The Best Smart Glasses for Every Type of Person on Your List

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Everyone's talking about AI, but smart glasses may be the technology that owns the future. The hardware is finally powerful enough to be useful instead of gimmicky, and everyone from mega-tech companies like Meta, Apple, and Google to dozens of smaller firms are looking toward a future where everyone is rocking a face computer. If you want to spoil someone on your gift-giving list this year with a pair, the sheer range of styles, features, and price points can be daunting—so I put together this guide to help you find the perfect pair for any recipient.

I've tested a ton of different smart glasses for Lifehacker, from super high-tech AR shades like the XReal One Pro to amusing novelties like the Chamelo Music Shield, but I wear Ray-Ban Metas regularly. They look good, they're comfortable, and they play music, take pictures and video, stream content, and allow access to an AI agent, all hands-free. If you can deal with potential backlash and don't mind buying into Meta's architecture, they're a great option for many folks on your list. Check out my full review for more details.

Best smart glasses for gamers and travelers: Xreal XBX a01

You can use XReal's XBX a01 smart glasses to watch movies, play games, and use your computer. Just plug them into any device with USB-C video, and you're in business. The display is impressive—the equivalent of a 147" TV at 1080p—and they're inexpensive (relatively) at around $299. If your giftee travels by air often or could use a second display for their computer, XReal glasses are a great option. Check out my full review for more details.

Best smart glasses for professionals and techies: Even Realities G2 smart glasses

You can't watch videos on them, but Even Realities G2 glasses can be worn every day and give users a HUD—glancing upwards turns on a monochrome screen that discreetly displays a map, news feed, and other information. They have built-in AI you can access instantly, and hundreds of specialized apps that do everything from identifying bird calls to helping tune a guitar. Check out my full review for more details.

Best smart glasses for athletes: Bleequp Rangers

The $379 Bleequp Rangers don't have an AI voice assistant or any kind of display, but if your recipient would get a thrill from documenting their runs or bike rides, these lightweight sports glasses take 16MP still images and hi-def video, and feature open-ear audio, turn-by-turn navigation, and a walkie-talkie. It's everything you need on a long ride or run, and the optional battery pack provides up to four hours of recording time. Check out my full review for more details.

Best smart glasses for the fashion-forward: Chamelo Music Shield

I'm not sure Chamelo's Music Shield even counts as a pair of "smart glasses," but they're so cool, I had to include them. They don't have AI, a camera, or an in-lens display, but they play music, and the lenses change from light to dark with a swipe of a finger, so your giftee can choose the best tint for light conditions or coordination with their outfit. It's a gimmick, but it's super slick. Check out my full review for more details.

What to know about the different kinds of smart glasses

The term “smart glasses” is almost too broad to be useful. It's been applied to everything from AI-enabled sunglasses to augmented reality display glasses. Roughly speaking, smart glasses exist across the following categories, although most straddle a few classifications:

Audio-first smart glasses

These are basically earbuds embedded in glasses. They're designed to play music, take calls, and often to let you talk to an AI assistant, and rely on your phone to do the heavy lifting. They don’t have displays and don't have a camera.

Who they're for: Anyone who wants to take hands-free phone calls or listen to podcasts without the hassle of earbuds.

Example: Reebok Smart Audio Glasses.

Camera-first smart glasses

Camera glasses produce high-quality stills and video from almost invisible cameras. Cool, but controversial. Even with the consumer backlash, camera glasses represent about 80% of the smart glasses market and are currently where the big players like Apple and Samsung are placing their bets.

Who they're for: Streamers and anyone else who wants to capture life on the fly without holding up their phone.

Example: Ray-Ban Metas.

Media-first smart glasses

These glasses are basically high-def monitors you can slip in your pocket. They're designed for video streaming, gaming, and productivity and require a tether to another device like a game system, smartphone, or PC. They're perfect for watching movies on flights.

Who they're for: Frequent travelers and anyone who wants to privately watch high-definition video.

Example: XReal One Pro.

HUD-style smart glasses

These glasses provide a private display and can be used for things like glancing at turn-by-turn walking directions, getting incoming notifications, reading a teleprompter, and instant transcription. They're generally designed to look like standard glasses or sunglasses, and you can wear them all day.

Who they're for: Cutting-edge tech fans and busy professionals.

Example: Even Realities G2.