SMK Dr. Shield vs Heng De Face Shield: A Comparative Review

On top of a face mask, everyone is now required by the government to wear a face shield whenever we step out of our homes. It has been proven to be an effective measure in limiting the spread of the Corona Virus. Yet, going about our day-to-day activities while wearing a face shield is not without issues. 

I have been using the ubiquitous Heng De face shield since mid-2020 as the wearing of face shields has been a requirement in the municipality where I live several months before it became mandatory nationwide. It is the most popular type of shield probably because it is widely available and is relatively cheap. Being light and pliable, it is quite easy to carry with you wherever you go. Though it is reusable, I found that the shield becomes cloudy with scratches after several days of use. It was also a bit tricky to wear on top of my prescription eyeglasses as it is also held in place by a frame similar to any type of eyewear. Because it is very light, it has often been blown off of my face every time there is a gush of wind. 

I started using the SMK Dr. Shield late last year, initially just to have an alternative but these days I find myself preferring it over any other face shields I have in the trunk. Made from 100% polycarbonate material with 2.2 mm thickness, it took a few days of usage to get used to the additional weight. It is by no means heavy, though, as I had no problem wearing it all day long. Since it uses an adjustable elastic headband, it practically fits everyone and can be comfortably worn over any type of eyewear. The lens is scratch resistant and it retained its clarity even after months of daily use. Unlike other acrylic face shieldsin the market, the Dr. Shield’s lens is also optically correct so there is no visual distortion. Since it is not easy blown away by the wind, I also use it when cycling (yes, cyclists are required to wear face shields). I find comfort in the fact the lens is shatter-proof, giving me additional protection from road debris. 

A Heng De face shield costs around P15 to P25 each (depending on the seller) while the Dr. Shield costs P330 for the fixed lens and P395 for the retractable (flip-up) lens. If my flimsy face shield losses usefulness every few days, the I could easily spend more than the cost of a Dr. Shield in a few months’ time. That is not even accounting for the environmental impact, given that millions of people in this country alone use this type of rather disposable shield. This is as disturbing as the pandemic itself.