Ray-Ban Meta Optics Review: A Great Fit Comes with a High Price – Engadget

As someone who wears contacts often, but uses my prescription glasses most days of the week, I don’t understand the Ray-Ban Meta glasses with see-through (but not prescription) lenses. I understand that having transition lenses can make an expensive pair of glasses useful in more situations, but I generally prefer the sunglass form factor because it’s better suited for situations where I want to reach for a pair of smart glasses.

I always thought I would feel different if I had my own prescription in a couple. After wearing the Ray-Ban Meta Optics as my primary glasses for a couple of weeks, I’m starting to see the appeal. The glasses are similar to the second-generation frames, but some upgrades make them lighter and more comfortable to wear all day.

One issue I’ve had with every pair of Ray-Ban Meta glasses is that the slightly oversized frames tend to slip on my nose. Along with the optical array, Meta made the internal nosepads interchangeable so you can get a more secure fit. I swapped out the “universal fit” pads that came out of the box for the “high bridge” pads and immediately noticed less slippage. A low bridge option is also included if you need it.

The “Schreiber” style frames I tested were still bulky, but they fit better on my face than the Gen 2 Wayfarers I tested last year. The tips of the glasses can also be shaped (at a meta store or optician’s office) so you can get a more precise fit, although this was not the case with my pair. I found the overextension hinges greatly aided overall comfort, and I had no problem with the glasses pressing uncomfortably around my ears like many frames do.

I also appreciated that the frame styles felt a bit more subtle than previous versions. The “Schreiber” frames I tested were larger than the glasses I usually choose, but the color scheme was more natural than the bright-colored or super-dark styles in Meta’s other lines. Several people told me they didn’t know I was wearing smart glasses rather than “regular” Ray-Ban frames.

The Meta has also slightly improved battery life compared to other Gen 2 glasses. The older Gen 2 model gets “up to 8 hours” of battery life, while the Blazer and Schreiber frames are rated for “over 8 hours,” according to Meta. Battery life in general depends on what you’re doing, some features will drain it very quickly. But I was able to easily wear my Scriber frames for more than 8 hours without a charge. It interjects audio from open-ear speakers and the occasional Meta AI application.

Carissa Bell for Engadget

The other big change to the Optical Line is the addition of an Action button, a customizable button that acts as a shortcut to frequently used commands. This feature first debuted on the Oakley Meta Vanguard sunglasses, which featured a button on the underside of the frames. On Optics-branded glasses, this is now a small extra button at the end of the main grip control.

When I reviewed the Vanguard shades, I never got down to the button’s “best” use case. But after some time with my latest frames, I think I’ve found the best setting. I use the “Custom Prompt” setting (which you can adjust in the Meta AI app) to “read my latest text message”.

This is great because while I appreciate my glasses notifying me when I receive an incoming text (similar to how Siri is with the AirPods), I don’t always want the Meta AI to start reading them by default. If I’m in the middle of a conversation or concentrating on a task it can be very distracting. But with an action button, I can give a quick push to listen to my texts without having to say, “Hey Meta.” It’s more subtle than looking at my phone.