By Hamish Hector published 1 hour ago

Here's a smart glasses deal to miss, and one to buy instead

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(Image credit: Amazon)

This year’s Cyber Monday sale countdown clock is steadily ticking down, but one smart glasses deal I’d dodge is that the latest Amazon Echo Frames are just $114.99 at Amazon – saving you over 62% off their full price.

• Shop Amazon's full Cyber Monday sale

While you can save a lot with one of this years' biggest Cyber Monday deals on smart glasses – well over $100, and just shy of $200 – I think there’s a far better pair of smart glasses out there: the Ray-Ban Meta specs. Even the Gen 1 Ray-Bans would be an upgrade.

Even on offer, however, the Ray-Ban smart glasses are pricier. Right now you can get the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses for $239 at Amazon – a $60 discount on their usual asking price. But if you ask me I’d spend a little more and nab a transitional pair for $303.20 (they were $379).

(Not in the US? See today's best deals in your region below)

Today's best smart glasses Cyber Monday deal

US deal

Save 20%

Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses (clear lenses): was US$299 now US$238.99 at Amazon

If you want the absolute cheapest deal around on a pair of Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, it's this one. It'll net you over $60 off a pair with clear lenses. There are a few clear-lensed or always-shaded options, which you can explore by toggling through on this linked page. If I were you, though, I'd splash out and opt for the deal below, with transitional lenses...

View Deal

US deal

Save 20%

Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses (transitional lenses): was US$379 now US$303.20 at Amazon

My top recommendation is Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses with transitional lenses – they've got the same $60 off discount for Cyber Monday. The lenses will turn from shaded to clear depending on your environment, which means you'll be able to wear your bargain smart glasses all day long.

View Deal

Amazon Echo Frames: was US$299.99 now US$114.99 at Amazon

These Amazon smart glasses are cheap and that's really the only positive I can say about them compared to the Ray-Ban Meta's impressive specs.

View Deal

So why the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses?

Yes, you pay more but you’ll get several major upgrades. The first is a camera. While the Gen 1’s snapper isn’t perfect it is still very useful for taking first-person video as it’s hands-free and you don’t feel like you need to step back from the action like you do with a phone. It’s also handy for informing the Meta AI assistant. Unfortunately. Amazon’s specs have no camera.

Next is the open-ear audio. While not perfect, the Ray-Bans win here again as they aren’t a terrible alternative to open-earbuds sonically speaking; the same can’t always be said for the Amazon specs.

(Image credit: Future)

Then you have the AI. The Alexa assistant is helpful for simple tasks and interfacing with your smart home setup but it doesn't have the range of knowledge Meta’s AI has.

The last reason I prefer the Ray-Bans is a convenience thing. Without a charging case (which the Ray-Ban Meta glasses have) it can be a challenge to keep the Amazon specs charged up while you’re out on the go.

I understand you pay more than you would for Amazon’s smart glasses, but the added cost is so worthwhile. That’s also true when it comes to choosing transition over non-transition pairs – the utility of having specs you can use in any lighting condition makes the added cost more than worthwhile (I’ve had both kinds, and will never use non-transitions again).

Shop more Cyber Monday deals

• Amazon: 45% off TVs, AirPods, air fryers & vacuums
• Apple: iPads, AirPods & MacBooks from $119
• Best Buy: $1,000 off TVs, laptops & headphones
• Dell: laptop deals from $249.99
• Home Depot: 40% off appliances, furniture, grills & tools
• Lenovo: 45% off laptops & tablets
• Lowe's: up to 30% off appliances, holiday decor & tools
• Samsung: up to $2,000 off appliances, TVs & phones
• Target: 40% off Christmas decor, clothing & furniture
• T-Mobile: up to $1,100 off latest iPhone 17
• Walmart: furniture, cheap TVs & vacs from $69
• Wayfair: 54% off Christmas, furniture & decor

Today's best Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarer (Gen 2) deals

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TOPICS

Black FridayCyber MondayAmazon

CATEGORIES

Seasonal Sales

Hamish Hector

Senior Staff Writer, News

Hamish is a Senior Staff Writer for TechRadar and you’ll see his name appearing on articles across nearly every topic on the site from smart home deals to speaker reviews to graphics card news and everything in between. He uses his broad range of knowledge to help explain the latest gadgets and if they’re a must-buy or a fad fueled by hype. Though his specialty is writing about everything going on in the world of virtual reality and augmented reality.