Ray-Ban Meta Glasses (Gen 3) Review: Are They Worth $599?

Sarah Johnson · 2026-09-24

Meta's latest smart glasses are here, and they're packing more style, longer battery life, and some clever privacy tweaks. But at a starting price of $599, are they worth it? I spent a morning with the Ray-Ban Meta Glasses (Gen 3) to find out. ### Key Features at a Glance - **Price:** Starting at $599 (up from last year's model) - **New Designs:** More style options, including Xena and Aviator - **Battery Life:** Up to 9 hours, according to Meta - **Safety Features:** Tamper protection and a prominent recording light ### Introduction Meta isn't backing down from the smart glasses game. Despite privacy concerns and negative press, the company has doubled down with the third generation of its Ray-Ban collaboration. The new model promises longer battery life, new photography tricks, and even celebrity collaborations. But the big question remains: has Meta done enough to make these glasses safer and less creepy? I got my hands on a pair earlier this month. My time was limited to just a morning, but I've put together my first impressions of these divisive specs. ### Price and Availability The Ray-Ban Meta Glasses (Gen 3) are available now, with a starting price of $599. That's a hefty increase from last year's Meta Glasses 2, which launched at around $499. But considering the current RAM crisis and rising costs across the board, it's not entirely surprising. ### Design - More style options that genuinely look nice - Comfortable and natural to wear - New action button on the side You can't fault Meta for its variety. Alongside staples like the Ray-Ban Wayfarer, Meta has introduced Xena and Aviator styles to the third-gen lineup. All the designs look great, and as someone who wears glasses daily, I appreciate the options. I spent most of my time with the Wayfarers and found them easy, comfortable, and natural to wear. They never felt like they were going to slide off my nose, nor did they feel too tight. The build quality is solid, and the Ray-Ban branding on the front adds a touch of familiarity. Of course, there's also that controversial camera lens. When you're not actively using it, it's just a small circle on the frame. But it's a constant reminder of the glasses' capabilities. ### Safety and Privacy Meta has made some efforts to address privacy concerns. The glasses now have tamper protection and a "light you can't miss" that indicates when recording is in progress. It's a step in the right direction, but only time will tell if it's enough to win over skeptics. ### Battery Life Meta claims up to 9 hours of battery life, which is an improvement over previous generations. I didn't get to test this fully in my short time with them, but it's a promising upgrade for all-day wear. ### Early Verdict The Ray-Ban Meta Glasses (Gen 3) are a stylish and functional upgrade, but the higher price and lingering privacy concerns might give some pause. If you're in the market for smart glasses, they're worth considering—just be prepared for the sticker shock. Stay tuned for our full review.