Best American-Made Sunglasses (2025)
Best overall: Aviator Sunglasses by Randolph Engineering. Made in Randolph, MA. $279.
How we picked these
American-made sunglasses are surprisingly rare — most frames, even premium ones, come from a single factory complex in Italy or from China. Every pair on this list is genuinely manufactured in the United States with domestic materials. We scored them using our Workshop Score, evaluating optical clarity, frame durability, manufacturing transparency, and overall value.
Aviator Sunglasses
These are the sunglasses the US military issues to pilots, and there's a reason. The optical quality is insane — glass lenses with zero distortion. The frames are hand-assembled with bayonet temples that actually stay on your face. Once you try real glass lenses, polycarbonate feels like a toy.
Pros
- Military-grade glass lenses with flawless optics
- Hand-assembled in Massachusetts since 1973
- Bayonet temples provide a secure comfortable fit
Cons
- Glass lenses are heavier than polycarbonate
- Premium price tag
Original Pilot Sunglasses
AO has been making sunglasses in the same Connecticut factory since 1833. Their Original Pilot was literally the first sunglass on the moon — Neil Armstrong wore a pair. The glass lenses are excellent and you get that heritage for about $100 less than Randolph.
Pros
- Legendary heritage dating back to 1833
- SkyMaster glass lenses with excellent clarity
- More affordable than Randolph with comparable quality
Cons
- Slightly less refined frame finishing than Randolph
- Style options are mostly limited to aviator variations
Ronsir Brownline
If you want something that isn't an aviator, Shuron is your brand. The Ronsir is a classic browline frame that's been made in New Jersey for decades. It's the frame Malcolm X wore. The build quality is excellent and they offer prescription-ready options too.
Pros
- Iconic browline design with serious style points
- Made in New Jersey since the 1940s
- Available in prescription-ready frames
Cons
- More of an eyeglass frame — you need to add sun lenses separately
- Retro look is not for everyone
Valor Sunglasses
Wiley X makes ballistic-rated eyewear for the military and their civilian line is just as tough. The Valor meets ANSI Z87.1 safety standards, which means they can take a hit. Not the most fashionable pair on this list, but if you need sunglasses that can survive a job site, these are it.
Pros
- ANSI Z87.1 safety rated — genuinely impact resistant
- Shatterproof Selenite polycarbonate lenses
- Rubber nose piece and temple tips for grip
Cons
- Sporty tactical look will not suit every wardrobe
- Polycarbonate lenses lack the clarity of glass
Sling Sport Sunglasses
Liberty Sport has been making protective eyewear in Newark since 1929. The Sling is their sport-oriented frame with wrap-around coverage and decent optics for the price. At $80 it's the most accessible American-made sunglass I've found that doesn't cut corners on the important stuff.
Pros
- Most affordable American-made option on this list
- Wrap-around design provides excellent coverage
- Nearly a century of manufacturing heritage
Cons
- Sport-specific design limits everyday versatility
- Lens quality is good but not on par with glass options
What We Mean by American Made
When we say "American made," we mean the product is cut, assembled, and finished in the United States using predominantly domestic materials. We follow the FTC's Made in USA standards as our baseline and go further by verifying factory locations when possible. For a deeper dive, read our full explainer on what American made actually means.