If you use a tanning bed, tanning goggles are not optional equipment. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires every sunlamp product sold in the United States to include FDA-compliant eye protection under 21 CFR 1040.20, and virtually every reputable tanning salon enforces that rule at the door. This guide explains where to buy tanning goggles online and locally, which brands to trust, what FDA compliance actually means, and how to avoid the quiet mistakes (towels, cotton, closed eyelids) that send tanners home with photokeratitis. Whether you need a reusable pair for weekly salon visits, disposable strips for a spray tan appointment, or a spare set to keep in your gym bag, the picks and retailers below cover every realistic scenario.
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Top Picks: Best Tanning Goggles in 2026
These five picks cover the full price and use-case spectrum, from premium flexible frames to single-use sticker protectors. All options are marketed as meeting the FDA sunlamp eye protection standard; always verify the packaging before your first session.
- Best Overall — Super Sunnies Flexible Tanning Goggles: The industry standard in salons for more than two decades. Soft rubberized frames flex to most face shapes, blocking over 99% of UVA and UVB. Check price on Amazon.
- Best Disposable — Wink-Ease Dark Disposable Eye Protection: Peel-and-stick UV sleeves that sit directly on the eyelid. Ideal for travel, rentals, and anyone worried about tan lines from frame pressure. Check price on Amazon.
- Best Reusable Frame — Eye Pro Super Shields Tanning Goggles: Hard-shell cups with an adjustable elastic strap. A sturdier alternative for tanners who prefer a locked-in fit over the slip-on style. Check price on Amazon.
- Best Budget Multi-Pack — Generic FDA-Compliant Tanning Goggles (3-Pack): Unbranded sets that meet 21 CFR 1040.20 and keep spares in the car, at work, and in your gym bag. Read reviews carefully; stick with sellers citing the FDA standard. Check price on Amazon.
- Best for Spray Tan — Protective Eye Stickers (Sunnies Strips): Single-use adhesive shields that keep spray solution out of the eyes during a booth or airbrush session. Also useful under sleep masks after a tan. Check price on Amazon.
As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are accurate at publication and may change.
Where to Buy Tanning Goggles Locally
Buying in person is usually fastest when you already have a session booked. Most salons sell protective eyewear at the front desk specifically because they are legally required to ensure every client wears FDA-compliant shields. Big-box retailers carry them inconsistently, so call ahead before driving across town.
Tanning Salons (Palm Beach Tan, Planet Fitness Black Card Spas, Sun Tan City)
Every salon on this list — Palm Beach Tan, Sun Tan City, Planet Fitness Black Card spa areas, and independent studios — stocks eye shields at the counter. Expect to pay between $5 and $15 for a basic reusable pair or $1–$2 per disposable sleeve. Staff will refuse service if you arrive without protection, and most locations cannot legally hand you a spare, so assume you are buying a pair on your first visit.
Walmart
Walmart does not consistently stock this category on the shelf at physical supercenters. Inventory is handled primarily through Walmart.com marketplace sellers, meaning most orders ship to your home or the store pickup locker rather than appearing in the sunscreen aisle. Search Walmart.com and filter by “sold and shipped by Walmart” for faster delivery.
Target, CVS, and Walgreens
Target does not carry this product in stores or on Target.com. CVS and Walgreens occasionally stock seasonal sunlamp accessories in summer end-caps, but availability is spotty and SKUs rotate out quickly. If you need eye protection today and no salon is nearby, a Walmart pickup order or the Amazon options below will be more reliable than a drugstore run.
Where to Buy Tanning Goggles Online
Online shopping gives you the widest selection, the best prices, and access to every major brand — including Super Sunnies, Wink-Ease, and Eye Pro — in one place. It is also the easiest way to compare FDA-compliant options side by side and read verified purchase reviews before committing.
Amazon
Amazon is the most complete catalog here by a wide margin. Every major brand ships Prime-eligible, multi-packs drop the per-pair price below what salons charge, and review counts in the thousands make it simple to spot the FDA-compliant winners. Start with the Amazon tanning goggles category for current bestsellers.
Direct from the Brand (Super Sunnies, Wink-Ease, Eye Pro)
Super Sunnies (supersunnies.com), Wink-Ease (winkease.com), and Eye Pro (eye-pro.com) all operate direct-to-consumer websites with bulk pricing that beats retail when you need a case for a salon, gym, or cheer team. Ordering direct also guarantees authentic FDA-registered product rather than counterfeits that occasionally appear on third-party marketplaces.
Walmart.com, eBay, and Specialty Tanning Supply Sites
Walmart.com’s marketplace undercuts Amazon on a handful of generic multi-packs. eBay is useful for discontinued salon models. Specialty suppliers such as TanningBedz.com and SunlampsUSA.com bundle goggles with lotions and bed parts for tanners who own home equipment.
What to Avoid When Buying Tanning Goggles
The biggest risks are not defective goggles — they are the shortcuts people take to skip eye protection entirely. Read this section before your next session.
- Do not substitute towels, tissues, or cotton balls. None of these materials block UVA or UVB at the wavelengths emitted by a sunlamp, and none meet 21 CFR 1040.20. The American Academy of Ophthalmology classifies sunlamp UV exposure without certified eye protection as a direct risk factor for photokeratitis, cataracts, and ocular melanoma.
- Do not assume closing your eyes is enough. Human eyelid skin is roughly 0.5 mm thick and transmits a meaningful fraction of UVA. Closed eyes inside a sunlamp booth still receive ultraviolet radiation, which is why the FDA mandates physical shields rather than lid closure.
- Do not skip protection “just this once.” Corneal burns are cumulative and often delayed 6–12 hours, so the session that felt fine at noon becomes a scratchy, light-sensitive night at 10 PM. One unprotected session is one too many.
- Do not buy unbranded goggles without an FDA compliance statement. Legitimate listings name the standard (21 CFR 1040.20) or the UV blocking percentage. Listings that omit both are a red flag.
- Do not share frames. Conjunctivitis and styes spread through shared eyewear; disinfect reusable pairs between users or switch to disposables.
How Much Do Tanning Goggles Cost?
Expect to pay $3 to $8 for a single reusable pair, $10 to $20 for a multi-pack of three to five, and $5 to $12 for a box of 10–20 disposable sleeves. Salon counter pricing skews higher because the goggles are sold as a convenience, not a loss leader. Amazon and direct-from-brand pricing is consistently the cheapest, especially on three-packs.
How to Use Tanning Goggles Correctly
- Inspect before every session. Check for cracks, missing lens film, or frame warping. Damaged eyewear does not block UV reliably.
- Position the frames firmly against the orbital bone. Gaps at the temples let stray UV reach the cornea. The frames should feel snug, not pinched.
- Rotate placement between sessions. Shift the frames up, down, or to the side across multiple visits to even out the tan around the eyes. This prevents the “raccoon” look without ever removing them mid-session.
- Replace reusable pairs every 3–6 months. UV exposure degrades the protective tint over time even on premium brands.
- Disinfect after every use. A 70% isopropyl alcohol wipe on the frame and strap keeps bacteria in check, especially if your pair lives in a gym bag.
Tanning Goggles FAQ
Can I just close my eyes in a tanning bed instead of wearing goggles?
No. UVA light penetrates the thin skin of the eyelid and still reaches the retina and cornea. The FDA requires physical eye shields under 21 CFR 1040.20 because closed eyelids alone are not considered adequate protection against sunlamp radiation.
Are towels, tissues, or cotton balls acceptable substitutes?
No. Fabric and cotton do not block UV at the intensities produced by commercial tanning beds and do not meet any FDA eye protection standard. Reputable salons will refuse service to clients attempting to use makeshift covers.
Disposable or reusable: which should I buy?
Reusable frames like Super Sunnies or Eye Pro are cheaper per session if you tan more than six times. Disposables like Wink-Ease Dark shine for travel, spray tans, or occasional visits where hygiene and zero frame pressure matter more than price.
How often should I replace my tanning goggles?
Replace reusable pairs every three to six months with regular salon use, or immediately if the frame cracks or the tint shows any scratching. Disposables are single-use by design.
Will tanning goggles leave white rings around the eyes?
A small untanned area around the eyes is expected and desirable — that skin is what the goggles are protecting. Rotate the goggle position across sessions to soften the outline and blend the border into the rest of the tan.
Do I need eye protection for spray tans too?
Yes, but for a different reason. Spray tan eye stickers keep DHA solution out of the eyes rather than blocking UV. Use adhesive disposables (Sunnies Strips or similar) during booth or airbrush sessions.
Related Guides
Looking for general UV eyewear instead? See our guide on where to buy sunglasses for outdoor UV protection.