Best Tinted Glasses Lens Types & Colors: How to Pick the Right One for You？

Tinted glasses lenses have become one of the most popular summer trends. From dark tinted lens shades and light tints to vibrant rainbow hues in between, colored tinted lenses are a fantastic way to add a stylish touch to your tinted sunglasses. But did you know each tinted lens color serves a specific purpose—beyond just looking great?

While many tinted sunglasses already include 100% UVA-UVB protection (a key must-have for eye safety), certain tinted glasses lenses go further: they help reduce glare from reflective surfaces (like roads, water, or snow) and let you see more comfortably in bright sunlight—all while keeping your style on point.

This guide breaks down everything you need to know about tinted glasses lenses, tinted lens colors, and which options may be the best tinted lenses for your unique needs (whether you’re driving, spending time outdoors, or just updating your look).

The Different Tints of Sunglasses

Tinted sunglasses come in a range of colors. From blue to green to charcoal gray, there are tons of options that match your style preferences and vision needs.

Before we break down the different lens colors and what they can do for your eyes, it’s important to understand the different kinds of tinted sunglasses available. The two most popular kinds are polarized lenses and mirrored sunglasses.

Let’s break down the difference below.

What Are Polarized Lenses?

Polarized lenses are a specialized type of sunglass lens designed to filter horizontal glare from reflective surfaces—a key feature that boosts visual comfort and enhances contrast in bright sunlight. This glare often comes from common everyday surfaces: think calm water surfaces (like lakes or oceans), wet road pavement, shiny vehicle bodies, reflective traffic signs, or even polished sidewalks. When this light bounces into your eyes, it doesn’t just blur your vision—it can also cause eye fatigue and discomfort over time.

Natural light scatters in all directions: vertically, horizontally, and diagonally. But the light that triggers the most discomfort (and vision interference) is horizontal light reflections from those glossy or reflective surfaces. That’s exactly where polarized sunglasses shine. Unlike regular tinted sunglasses, polarized sunglasses feature a thin, specialized polarizing coating that targets and blocks excess horizontal light. This not only cuts down on harsh glare dramatically but also sharpens contrast—so you can see more clearly (whether you’re driving, boating, or walking outdoors) and keep your eyes feeling comfortable, even in intense sunlight.

What About Mirrored Lenses?

Mirrored sunglasses have emerged as a top trendy sunglasses style in 2024—not just for making a bold fashion statement, but also for shielding your eyes from harsh sun rays and delivering maximum UV protection (a must-have for daily eye safety). They feature a full reflective coating that creates their sought-after mirrored appearance, and many mirrored lenses even double as polarized mirrored lenses—boosting visual clarity by cutting down on glare from roads, water, or shiny surfaces.

Both mirrored lenses and polarized lenses (including popular polarized mirrored styles) are available in a range of colored mirrored lenses. Depending on your color preferences and how you plan to use your sunglasses (e.g., driving, hiking, beach days), you’ll want to choose the right colored mirrored lens. Below, we break down the most popular colored mirrored lens shades, what each color does, and tips to find the best colored mirrored lens for your needs!

Lens Color Guide

Charcoal Gray Lenses

If you have a mellow style and prefer sunglasses that pair seamlessly with neutral outfits, gray tinted lenses (or gray shades) are your best bet. But these lenses are more than just a fashion-forward choice—gray tinted lenses are a top pick for most people because they perform exceptionally well in all weather conditions, from sunny days to rainy afternoons.

On cloudy or rainy days, gray polarized lenses stand out: they enhance visual contrast and cut down on glare from wet roads, puddles, or shiny pavements—perfect for driving or walking in slippery, reflective conditions. When it’s bright and sunny, regular gray tinted lenses keep your eyes comfortable by softening harsh sunlight without overwhelming your vision. Better yet, gray shades preserve accurate outdoor colors, so you’ll get true color perception (no distorted hues) whether you’re shopping, sightseeing, or enjoying nature.

What can you do with gray tinted lenses? Almost anything! They’re ideal for everyday use (commuting, running errands, casual outings) as well as sports (tennis, cycling, golf) and outdoor activities (hiking, camping, beach trips). No matter the occasion, gray tinted lenses balance style, comfort, and functionality.

Amber and Brown Lenses

Amber tinted lenses (or amber shades) are a top choice for anyone needing to maintain sharp distance and depth perception—making them more than just a stylish sunglass lens. These lenses feature a warm, reddish hue that enhances visual clarity, and when paired with polarization (as amber polarized lenses), they go even further: reducing harsh glare from reflective surfaces and boosting contrast, so you see details more easily.

Amber lenses (and their close cousin, brown tinted lenses) excel on bright, sunny days—they soften intense sunlight without distorting vision, keeping your eyes comfortable during long hours outdoors. However, if you need sunglasses that work well on rainy, cloudy days, or in low-light conditions, amber shades aren’t the best fit. For those scenarios, gray tinted lenses (which perform in all weather) are a better option.

What activities pair perfectly with amber tinted lenses? Plenty! They’re ideal for driving (cutting glare from dry roads or car hoods), racing (enhancing depth for quick reflexes), golfing (spotting fairways and greens clearly), and fishing (reducing water glare to see below the surface). No matter your outdoor pursuit, amber lenses prioritize both vision performance and comfort.

Green Lenses

Green sunglasses (and green tinted lenses) are among the trendiest options for 2024—especially when paired with popular styles like green polarized sunglasses or green mirrored sunglasses. A key advantage? They work similarly to amber tinted lenses and gray tinted lenses but stand out for their versatility: green tinted lenses perform well in both low light (cloudy, overcast days) and bright light (sunny afternoons). Whether it’s rainy, cloudy, sunny, or somewhere in between, you can rely on green shades to keep you stylish and comfortable all day long.

Beyond versatility, green tinted lenses excel at maintaining color accuracy (so your surroundings look true-to-life) and enhancing visual contrast. They do this by cutting down on harsh glare (from surfaces like roads, grass, or water) and brightening subtle shadows—making details easier to spot. Perfect for general use (daily commutes, errands, or casual outings), green sunglasses shine on both cloudy and sunny days, letting you enjoy accurate colors while protecting your eyes from excess light.

Pink and Red Lenses

Pink tinted lenses and red tinted lenses (often grouped as pink and red tinted lenses) are among the most popular sunglass lens colors in 2024—and for good reason. These hues are known to boost visual contrast, improve depth perception, and widen your field of vision, making them more than just a stylish choice.

When paired with polarization (as pink polarized lenses or red polarized lenses), they shine even brighter: they effectively reduce harsh glare from reflective surfaces like roads, snow, or water. What’s more, pink tinted lenses and red tinted lenses keep your eyes comfortable during bright conditions—think sunny afternoons, outdoor events, or long drives—by softening intense light without distorting your view. Whether you’re after a fun, bold look or functional eye protection, these lenses check both boxes.

Yellow Lenses

Yellow tinted lenses stand out for delivering a more powerful level of contrast than most other lens tints—and they excel in low-light conditions, making them a top choice for anyone needing clear vision when light is limited. Sports enthusiasts (like tennis players, cyclists, and runners) often reach for yellow tinted lenses because they sharpen focus on moving objects—whether it’s a speeding ball, a trail ahead, or traffic during evening commutes.

Beyond sports, yellow lenses are highly effective at enhancing visual contrast and reducing glare in low-light or hazy conditions (think dusk, dawn, overcast days, or foggy mornings). Even in brighter conditions (like mild sunny afternoons), they still work well: they soften harsh light without washing out details, keeping your eyes comfortable.

Whether you’re spending time outdoors (hiking, camping, or birdwatching), navigating low-light/hazy environments (early-morning drives, evening walks), or just wearing yellow tinted lenses for their sunny, energetic color, these lenses check all the boxes for functionality and style.

Blue Lenses

Blue tinted lenses (or blue shades) are a top popular sunglass lens color in 2024—perfect for adding a vibrant pop of color to any outfit, while delivering practical benefits you’ll love. Beyond style, blue tinted sunglasses offer 100% UVA/UVB protection (a non-negotiable for daily eye safety) and enhance visual contrast, making details easier to spot in bright or mild light. A key advantage of blue tinted lenses? They maintain true color perception—no distorted hues—so your surroundings look as they should, whether you’re shopping, sightseeing, or exploring outdoors.

For even more functionality, blue polarized lenses stand out: they’re excellent at reducing harsh glare in specific conditions, like snowy slopes (cutting reflection from snow), lake or ocean surfaces (softening water glare), or bright sunny afternoons (dimming intense sunlight). Unlike some tints that only work in limited scenarios, blue tinted lenses are versatile enough to enjoy all year long—from winter ski trips to summer beach days, they blend fashion-forward style with reliable eye protection.

Choosing the Best Tint for You

Choosing the best lens tint for you starts with your personal preferences—after all, you’ll wear what you love! First, ask: What lens colors do you like most? Which tinted lens colors match your clothing, personal style, or everyday outfits? Keep these questions in mind when selecting a lens color—your new tint should blend style and comfort seamlessly.

Next, prioritize lens tint selection based on your most common activities (the ones you do while wearing sunglasses). If you often wear sunglasses in low-light conditions (dusk, dawn), hazy fog, or cloudy weather, opt for a lens tint that excels in dim light: yellow tinted lenses, green tinted lenses, or gray tinted lenses are top choices here. For brighter conditions (sunny afternoons, beach days, outdoor events), go for a lens color that handles intense light: gray tinted lenses, blue tinted lenses, or red tinted lenses work best to keep eyes comfortable.

You’ll also need to decide: Do you want polarized sunglasses lenses, mirrored sunglasses lenses, or a combo (polarized mirrored lenses)? Each has key benefits: polarized lenses reduce harsh glare from roads, water, or snow and enhance visual contrast (perfect for driving or fishing); mirrored lenses add a fashion-forward look, block UV rays, and keep eyes comfortable by reflecting excess light. Pick the type that fits your needs—whether you prioritize function, style, or both.

A Hint of Tint

When it comes to tinted sunglasses lens colors, the options are endless—and that’s a good thing! Whether you want to spice up your wardrobe, add a vibrant pop of color to daily outings, or boost eye comfort and visual contrast during summer days (or any sunny season), knowing the differences between lens tints helps you find the best tinted sunglasses for your needs.

From versatile gray tinted lenses and sporty amber polarized lenses to trendy blue mirrored lenses and low-light-friendly yellow tints, there’s a lens color and style to match every preference. And no matter what you’re looking for—whether it’s UV-protective everyday shades, glare-reducing driving sunglasses, or fashion-forward tinted styles—Mellume Eyewear offers a wide range of tinted sunglasses for everyone. Ready to find your perfect pair? Shop Foster Grant’s full tinted sunglasses collection now.