Smartphones have revolutionised the way we communicate, bank, play games and stay entertained. Smartwatches have become must-have health and fitness accessories, with millions now strapped to wrists worldwide. Now it’s the turn of smart glasses to tempt us into adding another gadget to our bodies. But are they just another tech fad, or could they become the next device we can’t live without?

Smart glasses aren’t new. They’ve been around for years. The difference is that today’s models are dramatically better than the early attempts. They’re lighter, more powerful and offer far better battery life.

Meta, in partnership with Ray-Ban, has been leading the charge. The 1st generation wearables were well received with them offering clever features whilst protecting eyes from the sun.

Now there’s the next generation of smart glasses from these firms, and they come with a big added bonus, as some can be fitted with prescription lenses.

As someone who’s seriously short-sighted, that’s a big deal. For the first time, I can properly test smart glasses without having to sacrifice actually being able to see.

Getting the Meta Ray-Bans was surprisingly straightforward. After a full eye test and thorough examination at my local Vision Express, I then had a fitting session to choose the right frames. The Meta Ray-Ban Gen 2 range comes in two main styles – Blayzer Optics and Scriber Optics.

I opted for the more square-shaped Blayzer frames, which, like any normal glasses, were sent away to be fitted with my prescription lenses.

Before I go any further, it’s worth talking about the price because this wasn’t a cheap trip to the opticians.

My final bill topped £700. Ouch. That included the £429 frames, an eye test and upgraded lenses with added extras, including “Transitions” technology, which automatically adds a tint when you head outside but returns to clear when things are darker.

Once all the faff of choosing the frames was over, I waited less than a week before they were ready for collection. Then it was finally time to see whether smart glasses really live up to the hype.

Living with Meta Ray-Bans

The biggest compliment I can give the Meta Ray-Bans is this: after a month of wearing them, I still reach for them almost every day. That’s not something I expected.

Thanks to a slimmer design, the second-generation glasses are noticeably lighter than the originals, while battery life has improved to around eight hours of typical use.

They’re slightly chunkier than my normal glasses, but I’ve had no issues wearing them all day.

The built-in speakers have quickly become one of my favourite features. They’re perfect for listening to music, podcasts or watching the odd viral video without reaching for headphones or disturbing people around you.

The touch controls on the arms are responsive, and Meta’s AI assistant is genuinely useful.

You can ask simple questions about the weather or the time, but it’s more impressive when you point the glasses at a landmark, statue or artwork. They’ll identify what you’re looking at and give you a surprisingly detailed explanation. You can even ask the glasses to remember which hotel room you are staying in, so you don’t end up wandering the corridors after a few drinks at the bar.

The camera, tucked discreetly into the corner of the frame, is also better than I expected.

Image quality is impressive considering the tiny sensor, and being able to capture hands-free photos and videos has been more useful than I imagined.

The downsides

Unfortunately, the camera is also where things become a little uncomfortable. There have already been reports of people secretly recording others with smart glasses, and that inevitably creates a bit of a creep factor.

When I recently visited a primary school to give a talk about my job as a journalist, I deliberately left the Meta Ray-Bans at home. Quite rightly, schools have strict rules around cameras and recording devices, and I didn’t want anyone to feel uneasy. This issue basically means you won’t want to give up your standard spectacles anytime soon.

To Meta and Ray-Ban’s credit, a bright LED flashes whenever the camera is recording or taking a photo. The problem is that most people don’t know that.

I’ve had more than a few curious looks from strangers after they spotted the camera, and several people have asked whether I was wearing smart glasses. I completely understand their concerns. Nobody wants to wonder whether they’re being filmed without their permission.

Privacy isn’t my only concern. To unlock the best features, you have to grant Meta access to a significant amount of personal data, including your location, microphone and contacts. Meta says this information helps keep the glasses and companion app secure, reliable and working properly.

Even so, it’s a level of access that many people – myself included – may find uncomfortable.

Then there’s the AI itself. Like every smart assistant, it’s not always accurate.

During one weekend, I asked who had claimed pole position for the 2026 Austrian Grand Prix. The glasses confidently answered Oscar Piastri. The correct answer was George Russell. It’s a reminder that, while the technology is impressive, it’s still far from infallible.

My feelings about the Meta Ray-Bans are surprisingly mixed. I don’t love how much data Meta potentially collects. The battery won’t quite last a full day. The AI is clever, but not consistently reliable. And the camera still raises understandable privacy concerns.

The fact that Meta is also moving towards charging a subscription for some AI features could make these glasses an expensive proposition in the long run.

And yet… I genuinely enjoy wearing them.

The charging case is excellent, the design is stylish enough that nobody realises they’re smart glasses at first glance, the speakers have become something I use every day, and the camera – despite my reservations – has proved genuinely useful.

They’re undeniably expensive, and the smart features still need refining. But the biggest surprise is that they’ve earned a permanent place in my daily routine.

I still wear my traditional (non-smart) glasses, but the Meta Ray-Bans have ended up on my face far more often than I thought they would.

That’s probably the strongest endorsement I can give. Smart glasses still aren’t essential. Not yet.

But if this is where the technology is today, it’s easy to imagine a future where they become just as commonplace as smartphones and smartwatches.