Best Smart Glasses Reviews of 2024

They may look like ordinary eyewear, but these futuristic frames are transforming how we interact with the world.

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Smart glasses have come a long way following the demise of Google Glass. Since then, the category has quietly progressed, with companies like Meta, Amazon, Snap, and Viture continuing to chase the dream of sci-fi face computers. Instead of clunky, conspicuous designs, modern smart glasses often resemble standard eyewear, blending seamlessly into everyday life. With all these advancements, it’s worth asking: What exactly are smart glasses, and how do they work?

Smart glasses are wearable devices that can incorporate a mix of augmented reality (AR), artificial intelligence (AI), speakers, and multimedia capabilities, with specific features varying by model. AR-enabled smart glasses, for instance, can overlay digital content directly in your field of vision. Unlike traditional screens, you look through these glasses, leaving your hands free to interact with virtual objects in your surroundings.

While smart glasses haven’t quite lived up to their initial hype, they continue to show promise in revolutionizing how we interact with the digital world, with Apple’s Vision Pro mixed reality headset setting the standard for what the future can be. From offering real-time information and assistance to delivering immersive entertainment experiences, today’s best smart glasses offer us a glimpse into a new era of wearable technology.

Although smart glasses have been around for a while, they haven’t quite kept up with the advancements seen in smartphones and other wearables. Still, we’re getting closer to the sci-fi future that pop culture has long promised. If you’re considering picking up smart glasses now, there are several factors to consider.

Display technology is the most important factor for smart glasses that support AR. Modern smart glasses use birdbath optics, which position the picture downward then reflect the visuals close to the wearer’s eye for a rich, full HD projection that seems to appear several feet in front of you. Paired with micro OLED displays for each eye, this creates a rich and vibrant image that frees you from the size limitations of physical screens and pops from your surroundings. Make sure any smart glasses you purchase have at least a 1080p resolution and a 45-degree field of view.

Battery life remains the Achilles’ heel of smart glasses. Some of the most powerful AR models rely on an external power source, like a phone or battery. Other models, including the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, feature a built-in battery that can last roughly four hours on a single charge. Intensive features like AR or continuous video recording can deplete battery life quickly, so you’ll need to be cautious with your usage. If you plan to wear smart glasses throughout the day, prioritize models with extended battery life or fast-charging capabilities.

Next, you want to ensure the fit is comfortable enough for extended use. To do this, look for smart glasses with plenty of adjustability. Take note of different arm heights, the number of nose bridges included, and whether there is built-in diopter tuning for nearsightedness. A proper fit ensures there’s minimal (or no) blur and that you won’t lose any corners of your content. Modern smart glasses have come a long way from bulky and nerdy prototypes like Google Glass. Take into account if you like the design to find a pair that fits with your style.

As with any new device you add to your arsenal, it’s crucial to consider how well the smart glasses will integrate with your existing setup. Check if your preferred glasses are compatible with your smartphone and whether they offer dedicated apps for seamless control and customization.

Smart glasses of old were either bulky or had a distinct sci-fi appearance. In contrast, modern iterations boast more elegant designs that look increasingly similar to standard eyewear. Models from Meta and Amazon look no different from the eyeglasses and sunglasses millions of people wear everyday. Before buying a pair, finding a balance between technology and style will ensure you get the most out of your investment.

Our recommendations are the result of rigorous testing and comprehensive research. Hunter Fenollol, Test Editor at Popular Mechanics, spent a month testing various models and found the XREAL Air AR Glasses and TCL NXTWEAR S RayNeo XR Glasses to be his top picks. For this update, I performed an analysis of the market, evaluating the latest models against the criteria listed above. I also used my personal experience with smart glasses and consulted previous Popular Mechanics coverage. Finally, I reviewed expert opinions and user feedback from across the industry.

The Amazon Echo Frames take a far more minimal approach to smart glasses, which isn’t a bad thing. They look just like regular glasses and are available in various shapes, sizes, and styles, making it easy to find a pair that suits you. Their clean, classic design features UV400 protection, IPX4 water and sweat resistance, polarized lenses, and an anti-reflective coating to reduce glare. But what elevates the Echo Frames is their open-ear audio performance.

Echo Frames feature open-ear audio architecture designed to improve sound quality when playing music, listening to podcasts, and taking phone calls. The sound is directed to your ears, so you can hear everything more clearly, and sounds are also minimized for others around you. The Echo Frames support an auto volume feature that will automatically adjust the volume based on the ambient noise around you. In other words, they’re a solid alternative to wireless earbuds, giving you a rich audio experience without anything in your ears.

In addition, the Echo Frames feature customizable buttons to control calls and notifications, turn the microphone on/off, start and pause music, and talk to Alexa. While they aren’t the most feature-packed option available, they offer solid audio capabilities in a sleek package.

With the ability to capture great photos and videos, as well as live stream, the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses are tailor-made for today’s social media-obsessed world. And they look amazing, coming in dozens of configurations, with two frame styles, seven colors, and multiple lens options. They’re also among the smartest smart glasses available, with multimodal AI capabilities to, for example, translate a sign or tell you about the history of a building you’re looking at.

All things considered, the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses feel most like what it would be like to be in a spy movie. They make it incredibly easy to share your point of view right to Instagram or save it to share later. Meta’s smart glasses are also great for making calls and listening to music, making them a well-rounded option if you don’t need AR features.

If you want a private theater experience beamed to your eyeballs, look no further than the Viture Pro XR. These smart glasses provide you with a 135-inch screen, making your favorite movies look fantastic wherever you go. The screen also boasts an impressive brightness and beautiful color reproduction thanks to the Micro-OLED tech, which is adjustable for those who suffer from myopia.

The Viture Pro XR supports spatial computing by connecting to your Mac or PC, with a multi-display option for separate workspaces. In fact, the glasses allow you to set up displays in several different configurations, from a single 21:9 ultrawide to a dual display setup with one vertical screen. Other features include an electrochromic film to block out ambient light and give you complete privacy, so someone sitting next to you won’t be able to snoop on what you’re watching.

When you imagine the ideal smart glasses, the Viture Pro XR comes pretty close. While they’re on the pricey side, their features and viewing experience justify the investment.

Brandon Russell is a freelance writer covering gear and technology. He started his journey as a news writer at a small newspaper and later began reviewing smartphones, movies, and video games. In his free time, he enjoys the slower, more intentional experience of using a 35mm film camera and making short videos about movies he grew up watching.

Hunter Fenollol, our resident expert of all things consumer tech, from smart home to VR gaming headsets, has years of knowledge creating product explainers, in-depth reviews, and buying guides to help you get the most from the latest electronics. Throughout college, he covered and reviewed the latest gadget releases for sites like Tom’s Guide, Laptop Magazine, and CNN Underscored. If he’s not elbow-deep in the latest hardware, you can find Hunter at one of Long Island’s many beaches, in Manhattan, or gambling away his paycheck.

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