Ra Optics vs TrueDark – Which Blue Blockers Are Best?
We compare the Ra Optics and TrueDark blue light blocking glasses to see which brand comes out on top in our testing
If you’re looking for some new blue light blocking glasses but can’t decide between Ra Optics and TrueDark, then you’ve landed on the right page.
They both are big brands in the emerging blue blocker glasses market, but how do they compare when pitted up against each other?
In this article, we’re going to take a detailed look at both brands to see which of their glasses come out on top in a head-to-head comparison.
We’re going to be focusing on a number of different factors, including the build quality of the frames and lenses, and whether the lenses themselves are effective at blocking out the relevant frequencies of blue light.
We’re going to be splitting this article up into seven sections as we compare each important aspect of the glasses so you can pick the brand that’s best suited to your needs.
Both Ra Optics and TrueDark are big players in this market, and both of them feature on our list of the best blue light blocking glasses on the market at the moment.
But which of the two brands will come out on top in our head-to-head comparison?
Let’s get things under way by looking at the companies behind the products.
Editor's note: The content on this website is meant to be informative in nature, but it should not be taken as medical advice. Our articles and the products featured in them are not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention, and/or treatment of health problems. Always speak with a certified medical professional before making any changes to your lifestyle, diet, exercise routine, and/or taking any supplements.
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Company Background and Reputation
Let’s start our comparison guide by taking a closer look at both of these brands, the story behind the companies, and how they got to where they are now.
Ra Optics Summary:
Product website (click for 10% discount): www.raoptics.com
• Founded by Matt Maruca in the US
• Stylish Frames To Suit Everyone
• Sold Only From The Official Website
• Great Reviews
• Both Day and Night Blue Blocking Lens
• Fast Worldwide Shipping
TrueDark Summary:
Product website: www.truedark.com
• Founded by Dave Asprey in the US
• Patent Pending Lenses
• Strong Reviews
• Available On The Official Website
• Day and Night Blue Blocking Lenses
• Fast Worldwide Shipping
As you can probably see from the comparisons above, they have some similarities.
For example, they are both US-based brands founded with the intention of helping people to reduce the effects of blue light at night.
What sets TrueDark apart slightly is that their lenses are patent-pending, which makes them unique to the brand.
Both of these blue blocker manufacturers have strong reputations and most of the reviews available online are positive.
Both TrueDark and Ra Optics offer day and night options in terms of lenses. The day options are designed to help reduce the effects of artificial blue light from indoor lighting and computer screens.
The night options are designed to help filter out much more blue light after sunset to help prepare your body for sleep.
The Lenses
So, now it’s time to take a closer look at the all-important lenses on offer.
If you’re looking to buy some blue light blocking glasses, you’ll want to be sure that the lenses you choose actually block out the important frequencies of light.
Both of the lenses are designed to be worn after sunset to help your body know that it’s dark outside.
Let’s take a closer look at both brands now…
Ra Optics Ultimate Night
The Ra Optics ‘Ultimate Night’ lens is the company’s flagship nighttime offering for helping to prepare your body for sleep.
They feature a dark orange tint that blocks out the important frequencies of blue light found in indoor artificial lighting and coming from mobile phones and other electronic screens.
The official Ra Optics website says that the Ultimate Night lenses block all light wavelengths up to 550 nanometers.
The description promises that the Ultimate Night lenses will block out the key blue and green frequencies of light after dark to allow your body to adapt to more natural lighting conditions and prepare to wind down.
TrueDark Twilight Elite
The TrueDark Twilight Elite have a dark red tint to them and they are a slightly different color to the Ra Optics Ultimate Night lenses.
According to the official website, the TrueDark Twilight Elites block out 98 per cent of blue, green and violet wavelengths of light. That means that they do let in a small amount of blue, green and violet wavelengths.
For this reason, if you’re looking for a product that blocks out all blue light, then you may be better off going for the TrueDark Twilight Classic.
What’s cool about the TrueDarks is that they use a patent-pending technology that uses pure solid colored lenses rather than a color tint painted over a clear lens.
The Frames
Now it’s time to take a close look the frames and the frame styles on offer.
If you’re serious about blocking blue light at night, then you’ll want to ensure that you have a pair of glasses that you’re willing to wear out and about if necessary without feeling self-conscious.
Ra Optics frames
At the time of writing, Ra Optics currently offer nine different frame styles.
What’s cool about the choice is that there is a wide range of options, so you’re sure to be able to find a product that suits your look.
The quality of the frames is really high, and we were impressed by the overall look and feel of the Ra Optics frames.
TrueDark frames
Presently, TrueDark only offer a few options when it comes to their sleep hacking and nighttime lenses.
We tried out the Twilight Elites, which feature nose pads for added comfort and have a sleek modern design.
The frames are made of lightweight aluminum and just have a very high quality feel to them overall.
What Are Customers Saying?
We took a look online and on social media to see what customers were saying about both Ra Optics and TrueDark.
Both of these brands have a strong reputation when it comes to product quality and the way they deal with their customers.
In addition, some of TrueDark’s products are for sale on Amazon, which give us the chance to take a look at some verified reviews. The feedback was positive, with the Twilight Elites currently boasting a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
Price
Now it’s time to take a look at the all-important price tag. Which one of these brands offers the better value for money?
The cheapest pair of Ra Optics Ultimate Night glasses comes in at $129. The most expensive pair costs $299.
The cheapest pair of TrueDark Twilight Elite glasses comes in at $89. That’s also the price of the most expensive pair.
Anything Else to Consider?
Just remember that blue light blocking glasses are not going to solve all of your health and sleep problems.
Good health starts with a good diet, good exercise plan and plenty of good quality sleep.
Yes, nighttime blue light blocking glasses can have a big effect, but you should look at them as a miracle answer to solve all of your health problems.
It’s also important to note that you should never wear blue light blocking glasses while driving or operating heavy machinery, because they make everything look pretty dark.
Ra Optics vs TrueDark – Our Recommendation
So, that brings us to the end of our in-depth comparison of Ra Optics and TrueDark.
Overall, Ra Optics came out on top with a 3-2 victory, mainly thanks to the variety of different styles and lenses on offer.
TrueDark’s glasses are slightly cheaper, with the Ra Optics range a bit more expensive.
To summarize, you’re not going to go too far wrong by going with any one of these two brands, but if we were to have to pick one, it would be Ra Optics.
Ra Optics website (click for 10% discount): www.raoptics.com
TrueDark website: www.truedark.com
