Wearing my Meta Glasses causes anxiety - are they worth it?

The AI device, which can record videos, take photos, and play audio, has raised privacy concerns due to its ability to film without drawing attention.

Restrictions on the use of Meta Glasses have already begun rolling out across the UK.

JD Wetherspoon has banned Meta Glasses (and other smart glasses) in all its pubs nationwide.

The reputation of smartglasses is not the best in this moment... JD Wetherspoon introduces Meta Glasses ban at all 800 pubs https://t.co/5AUCT5Gc2t #smartglasses #Meta

— TonyVT SkarredGhost (@SkarredGhost) August 10, 2026

Meanwhile, Norway is planning a ban on the glasses in public places, while the US has also limited their use.

With Meta Glasses such a controversial topic, I thought I would take a pair of their Ray-Bans (Wayfarer model) for a spin to see what all the fuss is about.

Do people think you are recording them?

With the recent backlash over Meta Glasses fresh in my mind, my greatest concern was wearing them out in public.

I wore them during a recent holiday to Kos, and was initially quite anxious.

I had to Google 'are Meta Glasses banned in Greece?' and 'are Meta Glasses banned in Kos?' just to put my mind at ease that I wasn't going to get fined, or worse, arrested.

But the longer I wore them, the more at ease I felt.

So can people actually tell you are wearing smart glasses?

The simple answer is no, probably not.

The Ray-Ban Meta Glasses look just like normal sunglasses, apart from the small cameras on each side.

But with me wearing a cap, and people concentrating on other things, I would say it was very difficult for people to tell I was wearing smart glasses.

I was expecting people to stare as they walked past, but I don't think I saw one person look.

It is also worth noting that, to help alleviate privacy concerns, there is a little light that turns on when you are taking a photo or video with your Meta Glasses.

What are Meta Glasses used for?

Can Meta Glasses replace your headphones?

Once I got past the worry of wearing Meta Glasses in public, I was able to focus on the features.

There is a lot to like about Meta Glasses, but are they worth the expensive price tag and public backlash? (Image: Patrick Glover)

One of the great things about Meta Glasses is their ability to play music.

You can control everything (volume, play/pause, skip track, etc.) with just a few taps or swipes on your glasses.

They could definitely replace your headphones.

However, the open-ear speakers mean everyone nearby can hear what you are listening to as well.

So be careful when listening to music in a public place.

What is the Meta AI like?

The smart glasses also come with Meta AI.

This allows you to ask your glasses questions, translate text on menus (very handy when you are travelling abroad in Greece), or identify landmarks.

All this hands-free, without having to take your phone out of your pocket.

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A post shared by Ray-Ban | Meta (@raybanmeta)

It was fantastic, especially when on holiday in Kos, as it gave in-depth descriptions of iconic landmarks, including the likes of the Nerantzia Castle, the Sanctuary of Aphrodite, and Casa Romana of Kos.

It was almost like having my own little tour guide.

The other small issue I have with Meta Glasses

The only issue I had with my Meta Glasses, and it's only a small one, was the photos.

I found that the pictures I took with my Meta Glasses aren't as good as those I took on my phone. (Image: Patrick Glover)

The quality, while decent, is not as good as what you can take with your phone.

And the pictures come out in a random square size rather than the usual rectangular configuration (this may be just a journalist thing).

These issues are the same for videos, although the camera on the glasses do offer a fantastic POV angle.

Are Meta Glasses actually worth it?

Once you get over the initial anxiety of wearing Meta Glasses in public, they are actually quite a cool piece of kit.

From listening to music to getting detailed descriptions of items and landmarks hands-free, there is a lot to like about the Meta Glasses.

However, Meta Glasses can range in price from £247 to £749, so they can be quite pricey, especially if you are looking for a newer model.

For me, the price doesn't justify the anxiety you feel when wearing the glasses in public, or the features that you can get on your phone or with a pair of headphones.

Despite some of the features, I won't be replacing my Oakley sunglasses with my new Ray-Ban Meta Glasses for daily use anytime soon.

Do you have a pair of Meta Glasses? Let us know if you think they are worth it in the poll above or in the comments below.