Watch the eclipse through your smartphone with these cheap solar glasses

(Image credit: Medical King)

The solar eclipse on April 8th is sure to be a spectacular event — especially if you're close to the zone of totality — but you'll need a quality pair of eclipse glasses if you want to witness it yourself. Not only that, but if you want to document the event on your smartphone, you'll also need something to protect your device's camera lens. Fortunately, we found a pair of solar eclipse glasses that do both, and they're only $7.64 during Amazon's Big Spring Sale.

Medical King Solar Eclipse Glasses (5 Pack): $8.99 $7.64 at Amazon

If you plan on watching the historic solar eclipse on April 8th, don't forget to protect yourself with a pair of solar glasses. Currently 15% off during Amazon's Big Spring Sale, these disposable shades from Medical King can also be converted into a filter that protects your phone from damage if you want to film or photograph the event. Each pack comes with five glasses that you can share with friends and family, along with an informative guide book.

Despite claims from the manufacturer, it's worth noting that we haven't tested the effectiveness of these glasses as a filter for your phone camera. They've been certified to protect your eyes during the event, but it's hard to know how the pictures will turn out. Still, we'll be trying it once April 8th rolls around, and at only $8, it's a small investment.

Amazon's Big Spring Sale is LIVE: these are the deals we'd buy

For less than 10 bucks, you'll get five eclipse glasses that are designed to be cut and folded to fit around your Android phones' camera lens. The frames are constructed from cardstock, so they aren't exactly suitable for repeated or long-term use, but the filtered lenses have been certified to meet standards set by the American Astronomical Society, so your eyes (and your devices) will be safe.

From a personal standpoint, I used eclipse glasses just like these during the 2017 eclipse, and I'm not being hyperbolic when I say that they're worth every penny. If you live anywhere close to the zone of totality on April 8th, take the drive and go watch the event. You won't be sorry, and thanks to this Amazon deal, your bank account won't be either.

After almost a decade of working in the e-commerce space, Patrick Farmer (he/him) began his career at Android Central as a Deals and Commerce Writer before moving into a new role as AC's eCommerce Editor in 2023. When he's not hunting down the best deals and offering shopping advice for our readers, you'll often find him listening to music, camping out at a brewery, or treating his cat like a human child.