Sunglasses are a must-have accessory for protecting your eyes and completing your outfit. With so many options on the market, it can be tough deciding between popular brands like Shady Rays and neven.
This comprehensive guide will compare the pros and cons of Shady Rays vs neven sunglasses that are both founded by YouTubers and influencers to help you determine which is the better buy.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Factors | Shady Rays | neven |
| Price Range | $45-$75 | $60-$100 |
| Lens Quality | Polarized, 100% UV protection, richer tint | Polarized, 100% UV protection, lighter tint |
| Frame Material | Durable TR90 nylon | TR90 prone to cracking |
| Style Selection | 30+ unique styles, collabs, and limited drops | 7 core styles focused on versatile classics |
| Warranty | Lost & broken replacement for 1 year, then 50% off | Covers defects only, not accidents |
| Corporate Giving | 10 meals donated for each order | Portion of sales donated to provide clean water |
Overview Of Shady Rays
Founded in 2012 by YouTube influencers, Shady Rays sought to disrupt the sunglasses industry by offering affordable, polarized sunglasses directly to consumers.
Their sunglasses typically retail between $45-$75.
Some key features of Shady Rays include:
- Stylish and trendy frame designs
- Polarized lenses to reduce glare
- Durable and shatterproof construction
- Lifetime lost and broken replacement policy
- Giveback program donating 10 meals for every purchase
Shady Rays offers a wide selection of sunglass frames and lens colors to suit different styles and needs. They frequently release limited edition collaborations with influencers and brands.
Also Read: Is Walleva Better Than Revant?
Overview Of Neven
Launched in 2019 by YouTube star Neven Batalla, neven seeks to provide high-quality polarized sunglasses at an affordable price point.
Their sunglasses are priced between $60-$100.
Some key features of neven sunglasses:
- Polarized lenses to reduce glare
- Durable TR90 frame material
- Scratch-resistant lenses
- Lifetime warranty against manufacturer defects
- Classic and trendy frame styles
- Giveback program donating a portion of profits to charity
Neven offers a smaller collection of sunglass styles compared to Shady Rays but focuses on versatile, timeless designs.
They also aim to be eco-friendly by using recyclable packaging.
Comparison Between Shady Rays And Neven
Lens Quality
Both Shady Rays and neven use polarized lenses sourced from China. Polarized lenses help reduce glare and eye strain in bright sunlight. However, Shady Rays seems to have a slight edge when it comes to lens quality.
Shady Rays lenses provide 100% UV protection and have a visible color tint to enhance contrast. The lenses are rated to block over 99% of UVA/UVB rays. Many customers rave about the crisp, distortion-free vision the Shady Rays lenses provide.
Neven also claims 100% UV protection for their lenses but don’t specify the exact rating. Their grey polarized lenses have a lighter tint that preserves natural color perception. But a few users notice some slight lens warp at the edges on some neven models.
Frame Quality
Shady Rays and neven both use durable frame materials designed to withstand drops and scratches. However, neven frames seem to be more prone to breaking.
Shady Rays frames are constructed from TR90 nylon material known for its flexibility, sturdiness, and lightweight feel. The acetate temples include internal steel wire reinforcement for added strength. Many customers report their Shady Rays surviving accidental drops without any damage.
Neven frames are also made from TR90 but appear to be thinner and more brittle. Some users complain of the frames cracking under stress at hinge points. Others report temple tips breaking off easily. Neven’s lifetime warranty covers defects but not accidental damage.
Based on customer reviews, Shady Rays frame construction seems more rugged and impact-resistant.
Style Selection
One area where Shady Rays clearly tops neven is the variety of frame styles and colors available. Shady Rays offers over 30+ different frame silhouettes ranging from classic aviators to modern cat eyes to sporty wraparounds. They are constantly updating their lineup with limited drops and influencer collaborations.
In contrast, neven has a very limited selection of just 7 core styles in basic colors like black, tortoise, and navy. For those wanting a versatile pair of shades in a classic silhouette, neven delivers. But for trend-focused buyers, Shady Rays offers way more variety.
Read More: Comparison Between Firmoo And Zenni Optical
Cost Comparison
Both brands market themselves as affordable sunglass options compared to designer brands like Ray-Ban or Oakley. Here’s how their pricing shakes out:
- Shady Rays: $45-$75
- Neven: $60-$100
While neven’s regular prices are a bit higher, they frequently offer discounts and sales bringing their sunglasses down to the $40-$60 range. Shady Rays rarely discounts but keeps pricing consistent year-round.
When it comes to value for money, customers seem to get more from Shady Rays in terms of lens technology, frame quality, and style options versus neven. For basic black sunglasses, neven delivers good quality for under $60.
Warranty
The warranties offered by Shady Rays and neven are both excellent for the price.
Shady Rays offers a lifetime lost and broken replacement policy called “Sunglasses For Life.” If you lose or break your Shady Rays within 1 year of purchase, you’ll get a free replacement or credit. After 1 year, you can purchase new Shady Rays at 50% off MSRP.
Neven provides a lifetime warranty covering manufacturer defects. If your neven sunglasses break or arrive faulty, they will repair or replace them free of charge at any time. However, this doesn’t cover lost or user-damaged sunglasses.
For protection against defects, the warranties are evenly matched. But Shady Rays gives added coverage for accidental user damage that neven does not.
Social Responsibility
Both brands aim to give back and support causes through corporate social responsibility programs.
Shady Rays helps fight hunger through their “10 Meals” program. For every order, they donate 10 meals to Feeding America food banks. To date, they have donated over 10 million meals.
Neven supports providing access to clean water. A portion of sales goes to Charity: Water to fund water projects in developing countries. So far, neven has helped provide 7,335 people with clean drinking water.
Overall, the brands are on par when it comes to corporate giving and using business as a positive force. The causes they support align well with their brand images and target demographics.
Also Read: Comparison Between Quay And Ray-Ban Sunglasses.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Some top competitors of Shady Rays include:
Oakley, Maui Jim, Costa Del Mar, Ray-Ban, Randolph Engineering, American Optical, Goodr, Blender Eyewear.
As an affordable, direct-to-consumer sunglass brand, Shady Rays competes with value players while undercutting premium brands.
Yes, Shady Rays sunglasses use high-quality polarized lenses that offer full UV protection and reduced glare. The lenses provide crisp, undistorted vision. They also use advanced treatments for scratch resistance and color enhancement. Overall, customers praise the lenses used in Shady Rays.
With the Shady Rays “Sunglasses For Life” program, there is no limit to the number of times you can replace broken or lost sunglasses. Within the first year, you get free replacements with just pay shipping. After a year, replacements are 50% off the retail price.
Some top sunglass styles for seniors include:
Aviator – large lens coverage, adjustable nose pads
Oversized cat eye – extra coverage, lightweight
Browline – vintage style, upper eye protection
Wayfarer – polarized, stylish, durable
Metal round – slim profile, stylish look
Photochromic lenses – self-adjusting tint
The best seniors sunglasses provide full UV protection, glare reduction, and a secure comfortable fit. Adjustable nose pads and light frames add comfort. Oversized and wraparound designs give extra coverage.
Also watch the video!
Verdict
Based on this comprehensive comparison, I would say that Shady Rays is the better overall value and offers more benefits than neven sunglasses.
The key advantages of choosing Shady Rays over neven include:
- Better lens quality with less distortion and richer polarization
- More durable frame construction that can withstand drops
- Broader variety of stylish and trendy frame silhouettes
- Lifetime lost & broken replacement policy for added peace of mind
- More affordable pricing with frequent discounts
- Larger brand with more recognizability and influencer hype
The only area where neven matches or exceeds Shady Rays is in their eco-friendly and charitable initiatives. But Shady Rays also gives back via their meal donations.
For shoppers focused on style, lens performance, and protection against accidental damage, Shady Rays is the clear winner. Their “Sunglasses For Life” warranty and breadth of designs make them a top contender in the affordable sunglass space.
Neven makes quality, basic shades but loses out when it comes to variety and durability. Their frames and warranty don’t seem to withstand wear and tear as well as Shady Rays.
In conclusion, for most buyers, I would recommend going with the category leader Shady Rays over the lesser-known neven brand.
Shady Rays give you more bang for your buck and better assurance your shades can keep up with your adventures.