When you are woodworking you need protective gear, and one of the most critical areas to protect is your eyes. Although you may have a face shield to protect your eyes, safety glasses may offer the same level of protection for your eyes without being as cumbersome.
There are so many different types of safety glasses on the market that it may be a challenge to know which one is the right one.
Best Safety Glasses for Woodworking
In this buying guide, we are going to compare the six best safety glasses for woodworking.
1. DEWALT DPG94-1C Dominator SAFETY Glasses, Clear Lens
They have large lenses to give for a full frame effect and excellent coverage.
The glasses also have UV protection (up to 99.99%) and the glasses have been made to meet the ANSI Z87 standards.
Product Specifications
- Product Dimensions: 3 x 8 x 2 inches
- Product Weight: 0.32 ounces
Pros
- Wide coverage protection
- Rubber-tipped temples and nose piece for comfort
- Nonslip
- UV protection/tinted
Cons
- Some users had an issue with the glasses fogging up quick
- They are not scratch-resistant
2. NoCry Over-Glasses Safety Glasses
These are great glasses that will protect both you and your normal eyewear. They have been certified by ANSI Z87, CSA Z94.3, and OSHA.
They feature a clear anti-scratch wraparound lens made of polycarbonate material to give you premium eye protection. Apart from being scratch resistant, they will also offer you UV protection to block out 90-99% of harmful UV rays.
They can comfortably fit even when worn with other glasses. They have soft tips to prevent exerting pressure behind the ears. The extendable arms are adjustable to suit different head sizes.
Although the glasses are customized to be scratch-resistant, you should ensure no contact between prescription glasses and safety glasses occurs. There should be enough space between the two.
Product Specifications
- Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 6.1 x 2.16 inches
- Product Weight: 1.28 pounds
Pros
- Scratch-resistant
- UV protection/Tinted
- Soft tips to reduce pressure behind the ears
- They are adjustable to fit different head sizes
- They meet the industry standards
Cons
- They are not anti-fog
- May not be comfortable for people who do not wear normal glasses
- They can scratch your prescription glasses if you are not careful
3. ONV Safety Goggles Safety Glasses
They can be comfortably used with regular nearsighted glasses. The glasses also have integrated rubber that provides a comfortable fit when used with regular glasses.
The polycarbonate lens is not only impact-resistant but also ultra scratch-resistant. They are lightweight and comfortable, and will protect you from dust, liquids, or flying objects.
The body of the glasses are made of plastic that makes it lightweight.
Product Specification
- Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 7.1 x 1.8 inches
- Product Weight: 3.98 ounces
Pros
- Anti-fog
- Lightweight
- It is impact resistant
- Can be used with prescription glasses
- Scratch-resistant
Cons
- The clarity of the glasses is not the best
- It has a cheap plastic feel
4. SAFEYEAR Anti Fog Safety Goggles
They are scratch resistant and have been approved by EN388 standards. In addition to that, it has UV protection to protect you while you are working outdoors.
They can be used over prescription glasses. They are lightweight and comfortable with a weight of only 0.88 OZ.
When you buy the googles, you get a 30-day money back guarantee.
Product Specification
- Product Dimensions: 5.51 x 3.15 x 6.69 inches
- Product Weight:5.6 ounces
Pros
- Anti-fog
- They are scratch resistant
- They can be used over prescription glasses
- They are lightweight
- Claims UV protection
- Do not obscure vision
Cons
- Some users complained that they fog up fast
- They have a plastic chemical smell
- UV protection is suspect
5. ROAR Polycarbonate Clear Safety Glasses 6 pairs
It meets all the standard safety certifications as it is ANSI Z87+ certified. They were created to give you UV/UVA/UVB protection.
It has an ergonomic design to contour the face well so that you have comfort and are protected from stray debris.
The lenses of the glasses are not only scratch resistant but also clear to give you a detailed view.
They are multi-functional and can be used in different settings.
Every package you buy contains six pairs of glasses.
Product Specifications
- Package Dimensions: 6.85 x 6.42 x 2.36 inches
- Product Weight: 6.3 pounds
Pros
- Lightweight
- Scratch resistant
- Wide UV protection
- Clear with anti-fog
- Comes in bulk
- Ergonomic and comfortable
Cons
- Cheap feel
- Some users may not want the extra pairs of glasses
6. Mysandy Safety Glasses
They feature a low base curve frame and clear side shielding to give you good peripheral vision and protection. They feature an impact resistant frame and lenses.
They are stylish with a neck string to keep the glasses safe around your neck when not in use. The cords have an adjustable toggle to help the straps from falling off.
The arms and nose pad are made with soft rubber to help them be adjustable and anti-slip. That gives you more comfort and protection.
The lenses are both anti-fog and scratch resistant.
Product Specification
- Package Dimensions: 6.7 x 3.5 x 2.3 inches
- Product Weight: 3.98 pounds
Pros
- Anti-fog and scratch resistant
- Offers UV protection
- Ergonomic for comfort
- Impact resistant
- Has an adjustable anti-slip arm and nose pad to fit different people
Cons
- Not ANSI rated
- Some users did not find them to be scratch-resistant
Buyer’s Guide
You will not go wrong with any of the six safety glasses listed here. If you are on the fence and need to settle on one of these six, this part of the guide is for you as we dig into the details that set them apart.
Best safety glasses for wearing over prescription glasses: If you wear prescription glasses and are looking for safety glasses that you can wear over them, the NoCry Over-Glasses Safety Glasses are a great choice. They have the right design material that will give you comfort without damaging your prescription glasses.
Best in terms of ergonomic design: All the glasses here have been made with ergonomics in mind, but the ROAR Polycarbonate Clear Safety Glasses have been optimized to contour to the face for more comfort.
Safety glasses with HD lens: A HD lens will give you premium clarity that you will not find in other lenses. In this case, the SAFEYEAR Anti Fog Safety Goggles is made with an HD lens to take your clarity to the next level.
Most affordable safety glasses: When it comes to the safety glasses’ prices, the one with the friendliest price is the DEWALT DPG94-1C Dominator SAFETY Glasses that retails at only $7.99. If you prefer multiples, then the ROAR Polycarbonate Clear Safety Glasses will make for a perfect choice as there are six pairs and the pack retails at $17.99.
Our overall recommendation: The NoCry Over-Glasses Safety Glasses are our favorite, especially if you have prescription glasses. If you are hunting for the best possible deal, then the ROAR Polycarbonate Clear Safety Glasses is ideal as they are affordable and come six in a set.
When you are doing woodworking, eye injuries are inevitable if you are not wearing protective gear. Luckily, there are safety glasses that will shield you from flying debris and woodchip.
Additional Tips for Buying Safety Glasses
Although we may have made it easier for you by suggesting the best safety glasses, you need to know how to choose one. There are also safety prescription glasses if you wear one, and you spend a lot of your time on woodwork.
Some of the things to remember when shopping for safety glasses include:
Define Your Safety Requirements
Everyone has different safety requirements depending on the kind of setting they work in. As in a woodworking setting, some of the hazards one can face include:
Mechanical risks: This is where a machine or tool generates particles that may affect the eye by hitting it to cause injury.
Temperature: This is a risk posed by intense heat radiation.
Chemical: This is whereby foreign material such as dust and chemical splashes get into your eyes.
Once you identify the kind of risks you are likely to face, then it is easier to shop for safety glasses to counteract the risks.
Types of Safety Glasses and Lens
There are different types of safety glasses that all offer different degrees of eye protection. Generally, there can be either safety glasses or safety goggles.
Both of them do more or less the same job, but they may have different materials used and lenses that make them different.
Many safety glasses are currently made with polycarbonate material since it is lightweight and durable. Other materials are also used, such as acrylic, NXT polyurethane, and optical glass. All material has its strong and weak points, and it is good to weigh them before making a decision.
Polycarbonate: it is commonly used because it is impact and scratch-resistant. It is also lightweight and will give you UV protection. Its downside is that you may not get much optical clarity like you would when using other materials.
NXT Polyurethane: This is also ultra lightweight and will give you premium optical clarity. Its downside is that it is expensive.
Acrylic: The most lightweight comparatively, cheap, and resistant to solvents, acrylic is an acceptable option for eyewear. Its downside is that it does not last long and will not give you as much optical clarity.
Optical glass: It is the best when it comes to scratch resistance. It will also give you a distortion-free vision. Its downside is that it is heavy, expensive, and has low impact resistance.
Your preference
Once you know the lens you are opting for, it is much easier to settle on other factors. They may include:
Lens coating: Many safety glasses will have a coating, though often it is invisible. The right coating will depend on what you need. For example, some need an anti-fog coating because they live in a humid place. Some need a heavy coat so that the lens is more scratch resistant.
Lens tint: This is important if you are working outside.
Prescription safety glasses: If you have impaired vision, you can also opt for prescription safety glasses so that you may have optimum vision and focus.
Design and comfort: Everyone is looking for ergonomics and will fit nicely on their face. They should also be lightweight and have the details you need.
Conclusion
After reading this guide, you should have a good idea of what to expect before you buy your next pair of safety glasses. Good luck!