Smart glasses integrate technology into eyeglass frames to enable hands-free access to calling, music, fitness tracking, photography, augmented reality and more. Once seen only in movies, functional consumer models now exist from brands like Bose, Amazon and Ray-Ban – with some costing under $200!
In this guide, I cover the top five smart glasses available in 2023 based on critical performance benchmarks like sound quality, feature set and overall usability. My decade testing the latest consumer gadgets equipped me to evaluate overall quality and showcase models best aligned to typical needs.
For each pair, I summarize standout capabilities, price tag, pros/cons and ideal buyer. Let‘s dive in to find the right smart glasses to literally upgrade how you see the world!
Overview of Smart Glasses Covered
| Model | Key Features | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bose Frames | Bluetooth audio streaming; Touch controls; Polarized sunglass lenses | $249 | General Use |
| Amazon Echo Frames | Built-in Alexa assistant; Audio playback via directional speakers | $179 | Alexa Users |
| Ray-Ban Stories | Integrated cameras; Bluetooth calling; Speaker integration for music and videos | $299 | Social media content creation |
| Vuzix Blade | Advanced AR display via see-through lenses; Voice assistant; Air gesture controls | $999 | Tech early adopters |
| Razer Anzu | Blue light filtering lenses; Touch controls; Gaming mode with 60ms latency | $199 | Mobile gamers |
Now let‘s explore the benefits, limitations and ideal use cases for each pair of these breakthrough smart glasses transforming traditional eyewear into advanced heads-up displays!
Best Overall: Bose Frames
The sleek Bose Frames top our list for seamlessly adding audio streaming, call functionality and voice assistant access into fashionable sunglasses or eyeglasses. Listen to music, podcasts and calls entirely wirelessly by pairing with your phone once over Bluetooth.
Touch controls built into the frame’s right temple handle play/pause, volume adjustments, accepting calls and activating Siri or Google Assistant. The integrated microphone enables clear call quality even in noisy or windy outdoor conditions according to customer reviews.
Rather than fully covering your ears, proprietary Bose speaker systems in the frames direct soundwaves towards your eardrums. This open audio experience means you remain aware of traffic and ambient noises important for safety and spatial awareness. Comfortable narrow temples still allow long-term wearability as well.
Other key specifications for the Bose Frames include:
- Polarized or mirrored lens options lowering eye strain and glare during outdoor activities
- IPX4 water resistance certification for protection against splashes from any direction
- USB-C charging port providing up to 5.5 of listening time from 1-2 hour charging sessions
- Compatibility with iOS and Android devices through Bluetooth 5.1
For upscale design with unmatched wireless call and audio quality, the Bose Frames should top your wishlist!
Runner Up: Amazon Echo Frames
The Echo Frames smart glasses offer hands-free convenience as well by integrating Amazon’s beloved Alexa assistant directly into the eyewear. This gives you continual access to Alexa’s 80,000 skills including:
- Voice-controlled reminders, lists, calendar scheduling, music requests
- Smart home automation for lights, locks, appliances
- News updates, weather reports, sports scores
- Random fact questions, math queries and dictionary definitions
Amazon handles the audio streaming and microphone components exceptionally as expected. But the true killer feature is having Alexa only a spoken word away throughout your day without grabbing your phone.
Additional specifications include:
- Interchangeable lens styles like polarized, blue light filtering, and prescription
- Hard charging case providing up to 3 full recharges
- IPX4 water/sweat resistance
- 2 to 4 hours run time depending on tasks performed
- Physical buttons for common controls like volume
Fans of Alexa in the house who want Amazon’s voice assistant riding shotgun (but keeping eyes safely forward!) will love the Echo Frames.
Best for Capturing Social Content: Ray-Ban Stories
Legacy eyewear maker Ray-Ban teamed up with Meta (Facebook) to create fashion-forward Ray-Ban Stories smart glasses with an integrated cameras for easily snapping photos and video to share online. Each side of the frame contains a discrete speaker as well for streaming music or taking calls.
Dual 5MP cameras face forward to capture the same vantage point you see. A quick tap or voice command takes a picture while holding activates 30 or 60 second video recording with audio picked up by three built-in microphones. You store captures locally or share them online seamlessly. A white LED on the front flashes subtlety whenever the camera records as both a status indicator and courtesy to others.
Heavy Meta integration also enables streaming video live through Facebook or interacting with Facebook Messenger. Specs-wise the Ray-Ban Stories include:
- 32GB internal storage for up to 500 photos or 100 videos
- Qualcomm® Snapdragon processor powering robust performance
- 6+ hour battery life rating
- Case providing up to 3 full charges
For those active on Facebook wanting smart glasses tightly aligned with content creation and sharing on social media platforms, Ray-Ban Stories become indispensable.
Best for Tech Early Adopters: Vuzix Blade Upgraded Smart Glasses
While the other options on our list resemble normal glasses, companies like Vuzix offer next-generation smart glasses showcasing more radical augmented reality (AR) possibilities on the horizon. The Vuzix Blade Upgraded model features see-through lenses projecting overlays only you view as the wearer.
An 8-core processor runs on Android to power robust functionality supporting AR visuals, environment mapping, head tracking and motion sensing, Wi-Fi/Bluetooth connectivity and more. Built-in cameras enable taking pictures, scanning QR codes or barcodes and mapping spaces in 3D.
Navigate entirely via voice commands and responses thanks to Alexa integration. For example, ask to pull up directions and follow accompanying arrows overlaid onto the real-world in front of you. Video streaming and AR gaming become more immersive seen directly through smart lenses rather than a separate smartphone screen held at arm’s length.
Connect to an external monitor or television via USB-C to share and collaborate as well. Although the $999 price limits casual purchase interest, the unique capabilities make the Vuzix Blade smart AR glasses a consideration for early adopters wanting a glimpse into our inevitably smarter eyewear future powered by contextual computing.
Smart Glasses Buying Guide
When evaluating your first pair of smart glasses, keep the following considerations in mind while comparing models:
Intended Use Case
What core smart features do you require? Prioritize must-have functionality around things like hands-free music, voice assistance access, fitness tracking etc. rather than unnecessary bells and whistles.
Design Style and Fit
You won’t take advantage of smart capabilities if the glasses seem bulky, awkward or uncomfortable on your face. Carefully measure and test frames on your face shape. Many now come in small, medium and large sizing. Prioritize form factor and weight supporting long-term wearability.
Audio Quality
Sound becomes more integral for streaming music or taking calls through smart glasses rather than a handheld phone. Determine minimum speaker frequency range, bass support and maximum volume necessary based on your listening tastes.
Battery Life
Compare rated battery life against your average daily usage. Favor models touting faster recharge times as well to minimize downtime without assistive capabilities on hand.
Smart Assistant Integration
Do you require continual access to Siri, Google Assistant or Alexa for robust voice commands? Or will simple touch or button controls suffice for more basic functions like audio playback?
Connectivity
Ensure the wireless and wired connectivity options match your needs and usage contexts. For example, Wi-Fi and cellular network access better facilitates untethered capability from your smartphone when on the go.
Price
With smart glasses just now hitting mainstream appeal, expect to spend over $200 minimum for reputable branded models right now. Flagship options reach towards $1000 for early adopters. Determine budgets based on valued features and price sensitivity.
FAQs about Smart Glasses
What tasks are smart glasses actually useful for?
Most smart glasses available today primarily excel at phone-like capabilities hands-free. This includes playing music, taking calls, capturing photos/videos and accessing voice assistants. Streamlined access to these common smartphone functions while keeping your eyes ahead makes smart glasses ideal for:
- Safe driving/biking – control music and navigation without taking eyes off the road
- Multi-tasking – quickly reference information and triggers commands without pocketing your phone while moving
- Documenting activities – first-person recording from your own visual perspective
- Enhanced awareness in general – ambient hearing of surroundings mixed with helpful audio privately directed towards you
Do smart glasses fully replace smartphones?
In short, no they do not. Nearly all current consumer models depend on connecting to your smartphone via Bluetooth to enable core functionality by tapping into the phone‘s stronger processor and network connectivity. Fully stand-alone models remain rare but improving with advancing component miniaturization.
Think of smart glasses now as enhancing smartphones for hands-free help rather than replacing them outright. But tighter future integration sure seems inevitable!
Are smart glasses safe to wear all day?
Optometrist groups like the AOA warn against overuse of smart glasses and extended wear for now. We simply lack long-term studies on how frequent near-eye projections and screen viewing affects eye development and focus regulation.
Experts suggest limiting smart glass usage to 30-60 minutes at a time for teens and taking regular screen breaks like we now emphasize for phones and computers. Some models offer blue light filters reducing eye strain from excessive high-energy wavelengths as well.
Overall though, build smart glasses into your eyewear rotation rather than an everyday habit – at least until more research supports prolonged use.
Final Thoughts
After covering the landscape of leading smart glasses releases available this year, two common recommendations stand out:
For hands-free music streaming, wireless calling and voice assistant access in a polished design – Bose Frames.
For full-time Alexa guidance taking smart speakers up a notch – Amazon Echo Frames.
Those two leaders currently deliver the most versatility and polish for integrating helpful phone-like features directly into your field of view. More radical augmented reality displays show enormous promise but remain expensive developer kits best suited for early adopters rather than general consumers – for now at least!
Within just a few years though, expect continual smart glasses improvements making them indispensable wearable accessories:
- Enabling contextual computing by knowing our exact situation and needs
- Linking seamlessly with other wearables like smart watches
- Moving closer towards functional invisibility
Smart glasses promise to redefine personal computing as technology caught up with ourboldest sci-fi visions. But much like the smartphone revolution, realize we still just scratch the surface imagining how smarter eyewear stands to benefit people and progress when widely embraced.
