When looking for a new pair of sunglasses, one of the top considerations is often quality. Sunglasses that are poorly made can break easily, lose lenses, or not provide adequate eye protection. So are Diff eyewear sunglasses a good quality option? Here are some key factors to consider when evaluating the quality of Diff sunglasses.
Diff Brand Overview
Diff Charitable Eyewear is a relatively new player in the sunglasses market, founded in 2020. The company partners with Restoring Vision, a non-profit providing eyeglasses to people in need around the world. For every pair of Diff sunglasses sold, a person in need gets a free pair of prescription eyeglasses.
Diff aims to offer stylish, quality sunglasses while also giving back. Their frames are designed in California and made from top-grade materials like acetate and stainless steel. Lenses come from Carl Zeiss Vision, a renowned lens manufacturer. Diff offers classic wayfarer styles as well as more modern, on-trend designs. Prices range from $95 to $145.
Frame Materials
When examining the quality of sunglass frames, you want materials that are lightweight yet durable. Diff uses acetate or stainless steel for their frames. Acetate is a type of plastic that is lightweight and flexible yet strong. It’s commonly used for high-end eyewear. Stainless steel has a sleek, modern look and is extremely durable and scratch-resistant.
Some cheap sunglasses use inferior plastics or mixed materials that can warp or crack over time. But Diff’s acetate and stainless steel frames are designed to last. The spring hinges also add to their flexibility and durability.
Lenses
Lens quality is arguably the most important factor in a pair of sunglasses. Poor quality lenses won’t protect your eyes from harmful UV rays. Diff uses advanced polycarbonate lenses made by Carl Zeiss Vision. Polycarbonate is a highly impact-resistant material that is also lightweight and scratch-resistant.
Carl Zeiss is known for its lens innovations and strict quality testing. Diff lenses block 100% of UVA/UVB rays and meet standards for optical clarity and distortion. Each lens features premium Carl Zeiss anti-reflective and oleophobic coatings for crisp, glare-free vision.
Polarized or Non-Polarized
Diff offers both polarized and non-polarized lens options. Polarized lenses reduce glare from reflective surfaces like water or snow. This results in better clarity and less eye strain. If you’ll primarily wear your sunglasses for driving or outdoor activities near water, polarized is recommended.
However, there are some downsides to polarized lenses. They can interfere with viewing screens on certain devices. Some people also prefer how non-polarized lenses render colors more accurately. So if you’ll mainly wear your shades for casual day-to-day use, non-polarized is probably fine.
UV Protection
Proper UV eye protection is a must with any quality pair of sunglasses. Overexposure to UVA and UVB rays can contribute to eye problems like cataracts. Diff lenses block 100% of UVA/UVB radiation up to 400 nm, providing complete UV protection.
Many cheap sunglasses don’t offer full UVA/UVB protection. And lenses can start to lose their UV-blocking over time. Diff lenses maintain their protective abilities even after years of wear.
Blue Light Filter
Extended exposure to blue light from digital devices may contribute to digital eye strain and sleep issues. Diff offers an optional blue light filtering coating that blocks 70% of blue light for better eye health.
Prescription Options
Those requiring prescription eyewear will be happy to know Diff offers prescription lenses. You can get single vision, bifocal, or progressive lenses inserted into any of their frames. Prescription sunglasses allow you to protect your eyes while also seeing clearly.
Style Selection
Diff offers a variety of fashionable unisex frames in different shapes and colors. Choices include both classic and contemporary looks. For example, the Noah is a trendy angular cat-eye design. While the Clarke has a more traditional wayfarer silhouette. There are also options for smaller or larger faces.
Having a range of styles to choose from is important for finding a frame you feel good in. Diff has options that should appeal to most tastes and fit most face shapes.
Lens Tint Options
| Lens Tint | Features |
|---|---|
| Grey Gradient | Subtly darker at the top to reduce glare without overly dimming vision |
| Grey | Provides true color perception while blocking brightness |
| Brown Gradient | Boosts contrast slightly while blocking glare |
| Mirrored Silver | High contrast and glare reduction for very bright conditions |
Diff lets you choose from several stylish lens tints to best suit your needs and preferences. Grey and brown tints give the truest color perception for everyday wear. Gradient options reduce overhead glare. And mirrored lenses optimize contrast and visibility in intense light.
Price Point
Diff sunglasses retail from $95 to $145. This positions them in the moderate price range, above most budget brands but below luxury designers. For the quality materials and manufacturing, Diff’s pricing seems very reasonable. The style and selection also rival more expensive brands.
It’s worth spending a little more for durable, protective eyewear you’ll enjoy wearing. At their current pricing, Diff offers great value for money.
Social Responsibility
One unique factor that adds value to the Diff brand is their social mission. For every pair of sunglasses sold, the company helps provide prescription glasses to someone in need. So far Diff has donated over 150,000 pairs globally.
The charitable giving component sets Diff apart from other sunglass brands. You can feel good about supporting their social initiatives while also getting a quality product.
Conclusion
Based on their durable frames, premium Carl Zeiss lenses, stylish selection, and reasonable pricing, Diff sunglasses rate very highly for quality. You get features like 100% UV protection, optional blue light filtering, and scratch-resistant coatings more typical of expensive brands. Add in their social mission, and Diff becomes an even more compelling option if you’re in the market for new sunglasses.
The main downside of Diff eyewear may simply be their newness to the market. More established brands have a longer track record of quality and customer satisfaction. But so far Diff seems to deliver on their promises of premium materials, stylish designs, and philanthropic initiatives. Overall, Diff sunglasses appear to offer excellent quality and value for casual wearers and outdoor enthusiasts alike.