The Best Smart Glasses

Whether performing rigorous exercise or relaxing outdoors, music provides extra motivation and comfort when you need to disconnect from your surroundings. If you want to jam out to your favorite tunes without lugging around bulky speakers or losing your favorite headphones, smart glasses are a practical alternative. Instead of relying on equipment that can be distracting to others or too immersive for busy streets, audio drivers in smart glasses sit above the ear, providing crisp, clear sound. Discovering the best sets of smart glasses involved researching crucial characteristics, including overall comfort, durability, and audio clarity. As a market leader in all things music, it's no surprise that Bose took our top spot with its minimalist designs and broad spectrum of sounds. In addition, we were equally impressed by Gelete's comprehensive protection against scratches, moisture, and sunlight, especially when considering its attractive price point. Read on to fully explore what our top smart glasses have to offer.

Bose Alto Frames

Stylish sound

This pair has a modern style that will turn heads around every corner.
Best Overall

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The Bose Alto Frames offers a sleek style that looks more like a designer accessory than a piece of wearable tech. These minimalist smart glasses position their speakers slightly in front of your ear, directing sound towards your eardrum without overpowering the senses. If you want to stay alert while jamming out to your favorite tunes, these glasses are hard to match.

Pros:

  • We love the Bose Connect app because its equalizer allows you to optimize audio on busy streets.
  • While the charging cable is proprietary, the magnetic locking mechanism prevents damage to the port due to excessive use.
  • The Rondo style may fit more comfortably than the original Alto Frames if you have a smaller head.

Cons:

  • If you need music for the entire day, the four-hour battery life may be a bit limiting compared to standard earbuds.

Gelete Smart Glasses

Quality sound at a quality price

Changing tracks without losing focus on busy roads or walkways is a piece of cake.
Best Bargain

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If you’d like to experiment with smart glasses but don’t want to make a significant investment just yet, check out these glasses from Gelete. Available in six lens colors to choose from, these tech-savvy shades will work no matter your visibility requirements. Best of all, while some budget smart glasses reach their price point with inferior features, Gelete’s up-to-date Bluetooth protocols, rapid charging, and complete UV protection deliver a surprisingly comprehensive product.

Pros:

  • We appreciate that Gelete’s glasses can handle heavy rain without short-circuiting or harming the battery.
  • The microphone’s placement right next to the glasses hinges ensures crisp communication even in crowded stores.
  • The thirty-foot wireless range of this device means they’re perfect on bike rides or while hanging near the beach or pool.

Cons:

  • The frames are a bit heavy for the size and may irritate the tops of sensitive ears with prolonged use.

Inventiv Audio Sunglasses

A fit that won't quit

These glasses comfortably conform to your face during intense workouts.
Best Sport Glasses

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Inventiv’s audio sunglasses are built for users that demand accident-free workout sessions and tunes that put them in the zone. These glasses are free from excessive features, relying on a single button for power, switching tracks, and activating your phone’s virtual assistant. In addition, the frames feature a comfortable, rubberized coating that protects the internal components from accidental drops.

Pros:

  • We found that the streamlined design of these sunglasses cuts down on wind resistance for bikers and marathon runners alike.
  • While some manufacturers require proprietary software, Inventiv effortlessly connects to your favorite apps and is compatible with every operating system.
  • Each color tint is light enough to be worn in lower light settings later in the afternoon.

Cons:

  • Users have occasionally experienced a slight delay from one speaker to the other, which can sound disorienting.

Bose Tempo Frames

All day audio

You won't have to take a break from your task at hand for midday recharges with this pair.
Best Battery

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Serious training regimens and complex outdoor jobs require an unwavering focus all day long. If you’re sick of being slowed down by clunky interfaces and dead batteries, the Bose Tempo Frames will revolutionize your listening experience. These shatter-resistant shades pack a powerful, long-lasting battery yet are remarkably lightweight. Plus, the speaker openings tout enormous surface area, bringing out deep bass notes much better than the competition.

Pros:

  • The three pairs of interchangeable nose pads feature premium silicone that won’t irritate sensitive skin with excessive sweating.
  • The speaker’s nylon covering is exceptional at reducing the effects of wind and directing sound to your ears alone.
  • We love the motion sensing, buttonless interface because it reduces the risk of wear and tear due to dust accumulation.

Cons:

  • The built-in virtual assistant works independently of your personal AI and cannot control all of your phone’s features.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I prevent the battery in my smart glasses from degrading?

Rechargeable batteries are frequently misused, which can result in significantly lower capacity over time. As a rule of thumb, batteries lose potency when repeatedly charged or drained to very low power levels. If you use your glasses regularly, try not to let the battery fall below twenty percent, and remember to remove it from its outlet as soon as it reaches full capacity. In addition, you can help maintain power stability and increase battery longevity by occasionally letting your smart glasses die, a process known as power cycling.

What’s the best lens color for smart glasses? 

While vibrant sunglass colors can be a fashionable addition to your wardrobe, they serve a more practical purpose. Your lenses’ unique combination of thickness and color shade will produce a specific VLT or visible light transmission percentage. Shades with a high VLT allow more light to pass through their lenses before reaching your eyes. When conditions are stormy or overcast, hues of yellow and light red reign supreme. Blue and green tints deliver moderate light dampening, while dark red, black, and silver are best for blinding conditions on beaches and snowfields.

About the Author

Before becoming a writer, Evan worked as a senior data analyst in advertising and consumer retail. His goal is to help tech experts and amateurs alike make informed decisions about a wide range of electronics. Evan's hobbies include gaming, building computers, coding, and enjoying the great outdoors.

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With the constantly shifting landscape in the world of technology, GameRevolution seeks to provide gamers and tech-enthusiasts with the information they need to select the right products for their needs. Since 1996, our experts have used their knowledge on all the latest gadgets – everything from headphones to standing desks – to help millions of people navigate specs and answer common questions.