Meta Ray Bans Surprising Features After Months Of Use

Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNET

As a tech reporter, I frequently attend events and conferences alongside fellow gadget enthusiasts. It's a clear indicator of a product's quality when both reporters and attendees are not only raving about it but also purchasing it with their own money. Everywhere I went, the glowing reviews for the Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses were impossible to ignore.

It's also worth noting discussions around potential competitors, such as Apple's rumored response to Meta Ray-Bans, supposedly part of four major launches in 2027.

This trend wasn't just anecdotal; sales figures confirmed the buzz. EssilorLuxottica, the glasses' producer, reported in February that two million pairs of Meta Ray-Bans had been sold since their October 2023 launch. After hearing so many positive accounts, I decided to get a pair for myself.

Being an eyeglass wearer and an admittedly photo-obsessed Gen-Zer, these smartglasses seemed like an ideal match. After five months of use, including at major tech events like CES, I've identified some standout features. Surprisingly, my top picks aren't what I initially anticipated.

1. Surprising Audio Performance Speakers and Mics

When I first considered getting the glasses, the dual cameras were the main draw. I never imagined that the audio would become my favorite feature. These smartglasses are equipped with five microphones and two custom-built open-ear speakers that deliver surprisingly strong performance.

I often forget I'm wearing smart glasses until I start scrolling on social media and audio plays. The sound quality is honestly comparable to using good earbuds with an ambient mode or dedicated open-ear headphones, like the Shockz OpenFit. While there is some sound leakage, as a frequent user of open-ear headphones, this doesn't bother me.

For more insights, consider reading about Meta's transparent Ray-Ban smart glasses, which I found to be a near-perfect accessory.

Another significant advantage is the microphone quality. I rely heavily on audio messages, and I was concerned the glasses might make sending them inconvenient. Instead, they pick up my voice naturally and clearly, performing even better than some earbuds I've tested.

2. Impressive AI-Powered Live Translation

As an artificial intelligence (AI) reporter, I've tested numerous AI translation devices, and my inbox is constantly flooded with pitches for similar products. These devices are often expensive and serve only one purpose. That's why I was particularly excited to find that the Meta Ray-Bans include an AI-powered live translation feature at no extra cost.

This feature represents a major free upgrade for Meta Ray-Bans, and using it feels quite surreal.

While AI translation isn't an everyday necessity for everyone, it's reassuring to know you have a capable assistant readily available when needed. As someone who grew up in a Spanish-speaking household and is fluent, I tested the technology with my mom in real time. I was impressed by its accuracy, quick setup, and ease of use.

3. Convenient Multimodal Meta AI Assistant

Now, I understand that most people might not use an AI voice assistant on their phone daily, but what makes this technology exceptional on these smartglasses is its accessibility.

The best aspect of Meta Ray-Bans is that you often forget you're wearing them. This allows you to go about your day—washing dishes, folding clothes, sweeping, or commuting—without needing your phone, while still having access to important features like push notifications, music, and assistance.

For context on AI assistants, see this list of the best AI chatbots available.

For instance, if you're grilling outside and your phone is indoors, you can simply ask, "How long should I cook a burger on the grill before flipping?" The AI-enabled assistant is multimodal, meaning it uses the feed from the cameras at the top of the lenses for context.

In that scenario, you could ask something like, "How long before I flip this?" and the assistant would use the visual information to provide an answer. Because of the camera positioning, the glasses see what you see, which can be incredibly helpful. This feature never ceases to amaze me whenever I use it.

4. Unique First Person View Filming

This might seem like an obvious advantage, but if you create a lot of visual content, the Meta Ray-Bans are a fantastic addition to your toolkit. The camera placement in the glasses provides unique footage, literally from your point of view.

For example, whether you're on an amusement park ride, walking through a venue, or cooking a meal, viewers experience exactly what you are. This first-person perspective is similar to what you'd get from a GoPro device. Despite potentially inferior quality in some situations, if you're like me and not an extreme adrenaline junkie, this option might be more practical.

Keep an eye on YouTube's AI-driven features for 2025 for more on visual content trends.

Another benefit is the button's placement. It's prominently and conveniently located at the top of the right eye, so there's no fumbling when you spot something you want to film. This makes it even faster than taking out your phone and hitting the record button.

5. Deceptively Normal Stylish Form Factor

Last but not least, I can't discuss the Meta Ray-Bans without praising their form factor. In the original article's photo (not shown here, but illustrating the point), they are placed side-by-side with regular eyeglasses, and they look remarkably similar, despite housing components like cameras, microphones, speakers, and a battery. Most people, unless they are fellow tech enthusiasts, can't even tell that the Ray-Bans are smart glasses.

The Primary Drawback Battery Limitations

The battery life is a bit too short for my liking. In my experience, I can typically get them to last around six hours. However, this often means the glasses run out of power midway through my day, which isn't ideal.

Additionally, there's no way to charge the glasses while they are on your face, which seems like a design oversight. My workaround is to wear the Meta Ray-Bans specifically when I know I'll need their features, rather than wearing them all day, every day.