Key takeaways.
- Smart glasses can deliver hands-free info (audio, text overlays, camera capture, or a mix), but what they do ultimately depends on the category.
- The most common daily wins: notifications, prompts, navigation cues, captions/translation (when supported), and hands-free capture (camera models).
- The biggest tradeoffs: battery, comfort, lighting/noise/connectivity limits, privacy norms, and app ecosystem.
- The right choice starts with picking the right type of smart glasses for your use case.
Quick context: "smart glasses" can mean totally different things.
People use the term "smart glasses" to mean very different products. A practical definition is "head-worn devices" that still behave like glasses, with added capabilities through sensors, audio/visual components and processors.
So what do smart glasses actually do? It depends on the category, as each is built around a different task (listen, record, show text, or act like a wearable screen). And for smart glasses to be practical day to day, comfort matters—ideally close to what you'd expect from normal eyewear.
Here are the main categories you'll see:
- Audio-only smart glasses: look like glasses, focusing on calls/music/assistant through audio.
- Camera smart glasses: focus on hands-free photos/video (with basic audio features).
- Display/HUD smart glasses: show short text overlays (notifications, prompts, captions, translation snippets).
- Tethered "virtual-screen" glasses: act like a wearable display for a phone, console, or laptop.
- Headset-style AR/MR: bulkier headsets aimed at immersive apps.
Which type fits your goal?
- Want music + calls without pulling out your phone? Start with audio-only.
- Want POV photos/video? You need camera glasses.
- Want notes/captions/translation in your line of sight? Check out display/HUD.
- Want movies and a big screen feel? Look at virtual-screen glasses.
- Want 3D apps and immersion? Consider AR/MR headsets.
If you're still deciding between these categories, get started with: What are smart glasses? (types and how to choose).
Features: what smart glasses can do (with a reality check).
Capability matrix (what's common vs. model-dependent).
| Feature | Audio-only | Camera | Display/HUD | Virtual-screen | Headset-style AR/MR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notifications & reminders | Common | Common | Common | Sometimes | Common |
| Calls/music | Common | Common | Sometimes | Sometimes | Common |
| Voice assistant / AI Q&A (where supported) | Sometimes | Sometimes | Sometimes | Sometimes | Common |
| AI summaries / note capture (where supported) | Rare | Rare | Sometimes | Rare | Sometimes |
| Live transcription / captions (where supported) | Rare | Rare | Sometimes | Rare | Sometimes |
| Translation (where supported) | Rare | Rare | Sometimes | Rare | Sometimes |
| Navigation cues | Sometimes | Sometimes | Sometimes | Sometimes | Sometimes |
| Prompts / teleprompter-style notes | Rare | Rare | Sometimes | Rare | Sometimes |
| Photo/video capture | Rare | Common | Rare | Rare | Rare |
| Livestreaming | Rare | Sometimes | Rare | Rare | Rare |
| PC "second screen" | Rare | Rare | Rare | Common | Sometimes |
| Accessibility support (situational; not a medical device) | Sometimes | Sometimes | Sometimes | Sometimes | Sometimes |
Notifications and glanceable info.
For most people, the first useful feature is simple: glanceable information. Think:
- Incoming messages (sender + first line)
- Calendar reminders
- Timers
- Weather
- Simple to-dos
Works best when…
- You keep the info short (one idea per glance)
- You use it for quick checks, not long reading
Not great for…
- Reading long documents
- Deep app workflows that need a lot of taps
Display/HUD features: prompts, captions, translation.
A display changes the experience because it can put short text in your line of sight—without needing to reach for a phone.
Common examples:
- Meeting agenda cue
- A few bullet prompts while presenting
- Caption lines during a conversation (when supported)
- Translation snippets during travel or lectures (when supported)
Assistant features (ChatGPT-style Q&A).
Some smart glasses can answer questions in a ChatGPT-style flow (usually via a companion app + cloud processing). That's realistic for:
- Quick definitions
- Short summaries
- Simple calculations
- "What does this mean?" follow-ups
What impacts the experience:
- Whether the assistant runs on-device vs. in the cloud
- App permissions (microphone, contacts, notifications)
- Latency from your phone + network connection
Guardrails are simple: noise, vague prompts, and weak connectivity will undermine accuracy.
Navigation and location-based prompts.
Navigation on smart glasses usually looks like one of these:
- Turn-by-turn cues (next turn + distance)
- A small compass/map snippet (model-dependent)
Use cases:
- Walking directions in a new city
- Riding your bike
- Quick "where am I headed next?" checks between errands
Safety note: avoid setups that pull attention away from driving or other high-risk situations. NHTSA's distracted driving guidance is a good baseline for understanding attention risk: https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/distracted-driving
Media: can you watch videos (including Netflix)?
It depends on the category:
- Virtual-screen glasses / headset-style devices: typically built for video.
- Display/HUD glasses: typically built for short text overlays, not movies.
Also, streaming support can depend on DRM and app compatibility (phone/PC/console + device).
Photos and video (camera-equipped models only).
Camera-equipped glasses can capture:
- POV photos
- Short videos
- In some cases, livestreaming
A quick etiquette check helps:
- Ask before recording
- Avoid sensitive spaces (workplaces, gyms, medical settings)
- Know the device's recording indicator behavior
What you need to use smart glasses day to day (often overlooked).
Phone + companion app requirements.
Most smart glasses rely on a phone and companion app for setup, notifications, and updates. In published studies, common system setups include smart glasses connected to a Wi‑Fi network/hotspot, or connected to a smartphone over Bluetooth or Wi‑Fi.
Plan on granting:
- Notification access (if you want alerts)
- Microphone access (for voice/assistant features)
- Camera access (camera models only)
Internet vs. offline use.
What often needs internet:
- AI features
- Translation
- Cloud sync
- Firmware updates
What may work offline (device- and phone-dependent):
- Basic notifications
- Local media playback
- Saved notes/prompts
Accounts, subscriptions, and storage.
Smart glasses can store data:
- On the glasses (some models)
- On your phone
- In the cloud (common for AI features)
Why this matters: privacy expectations, workplace rules, and how long content is retained.
Limitations: what smart glasses can't do well (yet).
Battery and heat tradeoffs.
Battery drain usually spikes with:
- Always-on displays
- Camera recording
- Always-listening microphones + cloud AI
A realistic "all-day" expectation is often light usage, like periodic notifications and short sessions. Medium to heavy use (captions all afternoon, navigation for hours, or recording) can push many devices into charging breaks.
Performance depends on the environment.
Expect performance to vary when:
- It's noisy (speech-to-text struggles more)
- It's extremely bright (some display designs get harder to read)
- Connectivity is limited (assistant and translation can lag)
Comfort, fit, and prescription realities.
Smart glasses don't correct vision by themselves—you still need the right lenses. If you wear prescription, check whether the model supports prescription lenses or inserts before buying.
Comfort matters because smart glasses are meant to be worn like normal glasses for extended periods.
Social acceptance and privacy expectations.
Camera models often create more social friction and can be restricted by venue or workplace policy. No-camera models typically reduce that friction, but policies still vary.
Quick etiquette basics:
- Let others know if your device records
- Ask before capturing
- Avoid private spaces and sensitive conversations
App ecosystem limitations.
Smart glasses aren't a total phone replacement. Expect fewer native apps and more reliance on what your phone can pass through (notifications, basic controls, and a handful of supported experiences).
Everyday use cases (practical scenarios).
Commuting and errands.
Best fits: audio-only or display/HUD
Quick checklist:
- Notifications (messages, calendar)
- Reminders (timers, grocery list cues)
- Navigation prompts (turn-by-turn cues)
Don't do this: use smart glasses in a way that distracts you in traffic or at crossings.
Meetings and office work (quiet productivity).
Best fits: display-first; often no-camera preferred
Useful patterns:
- Captions (where supported)
- Action-item capture or post-meeting summaries (where supported)
- Discreet agenda prompts
What to look for
- Privacy posture (camera vs no-camera)
- A control method that doesn't require touching your frames constantly
- Fit with workplace policy
Presentations and public speaking (prompts in your line of sight).
Best fits: display/HUD
Why it helps:
- Maintain eye contact while referencing a script
- Use outline cues for transitions
- Control pacing with short, scrollable sections
Travel (translation + navigation prompts).
Best fits: display/HUD (translation/captions), camera optional
Common scenarios:
- Check-in counters and transit
- Museum or lecture translation snippets
- "Where's my gate?" navigation cues
Works best when…
- Audio is clear
- Speech pace is moderate
Accessibility support (captions and reading help).
Best fits: display/HUD or specialized assistive devices
Some people use smart glasses for captions or reading support in specific environments, but keep in mind they're not medical devices.
Field work and checklists.
Best fits: display/HUD or headset-style devices (industrial workflows)
Great for:
- Step-by-step procedures
- Inspections and checklists
- Hands-busy tasks where a phone would slow you down
When a display-first, no-camera approach makes sense (think Even G2).
Some people don't want a wearable camera or open-ear audio at all—especially in offices, meetings, or sensitive environments. That's where a display-first, no-camera approach can make more sense.
Even G2 is built around text overlays for notes, prompts, captions, translation, and navigation cues, while skipping cameras and speakers for a quieter, privacy-first setup.
If that's the direction you're considering, check out our smart glasses and decide if a display-first workflow fits your day.
See if Even G2 fits your day
Meetings, presentations, and travel are where a display-first setup tends to click.
Explore Even G2Quick buying checklist (match features to your life).
Pick your category first (audio vs camera vs display vs virtual-screen vs headset), then check:
- Camera: yes/no, and how recording indicators work
- Display: HUD text overlays vs big virtual screen
- Battery needs: light vs medium vs heavy use
- Prescription support: prescription lenses vs inserts vs limited options
- Water/sweat needs: check rating and warranty language
- Companion app quality: update cadence and permissions
- Returns: have an at-home test plan (commute, meeting, travel, and a quiet room)
FAQs.
What are smart glasses used for most often?
Most people use smart glasses for quick notifications, reminders, navigation cues, and (on some models) captions or translation during conversations.
What can smart glasses do that phones can't?
They can keep information in your line of sight and free up your hands—useful when you're carrying bags, presenting, or on the go.
Can smart glasses answer questions like ChatGPT?
Some can, usually through a companion app and cloud AI. Expect quick Q&A and short summaries, not long or detailed answers.
Can smart glasses translate in real time?
Some models support real-time translation, often in the form of short on-screen text. Accuracy and lag depend heavily on noise levels and connectivity.
Can smart glasses read text or provide captions?
Some display-enabled models can show captions/transcripts for speech. Performance depends on microphones, noise in the surroundings, and software support.
Can you watch Netflix or movies on smart glasses?
Virtual-screen and headset-style devices are the usual fit for video play. Display/HUD glasses are typically meant for short text, not movies, and app/DRM support varies.
Can smart glasses take pictures or record video?
Only camera-equipped models can. Many display-first models skip cameras entirely.
Do smart glasses need Wi‑Fi?
Many features can run through your phone's connection, but AI and translation often require internet access. Some basic functions can work with limited connectivity.
Do smart glasses correct vision?
Depends on the specific model, some (like Even G2) offer single-vision lenses for myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism if you have a prescription.
Can you get smart glasses with prescription lenses?
Many brands offer prescription options or inserts, but availability depends on the model and lens program.
What are the downsides of smart glasses?
Common drawbacks include battery limits, environment sensitivity (noise/brightness/connectivity), comfort and fit challenges, privacy conventions (especially for camera models), and smaller app ecosystems compared to phones.