Awesome - Meta Ray-Ban Review

Over the past year, I’ve grown surprisingly attached to the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses. Whether used as a discreet camera, a pair of headphones, or simply sunglasses, they deliver useful features in a design that doesn’t announce itself as a gadget. That subtlety is a large part of their appeal.

I test a lot of technology in my work as a reviewer, but it’s rare I spend 12 months living with a device before forming a verdict. The Ray-Ban Meta—Meta’s second-generation smart glasses collaboration with the iconic eyewear brand—warranted that time. My initial scepticism about the partnership has given way to the view that these are among the most enjoyable and practical wearables to emerge in recent years.

Unlike early efforts such as Google Glass, which quickly became notorious, the Ray-Ban Meta manages to look like a normal pair of sunglasses. Available in Wayfarer, Headliner and Skyler styles, they come in a range of colours and lens types. I opted for the understated black Wayfarer frame, though there are more vibrant transparent finishes for those who prefer something bolder. Prescription lenses are also available.

Design and Features

The arms are slightly thicker than regular Ray-Bans to house the batteries, speakers and circuitry. A 12MP camera sits at the edge of the right lens, with a small white indicator light on the opposite side to show when photos or video are being captured. On the inside of the left arm, there’s a power switch, and you’ll need a Meta account to set up and use the glasses.

Pairing with your Facebook, Instagram, Messenger and WhatsApp accounts is straightforward, and from there, you can start taking photos and videos. Recording is triggered by pressing a small button on the top of the right arm. A camera shutter sound plays in your ear via speakers subtly embedded along the arms.

Photos are captured with a wide-angle lens. Early shots often appeared skewed, but Meta has since added an AI feature to automatically straighten them in the companion app. Daytime image quality is impressive, though low light performance remains poor. Videos, on the other hand, are crisp and well stabilised, with a maximum recording length of three minutes—more than enough to capture daily moments without turning the glasses into a full action camera.

Sound and Controls

As headphones, the Ray-Ban Meta work well for podcasts, music and calls. The audio is clear and balanced, although not as immersive as good-quality earbuds. Volume levels can be a little low in noisy environments, but for walking or commuting they’re perfectly serviceable. Five microphones built into the frame also allow you to take voice calls and interact with Meta’s voice assistant.

I found Meta’s assistant more reliable than Apple’s Siri for simple tasks such as setting timers, adjusting volume and taking photos hands-free. In the US, you can also ask the glasses to identify objects using the camera, though this feature is yet to roll out fully in the UK. When I tested it, it worked accurately, identifying items like plants and products with little fuss.

The right arm’s touch-sensitive panel makes playback controls intuitive. You can tap to pause, swipe to adjust volume or skip tracks, all without reaching for your phone.

Battery Life and Practicalities

Battery life is one of the few drawbacks. Depending on your usage, you’ll get around four hours of continuous operation. When depleted, the glasses must be placed back in their charging case—a smartly designed faux-leather case that charges via USB-C. It’s a tidy system but not as convenient as all-day wearables.

Another practical consideration is sizing. The glasses are available in standard and large sizes. I needed the larger frame for comfort—worth checking before you buy, especially if you have a broader head.

Style and Public Perception

One of the most interesting aspects of wearing the Ray-Ban Meta has been observing how others react. Most people assume you’re simply wearing sunglasses until they notice the camera, at which point some become uneasy about potential covert recording. A small indicator light is intended to address this, but not everyone finds it reassuring. While people are accustomed to phones being held up for photos, the idea of face-mounted cameras still prompts suspicion.

Personally, I appreciated the discretion. Unlike more conspicuous headsets—Apple’s Vision Pro being a prime example—the Ray-Ban Meta don’t draw undue attention. They look and feel like a normal, stylish pair of Ray-Bans, which is exactly the point.

Verdict

Starting at £299, these glasses aren’t cheap, but they offer an impressive blend of design and function. They excel by focusing on a few features—photo and video capture, audio playback, and voice assistance—and doing them well, rather than overloading the product with gimmicks.

The fact they remain comfortable, inconspicuous and genuinely useful after a year of daily life says a lot. If you’re comfortable linking your data to Meta and want a wearable that’s practical without being ostentatious, the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses are an outstanding choice.

I expect to keep wearing them well into next year.