Say Goodbye to Dust and Scratches with the Best Glasses Cases
If you own premium eyeglasses or high-quality sunglasses, you’re going to need a few glasses cases to protect your investment. Even if you’ve got some of the best cheap glasses, a solid glasses case will prolong the life of your lenses just by minimizing scratches from your pocket or backpack.
But like so many products, there are a million options to choose from, and depending on your needs, there’s also not likely to be one perfect case to cover all your bases. Soft case or hard case? Zip opening or snap opening? More protection or more convenience? Whatever your needs are, we’ve rounded up some of the best glasses cases to help you cut through the noise and find a reliable option. Whether you need something that can survive the drop from desk to floor with your glasses intact, a glasses case to help keep your precious frames dry or maybe just something to tuck into your pocket to protect your glasses from daily wear and tear, we’ve got you covered. Dive into our picks below and start protecting your glasses today because if you take good care of your glasses, they’ll keep taking good care of your eyes.
Whatever your basic needs are for your glasses, the Optiplix Hard Shell Glasses Case will address them. The beauty of a glasses case like this is it’s inherently simple. Is it hard enough to be sat upon? Check. Does it snap shut, keeping dirt and dust out and ensuring your glasses won’t accidentally fall out? Check. Is it big enough to fit most frames while not being unwieldy? Check. Is the inside soft enough so I know my lenses won’t get scratched? Check. Does it come in multiple colorways so I can go for something that will blend or something eye-catching that will stand out? Check. Can I afford to buy three so I have a glasses case in every place I need? Check.
The Optiplix covers all the basic bases you would need in a glasses case and will offer solid protection through its hard clamshell casing at a reasonable price. Some of the designs even have glasses printed on the case so you couldn’t possibly confuse the case for anything other than what it is: a simple, great glasses case. For hitting most of the needs for most people, the Optiplix is our unquestioned best overall glasses case.
Short of buying basically a glasses lockbox, there’s only so much protection you get for your glasses out of a glasses case. That being said, the Nite Ize Rugged Hard Shell Optics Case offers a lot of features to make sure your glasses stay safe. The weather-resistant hardshell exterior helps protect against some rain, falls or crushing and the interior has foam on the inside so even if you leave the case under something heavy the glasses should remain unscathed, not to mention scratch-free. A zip enclosure guarantees your glasses won’t ever slip out (so long as you remember to zip it closed!) and this case also features a built-in clip as well as a built-in carabiner loop, so you can secure this case anywhere you want. As an added bonus, the case features a sewn-in microfiber cloth, so you’ll always be able to give your lenses a quick polish when you’re out and about.
The only real downside to this case is its size and flexibility. The case appears to be rigid, but it actually flattens out so it might not protect glasses if something heavy is dropped on top of them. The case is also basically the size of a small sneaker, which can be inconvenient, though you can make the case that because the case is so large, it’s unlikely you’ll accidentally sit on them because they definitely won’t fit in a pocket.
How to Choose the Right Eyeglass Case
No matter how good your eyeglasses are, they won't serve you for long without proper maintenance.
One of the rudimentary things you should do to ensure your eyeglasses stay in tip-top shape is to invest in an eyeglass case. An eyeglass case will help preserve your glasses' quality and protect them from all kinds of unpredictable mishaps when you're not wearing them. But given that there are thousands of eyeglass cases available in the market, how do you know what case to buy? Here are the factors you should consider.
The Type of Eyeglass Case Material
Eyeglass cases may look similar, but they're usually made using different types of materials. There are three main types of eyeglass case materials:
a) Hard Eyeglass Cases
As the name suggests, these cases are made using light, firm, and hard materials. Some of the most common materials used to make hard-eyeglass cases include metal, gold, silver, aluminum, plastic, and wood.
These cases are built to provide the highest level of protection possible. They also have unmatched impact toughness, which prevents them from breaking even when dropped or sat on.
b) Semi-hard Eyeglass Case
These are convenient, easy-to-use eyeglass cases that closely resemble hard cases. Semi-hard eyeglass cases are made from light and flexible exterior materials and have a firm interior to protect your glasses. Most have a zip opening or a front-close flap design that allows them to safely secure your eyeglasses when in coats, purses, or on the go.
c) Soft Eyeglass Case
Soft eyeglass cases are ultra-light, space-saving cases usually made from elastic microfiber material. Aside from protecting lenses from getting scratched, their microfiber material can be used to remove smudges off your lenses. In addition, these cases are a great choice for reading and driving glasses because they're light and easy to carry around.
Case Size
Size is another important factor you should consider when choosing an eyeglass case. Make sure you choose the right size.
If the case you buy is too big, your eyeglasses will move a lot, bump into the case during transport, and get damaged. On the other hand, if the case is too small, your glasses' frames may bend or break due to continuous pressure.
Cushioning
Go for padded eyeglass cases—they'll protect your glasses from scratches. Where possible, choose glass cases with foam end pads and fabric linings. They provide extra protection to glass frames.
Quality and Personal Taste
Regardless of the eyeglass case you choose, make sure it's made of high-quality materials and guarantees the best value for money. Also, make sure you choose a case that matches your taste and lifestyle.