Best Smart Glasses
Updated: Feb. 10, 2023Want some wearable technology? Smart glasses let you view info, listen to music, make calls and more, without taking your phone out of your pocket.
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What to Think About When Buying Smart Glasses
Technology that’s wearable: Smart glasses are the ultimate hands-free devices. Some brands offer AR (augmented reality), play music, capture video or make phone calls. Before purchasing a pair, consider your budget and the features you want.
Keep in mind you’ll need to decide whether to buy sunglasses, prescription or non-prescription lenses. Some brands only offer one option.
Best All-Around Smart Glasses
Second generation Echo Frames ($220), with Amazon’s Alexa voice-control built-in, let you make calls, set reminders, listen to podcasts or control your smart home without lifting a finger. You get more than four hours of non-stop listening or two hours of talk time on a full battery charge. The open-ear design of the prescription-ready frames directs sound to your ears only, minimizing what people around you overhear.
Best Budget Smart Sunglasses
Your first foray into the eyeglass smart world needn’t bust the bank. Starting at an affordable $149, the Lucyd Lyte Wayfarer (square frames) or Lyte Round Bluetooth Smart Audio Sunglasses are great for delivering the basics: Bluetooth music, calls and voice assistance for hands-free navigating through life’s daily duties.
The frames are crazy comfortable, and water- and scratch-resistant. They can be configured with your corrective lens prescription.
Best Smart Glasses for Photos and Video
Snapchat (yes, that social media messaging app with cute animal filters) introduces the next generation of smart glasses with Spectacles by Snapchat ($380). These fashionable and powerful glasses capture 60 frames per minute of high-quality photos and videos in 3D with not one, but two HD cameras.
Vloggers will appreciate the high-fidelity audio that records experiences and encounters with four built-in microphones. Video and images wirelessly sync to your phone where they can be shared on Snapchat, exported and saved for later, or printed for a hard-copy memory.
Best Smart Glasses for Audio
The first name in speakers, Bose Frames ($249) are the smart sunglasses to replace your outdated headphones. Choose from two chic styles: the Soprano with large frames right out of Old Hollywood; and Tenor, a retro square frame with a keyhole bridge.
In a high-gloss black finish, both styles feature built-in Bose speakers that provide rich, immersive sound via open-ear audio. The integrated microphone gives you tap, touch or swipe control for access to your phone’s virtual assistant.
Best Smart Glasses for Drones
One of the first all-self-contained augmented reality smart glasses, the Vuzix Blade Upgraded Smart Glasses allow you to capture live video footage when paired with a DJI drone.
Download the free app, then connect the remote controller with the Blade glasses to view and fly the drone while tracking battery status, height, speed and more, all without looking at a monitor. These smart glasses may not win tons of style points, but their functionality explains the $800 price tag.
Best Smart Glasses for Cycling
Everysight Raptors are augmented reality glasses designed to provide cyclists with real-time information on speed, cadence, power and heart rate, while also showing smartphone notifications and navigation guidance.
Aerodynamic to reduce drag for better performance, these smart glasses start at $599. Accessories such as a tinted visor and ergonomic handlebar controllers sold separately. Everything looks cooler when wearing Raptors.
All prices and links were current as of publication.
