2026-05-14 · 4 min read
Polarized vs UV400 Sunglasses: What's the Difference & Which Do You Need?
UV400 protects your eyes from ultraviolet damage; polarization cuts glare. They're different features — you need UV400 always, polarization for driving and water.
Two different jobs
UV400 is health protection: it blocks 99–100% of UVA and UVB rays up to 400 nanometres, the radiation linked to cataracts and macular damage. Polarization is comfort: a filter that kills horizontal glare bouncing off roads, water and car bonnets. A lens can be either, both, or neither — dark tint alone guarantees nothing.
The danger of cheap dark lenses
A dark lens without UV protection is worse than no sunglasses at all: the tint makes your pupils dilate, letting more unfiltered UV flood in. This is the single best reason to avoid Rs 300 bazaar sunglasses. Every Klarity sunglass lens is UV400 regardless of price, and our polarized lines are lab-verified — check for the 'Polarized' tag on the product page.
So which should you buy?
Daily wear and style: UV400 is non-negotiable, polarization optional. Long drives, motorway trips, fishing or beach days: pay for polarization — your eyes stop fighting glare and fatigue drops noticeably. Pilots and anyone reading LCD instrument panels: skip polarization, it can black out certain screens. When in doubt, polarized UV400 covers 95% of real life.