These 8 ISO-Certified Solar Eclipse Glasses from Amazon Will Let You Safely View the Eclipse on April 8

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The solar eclipse is a big deal. If you haven’t heard about it, most of America is going to be able to at least partially view the solar eclipse happening midday on April 8, 2024. The path of totality (AKA where you can 100% view the eclipse) is happening from Texas up through Maine, so that means you have a pretty big chance of getting a good look at the eclipse. However, you can’t just look at it. You need solar eclipse glasses so you don’t burn your eyes (no, really).

And while it’s easy to search “ISO certified solar eclipse glasses” on Amazon, are those paper glasses really certified? It’s very easy for a company to label something as “safe” or “approved,” but you, of course, want peace of mind about how safe you and your kids are with your solar eclipse glasses come Monday, April 8.

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. We'll fill you in on how to safely look at the solar eclipse and share eight American Astronomy Society-approved solar eclipse glasses that are available on Amazon (so you can hopefully get them by April 8).

Related: What Is an Eclipse? Plus, Astronomers and Astrologists Answer Your Other Burning Eclipse Questions

How To Look at a Solar Eclipse?

First off, how can you even look at the solar eclipse? As we said above, and as you probably heard, it’s not safe to look directly into the solar eclipse with just your eyes.

Former Commander of the International Space Station Terry Virts recently told Parade that nobody should look at the sun without glasses "because it doesn't take long before your retina gets burned."

He explained, "That's permanent. That is damage that will never heal."

NASA has shared that you can look at the eclipse without safety glasses ONLY “during the brief total eclipse phase (‘totality’)”—which is when the sun is completely covered.

However, this is a very short moment and looking at it without glasses at any other time can result in damage. That’s why NASA says to look for solar eclipse glasses that comply with the requirements of the ISO 12312-2 international standard. So, looking for glasses with the ISO logo and certification is vital.

Fortunately, the American Astronomy Society (AAS) has put out a list on their Solar Eclipse Across America site of approved suppliers of safe solar viewers and filters. More on them later.

Can You Look at a Solar Eclipse With Sunglasses?

No, unfortunately, sunglasses won’t protect your eyes from burns or ocular damage when viewing a solar eclipse.

Colonel Virts stressed that you should protect your naked eye from the eclipse, and sunglasses just won’t cut it.

“... Even normal sunglasses are not good,” he explained. “You will get your retina burned if you stare at the sun with normal sunglasses."

Related: Krispy Kreme and Oreo Team Up for Limited-Time Menu Item Honoring the Solar Eclipse

8 Solar Eclipse Glasses You Can Buy Ahead of April 8

Okay, now on to affordable and safe solar eclipse glasses options you can buy from Amazon! The AAS has a list of manufacturers that they’re confident in and deems safe. They meet the ISO 12312-2 international standard requirements and are members of the AAS Solar Eclipse Task Force.

But a quick note about buying on Amazon: this is a massive marketplace for multiple storefronts and vendors. So if you’re not using a direct link from AAS’s site (which we have below), and are just going off a brand’s name on Amazon, check who’s shipping it before buying just in case.

1. Kesseph Solar Eclipse Glasses Approved 2024, (2 Pack), $14.99 on Amazon

This is the Amazon link from Kesseph’s official website. This 2-pack features paper solar eclipse glasses and a smartphone photo filter you can use because even just looking at the eclipse through a camera lens isn't enough to protect your eyes.

2. LUNT SOLAR 5 Pack Premium Eclipse Glasses, $25.95 on Amazon

Lunt Solar Systems has a Prime section on its site, so you can easily see what solar eclipse glasses you can get with Amazon Prime.

3. Soluna Solar Eclipse Glasses AAS Approved 2024 (2 Pack), $14.99 on Amazon

Soluna Glasses also has an Amazon page on its website.

4. Helioclipse Solar Eclipse Glasses AAS Approved 2024 - [6 Pack], $13.95 on Amazon

Helioclipse has some snazzy-looking solar eclipse glasses, though they don't come with the map pictured on the product listing.

5. Solar Eclipse Glasses AAS Approved 2024 (3 Pack), $31.99 on Amazon

AAS directly linked this Amazon link for Cykioqer's glasses (they're also made of plastic and not paper!).

6. ISO Eclipse Glasses, NASA Approved, Made in USA, 5-Pack, $25.95 on Eclipse Glasses USA

While Eclipse Glasses USA doesn't have Amazon links on their website, the site directly linked from the AAS website does allow you to use Amazon Prime to buy their products and get them in one day (as of April 5).

7. Solar Eclipse Glasses AAS Approved 2024, 6 Pack, $17.99 on Amazon

This is another product that leads directly to Sngeirkn's Amazon product listing from the AAS site.

8. Solar Eclipse Glasses Approved 2024 (10 Pack), $18.99 on Amazon

MedOptics’s website sends you to their Amazon product page as well.

Can You Make Your Own Solar Eclipse Glasses?

Yes, you can!

As NASA's YouTube shared that you can make a pinhole projector at home with a cardboard box to indirectly look at the solar eclipse. (We have a pinhole projector how-to as well!) 

NASA also shared how to make a pinhole projection with your arms. Simple yet effective and safe!

Next up: It's Eclipse Season (Again) - Here's What You Need to Know