Introduction: Why I Chose Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses
I decided to get the Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses because, as someone who is visually impaired, I saw their potential to help me with everyday tasks. Imagine being able to read bus and train timetables, check ingredients on food packets, or follow cooking instructions without struggling. Growing up, many accessibility aids I encountered were too bulky or just not helpful. These glasses are different; they’re stylish, discreet, and genuinely work. They don’t improve my vision, but their built-in camera tells me what I can’t see. This is my Meta glasses 1 month review.
When I first unboxed them, I was genuinely excited. They look just like regular glasses, feel lightweight, and have a premium quality. My main goal for using them every day for a month was to get comfortable with them so I can use them whenever I need a bit of help. They offer incredible convenience; for example, at a bus stop, I can say, “Hey Meta, look and tell me when the next bus is.” This, along with handy features like replying to messages without looking at my phone, has been very useful.
George standing on a castle wall wearing his Meta glasses
The Lens Experience: Sunglasses vs. Clear Lenses
I chose to get both dedicated sunglasses and clear lenses, rather than relying on the transition ones. My reason? The transition lenses took too long to change for my light-sensitive eyes, they weren’t dark enough, and they didn’t work in cars and buses.
My Experience with Separate Lenses
Continuing with my Meta glasses 1 month review, let’s dive into my experience with the different lens options. I initially got the clear lenses, thinking I live in England and it is usually cloudy. They’ve been brilliant for reading things like parcel labels, food ingredients, and cooking instructions. When the sun eventually made an appearance, I invested in the sunglasses for outdoor wear. I’ve used them everywhere, even in a restaurant, asking them to find chicken options on the menu and then describe a specific meal.
The dark grey polarised sunglass lenses perform really well in all light conditions. Being very photophobic (light-sensitive), I found I wasn’t squinting at all behind them. They also work perfectly on cloudy or overcast days. The clear lenses have a subtle green tint which I’ve found helps with contrast. It can be a little tricky seeing into dark corners or under cupboards with them for example, but otherwise, they are very practical.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Dual Lenses
The biggest advantage of having separate pairs for different light conditions is the flexibility to swap them over and still use all the smart features. Many people who wear glasses already carry both their clear and sunglass pairs and simply switch them as needed, which is exactly what I do. Plus, when one pair is in use, the other can be charging in its case, ready to go when I need it.
A minor drawback is that if I need to take the glasses off, I only have one case with me. I could carry both cases, but that’s an extra item. This can be a bit annoying if I don’t have a bag with me. If you’re light-sensitive like me, I would recommend getting the sunglasses version. However, if this is less of an issue for you, the transition lenses are a good alternative, so you can use them indoors and outdoors.
Daily Life with the Glasses: The Core Experience
Now for the heart of this Meta glasses 1 month review: how they integrated into my daily life. The Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses have seamlessly integrated into my daily routine. I’ve used them at home, while travelling, walking my dog, running errands, and socialising.
Camera, Audio & AI Assistant
The photo and video quality genuinely surprised me. Their ability to capture a photo or video completely hands-free is amazing. I’ve used them to film my dogs from a point-of-view perspective and even to interview a colleague.
A point-of-view video of George playing with his dogs.
The built-in speakers are just like others – if the volume is very high, others might hear it. However, you don’t need a high volume to hear it clearly yourself, even on a busy road with cars passing by, as the speakers are right next to your ears.
The Meta AI assistant is incredibly effective. It’s like having tools such as ChatGPT or Gemini right there, at the tip of your tongue. You can ask it anything, like “What is the tallest building in the world and how long did it take to build?”, and you’ll get an instant answer. I found myself using it frequently.
Battery Life & Comfort
I’ve only had to charge the glasses once due to them running out of battery during my month of use. The battery life actually seems better than Meta claims. Once I put them in the case to charge, they were ready to wear again in about 30 minutes, if not sooner.
The glasses are made of plastic, and I did notice on very hot days that the bridge of my nose could get a little sweaty. Aside from that, they are very comfortable and fit snugly on my face and head, even for extended wear throughout the day.
Practicalities and Overall Impressions
Connecting the glasses to my phone and managing them with the Meta AI app was straightforward, with step-by-step guidance. During setup, I encountered a minor glitch where I couldn’t change the voice without losing the “look and see” feature. However, the default voice is fine for me, and most people don’t seem to have this issue.
My Top 3 Favourite Features
- The “Look and See” feature: This is a true game-changer. It allows me to “see” things like train and bus timetables that I normally can’t read, making independent travel much easier.
- AI Assistant on My Face: Having an AI assistant literally on my face is incredibly useful for getting quick information, anytime, anywhere.
- Hands-Free Camera/Video: The camera and video feature is fantastic. I can snap a photo without fumbling for my phone, or record a video with friends without shoving a phone in their faces.
Are They a Worthwhile Investment?
For me, these glasses have been an excellent investment. At around £250, they’re quite reasonably priced, especially when you consider that many standard prescription glasses can cost just as much. They are incredibly useful for visually impaired people, helping us interact with and navigate the world more independently. Beyond that, they’re just a really cool piece of tech, so anyone looking for a fun new gadget would enjoy them. Plus, you can easily have your own prescription lenses fitted into them.
Advice for Prospective Buyers
If you’re considering buying Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses, here’s my advice:
- For the AI features in particular, you might need to get used to giving commands if you’re not used to using AI. The better and clearer your command, the better the output.
- I highly recommend going to a shop that stocks them and trying them on first. This will help you see what style suits you best, determine the right lens type for your needs, and ensure a comfortable fit.
Conclusion: My Month-Long Verdict
To conclude this Meta glasses 1 month review, I am genuinely pleased I got myself a pair (or two!) of the Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses. They have helped me get around independently and in style. I will definitely continue using them daily as they’ve become so useful to me. They are now my main sunglasses, regardless of what I’m doing, even if I don’t specifically need to use their smart features. And did I mention they are just really cool!
Article by George King.
More information
If you have just got yourself a pair of the Meta Smart Glasses, you can find out more about useful commands in our How to Use the Meta Smart Glasses guide.
You can also find out more about the glasses from Meta.
For more news on visually impaired tech, visit out Tech News archives.
