Meta Ray Ban Wayfarer (Gen 2)
Are the Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarer Smart Glasses Worth It?
There is some hype around “AI wearables” right now, but these glasses feel less like a gadget and more like just a really good pair of sunglasses that happen to have a little extra added.
Design & Comfort:
The biggest compliment I can give these glasses is that they just feel like Ray-Bans.
I was worried they would feel heavy or bulky, but they are incredibly comfortable. I compared them side-by-side with my standard, non-AI Ray-Ban sunglasses, and the size difference is negligible. They don’t scream “tech product.” Unless someone spots the tiny camera lenses in the corners, they just look like classic Wayfarers.
The Specs:
I will keep this non-technical, but it’s helpful to know what’s under the hood. Here is the breakdown of what you’re actually getting with the Gen 2 model:
- Camera: 12MP Ultra-wide camera (shoots 3K video)
- Audio: Open-ear custom speakers with a 5-microphone array
- Battery: ~8 hours on a single charge (up to 36 hours with the case)
- Storage: 32GB (holds roughly 500+ photos or 100+ videos)
- Weight: Approx. 48-50g (barely heavier than standard sunglasses)
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3
Audio & Voice:
Two things really shocked me here.
- The Speakers: The open-ear speakers work surprisingly well. You get decent sound without blocking out the world around you, which is great for walking around the city.
- The Microphone: It picks up my voice with zero issues. Whether I’m talking to the AI or taking a phone call, the 5-mic array cuts through background noise effectively.
Living with Them:
If you are going to get a pair of these, I have one major recommendation: Get the transition lenses.
I added the transition subscription lenses to my order, and it transforms the glasses. Being able to walk indoors without taking them off makes the smart features instantly more useful.
The battery life is decent, it easily gets me through the day with moderate use. The glasses charge directly inside their case, much like AirPods. It’s a sleek system, though it does mean you have to carry the specific case with you if you’re traveling.
Final Thoughts:
To use these, you are locked into the Meta ecosystem. I’ll be honest it sucks that I don’t have a choice of AI clients. I wish I could hook this up to the AI assistant of my choice. However, I have to admit that Meta’s AI works well for what the glasses are designed to do. Asking questions, getting quick info, or capturing media is seamless. They have optimized the software for the hardware, and you can feel it.
While I understand why Meta wants to focus on their own platform, my hope for the future is that we see more products like this that collaborate with mature designers but utilize a more open platform. For now, though, if you’re okay with the Meta “walled garden,” these are easily the best smart glasses you can buy.
