Oakley Meta HSTN smart glasses review: What I love (and what’s still missing)
It seems Meta cracked the smart glasses code. According to the latest earnings report from the eyewear giant EssilorLuxottica, Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses sales have tripled in the past year. Rising popularity no doubt inspired the launch of Oakley Meta HSTN, a pair of AI-powered, picture-taking glasses aimed at a sportier audience.
Comparing the Ray-Ban Meta vs. Oakley Meta smart glasses, there are plenty of similarities especially when it comes to the core Meta AI experience tailored to visual intelligence. I’m referring to the “look and tell me” prompts that started with styling tips but have evolved the AI into a location identifier, recipe helper, lawncare resource, art expert and a whole lot more.
But there are also a couple of spec upgrades to justify the $200 premium you’ll spend for the Oakley version over the Ray-Ban styles: 3K video support, polarized lenses by default and a boosted battery life.
As a loyal Ray-Ban Meta who switched over for this Oakley Meta HSTN smart glasses review, I can appreciate the ways the newcomer meaningfully improves over the best-seller. That said, there are a few reasons I’ll still opt for my Ray-Ban glasses among the best smart glasses, which I will explain below.
Oakley Meta HSTN smart glasses: Cheat Sheet
- What is Oakley Meta HSTN? Oakley Meta HSTN refers to a pair of smart glasses designed by EssilorLuxottica and powered by Meta AI.
- How much does the Oakley Meta HSTN cost? The Oakley Meta HSTN cost $499 for the one style currently available.
- What is the Oakley Meta HSTN release date? The Oakley Meta HSTN glasses are available now but they’re marketed as limited-edition. There’s no way of knowing how many are left in stock on Oakely’s website, and they’re sold out on Meta’s website.
- Are there Oakley Meta HSTN prescription options? No, the Oakely Meta HSTN glasses do not currently offer the option to add your prescription, but I’m expecting support for prescription lenses in the next iteration or release in the Oakley Meta product line.
- Ray-Ban vs. Oakley Meta glasses? Read our full breakdown on how the two versions of Meta smart glasses compare.
Oakley Meta HSTN smart glasses: Specs
| Header Cell – Column 0 |
Oakley HSTN Meta |
|---|---|
|
Price |
$499 |
|
Color |
Gray |
|
Lens |
Prizm 24K Polarized |
|
Dimensions |
Hinge to hinge: 133mm |
|
Weight |
49g |
|
Camera |
12MP ultra-wide |
|
Speakers |
2 open-ear speakers |
|
Microphone |
5-mic array (2 in left arm, 2 in right arm, 1 near nose pad) |
|
Battery |
8 hours single charge |
|
Charging case |
48 hours |
|
Memory |
32GB flash storage |
|
Connectivity |
Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, iOS 15.2 and up, Android 10 and up |
Oakley Meta HSTN smart glasses review: The ups
Polarized lenses perform well outdoors
The Oakley Meta HSTN smart glasses are outfitted with polarized lenses by default, and honestly, it’s one of the first things that made them feel more premium than the Ray-Ban Metas.
Whether I was exercising outside on a bright day or glancing at a reflective surface, the PRIZM 24K polarization cut down glare in a way that’s immediately noticeable. Colors pop more, the world looks a bit crisper, and everything feels a bit more high-end. The Ray-Ban glasses offer a more traditional polarized lens option as a $30 add-on, but the performance can’t match Oakley’s PRIZM 24K technology.
I tested them at a sunny Mariners home game and the visual clarity was incredible. From my second-deck seats, players looked detailed, and for once, I could actually track foul balls and pop flies without whipping my head around in confusion. Same goes for tracking my shots out on the golf course, but even just enjoying the city sights on my afternoon walks, the clarity really impressed me.
3K video recording
Content capture is one of the main things that originally sold me on the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses. When I realized the image and video quality could rival my iPhone’s in certain conditions, it unlocked a whole new way to catalog my life.
The still image quality is the same between the Ray-Ban and Oakely glasses. But compared to the 1080p footage from the Ray-Ban Meta, the 3K video capture from the Oakleys is noticeably sharper, especially when you’re in motion. Details like faces, textures, and even fast-moving objects come through cleaner.
That extra fidelity also gives you more room to crop or edit your footage later without losing quality, a small but valuable perk if you’re making social content like I am all the time. If video is a key reason you’re buying smart glasses, I think it’s safe to say the Oakley glasses are the best option out there right now.
Both the Oakley and Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses tap into the same Meta AI assistant which is a lot more than a simple voice assistant. It’s a camera-powered, real-world-aware AI built with Llama that can interpret what you’re looking at and give you useful info on demand. I’ve used it to get facts about landmarks while traveling, ask for recipe ideas based on what’s in my fridge, and even get style suggestions based on my outfit. It’s surprisingly accurate and seems to get smarter with every update.
What I like most is that this AI is visual-first. Without needing much context, the assistant can figure out what’s in the camera’s view and answer queries appropriately. I’ve found the real-world use cases are only growing and becoming one of the most frictionless ways to incorporate AI into daily life.
Great battery life
Battery life is probably the biggest upgrade spec-wise between the Ray-Ban and Oakley Meta glasses. My Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses are rated for up to 36 hours of battery life, with up to 6 hours of listening time at once and the rest provided by the charging case. The Oakley glasses are rated for up to 48 hours of total battery life, with up to 8 of continuous use.
Now, from experience, recording content on either glasses significantly cuts into battery life. Recording about 30 minutes worth of video with the Ray-Ban glasses resulted in me needing to recharge the glasses, whereas the Oakley HSTN got me closer to 1 hour of capture.
That improvement is even more noticeable when traveling or spending long stretches outdoors. I wore the Oakleys to a weekend street fair with lots of film-able moments and never had to think about battery life once. Same goes for a round of golf.
Compare that to the Ray-Ban Meta, where I’d sometimes hit the low battery warning by late afternoon. If you’re someone who’s planning to use these glasses like a wearable GoPro or hands-free assistant, the Oakleys have better endurance to keep up. That said, having the charging case on hand is very convenient, and the glasses can go from dead to fully charged in less than an hour.
Oakley Meta HSTN smart glasses review: The downs
No prescription lens options
The Oakley Meta HSTN doesn’t support prescription lenses at all (at least for now) and that’s probably going to be a deal-breaker for people. It’s also a stark contrast to the Ray-Ban Meta lineup, which offers prescription lens support through select models and partners.
It’s a strange omission, especially for a premium product. You’d expect a $500 pair of smart glasses to account for vision needs, particularly when the tech is clearly in place. Until Oakley adds Rx support or partners with optical retailers, the HSTN will be off-limits for a big chunk of potential buyers.
Limited style options
On a similar note, the Oakley Meta HSTN comes in one color and frame style. And while it’s a sporty silhouette that clearly channels Oakley’s performance DNA, it won’t be for everyone. Personally, it took me a while to come around on. If you’re like me and want your glasses to blend into your work outfits, you’ll probably find the HSTN’s style too aggressive. Ray-Ban Meta offers several frame types — Wayfarer, Headliner, Round — each with different color options and lens combos, including transition lenses that are great for indoor-to-outdoor wear.
The Oakleys are obviously designed with a more active lifestyle in mind, but HSTN is kind of a one-size-fits-some situation. But look, I’m sure the options will diversify given the hype around this limited-edition launch. I’m hoping, in addition to more colors, more Oakley frame types could get the Meta treatment. The Holbrook seems like a natural next option, though if they could engineer the Flak or Half Jacket styles I think it’ll convince a lot of Oakley fans to jump on the smart glasses bandwagon.
Oakley Meta HSTN smart glasses review: Verdict
The Oakley Meta HSTN glasses feel like the next step forward for Meta’s smart glasses in a lot of ways. They’re a meaningful upgrade over the Ray-Ban Meta line… for a specific kind of user. You’re getting sharper video, more immersive lenses, and better battery life, all wrapped in a bold, sport-forward design. For outdoor enthusiasts, creators, or anyone who prioritizes performance and clarity, the Oakley Meta HSTN delivers a practical-yet-gratifying experience.
That said, the lack of prescription support and limited style choices (not to mention, the steep price tag) make this a niche product for now. If you value fashion, flexibility, or everyday wearability, Ray-Ban Meta is still a better fit. You’ll spend less and actually be able to customize the look to your taste and vision needs.
But if you’ve been waiting for smart glasses that can keep up with your active lifestyle, Oakley’s Meta debut makes a strong case and certainly has my attention for what will come next from this collaboration.
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