Felix Gray vs. Warby Parker: Best Blue Light Glasses (2023)

A few years ago, I struggled with headaches at work almost every afternoon. I found myself inching closer to the screen as each day wore on, so I was surprised to learn my eyesight was holding steady when I visited the optometrist. Ironically, one time when I saw the optometrist, they moved me to a lower prescription.

Since my eyesight didn’t cause the headaches, I wasn’t sure what to do. The headaches were painful and distracting. I have a tendency to get dehydrated quickly, so I thought that might be the root cause, but regardless of how much water I drank, the headaches never went away. The Optometrist recommended that I use eye drops more frequently, and they would help for a few minutes, but then the headaches came right back.

One day I finally bought blue light filtering glasses out of frustration, and it might be one of the best impulse purchases I have ever made! My skepticism told me that the technology felt a little snake oily, but now I almost always wear them when I sit in front of a computer.

Felix Gray vs. Warby Parker vs. Eyebobs vs. Pixel Comparison

So what are the best

Felix Gray vs. Warby Parker vs. Pixel vs. Eyebobs
Comparison Table

Best Blue Light Blocking Glasses
Priceadd	Felix Gray💲💲	Warby Parker💲💲💲	Eyebobs💲💲	Pixel💲💲
Biggest Selling Pointadd	Felix GrayBlue light filtering included in the price	Warby ParkerAt home try-on and virtual try-on programs	EyebobsEclectic styling with premium construction	PixelOffer kid glasses and amber glasses
Fun Factsadd	Felix GrayThe proprietary lens has embedded blue light filtering material	Warby ParkerThey will send you five frames to try on at home for free	EyebobsOffers personalized virtual styling sessions online	PixelOffers virtual try-on technology similar to Warby Parker’s
Prescription Lensesadd	Felix Gray✅	Warby Parker✅	Eyebobs✅	Pixel✅
Non-Prescription Lensesadd	Felix Gray✅	Warby Parker✅	Eyebobs✅	Pixel✅
Amber Glasses Availableadd	Felix Gray✅	Warby Parker❌	Eyebobs❌	Pixel✅
Noticeable Tintadd	Felix Gray❌	Warby Parker❌	Eyebobs❌	Pixel❌
Websiteadd	Felix GrayTry Felix Gray	Warby ParkerTry Warby Parker	EyebobsTry Eyebobs	PixelTry Pixel

Do Blue Light Glasses Really Work?

If you research blue light glasses long enough, you are bound to come across claims that blue light causes macular degeneration and disease, but there isn’t enough evidence out there to back it up at this point. What we do know is that 50% of Americans have jobs that require extended computer use, and over 200 million Americans report eye strain after only a few hours of computer use.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends reduced screen time and the use of the 20-20-20 rule over blue light glasses. Still, many professionals are starting to recommend blue light glasses because of the benefits they have seen in their practices. And one study from the University of Houston showed that participants wearing blue light blocking glasses had a 58% increase in nighttime melatonin levels.

The 20-20-20 rule states that every 20 minutes, you should look away from your screen, at an object at least 20 feet away, and hold your gaze for at least 20 seconds. This helps to alleviate prolonged stress from your eyes.

Blue light filtering glasses are relatively new, so studies regarding their effectiveness are just now starting to show up, but anecdotally they make a huge difference. Not only are professionals starting to recommend blue light blocking lenses, but they have made a massive difference for me too. I tried everything, including doctor recommendations, to reduce eye strain and headaches, and the only thing that helped me was blue light filtering glasses. So do blue light glasses work? For many people, including us, they are life-changing. Fewer headaches and less fatigue make each day a little better.

Felix Gray Blue Light Glasses Review

While competitors like Warby Parker make eyewear with optional blue light filtering, Felix Gray’s blue light filtering technology is at the heart of everything they do and all the products they sell. We live in an increasingly digital world, and in the age of work-from-home, many of us sit in front of a computer all day long. We don’t even give our eyes rest while commuting anymore.

The company sets itself apart by offering traditional optical glasses, sleep glasses, and sunglasses. Wait. Sleep glasses? Yeah, sleep glasses. Felix Gray’s line of sleep glasses improve melatonin secretion two-fold and are available with a prescription or non-prescription lenses like their optical glasses. And no, Warby Parker doesn’t sell sleep glasses.

The sleep glasses have a slightly darker and more noticeable tint, but they are designed to filter the specific blue light wavelengths that impact melatonin production. They are intended to be worn before bed and are clinically proven to help you sleep better.

Courtesy of Felix Gray

Felix Gray’s glasses solve two significant problems. Most importantly, they filter blue light to reduce eye strain, the risk of macular degeneration, and sleep disruption. Felix Gray also puts an anti-reflective coating on all of their lenses to reduce 99% of all glare. The anti-reflective coating also reduces strain on our eyes by eliminating visual noise (the glare).

We are fans of Felix Gray because they don’t just make stylish and durable frames. Their glasses represent a holistic effort toward easing eye strain and making your life better.

How Does Felix Gray Work?

Felix Gray sells exclusively online, which might feel a little daunting to some people that would like to see how their glasses fit and look before committing. Fortunately, Felix Gray offers a few main features to ease this leap of faith. Their website has a very detailed fit guide that will help you think through what your face’s shape looks like and what size frames you should consider. Secondly, and perhaps more assuringly, Felix Gray offers free shipping, returns, and exchanges. If you second guess your frame selection, Felix Gray offers a 30 day exchange period.

But why purchase Felix Gray over any other brand? Felix Gray’s cutting-edge technology is embedded in the lenses. The blue light filtering glasses filter out 50% of all blue light and around 90% of the blue light’s highest range. Best of all, because the technology is embedded, Felix Gray glasses don’t have an annoying reflective coating, and the tint is so subtle it is unnoticeable while wearing the glasses.

Felix Gray Review - The Verdict

Felix Gray takes a wellness first approach to their eyeglasses. While some competitors emphasize styling and premium frames, Felix Gray emphasizes the lenses. Their frames are high-quality and stylish too, but for Felix Gray, it all starts with wellness, and eye wellness starts with innovative lens technology. Felix Gray focuses on reducing blue light and glare in the most effective way possible so that you no longer have to worry about headaches and eye fatigue holding you back.

Warby Parker Blue Light Glasses Review

Warby Parker was started under the premise that quality glasses should be available to the masses. The founding team found that even designer companies used glasses made by one overseas company. There was little differentiation between the brands other than the logo slapped on the frames, and the quality of most eyeglasses was subpar for the exorbitant price.

To provide more options and a better customer experience, Warby Parker designs their glasses in-house and uses premium construction materials and processes to make high-quality glasses. As an example of this, the custom-designed cellulose acetate used for many of the frames is a renewable, plant-based material that is both durable and flexible enough to adapt to your face. And once assembled, each pair of glasses is hand-buffed and adjusted.

But What about blue-light filtering? Doesn’t Warby Parker sell subscription glasses? Warby Parker sells the highest quality glasses on the market, and blue-light filtering can be added to any pair of glasses, prescription or non-prescription.

While some companies focus primarily on blue-light filtering glasses, Warby Parker concentrates mainly on prescription glasses and makes blue-light filtering available as an option. The benefit to you is that when you purchase a pair of Warby Parkers with blue-light filtering, you are purchasing the highest quality frames and materials on the market, bar none.

How Does Warby Parker Work?

Warby Parker started as a direct-to-consumer company, though they do have retail locations now. Even so, Warby Parker stays true to its online roots by offering free home try-on. The entire process is smooth. Warby Parker allows you to pick up to 5 pairs of glasses to try on at home, which they quickly ship to your door with return labeling. You then have a few days to decide on sending back the samples.

I was a little hesitant to deal with the home try-on and return because I thought the process would be a hassle, but I was wrong about the hassle, and now I have the perfect glasses for me. It was kind of fun to pick five different glasses to try on, and my wife and kids enjoyed offering their opinions regarding which pair looked best.

I was a little shocked at how differently each pair fit my face. Warby Parker clearly states the width of each pair of glasses, so that was no problem. Instead, my expectations for what I thought would look good and what actually looked good were way off. Had I not used the home try-on service, I might have been a disappointed customer. Instead, I am very proud of my Warby Parkers and their sophisticated look.

If you’re not sure which glasses to pick for your home try-on, Warby Parker has two tools that will help you make a decision. The website offers a quiz that will allow you to choose your preferred shape and colors, and in return for taking the quiz, Warby Parker will give you a suggested list of frames from which to choose.

In addition to the quiz, which is the perfect place to get started, the Warby Parker app has a virtual try-on feature for most frames, so you can get a sense of what the glasses might look like before you ever request a pair of frames for the home try-on. Warby Parker turned the entire glasses industry upside down, and much of that is related to their innovative approaches to virtual and home try-on.

No longer do you need to awkwardly try on glasses at the doc, or purchase online in hopes you found a pair of glasses that fit. Warby Parker is a game-changer.

Warby Parker Review - The Verdict

Warby Parker sets the standard in the glasses industry. Their glasses are custom designed in-house for timeless styling, and their materials and production processes are best-in-class. The Warby Parker user experience, from free home try-on to in-app virtual try-on, allow online customers to make a decision they will be proud of for years to come.

Eyebobs Blue Light Glasses Review

Eyebobs has been around since 2001, so while they may not be a household name in your circles, the company is experienced, and they know what they are doing. They are much better known in the Twin Cities area, where they are headquartered and have a flagship store at Mall of America.

Eyebobs sets out to be different from other eyewear companies. Still, the quality and materials aren’t all that different from the quality you would expect from Warby Paker or Felix Gray. Eyebobs are made from premium materials such as Italian-designed acetate and spring hinges, but while they make quality products, that isn’t necessarily what sets them apart from the competition. Their commitment to eclectic eyewear choices, made with premium materials, is what sets them apart from the competition.

Eyebobs are all about bold choices and finding your personality. The brand doesn’t believe you should apologize for being yourself, and they are making eyewear for a new generation of daring spirits. Somehow they do all of this while maintaining professional styling. While Eyebobs does make bold design choices, that boldness is more sophisticated than it is artsy and will serve well as pop to your everyday wardrobe.

How Does Eyebobs Work?

While Eyebobs has a few physical retail locations, most people will need to check them online. Of course, after 2020 and a generational pandemic, most of us would probably prefer shopping online anyway.

Eyebobs doesn’t have a formalized home try-on program like Warby Parker, but they do have free U.S. shipping and 90-day risk-free returns. Eyebobs also has an on-website quiz you can take that will help you determine which set of blue light glasses are perfect for you.

Also, while Eyebobs doesn’t have virtual try-on from their web page, Eyebobs offers virtual styling appointments. Rather than put some awkwardly generated eyewear image on your face, Eyebob facilitates you working with a stylist to pick the perfect pair of glasses.

Eyebobs virtual styling appointments is definitely a more personalized approach than you might get from even Warby Parker’s online experience. Just pick an appointment time through Eyebobs website, and then provide a little information about your needs and personality to give the stylist a starting point.

We like virtual styling appointments because it is a balanced combination of modern technology and human touch. This also seems analogous to Eyebobs as a brand. They offer modern flair and styling, but in a humanistic and sophisticated way.

We think you will be pleasantly surprised with both the Eyebobs experience and their product.

Eyebobs Review - The Verdict

In the past, even designer glasses felt flimsy, like if you bumped them the wrong way, the hinge would bend beyond repair. When I first opened my Eyebobs and tried them on, I was immediately struck by how sturdy they felt.

Eyebobs are a more affordable option than Warby Parker and with unique styling. Given they also appear exceedingly durable, it would be hard to beat Eyebobs for daily computer use.

Pixel Blue Light Glasses Review

Pixel has a growing line-up of glasses that includes prescription glasses, reading glasses, and even amber glasses. And all of the lenses feature blue light filtering technology, as Pixel’s priority is easing the strain on your eyes caused by frequent computer usage.

Perhaps the most exciting thing that Pixel has to offer is that their lenses are all specially coated to make them smudge-free, scratch-free, and glare-free. All of this is based on nanotechnology and a premium anti-reflective coating, so it's impressive stuff.

You might be particularly interested in buying a pair of Pixels if you are in the market for a pair of specialty glasses the competition is missing. For instance, Pixel offers blue-light filtering glasses for kids. If your kids are old enough to keep them on responsibly, it might not be a bad idea in the pandemic age of at-home learning and sometimes excessive screen time. It's a shame to think of kids dealing with eye fatigue from screens, but such are the times we live in.

In the same light, or should we say blue light, you should consider purchasing a pair of Pixel Amber Glasses if you are a gamer, use screens late into the night, or are just a heavy screen user in general. Amber glasses are more visibly tinted, but they also filter more blue light to protect your eyes and reduce strain.

Of the competitors, only Felix Gray has something similar to Pixel’s amber glasses. Felix Gray calls their version sleep glasses, which are more specifically intended to be used before bedtime. Warby Parker and Eyebobs don’t offer more heavily tinted lenses intended for extreme blue light filtering.

How Does Pixel Eyewear Work?

Pixel operates as an online retailer only, like Felix Gray. Warby Parker has a growing number of locations, and Eyebobs has a few retail locations. All four companies are aware there are limitations and attempt to offer solutions in their own ways. Warby Parker has the most options: at home try-on, virtual try-on, and in-store try-on. Felix Gray and Eyebobs offer virtual stylists. Pixel primarily addresses this problem through their virtual try-on feature.

And Pixel’s virtual try-on works pretty well. Using your smartphone or webcam, simply pick your frames and try the virtual try-on. The pixel functionality even enables you to try different colors of the same frame before choosing to try a new set of frames. Pixel offers a 30-day risk-free trial and free US shipping, returns, & exchanges.

Pixel Review - The Verdict

We recommend Pixel if you are looking for any special glasses, like kid frames or amber lenses. They offer virtual try-on, so you can get a sense of what your glasses might look like before ordering them. Overall, Pixel makes quality glasses in variations other brands don’t bother with to this point.

Our Favorite Blue Light Filtering Glasses

Carefully chosen eyewear can boost your confidence as you go throughout your day. Who doesn’t like to look good and feel like a million bucks? And blue light filtering glasses can reduce eye strain and headaches, so you can keep that good feeling going.

Needless to say, as someone who spends ten or more hours each day directly in front of a computer, blue light filtering glasses are essential for me.

I prefer wearing contacts, but when my eyes are dry or struggling with allergies, I will wear prescription glasses. So I have a pair of blue-light filtering prescription glasses for when I can’t get my contact lenses in and a few pairs of non-prescription blue light filtering glasses to wear the rest of the time.

If this seems like a solution you might work towards, I think it is a worthy investment. If you struggle with eye fatigue, squinting, and headaches, it might make sense to have a pair of prescription glasses and non-prescription glasses.

This is especially true if you spend your entire day in front of a computer screen as I do. So which blue light glasses do we recommend? Buy a pair of Eyebobs for when you are wearing contacts, and a pair of Warby Parker for when you need prescription lenses.

Most of you will want to dip your toe in the waters before committing to two pairs of glasses, and we get that. In that case, our recommendations stay the same based on your intended use.

Buy Eyebobs if You Can Avoid Prescription Lenses

If you are looking for computer glasses or readers with no prescription, then go with Eyebobs. Their quality is on par with Warby Parker’s, and their available virtual styling session is an exciting contrast to Warby Parker’s at home try-on approach.

While Warby Parker and Felix Gray are the most well-known blue light filtering glasses, Eyebobs shouldn’t be overlooked. Eyebobs are also a little more affordable than Warby Parker. When you consider Eyebobs have eclectic yet sophisticated styling, purchasing their blue light filtering glasses is a win all around.

Buy Warby Parkers If You Need Prescription Lenses

Of course, if you are looking for prescription glasses, adding the blue light filtering to your Warby Parker is worth the investment, and we are happy to recommend Warby Parker for any prescription glasses needs.

The Warby Parker team designs all of their frames in-house and uses only premium materials for construction, such as ultra-lightweight titanium and acetate sourced from a family run business in Italy. Warby Parker then combines premium construction with an industry-leading shopping experience and top-flight customer service.

Who else will send you five frames to try on at home for free? Nobody. This is a huge deal because it gives you the chance to take your time deciding what frames are best for you. You don’t have to awkwardly rush to a decision in a doctor’s office or take a leap of faith purchasing a pair of frames online that you don’t know for sure will fit.

Warby Parker has more than 50 different frames to choose from, and they are our favorite prescription blue light filtering glasses.