• Ark's Newsletter
  • Posts
  • I Wore Ray-Ban Meta Glasses For A Week—Here’s What Happened!

I Wore Ray-Ban Meta Glasses For A Week—Here’s What Happened!

Ray-Ban Meta AI Smart Glasses: Are They Worth the Hype?

Author

Ark
June 23, 2025

Introduction

At first glance, the Ray-Ban Meta AI Smart Glasses might seem like just another stylish pair of Ray-Bans, but they’re packed with cutting-edge technology that sets them apart. Priced at £399, these glasses promise a blend of fashion and functionality with features like a built-in camera, speakers, and Meta’s AI capabilities. After using them for two weeks, I’m ready to share my thoughts on whether they live up to the hype. This review covers the pros, cons, and my final verdict on these innovative smart glasses. Full disclosure: I purchased these with my own money, and this review is not sponsored by Ray-Ban or Meta.

Who Are These Glasses For?

The Ray-Ban Meta AI Smart Glasses are designed for tech enthusiasts, content creators, and individuals who value accessibility features. The AI capabilities, such as the “Look and Ask” feature, make these glasses particularly useful for people with limited vision, offering real-time assistance like identifying objects or suggesting recipes based on visible ingredients. For content creators, the glasses provide a unique first-person POV perspective, perfect for capturing authentic, hands-free video content for social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook.

Pros of the Ray-Ban Meta AI Smart Glasses

Unique POV Camera

The standout feature of these glasses is the built-in camera, which records 1440p video at 30 fps and captures 12-megapixel photos. While the quality may not surpass that of a modern smartphone, the camera’s strength lies in its unique perspective. Positioned right in front of your eyes, it captures exactly what you see, eliminating the need for bulky setups like a GoPro strapped to your head. This makes it ideal for activities like sports, where a hands-free, first-person view is invaluable. I tested the camera during three activities:

  • Cycling: While biking through the countryside, the camera delivered smooth footage despite automatic exposure adjustments that caused slight jitter when looking at bright light sources like the sun.

  • Go-Karting: The stabilization was impressive, handling the intense vibrations and head movements of a bumpy circuit with ease, producing remarkably stable footage.

  • Tennis: Even during fast-paced movement on the court, the camera maintained excellent stabilization, capturing steady video while I ran at full speed.

The camera also prioritizes privacy, with an LED light that flashes to indicate when you’re recording video or taking a photo, ensuring those around you are aware.

Built-In Speakers

The glasses feature directional speakers built into the bridges, just above the ears. These deliver surprisingly good audio for music, podcasts, and phone calls, with minimal sound bleed at moderate volumes. At 75% volume, the audio remains clear, and even at close range, bystanders can barely hear it. This eliminates the need for earbuds, offering a seamless listening experience while maintaining awareness of your surroundings.

Transitional Lenses

These glasses come with transitional lenses that shift from clear to dark in about a minute when exposed to sunlight, functioning as both regular glasses and sunglasses. This makes them versatile for indoor and outdoor use, and they can be fitted with prescription lenses for added practicality.

Build Quality and Design

Despite being packed with technology, the glasses weigh only 49 grams—barely heavier than standard Ray-Bans. Made of high-quality plastic, they maintain the sleek, iconic Ray-Ban design. The included leather charging case looks like a standard glasses case but features a USB-C port and an LED indicator to show charge status. The case holds 32 hours of charge, and the glasses can be fully charged in 75 minutes or reach 50% in just 22 minutes.

AI Features

Meta’s AI integration adds significant value, particularly for accessibility. The “Look and Ask” feature allows users to query the AI about what they’re seeing. For example, I looked at my fridge and asked, “What can I cook with these ingredients?” The AI suggested dishes like pasta with marinara sauce and vegetable soups, which could be a game-changer for those with visual impairments. The glasses also support live translations and seamless livestreaming to Instagram and Facebook, though integration with platforms like TikTok or YouTube would be a welcome addition.

Audio Quality

The built-in microphone captures clear audio, even in outdoor settings. During a walk, I recorded audio straight from the glasses, and the quality was impressive, with minimal background noise even when kicking stones on a gravel path.

Storage and Water Resistance

With 32 GB of internal storage, the glasses can hold approximately 500 photos and 132 videos. They’re also IPX4 water-resistant, suitable for light splashes or sweat but not for swimming or heavy water exposure.

Cons of the Ray-Ban Meta AI Smart Glasses

Battery Life

Battery life is a significant drawback. With the “Hey Meta” voice activation feature turned off, the glasses last about 4 hours. However, heavy use of the camera, speakers, or AI features can drain the battery even faster. Frequent video recording, in particular, is a major power hog, so keeping the charging case handy is essential.

Video Limitations

The camera is limited to a 1440×1920 resolution with a vertical, social media-friendly aspect ratio (roughly 4:5). This can be frustrating for videographers who prefer a standard 16:9 aspect ratio or more control over settings like exposure or resolution. The resolution also varies slightly depending on stabilization needs, especially during high-movement activities. Additionally, video recording is capped at 3-minute clips, which may feel restrictive for some users.

Speaker Audio Quality

While the speakers are convenient, they lack the bass and richness of dedicated headphones or earbuds. They’re great for casual listening but won’t satisfy audiophiles seeking high-fidelity sound.

App Integration

To view photos and videos, you must connect to a temporary Wi-Fi network created by the glasses and use the Meta AI app. This process feels clunky compared to directly accessing files on a phone or camera. However, once transferred, media automatically saves to your phone’s camera roll.

Verdict: Should You Buy Them?

The Ray-Ban Meta AI Smart Glasses are a revolutionary tool for content creators and those who value accessibility. The POV camera offers a perspective that no other device can replicate, making it ideal for hands-free activities like sports, music, or crafting. The AI features, while niche, are a significant step forward for accessibility, and the speakers add a layer of convenience for everyday use. However, the battery life, video resolution limitations, and app integration could use improvement.

At £399, these glasses are a premium purchase. If you’re a social media content creator looking for a unique angle for Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, or other vertical content, these are a fantastic investment. For casual users or those with existing high-quality camera gear, the cost and limitations might make you hesitate. I’m still on the fence about keeping them myself, as they’re slightly too small for my head, and I already own professional camera equipment. However, their innovative features and unique perspective make them a compelling choice for the right user.

Final Thoughts

The Ray-Ban Meta AI Smart Glasses are more than just a stylish accessory—they’re a glimpse into the future of wearable tech. Whether you’re capturing dynamic POV footage, leveraging AI for accessibility, or enjoying music without earbuds, these glasses deliver a unique experience. If you’re intrigued, give them a try, but be prepared to manage the battery life and embrace their social media-centric design.

Subscribe to my email newsletter now.

Listen to my articles now. Click the below link

Buy my latest book on Amazon from here. Buy from Amazon

Affiliate Disclaimer:
This article may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you if you click through and make a purchase. As an affiliate, I only recommend products and services that I genuinely believe will add value to your holiday season. Your support helps me continue to create helpful content—thank you!