Field & Shop / The rankings
The best safety glasses: eight rated pairs, ranked by the certification on the page and the job they fit
Safety eyewear is sold by the million and rated by the letter. These eight all state ANSI Z87.1 on the maker's page — six with the plus, three with a military ballistic pass — and each one is the right pair for a specific hazard.
By Mike M.Updated Spec-page researched, not worn by us
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Quick picks
The rankings at a glance
| # | Product | Best for | Rating | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  3M SecureFit 400 Under an ounce, self-adjusting Pressure Diffusion temples, anti-fog lens, Z87.1+ high impact — the pair you keep on for eight hours. | Best safety glasses overall | Z87.1+ | 7.2 /10 | Check price · Amazon |
| 2 | Pyramex Intruder Z87.1-2020+, seven tints, scratch-resistant, H2MAX option; keep one everywhere. | Best to buy by the box | Z87.1+ | 7.2 /10 | Check price · Amazon |
| 3 |  Pyramex V2G Temples and headband in the box, foam seal, Z87.1-2020+ and MIL-PRF-32432 — shop on weekdays, range on Saturday. | Best safety-to-ballistic hybrid | MIL-PRF-32432 | 8.1 /10 | Check price · Amazon |
| 4 | Pyramex I-Force Dual-pane, MIL-PRF-32432, ASTM F2879 — for anything that bounces. | Best sealed goggle for impact | MIL-PRF-32432 | 8.4 /10 | Check price · Amazon |
| 5 | DEWALT DPG82 Concealer Goggle Sealed, vented, hard-coated, anti-fog, Z87.1+. | Best goggle for dust | Z87.1+ | 6.7 /10 | Check price · Amazon |
| 6 |  Pyramex OTS Fits over frames up to 137 × 44 mm; Z87.1-2020+; adjustable temples. | Best over prescription glasses | Z87.1+ | 7.0 /10 | Check price · Amazon |
| 7 |  Wiley X Saber Advanced MIL-PRF-32432A and Z87.1+, changeable lenses, foam brow, lifetime warranty — a safety pair that is also a ballistic pair. | Best crossover to the range | MIL-PRF-32432A | 8.1 /10 | Check price · Amazon |
| 8 | NoCry EyeArmor+ Adjustable temples and nose, anti-fog and anti-scratch, lifetime warranty; Z87.1-2020 without the plus. | Best adjustable pair | Z87.1 | 6.5 /10 | Check price · Amazon |
#ad · Prices are set by Amazon and change often, so we don't print them. Ratings are quoted from the maker's page (or the retailer's, where labeled); scores are our editorial judgment from those pages, not tests. Photos are illustrative stock. Tap a row for the full write-up.
Rated by the letter
Every pair here states ANSI/ISEA Z87.1 on the maker's page. Six state the plus — the high-mass and high-velocity impact tests — and one, the EyeArmor+, states Z87.1-2020 without it and sits last for that reason. Three state a military ballistic pass on top: the V2G and I-Force with "MIL-PRF-32432", the Saber Advanced with "MIL-PRF-32432A". The rating column on each card is the maker's wording; what the letters mean is on what Z87+ means, and the ballistic tier on ANSI Z87.1 vs MIL-PRF-32432.
Eight pairs, eight jobs
| Job | Pair | Why |
|---|---|---|
| All day at a bench or a desk | 3M SecureFit 400 | Under an ounce, pressure-diffusing temples, anti-fog |
| Everywhere, cheaply | Pyramex Intruder | Z87.1-2020+ by the box |
| Shop and range with one pair | Pyramex V2G | Seal, strap, MIL-PRF-32432 |
| Airsoft, BB, anything that bounces | Pyramex I-Force | Dual-pane, MIL-PRF, ASTM F2879 |
| Sanding, grinding, mowing | DEWALT DPG82 | Sealed and vented, hard coat |
| Over prescription glasses | Pyramex OTS | Published 137 × 44 mm fit limit |
| A range pair that passes at work | Wiley X Saber Advanced | MIL-PRF-32432A and Z87.1+, lifetime warranty |
| A shared shop pair | NoCry EyeArmor+ | Adjustable temples and nose, lifetime warranty |
The pair you keep on
Most eye injuries at work happen to people who own safety glasses and were not wearing them at that moment. The pair that gets worn is light, does not press behind the ears, does not fog, and is within reach. 3M's answer is a frame under an ounce with "Pressure Diffusion Temple Technology" that "helps diffuse pressure over the ear", and an anti-fog lens; Pyramex's answer is a pair so cheap you keep one in every drawer. Both are the right answer for a different person.
Safety glasses that are also shooting glasses
The V2G, the I-Force and the Saber Advanced state a military ballistic pass. A shop pair that is also a range pair saves a purchase and, more to the point, means the rated pair is the one in the truck on Saturday. The shop-specific ranking is on best safety glasses for woodworking; the range-specific one on best shooting glasses.
The mistake buyers make
If you buy one
In detail
The picks, in full
Rank 01
Stock photoBest safety glasses overall
3M SecureFit 400
Under an ounce, self-adjusting Pressure Diffusion temples, anti-fog lens, Z87.1+ high impact — the pair you keep on for eight hours.
EvidenceResearched · not worn by us
| Rating tier | Z87.1+. ANSI/ISEA Z87.1 impact-rated: a 500 g pointed weight dropped from 50 in and a 1/4 in steel ball at 150 ft/s. The minimum for any pair on this site. |
|---|---|
| Impact rating | "ANSI Z87.1+ High Impact standard" (as listed by the retailer; 3M's page timed out) |
| Lens material | Polycarbonate |
| Lens system | Clear (anti-fog), Gray (anti-fog), I/O Mirror |
| Temples | "3M Pressure Diffusion Temple Technology — a scientific advancement that helps diffuse pressure over the ear"; dual-material temples |
| Weight | "Weighs less than 1 oz" |
| Coatings | Anti-fog on clear and gray lenses |
| UV | "Polycarbonate lens absorbs 99.9% UV" |
How the 7.2 score breaks down
- Protection rating (30%)
- 6
- Optical clarity & tint options (20%)
- 7
- Fit & ear-pro compatibility (20%)
- 8
- Fog & scratch resistance (15%)
- 7
- Value (15%)
- 9
What the spec page supports
- Self-adjusting temples: the maker's answer to pressure behind the ear over a long day
- Under an ounce
- Anti-fog clear and gray options
Where it falls short
- Rating quoted from a retailer listing because 3M's own page would not load for us
- No MIL-PRF wording; a shop pair, not a ballistic one
- Frame coverage is slimmer than a shooting wraparound
Skip this if…
…you want the ballistic tier or a brow guard — this is a light shop pair by design.
#ad · Price set by Amazon · Disclosure for the link to 3M SecureFit 400
Rank 02
Stock photoBest to buy by the box
Pyramex Intruder
Z87.1-2020+, seven tints, scratch-resistant, H2MAX option; keep one everywhere.
EvidenceResearched · not worn by us
| Rating tier | Z87.1+. ANSI/ISEA Z87.1 impact-rated: a 500 g pointed weight dropped from 50 in and a 1/4 in steel ball at 150 ft/s. The minimum for any pair on this site. |
|---|---|
| Impact rating | ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2020 + High Impact; CAN/CSA Z94.3-2020; CE/UKCA EN 166 |
| Lens material | Polycarbonate |
| Lens system | Frameless wraparound with integrated nose piece; Clear, Gray, I/O Mirror, Amber, Infinity Blue, Silver Mirror, Blue Mirror |
| Coatings | Scratch-resistant; Standard Anti-fog or H2MAX Anti-fog on select styles |
| UV | UV protection (percentage not stated) |
How the 7.2 score breaks down
- Protection rating (30%)
- 6
- Optical clarity & tint options (20%)
- 7
- Fit & ear-pro compatibility (20%)
- 7
- Fog & scratch resistance (15%)
- 7
- Value (15%)
- 10
What the spec page supports
- Current-edition Z87.1-2020+ stated by the maker
- Seven tints; H2MAX anti-fog available
- Thin, frameless and cheap enough to keep a pair in every case
Where it falls short
- No MIL-PRF wording — a Z87.1+ pair, not a ballistic one
- Single lens, no kit
- Minimal brow coverage; the gap above the lens is open
Skip this if…
…you want brow and side coverage sealed against casings — a foam-lined V2G or a full-frame kit closes the gap.
#ad · Price set by Amazon · Disclosure for the link to Pyramex Intruder
Rank 03
Stock photoBest safety-to-ballistic hybrid
Pyramex V2G
Temples and headband in the box, foam seal, Z87.1-2020+ and MIL-PRF-32432 — shop on weekdays, range on Saturday.
EvidenceResearched · not worn by us
| Rating tier | MIL-PRF-32432. The maker states a MIL-PRF-32432 (or MIL-PRF-31013 / military V0) ballistic pass: a fragment simulator at several times the energy of the ANSI high-velocity test. Not on the Army list. |
|---|---|
| Impact rating | ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2020 + High Impact; CAN/CSA Z94.3-2020; CE/UKCA EN 166 |
| Ballistic standard | MIL-PRF-32432 ("passes high-velocity impact standards") |
| Lens system | 9.75 base curved lens; Clear, Gray, Amber, I/O Mirror |
| Temples | "Interchangeable temples and headband included with each pair"; ratchet adjustment |
| Fit / size | Flame-resistant foam padding; vented lens and frame |
| Coatings | H2X Anti-fog; H2MAX Anti-fog (variant-dependent) |
How the 8.1 score breaks down
- Protection rating (30%)
- 9
- Optical clarity & tint options (20%)
- 7
- Fit & ear-pro compatibility (20%)
- 7
- Fog & scratch resistance (15%)
- 8
- Value (15%)
- 9
What the spec page supports
- Sealed foam plus a strap: the closest thing to a goggle that still wears like glasses
- MIL-PRF-32432 and Z87.1+ stated by the maker
- Named anti-fog coatings, vented frame
- Four tints offered
Where it falls short
- Foam seal traps heat; fog control depends on the vents doing their job
- Not marketed for fit over prescription glasses
- Weight and UV figure not stated
Skip this if…
…you wear muffs and hate pressure — a foam-sealed frame plus a strap under a muff cup is a lot of hardware on one head.
#ad · Price set by Amazon · Disclosure for the link to Pyramex V2G
Rank 04
Stock photoBest sealed goggle for impact
Pyramex I-Force
Dual-pane, MIL-PRF-32432, ASTM F2879 — for anything that bounces.
EvidenceResearched · not worn by us
| Rating tier | MIL-PRF-32432. The maker states a MIL-PRF-32432 (or MIL-PRF-31013 / military V0) ballistic pass: a fragment simulator at several times the energy of the ANSI high-velocity test. Not on the Army list. |
|---|---|
| Impact rating | ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2020 + High Impact; CAN/CSA Z94.3-2020; CE/UKCA EN 166 |
| Ballistic standard | MIL-PRF-32432 ("High Velocity Impact"); ASTM F2879-22 (airsoft) when worn with the strap |
| Lens system | "Outer polycarbonate lens protects against the environment, while inner acetate lens prevents fogging"; Clear, Gray, Amber, I/O Mirror |
| Temples | "Quick-release interchangeable temples and strap" |
| Fit / size | "Removable vented flame resistant foam carriage" |
| Coatings | Outer lens anti-fog treatment (H2X or standard) |
How the 8.4 score breaks down
- Protection rating (30%)
- 9
- Optical clarity & tint options (20%)
- 7
- Fit & ear-pro compatibility (20%)
- 7
- Fog & scratch resistance (15%)
- 10
- Value (15%)
- 9
What the spec page supports
- Dual-pane lens is the most effective anti-fog design there is, and the maker names it
- MIL-PRF-32432 plus an airsoft-specific ASTM F2879 rating with the strap
- Strap plus foam seal — no gap for a ricocheting BB to find
- Four tints
Where it falls short
- A goggle: bulkier and warmer than spectacles for a long summer session
- Not stated to fit over prescription glasses
- Weight and UV not published
Skip this if…
…you need it over prescription glasses — Pyramex does not say it fits over them, and a stated OTG frame will.
#ad · Price set by Amazon · Disclosure for the link to Pyramex I-Force
Rank 05
Stock photoBest goggle for dust
DEWALT DPG82 Concealer Goggle
Sealed, vented, hard-coated, anti-fog, Z87.1+.
EvidenceResearched · not worn by us
| Rating tier | Z87.1+. ANSI/ISEA Z87.1 impact-rated: a 500 g pointed weight dropped from 50 in and a 1/4 in steel ball at 150 ft/s. The minimum for any pair on this site. |
|---|---|
| Impact rating | ANSI Z87.1+ |
| Lens material | Polycarbonate |
| Fit / size | "Soft, dual-injected rubber seal conforms to the face"; adjustable elastic cloth head strap; ventilation channels; one size |
| Coatings | ToughCoat hard coat; anti-fog lens coating |
| UV | "99.9% UVA/UVB protection" |
How the 6.7 score breaks down
- Protection rating (30%)
- 6
- Optical clarity & tint options (20%)
- 5
- Fit & ear-pro compatibility (20%)
- 6
- Fog & scratch resistance (15%)
- 9
- Value (15%)
- 9
What the spec page supports
- Sealed rubber body keeps sawdust and chips out entirely
- Named hard coat plus an anti-fog coating, vented
- Z87.1+ stated by the maker
Where it falls short
- Clear lens only
- Not stated to fit over prescription glasses
- No MIL-PRF wording — a shop goggle, not a range goggle
Skip this if…
…you need it over prescription frames or on a firing line — Pyramex states both for the I-Force and the OTS respectively.
#ad · Price set by Amazon · Disclosure for the link to DEWALT DPG82 Concealer Goggle
Rank 06
Stock photoBest over prescription glasses
Pyramex OTS
Fits over frames up to 137 × 44 mm; Z87.1-2020+; adjustable temples.
EvidenceResearched · not worn by us
| Rating tier | Z87.1+. ANSI/ISEA Z87.1 impact-rated: a 500 g pointed weight dropped from 50 in and a 1/4 in steel ball at 150 ft/s. The minimum for any pair on this site. |
|---|---|
| Impact rating | ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2020 + High Impact; CAN/CSA Z94.3-2020; CE/UKCA EN 166 |
| Lens system | Clear, Gray, I/O Mirror; SKUs S3510STJ (H2X), S3510SJ, S3520SJ, S3580SJ |
| Temples | "Lightweight nylon temples adjust for length and pitch" (ratcheting) |
| Fit / size | "Fits over frames up to 5 3/8" W x 1 3/4" H | 137mm x 44mm" |
| Coatings | H2X Anti-fog (S3510STJ) or none |
How the 7.0 score breaks down
- Protection rating (30%)
- 6
- Optical clarity & tint options (20%)
- 6
- Fit & ear-pro compatibility (20%)
- 8
- Fog & scratch resistance (15%)
- 6
- Value (15%)
- 10
What the spec page supports
- A published maximum frame size — the number every OTG buyer needs and few makers give
- Current-edition Z87.1-2020+ stated
- Temple length and pitch both adjust; gray and mirror tints offered
Where it falls short
- No MIL-PRF wording; a Z87.1+ pair worn over street glasses, not a ballistic frame
- The anti-fog version is one specific SKU (S3510STJ)
- Bulk of any OTG frame under muff cups
Skip this if…
…your street frames are wider than 137 mm — the maker's limit is the limit.
#ad · Price set by Amazon · Disclosure for the link to Pyramex OTS
Rank 07
Stock photoBest crossover to the range
Wiley X Saber Advanced
MIL-PRF-32432A and Z87.1+, changeable lenses, foam brow, lifetime warranty — a safety pair that is also a ballistic pair.
EvidenceResearched · not worn by us
| Rating tier | MIL-PRF-32432A. The maker states a MIL-PRF-32432 (or MIL-PRF-31013 / military V0) ballistic pass: a fragment simulator at several times the energy of the ANSI high-velocity test. Not on the Army list. |
|---|---|
| Impact rating | ANSI Z87.1+ ("optical clarity and high mass/high velocity impact standards") |
| Ballistic standard | "MIL-PRF-32432A Ballistic safety standards" |
| Lens system | Changeable / interchangeable lens system; "foam insert on changeable lens" |
| Fit / size | High-wrap frame; flexible adjustable nose piece |
| Frame width | Lens width 138 mm; lens height 50 mm; bridge 25 mm; temple 114 mm |
| UV | 100% UVA/UVB |
| Warranty | Lifetime warranty |
How the 8.1 score breaks down
- Protection rating (30%)
- 9
- Optical clarity & tint options (20%)
- 8
- Fit & ear-pro compatibility (20%)
- 7
- Fog & scratch resistance (15%)
- 7
- Value (15%)
- 9
What the spec page supports
- MIL-PRF-32432A and ANSI Z87.1+ both stated on the product page
- Lens swaps without tools; clear, smoke and other tints sold as changeable lenses
- Foam brow insert closes the gap above the lens that sweat and casings find
- Lifetime warranty
Where it falls short
- Weight and lens material are not published on the product page
- Rx insert availability is not stated on the product page
- 138 mm lens width runs large on narrow faces
Skip this if…
…you need an Rx insert route the maker documents on the product page, or you have a narrow face — the 138 mm lens is a full-size frame.
#ad · Price set by Amazon · Disclosure for the link to Wiley X Saber Advanced
Rank 08
Stock photoBest adjustable pair
NoCry EyeArmor+
Adjustable temples and nose, anti-fog and anti-scratch, lifetime warranty; Z87.1-2020 without the plus.
EvidenceResearched · not worn by us
| Rating tier | Z87.1. The maker states ANSI Z87.1 without the '+' high-impact mark. Basic impact only; we treat it as the floor and say so. |
|---|---|
| Impact rating | ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2020; EN 166, EN 169, EN 170, EN 172 (no '+' mark stated on the page) |
| Lens material | Polycarbonate |
| Fit / size | Customizable temple arms, adjustable nose pad, soft rubber tips |
| Coatings | Anti-fog ("five times more fog-resistant than most other glasses"); anti-scratch ("two times more scratch-resistant") |
| UV | UV380 |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime warranty |
How the 6.5 score breaks down
- Protection rating (30%)
- 5
- Optical clarity & tint options (20%)
- 5
- Fit & ear-pro compatibility (20%)
- 8
- Fog & scratch resistance (15%)
- 7
- Value (15%)
- 9
What the spec page supports
- Temple length and nose pad both adjust — useful for a shared shop pair
- Anti-fog and anti-scratch both described
- Lifetime warranty
Where it falls short
- The page states Z87.1-2020 without the '+' high-impact mark; we hold it at the floor
- Clear lens only
- The comparative coating claims are the maker's, with no method stated
Skip this if…
…you are buying for the range rather than the bench — pick a pair whose page states the Z87.1+ high-impact mark.
#ad · Price set by Amazon · Disclosure for the link to NoCry EyeArmor+
Buying safety glasses: what decides it
- The plus for any impact hazard.
- A seal for dust and splash — a goggle, or a hybrid with a foam gasket.
- Weight and temples for all-day wear.
- A named coating for fog and scratches: H2X, H2MAX, ToughCoat, Scotchgard, Uvextreme.
- Readers if the bench is at arm's length — best bifocal shooting glasses.
- Everyday wear has its own answer — safety glasses for everyday use.
How Lens & Lead rates eyewear
Pairs we claim to have worn or tested: 0
Plenty of sites say they shot every pair on the list. We didn't, and we say so. What we do instead: read the certification the maker actually publishes and repeat its wording ("meets", "certified", "tested to", "APEL"), check the lens system and the tints in the box, note whether the temples are described for ear muffs and whether an Rx route exists, and score every pick on a public rubric that weights protection first. Every figure links to where it came from; where the maker's page would not load we cite the retailer and say so. The standards themselves are explained on ANSI Z87.1 vs MIL-PRF-32432.
Scores are editorial judgments from that documented research, not test results. Commissions never set a score or decide a pick. The rubric and its weights are published.
Corrections & updates
- First edition.
Questions
Frequently asked
What are the best safety glasses?
For all-day wear, the 3M SecureFit 400: under an ounce, pressure-diffusing temples, anti-fog, Z87.1+. For a box of spares, the Pyramex Intruder. For shop and range in one, the Pyramex V2G with its MIL-PRF-32432 rating.
What does Z87+ mean on safety glasses?
The lens and frame passed the ANSI Z87.1 high-mass and high-velocity impact tests. Plain Z87 means basic impact only.
Are safety glasses OSHA approved?
OSHA does not approve products; 29 CFR 1910.133 requires Z87.1-compliant protection for the hazard. Every pair on this list states Z87.1 compliance on the maker's page.
Can safety glasses be used for shooting?
A Z87.1+ pair that covers the brow and temples is accepted at most ranges. The V2G, I-Force and Saber Advanced here also state a MIL-PRF ballistic pass.
Keep reading
Related on Lens & Lead
Receipts
Sources
- Safety Gear Pro — 3M SecureFit 400 listing ("ANSI Z87.1+ High Impact", Pressure Diffusion Temple, under 1 oz, 99.9% UV) (checked 2026-09-21)
- Pyramex — Intruder frameless eyewear page (ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2020+, CSA, EN 166, polycarbonate, tints, coatings) (checked 2026-09-21)
- Pyramex — V2G Sealed Eyewear page (ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2020+, MIL-PRF-32432, CSA, EN 166, H2X/H2MAX, temples + strap) (checked 2026-09-21)
- Pyramex — I-Force dual-pane goggle page (ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2020+, MIL-PRF-32432, ASTM F2879-22, dual pane, foam) (checked 2026-09-21)
- DEWALT — DPG82 Concealer goggle page (ANSI Z87.1+, polycarbonate, ToughCoat, anti-fog, 99.9% UVA/UVB, strap, vents) (checked 2026-09-21)
- Pyramex — OTS Over the Spectacle Eyewear page (ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2020+, fits frames up to 137 mm x 44 mm, adjustable temples) (checked 2026-09-21)
- Wiley X — Saber Advanced product page (ratings, frame measurements, warranty) (checked 2026-09-21)
- NoCry — EyeArmor+ Adjustable Anti-Fog page (ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2020, EN 166, adjustable temples, anti-fog/anti-scratch, UV380) (checked 2026-09-21)
- OSHA — 29 CFR 1910.133 Eye and face protection (checked 2026-09-21)
- MSC Industrial Supply — Understanding ANSI Z87.1 (high-mass 500 g from 4 ft; high-velocity steel ball at 102 mph; Z87+ and U/L/W/H/D/X markings) (checked 2026-09-21)
We don't own or wear-test these glasses and we don't pretend to. Ratings, lens systems, fit notes and coatings come from the maker's own product pages (linked on every product) or, where the maker's page would not load, from a retailer or press page we label as such. Where a figure isn't published we say so. Prices are set by Amazon and change often, so we don't print them. Read the full method.