The Best Smart Glasses for Every Person on Your List
Everyone’s talking about artificial intelligence, but smart glasses could be the technology of the future. Hardware is finally powerful enough to be useful rather than just a useless gadget, and everyone—from mega-tech companies like Meta , Apple , and Google to dozens of smaller firms—is looking to a future where everyone uses a “face computer.” If you’re looking to delight someone on your gift list this year, the sheer variety of styles, features, and price points can be overwhelming—so I’ve put together this guide to help you find the perfect pair for any recipient.
Best Smart Glasses for Everyday Use: Ray-Ban Meta
For Lifehacker, I’ve tested a variety of smart glasses, from high-tech augmented reality glasses like the XReal One Pro to fun new releases like the Chamelo Music Shield , but I regularly wear the Ray-Ban Meta. They look good, are comfortable, play music, take photos and videos, stream content, and let you interact with an AI agent—all hands-free. If you’re not put off by the potential criticism and the Meta’s architecture, it’s a great option for many. Read more in my full review .
The Best Smart Glasses for Gamers and Travelers: Xreal XBX a01
The XReal XBX a01 smart glasses can be used for watching movies, playing games, and working on a computer. Simply connect them to any device with a USB-C port, and you’re ready to go. The display is impressive—equivalent to a 147-inch TV with 1080p resolution—and they’re relatively inexpensive, at around $299. If your gift recipient is a frequent flyer or needs a second display for their computer, the XReal glasses are a great option. Read my full review for more details .
The best smart glasses for professionals and tech enthusiasts: Even Realities G2 smart glasses.
While these glasses aren’t suitable for watching videos, the Even Realities G2 are wearable every day and offer a user interface—just glance up to activate a monochrome screen that discreetly displays maps, news feeds, and other information. They also feature built-in AI, which can be accessed instantly, and hundreds of specialized apps that do everything from recognizing bird calls to tuning a guitar. Read more in my full review .
Best Smart Glasses for Athletes: Bleequip Rangers
The $379 Bleekup Rangers glasses don’t have an AI voice assistant or any kind of display, but if your recipient enjoys videotaping their runs or bike rides, these lightweight sports glasses offer 16MP photos and HD video, as well as open-back headphones, turn-by-turn navigation, and a walkie-talkie function. It’s everything you need for a long ride or run, and the optional battery provides up to four hours of recording time. Read my full review for more details.
The Best Smart Glasses for the Fashion-Favorite: Chamelo Music Shield
I’m not sure if Chamelo’s Music Shield can even be classified as “smart glasses,” but they’re so cool I had to include them in this review. They don’t have artificial intelligence, a camera, or an on-lens display, but they do play music, and the lenses change from light to dark with a swipe, so your gift recipient can choose the perfect shade based on lighting conditions or their outfit. It’s a marketing ploy, of course, but a really cool one. Read my full review for more details.
What you need to know about the different types of smart glasses
The term “smart glasses” is too broad to be useful. It applies to everything from AI-enabled sunglasses to augmented reality glasses. Broadly speaking, smart glasses fall into the following categories, although most span multiple levels:
Smart glasses with sound priority
Essentially, they’re headphones inserted into glasses. They’re designed for playing music, taking calls, and often communicating with a voice assistant, while your phone does the bulk of the work. They have no display or camera.
Who they’re for: Anyone who wants to make hands-free phone calls or listen to podcasts without the hassle of using headphones.
Example: Reebok smart audio glasses .
Smart glasses with camera priority
Camera glasses allow you to take high-quality photos and videos using virtually invisible cameras. Cool, but controversial. Despite the negative consumer reaction, camera glasses account for about 80% of the smart glasses market, and major players like Apple and Samsung are currently banking on them.
Who they’re for : Streamers and anyone who wants to capture life on the go without holding their phone.
Example: Ray-Ban Metas .
Smart glasses focused on media content
These glasses are essentially high-resolution monitors you can put in your pocket. They’re designed for streaming video, gaming, and work, and require connection to another device, such as a gaming console, smartphone, or PC. They’re ideal for watching movies on a plane.
Who they’re for: Frequent travelers and anyone who wants to watch high-definition video in privacy.
Example: XReal One Pro .
Smart glasses with a HUD
These glasses provide privacy and can be used, for example, to quickly view turn-by-turn directions, receive notifications, read teleprompter text, and perform instant transcription. They typically look like regular eyeglasses or sunglasses and can be worn all day.
Who are they for : For fans of advanced technologies and busy professionals.
Example : Even Realities G2 .