Why Meta’s Ray-Ban Smart Glasses are my favorite tech product this year

During CES 2024, I went to Sunglasses Hut to try on a pair Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses to feed my curious mind. I wasn’t expecting to buy a pair but I did, and 5 months later, these glasses are my favorite product of 2024 so far. The best part is that the device only improves with time.

I tried smart glasses before, but they were both bulky and uncomfortable to wear for more than five minutes. The glasses always feel like I’m wearing something on my face. But Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses are different. These are sunglasses first and smart glasses second. Technology dominates the backseat, not only in the design of the glasses but also in the charging case, which looks like a regular sunglasses case.

Also: I tested a lot of technology – Meta Ray-Bans were the biggest surprise

When you look at Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses, they look like sunglasses instead of a device. That sophistication is a standout feature for me. I bought the Headliner variant for $329, which suits my style, and I haven’t carried sunglasses since. You can buy Ray-Bans with actuating lenses to wear indoors, but that option is only available in the Wayfarer style (starting at $299).

1. Brilliant design and even better functionality

I went to Universal Studios Hollywood in Los Angeles and couldn’t be happier that I bought Ray-Bans before going to the theme park for two specific reasons: video and audio.

Documenting your experiences on rides is difficult, especially roller coasters. I used Ray-Bans to document an outdoor Harry Potter trip and created great footage. Outdoor shots were wonderfully stable for such a small form factor, so my shots of walking around the amusement park looked great too.

Also: How These $400 XR Glasses Cured My Apple Vision Pro FOMO

The video may not be as good as the first word GoPro devices, but I get good perspective shots without attaching another camera to the body or helmet. I don’t consider my smart glasses an “additional device” because I already wear sunglasses outdoors anyway. After all, I wore my “normal” sunglasses at Universal Studios Singapore last year.

I was also impressed with the quality of video footage in low light. I shot the Sorting Hat at Hogwarts and the footage looked like it was shot on a $400 smartphone.

Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses also double as earbuds. These aren’t earbuds so there will be sound leakage, but that’s not an issue if you’re already surrounded by a lot of noise. I had to turn the volume up to 100% in noisy areas and still needed more. But 90% of the time, I don’t feel like I need more volume.

The sound quality is not what you get at the expensive price standalone headset. But the sounds on Ray-Bans will take your theme park experience to the next level because the music feels like the ambient sounds are part of the environment. You can enable it Spotify or Apple Music by touching and holding the touchpad on the right hand of the glasses.

Also: Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses just got another useful feature for free (and a new style)

With standalone earbuds, you also get a microphone — and these Ray-Bans are no different. They contain multiple microphones and the quality is surprisingly good. I’ve received many calls on my smart glasses, and callers said they didn’t notice much of a difference in sound quality compared to my regular earbuds (OnePlus buds 3).

Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses last about two hours with heavy use. This usage includes constant music, a few calls, and a lot of camera footage. I wore the glasses continuously for 5 hours with 10% battery because I didn’t listen to much music and only used the camera moderately. Official numbers from Meta put the battery life at 4 hours, including “recording and syncing 100 videos or up to 500 photos”. I’m glad Ray-Bans still work as non-rechargeable sunglasses.

Another important factor to consider when buying companion devices, such as a smartwatch or smart ring for your phone, is how they charge since you’ll be charging them frequently. It’s a hassle as I need the exclusive charging feature on these devices. Thankfully, that’s not an issue on the Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses because the charging case requires the same type of wire as your phone – a Type-C cable.

For privacy, these glasses have a white LED light on the opposite side of the camera, which activates when you record a video or take a photo. In public, it does not attract attention. But if you’re recording someone, they’ll know.

2. This is the perfect AI form factor

Unlike the recently launched AI-powered utilities, incl Rabbit R1 And Humane AI Pin, Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses are not the first AI. These glasses have stayed with me because instead of trying to replace my phone, they’re a great companion device.

Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses are also included Meta AI Assistant now, which was rolled out last month. I haven’t tried the assistant on my device yet, but I asked the glasses to make calls and play music using the “Hey Meta” trigger, which worked perfectly.

Also: Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses can now identify landmarks and tell you about them

I think these Ray-Bans are the perfect look for an AI device. The speaker is close to my ear, and that position creates a more intimate response than announcing something on a speaker mounted on your body or through a device held in your hand.

There is room for upgrades

I’m not upset by the glass defect, but am annoyed that the camera records in a 3:4 aspect ratio instead of 9:16. This switch wouldn’t be a problem if there was a way to change the scale in the settings. However, there is no way to set the aspect ratio from the Meta View application. The glasses are designed to record at 9:16, so it’s unclear when the output on the app is 3:4.

Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses do not record actual view video from your eye line but from a slightly perpendicular perspective. For those who are used to mounting one Insta360 go 3 or GoPro on your head and expect these smart glasses to capture a similar angle, you will be surprised. I thought I’d get used to the perpendicular perspective, but my footage often has a lot of empty space on the left side.

Also: Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses come with hands-free Apple Music integration and more

While the glasses recharge quickly, I’d like to see better battery life on the next-gen Meta Ray-Bans. I use my glasses to play music on my way to work. This usage drains half the battery by the time I get to the event I want to record video at. If you were forced to wear these glasses with transition lenses most of the day, you wouldn’t be able to do it.

However, I use it Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses every day and consider them one of my best investments in a while.