Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarers Review

Introduction

A couple of years ago, I was offered a pair of Ray-Ban Meta sunglasses through work for £199.99. At the time, I remember thinking they were a complete gimmick—why on earth would I need smart sunglasses? Fast forward to 2025, and here I am, eating my words and absolutely loving them.

I decided to finally take the plunge just before my annual leave. I had a busy week lined up: the Big Church Festival, a family day out in London, and then Coldplay at Wembley. The forecast was good, so I figured it was the perfect chance to try these glasses for myself.

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The Buying Experience

Finding them in stock was harder than I expected. Some said it was because generation 3 is on the way, others (including a Ray-Ban rep in Curry’s) claimed it was simply down to discounts being more popular than expected. Either way, a lot of retailers were sold out.

Eventually, I managed to grab the Polarised Wayfarers from the Three Accessory Store. Then, while waiting for delivery, I decided to also order the Transitional Wayfarers from Very, thinking those would be the ones I’d keep.

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Setup & First Impressions

Unboxing and setting up couldn’t have been easier. Using the Meta AI app, I had the glasses paired to my phone in minutes. There was a quick update, and then I was ready to go.

The glasses felt really comfortable, and I was able to start using them straight away. Setting up the Meta AI was as easy as just saying a couple of phrases to get started. The AI can take photos and videos, livestream to Instagram or Facebook, play music, read messages, and more.

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Polarised vs Transitional Lenses

At first, I thought the Transitional Wayfarers would be perfect for me. They worked brilliantly outdoors, but what I quickly found was, they don’t transition inside a car because of the UV protection in windscreens. Since I do a lot of driving, that was going to be a big problem.

There are clip-on/magnetic lenses that solve this, but I didn’t have time to order them before my trip, so I ended up returning the Transitional pair and sticking with the Polarised Wayfarers. Honestly, I haven’t regretted it. They look great, feel premium, and have been perfect for my needs. I have, however, now ordered the Xtractive Lenses from Lensology. Because I’m using these so much, I wanted to be able to use them inside and outside, and, buying these transitional lenses (that also work behind a windscreen), still work out cheaper than buying the official Transition pair. 

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Everyday Use

Over my time off, I used them constantly. Driving to the Big Church Festival, I listened to an audiobook and some music through the open-ear speakers. I could still hear everything else—kids chatting in the back, the radio my wife was listening to, and the road noise—without feeling shut off.

At the festival, Meta AI kept me connected even with patchy signal. It read out WhatsApp and Facebook messages, announced calls, and responded to commands no problem. 

The camera quality really impressed me too. Snapping photos or taking quick videos of my kids on the climbing wall or doing archery was effortless—I didn’t have to fumble with my phone, just tap the glasses, or ask Meta, and capture the moment. Video length is capped at 3 minutes, which is plenty for me, but it can be shortened in the app. 

I have to say, battery life was excellent. A full morning of use brought them low, but popping them back into the case during lunch gave me a full recharge. The charging case itself is excellent—over the four days of the festival, I didn’t have to charge the case once. 

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Downsides

Honestly, there isn’t much to dislike. A couple of small gripes though:

• Both pairs I ordered had minor scratches or blemishes straight out of the box. Not what you’d expect from brand new Ray-Bans, even if the marks were barely noticeable.

• The transitional lens issue in cars feels like a missed trick. If enhanced lenses exist, why not make them standard?

• Meta AI is still in its early stages. It works well for basic things, but I’m excited to see what updates bring.

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Final Thoughts

All in all, I’m really impressed. Considering regular Ray-Ban Wayfarers cost around £200, paying an extra £60–£100 for a pair that doubles as headphones, a camera, and an AI assistant feels like a bargain.

For me, the Polarised Wayfarers are the perfect fit, and I’m looking forward to adding the Xtractive lenses soon so I can use them indoors and outdoors. These glasses have gone from something I thought was pointless to something I now plan to use every single day.

My rating: 4.5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

Video taken on the Ray-Ban Meta in London.

Video taken on the Ray-Ban Meta in London.