We Tested The Best Ar And Mr Glasses: Here's How The Meta Ray-bans Stack Up

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Augmented Reality (AR) and Mixed Reality (MR) technologies are quickly evolving, bringing breathtaking possibilities for some aged and caller users. While Virtual Reality (VR) headsets immerse you successful virtual environments, AR and MR glasses connection a much comfortable replacement that lets you enactment connected to nan world astir you.

These devices heighten your surroundings via integer overlays, blending nan existent pinch nan digital. Certain models tin thatch you astir nan world by delivering real-time accusation and allowing you to cheque sports scores, among different things. Another awesome use of AR glasses is their affordability.

What is nan champion brace of AR glasses correct now?

Many companies, some large and small, are capitalizing connected this increasing inclination by launching their ain brace of smart glasses. ZDNET experts trial aggregate models, putting them done their paces to springiness you nan champion proposal connected what to buy. Within this category, nan champion is nan Meta Ray Ban Smart Glasses for their awesome design, multimodal AI assistant, and easy-to-use camera. ZDNET Contributing Writer Matthew Miller enjoyed utilizing nan device to "capture video that's difficult to grounds accurately pinch a camera aliases smartphone." He moreover prefers utilizing nan glasses for calls complete his AirPods Pro.

Also: The champion powerfulness banks you tin buy

Best AR and MR glasses of 2025

Why we for illustration it: Meta's Ray-Ban Smart Glasses taking nan apical spot should travel arsenic nary astonishment to those acquainted pinch nan device. It is nan premier brace of AR glasses for really easy and people they fresh into a user's regular life. They're stylish and comfortable, moreover pinch each nan tech packed inside. Capturing moments is effortless acknowledgment to nan easy-to-use 12MP ultrawide camera. The built-in speakers present clear, natural-sounding audio cleanable for euphony and calls.

The Ray-Ban Smart Glasses are highly customizable, disposable successful different frames, lens options, and sizes. Meta has besides introduced aggregate privateness improvements, specified arsenic making nan LED parameter much noticeable. And nan slimmer charging lawsuit is nan cherry connected top.

Who it's for: These glasses are cleanable for group who want an easy, discreet measurement to seizure photos aliases grounds videos without pulling retired a smartphone. I besides urge them to contented creators who unrecorded watercourse connected societal media platforms aliases Twitch. Professionals attending manufacture events for illustration CES tin usage them for hands-free documentation.

Review: Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses

Who should look elsewhere: Don't expect a GoPro-level acquisition aliases flawless AI performance. The Ray-Ban Smart Glasses tin only grounds "1080p videos astatine 1440 x 1920 resolution." As for artificial intelligence, nan Meta AI "nails nan essentials" but struggles pinch delivering concise responses, and there's nary measurement of pausing nan output. Additionally, nan camera struggles successful low-light conditions, making it unreliable for evening outings.

Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses specs: Weight: up to 50.8g | Dimensions: 53.22 x 49.3 x 152.2 mm | Audio: Two custom-built unfastened receptor speakers | Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, USB-C | Microphone: Five-mic setup | Camera: 12MP ultra-wide

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Why we for illustration it: Unlike nan Meta Ray-Bans, which purpose to make a statement, nan Amazon Echo Frames travel a different philosophy: subtlety. They're not arsenic flashy arsenic nan number 1 pick, arsenic these devices prioritize practicality, blending into mundane life by looking for illustration a normal brace of achromatic glasses. As a result, nan instrumentality offers a discreet measurement to acquisition an enhanced world without drafting attention. They are truthful low-profile that nan TSA didn't erstwhile extremity ZDNET's Managing Reviews Editor Kerry Wan while he was wearing them done airdrome security.

On committee Amazon's Echo Frames is nan company's sound assistant, Alexa. AI integration is seamless pinch Alexa, allowing users to power smart location devices, return calls, and perceive to podcasts aliases notifications without needing their phone.

Review: Amazon Echo Frames (3rd Gen)

Who it's for: First-time smart glasses buyers, particularly those intimidated by high-end options, will find this gadget much approachable and practical. I urge nan Echo Frames for group who want a low-profile, hands-free measurement to interact pinch Alexa and power their smart home. Similarly, nan instrumentality is perfect for anyone looking to bask audio contented while staying afloat alert of their surroundings.

Who should look elsewhere: Some mightiness find nan Echo Frame excessively basal for regular use. It doesn't person immoderate ocular overlays aliases supply immersive audio. As pointed retired successful his review, ZDNET's Managing Reviews Editor Kerry Wan states, "the glasses are awesome for vocal-only audio tracks and passable for thing multi-layered." What's more, nan on-device fastener controls tin beryllium confusing to navigate.

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Why we like it: Although nan Viture Pro XR is connected this database arsenic nan champion AR glasses for travel, you could besides reason that they're champion for regular productivity. They connection a ample 135-inch virtual show moving a silky soft 120Hz refresh rate. If that's not enough, this instrumentality provides a monolithic 120% boost successful brightness compared to nan erstwhile procreation -- each while keeping nan aforesaid comfortable design. According to ZDNET Contributing Writer Matthew Miller, " audio output from nan Viture Pro glasses is solid, acknowledgment to [the company's] business pinch [audio brand] Harman."

Sound comes from nan speakers connected nan broadside frame, pointing straight into your ears. People adjacent will hardly beryllium capable to perceive nan contented playing. Other notable features see on-screen measurement and brightness controls, integrated myopia dials, and vastly improved ray blocking.

Review: Viture Pro XR

Who it's for: People who recreation frequently, activity remotely, aliases conscionable want an immersive cinematic acquisition will get a batch retired of nan Viture Pro XR. Business group will admit nan support for aggregate displays. Gamers tin hook their Nintendo Switch to nan smart glasses and bask smooth, action-packed gameplay.

Who should look elsewhere: At $459, nan Viture Pro XR is simply a premium finance that mightiness not entreaty to casual users aliases those looking for basal smartglasses. The instrumentality is already competent connected its own, but definite features and usage cases require other hardware. For example, you will request nan Viture Pro Mobile Dock, which costs $129, to link nan glasses to a Nintendo Switch.

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Why we for illustration it: The RayNeo Air 3S delivers an unbeatable operation of value and performance. Thanks to nan stunning micro-OLED screen, nan image value is fantastic. Images are bright, crisp, and notably comfortable to look astatine for agelong sessions. It useful seamlessly pinch various devices, from iPhones to nan Nintendo Switch 2. Users besides get to bask a afloat immersive experience.

The glasses show a cinematic 201-inch integer surface and location an awesome four-speaker audio system. It's worthy mentioning that these devices are besides lightweight and adjustable, which makes them fragile. Fortunately, nan institution provides a sturdy case.

Review: RayNeo Air 3s

Who it's for: RayNeo's Air 3S smart glasses excel successful galore different areas. They're awesome to person connected manus while traveling, commuting, aliases astatine home. ZDNET Contributing Writer Matthew Miller has utilized this instrumentality connected planes, trains, and his sofa (not automobiles) to bask watching Netflix connected nan large virtual surface aliases play games connected his Nintendo Switch without bothering group adjacent to him.

Who should look elsewhere: These glasses are utilized for entertainment. The RayNeo Air 3S is not meant for productivity aliases immoderate precocious AR usage cases. It does not support nan Android OS. iOS is supported, albeit successful a constricted state. If you want thing for work, you're amended disconnected utilizing Viture Pro XR.

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Why we for illustration it: The Even Realties G1 smart glasses present subtle, useful augmented reality without drafting attention. In his review, ZDNET Contributing Writer Prakhar Khanna praised nan device's shape factor, pointing retired really his ain friends couldn't moreover show he was wearing an physics gadget. It's an lawsuit wherever "tech takes a backseat and manner sits successful nan front."

These glasses deficiency a camera and speakers, sporting only a group of microphones and a glance-up display. The surface provides clear, greenish integer matter pinch a 640 x 200-pixel solution that doesn't intrude connected a user's eyesight. The Even Realities G1 has six cardinal features, which see meticulous unrecorded translator and turn-by-turn navigation, each "without needing to cheque your phone". This is conscionable nan commencement for these glasses arsenic they person accordant updates.

Review: Even Realities G1

Who it's for: This introduction is simply a bully prime for travelers and moreover cyclists who worth discreet smart glasses that supply glance-based information. The navigation characteristic isn't distracting, truthful you tin support your eyes connected nan road. The teleprompter usability is adjuvant for presentations arsenic it tin show your book connected nan screen. And no, nan assemblage will not beryllium capable to notice. Information connected nan Even Realities G1 "can beryllium seen only astatine an angle."

Who should look elsewhere? The Even Realities G1 is nan astir costly action connected this list, starting astatine $599. And that doesn't facet successful add-ons for illustration medicine lenses ($150) aliases clip-on shades ($100). Also, they don't supply nan astir fulfilling mixed reality experience. Many of nan features request further polishing.

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The champion AR glasses are nan Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses for their comfortable design, powerful audio system, and multimodal AI. It isn't nan only action to consider. If you're considering getting thing else, nan array beneath compares nan champion devices according to price, weight, and connectivity options.

AR glasses	Price	Weight	Connectivity
Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses	$299	51g	Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, USB-C
Amazon Echo Frames (3rd Gen)	$270	37.6g	Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C
Viture Pro XR	$499	77g	Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.2, USB-C
RayNeo Air 3S	$225	44g	USB-C and Bluetooth
Even Realities G1	$599	44g	Bluetooth 5.2, USB-C

AR and MR glasses are awesome crossed aggregate areas, but immoderate are amended than others successful definite scenarios. Some excel successful gaming, while others tin thief you study astir nan world astir you. For these reasons, you request to cognize what you're looking for successful a brace of either AR aliases MR glasses. You don't want to bargain a instrumentality that won't meet your needs. Here's really to fig retired which exemplary is nan champion for you:

Choose these AR glasses...	If you want...
Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses	The champion wide option. Lightweight and comfortable to wear, Meta's Ray-Ban glasses travel pinch respective AI-powered features.
Amazon Echo Frames	The champion entry-level option. Amazon's Echo Frames service arsenic an hold of Alexa and tin person commands via built-in microphones.
Virture Pro XR	The champion recreation option. This brace sports a lightweight creation and integrated myopia dials to thief trim oculus fatigue complete agelong periods.
RayNeo Air 3S	The champion multimedia option. RayNeo's instrumentality tin task a 201-inch virtual surface that runs astatine a refresh complaint of 120Hz.
Even Realities G1	The champion AR glasses for navigation. These glasses supply clear turn-by-turn navigation that isn't distracting.

Augmented and mixed reality tin heighten your surroundings successful different ways. AR tech helps group successful their lives by acting arsenic a individual adjunct of sorts. They tin supply penetration into nan taxable and grounds videos from your unsocial perspective. MX devices do thing similar, though they tin besides immerse you successful a backstage integer space. Whichever 1 you prefer, they stock respective factors that must beryllium considered earlier purchase.

Design: Design is arguably nan astir captious facet erstwhile choosing 1 of these devices. It doesn't matter really galore neat features a brace has. If nan AR glasses aren't uncomfortable, they're not worthy purchasing. For this, we paid attraction to lightweight models that fresh comfortably. The RayNeo Air 2s is champion successful this class arsenic it has a elastic creation and excels successful ergonomics.
Use case: How you scheme to usage AR aliases MR glasses is important because it straight affects what you buy. Are they for intermezo aliases gaming? Then you're champion disconnected pinch nan MR glasses because, arsenic we've established earlier, they present an immersive experience. Do you want thing that assists you successful your day-to-day life? Then, nan Amazon Echo Frames are recommended arsenic they connection speedy entree to Alexa and your smart location gadgets.
Software compatibility: How good a brace of AR/MR glasses integrates into a tech ecosystem determines their usability and affects what apps they person entree to. The RayNeo Air 2s is compatible pinch a wide scope of devices, including, but not constricted to, iPhones, gaming consoles, MacBooks, and iPads. Those Ray-Ban smart glasses do peculiarly good pinch Meta's societal media platforms. You tin upload straight to them done nan headset.
Interactivity: AR and MR glasses interact pinch nan world successful different ways. The erstwhile operates by receiving sound aliases motion commands. You straight pass Alexa aliases Meta's adjunct precisely what to do. Some return a different approach, relying connected outer hardware. The XREAL Beam Pro looks for illustration a smartphone, but it's a media hub that connects to MR glasses and delivers a VR-like experience.

Latest info connected AR and MR glasses successful 2025

Multiple brands showed disconnected their caller wearable devices astatine CES 2025. We saw nan Halliday AI smartglasses, which supply akin functionality to nan Meta Ray-Bans, albeit successful a slimmer shape factor. These person a "unique on-screen show that projects textual information" successful existent time, from translations to incoming texts and notifications.

Also: CES 2025: The 8 astir precocious smart glasses we tried - and were impressed by

There was besides nan Nuance Audio, a brace of "smart glasses pinch built-in proceeding aids." They location six microphones crossed their frame, which propulsion successful extracurricular sound, amplify it, and output nan boosted sound done nan speakers. Notable marque Xreal demonstrated its One Pro model, which utilizes a "proprietary spatial computing chip" successful bid to present a vibrant virtual show astatine a refresh complaint of 120Hz.

Many of nan smart glasses that we saw astatine CES 2025 haven't been officially released yet, isolated from for nan Rokid AR. This instrumentality delivers a elephantine 300-inch virtual surface pinch a opposition ratio of 100,000:1.

Yes, location is 1 that I would recommend. It's called nan Viture Pro Neckband, a instrumentality that "serves arsenic a contented hub for [the company's] XR glasses" arsenic good arsenic introduces respective caller features. This includes nan expertise to play contented stored connected nan Neckband, present multi-screen support, and alteration manus gestures, each without needing to link to your smartphone. It's a awesome companion to nan Viture Pro XR glasses.

Also: This neckband for my XR glasses was nan upgrade I didn't cognize I needed

Smartglasses person predominant updates, improving wide capacity and addressing immoderate lingering bugs. Most updates are thing of note, but sometimes nan devices get a caller feature. In precocious April 2025, nan Meta Ray-Ban smartglasses gained unrecorded translation. This allows nan brace to construe circumstantial languages successful existent clip done nan glasses. At nan clip of this writing, nan characteristic only "supports English, French, Italian, and Spanish."

Also: Your Meta Ray-Bans conscionable sewage a large update for free - and it feels for illustration subject fiction

It tin beryllium difficult to show nan quality betwixt nan 2 position because they're often utilized interchangeably, but location are chopped differences betwixt them. Smart glasses person simpler functionality. They purpose to heighten nan world by providing accusation that overlaps pinch nan surrounding environment, specified arsenic giving specifications astir a landmark. It's for illustration having a thief surface pinch you astatine each times. AR tech actively changes nan world by displaying overlays aliases giving entree to an AI assistant.

The Meta Ray-Bans toed nan statement betwixt smart glasses and AR glasses. On nan surface, they look to beryllium thing much than smart glasses pinch a fewer other tricks. However, you recognize they connection truthful overmuch more. You tin bask different media types, grounds videos, and construe different languages successful real-time.

XR stands for Extended Reality, and it is besides utilized interchangeably pinch mixed reality aliases augmented reality, which leads to a batch of confusion.

XR is an umbrella word that encompasses a wide scope of technologies, specified arsenic virtual reality, AR, and MR. It is simply a type of tech tin of overlaying accusation digitally complete a real-world environment. The grade depends connected nan tech itself. As you already know, VR wholly engulfs you successful a integer space. AR injects a fewer pieces of accusation into your view. MR sits successful nan middle, providing immoderate overlays.

Yes, AR glasses are safe to usage for nan astir part. No studies person shown that they origin imperishable oculus damage, blurred vision, aliases lowered extent perception. However, broadside effects do exist. According to a recent study by nan University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf successful Hamburg, Germany, subjects reported experiencing headaches, aching eyes, and fatigue aft wearing AR glasses.

This isn't a problem exclusive to AR glasses. Symptoms for illustration those mentioned often hap to group who look astatine monitors and screens for hours connected end. Medical professionals person moreover dubbed it Computer Vision Syndrome. Eye strain tin beryllium easy fixed by taking predominant breaks and reducing brightness levels.

Latest updates

For our July 2025 update, we tested nan RayNeo Air 3S and added it to nan list.
For our April 2025 update, we tested nan Even Realities G1 and added it to nan list.