GUNNAR glasses have spent plenty of time Living In My GameSpace. We’ve reviewed several pairs of the blue-light blocking glasses, from recognizable licensed collaborations to frames built around a specific character or in-game aesthetic. The new fall colorways for the Riot and Berkeley take a different route. There isn’t any Vault-Tec branding, anime reference, or collector-focused display box doing the heavy lifting here. Instead, these are two of GUNNAR’s established everyday designs, updated with seasonal finishes that put more emphasis on how they look away from the desk.
What Is It?
The Riot and Berkeley fall colorways are GUNNAR’s latest refreshes of two established computer-glasses designs, positioned for people who want the company’s screen-focused lens technology without the overt branding of a gaming collaboration. Rather than borrowing from a game, character, or esports aesthetic, both pairs are more fashion-forward finishes that can move more easily from a gaming desk to a work setup, commute, or everyday wear.
They still deliver the familiar GUNNAR use case. The lenses are designed for extended time in front of monitors, TVs, handhelds, and phones, with blue-light-filtering options and anti-reflective coatings intended to reduce screen glare and visual fatigue during long sessions. Buyers can select from GUNNAR’s usual lens treatments depending on how much tint and filtering they want, including clearer options for a more natural look and amber-tinted lenses for people who prefer a warmer screen presentation.
The distinction between the two comes down largely to frame shape. Riot uses a wide rectangular profile for a more modern, assertive look, while Berkeley takes a more traditional approach with a wider-format lens shape and an understated design. Neither pair is trying to serve as a collectible or cosplay accessory, and that is the point. For players who want dedicated screen glasses that do not advertise their fandom before they even turn on the PC, Riot and Berkeley offer a more versatile alternative within GUNNAR’s lineup.
Berkeley
The GUNNAR Berkeley is the more eye-catching of the two frames, particularly in the Cranberry Crystal Fade finish. It feels almost tailor-made for the fall season, with the warm reddish tone offering a stark contrast to the more subdued default Onyx colorway. It is a small detail, but one that gives the Berkeley considerably more personality than a typical pair of glasses.
The frame itself is comfortable, with a molded bridge that sits easily without becoming noticeable during extended sessions. The large lenses are another advantage, particularly for anyone who spends hours staring at a large monitor. They keep the frame largely out of your peripheral vision, which means you can concentrate on whatever is happening on screen without constantly being reminded that you are wearing glasses.
The Berkeley’s non-prescription lenses are available in amber and clear options. The amber lenses provide GUNNAR’s familiar warmer tint and slightly strong blue-blocking effect, while the clear lenses are a good alternative for anyone who doesn’t want to alter the appearance of their display. Both options feature GUNNAR Focus, which adds a subtle +0.2 magnification intended to make focusing on nearby screens easier and potentially reduce eye strain.
Because the Berkeley uses a more traditional frame design than many of the themed glasses we’ve reviewed, it also has an advantage for people who actually need corrective lenses. Prescription versions are available with multiple tint options, making it possible to get the benefits of the Berkeley without having to wear a separate pair of glasses underneath.
Riot
The GUNNAR Riot takes a considerably more understated approach. The Crystal Cobalt finish is subtle enough that it can be easy to overlook in a darker gaming room, which may appeal to anyone who doesn’t want their gaming glasses announcing themselves every time they sit down at the PC.
The rectangular lens shape is my personal preference between the two designs. That is largely because the Riot design is remarkably similar to the shape of my everyday glasses, so putting them on doesn’t feel like switching to an entirely different style of eyewear. Of course, that same design choice means the frame is somewhat more visible around the edges of your peripheral vision. Whether that’s a problem will largely come down to personal preference and how accustomed you are to your normal glasses.
Like the Berkeley, the Riot gets the same overall frame treatment, including the comfortable construction, GUNNAR Focus +0.2 magnification, and choice between amber and clear non-prescription lenses. Prescription options are also available, with multiple tint choices.
Between the two, I prefer the Riot’s rectangular lenses from a purely personal standpoint, but the Berkeley has the advantage if you want a larger, less noticeable lens profile while gaming. Both ultimately deliver the same core GUNNAR experience, so the choice comes down more to which frame you want sitting on your face for the next several hours.
Final Thoughts
The fall color refresh on both pairs will stand out to anyone who finds a standard black frame to be a bit boring. The Cobalt Blue Riot is the more subtle of the two frames, while the Berkeley goes with the more vibrant Cranberry Crystal Fade. Both colors give that little extra flair to your eyewear without screaming “look at me, LOOK AT ME!!!” all day long.
The biggest advantage of these two GUNNAR releases may have very little to do with the new colors. The Berkeley and Riot are both refreshes of established frame designs, which means you aren’t getting an entirely new pair of glasses here. What you are getting is a much more affordable way to pick up GUNNAR’s core blue-light blocking technology without stepping into the considerably more expensive territory occupied by the company’s collaborative models we’ve looked at in the past.
At $49.99, the Riot is only a little more expensive than what you’d pay for a decent pair of reading glasses, while the Berkeley comes in at $64.99. That makes both pair considerably easier to recommend to someone who is curious about gaming glasses but isn’t ready to spend a small fortune on something that may spend most of its life sitting next to the keyboard.
Part of that lower price comes from both models being part of GUNNAR’s Signature Performance Level. This is the company’s entry-level tier, so don’t expect the accessories and additional lens treatments found on its Epic and Legendary models. Both pairs come with GUNNAR’s GShield, dual-side AR, and scratch resistant hard coat, along with a microfiber carry pouch.
That’s not necessarily a deal breaker. The Signature line is doing exactly what it is supposed to do, offering GUNNAR’s basic blue-light blocking technology and Focus +0.2 magnification at a price that doesn’t require much commitment. You are giving up some of the premium lens coatings, but you’re also paying substantially less.
For someone like me, who has no problem wearing gaming gear that practically announces “I play video games” to everyone in the room, the more understated designs may not be the biggest selling point. But I can see the appeal for people who want the potential benefits of GUNNAR’s lenses without advertising their gamer credentials every time they leave the house.
Ultimately, the Riot and Berkeley are inexpensive, comfortable options for long gaming and screen sessions, and their biggest strength is that they don’t try to be something they’re not. Both are affordable entry points into GUNNAR’s lineup, with enough of the company’s core technology to make them worth considering without forcing you to pay for features you may not need.
