It can be difficult to determine what type of blue light protection is the best choice for you. For that reason, this article compares blue light glasses v app so that you can decide which of them, if any, is a better fit for you. Plus, as a bonus, you’ll also find a comparison table that helps you to compare each product at a glance!
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Blue Light Glasses V App
In general, the key differences between blue light screen protector and a blue light app includes their price, how they are used and how easy they are to purchase to fit your needs or device. Blue light blocking glasses are considered superior in the level of protection that they offer. However, they are generally more expensive than anti blue light apps, especially if prescription blue light glasses are required.
- Purpose of product
- Level of protection provided
- Number of devices you’re protected from
- Cost
- Ease of purchase
- Ease of use
- Application
- Visual quality
- Anti-glare protection
The below table highlights the key differences between blue light glasses and blue light apps:
| Feature | Blue Light Glasses | Blue Light App |
| Purpose of product | Designed to reducing digital eye strain and/or improve sleep for person wearing glasses | Designed to reducing digital eye strain and/or improve sleep for person viewing screen |
| Level of blue light protection provided | Offers lenses in varying shades from lower protection for daytime up to higher protection for night or sensitive eyes | Offer varying levels of screen tint |
| Number of devices you’re protected from | Blue light in view while wearing glasses | Device itself |
| Cost | $13.99 – $449.99 + | Free – $2.99+ |
| Ease of purchase | Easier for non-prescription | Easy |
| Ease of use | Easy | Easy |
| Application | All blue light in sight | One device |
| Visual quality | Lower on cheaper glasses Choice of tint strength | Level of tint varies – may distort screen color |
| Anti-glare protection | Usually included | No |
Blue light is linked to digital eye strain and disruption of your sleep patterns. Source
Purpose of product
When deciding between blue light blocking glasses and blue light apps, the most important step is to identify the primary reason why you want or need blue light protection.
There are 2 primary motives for investing in blue light blocking devices:
- To prevent digital eye strain
- To prevent sleep disruption
Furthermore, do you require this protection during the day and/or night?
Both blue light glasses and blue light apps can assist with both of these requirements.
Also, considering the option that will suit your preferences and budget will help to make the final decision. These will be covered in the next few sections.
Tip: If you experience problems sleeping, estimate how much time you spend exposed to blue light before bed.
Level of protection provided
Generally speaking, a blue light blocking screen filter can be obtained in differing levels of strength to protect you from blue light.
While there’s not enough evidence to validate it yet, many experts are of the opinion that blue light apps are the least effective method of minimizing blue light exposure.
This is followed by blue light screen protectors.
Blue light blocking glasses are seen by many as the most effective method of reducing your exposure to blue light.
In order to minimize digital eye strain, people will generally find sufficient relief by using clear blue light lenses which provide protection at the peak of 455nm.
If you are more sensitive to blue light, then you may require a tinted pair of glasses or pair them with the blue light screen filter on your device.
Tip: The best method to reduce eye strain is to adopt the 20-20-20 technique. This involves looking at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes.
Number of devices you’re protected from
With anti blue light apps, you are only protected from the gadget that you are using.
This may mean that you have to download the app onto multiple devices or purchase several anti blue light screen apps to protect yourself from blue light emitted from other devices.
However, anti blue light blocking glasses shield you from any blue light emitting device and lighting that you are exposed to while wearing them.
Therefore, if you frequently alternate between looking at multiple devices, you will receive more protection by wearing blue light glasses.
Remember that lighting in the room also emit blue light.
Cost
Anti blue light glasses prices start at $13.99 for a phone and can range all the way up to $449.99+ for prescription glasses. Blue light glasses differ in price depending on the brand, if they’re a prescription lens and if you’re getting extra coatings applied, such as anti-glare.
In comparison, most blue light blocking apps are free. But some apps do charge for their use with prices starting around $1.99 – $2.99. You may also be faced with in-app purchases. However, these are often optional.
Hence, if cost is a restriction for you, blue light blocking apps are the most budget friendly choice.
In case you’re contemplating the option of glasses, I have compiled a price comparison table of the cost of popular blue light glasses. With this resource, you can easily see precisely how much you should expect to spend on blue light glasses.
Plus, bear in mind that there is a lifespan on blue light glasses.
Ease of purchase
Blue light blocking apps are generally easier to buy than blue light glasses. The app is downloaded immediately on to your device, and you have blue light protection within seconds.
In many cases, you might already have a blue light filtering function pre-installed, especially if you own a relatively newer device.
For instance, Windows 10 laptops or newer along with relatively new Android phones or Apple products have blue light protection.
Windows 10 comes with Night Light while Apple products have a feature called Night Shift.
The Night Shift mode is compatible with all 64-bit iOS devices operating on iOS 9.3 and above along with Mac computers from 2012 onwards.
Blue light filters are available on most Android phones operating on Android Oreo (8.0) or newer.
However, if you don’t have this operating version, then you can alternatively go to the Google Play Store and download a blue light filtering app there.
With blue light glasses, you will fall into a number of categories which will determine how much effort is required in purchasing them.
Prescription or non-prescription: If you require non-prescription blue light glasses, it’s easier since you don’t need to worry about getting the correct strength lenses.
If you require prescription blue light glasses, you’ll need to:
- Confirm that your prescription is in date. If not, arrange an eye test
- If you’re purchasing blue light glasses from your optician that has your prescription, it’s easier than having to request your prescription from them.
- If you’re buying blue light glasses in store, they will generally be fitted to your face by a professional.
- If you’re purchasing them from a site, such as GUNNAR, you’ll have to wait till they arrive to know how they feel and how well they fit.
- If your glasses are prescription, these strengths will have to be correctly entered into the website when ordering them.
It is usually recommended to go to an optician when buying your glasses, especially if you wear prescription glasses.
They tend to have high quality equipment that will offer you a clearer blue light lens compared to those purchased off the internet.
Tip: Some of the superior websites, such as GUNNAR, offer a virtual try on option so that you can test how the glasses look on your face via your device camera.
However, it won’t be until you receive the glasses and try them on that you’ll know how well they fit or how they feel in terms of quality.
Furthermore, with prescription glasses bought online, you’ll have a difficult time trying to return them if it turns out that they don’t suit or you don’t like them.
Related: 12 Pros And Cons Of Blue Light Glasses & Expert Insights!
Ease of use
Blue light screen protectors are relatively easily to use. Once you have overcome the initial hurdle of attaching it to your screen, it should remain attached until you decide to remove it.
The only problem you may encounter is bubbles presenting when you’re applying the filter.
There is a technique to attaching screen filters as you’ll want it to sit perfectly on the screen without bubbles. By following the video tutorials fully, you should be able to achieve it with relative ease
However, after this is completed, the screen filter sits there until you remove it again. From this perspective, it may be the easier of the 2, especially if you’re a forgetful person.
With blue light blocking apps, the ease of use will depend on the configuration of the app.
Some apps, such as F.lux, have a feature whereby you can sync your time zone to the app. By doing this, the app will automatically migrate into night mode.
It will also start to lower the blue light strength for daytime based on either a time you decide or based on the time zone.
By automating this function, it will save you the bother of having to turn it on and off every day.
Alternatively, you might decide to just leave it on permanently.
Tip: Most companies that you buy screen filters from include 2 filters incase the first one doesn’t get applied correctly.
Application
When and where you will need protection from blue light should also be considered. With the blue light blocking filter, it can only be applied to the device, so it is there until you remove it.
Some people that intend to use blue light glasses throughout the day might opt for 2 pairs. One slightly tinted pair for daytime use and one pair with a stronger tint for evening and nighttime use.
Related: Blue Light Screen Protector V Blue Light App + Helpful Tips!
Visual quality
Both blue light glasses and blue light apps should provide a blur-free view.
With blue light glasses, caution should be taken if you are purchasing a cheap pair of blue light glasses, or you are buying them online.
The best choice for ensuring high quality lenses is to purchase from an optician.
Purchasing cheap glasses could result in an unclear lens or ones that cause, color distortion, glare or reflection. The glasses themselves are also likely to feel
At minimum, purchase from a reputable company online, such as:
- GUNNAR
- Felix Gray
- Warby Parker
- BLUBlox
- Ocushield
With blue light apps, their method of protection is adjusting the color of the screen to a yellow tint. Therefore, you can expect to be viewing images, videos and documents in a distorted color.
The important factor here is to choose an app that allows you to turn off or alter the strength of the color tone.
If you would like the choice of being able to adjust the tint strength while viewing a screen, then a blue light app will offer more adjustability.
Alternatively, you could invest in both blue light glasses and either use it in conjunction with a blue light app or the night light or night shift mode.
Related: How To Choose Blue Light Glasses: 7 Best Tricks & Watch Outs
Anti-glare protection
Anti-glare protection is basically considered an essential component whether you’re looking at a screen or wearing glasses. For anyone who has worn glasses with anti-reflective coating, you know that you could never do without it!
Glare can be a source of both irritation and a contributing factor to eye strain as it makes your screen difficult to look at.
If you require anti-glare protection on blue light blocking glasses, you will need to confirm that they have an anti-reflective coating.
Alternatively, you will need to add it when purchasing your glasses.
This coating is intended to lessen or eliminate the reflection of light on your screen, thus providing you with comfort from glare that could be hindering your view.
Blue light apps are also capable of reducing glare.
That said, you can avoid the hassle of downloading a blue light altogether if is glare is your primary issue.
Reducing screen glare can be achieved by lowering the brightness of your monitor or screen.
Tip: Screen glare can be minimized by confirming that you have blinds and suitable adjustable lighting in your area (such as the below light I recommend).
Recommended product: LED light, flicker-free, dimmable + lifetime warranty
Conclusion
Using the above comparison should help you to decide which of the 2 options suit you best.
Blue light glasses are generally considered to offer the best protection. However, blue light blocking apps can also be used as an easy means of reducing blue light exposure.
Whichever option you pick, the key priority is ensuring that it provides adequate protection from harmful blue light.
Do you own any blue light protection products, or do you rely on a blue light filter app? I’d love to hear your thoughts and opinions in the comments below.
