9 ISO-certified solar eclipse glasses

Main points

• Solar eclipse glasses should meet ISO eye protection standards.
• Affordable eclipse glasses can be purchased for just $3.
• Reputable companies and accredited dealers ensure authenticity and safety.

By now, you probably know that a total solar eclipse will pass across North America on April 8th. It almost goes without saying, but viewing a solar eclipse requires staring at the sun for an extended period of time. Without help, this behavior can cause serious eye damage. What’s more, a regular pair of sunglasses won’t be dark enough for viewing the eclipse. Thankfully, eclipse viewing glasses allow you to safely observe the sky as the moon moves in front of the sun.

Don’t worry, these won’t cost the hefty price tag of smart glasses or VR headsets, they’re just well-made, industry-standard light-blocking glasses – and can even be purchased for as little as $1. A few dollars each.

A regular pair of sunglasses isn’t dark enough for viewing the eclipse.

The American Astronomical Society has issued a warning about counterfeit solar eclipse glasses that could allow viewers to unknowingly view the solar eclipse without adequate protective measures. The organization explains that solar viewing glasses should be tested to the ISO 12312-2 standard, an international standard for testing solar viewing glasses to ensure that very little of the sun’s infrared and ultraviolet rays are transmitted. The AAS has found that some counterfeit products are no darker than regular sunglasses and feature stolen logos from well-known companies, so eclipse glasses should be purchased from approved companies and authorized dealers.

Based on recommendations from the AAS, we’ve rounded up the best solar eclipse glasses to safely view the upcoming event. Whether you want affordable paper glasses or enough to throw a solar eclipse viewing party, you’ll find several ISO 12312-2 compliant solar eclipse glasses below.

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  American Paper Optics Eclipse Snap Application Suite

  Best Overall Solar Eclipse Glasses

  Just like your eyes, your phone can’t safely photograph a solar eclipse without protection. This kit from American Paper Optics and Solar Snap includes everything two people need to view and photograph the eclipse. It includes two sets of paper eclipse glasses and two smartphone filters that are compatible with iOS or Android devices.

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  American Paper Optics Eclipser HD Solar Glasses

  The best quality solar eclipse glasses

  Most eclipse glasses are made of paper – after all, eclipses don’t happen every day, so most people don’t want to spend a lot of money on them. But if the idea of ​​using something made of paper to protect your eyes sounds daunting, try American Paper Optics’ polymer-framed solar eclipse glasses. They will be sturdier and more comfortable to wear.

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  American Paper Optical Eclipse Glasses

  Best Budget Solar Eclipse Glasses

  The most economical way to safely view the eclipse is with a pair of ISO 12312-2 lenses in a paper frame. These glasses from American Paper Optics are affordable at $3 a pair, plus shipping and tax. The price goes down if you buy a multi-pack, making them a great choice for outfitting a home, party, or classroom. Plus, you can distribute them to friends.

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  Halo Phoenix Noir 3-in-1 eclipse viewing glasses

  Best Prescription Solar Eclipse Glasses

  Suitable for year-round wear, it comes with a special attachment for viewing the solar eclipse and comes with blue light-blocking lenses. A separate magnetic attachment turns them into sunglasses. Finally, the third piece of the kit is the clip on the eclipse cover. The 3-in-1 design is versatile, but expensive if you only want to watch the eclipse for a few minutes.

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  DayStar filter total solar eclipse glasses

  Best Budget 2-Pack Solar Eclipse Glasses

  These card frame eclipse glasses come in a variety of different designs. They are manufactured by AAS-approved DayStar Filters and are available in multipacks of 2 to 1,000. The frame is designed to fold to fit your ears. The price and cardstock design make them perfect for sharing, and you can even save them for future eclipses.

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  Celestron EclipSmart Ultra 8-piece set

  The best solar eclipse glasses for families

  The 8-piece kit includes one pair of plastic-framed solar eclipse glasses, four pairs of paper solar glasses, a universal filter for your smartphone or camera, a guidebook and a total eclipse map of the April 8 event. However, camera filters are handheld, so if you plan on photographing the sky for an extended period of time, you may want a screw-on filter that fits the size of your lens.

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  DayStar Filters 50mm Binocular Filter and Solar Glasses Fun Kit

  Best eclipse glasses/binoculars kit

  Binoculars allow you to view the eclipse up close—but only if you protect them properly. The kit includes two 50mm eclipse filters designed to fit most binoculars, and five pairs of eclipse glasses. This makes it an excellent choice for passing the binoculars to the whole family for viewing, while being fully protected.

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  DayStar Filters Eclipse Glasses 5-Pack

  The best solar eclipse glasses kit for photographers

  This set of five eclipse glasses also comes with filters designed for use with cameras or telescopes. The filters are partially paper, like glasses, making them a good budget option, but be prepared to have the edges glued to the barrel. It comes from the AAS-approved company DayStar Filters and can be used for photographing sunspots.

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  Eclipse Over America Artist Series Eclipse Glasses

  Best Custom Eclipse Glasses

  If you want affordable eclipse glasses that are different from everyone else’s, try a set of paper frames with artwork on the sides. The Artist Series puts the creator’s designs on eyewear, and they receive a portion of the proceeds from sales. The collection comes in four different design options, or you can opt for the Mystery Pack.

Solar eclipse glasses need to block most of the light passing through the lenses in order to safely gaze at the sun. You can even test your eclipse glasses by taking them outside on a sunny day before the event occurs. Solar eclipse glasses are supposed to block so much light that everything but the brightest objects, such as the sun and its reflections, appear nearly black.

The best solar eclipse glasses put protection first and style second.

The best solar eclipse glasses put protection first and style second. To avoid wasting money on unsafe eclipse glasses, look for a pair of ISO 12312-2 glasses from a reputable company. However, to avoid accidentally buying fakes, you should also order your glasses through a reputable dealer.

All glasses on this list are AAS vetted. Paper glass from DayStar Filters or American Paper Optics is affordable. For family viewing or eclipse parties, purchasing a kit will also allow you to take eclipse photos safely. If you want to invest in long-term viewing for future events, try plastic-framed glasses from American Paper Optics.