The smart glasses market is heating up, and Meta is making a big push with its collaborations. Two prominent contenders vying for a spot on your face are the Ray-Ban Meta and the Oakley Meta HSTN. Both offer a blend of style and technology, but cater to different needs and preferences. Here's a detailed comparison to help you decide which pair is the right fit for your everyday life:
Design and Comfort:
The Ray-Ban Meta embodies a classic eyewear aesthetic. With a variety of frame styles and lens options, including transitions between clear, green, brown, and red, they seamlessly blend into your everyday wardrobe. The Ray-Ban Meta also offers more frame color options, including a special transparent option, offering more customization. They are designed for all-day wearability, whether you're at the office or out running errands. The Ray-Ban Meta offers standard and large options, with the standard weighing 49 grams.
The Oakley Meta HSTN, on the other hand, sports a bolder, sport-oriented design based on the HSTN style of Oakley glasses. They have a rounded lens and noticeable notched nose pads. With an IPX4 water resistance rating, these glasses are built for active lifestyles, able to withstand splashes, rain, and sweat. The Oakley Meta HSTN is available in a single size and weighs 53g. Select pairs come with Oakley's PRIZM lens technology, enhancing vision and contrast in varying light conditions. The Oakley HSTN is only available in one color option, and it only gets the Prizm 24K polarized lens, which is designed for sports and outdoor settings.
Features and Performance:
Both the Ray-Ban Meta and the Oakley Meta HSTN share core functionalities, including a 12MP ultra-wide camera for capturing photos and videos, open-ear speakers for audio playback, and integration with Meta AI for hands-free assistance.
- Camera: While both glasses have a 12MP camera, the Oakley Meta HSTN can record in 3K (Ultra HD) video, while the Ray-Ban Meta is limited to 1080p.
- Audio: Both feature open-ear speakers that allow you to listen to music and podcasts without completely blocking out ambient sound.
- Meta AI: Both glasses integrate Meta AI, allowing you to ask questions, get translations, and control certain functions with voice commands. For example, you can ask Meta to take a video or ask questions about your surroundings.
- Battery Life: The Oakley Meta HSTN boasts a longer battery life, offering up to 8 hours of typical use compared to the Ray-Ban Meta's 4 hours. The Oakley's charging case also provides more additional hours of use: 48 compared to Ray-Ban's 36.
- Other Features: The Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses have a 12MP Ultra-wide camera above the left lens that offers 4032x3024 resolution and can record photos or videos.
Pricing and Availability:
As of July 2025, the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses are generally more affordable, starting at $299. The Oakley Meta HSTN starts at $399, with limited edition models priced at $499. The Oakley Meta HSTN will be available in the US, Canada, UK, and other countries.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Choose Ray-Ban Meta if: You prioritize classic style and a seamless blend with your everyday look. You're looking for a more budget-friendly option.
- Choose Oakley Meta HSTN if: You have an active lifestyle and need water-resistant eyewear. You want superior video recording quality and longer battery life.
Ultimately, the best choice depends on your individual needs and priorities. Consider how you plan to use the smart glasses and which features are most important to you.
