear! Get deals on shoes, racquets & more up to 70% off.

Different Features of Sunglasses

There are different components that make up a single pair of sunglasses. There is the frame, the lenses, the material, the polarization (if any), and the overall shape. All of these components need to be understood so that you can decide which is the most important feature for your new pair of tennis sunglasses.

Will wearing tennis sunglasses on the tennis court

The Frame

This includes the temples, bridge, and rims.

  • The temples are also known as the arms of the sunglasses because they are the two pieces that lay on top of your ears to keep the sunglasses in place.
  • The bridge is the piece that goes above the nose that connects the two rims together.
  • The rims go around the lenses, and help hold them in place.

The frame is usually made up of a type of one or more materials. The most common sunglass frame materials are plastic, nylon, or metal alloy. The most popular material for sports like tennis is nylon because of its lightweight yet durable design. Nylon is able to bend without breaking, allowing forgiveness when the sunglasses come in contact with a surface or an object.

The Lenses

These are the two pieces that you will see through. Lenses come in a variety of colors, and are made of plastic or glass.

They can also be polarized. If the sunglasses lens is listed as polarized, this means that glare is significantly reduced, allowing you to see more crisply and clearly. Polarization is important because sometimes the sun can reflect on the tennis court surface, especially clay courts, and cause a glare.

Under Armour Igniter Sunglasses

Some lenses provide UV resistance. When playing tennis outside, you are exposed to ultraviolet (UV) rays. Without proper protection, your eyes can become damaged from exposure. UV lenses can provide protection up to 100% of both UV-A and UV-B rays.

Another feature of many sunglasses lenses is scratch-resistance. Scratch-resistant lenses are best used for sports like tennis where the lenses are more likely to become damaged. Their composition makes them less likely to become scratched when coming in contact with an object.

The Shape

The shape of sunglasses describes the overall look of the sunglasses. They may be designed with an athletic fit, or they may be sleeker and more stylish so you can wear them on or off the tennis court.


How to Choose the Best Tennis Sunglasses for You

Now that we have learned the different components and features that go into a pair of sunglasses, it’s time to find the right pair for you!

Let’s get started by asking yourself a few important questions.

In What Conditions Do You Play Tennis?

The conditions in which you play tennis will help determine the type of sunglasses that are best for you.

First, court surface matters. If the tennis court is made out of clay or acrylic, you may want to consider sunglasses that are polarized. Polarization will reduce the glare that would otherwise be seen through lenses without polarization.

Do you play in tennis outdoors or indoors? A court with no overhead protection means that you will be exposed to UV rays as you play. UV rays are present in both sunny and cloudy weather. If you usually play on a court with direct sun exposure, you should consider choosing sunglasses that offer 100% UVA and UVB protection.

How Often Do You Play Tennis?

If tennis is something you enjoy every once-in-awhile, then you should choose a pair of sunglasses that look good off the tennis court.

These can be affordable sunglasses worn for everyday use that can double as effective sunglasses on the tennis court. The only requirement is that these sunglasses should have a firm fit so that they stay on your head as you serve and move around the court.

If you play tennis regularly as part of a league, club, or just a daily hobby, you will want to invest in a quality pair of sunglasses that will get the job done in all areas.

You should look for sunglasses with:

  • Polarized glass lenses.
  • Durable nylon frames.
  • A comfortable & secure fit.

This will ensure that your sunglasses don’t hinder your ability to play. The last thing you want is sunglasses that break quickly, or have a glare that makes you struggle to see the tennis ball.


Conclusion: Our Pick to the Best Sunglasses for Tennis

The best sunglasses for tennis that both men and women can enjoy are the Bolle Bolt Sunglasses. The Bolle Bolt sunglasses include so many features that make them the best overall for tennis. They are designed to stay in place, create extra-needed grip when getting wet, and resist scratches and fog during gameplay.

Of course, any of these 11 sunglasses are sure to get the job done. We hope we have helped you find the best tennis sunglasses for you!

About Will Boucek

Will Boucek is the Founder & CEO of Tennis Tribe. With over two decades of experience playing & coaching tennis, Will now works as a doubles strategy analyst for ATP & WTA tour players and coaches. Will helps tennis players at every level play better doubles through smarter strategy. He also has expertise in tennis racquets & gear, testing the latest products from Wilson, Babolat, Head, Prince, and other tennis brands.

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