Well, dang. It feels like every week we get a new pair of smart glasses or some tech-startup company decides to enter in on the newest trend. There is a lot going on in this market, and a lot more features than I expected. I feel like I need multiple pairs of smart glasses because they all do something different. These range from AR glasses that act as personal big-screen displays to AI glasses that bring virtual assistants to your face. I’ll cover key features, pricing, real-world usability, ideal use cases, pros and cons, and any quirks noted by users. Check out the video below which basically sums up the current state of smart glasses.

AR vs. AI Glasses: There are two main categories of smart glasses right now. AR glasses are basically an external display for your devices for watching TV, working on multiple displays, or even gaming. Think of these like a smaller version of Apple Vision Pro. AI glasses are more like wearable headphones with benefits: they use built-in mics and speakers (and sometimes cameras) to provide audio, take photos, and connect you to AI assistants (like Alexa or ChatGPT) for information on the fly. While the ultimate goal is to combine AR visual overlays with AI assistance in one device, current models tend to specialize in one or the other. I would say AI glasses are going to be tailored to your everyday use, you won’t feel disconnected from the world with them on. AR glasses seem more like entertainment in their current form, like a more professional VR headset if you will.

Feature Comparison Chart

To get a quick sense of how these smart glasses stack up, check out the comparison table below. We’ve highlighted each model’s type, display capabilities, key features, battery life, and pricing. Please note that we did not add an in-depth analysis for all of these products. We tried to have a lot fit the cut, but there are just too many and it seems like they’re also dying off fast. We only included more established brands that we think can hold themselves up in this competitive market.

How to Choose the Right Smart Glasses

Picking the perfect pair depends on what you want to do with them. Here’s a quick quiz to help guide your decision:

Also consider compatibility with your devices. Most AR glasses (Xreal, Viture, Rokid, RayNeo) plug into Android phones, laptops, or gaming consoles via USB-C or HDMI. Using them with an iPhone usually requires a special adapter (due to Apple’s video output restrictions). AI glasses like Ray-Ban, Echo Frames, and Solos pair via Bluetooth to your smartphone and support both Android and iOS through their apps. In short, make sure the glasses you choose will play nicely with the gear you already own.

Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses (2nd Gen)

The Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses look like classic Wayfarers, but they hide dual cameras and open-ear speakers. They pack in dual 12 MP cameras, open-ear stereo speakers, and microphones. These have no display and are centered around Meta AI (which has been rapidly expanding their AI game).

Key Features: Tap the temple or say “Hey Meta” to snap a photo or record a 1080p video (up to 60 seconds long). The quality is a huge leap from the previous model – reviewers note “much-improved photo, video, and audio quality,” setting a new standard for camera glasses. These glasses pair with your phone (Android or iOS) via Bluetooth using the Meta View app. The built-in microphones and processor give you hands-free access to Meta’s AI assistant. For example, you can press a button and ask, “Hey Meta, what am I looking at?” and the glasses will identify what the camera sees or give you information. You can also get real-time text translations read aloud through the speakers. The Ray-Ban Meta glasses can even live-stream directly to Facebook or Instagram. There are also handy touch controls on the temple for adjusting volume or playing music.

Real-World Use: These glasses truly look like normal sunglasses. That’s a big part of their appeal. They are stylish, with many frame and lens options (including polarized tints and even prescription lenses). The glasses come with a compact USB-C charging case for on-the-go power. Battery life is roughly 4 hours of active use (continuous music or lots of video recording). That’s good enough for a day of casual wear, although heavy users note that “battery life improved but could be better”. In practical terms, you can get through an afternoon of off-and-on use before needing to recharge in the case. The open-ear audio is surprisingly rich and loud enough for personal listening (people nearby will hear a bit of leakage at high volume). Call quality is solid as well – your voice sounds clear to others on the call.

Ideal Use Cases: The Ray-Ban Meta glasses shine for casual daily wear. Imagine walking around on vacation and taking POV videos without holding a camera, or getting AI help with trivia while cooking, all while looking like you’re just wearing designer shades. They’re also great for hands-free phone calls and music during your commute or errands. Note that they are not meant for watching videos or overlaying GPS directions in front of your eyes – there’s no visual projection for the wearer.

Pros: Ultra-stylish design (you should see the bulk on some of these smart glasses!), much improved camera and audio quality, handy AI features that keep expanding, and a reasonable $299 starting price for the tech you get.

Cons: Lacks any AR display capability (no visual overlays). The voice assistant can sometimes feel slow or limited in what it can answer. You’ll need to charge them daily; ~4 hours per charge means they won’t last from morning to night without a top-up. This really is a deal breaker in my opinion. However, the charging case is nice.

Xreal One Pro

The Xreal One Pro is a cutting-edge AR eyewear system that delivers a premium AR experience. Xreal (formerly Nreal) built these glasses to be a “luxe monitor strapped to your face,” and they indeed provide a massive virtual screen with top-notch clarity. For tech enthusiasts familiar with earlier AR glasses, the One Pro feels like a next-gen leap.

Key Features: The Xreal One Pro uses dual Sony Micro-OLED displays in the lenses, projecting the equivalent of a 171-inch screen at 1080p resolution in front of you. The field of view is about 57° – wider than most competitors – which makes the digital screen feel larger and more immersive. Uniquely, Xreal integrated an onboard “X1” processor chip into these glasses. This chip handles tasks like 3DoF head tracking (so the virtual screen stays fixed in space even if you move your head) and lets you adjust display settings without needing a phone app. In practice, that means you can connect the One Pro to any content source (phone, laptop, game console via adapter) and enjoy a stable big-screen view, even on a bumpy airplane or train ride. The glasses also have built-in stereo speakers (by Bose) and dual microphones, providing good sound for movies or games. They look similar to Xreal’s earlier model (the Air), with a sleek black frame, but are slightly heavier (~96g) to house the extra tech. The electrochromic lenses can electronically tint to become opaque, effectively turning into a dark cinema screen for better contrast when you’re watching video. (Yeah, yeah – themost expensive version of the Meta AI glasses also have a similar feature).

Real-World Use: Wearing the Xreal One Pro is like having a high-end portable theater with you. Reviewers have worked on documents, coded, and played games on a huge virtual display during long flights – and they praised the experience. “Even mid-flight, the display stayed rock solid. It’s seriously next-gen stuff,” noted one tester. The visual quality is class-leading: colors are vivid and text is crisp, with no edge distortion. Because of the X1 chip, you don’t need a special app for basic use – just plug into a device and it acts as an external monitor. (For advanced AR apps or multiple floating windows, you’d use Xreal’s Nebula software on a compatible device.) The glasses draw power from whatever they’re plugged into, so there’s no internal battery limit, though they will use your phone or laptop’s battery. Comfort-wise, they’re well-balanced and don’t attract weird looks on an airplane, since they resemble chunky sunglasses. Still, wearing any AR glasses for hours can cause a bit of nose pressure – Xreal includes nose pad options to help.

Ideal Use Cases: The Xreal One Pro is perfect for frequent flyers, commuters, and productivity power users who want a big screen anywhere without carrying a monitor. It’s fantastic for watching movies in bed, playing console or PC games on a giant virtual screen, or having a multi-monitor workspace on the go. It’s also fairly future-proof: Xreal plans to enable 6DoF (full room-scale tracking) with an optional $99 Xreal Eye camera add-on in the future. (This module slots into the nose area and also lets you take basic first-person photos, though it’s limited in function for now.) This isn’t your wear all day pair of glasses.

Pros: Best-in-class display: The brightness, clarity, and wide field of view are unmatched in any other consumer glasses right now. The X1 chip enabling on-device head tracking and customization is a game-changer – you get a steady image and can tweak settings without external software. Build quality is premium, audio is surprisingly good, and the electrochromic lens feature is excellent for blocking out distractions on demand. In short, it delivers the future of smart glasses experience today.

Cons: Price – at $649 for just the glasses – is steep. This is a niche, early-adopter device, and it’s nearly double the cost of some competitors. Also, to unlock its full potential (like multiple floating windows or room-scale AR apps), you’ll need specific software or future updates. The optional 6DoF camera isn’t useful yet (until software supports it), so it’s an extra expense that early buyers might hold off on. And as with all AR glasses, there’s a bit of a learning curve and comfort limit – if you move your head a lot, the virtual screen will move with you unless you use the head-tracking mode.

They are releasing a new “Aura” smart glasses model next year which could be worth waiting for.

Amazon Echo Frames (3rd Gen)

Badge: Best for Smart Audio & Battery Life

Amazon’s Echo Frames (3rd Generation) bring Alexa to your face in a normal-looking pair of glasses. These are audio-only smart glasses – no camera, no visual display – which makes them perfect for folks who want a wearable assistant without any AR visuals. The 3rd gen Echo Frames (released late 2023) improved style, sound, and battery life, making them Amazon’s best smart glasses yet.

Key Features: Echo Frames look like regular eyeglasses (available with clear prescription lenses, blue-light filtering, or sunglasses tint). In the temple arms, they have tiny open-ear speakers and microphones. They pair via Bluetooth to your smartphone. With a tap or a wake word, you can invoke Alexa, Amazon’s voice assistant, just as you would with an Echo speaker – except now it’s personal and hands-free. You can ask for weather, control smart home devices, listen to news, make calls, send texts, and more, all through the glasses. There’s a touchpad on the side for adjusting volume and answering calls. A neat feature is the VIP filter for notifications – through the Alexa app, you choose which phone notifications you want read aloud (so you only hear what matters).

The 3rd gen brings core upgrades: better speakers with more bass, improved microphones for calls, and a longer battery. The previous model lasted ~4 hours of continuous audio; the new Echo Frames last up to 6 hours of continuous music playback at 80% volume. In everyday mixed use (voice queries, a few calls, some music), that often translates to a day’s use per charge. They charge via a proprietary magnetic cable or optional charging stand. The charging connection is a bit fiddly – several reviewers noted the charging method is frustrating because it’s not a standard USB-C.

Real-World Use: Echo Frames are truly all-day wearable in a way AR glasses usually aren’t. They weigh under 40 g and come in multiple styles (including a sporty Carrera collaboration). Most people won’t notice they’re tech glasses at all. You can have Alexa read your incoming texts or calendar reminders while you drive or walk, without taking out your phone. For music or podcasts, the audio quality is good – not head-shakingly loud or bass-heavy, but clear enough for personal listening. People next to you might hear a little sound leak if it’s quiet around you, but in normal settings it’s fine. They’re excellent for productivity and convenience – you can keep your phone in your pocket and still stay up to date and in control via voice. A new “Find My Glasses” feature helps locate them if you misplace them (integrated with Tile).

Because there’s no camera or display, privacy concerns are minimal and your vision is never obstructed. It’s safe to use them while doing other tasks like driving or biking – in fact, many users wear them while cycling to listen to navigation directions with ears open for traffic. Keep in mind that they rely on your phone’s connection; if you’re out of data or in airplane mode, Alexa won’t respond (though you can still use them as regular Bluetooth glasses for calls/music, and invoke your phone’s assistant).

Ideal Use Cases: Busy professionals, multitaskers, and Alexa smart home users will love Echo Frames. You can go about your day and get info or control devices just by speaking. They’re also great for exercise or outdoor use – for example, on a run you can listen to music and hear your pace from an app, all while staying aware of your surroundings. If you already use Alexa extensively, these glasses extend that experience to everywhere you go. And if you don’t like the look of obvious tech gear, Echo Frames blend in perfectly.

Pros: Comfortable, everyday design that comes in multiple styles. Improved audio and battery life over previous version– you get around 6 hours of continuous use now. Hands-free access to Alexa (or Siri/Google Assistant if you triple-press) is extremely convenient. Open-ear audio keeps you aware of your environment. They are also prescription-friendly – you can get lenses fitted easily. For many, these have become an indispensable productivity gadget.

Cons: Audio leakage is still present – at high volume or in quiet rooms, people nearby will catch some of what you’re hearing. They won’t satisfy an audiophile’s ears; the sound is good but not as full as a dedicated set of earbuds. The reliance on the Alexa app and phone means they’re less useful if you’re away from your phone or outside mobile coverage. A proprietary charger is absolutely stupid, but I’m not going to go off in that rant. Finally, if you’re not into Alexa’s ecosystem, you might not use the full potential of these – though they still work as Bluetooth glasses with other assistants.

I couldn’t find any information on if these have access the the “New Alexa”, which is enhanced with AI. If they do, this would be a great alternative to the Meta AI glasses.

Before I end this post, I would like to acknowledge that I only reviewed a few of the many smart glasses. This is a new trend that’s recently blown up (if you don’t count Google Glass) so there always seems to be some new company popping up. I didn’t cover the Snap Spectacles or Even Realities glasses, as I feel these still have a lot of improvements to be made and seem as if they’re going to keep releasing new glasses until they finally get all the features they want – which could take some time.

It seems like they’re completely redoing the spectacles. Like I said, it might be a good idea to wait on a lot of these. The industry is changing fast and there could be a completely new version in another week.

Q: What are the best AR smart glasses for streaming movies and TV?
A: For a great movie-watching experience, the top picks are Xreal One Pro and Viture Luma Pro. Both offer high-resolution displays and wide fields of view that make it feel like you’re watching on a massive screentomsguide.comtomsguide.com. The Xreal One Pro has a slight edge in image stability (thanks to its built-in tracking chip) and can simulate an even bigger screen (~171″)tomsguide.com. The Viture Luma Pro is a bit more affordable and has fantastic color and clarity, so you can’t go wrong with either. If you’re on a budget, the RayNeo Air 3S or Rokid Max also do a fine job – you still get a big, crisp screen for Netflix or YouTube, just without some premium featurestomsguide.comesquire.com. For sheer screen size and immersion, the Rokid (especially the upcoming AR Lite model) offers the largest virtual display (up to 300″) which is awesome for movie nightstomsguide.com.

Q: Which AI smart glasses work with Android phones?
A: Virtually all current AI-focused glasses support both Android and iOS, but there are a few things to note. The Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses work with Android (and iPhone) via the Meta View app – you can use all features on either platform. Amazon Echo Frames connect through the Alexa app, which is available on Android, so they work seamlessly with Android phonestomsguide.com. Solos AirGo 3 and Lucyd Lyte glasses use their own companion apps on Android and iOS, so they’re also compatible with both. In short, if you have an Android phone, you can use any of these glasses. One consideration: for AR glasses, device compatibility matters too. Glasses like Xreal, Viture, RayNeo, and Rokid will plug into many Android phones (especially those with USB-C DisplayPort output). If your phone doesn’t support video-out, you might need an adapter (like Xreal’s Beam or a HDMI adapter) to use AR glasses with it. But for the AI/audio glasses, as long as you can run their app and Bluetooth, you’re good to go on Android.

Q: How much do smart glasses cost in 2025?
A: Prices vary by capability. Audio-only “smart audio” glasses (with voice assistants) tend to range from about $200 to $300. For example, Echo Frames are around $269, Ray-Ban Meta glasses start at $299about.fb.com, and Solos AirGo 3 are $249. AR display glasses are pricier: entry-level ones like RayNeo Air 3S are about $269tomsguide.com, while high-end models like Xreal One Pro run around $649tomsguide.com. Mid-tier options like Viture Luma Pro sit in the $400–$500 rangetomsguide.com. Niche products (Even G1, etc.) can be around $600. And enterprise or advanced mixed reality headsets can run into the thousands (HoloLens 2, Apple Vision Pro, etc.). So, for most consumers, expect roughly $250 for AI glasses and $400–$600 for quality AR glasses, with budget and premium options on either end of those ranges.

Q: Can I use smart glasses while running or working out?
A: Yes, but you’ll want the right kind of glasses. Generally, audio-only smart glasses are best for exercise. They’re lighter, have no distracting visuals, and let you remain aware of your environment. Amazon Echo Frames and Solos AirGo 3, for instance, are great for runs or bike rides – they play your music and GPS directions while your ears stay open to hear traffic. They also fit securely and some models have water/sweat resistance. The upcoming Oakley Meta sports glasses are explicitly designed for active use, with a secure wraparound fit and likely better weather resistancetomsguide.com. By contrast, AR display glasses (Xreal, Viture, etc.) are not ideal for vigorous activity – they’re heavier, may slip if you move a lot, and you don’t need a floating screen bouncing around while you jog. If you’re doing something stationary like working out on a treadmill or exercise bike, you could use AR glasses to watch a show, but for outdoor and high-motion exercise, stick to the simpler audio glasses. Always prioritize safety: if you’re moving at speed, keep volume at a level where you can still hear what’s around you.

Q: Do smart glasses support prescription lenses?
A: Yes, many do. Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses can be ordered with prescription lenses directly (Ray-Ban offers that as an option)about.fb.com. Amazon Echo Frames come with demo lenses but are designed to have prescription lenses put in by any optician (Amazon even provides a discount for lens fitting in some cases). Xreal, Viture, Rokid, RayNeo and similar AR glasses typically offer prescription lens inserts – small frames that snap into the glasses behind the display. You can get those inserts filled with your prescription. For example, Xreal sells a prescription insert frame, and Viture’s insert comes in the box, which you can take to an optometristwired.com. Solos AirGo 3 and Lucyd also offer prescription options; Lucyd allows you to order with prescription lenses on their website, and Solos frames can accommodate prescription lenses at an optician. So whether through direct Rx orders or insert adapters, you can use smart glasses with your vision correction. One note: AR glasses project an image at a certain virtual distance (often a few meters), so if you’re far-sighted you might actually see the AR screen clearly without your full prescription. But for general use and real-world view, getting the proper prescription in your smart glasses or inserts is the way to go.