When working with lasers, wearing laser safety glasses is essential.
A high-energy laser beam such as one from a laser cutter can cause severe eye damage, including blindness and serious skin burns.
Laser safety glasses shield and protect you from specific laser wavelengths.
Choosing the right laser protection glasses or goggles is about identifying the wavelength of the laser you work with.
Eye protection options for laser safety glasses include eye safety filters, full face shields, spectacles, goggles, and more.
In this guide, I recommend the best safety glasses and laser goggles that you can use for lasers, such as diodes, CO2, and fiber lasers operating in UV, visible, and infrared wavelengths.
Also included is a guide on how to pick the laser glasses you need for your job.
MellowPine is reader-supported. When you buy through links on my site, I may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.
Safety Glasses for Ultraviolet and Visible Light Lasers
FreeMascot Professional
| FreeMascot Professional | |
|---|---|
| Optical Density (OD) | 6+ |
| Wavelength | 190nm-490nm |
| Visible Light Transmission (VLT) | 55% |
| Filter | Polycarbonate |
| Coating | UV Protection |
| Standards Used | European laser eyewear standards (EN207: 1998 + A1EN207: 1998 + A1: 2002) |
| Dimension | 6.2″ x 5.6″ x 2.2″ |
A parameter chart of FreeMascot Professional laser safety glass
FreeMascot Professional can block wavelengths of violet and blue laser light (190-490nm ).
It is compatible with 275nm, 365nm, 405nm, 445nm, 450nm laser lights and has a black frame with a non-slip silicone sleeve.
The frame is strong and flexible as it is made of DuPont PA12 and TPEE. Its dimension is 6.2″ x 5.6″ x 2.2″.
FreeMascot Professional has an Optical Density (OD) of 6+ and Visible Light Transmission (VLT) of 55%. It uses a polycarbonate filter with a UV protection coating.
It has a European certification for laser safety eyewear and follows EN207: 1998, A1EN207: 1998, A1: 2002 standards.
FreeMascot offers this glass in frame styles 4 and 5. All glasses come with a protective storage case and a cleaning cloth.
JilerWear Professional
| Parameters | JilerWear Professional |
|---|---|
| OD | 6+ |
| Wavelength | 200-404nm, 541-1200nm |
| VLT | 60% |
| Filter | Polycarbonate |
| Coating | UV Protection |
| Standards Used | European laser eyewear standards (EN207: 1998 + A1EN207: 1998 + A1: 2002) |
| Dimension | 7″ x 3″ x 2.3″ |
A parameter chart of JilerWear Professional laser safety glass
JilerWear Professional can block violet, blue, and red (200-404nm, 541-1200nm) wavelength lights.
It can shield your eyes from lasers operating at UV and visible light spectrum, except wavelengths between 405 – 540nm green light.
It has a black frame with a non-slip rubber sleeve. The durable hinges are screws tightened, and its overall dimension is 7″ x 3″ x 2.3″.
JilerWear Professional OD 6+ has a VLT of 60% and uses a polycarbonate filter with UV coating.
It has a European certification for laser safety eyewear and follows EN207: 1998, A1EN207: 1998, A1: 2002 standards.
All glasses come with a protective storage case and a cleaning cloth.
MCWlaser Laser Safety Glass
| Parameters | MCWlaser Laser Safety Glass |
|---|---|
| OD | 6+ |
| Wavelength | 600-1100nm |
| VLT | 50% |
| Filter | SiO2 |
| Standards Used | European laser eyewear standards (GJB1762-93, EN207/208 and AU/NZ) |
| Dimension | 6.69″ x 3.15″ x 2.87″ |
A parameter chart of MCWlaser safety glass
MCWlaser safety glass can block 600-1100nm wavelength lights and is suitable for He-Ne, ruby, alexandrite gem, YAG, and semiconductor lasers.
It can shield your eyes from lasers operating at 635nm, 655nm, 671nm, 694nm, 799nm, 808nm, 810nm, 904nm, and 1085nm wavelength.
It has a black frame with a silicone sleeve. Its overall dimension is 6.69″ x 3.15″ x 2.87″.
MCWlaser laser safety glass OD 6+ has a VLT of 50% and uses synthesized SiO2 with other absorption materials.
It is approved per European laser eyewear standards and follows GJB1762-93, EN207/208, and AU/NZ laser standards.
All glasses come with a protective storage case and a cleaning cloth.
Safety Glasses for Infrared Laser Light – CO2 Laser, Fiber Laser
FreeMascot OD 6+ 9000nm-11000nm – Best for 10600nm CO2 Laser
| Parameters | FreeMascot |
|---|---|
| OD | 6+ |
| Wavelength | 9000nm-11000nm |
| VLT | 95% |
| Filter | Polymer or Polycarbonate |
| Coating | Anti-Fog Coating |
| Standards Used | European laser eyewear standards (EN207: 1998 + A1EN207: 1998 + A1: 2002) |
| Dimension | 6.2″ x 5.6″ x 2.2″ |
A parameter chart of FreeMascot laser safety glass
This FreeMascot glass can block 9000nm -11000nm wavelength lights and is compatible with 10600nm CO2 laser light.
The frame is flexible and has a non-slip silicone sleeve. Its dimension is 6.2″ x 5.6″ x 2.2″.
It is also available in frame sizes of 2, 3, 4, and 5.
FreeMascot has an OD of 6+ and a VLT of 95%. It uses a polymer or polycarbonate filter with an anti-fog coating.
It has a European certification for laser safety eyewear and follows EN207: 1998, A1EN207: 1998, A1: 2002 standards.
All glasses come with a protective storage case and a cleaning cloth.
Cloudray – Best for 1064nm Fiber Laser
| Parameters | Cloudray |
|---|---|
| OD | 6+ |
| Wavelength | 190-420nm, 850-1300nm |
| VLT | 30% |
| Filter | Polycarbonate |
| Standards Used | European laser eyewear standards (EN 207:2009, AC:2011) |
| Dimension | 5.75″ x 2.17″ x 2.17″ |
A parameter chart of Cloudray laser safety glass
Cloudray glass can block 190-420nm and 850-1300nm wavelength lights. Therefore, it is best suited for 1060nm fiber lasers.
The frame is rigid and is available in different styles, even with metal frames. Its standard dimension is 5.75″ x 2.17″ x 2.17″.
This Cloudray glass has an OD of 6+ and a VLT of 30%. It uses a polycarbonate filter.
It has a European certification for laser safety eyewear and follows EN 207:2009, AC:2011 standards.
All glasses come with a protective storage case and a cleaning cloth.
Understanding Laser Safety Glasses and their Ratings
When you work with laser equipment you must be aware of the laser safety risks, hazards, and control measures associated with it.
The type of laser glasses you need depends on the type of laser you work with.
If you work with CO2 lasers or fiber lasers you need glasses that protect against infrared light.
Laser Wavelength
| Laser Type | Wavelength |
|---|---|
| UV Laser | 180nm – 419nm |
| Blue Laser | 420nm – 499nm |
| Green Laser | 500nm – 559nm |
| Red Laser | 620nm – 699nm |
| Diode Laser | 808nm, 940nm, 980nm |
| Fiber Laser | 1030nm – 1090nm |
| CO2 Laser | 9,300nm, 10,200nm, 10,600nm |
A chart of different laser types and their respective wavelength
Like every other light source, laser light is also electromagnetic radiation.
The wavelength of a laser is generally measured in nanometers. Anything between 380nm to 780nm is visible to the human eye (visible spectrum).
The term light could mean anything with a wavelength between ultraviolet (150nm) to infrared (11000nm) rays.
Most laser lights we use in laser engravers and cutters fall inside this 150nm – 11000nm range.
While selecting a laser glass, you must look for the wavelength range it blocks.
Most good-quality laser glasses will have the wavelength range marked on them. Make sure the glasses you use matches the operational wavelength of the laser.
How to Choose Laser Safety Glasses
There are some important technical parameters you need to know when you decide on a pair of laser safety glasses.
Visible Light Transmission (VLT)
VLT, also called daylight transmission or luminous transmittance, is the rate of light filtering within the visible light spectrum.
It is measured in percentage (%). The lower the VLT, the darker your lens, making it harder to see the visible light around you.
You can find the required VLT for your laser in its user manual, or you can contact the manufacturers for the details.
Remember, higher VLT values give you much visibility and make it easy for you to work.
Optical Density
Optical Density (OD) measures the reduction or attenuation of laser light passed through a filter medium.
The higher the OD value is, the higher is the attenuation of laser light.
Safety glass with an OD value of 6+ is a good choice for working with laser engravers and cutters.
| Optical Density (OD) | Transmission (%) | Attenuation Factor |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 100% | 1 |
| 1 | 10% | 10 |
| 2 | 1% | 100 |
| 3 | 0.1% | 1,000 |
| 4 | 0.01% | 10,000 |
| 5 | 0.001% | 100000 |
| 6 | 0.0001% | 100,0000 |
| 7 | 0.00001% | 1,000,0000 |
| 8 | 0.000001% | 10,000,0000 |
| 9 | 0.0000001% | 1,000,000,000 |
| 10 | 0.00000001% | 10,000,000,000 |
A chart of laser safety glass’s optical density, transmission percentage, and attenuation as per EN207/208/60825 standards
Reflecting, Absorbing, and Hybrid Glasses
Some safety glasses absorb light while others reflect laser light. There are those that do both.
Glasses that reflect the light come coated with added materials.
When such glasses are scratched, the attenuation material coating will get removed which causes the laser light to leak through.
Absorbing safety glasses are made to absorb specific laser wavelengths. They are not generally coated, so scratches will not affect their effectiveness.
Their absorption capacity is dependent on the glass thickness. Such glasses are made using polycarbonate and other absorbing glass filters.
Laser safety glasses are also available in a hybrid model. It has the properties of both reflective and absorbing laser safety glasses.
Filter
The coherent, monochromatic, and collimated characteristics of laser light are dangerous to the eyes of humans.
A filter that blocks the laser light and passes on the normal light is what we need to use in a laser safety glass.
The filter should also match the intensity and wavelength of the laser source radiation.
Polycarbonate Filters
Polycarbonate molds are shaped, and UV protection coating is applied to both front and back surfaces using Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) technology for scratch protection in polycarbonate filters.
If in case it scratches, you need to replace such glasses.
Polycarbonate glasses are a low-cost laser safety solution but generally have low OD and VLT values.
Glass filters
Glass filters generally have higher OD and VLT values. Also, most glasses are of absorbing type.
Such glasses are expensive as they go through many processing (manufacturing, cutting, polishing, testing) and require regular inspection of delamination, gaps between the filter and frame, and cracks or breakage.
Laser Safety Standards
In the US, laser safety is regulated as per the ANSI Z136 standard, and in Europe, it is regulated as per EN207/208/60825 standards.
Most other countries have their standards, and many use different versions derived from the standards formulated by USA and EU.
While purchasing a laser safety glass, check if the laser glasses are approved per any existing standards in your country. If not, buy one following the European or American standards.
You can find the standard a laser glass manufacturer follows in their product description or manual.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I look directly into the laser beam with my laser safety glasses?
No, you should not look directly into the laser beam with a laser safety glass. Such glasses are designed to protect you from accidental short-term exposure to laser light reflected off of work surface. If you look directly, it could damage your eye.
Can you repair laser safety glasses?
You can get your safety glasses repaired by the manufacturer if they offer such a service. If not, it is better not to repair, instead get a new one.
Why is there no pair of laser safety glasses covering all lasers?
No pair of laser safety glasses covers all laser wavelengths because no transparent material can block all wavelengths of light. The purpose of having such safety glass is to help you see through and protect your eyes. However, there are some limitations in the wavelength it can cover. Another reason is that if it were to block all wavelengths it would mean no light passes through and you will not be able to see anything through it.
