A lot of what’s showcased at the Consumer Electronics Show doesn’t make it to the market. Fortunately, some of the best smart glasses we saw at the show will, making the product category one of the most exciting ones going into the rest of 2025.
Also: CES 2025: The 15 most impressive products so far
Over the past week, ZDNET has been scouring the show floor to select the best of the best. The picks below aren’t just limited to AR glasses that compete with the Apple Vision Pro and similarly-functioning VR headsets; they include Meta Ray-Ban competitors, tint-changing wearables, and more. Here are our best picks, listed in no particular order.
1. Xreal One Pro
I flew into CES with my eyes set on smart glasses that didn’t simply extend or mirror my phone screen. With such AR glasses, the field of view is often too narrow for the comfortable, laid-back experience that companies pitch them to be. That changed when I put on the Xreal One Pro, which leverages a proprietary spatial computing chip to deliver sharp imagery, 120Hz refresh rates, and a steady projection.
Also: Xreal AR glasses just got a major computing upgrade that puts them at the top for me
My demo involved hooking up the glasses to a MacBook and browsing on an ultrawide screen that was anchored in mid-air. To my surprise, the floating windows stayed in place like how I remembered they did on more expensive headsets like the Quest 3 and Vision Pro. The Xreal One Pro won’t hit the market until March, but I’m eager to see how they perform when they do. – Kerry Wan
2. Inair Glasses
These “AI Spatial Computer” glasses include a keyboard and a pod. All of this fits inside a case, so you can carry the whole system wherever you go. They offer a 134-inch expansive virtual screen, which can be used to trigger up to six windows. The Pod is their external battery source, which allows them to last up to four hours on a single charge. You can connect both the glasses and the charger to the Pod but it’ll require a dongle since the device only sports one Type-C port.
Also: The upcoming Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses may feature the display upgrade we’ve been hoping for
These Qualcomm-powered glasses are already available in China for around $650 for the Pod and glasses. The Touchboard (keyboard) is a new accessory that lays flat inside the case and has a gesture-supported touchpad. The glasses themselves are lightweight at 77 grams, and in the 10-minute demo, they felt comfortable and intuitive. – Prakhar Khanna
3. Rokid AR Spatial
The Rokid AR glasses aren’t new but this was one of the most refined demos I’ve experienced at CES 2025. You can get up to a 300-inch Sony Micro OLED-powered screen that offers 600 nits brightness, up to a 120Hz refresh rate, and a 100,000:1 contrast ratio. You can use up to three screens on the virtual desktop.
Also: The Even Realities G1 are unlike any other smart glasses you’ve seen
These are also the world’s first smart AR glasses to feature intelligent myopia and pupillary adjustment, so you can enjoy the experience without your specs. I’d happily watch a movie on these glasses because of the 75-gram weight. They connect to an on-the-go hub with a proprietary operating system. These also support the iPhone’s spatial media to view your spatial videos on the glasses. You can purchase them now for $648<!–>. – Prakhar Khanna
4. Halliday AI smart glasses
Halliday came out of nowhere and took CES 2025 by storm with a pair of AI-powered glasses that offer similar functionalities as the Meta Ray-Ban but in a lighter form factor. A lighter, more comfortable wearable is always a win for end users.
Also: Halliday just unveiled the AI glasses that Meta, Google and Apple have been trying to build
The Halliday glasses also have a unique on-screen display that projects textual information, such as translations, notifications, incoming messages, and more, as you interact with the on-device AI. It helps that the projection appears closer to the corner of your vision, therefore not obstructing your view if you’re, say, conversing with someone. – Kerry Wan
5. Sharge Loomos
While I love the Ray-Ban Meta style more, the Sharge Loomos AI glasses can shoot up to 4K photos and 1080p videos for up to five minutes. I couldn’t see the video quality but the hardware felt nice, sturdy and lightweight at 49 grams. The company has also made a 6,500mAh shoulder power bank, in case you want to shoot more media after the 450mAh battery drains to zero while recording.
Also: I tested Meta’s transparent Ray-Ban smart glasses, and they’re a near-perfect accessory for me
The Loomos support prescription lenses and magnetic shades as optional accessories, and the company says the speakers on Sharge Loomos are Hi-Fi compatible. The translucent arm design is attention-grabbing, and there’s an LED indicator for privacy reasons. For durability, these are IP54 rater for dust and sweat resistance, and the price starts at $299. They’re expected to be released early this year.
When compared to the Ray-Ban Metas, the Loomos seem to be more techy than lifestyle. They’re bolder, while the Meta glasses are more stylish. This design language also translates to the case of both devices, where the Meta Ray-Bans’ case is leaner and more fashion-forward. – Prakhar Khanna
6. Chamelo Aura Rx
The Chamelo Aura Rx<!–> may be the most subtle and unintrusive smart glasses announced at CES. The big selling point of the Aura Rx is the instant electronic tint layer, which can alter between four colors or four tint levels. With a tap of a touch-capacitive button on the side frame, the lenses quickly swap for a seamless viewing experience. After all, nobody likes a pair of transition glasses that takes minutes to fully adapt to the environment, right?
The “Rx” in the branding refers to the ability for users to register prescriptions with the glasses, and Chamelo says it’ll support high-index lenses with prescriptions ranging from +/-100 to +/-600. This minimalistic focus on technological features makes the Aura Rx one of the most burdenless smart glasses we’ve seen at CES this year. – Kerry Wan
7. Rokid Glasses
The new launch from Rokid is unlike its previous AR glasses. While they’re similar to the Even Realities G1, they also have a built-in 12MP camera for Ray-Ban-Meta-like footage. They weigh 49 grams and feel comfortable on the nose.
Like the G1, the Rokid Glasses have a screen on both glasses but this display sits more front-and-center. The company says that it offers a better user experience but in my short demo, I found it interrupted the real world. When it’s on, you’ll only be able to focus on the screen and not what’s in front of you. While on the G1, you can trigger the screen for a glance and even when it’s toggled on, it’s not the center of attention until needed.
Also: These new smart glasses remind me of Meta Ray-Bans – but have a clever privacy feature
The Rokid Glasses allow texting, calling HUD-enabled real-time map navigation, and an AI assistant to help you stay organized. They also monitor your posture to remind you to maintain ergonomic alignment. I demoed the Live Translate feature and the experience was more natural and slightly quicker than the G1s. As for the case, it’s prone to scratches and seemed less premium than the G1’s case. – Prakhar Khanna
Source: Robotics - zdnet.com
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