The 5 Best Blue Light Screen Protectors Of 2023 For Every Type Of Screen

It's no secret that we spend more time in front of screens than ever—but here's one thing you might not know: Blue light is not all bad. While blue light screen protectors are a great way to mitigate the effects of artificial blue light, natural blue light waves are actually all around us. And, to some degree, our bodies depend on it. Blue light is naturally produced by the sun, and low exposure to these light waves is necessary to keep our circadian rhythm functioning properly1.

So why does blue light get such a bad rap? Too much artificial blue light can disrupt your internal clock1. Overexposure from excessive screen time can also cause eye strain, headaches, and blurry vision. There are ways to limit your exposure, such as less scrolling before bed, or turning off your TV a bit earlier. But for a lot of us, our workday is tied to a computer.

We've done the research to round up the best blue light screen protectors for every type of screen—so you can keep your body functioning at its prime, no matter how many hours you're logging on the computer. Find our picks below, and learn how to choose the best blue light screen protector for you.

Blue light screen protectors are panels of tempered glass or acrylic that fit the screen of your device. They are meant to filter out a portion of the blue light, without totally changing your screen's appearance or display quality.

It's important to note that while there's a lot of anecdotal evidence supporting the idea that blue-light-filtering glasses and screen protectors can help reduce eyestrain, more scientific research needs to be done to back it up. A 2017 review of three studies suggests that there's not currently enough evidence to determine the impact these products have on our eye health and sleep-wake cycles.

"Some studies suggest that devices like monitors and cellphones have a blue light wavelength that affects vision in two ways: The first is that it's harmful to your eyes and can cause possible long-term damage," Todd Handel, an optician at East Coast Optometry, previously told mindbodygreen. "The second, more important effect is that blue light can affect circadian rhythms and negatively impact your sleep patterns."

According to board-certified ophthalmologist Yuna Rappaport, M.D., MPH, the issue is more about our screens in general. "Screens in general cause eye strain," she explains. "We typically have a blink rate of 18 times a minute, and when we are on screens it is down to around six—this causes dry eye and irritation." 

While more research still needs to be done to prove their effectiveness, there is no reason to believe blue light screen protectors could be harmful. Particularly for the sake of your sleep, positive reviews suggest that these products may be worth trying—that is, of course, if you're willing to spend a few bucks on the experiment. In addition, Rappaport suggests implementing the 20/20/20 rule. "Every 20 minutes look 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Keeping lubricating drops next to your computer to use is also a great idea," she says.

Pick your purpose: It's important to pick a screen protector that's specific to your device and fits the exact dimensions of your screen. You may want to consider testing out a blue light screen protector on a smaller device (like your phone) to see if you experience any benefits before shelling out on a larger panel for your TV or computer monitor.

Protect your device: We selected screen protectors that not only filter blue light but are also highly rated for their ability to protect your actual screen from cracks and scratches. This often means they cost a little more money upfront, but if you're going to put a blue light filter on your screen anyway, you might as well reap the benefit of protecting it.

Consider the long term: To echo the above point about paying a little more upfront, it's worthwhile to consider brands that offer generous replacement policies. Especially for phones, which we inevitably drop from time to time, you'll likely end up saving cash in the long run by buying a more expensive product that has a lifetime replacement guarantee.

Know the limits: Most of the claims around the benefits of blue light screen protectors are anecdotal. While that doesn't mean it's not worth trying one out for yourself, it's helpful to remember that a blue light filter isn't the only way to improve your relationship with technology. Limiting screen time in general (especially around bedtime) and adjusting your display settings to ease eye strain are great places to start.

It's important to be mindful of how our devices impact our health, so we can better protect our health. In addition to blue light screen protectors, there are plenty of other ways you can control your exposure to blue light. Consider the light in your home, create a healthy bedtime routine that reduces your screen time, and take stock of your overall eye health. One thing's for sure: Our devices aren't going anywhere. But with a little added awareness and some protective hacks, you may find some relief from the more frustrating side effects of screen time.