Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3 First Reviews: Reviewers Call It Incremental but the Best Smart Glasses You Can Buy

The first reviews of Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3 are landing, and the verdict from Engadget, Tom's Guide, TechRadar, and Trusted Reviews is consistent: this is a polish update, not a revolution — but the polish makes these the undisputed best smart glasses on the market.

What Reviewers Like

• More frame choices: Aviator, Wayfarer, and Zena (cat-eye) across 27 color/lens combos give buyers real style options for the first time
• Slightly longer battery: Nine hours vs. eight in Gen 2 — not dramatic, but welcome
• Action button: The new customizable button on the temple gets instant praise for quick Meta AI access
• Dolby Atmos 360 spatial audio capture: A genuine first for consumer smart glasses

What Reviewers Flag

• Aviator frames are thick: Several reviewers noted the Aviator style feels loose and bulkier than the Wayfarer
• No privacy policy changes: Despite launching camera-free Luna glasses alongside, Gen 3 ships with the same privacy controls — voice recordings still train Meta AI by default
• $70 price increase: At $449, Gen 3 costs 18% more than Gen 2's $379 launch price

Bottom Line

If you're buying your first pair of smart glasses, Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3 is the clear pick. If you own Gen 2, the upgrade is marginal unless you really want Aviator frames or the action button. Read our full analysis: Is the Gen 3 Worth $449? Early Reviews Weigh In.