5 Best Sunglasses for Pickleball: Pros, Cons, Reviews

While the likes of footwear in pickleball is often discussed, there aren’t enough conversations relating to high-quality eyewear, and there really should be!

In a fast-paced game like pickleball, it can be challenging to track the ball. Introduce blinding sunlight into the mix and you’ll have a tough time indeed. That’s why you should consider picking up a pair of sunglasses. Not only will they prevent you from ever squinting again, but you’ll also look damn cool while you’re playing.

The 5 best sunglasses for pickleball are:

1. Oakley Men’s Flak 2.0 XL Sunglasses — Best Overall
2. Tifosi Swank Sport Sunglasses — Most Stylish
3. Oakley Mens Holbrook XL Square Sunglasses – More Casual Style
4. Tifosi Intense Sport Sunglasses — Best for Indoor Play
5. Under Armour Playmaker Wrap Sunglasses – Best Budget Pick

The best sunglasses for pickleball usually feature either brown or red/rose lenses. Brown lenses are the best for varied climates as they tackle overcast and extremely sunny days equally well. Red/rose lenses, on the other hand, red/rose lenses are better at enhancing contrast, making it easier to track the ball.

But that’s just the basics when it comes to pickleball sunglasses. Read on as I cover everything you should look out for and which models I recommend.

Why You Should Trust Us

Ping Pong Ruler are experts in all things sports. I’ve spent my life learning and playing different sports and pickleball is my latest sporting craze.

For this review, I spent hours researching the various technology behind sunglasses and how it relates to pickleball. I also took advice from fellow pickleballers to understand their preferences and the reasons behind them.

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The 5 Best Sunglasses for Pickleball

1. Oakley Men’s Flak 2.0 XL Sunglasses — Best Overall

Specifications

• Frame: Lightweight O Matter plastic
• UV protection: 100% UV protection
• Lens dimensions: 58 mm x 38 mm

Pros

• 38 colors to choose from
• Uses Prizm Field technology
• Features Oakley’s patented High Definition Optics
• Lightweight O Matter frame
• Unobtainium frame increases grip the more you sweat
• Semi-rimless for increased field of view
• Includes cleaning cloth and case
• 2-year warranty

Cons

• Expensive
• Large fit may not appeal to all

Rating: 9.9

The Oakley Flak 2.0 XL sunglasses are largely considered the best pickleball sunglasses by players. They are loaded with cool tech, such as Prizm Field technology. This enhances contrast making them great for sunny days.

We also love the lightweight O Matter frame, which pairs with the Unobtainium nose pads and ear socks. The sunglasses remain comfortable all day, and the grip increases the more you sweat. Great for high-intensity pickleball matches!

To further drive home how great these sunglasses are, they are available in a staggering 38 colors, which smashes the competition. You can also quickly swap out the lenses depending on the conditions you will be playing in. Count us impressed!

 

2. Tifosi Swank Sport Sunglasses — Most Stylish

Specifications

• Frame: TR90
• UV protection: 100% UV protection
• Lens dimensions: 51 mm x 42 mm

Pros

• 29 colors to choose from
• Very attractive
• Inexpensive
• Polycarbonate lenses
• Anti-glare
• Scratch-resistant
• Hinge never tugs hair
• Includes microfiber cleaning bag
• Lifetime warranty

Cons

• Not particularly grippy

Rating: 9.8

These glasses may not look like your typical pair of sports glasses but make no mistake. They are perfect for the job! They feature polycarbonate lenses that are scratch-resistant, anti-glare, and block 100% of the sun’s harmful UV rays.

As for the frame, they are constructed from TR90, just like the Under Armour Playmaker sunglasses. This means they are durable and lightweight — the frame weighs just 23 g! We also rate that they use Tifosi Glide technology, making them easy to put on and take off. We just wish they were a little more grippy. The hydrophilic rubber nose pads may not be enough for some people who are big-time sweaters.

You can pick up the Swank sunglasses in 29 different colors. We are particularly fond of the crystal brown onyx with a brown gradient. It screams style and is perfect for pickleball players in varied climates. There are also plenty of lighter colors available such as satin crystal blush and teal, which could be a good option for women’s pickleball sunglasses

To seal the deal, Tifosi offers a lifetime warranty when you purchase. It doesn’t get any better than that!

 

3. Oakley Mens Holbrook XL Square Sunglasses – More Casual Style

Specifications

• Frame: Lightweight O Matter plastic
• UV protection: 100% UV protection
• Lens dimensions: 59 mm x 43 mm

Pros

• 20 colors to choose from
• Uses Prizm Field technology
• Features Oakley’s patented High Definition Optics
• Includes micro bag for cleaning and storage
• 2-year warranty

Cons

• Expensive
• Large fit may not appeal to all

Rating: 9.7

Up next, we have our second Oakley pickleball sunglasses: the Holbrook. These sunglasses took inspiration from the screen heroes from the 1940s to the 1960s. As you would expect, the technology in these sunglasses is largely the same as the Flak 2.0 XL sunglasses.

The frame, however, is quite different. It is far less curved than the Flak 2.0 XL and uses a three-point fit. Only the frame makes contact with the nose and side of the head.

It also uses a full-frame rather than a semi-rimless frame, as the Flak 2.0 XL does. While this, in principle, slightly reduces your field of view, the lenses for these sunglasses are actually larger. They measure 59 mm x 43 mm instead of the Flak 2.0 XL’s 58 mm x 38 mm.

All in all, there is very little to separate these pairs of sunglasses. Ultimately, we feel the decision largely comes down to style and fit. We feel the Flak 2.0 XL has the better fit which is why it took our top spot.

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4. Tifosi Intense Sport Sunglasses — Best for Indoor Play

Specifications

• Frame: TR90
• UV protection: 100% UV protection
• Lens dimensions: 64.5 mm x 40.5 mm

Pros

• 6 colors to choose from
• Very wide field of view
• Inexpensive
• Polycarbonate lenses
• Anti-glare
• Scratch-resistant
• Hydrophilic rubber nose pads and arms
• Includes microfiber cleaning bag
• Lifetime warranty

Cons

• Better-looking sunglasses available

Rating: 9.6

Tifosi comes good again with their Intense sunglasses. But how do they compare with the Tifosi Swank sunglasses? Good question. Each has its merits. For starters, it’s good to know that these are largely the same sunglasses. They use identical polycarbonate lenses, which are scratch-proof, shatter-proof, and reduce lens glare.

They also feature the same TR90 frame material, which is super lightweight and robust. However, there are some differences you should know about. First thing first, the obvious. These sunglasses sport a different overall design which is far more sporty in nature — much like the Under Armour Playmaker.

This means they wrap around the head for a more secure fit. They also feature more hydrophilic coverage for enhanced grip. As such, there’s little risk of them coming loose which is the main issue with the Swank sunglasses. On the flip side, there are much fewer colors available, with 6 on offer. We also feel they fall short of the Swank in terms of style.

Yet one distinguishing quality of these sunglasses is that they are available with clear lenses. This makes them the obvious choice for indoor play, where you don’t need a tint.

 

5. Under Armour Playmaker Wrap Sunglasses – Best Budget Pick

Specifications

• Frame: TR90
• UV protection: 100% UV protection
• Lens dimensions: 72 mm x 43.4 mm

Pros

• Duo lenses
• Strong frame
• Water-resistant
• Includes case
• 5 colors to choose from
• 3-year warranty

Cons

• May include nickel and bisphenol A which are harmful

Rating: 9.4

If you want a more affordable pair of sunglasses the Playmaker by Under Armour could be a good option. The Duo lenses provide 100% UV protection, and the TR90 frame is not only robust and flexible but also hypoallergenic.

Another plus with these sunglasses is that they are water and smudge-resistant, making them easier to clean than other brands. Under Armour offer the Playmaker sunglasses in 5 different colors. We recommend the red-tinted lenses for pickleball.

While they fall short of the likes of the Oakley Flak 2.0 sunglasses, their reduced price point certainly makes them enticing. What’s more, they have an additional year of warranty, sitting at 3 years, inspiring confidence.

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Why You Should Consider Wearing Sunglasses for Pickleball

In sports, you need every edge you can get. It’s why you use the racket you do and wear the shoes you wear. Regarding visibility, sunglasses provide a distinct advantage over using no eyewear at all.

Here is a list of the benefits:

• Protects your eyes from the sun’s harmful UV rays
• Increases contrast
• Allows more light to reach your eyes
• Reduces glare
• Less eye strain
• Protects your eyes from dirt and debris
• Can improve your look

Pickleball Sunglasses Buying Guide

Picking the Right Colored Lenses

Gray, Brown, and Green

These colors are neutral and produce the least effects compared to the other color options. However, they are not on par with one another.

In this group, brown is the clear winner. It performs well in both overcast and sunny conditions making it a solid choice if you live in an area with a varied climate. Gray, on the other hand, is a no-go. It provides little contrast so it doesn’t offer a sporting edge.

Orange, Amber, and Yellow

While not our first choice for colored lenses, these colors do prove popular with some players. They allow more light to penetrate through to your eyes so you’re never left with a dull image. They also block blue light, which as you may well know, can be harmful.

The issue with orange, amber, and yellow lenses is that they distort color, making your view a little funky. They are a bit of an acquired taste.

Red and Rose

Red and rose-tinted glasses are considered some of the best for sports. They increase contrast and improve your depth of field.

Clear

Clear lenses are the best choice for indoor pickleball. With no harsh UV rays to contend with, there is no need to distort colors with tinted lenses.

UV Protection

UV protection is a non-negotiable when it comes to pickleball sunglasses. That is, provided you don’t want to develop any nasty conditions such as cataracts or cancer, we sure don’t!

Tinted lenses cause your eyes to dilate, thereby facilitating more light to hit your pupils. This means a non-UV protective pair of sunglasses cause more damage than not wearing sunglasses at all.

Non-Polarized

One of players’ main mistakes is picking up sunglasses with polarizing lenses. This is not advisable for pickleball as these lenses toy with depth perception which is pretty damn important for a fast-paced game.

Besides, glare is often not a big issue for pickleball, so polarizing lenses certainly provide more drawbacks than benefits.

Robust Frame

The nature of pickleball means your sunglasses will take more punishment than if you simply used them for a leisurely stroll. As such, you need a strong frame with a bit of give so that it won’t shatter under stress.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

If you play pickleball outdoors, purchasing quality sunglasses is a really good idea. In a game of margins, it can provide you with the competitive edge you need to start you winning more games. Even if you play indoors, sunglasses can help lessen the effects of distracting artificial lights.

To recap, the best sunglasses for pickleball are the Oakley Flak 2.0 XLs. We chose this pair in particular because it’s packed with technology, and there are a mind-boggling 38 colors to choose from. Ultimately though, there wasn’t much to separate the models on this list as we rate them all.

God forbid none of the pairs we chose tickled your fancy, just remember to follow the advice we outlined in our buying guide. Avoid gray-tinted lenses as they offer no competitive advantage. Instead, choose brown, red, rose, yellow, or something similar.