$249 at Bose
Greatest sound (and greatest for sports activities)
1. Bose Tempo Frames
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$40 at Amazon
Greatest Bluetooth audio glasses with deep reductions
2. Razer Anzu
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$219 at Amazon
Greatest on a regular basis audio sun shades
3. Bose Tenor and Soprano
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$60 at Amazon
High low cost sport audio sun shades
4. Avantree SG188 Bluetooth Good Audio Sun shades
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$117 at Amazon
Most modular
5. Soundcore Frames Bluetooth sensible glasses with interchangeable frames
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$300 at Amazon
Most comfy
7. Amazon Echo Frames (3nd Gen)
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$25 at JLab
Greatest clip-on Bluetooth speaker accent for glasses
8. JLab JBuds Frames
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For those who favor glasses to contact lenses otherwise you repeatedly rock your favourite sunnies whereas out and about, you may additionally battle with holding your headphones on for prolonged durations. The glasses and headphones combo might be onerous on the ears and should trigger some discomfort. Because of this now we have Bluetooth audio glasses that act as a two-in-one system. They’re basically a type of wi-fi open headphones that can help you hear the surface world whereas listening to audio streamed out of your smartphone and different Bluetooth-enabled units.
The class hasn’t taken off as quick as some folks thought it’d, however there are a rising variety of audio glasses out there and extra on the way in which, with corporations like Bose, a pacesetter within the class, already on the second technology of its audio sun shades. Amazon’s Echo Frames are additionally on their second technology.
A number of different corporations, together with a number of no-name Chinese language producers, have additionally launched audio glasses. Some are geared towards on a regular basis use, permitting you to stealthily take heed to audio on the go, whereas others are designed for runners and bikers who wish to go away their ears open to the world for security causes.
The reality is that the majority audio eyewear does not sound nice. In truth, many audio glasses and sun shades sound downright mediocre and even unhealthy, notably people who use bone-conduction expertise as an alternative of conventional audio drivers. Bass efficiency can typically be a problem.
Watch this: Testing audio glasses
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That mentioned, for those who take heed to extra spoken-word audio — whether or not that is podcasts, audiobooks or speak radio — audio glasses are high-quality, since they’re strongest within the midrange, the place vocals dwell. And a lot of the audio glasses on this record work effectively for making cellphone calls. Some function beam-forming microphones and bone-conduction expertise.
Apart from audio high quality, the opposite essential issue is the glasses’ design. There’s plenty of variation there as effectively, with some fashions becoming higher and searching extra fashionable than others.
Learn extra: Greatest Locations to Purchase Alternative Prescription Lenses On-line in 2023
It must be famous you can add prescription lenses to most audio sun shades, and it is simple to ship your glasses to a web-based alternative lens web site. Nevertheless, that provides to the general price, since alternative lenses usually price round $100 to $200, relying on the kind of lens you select.
Although I am recommending only some fashions at this level, I am going to replace this record as new ones are launched. Extra must be coming, with enhancements.
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For those who’re searching for the best-sounding pair of audio glasses with superior total efficiency — that features name high quality and battery life — the Bose Frames Tempo are the one to get. Bose’s modern eyewear is ostensibly a sports activities mannequin designed for runners and bikers, and whereas they’re a bit of cumbersome, they keep in your head securely.
The Tempo affords barely higher sound and battery life than the extra traditional-looking Tenor and Soprano (see under). The Tempo has higher specs all-around, with USB-C charging and bigger 22mm drivers. These Bluetooth sun shades additionally ship as much as 8 hours of battery life, and have easy one-touch quantity management so you possibly can modify your music on the fly. Bose sun shades are product of the polarized lens and they’re prescription, or Rx prepared, which means you possibly can choose Bose Frames together with your prescription lens.
Their sound is certainly improved from the unique Frames. Bose says the Tempo performs “deeper and louder — loud sufficient for biking at 25 mph — whereas nonetheless in a position to hear visitors and your coaching companions.” In accordance with Bose, they’re sweat-, weather-, scratch- and shatter-resistant, they usually match beneath most protecting helmets. (I had no drawback utilizing them with a few bike helmets.) Additionally they work effectively for making calls, due to a brand new dual-microphone system. Elective lenses can be found for $39 and you may order prescription lenses by means of Lensabl.
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Razer has made a shock entry into the audio glasses enviornment and the result’s surprisingly good. The Razer Anzu sensible glass is available in spherical and sq. variations in two completely different dimension choices. By way of sound, they’re arguably only a tad behind the Bose Tenor and Soprano proven under (like these fashions, the Anzu has 16mm drivers), however they’re fairly shut. Whereas they’re a bit of bass-shy, they’ve extra bass than among the different fashions on this record. The cheaper price tag additionally provides them a worth benefit over the Bose, and proper now you possibly can choose them up for as little as $40.
They’re additionally fairly mild and comfy to put on (as you possibly can see from the picture, I attempted the sq. model). The small model weighs 43 grams whereas the big weighs 48 grams. By comparability, the Echo Frames, the lightest audio glasses on this record, are 31 grams. The glasses embrace 35% blue mild filtering lenses together with a set of polarized sunglass lenses (you possibly can simply swap them in). This sensible eyewear is touch-enabled, plus you possibly can play or pause media, handle calls and pair simply to your PC system. The built-in Bluetooth speaker hidden on its body gives stutter-free sound and doesn’t skip or delay audio.
These wi-fi Bluetooth sun shades are IPX4 water resistant (which means they’re splashproof) so you need to use them for operating. Audio glasses work effectively for operating and biking, as a result of they go away your ears open so you possibly can hear visitors. Battery life is rated at as much as 5 hours at average quantity ranges, and extra polarized lenses can be found for $30.
Additionally value noting: Since Razer is a “gaming life-style” firm, it is highlighting its low-latency Bluetooth expertise. It says the “custom-made Bluetooth 5.1 connection brings industry-leading 60ms latency for easy, stutter-free sound.”
The Razer Anzu companion app for iOS and Android permits firmware updates, allows you to make EQ changes (default, enhanced readability or treble enhance), entry latency settings and examine battery standing. You may make calls with them and entry your digital assistant with a button press.
Razer has partnered with Lensabl for prescription glasses lenses, though extra on-line alternative lens websites, together with replacerxlenses.com and overnightglasses.com, can match them with Rx lenses. Lensabl is providing a 15% low cost to Anzu homeowners, however you possibly can evaluate its costs with different websites’ costs.
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Just like the Tempo, the Tenor and Soprano are a part of Bose’s line of second-generation audio sun shades. Whereas the Tempo is extra sports-oriented, these fashions are designed to appear to be common glasses. (You possibly can nonetheless run or bike with them however they are not rated for water- or sweat-resistance.) They’re slicker-looking than the unique Bose Alto and Rondo Frames, they usually have a shiny end. The Tenor match my face higher than the Soprano, which — because the title implies — Bose is aiming at ladies who like outsized sun shades. Anecdotally, my daughter likes them.
Bose improved the sound within the Tenor and Soprano, and the battery life is best. It is as much as 5.5 hours as an alternative of round 3.5 hours, charging with a pogo-pin cable reasonably than USB-C. Each pairs of sun shades play a bit of louder than the unique Frames, and the bass response is best, so music sounds fuller and richer. Do not count on the large bass you get from a typical set of headphones, although, they usually can distort at greater volumes. Nonetheless, the sound is considerably higher than what you get from even the perfect bone-conduction headphones like these from AfterShokz, which developed a pair of audio sun shades however by no means shipped them out.
Just like the Tempo, Bose has additionally upgraded the voice-calling capabilities in these fashions, including twin beam-forming microphones. These sensible sun shades can help you take calls on the go, hands-free. Bose affords non-obligatory lenses for $39. Since these sun shades have a extra conventional design, extra on-line alternative lens websites — together with replacerxlenses.com, Lensabl and overnightglasses.com — can match them with Rx lenses.
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Whereas the Avantree SG188 Bluetooth Good Audio Sun shades have a little bit of generic high quality to them and haven’t got the best lenses (they’re darkish and polarized, nonetheless), they match me effectively, look fairly good and ship first rate sufficient sound for his or her modest value. Additionally, Android makes use of ought to be aware that they’ve help for the AptX audio codec for what that is value (it is not like these audio glasses are for vital listening).
Designed for sporting actions, they’re IPX5 splashproof and rated for five hours of battery life at average quantity ranges. Additionally they work decently for making voice calls, although wind noise continues to be an element. Hold your expectations low and you might be pleasantly shocked.
These additionally can be found as a bundle with a transparent lens for $10 extra. A carrying pouch and two completely different dimension nostril items are included.
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The Soundcore by Anker Frames Bluetooth audio glasses are a bit of completely different from the competitors in that their arms detach and you may swap in numerous body kinds (a number of kinds can be found). You initially buy a base mannequin with the model of body you want or, for a bit of more cash, you possibly can go for a bundle that features two frames. The lenses appear fairly first rate — they’re polarized — and on-line alternative lens websites corresponding to replacerxlenses.com, Lensabl and overnightglasses.com can match Echo Frames with Rx lenses.
Sound high quality is above common for audio glasses however less than the extent of the Bose Frames’ sound high quality (the Soundcore Frames are a bit of bass-shy like plenty of Bluetooth audio glasses). However I appreciated the match they usually’re additionally first rate for voice calling with twin microphones and 4 audio system (two audio system in every arm). You need to use voice instructions or the built-in contact controls to regulate music playback, in addition to reply and finish calls.
They’re IPX4 water resistant (splashproof) and ship as much as 5.5 hours of battery life on a single cost at average quantity ranges. They use a proprietary magnetic charger. It is also value noting that they’ve a companion app for iOS and Android that lets you obtain firmware updates.
Anker
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Revo has a line of sun shades referred to as Revo Black. The Revo Sonic 1 is a part of that line however provides an audio component courtesy of Solos, a maker of smart-audio glasses. So, so far as I can inform, these are basically a Solos/Revo hybrid.
The lengthy a in need of it’s they’re actually good sun shades with center of the street sound (for audio glasses). So nice optics — and a sexy design and comfy match — however audio high quality is on the common aspect with so-so bass efficiency. On he plus aspect, battery life could be very robust at as much as 11 hours, and the glasses have some health-tracking options and include a very nice case (they’ve a magnetic charger). You may as well make calls with them.
Whereas they’re costly, the Sonic 1, which can be found in three coloration choices, bought out on Revo’s web site (you’ll find them at a number of few different on-line retailers) resulting from “overwhelming demand.” Revo says the anticipated in-stock date for its web site is early 2023.
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For sure, Amazon’s Echo Frames have Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant constructed into them so you possibly can ask what the climate is, get information and sports activities scores, skip your music tracks and management your Alexa sensible residence merchandise with out touching your glasses. I like their design — they’re light-weight and match my face comfortably and securely (they match me higher than all of the Bose audio glasses). Additionally they work effectively for making calls, with first rate noise discount outdoor.
Actually, the one strike towards them is that they sound fairly middle-of-the-road for audio glasses. They lack within the bass division and fall in need of the Bose Frames when it comes to sound. That mentioned, they’re at present a good possibility for audio glasses and for those who attempt them and do not like them, they’re straightforward to return to Amazon.
It is value noting that the bottom mannequin ($300 record) comes with clear lenses. Nevertheless, for a bit of extra, you possibly can go for tinted lenses (sun shades) or blue-light filtering lenses, They do are available in a number of completely different coloration choices (the Horizon Blue model is pictured) and battery life is rated at a modest 4 hours for music playback. Just like the Bose Frames (apart from the Tempo), they cost with a proprietary pogo-pin cable. A pleasant carrying case is included.
On-line alternative lens websites corresponding to replacerxlenses.com, Lensabl and overnightglasses.com can match Echo Frames with Rx lenses.
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Possibly you have had your eye on Bose’s second-gen Frames audio sun shades (see above), however you checked out their excessive price ticket and mentioned no thanks. Effectively, JLab Audio has a less expensive Bluetooth audio different: The JBuds Frames are basically open-ear true-wireless earbuds that clip onto your present glasses.
It is an intriguing modern eyewear idea that JLab describes as a bring-your-own-frame design, though it is clearly a bit clunky trying and a bit disingenuous to name these earbuds “frames.” That mentioned, I obtained a overview pattern and may inform you that these sound virtually pretty much as good because the Bose Frames and are additionally first rate sufficient for making calls. In truth, I would say they’re the second-best-sounding “audio frames” on this record.
JLab says its JBuds Frames comprise “two independently working Bluetooth true wi-fi audio units, which might be affixed to the temples of sun shades, eyeglasses, and equally styled blue mild blocking eyewear.” They’ve 16mm drivers, and JLab says your music cannot be “heard by these shut by,” although from my exams that solely applies whenever you’re listening to audio at extra average quantity ranges.
Battery life is rated at 8 hours, and the clip-on units have an IPX4 water-resistance ranking, making them splash-resistant. They cost with a proprietary pogo-pin cable.
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Learn extra: Greatest Place to Purchase Contacts On-line in 2023