Meta Ray Bans Six Months In Five Amazing Features

As a tech reporter, I often find myself at events and conferences surrounded by fellow gadget enthusiasts. A clear indicator of a product's quality is when reporters and attendees alike are not only raving about it but also investing their own money in it. The buzz around the Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses has been undeniable.

Read more about a related product: Meta's new $399 Oakley smart glasses beat the Ray-Bans in almost every way.

This widespread enthusiasm isn't just anecdotal; sales figures confirm the trend. EssilorLuxottica, the manufacturer of the glasses, reported in February that two million pairs of Meta Ray-Bans have been sold since their launch in October 2023. After hearing so many positive reviews, I decided to get a pair for myself.

Being an eyeglass wearer and an openly photo-obsessed Gen-Zer, these smartglasses seemed like a perfect match. Having worn them for five months, including at events such as CES, I've identified some favorite features. Surprisingly, my top picks aren't what I initially anticipated.

1. Impressive Audio Performance

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

I often forget I'm wearing smart glasses until I scroll through social media and hear audio playing. The sound quality is genuinely comparable to using good earbuds with ambient mode or 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.

Another significant advantage is the microphone quality. I rely heavily on audio messages for communication, and I was initially concerned that the glasses might make sending them inconvenient. However, the glasses capture my voice naturally and clearly, performing even better than some earbuds I've tested.

Consider reading: I tested Meta's transparent Ray-Ban smart glasses, and they're a near-perfect accessory for me.

2. AI-Powered Translation at Your Fingertips

Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNET

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 discover that the Meta Ray-Bans include an AI-powered live translation feature at no extra cost.

Learn more: Your Meta Ray-Bans just got a major feature upgrade for free - and it feels surreal.

While AI translation isn't something one might use daily, it's incredibly reassuring to know you have an assistant readily available for situations where you need it. Having grown up in a Spanish-speaking household and being fluent, I tested the technology with my mom in real time. I was impressed by its accuracy, quick setup, and ease of use.

3. Seamless Access to Multimodal Meta AI

Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNET

Many of us might not use an AI voice assistant on our phones daily, but what makes this technology exceptional on these smartglasses is its accessibility.

The beauty of the Meta Ray-Bans is that you often forget you're wearing them. This means you can go about your day—washing dishes, folding clothes, sweeping, or commuting—without needing your phone, yet still have access to important features like push notifications, music, and AI assistance.

Explore further: The best AI chatbots of 2025: ChatGPT, Copilot, and notable alternatives.

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 on the glasses as context. In that scenario, you could even ask, "How long before I flip this?" and the assistant would use visual context to provide an answer. Because the cameras are positioned to see what you see, the assistance can be even more helpful. This feature continues to impress me every time I use it.

4. Unique Point-of-View Filming Capabilities

Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNET

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

Imagine being on an amusement park ride, walking through a venue, or cooking a meal; viewers can see exactly what you're experiencing. This point-of-view experience is similar to what a GoPro device offers. However, if you're like me and not an extreme adrenaline junkie, this option might be more practical, despite some differences in quality.

Related news: Apple's Meta Ray-Bans killer is only one of four major launches in 2027 - here's the list.

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 quicker than pulling out your phone and hitting the record button.

5. Sleek and Unassuming Form Factor

Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNET

Last but certainly not least, I couldn't discuss the Meta Ray-Bans without praising their form factor. In the photo above, I've placed them side-by-side with my everyday glasses, and you can see they look remarkably similar, despite housing numerous components like cameras, microphones, speakers, and a battery. Most people can't even tell that the Ray-Bans are smart glasses, unless they are fellow tech enthusiasts.

A Notable Drawback: The Battery Life

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 halfway through my day, which isn't ideal. This is why the newly announced Oakley Meta glasses are so appealing; they are rated to last upwards of eight hours.

There's also no way to charge the Ray-Ban glasses while they're on your face, though an additional component for that would likely add to their existing weight. My workaround is to wear the Meta Ray-Bans when I specifically know I'll need their features, rather than wearing them all day, every day.

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