When it comes to buying the best smart glasses, I’ve been wearing and testing them for over 3 years — that means I’m in a good position to help you buy the right smart specs for you.
In this category, you’ve got two options: AR or AI. AR glasses are basically an external display for the likes of your laptop, tablet or smartphone — whereas AI specs come armed with compatibility with LLMs like ChatGPT or Meta AI to help answer questions about the world around you.
We’re beginning to see a hybrid of AR and AI with Meta’s Orion unveiled at Connect 2024, but a true blend is still a few years off. So when it comes to choosing the right pair for you right now, I recommend you think hard about what you want to get out of them.
For example: if you’re a frequent flyer and want to work (and binge watch) to your heart’s content without the neck strain of looking down at a laptop screen, the Xreal Air 2 would be a solid choice — you can combine it with the Xreal Beam Pro for some all-in-one spatial computing fun.
Meanwhile, if you want to capture life’s moments faster than using your phone and get AI help like identifying ingredients and finding recipes, the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses are the best choice.
So allow me to put my years of experience into practice and round-up the best AI and AR glasses you can buy right now.
The quick list
The Xreal Air 2 and Air 2 Pros are the best overall AR glasses you can buy right now — doing everything just right from display quality to software support.
When it comes to AI smart glasses, the Ray-Ban Metas are a clear champion in this area. The constant updates with Meta AI are adding legitimate multi-modal help to everyday tasks.
On a shoestring budget? The Xreal Air gives you a solid picture quality and connectivity for under $200. You make trade-offs in the build and screen, but you get more than enough for the price you pay.
For the premium crowd out there, the Viture Pro XR Glasses are the luxury ticket to AR glasses with a carefully crafted design and gorgeous display technology, alongside the best AR software on the market.
It’s ChatGPT in a pair of glasses — what else do I need to say? The Solos AirGo 3’s voice assistant here is good enough for you to hold a conversation with, and run live translation. Oh, and did I mention that they are shockingly lightweight?
For the movie buffs, RayNeo Air 2S offers the best display in a pair of AR glasses right now. That 201-inch simulated screen is a bright, sharp flash of color.
The best smart glasses you can buy today
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The best AR glasses
I use Xreal Air 2 every time I go travelling and when I want to work somewhere other than my desk in front of monitors. The main reason for these being my daily drivers is that these offer the best all-round AR glasses experience. You’re getting a gorgeous display (that makes your Steam Deck games look incredibly vivid), a design that’s super light and comfortable to wear, and the carefully crafted software that unlocks the spatial computing elements you need to get stuff done. Plus, if you buy the Xreal Beam Pro, you can take an entire entertainment system with you wherever you go.
Read the full Xreal Air 2 review
Who are these for?
The list of people who would benefit from Xreal Air 2 is long. The main one being if you’re a frequent traveler, then these are essential. But on top of that, I’ve been seeing serious benefits in gaming (using them as my personal display when the TV is being used), in moments where I’m working on something business-sensitive, and more generally when I want multi-monitor productivity that doesn’t involve sitting at my desk.
Why are these the best AR smart glasses?
There are things that other glasses on this list do better, but the Xreal Air 2 is great enough in all of them to be the best well-rounded AR glasses you can buy right now. They're super portable with a small case, comfortably wearable for hours on end and with a great picture.
What do we like?
👍 Slick looks and comfortable for days: When it comes to AR glasses, we’re all used to them just looking weirdly large on your face. Nothing too bad, but they do draw quick second glances of confusion from people. The Wayfarer-esque frames here are the most subtle I’ve worn that don’t draw any looks from the people around you. Pair that with the 2.6-ounce construction, and you can wear them for ages with no signs of aches around the nose and ears.
👍 Great picture quality: The Sony Micro-OLED panels packed into prisms just in front of the lenses can simulate a 130-inch picture that is situated four meters in front of you. The TUV-calibrated colors are vivid, and the 120Hz refresh rate ensures a buttery smoothness. However, it’s worth noting that the 46-degree viewing angle can feel limiting.
👍 Solid AR/Spatial computing software: Out of the box, you can download Xreal’s Nebula app (macOS only at the moment, but Windows is coming soon) to get a full 3-display workplace in front of you. If you want to go one step further, pick up the $199 Xreal Beam Pro — an additional accessory with Google services that gives you an almost Apple Vision Pro-esque UI for playing games and watching content offline.
What don’t we like?
👎 Tinny audio: When stuffing speakers into the arms of a pair of glasses, you’re going to get tinny audio, and that’s exactly the case here. The volume is quickly overwhelmed when outdoors, and all of the bass vanishes.
Bottom line
The Xreal Air 2 is the best all-around smart glasses for those looking to get a pair of AR specs for work and play on-the-go. They're impressively comfortable, aesthetically sleek, pack a solid display and have good software to boot.
The best AI glasses
I’ve been using the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses for a year now, and it’s been impressive watching them grow from strength to strength. At first, these were a supremely stylish pair of shades with a great camera for social video capture and live streaming, alongside surprisingly good speakers for listening to music on-the-go. Fast forward 12 months, and Meta AI has made these arguably the best multi-modal AI hardware you can buy — immensely helpful when you need them.
Read the full Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses review
Who are these for?
These are for what I’d call the stylistic nerds…weird, but let me explain! The immaculate aesthetic of Ray-Bans paired with Meta smarts make these a new kind of glasses that elevates them into an AI wearable. If you’re keen to implement AI into your day-to-day life, this is the best way to do it.
Why are these the best AI smart glasses?
Where other AI hardware companies have gone wrong is in the form factor. Humane AI Pin failed spectacularly, and the little orange box of Rabbit R1 makes it simply a fun utility to use every now and again. With Ray-Ban Meta glasses, that means AI is with you at all times in a very subtle, stylish way. Pair that with the ever-increasing suite of multi-modal AI features, and you’ve got some super intelligent specs.
What do we like?
👍 Gorgeous design: With smart glasses, you want them to fade into the background as a stylish frame on your face. That’s exactly what the Ray-Ban Metas do — in any of the 150 design options, the dimensions and aesthetic barely look any different to your standard pair of Ray-Bans. Plus, the attention paid to keeping that weight to no more than 50 grams makes them immediately wearable all-day round.
👍 Surprisingly good cameras: When it comes to camera capture on glasses, the world has gotten used to the quality not being so great. The 12MP snapper is light-years ahead of anything I’ve seen on smart specs, thanks to plenty of crisp detail in its social-friendly 9:16 aspect ratio, great color and contrast balance, and solid 1080p video with stabilization.
👍 Speakers and Mics are a revelation: The first thing you notice whenever calling someone on the glasses is the voice clarity. Those speakers are impressive with minimal audio spillage — packing surprising bass when playing music. On top of that, those on the other end of your calls will appreciate how clear and detailed your voice is through the mics.
👍 Meta AI is finding its stride: This is the start of the journey, but Meta is sprinting to add more features. Being able to not just brainstorm with my Ray-Ban Metas, but unleash multi-modal AI through the camera by asking about landmarks while traveling has been huge for me. Oh, and shout-out to the glasses picking my outfits for Costa Rica!
What don’t we like?
👎 Tricky to frame images: For how good the cameras are, you’ll have a hard time for the first few weeks guessing the framing of your image — since the lens is isolated to the left side of the glasses. Hot tip: turning your head just a few degrees to the right will ensure you get whatever you’re looking at in frame!
👎 Battery is good until it's not: In casual use, our video managing editor Kate Kozuch managed to get 6 hours of use on one charge out of the glasses. But once you start doing stuff like transferring content to your phone and using AI, I’ve seen that longevity halve. Make sure you don’t leave the house without your case.
👎 Pricey: At $299, these are indeed an expensive investment. But that’s just for the base model that gives you sunglasses lenses (limiting use to just 50% of the time because you don’t want to be that weirdo that wears shades indoors). Transition lenses will add considerably more to the price.
Bottom line
When it comes to the most polished experience in a pair of smart glasses, the Ray-Ban Metas win this hands down. They are easily the best AI glasses you can buy right now, and a stellar companion for capturing life’s moments, listening to music while not restricting your environmental awareness and taking calls.
The best cheap AR glasses
If you don’t have $400 for the Xreal Air 2s, the original Xreal Air is a solid choice for those who want a decent external display for traveling. There are some teething issues here in terms of bulkiness and reduced comfort over long periods of wearing, and last-generation display and sound tech. But at under $200, this is a stellar cheap choice.
Who are these for?
These are for those who want to dip their toes into AR glasses without diving fully in with an expensive purchase. You’ll be surprised at what you can get for under $200.
Why are these the best cheap AR smart glasses?
Put simply, the compromises made to keep the price down are in all the places that mean the experience remains good enough. The 120Hz Micro-OLED displays are still solid for plenty of usage, and the increased size and bulkiness is still subtle in its Wayfarer design.
What do we like?
👍 Attention to design: Yes, the dimensions are larger than Air 2 and they do weigh slightly more, but that aesthetic is maintained to the point that the quick second takes from people on the plane are minimal.
👍 Strong display: Based on older tech (more on that later) the brightness does take a hit, which impacts light leakage through the front of the glasses. But if you use the included lens shade, that 120Hz display is fluid and colorful.
👍 Value for money: At under $200, these are a great buy for those who don’t want to mess around with any of this AR software, and just want a glorified external display in front of their eyes.
What don’t we like?
👎 Don’t bother with spatial computing: It’s technically possible with the likes of Xreal Beam Pro and the Nebula app. But the experience feels a little restrained with some latency issues and a narrower viewing angle breaking immersion.
👎 Bulky with old tech: Regardless of attention to design, this is old tech compared to Air 2s — the old-generation nose pad creates fatigue after an hour and the display/audio experience feels compromised compared to the newer option.
Bottom line
These problems aside, the Xreal Air are a steal for what they bring — an easily portable external monitor for your Steam Deck, laptop and more for those long journeys.
The best premium AR glasses
The Viture Pro XR glasses are a special breed — an uber premium pair of AR glasses with the price tag to match. They may be expensive at $549 for the glasses along (but the Pro collection will unlock all the best features at a steep $788 — luckily discounted to $588 at the moment). But for that, you’re getting an impressively ultra-bright display, great comfort, and the best spatial computing software support in the business.
Read our full Viture Pro XR Glasses review
Who are these for?
These are definitely a luxury for those who are gunning for the cream of the crop (and have the money to do so). The price is steep, but so are my compliments for them.
Why are these the best premium AR glasses?
Behind these subtly stylish specs (that are comfortable for long sessions) lies gorgeous Micro-OLED display tech with a 1080p resolution per eye and a picture bursting with color — plus a brightness of up to a whopping 4,000 nits. But the real superpower here is its spatial computing capabilities, thanks to the SpaceWalker app.
What do we like?
👍 Great picture in a sleek frame: The Pros offer a lot of capabilities inside its relatively slim and stylish frames. These include impresside (and adjustable) display tech, thanks to the Myopia adjustment dials. This eliminates the need for inserts and means everybody can enjoy the simulated 135-inch Micro-OLED screen here.
👍 The electrochromic film is super effective: Other glasses on this list do sport the electrochromic film, which makes the external lenses lighter or darker with the push of a button. But these all do let in a little light, whereas the Viture Pros are on another level — it’s darkest level is virtual blackout.
👍 Spacewalker is one giant leap for XR: This software unlocks a lot. When installed on a laptop, it’s a seamless transition to up to a 3-monitor layout (even an ultrawide monitor can be simulated too). But when on a phone, you’ve got a full blown OS to navigate content on your phone and binge watch to your heart’s content. Put simply, Viture has thought about everything here.
What don’t we like?
👎 Expensive for the full package: If you stop at just the glasses, you’re limiting yourself from all the big features. You’ll need the Mobile Dock, too, and that kicks the price even further up to over $700.
👎 Sound is on the quiet side: In fairness to Viture, the surround sound quality is definitely there in giving you a sneaky bit of 5.1 action. But the volume is very quickly overwhelmed by any atmospheric noise around you.
Bottom line
The Viture Pro XR glasses are definitely on the pricier side (the most expensive on this list actually), but the luxury is immediately felt in the case, the specs and the display you see in front of them. And that doesn’t even take into account the app and software Viture has built to make it work as a spatial computer, too.
The best ChatGPT AI glasses
In using the Solos AirGo 3 for a few months, the first thing you immediately notice is how light and wearable they are. In fact, anyone would be far pressed to know these are armed with ChatGPT capabilities. Without cameras, you’re just getting the voice-to-text AI assistant here, so you will have to explicitly describe everything you see in front of you to make a prompt. But for what they can do (particular shout-out to the live translation feature), they are a solid and low-cost pair of AI glasses.
Who are these for?
These are for those who are all-in on ChatGPT and its capabilities. Grab a subscription and you can really do some fun and helpful things here — including holding a conversation with your glasses to get stuff done.
Why are these the best ChatGPT AI glasses?
At $249, you’re getting a lot for your money here — a prescription-friendly frame that is shockingly light on the face and has surprisingly good audio to boot. Notifications are discrete; the notification LED is color-coded to keep you up-to-date on everything happening in your phone, and the speed of responses to all your prompts means you can hold a pretty good conversation with ChatGPT.
What do we like?
👍 Cheap, but not in its feel: This is a premium-looking and feeling pair of smart glasses, and since all the AI smarts use your phone, that means Solos is able to get away with making these super lightweight, too.
👍 Surprisingly good audio: I was a little blown away by the fidelity of the audio coming out of this featherweight specs — alongside the quality of the beamforming mics with Whisper Audio Technology that had me coming through loud and clear to anyone I called with reduced background noise.
👍 Hands-free ChatGPT: SolosChat runs through the glasses’ complementary app — bringing a great voice assistant for answering queries as you go. On top of that, a really impressive feature for travelers is SolosTranslate, which enables zippy live translation of foreign languages.
What don’t we like?
👎 Battery life is yikes: Well, to keep them so light, Solos had to cut something. Turns out it’s the battery, as you can probably get around 2 hours of light usage out of them. Play music or get on a long call, and that goes down to 90 minutes.
👎 A fiddly virtual button: Instead of a physical button like on the Ray-Ban Metas, Solos AirGo 3 packs a virtual button on the side, which is never in the place you really want it to be. That leads to some fiddling around every time to get it.
Bottom line
If the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses are the best AI hardware you can get, Solos AirGo 3 take the chequered flag just behind them. However, they do hold the big superpower of ChatGPT running through its veins. OpenAI is definitely on the leading edge of LLM chatbots, and the Solos overlay lets you talk to it easily.
The best AR glasses for picture and sound
If you're looking for a portable cinema for your noggin, the RayNeo Air 2S are definitely worth checking out. I really enjoyed the huge 201-inch virtual screen, as I was watching my favorite shows. Even though I would recommend pairing them with some of the best noise-cancelling earbuds, the Air 2S' mini speakers did an admirable job with music, sound effects, and dialogue in whatever I watched. The optional PocketTV Google TV streaming device is a really cool accessory, and would be near perfect if not for the fact that it needs to be connected to the Internet. Otherwise, this combo would be ideal for any flight or trip.
Read our full review: RayNeo Air 2s
Who are these for?
The RayNeo Air 2S are AR glasses for the display aficionados — the Micro-OLED tech has been tuned here to perfection. The virtual screen size is the largest here (201 inches), and with 600 nits of brightness and a 108% sRGB color gamut, the screen is bright, crisp and super vivid. Pair it with the PocketTV, and you’ve got a wealth of content at your fingertips, which is hampered by the fact you can’t download content for offline watching.
Why are these the best AR glasses for picture and sound quality?
Simulating a 201-inch TV in front of you, the picture quality is impressive here — big, bright and super sharp. On top of that, the speakers may be tinny (as is the usual with smart glasses), but the detailed fidelity of audio and loudness completes the home entertainment experience here.
What do we like?
👍 An all-in-one streaming package: The RayNeo Air 2S + Pocket TV gives you the complete package for movie buffs and TV lovers. Watch to your heart’s content on that gigantic Micro-OLED simulated display, with great audio with minimal leakage to boot.
👍 A slick, comfortable design: Definitely one of the more pronounced pairs of AR glasses on this list, thanks to that large and in charge front lens. The RayNeo Air 2S does make a statement with its aesthetic, which you can customize the stalks of to get just the right angle on your face.
What don’t we like?
👎 Can get pricey: To get the full home theater experience, you’re paying $539 for the privilege. Much like the Viture Pro, that is a large stack of change that could leave your bank account weeping.
👎 Zero offline viewing potential: If you use the Pocket TV with this, you’re out of luck when it comes to watching anything offline. This is a glorified pocket Google TV, and that means you can’t download any content.
Bottom line
The RayNeo Air 2S is the best package for those that want the best display quality, thanks to its reduction in distortion and customizable modes to increase the vividness of any picture you see. The one real thorn in the paw here is that the Pocket TV device is rendered pretty much useless if not connected to Wi-Fi.
