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Safety glasses Updated: 28 Sep 2009

Styles of eye protection

Spectacles, left, and goggles, right.

We tested three different styles of eye protectors.

Frameless spectacles: These are like spectacles but their lenses “wrap around” to varying degrees. They’re light enough to be worn for hours at a time.
Wrap-around spectacles: These are slightly heavier and chunkier than the frameless models. They have a wide sidebar that gives increased protection from sideways-flying debris. They’re often big enough to wear over prescription spectacles if that’s required.
Safety goggles: These are the full Monty: around the edge of the goggle there’s a seal that fits against the face and the goggles are secured by elastic straps.

While goggles probably give the greatest overall protection, they’re the heaviest to wear. And because of their tight seal they’re more prone to fogging up. They’re a "put them on … do the job … take them off" proposition. They’re probably best for tasks involving sprays or fine dust.

All the spectacles and goggles we tested had clear plastic lenses – although tinted lenses were available for some. And anti-fog coatings were offered with a few.

Some of the frameless and wrap-around specs had holes in the sidebar so you could attach a cord for hanging the specs around your neck when you weren’t using them.

Tip: Everyone’s head is a different shape. We recommend you try your preferred eye protectors before you buy them. Make sure they’re a good fit – particularly if you want to wear them over spectacles.