Short answer: black frames are the most versatile choice: they go with almost any outfit, work at the office and on video calls, and suit most faces. The frame is about style; the lens decides what the glasses do. Pick a clear lens for daytime screens and an orange or red lens for the evening. Our picks: the InvisiAid Clear Merritt in black for the day, and the SleepAid Orange or SleepAidMax Red Merritt in black for the evening.
What Blue Light Glasses Do (Quick Refresher)
Blue light glasses filter part of the blue light from screens, bulbs and the sun. Clear lenses filter some and barely change colors; orange and red lenses filter almost all of it.
- Evening: bright light late at night can delay melatonin, the hormone that helps signal it's time to sleep. Orange or red lenses worn for the last two to three hours before bed cut most of that blue light. This is the use with the most support, though the studies are small.
- Daytime: a 2023 Cochrane review found blue light filtering lenses probably make little or no difference to eye strain. Some people still prefer how a clear filter feels.
Why Black Frames Are So Popular
- They go with almost everything, from work clothes to weekend wear.
- They look polished in meetings and on video calls.
- They suit most face shapes and are worn by everyone.
- They don't date.
- They look good with any lens color, clear, orange or red.
Which Lens to Pair With Black Frames
| Lens | Tint | Blue light blocked | Light let through (VLT) | When |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| InvisiAid | Clear | 35% (400–500nm) | 86% | Daytime screens |
| ScreenAid | Yellow | 60% (400–500nm) | 79% | Long daytime sessions, gaming |
| SleepAid | Orange | 99% (380–550nm) | 48% | Evenings, before bed |
| SleepAidMax | Red | 99.7% (380–580nm) | 22% | Last hour or two before sleep |
Lab figures measured by Micro-Light Optics. All are UV400. Never drive in SleepAid or SleepAidMax lenses.
Many people keep two black pairs: one clear for the day and one orange or red for the evening. Don't wear the orange or red pair during the day.
Our Black-Frame Picks
- Daytime: InvisiAid Clear Merritt – Black, or the rounder InvisiAid Clear Kellyn – Black.
- Evening: SleepAid Orange Merritt – Black, or the SleepAid Orange Kellyn – Black.
- Strongest evening filter: SleepAidMax Red Merritt – Black.
What Makes a Good Frame
Comfort
- Weight spread evenly on the nose
- Hinges and arms that don't pinch at the temples
- A fit that stays put without squeezing
- About as wide as your face
Durability
- Flexible frame material that doesn't snap easily
- Hinges that hold their shape
- A matte finish hides small scratches better than gloss
- A case for when they're not on your face
Frequently Asked Questions
Do blue light glasses work at night?
Orange and red lenses filter almost all blue light, which is the use with the most support for sleep, though the studies are small. A clear lens won't do much at night. See blue light glasses before bed.
Are black frames too bold for the office?
No. Black is the most neutral frame color for work and video calls.
Can I use one pair for work and gaming?
For daytime, yes: a clear or yellow lens covers both. For late-night gaming, an orange or red pair is better, and keep the clear pair for daytime color work.
Do blue light glasses change the colors on screen?
Clear lenses barely change them. Orange and red lenses change colors a lot. See do blue light glasses change color?
The Bottom Line
Black frames are the easiest choice to wear every day. Pick the lens for when you'll wear them: clear for the day, orange or red for the evening.
Read more: where to find blue light glasses · blue light glasses with clear frames
