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Review

Meta Ray-Ban Wayfarer Gen 1 Review: The Classic, Now Smart

The iconic Ray-Ban Wayfarer silhouette with 12 MP camera and open-ear audio. At $299, the Gen 1 Wayfarer is the best value AI smart glasses.

By WearAI Hub Editorial Team · Published 2026-03-10 · Updated 2026-06-15 · 10 min read
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Our Rating
★★★★☆
4.4 / 5
Price
$299
In this article
  1. Best Value AI Glasses
  2. Verdict

Overview

The iconic Ray-Ban Wayfarer silhouette with 12 MP camera and open-ear audio. At $299, the Gen 1 Wayfarer is the best value AI smart glasses.

Best Value AI Glasses

The Gen 1 Wayfarer is the best value AI smart glasses in 2026. At $299, you get the iconic Wayfarer silhouette, a 12 MP camera with 1080p video, open-ear audio, and Meta AI (via phone connection). You give up the on-board AI, longer battery, and 3K video of Gen 2 — but you save $30.

For users who primarily use smart glasses for casual photography and don't need all-day battery, the Gen 1 Wayfarer is excellent. If you use AI features regularly or need all-day battery, spend the extra $30 for Gen 2.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Iconic Wayfarer silhouette
  • Best value at $299 (Gen 1)
  • 12 MP camera with 1080p video
  • Open-ear audio quality
  • Best for larger face shapes

Cons

  • Gen 1 means shorter battery (4 hours)
  • No on-board AI (requires phone)
  • 1080p video (vs 3K on Gen 2)
  • Camera raises privacy concerns

Specifications

SpecificationValue
Price$299
Camera12 MP, 1080p video
Battery4 hours mixed use
AIRequires phone connection
Weight50g
Water resistanceIPX4

The Verdict

Bottom Line

Yes, if you want to save $30 and don't need Gen 2 features. The Gen 1 Wayfarer has the same camera and audio quality as Gen 2, just without on-board AI (requires phone), shorter battery (4 hours vs 8+), and lower video resolution (1080p vs 3K). For casual users, Gen 1 is fine. For power users, spend the extra $30 for Gen 2. Check current price on Amazon →

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, if you want to save $30 and don't need Gen 2 features. The Gen 1 Wayfarer has the same camera and audio quality as Gen 2, just without on-board AI (requires phone), shorter battery (4 hours vs 8+), and lower video resolution (1080p vs 3K). For casual users, Gen 1 is fine. For power users, spend the extra $30 for Gen 2.

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