top 10 sunglasses brands
There are dozens of sunglasses brands in the market. But obviously, not all of them are really worth your time and money. Here are the top 10 best sunglasses brands in the world.
10. Warby Parker
Let’s start off with one of the more affordable sunglasses brands in the market. Warby Parker is an American manufacturer of sunglasses first established in 2010. It’s a newbie compared to the other brands on this list. Founded by David Gilboa, Neil Blumenthal, Andrew Hunt, and, Jeffrey Raider, Warby Parker primarily sells its products online.
The brand is notable for its selection of affordable and stylish sunglasses. People looking for sunglasses which offer excellent value for their price should definitely include Warby Parker on their list of brands to check out. Warby Parker is also known for its “buy one, give one” business model. Basically, every time someone buys a pair, the company pays to have another one created and then donates it to a non-profit organization.
9. Oliver Peoples
Oliver Peoples is the first of three brands owned by Luxottica on this list. You can probably already guess the other two. Oliver Peoples is an American eyewear brand. It was founded in 1987 and is currently headquartered in Los Angeles, California.
The brand was bought by Oakley in 2006 and later became a part of Luxottica when the Italian eyewear giant bought Oakley in 2007. Oliver Peoples sunglasses are known for their detailing and distinct frames. All the products come with outstanding quality, courtesy of the materials used by the company. The sunglasses are expensive, though, with some models easily sailing past $400.
8. Mykita
Mykita is an award-winning German eyewear manufacturer. The company was founded by Harald Gottschling, Daniel Haffmans, Philipp Haffmans, and Moritz Kruger in 2003. Currently operating from Berlin, Mykita is known for producing hand-assembled sunglasses.
Mykita sunglasses aren’t really the most accessible sunglasses available in the market – they are super-expensive, with some models even going for more than $800. The “cheapest” sunglasses in the catalog are around $300. But you do get what you pay for. Mykita sunglasses are renowned for their top-notch quality. If you can afford a pair, expect it to last for several years.
7. American Optical
American Optical was started by William Beecher in 1826, making it one of the oldest eyewear brands in the world. The company began working on the earliest form of sunglasses in 1876, producing regular eyeglasses with lens tinted in different colors.
The American eyewear brand is known for its lineup of durable sunglasses capable of lasting many years. Buying a pair of sunglasses from American Optical is a great investment. And the best part is that the products don’t come with outrageous prices. You get a top quality product for a fair price, which can’t be said for a lot of eyewear brands out there.
American Optical is also famous for producing the sunglasses worn by Neil Armstrong and the crew of Apollo 11.
6. Randolph Engineering
Headquartered in Randolph, Massachusetts, Randolph Engineering is an American eyewear manufacturer first established in 1972. The company is best known for being associated with the US government, having produced thousands of sunglasses for the US Army, the US Navy, and the US Air Force over the years.
Randolph Engineering is known for creating some of the toughest and most durable sunglasses in the world. People often joke that Randolph Engineering sunglasses are indestructible. You don’t really need lots assurances or guarantees when it comes to the quality Randolph Engineering sunglasses.
The fact that the US government has been loyal to the brand is the only guarantee you need. Of course, the sunglasses offered by the company don’t come cheap. Top quality products always come with hefty prices tags.
5. Moscot
Founded by Hyman Moscot in 1915, Moscot is not only one of the oldest brands in the eyewear industry, it’s also one of the oldest local businesses in New York. The company is privately owned by the Moscot family with Harvey Moscot, a fourth generation Moscot, currently serving as the President.
Moscot is known for producing a selection of sunglasses with bold and classic designs. The company produces high-quality sunglasses with equally high prices. Interested buyers will need to dig deep into their pockets to buy a pair of Moscot sunglasses. Moscot is also known for having a number of celebrity customers, including Johnny Depp, Paul Rudd, Jeff Goldblum, James Franco, and Helena Bonham Carter.
4. ic! berlin
ic! berlin is a German manufacturer of high-end eyewear. It was founded in 1996 and is currently headquartered in Berlin. The company is one of the most innovative eyewear companies and has received numerous awards over the years.
Founded by Ralph Anderl, ic! berlin specializes in light and flexible sunglasses, making it a go-to brand for people looking for only the most comfortable sunglasses around. It’s true that the sunglasses offered by the company are quite expensive. But the quality and durability of the sunglasses are more than worth the price of admission. Each pair of ic! berlin sunglasses is built to last many years and is often cited by eyewear enthusiasts as one of the most durable in the business.
3. Ray-Ban
Ray-Ban is arguably the most popular high-end sunglasses brand in the world. The company is an automatic inclusion in any list of the best eyewear brands. Founded in 1937, Ray-Ban is an American eyewear company. It was bought by Italian eyewear giant Luxottica in 1999 for $640 million.
Ray-Ban is a popular brand among sunglasses enthusiasts and casuals. The Wayfarer, Clubmaster, and Aviator sunglasses are the most popular products offered by the company. Some sunglasses enthusiasts might argue that the quality of Ray-Ban suffered a drop-off after it was sold to Luxottica. But make no mistake, Ray-Ban is still among the best sunglasses brands in the world.
2. Maui Jim
Maui Jim is one the most highly regarded manufacturer of sunglasses in the world. It’s a private company founded by Jim Richards in Hawaii in 1980. The brand stayed in the state of Hawaii for eight years before being introduced in the mainland US in 1988.
Maui Jim offers both non-prescription and prescription sports and fashion sunglasses, which are often marketed with a water-related theme, a nod to the company’s roots in Hawaii. Maui Jim sunglasses come with undeniable quality and durability, making them a popular choice among people who love to travel or hit the beach.
1. Persol
Rounding out the list is Persol, another brand owned by Luxottica. Persol is an Italian maker of eyewear founded by Giuseppe Ratti. It was born in 1917, making it one of the oldest eyewear companies in the world. The brand name is derived from the Italian phrase “per il sole” which means “for the sun” in English.
Persol is known for producing durable and stylish sunglasses. Unless you regularly subject them to extreme punishment, Persol sunglasses are known to last several years. The company has a wide selection of sunglasses, with the iconic Steve McQueen Persol 714 being the most popular in the lineup.
Persol sunglasses are on the expensive side, though not as much as some of the other brands mentioned above. Expect to spend at least $100 when shopping for a pair. The most high-end products in the catalog usually go for $200-300. Not exactly the most affordable price point for most regular folks. But you do get what you pay for with Persol, our top choice for the best sunglasses brands in the world.
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