Key Points
- Our choice for the #1 Best Overall Smart Glasses is the XREAL AR Smart Glasses.
- Functionality, design, visual experience, connectivity, and battery life are the top criteria to consider when selecting smart glasses.
- If you already wear vision-correcting eyeglasses, it’s important to know if your smart glasses can accommodate prescription lenses.
- Some smart glasses are not compatible with every smartphone model.
Smart glasses are no longer exclusive to science fiction characters. Once considered a futuristic dream, everyday people are now using smart glasses to seamlessly integrate technology into their daily lives.
While augmented reality capabilities are often the first thing that comes to mind, there are numerous other applications that can be even more useful in a daily context. Today’s smart glasses can play music, take pictures, access virtual assistants, and make hands-free calls.
Find your perfect pair of smart glasses as we explore the best smart glasses available today.
- Best Overall: XREAL Air AR Glasses
- Most Affordable: OhO Sunshine Bluetooth Sunglasses
- Best for Taking Calls: Razer Anzu
- Best for Social Media: Ray-Ban Stories Smart Glasses
- Best for Music: WGP Smart Audio Glasses
- Best for Office Work: DOVIICO Smart Glasses
- Best for Athletes: Bose Frames Tempo
#1 Best Overall: XREAL Air AR Glasses
- Compatible with smartphones, consoles, and PCs
- Supports use with prescription glasses
- 130-inch spatial display
- Accurate to <1 pixel to eliminate distortion
- Ideal for gaming with Xbox, PlayStation 5, or Nintendo Switch
- Plug-and-play without software
The XREAL Air AR Glasses are truly the best overall smart glasses due to their cutting-edge features and remarkable performance.
While the lenses have a dark tint, they’re also suitable for indoor use. They offer a wide array of features, making them a great choice for listening to content, gaming, watching movies, and accessing digital assistants.
These glasses offer three different modes of augmented reality: Air Casting, Virtual Desktop, and AR Space. Air Casting Mode projects your screen in augmented reality, providing a larger-than-life experience without straining your neck. Virtual Desktop, on the other hand, can transform your laptop into a multi-screen workstation, and AR Space provides an even more immersive augmented reality experience than Air Casting.
However, to access Virtual Desktop and AR Space, you’ll need to download XREAL’s software, Nebula, which is only available for Android devices. To ensure your phone will work properly with this system, we recommend checking XREAL’s compatibility list here. Additionally, the XREAL Air AR Glasses are missing front-facing cameras, so you won’t be able to take pictures or record live videos. Check out the XREAL Air AR Glasses on Amazon.
| Their wide array of features makes them highly versatile. | Cons |
|---|---|
| They are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. | These glasses only work with Andriod devices. |
| Their wide array of features make them highly versatile. | You won’t be able to take pictures with these glasses. |
| They excel in terms of augmented reality capabilities. |
Most Affordable: OhO Sunshine Bluetooth Sunglasses
- Bluetooth 5.0
- Smart assistant voice command built-in
- Compatible with Pandora and Spotify
- Sweatproof
Oho Sunshine’s Bluetooth Sunglasses are among the most affordable smart glasses on the market.
Since these sunglasses were designed to be comfortable, you can easily wear them for the entire 5-hour battery life. With their open-ear design and smart assistant voice command integration, you can enjoy a hands-free experience without obstructing your ears. However, some users noted that the speakers were not as loud as they desired.
These smart sunglasses offer a range of convenient features, including the ability to listen to music from popular apps like Pandora and Spotify. Additionally, you can utilize the built-in voice assistant to check the weather, receive traffic updates, and get directions.
While they may not be suitable for submersion, these sunglasses are sweatproof and splashproof, making them perfect for active outdoor use. With their durability and practical functionality, they provide excellent value for anyone seeking affordable smart glasses. Check out the Oho Sunshine Bluetooth Sunglasses on Amazon.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Their reasonable price makes them an attractive option. | Speakers are not very powerful. |
| These sunglasses are comfortable so you can wear them for a long time. | |
| They are Bluetooth-capable and can integrate with virtual assistants. | |
| They are splashproof and sweatproof. |
Best for Taking Calls: Razer Anzu
- Includes both clear and tinted lenses
- Low-latency Bluetooth technology provides uninterrupted sound quality
- Omnidirectional microphones enable hands-free talk time
- Touch-enabled controls facilitate access to all features
- Voice assistant compatible
- Blue light and UV filtering
The Razer Anzu Smart Glasses are our top pick for taking calls.
With a low-latency Bluetooth connection, the audio remains perfectly synchronized, resulting in crystal-clear and natural phone conversations. Two omnidirectional microphones capture sounds from all directions, which significantly enhances sound clarity during calls. Additionally, their support for video conferencing calls further enhances their functionality.
These smart glasses can easily transition from inside to outside use. They effectively filter blue light, reducing eye strain when looking at screens, and provide reliable protection by blocking 99% of UVA/UVB light when worn outside in the sun.
For control and convenience, the glasses offer both voice assistant compatibility and touch controls. With a simple touch, you can change music tracks, play or pause media, and answer or end calls. However, it’s worth noting that some users found the touch controls slightly less intuitive than expected. Nevertheless, the Razer Anzu Smart Glasses deliver remarkable value at a reasonable price, making them an excellent choice for anyone seeking a versatile and functional pair of smart glasses. Check out the Razer Anzu Smart Glasses on Amazon.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| These smart glasses provide superior call quality. | You may need to familiarize yourself with how touch controls work. |
| Video conferencing is possible. | |
| Blue light and UV filters facilitate both indoor and outdoor use. | |
| You can use both voice control and touch to control these glasses. |
Best for Social Media: Ray-Ban Stories Smart Glasses
- High-resolution (2592 x 1944 px) image acquisition
- Camera automatically adjusts to light conditions
- Capture up to 60 seconds of video
- Store up to 500 photos or 100 15-second videos
- Polarized lenses deliver accurate color while blocking 95% of UV light
- 3 embedded microphones capture sound from all angles and discreet speakers maximize private listening
The Ray-Ban Stories Smart Glasses are an ideal choice for social media influencers or anyone seeking to capture special moments.
Thanks to two 5MP cameras discreetly embedded beside the lenses, you can maintain eye contact with your subject and avoid staring down at your phone screen to take a picture or video. Additionally, the glasses have ample storage capacity, allowing you to save up to 500 photos or 100 15-second videos.
The iconic Wayfarer style of the Ray-Ban Stories adds to their appeal, with renowned figures such as the Princess of Wales, Tom Cruise, and Michael Jackson choosing to wear them. The frames suit various styles and personalities, making them a versatile and fashionable option. The lenses in these glasses are not replaceable, so they are best suited for individuals with adequate vision or those who wear contact lenses.
The battery life of the glasses lasts approximately 3 hours, which provides ample time to enjoy and capture events, although it’s relatively shorter compared to some other options. Check out the Ray-Ban Stories Smart Glasses on Amazon.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| You can capture and store high-resolution pictures and videos. | You cannot replace the lenses with your own prescription. |
| The battery life is shorter than other options. |
Best for Music: WGP Smart Audio Glasses
- Open-ear design does not block the ability to hear
- Hi-Fi stereo sound effectively enables private listening by minimizing sound leaking
- Bluetooth 5.0 provides excellent, steady sound quality
- Virtual Assistance enables a hands-free experience
- Battery life offers 7 hours of continuous play
- IP67 waterproof
The WGP Smart Audio Glasses offer an exceptional music-listening experience.
These frames incorporate high-quality components such as upgraded Bluetooth chips and louder speakers for a stutter-free, Hi-Fi stereo sound.
WPG stands for Wearable Gear Pop, which is apt, considering that these are the first smart glasses to introduce a magnetic, quick-release design. This means that users can easily switch between any of WGP’s interchangeable designs, including square, round, or sleek metallic frames. The lenses are equipped with anti-scratch and anti-shatter coatings, ensuring durability, as well as blue light and UV filters to safeguard your eyes from damage.
Upon picking up the glasses, they instantly power on and establish a connection with your phone within a few seconds. While you have the option to utilize the hands-free voice assistant, all functions can be controlled through touch.
Since the frames lack visible buttons, familiarizing yourself with the touch gestures becomes essential. For instance, a series of four quick taps on the temple activates your phone’s virtual assistant. While this touch-based control scheme offers convenience, it may require some initial acclimation. With a battery life of up to 7 hours of continuous use, these glasses provide ample power for all-day wear.
In terms of potential drawbacks, it’s important to note that these glasses may not offer a completely private listening experience, as the speakers are audible to those in close proximity. Check out the WGP Smart Audio Glasses on Amazon.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The sound quality is top-notch. | Touch controls require some initial study. |
| The magnetic design allows you to mix and match stems and lenses from other WGP smart glasses. | It may not be possible to have a completely private listening experience. |
| They power on and establish a connection quickly. | |
| A 7-hour battery life provides enough power for all-day use. |
Best for Office Work: DOVIICO Smart Glasses
- Filters 90% of blue light
- Bluetooth 5.0 provides uninterrupted connectivity
- Capable of interacting with Amazon smart devices using voice control
- Compatible with prescription lenses
- Battery life provides up to 7 days of standby time or 5 hours of continuous media playtime
- IP5 waterproof
The DOVIICO smart glasses have been specifically designed for individuals who spend significant time working in front of screens.
Prolonged exposure to blue light can cause eye fatigue, dryness, and even contribute to vision loss. However, the lenses of DOVIICO smart glasses are equipped with an effective blue light filter, which blocks 90% of harmful blue light. Additionally, the lenses are polarized to filter 99% of UV rays, providing an added layer of protection when outdoors.
In terms of their smart abilities, the DOVIICO smart glasses come equipped with nearly imperceptible microphones and speakers to facilitate voice control. You can listen to music, enjoy hands-free calling, control Amazon smart devices, and access Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant.
While some users have mentioned that the volume of these smart glasses may not be as loud as desired, they are particularly well-suited for office settings. Check out the DOVIICO Smart Glasses on Amazon.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Filters block 90% of blue light and 99% of UV light. | The speakers may not be loud enough for some users. |
| They are compatible with voice assistants. |
Best for Athletes: Bose Frames Tempo
- Polarized lenses are scratch-resistant and shatter-resistant
- Bose OpenAudio speakers allow you to clearly hear without blocking surrounding sounds
- Finger slide allows you to adjust volume easily
- Provides up to 8 hours of continuous media play
- Built-in Bluetooth
- IPX4 water resistant
The Bose Frames Tempo Smart Glasses are the best choice for athletes or anyone wanting a comfortable, secure fit.
Designed as sports sunglasses, they provide a unique advantage by allowing you to hear your music and the surrounding environment. This makes them a superior alternative to earbuds or other in-ear devices, which can potentially block important sounds like approaching vehicles.
The Frames Tempo utilizes Bluetooth technology to pair with your smartphone, giving you the ability to access apps like Audible and iTunes. Although the glasses feature a smart touch system for controls, embedded microphones can help you interact with digital assistants like Siri or Google Assistant.
Since athletes come in all sizes and shapes, Bose includes three different options of soft, silicone nose pads to ensure a slip-free fit. These frames are also flexible around the temple.
In terms of battery life, the Frames Tempo provides up to 8 hours of continuous media play, which could help you find motivation when mid-workout lethargy hits. While we certainly think these glasses are best-in-class, some customer reviewers noted that their biggest issue was that the touch controls weren’t as intuitive as they hoped. Check out the Bose Frames Tempo Sports Sunglasses on Amazon.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| You can clearly hear both speakers and surroundings. | It may take time to get used to the touch controls. |
| Controls can be accessed through both voice commands and touch. | |
| Bose includes several options to optimize fit. | |
| This model has a longer battery life than most other options. |
©iStock.com/Techa Tungateja
How to Pick the Best Smart Glasses: Step-by-Step
Functionality
The first step in selecting the best smart glasses is determining their intended purpose. Common features of smart glasses include audio, Bluetooth connectivity, augmented reality capabilities, and voice assistants. That said, what is important to you may not be important to someone else.
If, for example, you only want to use smart glasses to listen to music while biking, you may not need to invest in costly functionality like augmented reality. By understanding what features matter most to you, you can make an informed decision about which smart glasses to purchase.
Design
When researching the available options, you’ll find a wide variety to choose from. While some options look like typical glasses, others have more distinctive designs that make them easily identifiable as smart glasses.
Regardless of your personal style, you will want to asses comfort and fit. Smart glasses should be comfortable enough to wear for extended periods of time. If it’s not possible to try them on, we suggest reading reviews or opting for smart glasses that are made of high-quality, lightweight materials.
Visual Experience
Since smart glasses are worn over your eyes, it’s essential that you enjoy looking through them. If you require augmented reality capabilities, it becomes even more important for the content to display in high resolution and vibrant colors. This ensures a seamless blending of digital overlays with the real world, minimizing the risk of straining your eyes and experiencing headaches caused by fuzzy imagery or text. Moreover, a wider field of view can enhance interactions and create a more immersive feeling.
Connectivity
Connectivity is one of the fundamental components that make smart glasses truly smart. Most smart glasses offer Bluetooth, however, the quality of Bluetooth technology can vary. Some smart glasses may facilitate a fast and reliable wireless connection over great distances but you may experience delays and gaps with others.
Since the quality of your smart glasses’ wireless connectivity will greatly impact your overall experience, we highly suggest looking for smart glasses equipped with Bluetooth 5.0 connections. Bluetooth 6.0 would be even better, but note that it’s not yet widely available due to its relative newness.
Battery Life
One of the most common complaints about smart glasses is that they have a shorter battery life compared to some other devices. Since smart glasses are designed to be lightweight, hardware sacrifices are often necessary, leading to reduced battery capacity.
Currently, the majority of today’s smart glasses offer a battery life ranging between 3 to 5 hours. While a battery life of 8 hours may seem limited in comparison to a smartphone, this is actually an impressive feat, given that hardware components must be consolidated inside slender stems.
What to Know Before Buying Smart Glasses
Prescription Lens Compatibility
If you already wear eyeglasses, it’s important to be aware that many smart glasses may not work for you. However, many smart glasses do offer options that make it possible to combine vision-correcting lenses with smart technology. Before making a purchase, verify whether your chosen smart glasses support corrective lenses.
Phone Compatibility
Smart glasses are designed to work in tandem with smartphones, but they may not be compatible with every model. Some smart glasses, for example, may only work with Android systems. To avoid potential frustration, we highly recommend verifying your specific smartphone is compatible. This simple step will ensure that you can make the most of your smart glasses.
Using Smart Glasses: What It’s Like
Using smart glasses can feel like stepping into the future. With augmented reality capabilities, it can even feel like stepping into another world. The lines between the real and digital worlds are effectively blurred by advancements in visual imaging.
For gaming enthusiasts, today’s smart glasses offer a deeper, more immersive gameplay experience. You can capture Pokemon or battle hordes of zombies from the convenience of your own home. Similarly, movie enthusiasts can benefit from this increased immersion. Imagine watching Jurassic Park and the thrill of seeing dinosaurs come to life in your living room. Everyday spaces have the potential to transform into fantastic landscapes, teeming with opportunities for adventure.
Beyond expanded opportunities for entertainment, smart glasses can enable you to become more productive in various aspects of your daily life. During workouts, a simple command like “Alexa, play Taking Care of Business,” enables you to play songs and tap into added motivation when you need it.
Access to smart assistants like Siri, Google Assistant, and Alexa opens up virtually limitless opportunities for increased efficiency. You can manage tasks, get real-time answers to your questions, set reminders, send messages, and control smart devices. Regardless of your intended use, smart glasses can seamlessly integrate useful technology into your daily life.
Up Next:
- 6 Reasons to Avoid a New VR Headset Today
- The 5 Best Indoor Cameras Worth Buying Today
- The 5 Best iPad Accessories to Get the Most Out of Your Device: Ranked and Reviewed
Summary Table
| Rank | Smart Glasses | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | XREAL Air AR Glasses | Overall |
| #2 | OhO Sunshine Bluetooth Sunglasses | Affordability |
| #3 | Razer Anzu | Taking Calls |
| #4 | Ray-Ban Stories Smart Glasses | Social Media |
| #5 | WGP Smart Audio Glasses | Music |
| #6 | DOVIICO Smart Glasses | Office Work |
| #7 | Bose Frames Tempo | Athletes |
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Ground Picture/Shutterstock.com.
