I’m glad the Ray-Ban Meta Audio glasses don’t have a camera.

The other day, I zipped past a bunch of folks while jogging in the park, my playlist cranked up to max. The next morning, I flashed a smile at a barista while ordering a caramel apple matcha latte. After that, I plopped down on a park bench with a book, called a friend to chat about her recent trip to Prague, and then asked my Ray-Ban Meta Audio glasses about my upcoming meetings. The cheerful AI voice informed me that I hadn’t connected my Google Calendar yet (I had) and offered to help with the setup. I sighed and asked it to play something upbeat instead. It chose Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us.”

Over the past few days, I’ve been spotted by dozens of people while sporting these smart glasses, and not a single person seemed to notice. Probably because these audio-only models look just like regular glasses. They come in a retro Clubmaster style or a more Wayfarer-like Burbank design. Honestly, people usually overlook my camera glasses too, but this time, I felt less like a creep.

The audio-only Ray-Bans aren’t a groundbreaking idea. Seven years ago, I was strutting around Manhattan taking calls and jamming to tunes with Bose Frames, which also blended Bluetooth audio with stylish shades. Back then, nobody noticed me in the Bose either. What makes this pair stand out is that it’s now 2026, they’re made by Meta, and there’s been a lot of debate about whether smart glasses are a form of surveillance.

Let’s address privacy concerns. During setup, the privacy and data opt-out options were much clearer than in previous Meta glasses tests. A screen detailed how visual data from AI experiences is managed. (You can opt out of Meta using that data to enhance AI; however, voice data is still utilized.) There’s no visual data from these glasses — this is just the new standard messaging for any Meta glasses. You can also choose to opt out of sharing “additional data” with Meta, which is outlined in a separate online document. This is a positive step, but it doesn’t fully tackle what makes people uneasy about smart glasses: the nagging feeling that someone might be recording you.

What helps alleviate that concern? Removing the camera. The Bose Frames didn’t spark the same level of distrust because they were “just” sunglasses-shaped headphones. The same applies here. Honestly, I felt much more at ease wearing these in public since I couldn’t record anyone. (Even if saying “Hey Meta” in public feels a bit silly.)

I can see some people still being wary of these Ray-Bans due to their always-listening feature for activating the AI assistant. However, you can disable the wake word in the settings and use a customizable button on the right temple instead. (This makes it feel 10 percent less awkward if you need to talk to AI assistants outside your home.) There’s no built-in way to record conversations directly from the glasses. Any other audio-based feature, like live translation, has to be manually activated.

I’m not saying these can’t be modified or misused, but it would take more effort since these glasses don’t do much out of the box.

At least, not yet.

Meta’s Muse AI is set to come to the glasses eventually, but it’s not available right now. Currently, the glasses come with the less powerful Muse Spark model. It’s an upgrade from what was on the Ray-Bans in 2023, but it’s still underwhelming unless you’re using it for accessibility. In that case, these glasses might not be the best investment at $350. A camera-equipped model is more beneficial for low-vision and blind users. For hard-of-hearing users, the FDA-cleared hearing assistance feature isn’t available yet, and for deaf users, the Meta Ray-Ban Display may be more useful since it supports live captioning.

For everyone else, Muse Spark is limited without the camera but can still be useful. For instance, it can access your messaging apps, Google Calendar, and email, allowing for light scheduling and correspondence. If you enable location sharing, you can send your whereabouts to a group chat. It’s adequate for these tasks, but not exceptional. It handles short queries like “What’s my next calendar event?” or “Set a reminder to update my editors at 12 PM” fairly well. However, for more complex requests, I’ve found Muse Spark gets confused, and it’s quicker to pull out my phone. I mostly used it to set reminders for tasks I remembered while doing something else.

Muse Spark can also provide local recommendations and turn-by-turn audio directions while walking. That’s handy if you’re traveling, but less so if you know your local spots. In my neighborhood, I already know which coffee shops have the best Wi-Fi and snacks — and it wasn’t the one Muse Spark suggested. As for walking directions, I don’t need them often. When I did, I found using Google Maps on my phone more effective for getting my bearings.

I’m sure Muse will unlock more features when it arrives later this year. Still, I’ve seen demos, and I remain skeptical that advanced AI will be the game-changer that convinces people to buy smart glasses.

So what do I like about these? They’re simply a solid pair of open-ear headphones.

I said solid, not spectacular. The sound quality is decent, but you still face the usual trade-offs that come with this design. They struggle at higher volumes, with trebles becoming tinny and bass sounding distorted. There’s also noticeable sound leakage. My spouse often reminded me that they could hear everything I was listening to, including the AI’s responses and my phone calls. Conversely, even at maximum volume, ambient noise can still overpower your content. These won’t cut it on a noisy subway, for example.

Still, it’s nice to enjoy audiobooks around the house without jumping at every little sound from my spouse or cats. On my daily walks, I’m less worried about my reckless neighbors zooming by in their cars. (New Jersey drivers, right?) It’s not revolutionary, but it’s a meaningful upgrade to my daily routine. And I don’t have to think too hard about it.

At 43 to 47g, these are also much more comfortable than any other Meta glasses I’ve tried. I’ve worn them for two full days, including a 30-minute run and several walks, without any issues. My Clubmaster review unit also has nose pads — a win for anyone with a low nose bridge. This also significantly improved call quality since the mic wasn’t pressed against my face. The temple tips can also be adjusted for a better fit.

I usually criticize smart glasses for not accommodating my -10 prescription and severe astigmatism. These support a range of -12 to +6 — I’m still waiting on a prescription pair, but at least my poor eyesight doesn’t prevent me from using these as my everyday glasses. Overall, these glasses will fit a much wider range of faces and vision needs.

Battery life is impressive too. I managed to get through two full workdays without needing to recharge them.

Okay, I’ll admit — one more complaint. These feel pricey for headphone glasses that don’t do much yet. The Meta Glasses, for instance, start at $250 and technically offer more features. These are $100 more for what, exactly? The Ray-Ban branding? The comfort of not worrying about freaking people out? If these were priced at $150 or $200, I’d say they’d be a no-brainer. Starting at $350 without prescription lenses, hearing assistance features, or Muse? That feels off.

But aside from the pricing issues, I didn’t miss the camera. (I only ever use it for cat videos anyway.) Muse Spark isn’t the most compelling AI model, but it’s handy now and then. For casual users, the headphones are the most valuable aspect of these smart glasses.

I wish I could just raise these glasses and declare that removing the camera solves the privacy issue. I can’t. Yes, I’m relieved that I don’t have to worry about people getting aggressive if I wear these out. I don’t think most people want more than that right now. Still, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t know several people who would miss the camera. Not because they’re creepy, but because they find it genuinely useful for candid home videos, content creation, accessibility, or multimodal AI. For those individuals, this type of smart glasses isn’t a viable option.

Besides, who’s to say Meta won’t introduce more ambient listening features in the future? Then what? The absence of a camera is only a temporary comfort. It doesn’t eliminate the need for ongoing, thoughtful discussions about AI wearables, the definition of recording, and the role these gadgets should play in our lives.