Where to find solar eclipse glasses on sale: Amazon and more deals to stay safe on April 8

You can already shop deals on solar eclipse glasses — just make sure they're the right ones

They need to meet certain criteria to protect your eyes.

All products featured here are independently selected by our editors and writers. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission.

Whether you meticulously scan the night sky for constellations or look up occasionally to see if you can catch a shooting star, a total solar eclipse is an event you won't want to miss. It's a rare event that finds the moon passing between Earth and our sun, which makes for a dynamite viewing experience whether you're a casual observer or an aspiring astronomer.

The highly-anticipated celestial event, which is estimated to reach three to four minutes of totality where the moon has completely blocked out the sun, is set to occur on April 8, 2024. And while that's still weeks away, it's crucial that you prepare for safe viewing if you plan on stepping outside and taking in all its awe-inspiring glory. That means buying a pair of eclipse glasses that can make the experience safe, so you don't end up injuring your eyes permanently.

This eclipse is going to be a very big deal, and if you plan on checking it out, eclipse glasses are an absolute must-have. But even though there are a wide variety of glasses available on Amazon from a variety of sellers, this isn't a one-size-fits-all situation. You shouldn't head to Amazon and buy the first pair of eclipse glasses you see.

Mashable Science Editor Mark Kaufman explains why this is important, but if you don't have time to sift through the list of approved eclipse glasses from sellers vetted by the American Astronomical Society (AAS), we're here to do it for you.

Everything featured here is available on Amazon, meets the standards set forth by the AAS, and is listed by an approved seller.

Below, check out our picks for some of the best eclipse glasses you can buy now, on sale or otherwise. (Note: All deals are live as of the time of writing. We'll make our best effort to keep updating this story as inventory moves around.)

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Our top pick: Celestron EclipSmart Deluxe Solar Observing & Imaging Kit

Credit: Amazon

Celestron EclipSmart Deluxe Solar Observing & Imaging Kit

$23.31 at Amazon (save $3.64)

The Celestron EclipSmart Deluxe Solar Observing & Imaging Kit is one of your best bets available on Amazon right now, and it's available at a slight discount. Made by the same company that manufactures and distributes telescopes, microscopes, and other viewing equipment, this might be the best option for both newbies and veteran eclipse viewers alike.

Unlike most eclipse glasses, which are little more than cardboard and other light materials, this kit provides you with premium, hard-frame wraparound glasses that you can pack up and use again and again. They also come with a special photo filter with technology that allows you to take video and photos of the eclipse with your phone or camera. There's also a special booklet included filled with information about eclipses and other celestial events should you want to learn more.

Other eclipse glasses on sale:

Gravitis Solar Eclipse Glasses (2-pack) — $7.99 ~~$11.55~~ on Amazon (save $3.56)

More eclipse glasses available at full price:

Soluna Solar Eclipse Glasses — $17.99 on Amazon
Lunt Solar Systems Premium Solar Eclipse Glasses (10-pack) — $22.25 on Amazon
American Paper Optics Solar Eclipse Glasses (4-pack) — $13.89 on Amazon
Healthoholic Solar Eclipse Glasses (2-pack) — $14.99 on Amazon
Helioclipse Solar Eclipse Glasses (12-pack)— $26.95 on Amazon
Thousand Oaks Optical Solar Eclipse Glasses (5-pack) — $12.50 on Amazon
Kesseph Eclipse Glasses (2-pack) — $13.99 on Amazon
Kesseph Eclipse Glasses (5-pack) — $16.99 on Amazon
Land Sea & Sky Eclipse Glasses (5-pack) — $12.50 on Amazon
Eclipse Glasses USA Eclipse Glasses (5-pack) — $17.80 on Amazon
The Eclipse Store Eclipse Glasses (2-pack) — $5.89 on Amazon
SEIC Solar Eclipse Glasses (3-pack) — $26.99 on Amazon

Frequently Asked Questions

Eclipse glasses and sunglasses are extremely different from one another. Sunglasses will not protect you from potential eye damage caused by looking directly at the sun. Sunglasses are usually crafted from plastic, glass, or polycarbonate lenses and tend to allow more sunlight to pass through.

Eclipse glasses use solar filters, on the other hand, which are comprised of both black polymer, a resin containing carbon particles, or aluminum-coated polyester film. While these lenses look similar to sunglasses, these filtered versions reduce the amount of visible light they allow through to much safer levels for your eyes. Be sure there are no scratches, dents, or bubbles in the lenses either, as those impurities may hinder your glasses' effectiveness.

Yes, you can keep the same pair of eclipse glasses you bought previously! You don't need to buy a new pair for every celestial event, so long as you've stored them properly. They're a lot like 3D viewing glasses, so the lenses will still function properly from year to year, even if you wear them while staring directly at the solar eclipse the entire time it's in totality.

Just make sure you keep the glasses free of rips or tears. Don't bend them when storing them, and make sure they're in good shape before you don them for this event. It's best to store them somewhere flat where they'll stay in the most pristine condition possible.

Eclipse glasses should last indefinitely, as long as they're well taken care of. Ensure they're not damaged when you put them on, store them in a cool, dry place, and make sure they're in good condition before using them. It's a good practice to replace them if you've had them for a few years just in case if you want to make triple sure there's no risk to your eyes, but there's no real requirement to do this as long as you protect them and keep them from tears, rips, or other blemishes that may look simply cosmetic, but could adversely affect their efficacy.

Whether you're planning on viewing the eclipse while in totality or at any point during the celestial event, you need to be wearing your eclipse glasses. The only time it's safe to remove your glasses is when the moon is completely covering the sun, at which point you shouldn't see any light at all. When you begin seeing light at the edges of the eclipse again or any brightness at all, you should ensure you put your glasses back on right away.

These rules should only apply to total eclipses, however. If ever you're viewing a partial solar eclipse where the sun is never completely obscured, there is no safe point during which you should remove your eclipse glasses. There's never a safe amount of time you should spend staring at the sun if you don't want to do any permanent eye damage, so stay safe and just keep those glasses on in case.