Oakley is renowned for its cutting-edge lens technology, which is designed to enhance vision and performance for a variety of outdoor activities. The Prizm Black Polarized lenses are a standout option, offering glare reduction and optimized contrast tailored for bright, sunny environments. They are Oakley's darkest Prizm Everyday lens.
Check out the Prizm Black lens on Amazon (which is often cheaper than Oakley's website).
If you want to know more about how grey lenses work, click here.
In This Review
Lens Specs | Oakley Prizm Black Polarized |
Technology | Prizm |
Lens Color | Grey |
Mirror Color | Black |
VLT | 11% |
ABBE | 30 |
Coatings | Mirror Coating |
Material | Plutonite (Polycarbonate) |
Weight | Light |
Scratch Resistance | Low |
Prescription Available | Yes |
4 |
For a comprehensive overview of Oakley Prizm lenses, including specifications and details common to all Prizm lenses, click here. There are some important details you should consider including lens coatings, impact and scratch resistance, and care guidelines. It is an important part of the review as the main negatives of Prizm lenses have to do with the lack of coatings and the low scratch resistance.
To decide whether the polarized version of this lens is right for you or if you'd prefer the non-polarized version, check out our definitive guide here.
Is it eligible for prescription?
Yes
For non-prescription, Check out the Prizm Black lens on Amazon (which is often cheaper than Oakley's website).
How does the lens look?
The front has a black mirror and is not flashy, one of the least flashy mirrors I've seen. I've been told this is a favorite for law enforcement and security professionals for this reason.
The back view is a grey tint. Though this picture seems to show a blueish grey, relative to other grey lenses this lens actually has a slight rose highlight, and that will show up later when we discuss the view. There is no anti-reflective coating on the lens.
What does the view look like?
The goal of the Prizm Black lens is to be very dark and neutral but still enhance colors and add contrast. This is one of the hardest feats to do in sunglasses because when trying to manipulate colors in the lens the tint will often change to the colors that are being enhanced. It is why many grey lenses end up feeling a little green, blue, or rose.
The Prizm Black lens ends up with a slight rose hue. This is relative to other grey lenses, the lens would look very grey next to an actual rose lens. That slight color shift is the result of the Prizm dyes in the lens enhancing reds and to a smaller degree blues. Greens are left untouched but seem brighter as our eyes are more sensitive to green. The brightening effect of adding red to the view slightly warms up the colors.
This makes the view pop with color, relative to what other grey lenses provide. I can nitpick a few things with Oakley lenses but the Prizm tech does work. As with all grey lenses, the amount of color and vibrancy will be related to the amount of light available. On bright days the Prizm Black can be a pleasure, but as soon as clouds come it's the color-enhancing tech is turned off.
Despite being Oakley's darkest Prizm lens, this lens feels slightly brighter than other grey lenses and feels more like a 13-14% VLT rather than the stated 11%. Oakley does make a lens called "Black Iridium Polarized" that has the same look, without the Prizm technology added, and feels darker that the Prizm Black.
Sunny Conditions
These photos are what Oakley and other sources have used to show the view. Keep in mind that photos will never look as good as the real view looking through the sunglasses with your own eyes.
Interested in experiencing the Oakley lens for yourself? Check out the Prizm Black on Amazon (which is often cheaper than Oakley's website).
This simulation is more accurate than not, but for the right side to be that bright the left side would have to be much brighter. If it was as bright as the left side is here, the right side would be darker and less colorful.
I think they take a bit of liberty to add too much color here, but it's not too far off what it would look like, probably a bit darker.
Here is my simulation of how the lens looks:
I chose the best-case scenario to show the Prizm Black: direct overhead sunlight and half-blinding conditions. The colors are practically glowing. The glare is gone which enhances clarity throughout the view. Pay attention to the stones and water, the redded objects in the picture, as the color is brought out and boosted more than most other grey lenses would do, without using a brown or rose lens, which can feel too "hot" in these kinds of conditions.
Cloudy Conditions
Grey lenses are less suitable for overcast or mixed lighting conditions. In lower-light settings, their neutral tint can reduce brightness further without enhancing color, resulting in a flat and cool visual experience. Although Oakley's Prizm Black lenses offer better color enhancement than traditional grey lenses, they don't match the warmth and vibrancy of brown or rose-tinted lenses. In these conditions, the color-enhancing benefits of Prizm Black may feel diminished, leaving your view less dynamic. I included Prizm Ruby here to show the difference.
Optimal and Suboptimal Viewing Conditions
The Prizm Black lens is best for full sun in bright and colorful environments. As the brightness or color is diminished, the utiltiy of the Prizm Black fades.
For example, in the winter, even on a sunny day, the view will not be noticeably enhanced by the Prizm Black in the same way it would by a rose lens. In the brightest flower garden the lens won't do much on a cloudy day, while some brown lenses will be amazing.
Grey lenses are ideal for long periods in bright sunlight because they minimize eye fatigue by aligning with our natural color perception. This is due to their ability to maintain color accuracy, reducing the need for our eyes to adjust to unnatural tints.
This process, known as color memory, ensures objects appear as we expect them to, providing a comfortable viewing experience. Unlike other tints, which can distort colors—like making the sky look an unusual shade of blue-grey lenses preserve a natural look. Among grey lenses, the Prizm Black lens stands out as one of the better options for maintaining true-to-life color in bright conditions while still boosting colors.
Grey lenses are a solid choice for driving in bright sunlight, but their performance can fall short in overcast or mixed lighting conditions. For driving, warmer tones or enhanced grey lenses with a colored mirror coating are often better, as they boost contrast and keep you more alert. However, if you live in a hot, sunny climate where bright conditions dominate, the Prizm Black lens is an excellent option for everyday driving.
This lens also shines in environments like beaches or sunny vacation destinations. It's comfortable for all-day wear without causing fatigue.
Sports
In full sun, grey lenses are fine for sports but not the best choice. Since grey lenses are neutral, they don’t evoke feelings of energy or warmth. When playing sports, you want a lens that makes everything feel vibrant and dynamic. For this, a brown or rose lens is a better option. Brown and rose lenses also provide a lot more color enhancement and contrast which are advantageous for sports.
Grey lenses are excellent for water sports and fishing, though there are still better lenses for that.
Oakley is renowned for sports and the lenses are virtually unbreakable.
Interested in experiencing the Prizm Black lens for yourself? Click here to buy on Amazon.
Comparison to the same brand - Oakley
We will stay with Prizm Everyday lenses for the comparisons and not compare with Prizm Sport in this post.
Oakley Prizm Sapphire Polarized
The Prizm Sapphire is the same grey base and Prizm tech as the Prizm Black lens but with a brilliant blue mirror instead of a black mirror. The effect of the blue mirror is to remove blue and make the lens lean towards amber, which is explained further here. The Sapphire has a warmer view that feels like an upgraded version of the Prizm Black. I wear the Sapphire more.
Oakley Prizm Tungsten Polarized
Prizm Tungsten is Oakley's middle-of-the-road brown-based Prizm lens, with a subtle silver mirror coating on it. It has an almost surreal feel to it, like being in a video game, and I do not say that in a negative way. Greens and reds are almost neon they are so boosted, but blues are reddened a lot, so it's the type of brown lens you might love or hate. I enjoy the tungsten and feel it works best for sunny conditions, as it leans towards being a darker brown lens. It will work better than the Prizm Black in any conditions other than full sun, where it can feel much "hotter" than the more comfortable Prizm Black.
Oakley Prizm Ruby Polarized
Prizm Ruby is a red mirrored version of the Tungsten lens, which reflects red light and makes the view closer to neutral. The effect is amazing, with colors boosted more than the Prizm Black or Sapphire, without the over-the-top effect of the Tungsten lens. The view is universally liked, but the aesthetic of the red lens isn't for everyone. The Prizm Ruby was my first lens into the world of premium sunglass lenses.
Comparison to the Grey Lenses of Different Brands
Maui Jim Neutral Grey
The Maui Jim Neutral Grey lens is arguably the best grey lens money can buy. It comes with all coatings, like anti-reflective, anti-scratch, water and oil repellant, and in SuperThin Glass with superior optics. It comes in non-glass as well, if impact resistance or lighter weight is needed. The view is spectacular (for a grey lens) and the clarity and color boosting are industry leading.
See here for the full Maui Jim Neutral Grey review.
Costa Del Mar 580 Grey
Similar to the Maui Jim Neutral Grey, the Costa Grey has all coatings and comes in glass or polycarbonate, but has some differences. The silver-mirrored version of the lens has an encapsulated mirror that makes it even more scratch-resistant. The 580 technology does a great job of making the view pleasurable but its main focus is comfort in bright light, which it does as well as any other lens.
See here for the full Costa 580 Grey review.
Island Optics Grey 12
For a lower-budget alternative to the Prizm Black, the Island Optics Grey 12 does a great job. It comes with all coatings, including anti-reflective, and is lightweight and impact-resistant. There is no mirror on the lens. Prescription lenses will also be significantly less expensive than the Prizm Black.
Conclusion - Oakley Prizm Black Polarized Lens Review -Â Should you buy it?
If you're looking for a lens that can deliver clarity and vibrant color in full sun, the Prizm Black Polarized is an excellent option. For those in sunny climates, it can quickly become your go-to lens, offering comfort for all-day wear without the risk of eye fatigue.
To avoid the issue of lack of AR coating, go for a wrap frame that does not let the sun in from the sides or top. Otherwise, there are better options for the same price. To me, the great color enhancement doesn't make up for the lack of coatings and weak scratch resistance.
If you're interested in trying out the Prizm Black lens, you can find it on Amazon, often at a lower price than Oakley's official website.
