Sunglasses are an extremely important yet sometimes overlooked product to buy your baby. Although the hood on your pram or pushchair will provide some level of shielding, when the sun starts to come out so should a pair sunglasses, even if it's a slightly cloudy day.

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The sun's rays can be extremely harmful to your baby's eyes, so investing in a quality pair of sunglasses from a trusted brand is important.You'll find expert information as to why and when babies should wear sunglasses at the bottom of this artcle.

Due to the importance of the quality of a baby's sunglasses, we've scoured the market for the very best brands and asked parents test them with their babies to provide you with a list of the very best sunglasses to protect your baby's eyes.

If you have a slightly older child, then you might need to look at our best kids' sunglasses. For more sun protection, we have a list of the best sunscreens for kids and babies and best sun hats for babies and toddlers. For in the pram, a sheepskin pram liner can really help regulate your baby's temperature when the weather starts to get warmer.

Best baby sunglasses at a glance

  • Best baby sunglasses for a secure fit: JoJo Maman Bebe Kids' Flexible Sunglasses, £16
  • Best baby sunglasses for durability: Babiators Original Euro Round Sunglasses, £30
  • Best baby sunglasses for comfort: Polarn O. Pyret Baby UV Wraparound Sunglasses, £20
  • Best budget baby sunglasses: Marks & Spencer Kids' Elasticated Baby Sunglasses, £7
  • Best lightweight baby sunglasses: Roshambo Popple Light Pink Round Baby Shades, £21
  • Best baby sunglasses for active babies: Julbo Looping Sunglasses, £18.99
  • Best baby sunglasses for adjustability: KIDDUS Kids Comfort Sunglasses, £20.95
  • Best baby sunglasses for a retro design: Baby Banz Retro Banz Oval Baby Sunglasses, £12.99
  • Best baby sunglasses for growing with your baby: IZIPIZI Kids Sunglasses, £30
  • Best baby sunglasses for a cute design: 10. Babiators Original Flower Sunglasses, £30

What to look for when choosing baby sunglasses

Coverage – Make sure your baby’s sunglasses cover a good proportion of the eye area, so they get the maximum protection from them.

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Comfort – It is also important to invest in a pair that your baby is comfortable in, otherwise they won’t wear them. Look for enveloping designs that don't sit directly on your baby's ears, as well as lightweight materials.

Strap or headband – If your baby is prone to taking hats or accessories off the minute they're popped on, then look for a pair of shades with a headband or strap to keep them secure.

Durability – Try and choose flexible materials like rubber that can withstand being bent or dropped – this becomes even more important as your baby gets older and more active.

Lenses – Consider polarised lenses if your baby is going to be in bright sunshine. They help can help to increase visibility for your baby by reducing glare, also making for a comfortable experience.

Here's our pick of the best baby sunglasses

1. JoJo Maman Bebe Kids' Flexible Sunglasses, £16

– Best for a secure fit

JoJo Maman Bebe Kids' Flexible Sunglasses tested by 1 year old girl.jpg

Sizes: 0-2 years and 3-6 years | Filter category: 3 | Polarised lenses: No | Strap: Yes (detachable) | Colours available: Yellow, Navy, Duck Egg and Fuchsia

Made with a detachable and adjustable elastic strap, these sunglasses are ideal for babies who are prone to pulling them off. They're similar in design to prescription glasses for babies, so you know this type of design can be relied upon to stay put, although some children with strong sensory preferences may find them a bit restrictive.

With maximum protection against UVA and UVB, you can also be sure your baby's eyes are protected in strong sunlight in these glasses. They also come in a lovely variety of colours, at a competitive price.

Parent tester Vidhi tested these sunglasses with her 1 year old daughter (pictured above) and said, "They were good quality plastic and wrap around so fit well on my daughter. The arms were flexible so had a good flex on them, not just to put on but also when my daughter would pull them off. The detachable strap was also a great idea as my daughter wasn't keen on wearing them with the strap so has the option".

Parent tester Sarah tested these sunglasses with her 1 year old son and liked that they were easy to clean and commented that they are functional sunglasses more than fashionable".

Pros: Has a detachable strap, comes in lots of fun colours
Cons: May not be suitable for children who do not like feeling restricted

Available from: JoJo Maman Bebe

2. Babiators Original Euro Round Sunglasses, £30

– Best for durability

Babiators Original Euro Round Sunglasses tested by 6 month old boy

Sizes: 0-2 years, 3-5 years | Filter category: 3 | Polarised lenses: No | Strap: No | Colours available: Tortoise, Plum, Cream, Sage, Peach and Mist

These adorable rounded sunglasses have been made with a flexible rubber that Babiators calls "virtually indestructible". This means they shouldn't break if they get bent or shatter if they get dropped according to the brand. We've stomped on them, stretched them, and thrown them on the floor and can confirm they're near-impossible to damage.

The people behind Babiators are so confident about the durability of these glasses that they offer a free replacement if the sunglasses are broken or lost within 1 year of purchase.

The lenses of the sunglasses are impact and shatter-resistant, offering 100% UV protection. The lightweight rubber frames also means they offer a comfy fit for your baby whilst looking really cute in the fun array of colours available. The sunglasses come with a drawstring bag to keep the sunglasses safe and easy to pack or take out and about with you.

Parent tester Amy tested these sunglasses with her 6 month old son (pictured) and said, "The glasses feel sturdy but are also flexible so I had no concerns about Leo pulling them off his face and potentially breaking them. We threw them in the changing bag, dropped them out of the pushchair and Leo pulled them about and they remained firmly in one piece. The first thing I noticed about them is that they provide 100% UV protection which is great as my little boy is drawn to staring at lights and I worry about him looking at the sun."

The only thing Amy did mention was that a strap may have been better to stop a baby keep taking them off, but when her son realised they were preventing the sun from going in his eyes he kept them on.

Parent tester Nicola also tested these sunglasses with her 21 month old daughter and said, "They seem very child proof, she as bent, squeezed and twisted them and has so far not caused any damage". However, Nicola does think they come up quite big in size.

Pros: Comes with a drawstring bag, lovely choice of colours and durable
Cons: No strap to keep them secure

Available from: Babiators and Natural Baby Shower

3. Polarn O. Pyret Baby UV Wraparound Sunglasses, £20

– Best for comfort

Polarn O. Pyret wrap-around sunglasses tested by 8 month old boy

Sizes: 6 months-2 years | Filter category: 3 | Polarised lenses: Yes | Strap: No | Colours available: Black

These Polarn O. Pyret sunglasses have a wraparound flexible style to ensure they are comfortable for your baby and stay on their heads.

They have polarised lenses to help reduce the sun's glare and protect your baby's eyes, and the wraparound design means there are no gaps at the side of the face for the sun's rays to sneak through.

The stylish plain black sunglasses also come with a little bag to store them when not in use.

Parent tester Neri tested these sunglasses with her 8 month old son (pictured above) and said, "I liked the design of the sunglasses, they looked cool and made my son look cool. The sunglasses fit nicely around the head but were too long in length, so I think maybe my son was too little for them to be as effective as they could be".

From Neri's comment, it's clear sunglasses may be slightly more suitable for older babies and toddlers, so do bear this in mind if you're looking for something for a very small baby.

Parent tester Chelsea also tested these sunglasses with her 1 year old and said, "I'd recommend them, I'd say they're a cleverly designed shape to keep the sun of their eyes at every angle but on top of that, they're flexible enough to survive parent-life and the careless hands of a toddler".

Pros: Look good and stylish, have a wrap around style and comes with a protective bag
Cons: May not be suitable for smaller babies and does not have a strap

Available from: Polarn O. Pyret

4. Marks & Spencer Kids' Elasticated Baby Sunglasses, £7

– Best budget buy

M&S elasticated baby sunglasses

Sizes: One size | Filter category: 3 | Polarised lenses: No | Strap: Yes | Colours available: Coral Mix and Blue Mix

If you're looking for a cute, secure pair of sunglasses that offers great protection then these lovely rounded frames from M&S are a perfect fit. The Sun Smart lenses offer 100% UV protection to keep your baby's eyes protected and they come in a choice of a bright blue (pictured) or a light coral.

These sunglasses have a elasticated, riptape fastening that allows you to choose the best fit for your baby so they remain secure and comfortable, as well as growing with them as they get older. If you want one pair of sunglasses to suit all occasions at a good price, this is definitely a great option.

Pros: Great value, adjustable band
Cons: May not be suitable for younger babies or for children who do not like feeling restricted

Available from: Marks & Spencer

5. Roshambo Popple Light Pink Round Baby Shades, £21

– Best for lightweight

Roshambo Popple Light Pink Round Baby Shades tested by 18 month old Effy

Sizes: 0-2 years | Filter category: 3 | Polarised lenses: Yes | Strap: Can be purchased separately | Colours available: Pink

These adorable pink shades can be bought with either regular polarised lenses or mirrored blue or purple polarised lenses, depending on your preference. There's also the option to add a floating strap for an extra £4.

They offer 100% UVA protection and are shatter resistant with added glare reduction to reduce eye strain. The material of the sunglasses is specially designed to be durable, flexible and ultra lightweight: so light they claim they can float!

Like Babiators, the folks at Roshambo is so confident that their sunglasses should last that they offer a full damage and lens replacement guarantee. As an added bonus, each purchase supports the autism charity Surfers Healing.

Parent tester Amber tested these sunglasses with her 18 month old daughter (pictured above) and said, "I love the colour and flexibility of them. They have such a cool design and the fact that they are 'unbreakable' is a massive bonus as we all know children can be very heavy handed. The only tiny con is once you add the band to keep the glasses on your child's head, they can be a bit fiddly to put on, especially if your child has a lot of hair".

Parent tester Mehack, tested these sunglasses with her 16 month old daughter and said, "The polaroid look is very trendy and the frame material is comfortable".

Available from: Roshambo

6. Julbo Looping Sunglasses, £18.99

– Best for active babies

Julbo Looping Sunglasses tested by 6 month old baby girl

Sizes: 1-2 years | Filter Category: 4 | Polarised lenses: No| Strap: Yes | Colours available: Blue and red design

For the times when the family goes trekking, mountain climbing or even kayaking, Julbo has developed these Looping 2 sunglasses.

With a category 4 protection rating they definitely block out the sun's rays, and also have wrap around coverage, curved temples, and a flat elastic strap to keep them in place. They're designed to stay put even on the most active children.

Parent tester Vanessa tested these sunglasses with her 6 month old daughter (pictured above) and said, "they are a high quality product with high protection lenses with a wraparound style and flexible material and survive being sat on and played with. They also have no hinges to trap little fingers and stay on for even the most determined to yank them down."

Pros: Stretchy strap for security, suitable for snow and mountains
Cons: May not be suitable for children who struggle with restrictive clothing

Available from: Amazon

7. KIDDUS Kids Comfort Sunglasses, £20.95

– Best for adjustability

KIDDUS Kids Comfort Sunglasses

Sizes: 6 months+ | Filter category: 3 | Polarised lenses: Yes | Strap: Yes | Colours available: Stars, Dots, Flamingos and Hearts

These sunglasses come in a whole range of funky prints including stars, dots, flamingos and hearts, so there's bound to be something to suit your child. The headband included makes the sunglasses adjustable to fit and keeps them in place.

As well as providing UVA, UVB and UV 400 protection, the frame and legs are completely flexible so you don't have to worry about them breaking.

Pros: Funky prints and adjustable band
Cons: Band may not be suitable for those that don't like restrictive clothing

Available from: Amazon

8. Baby Banz Retro Banz Oval Baby Sunglasses, £12.99

– Best for a retro design

Baby Banz Retro Banz Oval Baby Sunglasses tested by 1 year old girl

Sizes: 0-2 years and 2-5 years | Filter category: 3 | Polarised lenses: No | Strap: Yes | Colours available: Pink, white and black

Baby Banz Retro Banz are both fun and practical, thanks to their big oval lens design, and the thick band designed to keep them secure on your baby's head.

They offer 100% UV protection and the neoprene headband is adjustable to help fit your baby perfectly.

The sunglasses also come with a soft lens cleaner and carry pouch.

Parent tester Nirali tested these sunglasses with her 1 year old son (pictured above) and said, "these sunglasses were one of the only ones that actually stayed on instead of being everywhere else. However, they didn't have rubber grips at the nose which meant if we kept them tight he would be left with marks." She just advised being cautious about how long they're left on without a break. "It didn't bother him but I felt like they shouldn't be left on for too long".

Pros: Fun retro design and secure adjustable band
Cons: Band may not be suitable for those that don't like restrictive clothing

Available from: Amazon

9. IZIPIZI Sun Kids Sunglasses, £30

– Best for growing with your baby

IZIPIZI sunglasses tested by 8 month old baby boy

Sizes: 12 months - 3 years, 3-5 years and 0-9 months | Filter category: 3 | Polarised lenses: Yes | Strap: Yes | Colours available: Blue, Pink, Yellow, Navy and Cream

These sunglasses will adjust and grow with your baby thanks to the soft straight frame and adjustable silicone strap that secures the sunglasses to your baby's head and ensures they don't get lost.

The lenses are polarised and offer 100% UV protection. The material of the sunglasses is also BPA free and hypoallergenic making them great for sensitive skin.

A storage pouch to keep the sunglasses safe is included too.

Parent tester Nildeniz, mum of 8 month old boy (pictured above) said, "I like that the sunglasses have 100% UV protection and the lenses are polarised, yet they are still stylish." However, she thought the band was unnecessary for her son, saying it "was a bit too tight for my baby and they stayed on just fine without it". As it's removable, you have the option to leave it off if you prefer.

Pros: Lots of colours to choose from, comes with a strap to keep secure and grows with your baby
Cons: Quite pricey and band may not be suitable for babies who don't like feeling restricted

Available from: Smallable, Trotters Childrenswear and Baby Mori

10. Babiators Original Flower Sunglasses, £30

— Best for cute design

Babiator Sunglasses tester picture

Sizes: 0-2 years and 3-5 years | Filter category: 3 | Polarised lenses: No | Strap: No | Colours available: Sunflowers, Daisy, Iris

These sunflower-shaped sunglass are not only bright and cute, but they're made from an extremely strong and flexible rubber that Babiators describe as 'virtually indestructible' so won't break when they're twisted, bent, dropped or even stood on. The adorable frames come in a choice of Sunflowers (pictured), Daisy or Iris and they are made from a super soft and gentle rubber that's comfortable on your baby's face. Parent tester Devaki who tested these with her 18-month-old daughter Savya-Saachi (pictured) said "they provide a secure and comfortable fit on my child's face. The frame is sturdy yet lightweight and the curved design of the sunglasses offers a wide coverage. The frames are soft and gentle on my child's delicate skin and the vibrant yellow design adds a fashionable flair to their outfit."

The UV400 lenses are impact and shatter-resistant to prevent against breakage whilst also providing 100% UVA and UVB protection to protect your baby's eyes. We love that they come with a vibrant microfibre drawstring bag to help and keep them protected and, if you do lose or break them, then Babiators offer a 1-year lost or broken guarantee and will send you a free replacement. So, whilst they are expensive, they really are super durable and long-lasting.

Pros: Fun designs, comes with a drawstring bag, 1 year lost or broken guarantee, durable
Cons: Quite pricey, no strap to keep them secure

Available from: Babiators and Natural Baby Shower

How did we choose our 10 of the Best?

When testing and selecting these sunglasses, we considered features such as; protection, comfort, durability, longevity and style.

Our 10 of the Best lists are compiled by qualified and experienced parenting journalists. They rely on a number of sources, including our independent reviews, testing undertaken during the MadeForMums Awards, and feedback from our home testing panel and Top Testers Club. Each year thousands of products are put through their paces by hundreds of parents across the country on behalf of MadeForMums, to ensure we’re bringing you honest and true reviews and recommendations.

Our list is not an ordered ranking from 1-10, instead it is a carefully selected group of tried-and-tested products, each of which we believe is best for a different situation or requirement. We don’t just tell you what is best, we help you discover what is best for your family.

Top 4 things you should do to protect your child's eyes from UV rays

Here are expert Ophthalmologist, Vik Sharma's top tips to protect your child's eyes.

  1. Wear sunglasses. Check that your child's sunglasses have robust lens protection levels, either 100% UV or UV400 protection blocking both UV-A and UV-B rays. Polarised lenses reflect light but must still have UV protection. If you're worried consider wraparound sunglasses that block more UV light.
  2. Protect your child's eyes even when it's cloudy. Remember that clouds don't block UV light. UV light passes through clouds into your eyes.
  3. Never let your child look directly into the sun as it damages retinas. Be aware that UV light is strongest noon to early afternoon and especially when reflected off water, ice or snow.
  4. Have your child wear a hat, broad-brimmed hates are best, or baseball caps with a peak.

When should a baby start wearing sunglasses?

"Children should wear sunglasses as soon as they're able to and whenever they're in a sunny environment", said expert Ophthalmologist, Vik.

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What UV Protection should baby sunglasses have?

Sunglasses for babies (and all children) should provide as much protection as possible. The highest being category 4, which offers virtually 100% UVA protection and conform to European safety standards, EN 1836:2005. Look out for those marked as UV400; this means they block a minimum of 99.9% UVB and 99% UVA.

About our expert

Vik Sharma is a Fellow of the Royal College of Opthamologists and a full accredited consultant on the UK General Medical Council Specialist Register. He has completed a Glaucoma Fellowship in London, and has unndergone further training in Ocula-Plastics at the Premier Facial Plastic Centre in Sarasota, Florida.

About the author

Chloe is a Digital Reviews Writer and Coordinator for Immediate Media's Parenting team. She researches and writes articles, recommending the best products for parents, ranging from best sleep aids to best playpens. She has a First-Class Honours Psychology degree where she developed a strong interest in child development. She has scoured the internet to get samples of the best sunglasses sent out to be tested.

Authors

Picture of Chloe Brightwell
Chloe BrightwellDigital Reviews Writer and Coordinator

Chloe is a Digital Reviews Writer and Coordinator for Immediate Media's Parenting team, specialising in household and trying to help parents save money. She researches and writes articles, recommending the best products, ranging from best cordless vacuums to best playpens. She has a First-Class Honours Psychology degree where she developed a strong interest in child development. During her teenage years she worked as a play worker and Brownie volunteer to support children's play.

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