I've spent the last three days wearing Meta's new Ray-Ban AI glasses, and I have a confession: I wasn't particularly impressed (at first).
They're essentially sunglasses with earbuds inside. Meta's AI assistant is built-in, which is useful, but nothing about them feels especially groundbreaking. After everything we've heard about the future of AI wearables, I expected something more, especially since I have Ray Ban Meta Display glasses and have found them quite useful.
And yet, after three days with the Ray-Ban Meta Audio-Only Burbank glasses, I find myself reaching for them now whenever I leave the house.
I wore them to my son's soccer game. I brought them to the trampoline park. I've used them while driving, running errands and doing the ordinary things that make up most of my day. Somewhere along the way, I realized I was reaching for my phone a lot less.
The biggest surprise wasn't something Meta added to these glasses. It was what the company took away. Since there's no camera, that changes everything.
Burbank (Audio): $349
The Ray-Ban Meta Audio glasses offer many of the features of Meta's camera-equipped smart glasses, minus the camera. You can listen to music and podcasts, take calls, send messages, hear navigation directions and ask Meta AI questions without reaching for your phone. They also support live translation and hands-free voice commands. The lightweight design, comfortable fit and optional Transitions lenses make them easy to wear throughout the day. You won't be taking photos, recording videos or asking AI to identify what you're looking at, but that's the point. These glasses deliver everyday convenience without making everyone around you wonder if they're being recorded.View Deal
Stylish and camera-free
Despite having Meta Ray-Ban Meta Display glasses, I never really got comfortable with the camera. I appreciate the technology and have even found them useful for tasks like shopping, but the glasses were clunky and I never got completely comfortable with the idea of walking around with a camera on my face.
There's something inherently awkward about it. Even when you're not recording anything, other people have no way of knowing that. You're wearing something that could potentially capture the people around you, whether they want to be part of your day or not.
And frankly, I don't want to be that person.
At my son's soccer game, I want to watch him play. At the trampoline park, I want to spend time with my kids. I don't want other parents wondering whether I'm filming their children. Taking the camera away eliminates that concern while leaving the best part about the glasses: using Meta's AI hands-free.
Smarts without the stares
The Burbank glasses look like regular Ray-Bans. They're stylish, lightweight and incredibly comfortable. I especially love the transition lenses, which make them useful both indoors and outside.
The best feature is how little I need my phone. The glasses really pack a surprising amount of functionality. Without reaching for my phone, I can listen to music and podcasts, make phone calls, send and receive messages, hear navigation directions and ask Meta AI questions.
They also support live translation between select languages, along with hands-free voice commands for controlling audio and accessing the assistant. Honestly, I never missed not being able to take pictures or record videos. The only thing that I wished I had occasionally was the ability to identify objects or read signs or menus written in a foreign language.
The audio-only glasses give many of the conveniences found in the best smart glasses without wearing a camera on your face, which to me makes them feel more like an everyday accessory.
Reaching for my phone less and less
At my son's soccer game, I realized I could keep my phone put away and still have access to the things I normally reach for it to do. I could listen to audio, use voice commands and ask Meta questions without digging through my bag or staring at a screen.
The same thing happened when I took my three kids to the trampoline park. I wasn't constantly thinking about my phone because the glasses made it easier to stay connected without holding anything.
As a parent of three kids, I spend enough time juggling bags, snacks, schedules and whatever else everyone needs at any given moment. Having one less thing in my hands is genuinely useful.
I also found myself using "Hey Meta" more naturally than I expected. There's something appealing about being able to ask a question out loud and get an answer without stopping what I'm doing. I don't have to open an app or even look at a screen.
Of course, the glasses aren't replacing my phone. They still rely on it for important functions. However, there's a difference between needing to have your phone nearby and needing to interact with it every few minutes.
Even better on the road
Since the glasses do not have a camera, I felt comfortable wearing them while driving. In fact, this was my favorite use because when I'm driving with my kids in the car, hearing directions isn't always easy. Between conversations, questions and the general noise of having three children, I've occasionally struggled to hear my phone telling me where to turn.
With the Ray-Bans, navigation audio comes directly through the glasses without being a hazard (like ear buds might be). Meanwhile, their open-ear design means I can still hear what's happening around me.
It's such a simple improvement, but I appreciate being able to hear directions without turning up the car speakers or asking everyone to be quiet.
As a reminder, there are important safety considerations here. Drivers still need to remain attentive to the road, and local laws governing headphones and other audio devices can vary. I'm not suggesting that interacting with an AI assistant while driving is a good idea. But for listening to turn-by-turn directions, I've found the glasses surprisingly convenient.
The takeaway (so far)
Taking out the camera has made me an even bigger fan of Ray Ban Meta glasses. And sure, I can already listen to music through earbuds. I can ask my phone questions. I can get navigation directions through my car speakers. None of these things are new.
The Ray-Ban Meta Audio glasses aren't going to replace my smartphone, and I'm not convinced they're a must-have purchase for everyone (yet). If you already own a good pair of sunglasses and wireless earbuds, you may struggle to justify adding another device to your life.
Still, what Meta has done with its new audio-only glasses is to bring those familiar features together in something I'm already comfortable wearing. And for me, that's enough. I've worn glasses since the age of two and have never needed ones with a camera.