f.lux vs Blue Light Blocking Glasses: The Ultimate Guide
So, you want to reduce your exposure to blue light?
If you’ve heard of f.lux, Night Shift and blue light blocking glasses but you’re still not 100% sure what the differences are, then this article is for you.
Today’s digital devices expose us to more artificial sources of blue light than ever before.
Research shows that blue light can make it difficult to get a good night’s sleep, affect our vision and make it harder to live a productive and fulfilling life.
That’s why it’s no surprise that apps like f.lux and blue light blocking glasses are growing in popularity.
Use the table below to compare f.lux, Night Shift and blue light blocking glasses to find the right solution for you:
Comparing f.lux, Night Shift and blue light blocking glasses
(scroll right on mobile)
| Features | f.lux | Night Shift | Blue light blocking glasses | LUMES eyewear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue light reduction | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Reduces glare | ❌ | ❌ | Varies | ✔ |
| Filters surrounding blue light sources | ❌ | ❌ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Color temperature unaffected | ❌ | ❌ | Varies | ✔ |
| Filters blue light from backlight | ❌ | ❌ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Cost | ❌ | ❌ | Varies | €55 |
What is f.lux and how does it work?
f.lux is a computer program that adjusts your monitor’s color temperature to reduce the amount of blue light you are exposed to.
Apple’s Night Shift also allows you to change the color temperature of your screen, but it is less intense than f.lux.
So what’s color temperature? And why would you want to adjust it?
Whenever we look at our monitors, we are exposed to the full spectrum of light wavelengths it is emitting. You are simultaneously exposed to ‘cooler’ colors such as blues and greens, as well as ‘warmer’ colors such as reds and oranges.
The diagram below shows the default color temperature profile for a Macbook Air device:
Source: fluxometer.com
Cooler colors are high-energy and are typically harsher on our eyes. They also can affect our sleep patterns. Warmer colors are lower energy and typically feel easier on your eyes.
f.lux allows you to adjust the color temperature of your display to reduce the amount of blue light (the big blue spike in the diagram above) emitted by your monitor.
You can set the program to mimic natural sunrise and sunset cycles. Or keep a steady setting to your preference (you can even try it out without installing it here).
Using f.lux means your screen will change color. If you’ve ever seen a colleague or someone with a particularly yellow-looking screen display, they may have been using f.lux.
What are blue light blocking glasses?
Blue light blocking glasses also reduce the amount of blue light you are exposed to - but in a different way.
Instead of changing the color emitted by your screen, blue light blocking glasses filter the amount of blue light that actually reaches your eyes. When you wear blue light blocking glasses you are exposed to less high-energy visible blue light - from both your screen and external sources.
While you might think the net result is the same, the table above highlights that there are some important differences to be aware of.
Shop LUMES blue light blocking glasses:
Choosing the right solution
Deciding what to help you reduce your exposure to blue light comes down to what works for you and your lifestyle.
If you’re someone who works in a job where you need to see the screen colors as they are (e.g. graphic design or marketing), then it probably makes more sense to choose blue light blocking glasses.
Prefer a solution where you don’t have to spend a dime? Then f.lux or Night Shift might be the option for you.