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Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2 – My Week-Long Reality Check

Written by

Kristián Ivančo

in

I’ve been wearing the new Ray-Ban Meta (second generation) smart glasses for about a week, and I have Thoughts™.

Not a fancy lab test, no studio lighting. Just me, the glasses, and a bunch of everyday errands, coffee runs, bike rides, and dog walks.

Here’s the raw download.

The Setup: Why I Even Cared

Last year I flirted with the first-gen Ray-Ban/Meta collab. Loved the idea—take pictures without fishing for a phone, listen to music without jamming buds in your ears.

Reality back then? Meh. Battery anxiety. Cameras that felt like an afterthought.

So when Gen 2 dropped promising “better everything,” I caved.

First Vibes

Unboxing is super normal—like any pair of premium Ray-Bans. They don’t scream gadget.

Friends barely noticed until the tiny recording light blinked.

Comfort is a big win: they weigh about the same as my old Wayfarers. I wore them through a three-hour brunch without thinking “get these things off me.”

Everyday Use

  • Morning dog walk: I say “Hey Meta, take a photo,” and it just clicks. The new 12 MP camera is no joke; cloudy-day shots still look sharp.
  • Cycling commute: The open-ear speakers pump podcasts nicely. I can still hear cars, which is half the point.
  • Coffee shop: I tried a voice translation with a barista who only spoke a little English. Worked, though a bit slower than the demo videos suggest.

Battery-wise, I’m averaging a full day (around 7-8 hours mixed use) if I give them a top-up in the case at lunch. That’s miles better than Gen 1.

Things I’m Not Loving

  • Price pinch: USD 379 stings. You’re paying premium sunglasses money plus gadget tax.
  • Social awkwardness: Even with the obvious LED, people get twitchy when a camera might be running. I get it.
  • Voice lag: About once every dozen commands, it hangs like it’s thinking too hard.

The Subtle Magic

What keeps me reaching for them isn’t one killer feature—it’s the blend of tiny conveniences.

No fishing for my phone when my hands are full. Snapping a pic of a street musician without killing the vibe. Having music follow me room to room without plugging my ears.

It’s the same reason a smartwatch grows on you: not spectacular, just quietly helpful.

Would I Recommend?

If you’re gadget-curious and like the idea of hands-free everything, absolutely give Gen 2 a look.

If you just need sunglasses, or if privacy jitters make you sweat, you’ll probably roll your eyes and keep your $379.

Personally, I’m hooked enough that when I left them at home once, it felt weird—like forgetting my phone.

Not essential tech yet, but closer than I expected.

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