How to Choose Luxury Sunglasses: 5 Things That Actually Matter

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Most people buy sunglasses based on how they look in the mirror. That’s a mistake at the $150–$250 price point, where the differences in optical quality, UV protection, and build durability are large enough to matter. Here are the five things worth evaluating before buying.

1. Lens Material

Plastic (CR-39) lenses are lighter and cheaper to produce. Glass lenses offer marginally better optical clarity but are heavier and can shatter. Polycarbonate is the most impact-resistant option — standard in sport sunglasses. At the luxury price point, glass and high-quality CR-39 are both acceptable; polycarbonate is typically reserved for sport models. Persol uses glass. Ray-Ban uses CR-39 on most models. Maui Jim uses polycarbonate with their proprietary PolarizedPlus2 coating system.

2. Polarisation Quality

All polarised lenses reduce horizontal glare. Not all do it equally well. Cheap polarised lenses can introduce colour distortion, reduce contrast, or create a “rainbow effect” on LCD screens. High-quality polarisation (like Maui Jim’s PolarizedPlus2) eliminates glare while actually enhancing colour depth and contrast. If you’ll be using sunglasses outdoors regularly — driving, near water, in bright conditions — polarisation quality is the most important technical specification.

3. UV Protection

All sunglasses in the $150+ range should offer 100% UVA/UVB protection (UV400). This is non-negotiable and essentially universal at this price tier — any reputable brand will confirm it. Lens darkness does not correlate with UV protection: a light amber lens can block 100% of UV while a very dark lens without the correct coating may not. Always verify UV400 certification rather than assuming based on tint.

4. Frame Fit

Sunglasses that don’t fit won’t be worn. The key measurements are temple length (arm of the frame), lens width, and bridge width. Most brands list these in the model specifications. As a general guide: faces with wider bridges need wider bridge measurements; smaller faces need narrower lens widths (typically under 52mm). For sport use, look for frames with rubber nose pads and temple grips that prevent slipping during activity.

5. Brand Warranty and Repair

Luxury sunglasses should be repairable. Maui Jim offers a repair programme for damaged frames and scratched lenses. Persol and Ray-Ban (both Luxottica brands) have authorised service centres. Before buying, check whether replacement parts and repair services are available for the specific model — niche or discontinued styles may be difficult to service. A $200 pair that can be repaired and resoled is a better long-term value than a $200 pair that must be replaced entirely if a hinge breaks.

See our full luxury sunglasses comparison — Persol, Maui Jim, and Ray-Ban reviewed side by side.

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