Photochromic Lenses: Which One to Choose? Visionet’s Complete Comparison

Photochromic lenses adapt automatically to light: clear indoors, darker outside, reducing glare and blocking UV. At Visionet, online optician, we cover all use cases. Important: standard and GEN S photochromics do not activate behind a windshield and will never be as dark as true sunglasses. For driving, choose XTRActive (up to ~40% behind a windshield) or Drivewear.

1 Standard Photochromic (grey or brown)

Our standard photochromic lens is an economical, reliable way to experience adaptive technology: clear indoors, it darkens outdoors up to about 70–75% (UV2). Transitions are slower than the newest generations but provide solid comfort for city use, short trips, and moderate light. Two shades: grey (neutral) or brown (contrast). Available with or without prescription.

Pros

Attractive price for first-time users.
UV protection and everyday glare control.
Two classic tints: grey (neutral) and brown (contrast).

Cons

Slower adaptation than premium ranges.
Not as dark as dedicated sunglasses.
No activation behind a windshield.

2 Transitions GEN S — Ultra-Dynamic Everyday Use

Transitions GEN S delivers very fast darkening and clearing to match frequent indoor/outdoor changes. Natural color rendering and trendy colorways make this a stylish, versatile choice for urban life and variable lighting.

Pros

Fast transitions for immediate comfort.
Clearest indoors of all our photochromics.
Wide range of fashionable tints for a premium look.

Cons

No activation behind a windshield.
Not as dark as true sunglasses in strong summer sun.

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3 Transitions GEN S Super Style — Gradient Design + Reactivity

Super Style adds a permanent chic gradient (≈30% → 0% top to bottom) on the GEN S base. It looks premium indoors (clearer bottom for screen/reading comfort) and turns reactive outdoors. Great if you want one pair that blends fashion and function.

Pros

Elegant signature look all day long.
Quick transitions thanks to GEN S tech.
Targeted comfort (darker up top, lighter at the bottom).

Cons

The gradient can be distracting indoors when working on screens or watching TV.
No activation behind a windshield.

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4 Transitions XTRActive — Car-Friendly, plus Polarized & Mirror Style

Transitions XTRActive: extra dark outdoors (up to ~85%) and activate behind a windshield (up to ~40%). A light indoor tint boosts comfort under harsh lighting. Available in grey, brown, graphite-green, as well as Polarized (cuts horizontal glare) and Mirror Style (flash mirror for fashion). Especially suited to people highly sensitive to light and frequent drivers.

Pros

Activation in the car (up to ~40%).
Very dark outdoors (~85%) for maximum sun comfort.
Excellent for light-sensitive eyes.
Polarized & Mirror Style options for performance and style.

Cons

Slight indoor tint (a more technical look).
May darken slightly indoors near large sunny windows.
In car, darkening caps at ~40%: does not replace dedicated sunglasses in strong sun.

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5 Transitions Drivewear — Polarized Photochromic for Driving

Transitions Drivewear combines photochromics optimized for the car (activate with UV and part of visible light) with high-performance polarization. Significant glare reduction (road, hood, windshield), improved contrast, and lower eye fatigue. A technical sun lens: minimal indoor tint UV2, about 40%. Not suitable for night driving, but excellent for daytime and long trips.

Pros

Effective polarization: cuts harsh glare.
Optimized activation behind windshields.
Higher contrast for clearer road vision.

Cons

Solar category: not for night driving.
Not an all-in-one pair: dedicated to driving and sunny outdoor use.
Less versatile “office ↔ outdoor” than GEN S.

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FAQ – Photochromic Lenses

How do I buy photochromic lenses?

Choose a frame from our 8000+ models, click “Add lenses” (or “Change lenses” on a sunglasses frame), then select the Photochromic option. Available with or without prescription.

Do they work in the car?

Standard and GEN S photochromics do not activate behind a windshield. For driving, choose Transitions XTRActive (up to ~40%) or Drivewear (polarized).

Can I get them without prescription?

Yes! We can fit non-prescription glasses with photochromic lenses (including XTRActive Polarized or Mirror Style) for protective style.

What colors and styles are available?

Grey and brown are classics. Depending on the range, you’ll also find graphite-green, other trendy colors, flash mirror styles (Mirror Style), and polarized options — especially in XTRActive.

Do they replace sunglasses?

They’re very versatile, but standard and GEN S aren’t as dark as true sunglasses. In a car, XTRActive still caps at ~40%: under strong sun, dedicated sunglasses are recommended.

Care & recommended coatings

Pair photochromics with anti-reflective and anti-scratch coatings. Clean with microfiber plus a dedicated solution. Avoid extreme heat (dashboard, sauna) to preserve lens performance.

Are they UV and blue-light blocking?

All photochromic lenses block 100% UVA/UVB. Transitions GEN S, Super Style, and XTRActive filter up to ~32% of blue-violet light indoors and up to ~85% outdoors. For intensive screen work, you can add an extra blue-light filter coating (option available when choosing lenses).