Meta Adventurer AI Glasses Review: Ray-Ban Meta for Less

Quick summary: The Meta Adventurer glasses cost less than Ray-Ban Meta and have basically the same features: great calls, open-ear music, Meta AI, a camera and regular updates. The differences are mostly style and fit. Smart glasses were my favorite product of 2025, and I can’t see myself going back to regular glasses.

Phone calls

Calls are probably what I use these for most. The six microphones handle windy days and busy streets, and nobody has ever complained they couldn’t hear me. Since the speakers are open-ear, it can be hard to hear the other person in really loud places, so I just cup my ears.

Sponsor: VR Wave lenses

This video was sponsored by VR Wave, whose lenses I have in basically all of my glasses, including these: transition lenses with my prescription. They offer prescription, transition and sunglass lenses in many colors and designs for much less than Meta or Ray-Ban, and they’re easy to install. Use code gtv10.

Music

They get pretty loud for walks and bike rides. They don’t sound quite as good as earbuds, but they’re close enough that this is how I listen to music almost all the time. Very loud places, like near construction, are tough.

Meta AI and apps

Say “Hey Meta” and it answers within a couple of seconds, with a choice of voices, including celebrity voices. It can look through the camera to identify a plant or suggest what to make from your fridge. I’d say it’s 80 to 90% as good as ChatGPT or Gemini. It works with Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, your calendar, Gmail and more. Like my 2022 Tesla, the glasses keep getting new features in updates every month or two.

Comfort and style

They’re lightweight and comfortable, about the same weight as the Ray-Bans. They’re mostly black plastic without Ray-Ban’s metal accents. With sunglass lenses they look as good as Ray-Bans, but with clear lenses I think I look slightly better in the Ray-Bans. The controls match Ray-Ban Meta, except the power switch is on the opposite side. The adjustable nose bridge lets you pinch it for a better fit.

Battery and case

I get five to seven hours of mixed use, or as little as about 45 minutes of heavy video recording. I didn’t like the case at first, but it folds flat to slide into a pocket, and it charges the glasses more consistently than the Ray-Ban case.

Camera

It won’t replace your phone, but it’s great for quick POV photos and videos.

Verdict

They’re the same glasses as Ray-Ban Meta in a different style. If you like the look, get these and save money. They’re $299, and I wouldn’t be shocked to see about $229 around Black Friday. My sister tried them and wanted a pair right away.

• Meta Adventurer glasses at Meta
• Meta Adventurer glasses at Best Buy
• VR Wave lenses for Meta glasses, code gtv10