Cheap kids’ sunglasses bought online found to be unsafe, a new investigation finds
Some kids’ sunglasses sold on online marketplaces fail safety tests and could put children’s eyesight at risk, Which? finds.
Buying sunglasses for a few pounds might seem like a bargain, but a new investigation has revealed that many kids’ sunglasses being sold on popular online marketplaces are unsafe.
The consumer group Which? carried out lab tests on 20 pairs of sunglasses bought from six online marketplaces including eBay, AliExpress, Temu, TikTok, and Amazon.
They found that none of the sunglasses met the requirements for them to be legally sold in the UK, and many of them didn’t provide nearly enough eye protection to make them safe to wear.
“With summer holidays approaching, it is understandable that parents will want to buy their children sunglasses, and kids and parents alike might be tempted by some of the cheap and trendy options sold online,” Rocio Concha, Which?’s director of policy and advocacy, said.
"Our research shows many of these models are so ineffective as to be dangerous for children to wear.”
Why cheap kids’ sunglasses can be unsafe
Sunglasses should be able to block the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun — especially kids’ and babies' sunglasses, as their eyes are still developing.
Children’s eyes absorb more UV light because their pupils are larger and their lenses are very clear, according to the Royal National Institute of Blind People. Exposure to UV, especially over a long time, can increase risks of developing eye conditions like cataracts.
But two of the pairs of sunglasses Which? tested didn’t filter out UV rays at all, despite claiming to provide UV protection.
In another five pairs they tested, Which? found that each lens provided different levels of UV protection. This means that one lens filters UV less than the other or parts of a lens filter out less than other parts, which can lead to discomfort or eye strain.
And none of the sunglasses met the required standards to be sold legally in the UK. This was because they were missing important compliance information, like the name of the manufacturer, lens filter category, or compliance markings — meaning CE or UKCA marks.
The worst offenders: sunglasses marked as ‘Don’t Buy’ by Which?
Which? were particularly concerned about two of the pairs they tested: Cute Cat Kids’ Sunglasses UV Protection, bought from eBay at £1.59, and Classic Vintage Holiday Sunglasses UV400, bought for £3.99, also on eBay.
The Cute Cat pair let through 19 to 22 times the safe limit of UVB rays, offering almost no eye protection. They also failed safety checks for consistency between lenses.
Meanwhile, the Classic Vintage pair were labelled as having UV400 protection (which should block UV rays up to 400 nanometres), but UV rays easily penetrated both lenses in Which?’s tests.
Neither came with proper packaging, safety warnings, instructions, or CE/UKCA marks.
The latter pair is no longer listed online, but the seller has another 34 different models still for sale and claims to have sold more than 500 pairs previously.
Other pairs that failed to filter UV evenly across the lenses included products named:
- Pink Retro Love Heart UV400 (£2.83 from eBay)
- Heart Pattern UV400 (£5.28 from eBay)
- New Fashion Pilot sunglasses for kids children (£1.16 from AliExpress)
- Trendy And Vibrant Glasses for Kids (£1 from Temu)
How to make sure your child’s sunglasses are safe
All the products that failed Which?’s tests are no longer on sale, but here’s what to look out for to make sure you’re buying safe, effective sunglasses for your kids.
- Buy from recognised brands. Avoid unknown sellers on online marketplaces and stick with trusted high street retailers or optical brands.
- Check for a CE or UKCA mark. This means the sunglasses meet legal safety requirements (though be aware fakes exist).
- Look for UV400 protection, meaning the lenses block nearly 100% of UV rays.
- Category 3 lenses are dark enough for everyday bright sun, but you’ll need category 4 for skiing.
- Choose robust or flexible frames that will survive rough play or being dropped.
- Try before you buy to make sure the fit is comfy for your child.
Where to buy safe sunglasses for children
There’s good news: Which? tested sunglasses from four familiar high street brands, and all the pairs passed their tests.
The following pairs provided enough UV protections and did so evenly across the lenses:
- Babiators Original Navigator Sunglasses, £25
- Boots Kids’ Sunglasses, £10
- John Lewis Flamingo Print Sunglasses, £7
- Vision Express Unofficial Kids’ Sunglasses, £15
If you’re shopping for sunglasses for your kids this summer, give unknown brands on unknown sellers on online marketplaces a miss. Stick with trusted names and retailers to make sure your little one’s eyes are properly protected – and always look for that CE or UKCA mark.