Buying guide for Best anti-fog sprays for glasses
Anyone who wears glasses knows just how frustrating it can be to have your spectacles fog up in rainy or cold weather. Even pairing them with a cloth face mask to protect yourself from germs can cause your lenses to fog up. Wiping the fog away doesn’t always help, either, because the condensation can come back even faster.
A solution exists: anti-fog spray for glasses.
Anti-fog spray prevents glasses from fogging up by forming a hydrophobic coating on the lens surface. That means your glasses repel water as soon as it starts to accumulate, so moisture and condensation can’t build up. Some sprays also have hydrophilic properties; they attract smaller beads of water to form larger beads, which are easier to see through on your lenses.
To nab the right anti-fog spray, you must consider the type of lenses your glasses have. Other product features may also affect the helpfulness of the spray. In this buying guide, we present the information you need to find the best anti-fog spray for your glasses.
Key considerations
Lens type
Before buying an anti-fog spray for glasses, it’s essential to consider the material that your lenses are made of. Some glasses have lenses that could be damaged, stained, or eroded by the chemicals in certain anti-fog spray formulas.
Most anti-fog spray manufacturers explain, in the product description, which lens materials the spray can safely be used on. In particular, you should avoid anti-fog sprays meant for plastic or polycarbonate lenses if you wear prescription glasses.
In addition to being helpful for glasses wearers, anti-fog spray can also work on other types of facial gear, including goggles, sports masks, military masks, scuba masks, and face shields.
Ingredients/non-irritating
The anti-fog spray you choose should not only be safe for your lenses, it should also be safe for your eyes. Some low-quality anti-fog sprays may contain harsh chemicals that could irritate your eyes or skin. Sprays with a significant amount of alcohol or ammonia can be especially irritating. Check the ingredient list for elements you may be allergic to before buying.
Did You Know?
If carrying anti-fog spray with you during the day isn’t convenient, you can also find wipes pre-moistened with an anti-fog solution that are extremely handy for reapplication.
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Features
Quantity
Most anti-fog sprays come in quantities 0.5 to 8 ounces. If you’re testing out a new formula, it’s best to stick to a spray that contains 0.5 to 1 ounces. If you know you like a specific product, however, you’ll get a better value for your money with a larger container.
Ease of use
The best anti-fog sprays for glasses are easy to use. You can apply them quickly, and they dry fast and take effect immediately. Most sprays require application to both sides of the lens, and some call for multiple sprays per side.
Duration
Anti-fog spray doesn’t keep away the fog indefinitely, but some variation exists in how long they last. Most people want a spray that can last several hours so they only have to apply it once or twice while out of the house. However, some sprays are only effective for 30 minutes to two hours. The sprays that last the longest are also the ones that cost more. Sprays that last two hours or less are usually the most affordable.
Portability
If you work long hours or travel frequently, you’ll want an anti-fog spray that’s easy to take on the go. A 1-ounce bottle fits nicely in a bag or pocket. If you’re traveling by plane, make sure your spray is housed in a TSA-approved container.
Cleaning cloth
Some anti-fog sprays for glasses come with accessories to make caring for your lenses easier. For example, a microfiber buffing cloth for removing smudges, fingerprints, and excess spray may be included.
Anti-fog sprays for glasses usually have an expiration date. If you use the spray past that date, the formula may no longer be effective.
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Accessories
Face masks: WODFitters Cloth Face Masks
If you’re looking for anti-fog spray because you wear face masks, check out these chic and comfortable masks from WODFitters. They’re available in packages of three or five and are easy to wash and reuse.
Face shield: OMK Reusable Face Shields
As mentioned, anti-fog spray works not just on glasses but also on other types of facial gear prone to fogging, including face shields. This two-pack from OMK is high in quality yet very affordable. It’s a great idea to keep these reusable face shields on hand.
Reading glasses: ThinOptics Universal Reading Glasses
If you have trouble seeing clearly while reading or looking at your phone, you can find a variety of reading glasses without a prescription. We love these glasses from ThinOptics because they have an extremely thin design that can easily fit in a wallet or pocket.
Anti-fog sprays for glasses: prices
Inexpensive: The most affordable anti-fog sprays for glasses cost between $2 and $10. These products usually contain lower-quality ingredients or come in smaller containers that hold 1 ounce or less. If the ingredients are lower in quality, the spray may only be effective for around an hour.
Mid-range: Mid-range anti-fog sprays for glasses are usually formulas with high-quality ingredients that won’t irritate the eyes. For a container that holds 1 to 4 ounces, expect to pay $10 to $19. These formulas can typically keep your glasses fog-free for at least a few hours.
Expensive: The priciest anti-fog sprays for glasses are high-quality formulas costing between $17 and $33 that typically come in containers of 4 ounces or more. You can also find sets with several 1- to 2-ounce bottles and a microfiber cloth in this price range. These formulas usually keep glasses fog-free for several hours.
Did You Know?
In addition to glasses and other eyewear, some anti-fog sprays can be used to prevent fogged-up mirrors, windshields, and windows.
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Tips
- Clean your glasses before applying anti-fog spray. Use a cleaning wipe to remove residue and allow the lenses to dry completely. Once they’re dry, wipe them again with a microfiber cloth to remove debris.
- Note that most anti-fog sprays require shaking before application. This ensures that all of the ingredients are blended and activated. Of course, you should always follow the manufacturer’s application instructions. Note, too, that most sprays should sit on the surface of the lenses for at least one minute.
- Be prepared to wait for the spray to dry. In colder weather, this may take longer. After the spray has dried, buff your glasses with a dry microfiber cloth to remove excess spray and maximize shine.
- Some environments necessitate more frequent application. For example, in particularly moist, humid, or cold environments, you’ll likely need to apply the spray more than once to keep up with the condensation.
FAQ
Q. Why does wearing a cloth face mask cause my glasses to fog up?
A. Any time warm air contacts a cold surface, condensation forms. When you wear a cloth face mask, some of your warm breath gets routed out the top of your mask. It then circulates inside your glasses. Because your glasses are cooler than your breath, they get steamy.
Q. I paid extra to add anti-reflective coating to my lenses. Will anti-fog spray harm the coating?
A. There is no blanket answer to this question since each anti-fog spray is of different quality. If you’re concerned that a particular spray could harm your lenses, read the product literature before buying. For example, you can find anti-fog sprays that explicitly state on the label that they are safe for glasses with anti-reflective coating.
Q. How long will a bottle of anti-fog spray last?
A. The time it takes to go through a bottle of anti-fog spray depends on its size and how often you apply it. A 1-ounce bottle typically contains 200 to 250 sprays, so if you apply a spritz to each side of your glasses three times a day, that amounts to a month’s supply. Larger bottles will obviously last longer.
Q. How should I store my anti-fog spray?
A. In most cases, you’ll probably want to carry your spray in your bag or pocket in case you need to reapply it throughout the day. At home, keep the spray in a cabinet, drawer, or cupboard where it won’t be exposed to direct sunlight.
