When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
Shoot images and video, make calls and listen to music, with the best camera glasses from Ray-Ban and others Cr39 Sunglasses Website
The Quick List 1. Best for most people 4. Best 4K camera glasses 5. Best AR glasses with camera 6. Best ski goggles with camera Best of the rest FAQs How we test
Looking for the best camera glasses? This technology hasn't quite taken off in the way tech giants were hoping for: in fact, Google killed off its Google Glass division, and you can no longer buy Snapchat's camera-enanbled eyewear. However, smart glasses still have a lot to offer, if you're seeking a pair of glasses that do things like shoot images and videos and project content directly into your eyes.
The latest brands to release smart glasses, including Ray-Ban, offer an exciting mix of possibilities for people to capture and share moments, or for influencers looking for new stand-out styles.
At the cheaper end of the scale, other firms have simply worked out how to squeeze small cameras into glasses frames to create fun spy glasses or hands-free cameras. For products like these, important considerations will be resolution, how the video is stored, battery life, and activation. Because it’s a growing issue, we’re also going to note whether there is an active camera indicator (privacy light).
Best for most people With styling choices that aren't too far from the brand's famous sunnies, dual cameras, and a Meta partnership, these glasses offer excellent quality audio and video, and live streaming. See more below
Best 4K camera glasses Significantly more costly than your basic spy glasses, but still perhaps a little less than a top-of-the-line action camera, you'll get sharper images with this choice. Read more below
Best smart ski glasses With a separate button for video and high-res stills, these goggles can save you from the fuss of operating an action camera in snowy conditions. Read more below
Why you can trust Digital Camera World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out how we test.
Not only does Ray-Ban styling inspire confidence, but like their predecessor the Ray-Ban Stories, their partnership with Meta offers convenient social sharing to many. The result is, a pair of glasses that look good, are built to a high standard, and perform the functions people use in their everyday life.
There are no AR features here, but you do get the ability to shoot high quality images and video via the two 12MP cameras placed on the front. You can then easily share these via Meta's apps including WhatsApp, Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, and Threads.
You also benefit from excellent quality audio playback, calls and voice assistance, courtesy of five built-in microphones (two more than on the Ray-Ban Stories). You charge them via an included charging case and battery life lasts for up to six hours, although that very much depends on how much you use it.
If you're looking for sunglasses which won't look too different, but can capture about half an hour of video before the battery needs charging. These have a single camera mounted centrally, just above the nose, and capture H.265 video to built-in storage (256GB equates to about 17 hours, but check what is being offered at your retailer – we've seen versions as low as 32GB but given the battery life you might not need masses of storage.
Enough IP resistance for rain is appreciated, but it isn't there for swimming and 4K is limited to 30fps, meaning going down in resolutions is required for the higher 60fps option – you won't want to change settings too frequently as it is done via changing the init.txt file using a USB cable and laptop (no app!).
Video quality is good, if not stellar. You will need to plan both when you’ll shoot (there is about an hour’s recording time on one charge) and to using stabilization in your editing software for high action.
It’s a pretty specific use case, but ski goggles with a built-in camera involve fewer straps than a separate action camera and get the lens closer to your eyes. OhO have some traction in the camera sunglasses market, and these video ski goggles seem to incorporate the same tech, right down to the 70-degree field of view camera.
That doesn’t feel quite enough but it’s very useful that it can be tilted to suit your natural head position, if you remember to do it, and if you opt for the wi-fi version you can check the video on an app. Though it’s 4K-capable at 24fps (change via a text file and USB link), it defaults to 1080p at 60fps which for most will be better for the slopes.
Camera glasses are eyeglasses with a built-in camera that allows you to take photos and videos hands-free. They typically look like regular glasses and come in a variety of styles, including prescription lenses.
Camera glasses have a small camera mounted on the frame, usually near the bridge of the nose. The camera button is often located on the side of the glasses and can be used to capture photos and videos. Some models also have voice or gesture controls.
No, and in this list we've been clear to include glasses which feature cameras. There are plenty of smart glasses out there which don't have built-in cameras – Bose's have a model with built-in speakers, and you can even find Echo glasses with Alexa built-in. In this guide, however, we look for glasses which offer an alternative means of photography – whether as a main function or as just one possibility.
To find the right camera glasses for you, there are a number of factors to consider. First, think about the resolution and frame rate each model offers. We'd advise going for models with at least 1080p resolution and 30fps for optimal video quality. Secondly, consider the field of view: the higher that number is, the more of the scene you'll be able to capture at once. Also look at battery life, additional features such as image stabilization and connectivity options to make sure you pick the right model for your specific needs.
At Digital Camera World we've got a team of expert photographers who are also enthusiasts for anything that uses a camera, from microscopes to document cameras. When assembling a buyer's guide like this, we'll draw on our own experience, refer to our published reviews and those of our sister titles and, where appropriate, to knowledge from trusted customer reviews so we can offer the broadest perspective possible.
Read more: Best night vision goggles Best spy cameras Best hidden camera detectors Best action cameras
The best camera deals, reviews, product advice, and unmissable photography news, direct to your inbox!
With over 20 years of expertise as a tech journalist, Adam brings a wealth of knowledge across a vast number of product categories, including timelapse cameras, home security cameras, NVR cameras, photography books, webcams, 3D printers and 3D scanners, borescopes, radar detectors… and, above all, drones.
Adam is our resident expert on all aspects of camera drones and drone photography, from buying guides on the best choices for aerial photographers of all ability levels to the latest rules and regulations on piloting drones.
Safety Sunglasses He is the author of a number of books including The Complete Guide to Drones, The Smart Smart Home Handbook, 101 Tips for DSLR Video and The Drone Pilot's Handbook.