5 Best Anti-Fog Sprays for Wearing Glasses and a Mask, According to Online Reviews
Updated: May 23, 2022
Mask up and keep your glasses clear with these top-rated anti-fog sprays and wipes.
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Anti-fog sprays for glasses that actually work
Nope, the pandemic’s not over yet, and that means face masks are still part of our everyday lives. Of course, they help to stem the spread of COVID-19, including the Omicron variant, and you also need them to enter certain stores, ride on public transportation, take a flight, and more. While we’ve more or less gotten used to this idea, there’s still one thing that’s particularly problematic—wearing masks with glasses. Sure, you need those glasses to see, but masks tend to steam things up, making that semi-impossible sometimes. Thankfully, all these months later, there’s a solution: anti-fog sprays for glasses that can keep your lenses clear.
How do anti-fog products work?
Before we answer that question, you need to know why your glasses get fogged up in the first place. It happens when your warm breath hits the cool lenses of your glasses and condensates on the surface. These tiny droplets create a small layer of moisture on your lenses, which clouds your vision.
Anti-fog spray for glasses is made to attract water. This might sound counterintuitive at first, but it works by creating a thin, continuous layer of moisture over the surface of your lens that you can see through. Think of it like looking through a glass windowpane. Once you apply the product to your glasses, you’ll be all set for anywhere from a few hours to a few days. Yes, you read that right—days.
How we chose the best anti-fog sprays for glasses
Sure, every anti-fog spray sounds amazing, but they don’t all live up to their marketing hype. We based our picks on products with thousands of five-star reviews and made sure to find options for a variety of eyewear needs and personal preferences. Then we asked optometrist Rica McRoy, cofounder of R City Eyecare in Huntsville, Alabama, to share some expert insight on these fan favorites so you can find the best affordable anti-fog spray that’s right for you.
Best overall anti-fog spray
Zeiss Fog Defender System
This anti-fog spray tops our list for a number of reasons, but the main one is that it “works 100 percent of the time,” as verified Amazon reviewer Kiyoshi H. raves. With more than 2,700 five-star reviews on Amazon, it’s clear that other shoppers agree with that assessment. Some of the highlights cited most often? That it’s truly zero fog (it doesn’t just claim to be) and that one application keeps glasses fog-free for up to three days. As McRoy puts it: “This product was the clear winner because it is easy to use, lasts for about 72 hours, and is gentle on the most delicate eyeglass lenses.” It also works well on sunglasses, reading glasses, and blue-light glasses.
Pros:
- One application lasts approximately 72 hours
- Comes with a microfiber cloth
- Can also be used on sunglasses, reading glasses, goggles, and more
Con:
- Some users reported streaks when not fully rubbed in
Best anti-fog spray for anti-reflective lenses
Optix 55 Anti-Fog Treatment for Anti-Reflective Lenses
The anti-reflective coating on eyeglasses is water-repellent by nature, whereas scratch-resistant, polarized, UV protective, and other coatings are not. The problem? Since most anti-fog sprays work by creating a thin film of water over the surface of the lens, they typically don’t work as well on anti-reflective lenses; in fact, some might even damage your eyeglasses or make reflections worse. But this solution from Optix 55 was formulated specifically for anti-reflective lenses, and more than 8,100 five-star reviewers—from doctors to sports enthusiasts to office workers—give it an enthusiastic thumbs-up. Plus, it’s hypoallergenic, so McRoy says it’s a smart pick “if you have extremely sensitive or allergy-prone skin.”
One thing to keep in mind: This anti-fog treatment is not a spray; it comes in a dropper bottle, and you need to apply it properly in order for it to work. Put one to two drops onto your lenses, gently rub it in, and allow it to dry for about 20 seconds.
Pros:
- Hypoallergenic
- Safe for all lens materials
- One application lasts all day
Cons:
- Dropper application, rather than a spray
- Must let air-dry for 15 to 20 seconds before wearing
Best anti-fog wipes
Bausch + Lomb Sight Savers
“If you aren’t able to use a spray-on product, these Sight Savers cleaning wipes are a great alternative,” says McRoy. More than 5,000 five-star reviewers agree, saying that the ease and convenience of these Amazon best sellers make them a fabulous anti-fog solution … and a favorite lens-cleaning solution in general. Aside from a streak-free clean that leaves glasses fog-resistant, these five-by-eight-inch wipes are “slightly larger than the Zeiss and Optix 55 wipes,” says Amazon reviewer Jamie Deats, “which is nice if you have larger, aviator-style lenses or simply find you need two of the smaller-sized wipes to get the job done.”
Pros:
- Convenient packaging
- Easy to use
- Large size
Con:
- May need to reapply after six hours
Best all-natural anti-fog spray
Calyptus Lens Cleaner
With a 4.7-star rating from more than 1,000 Amazon reviewers, it’s clear (pun intended) that this all-natural anti-fog spray for glasses gets the job done. Beyond being entirely plant-based and free of alcohol and other harsh chemicals, it stands out from the crowd because it’s even compatible with prescription lenses that have specialty coatings. (Not all anti-fog sprays for glasses are, so always read the label first!) One five-star reviewer writes, “My eyeglasses have everything—progressive lens, anti-glare (I think that’s why they tend to fog), and a transition lens. Wearing a mask with them was very difficult. I tried a few other anti-fog things, but this stuff solved the problem.”
Not convinced? Well, this will make you a believer: Another happy customer said he was even able to wear his glasses in the hot tub without having them fog up. Seriously!
Pros:
- Plant-based and nontoxic
- Compatible with special lens coatings, including anti-glare
- Comes with six microfiber cloths
Con:
- May streak if not used with the included microfiber cloths
Best multipurpose anti-fog spray
Gamer Advantage FogAway Anti-Fog Spray
Whether it’s your favorite pair of eyeglasses, your VR headset, your safety goggles, or even your windshield that’s fogging up, this anti-fog spray for glass has got you covered—and more than 13,000 five-star reviewers couldn’t agree more. “This is the best product I think I’ve ever gotten on Amazon, and I’ve wowed two of my coworkers already,” says Amazon reviewer Desirae. “You won’t regret it. It works on plastic goggles and glasses!” Other reviewers say it’s easy to use and that it lasts all day, though you have to rub it in completely if you don’t want to leave your lenses blurry.
Pros:
- Long-lasting bottle holds 600-plus pumps
- One application lasts all day
- Good for a variety of needs
Con:
- Some users report streaks when not fully rubbed in
Source:
- Rica McRoy, cofounder of R City Eyecare in Huntsville, Alabama
Originally Published: February 10, 2022
