Review: Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses

I’ve worn glasses for 16 years, not by choice, but because genetics decided my eyes should be decorative rather than functional.

Until now, my specs have been glorified face shackles, a burden that I have accepted will be a life long one thanks to Final Destination solidifying my choice to never have laser eye surgery.

That is, until I met these seductive little tech goblins disguised as Ray Bans - fancy.

Because I’ve officially entered my AI villain era and I’m doing it in prescription lenses, thank you very much.

Specs for Specs:

I went full throttle and ordered the Wayfarer Ray Ban Meta Smart Glasses with prescription lenses and transition tints, because I’m bougie but also sun-sensitive and legally blind.

The damage? £568. And honestly? I don’t think the price point is particularly bad when you consider the basic model is £299 (without prescription and transitions) and mine now serve as, My daily life support lenses, sunglasses, because squinting gives me migraines and wrinkles, and a hands free AI assistant so I can look important while forgetting why I entered a room.

For something I wear literally all day, I’m definitely not mad at the price. And as someone who doesn’t splurge often, unless you count takeaways and impulsive charity shop hauls - this felt more like redemption than retail.

Also, the delivery was fast (9 days to be exact) especially for a custom made item, packaging was fancy AF, and setup took less time than it takes to mentally recover from reading a work email.

What’s in the Box:

They come with a sleek, brown leather charging case, which somehow manages to whisper “I cost money”  without screaming it. Drop them in, they charge, fast. No cables. No mess. No ritual sacrifices needed, and very pretty lights!

It's giving 007 meets lifestyle blogger with too many secrets.

Comfort Level:

Shockingly comfortable. I expected them to feel like wearing a small laptop on my face, but no. Light, balanced, unbothered. The fact that there’s an entire computer nestled in my temple and it doesn’t give me neck ache? Witchcraft. Or exceptional engineering. Either way, I’m in.

The Style:

I went with the Wayfarer style, because it matches the classic, slightly intellectual, slightly “don’t talk to me unless you have coffee” vibe my face usually gives off.

But the other styles in the Meta range? Just as fancy and fashion forward. Even my husband, a man who only wears sunglasses once a year and calls my skincare “potions” is now saving up for a clear-frame pair. If that’s not influence, I don’t know what is.

Fun Fact: The Ray-Ban Original Wayfarer Classics are the most recognisable style in the history of sunglasses. The Wayfarer Classic was initially designed in 1952 and since then has been popular with people with the most impeccable fashion sense (hey 🙋🏼‍♀️) many have based their styles on these as they are such a cult favourite, and if you’re an elder emo like me, you might remember popping out the lenses of those 3D glasses you got at the cinema right? yeah, that design? Based on these. So maybe my little emo heart actually chose this style because somewhere deep down, they reminded me of a better, less complicated time. Queue throwback to 2010...

Functionality AKA, What These Bad Boys Can Actually Do:

This is where it gets very sexy;

• Take voice activated photos and videos, so you can document chaos without lifting a finger

• Stream music and podcasts directly into your skull via open ear speakers that somehow don’t blast sound to everyone nearby

• Answer calls like a secret agent (no trench coat required)

• Livestream to socials, if oversharing is your religion

• Activate Meta AI, which is like having a helpful demon whispering facts in your ear at your command

• Live translation in 3 languages, so you can flirt, escape, order wine in a different country like a pro, or just like pretend you’re cultured

  
  

And yes, all of this actually works in the UK, not just in fictional American tech utopias.

The App Experience:

Surprisingly slick, I think even my mother could use it. Once your glasses are turned on, everything you’ve captured syncs effortlessly to the Meta View app. No dragging, no lost clips, no weird file names like “DCIM93849.jpg.” Just smooth, clean import.

You can also change the AI voice, mine currently speaks like Judi Dench because I deserve to be judged in velvet tones.

Other options? John Cena. Why? Because reality is a simulation and we may as well enjoy it.

Downsides (Because Sometimes Life Just Isn’t Fair):

The battery, while decent, and just to note, this is definitely understandable, it’s just not built for emotionally intense catch-ups.

A 15 minute Videocall on WhatsApp drained 37% of the battery. So while it’s brilliant for snapping, listening, or light chatting - unless your bestie’s tale of her fish’s new hat is essential, keep your calls short and tragic.

Standard battery life with moderate usage is 4 hours but as long as you have your case on you, your golden at a 75 minute charge in there.

Final Thoughts:

These are not just smart glasses. These are spite - glasses for the modern age. They do everything, they look good doing it, and they’ve got just enough dystopian energy to make me feel powerful.

They’re techy without being geeky, and stylish without trying too hard. I finally have glasses that pull their own damn weight, unlike most of my emotional baggage.

9.5/10  point five deducted for the battery guzzling, but everything else? Sinfully good.

Would I Recommend Them?

100% I love these glasses more than I’ve loved some people. They’re smart, stylish, wildly capable, and genuinely useful.

As a daily glasses wearer, I finally feel like I’m getting more out of them than sore ears and foggy lenses.

These are practical, powerful, and just futuristic enough to make me feel like I’ve got my life together (even if I absolutely don’t). As always, not an ad, not an affiliate, just a woman with weak eyesight, strong opinions, and a dangerous curiosity for wearable tech.