Wear your glasses a different way: the smart way, allowing you to take photos, listen to music, or take calls while you're wearing them.

Smart glasses are a luxury item for most. Some find it difficult to justify a pair when a phone and earbuds do the same trick. So, why do you need a pair of smart glasses?

Well, different brands have different features. Some brands have cameras that allow you to take instant shots of precisely the image you see with your eyes. Whereas the open-ear speakers that feature on most smart glasses also allow you to clearly hear what is happening around you while you enjoy music or a podcast.

Keeping yourself organized and informed when wearing some smart glasses is also possible by interacting with virtual assistants using voice control.

Here are the best smart glasses available today.

Ray-Ban teamed up with Facebook to produce the Ray-Ban Stories series of smart glasses. These glasses maintain the classic and stylish Ray-Ban look while remaining relatively lightweight despite the two 5MP cameras, two open-ear speakers, and three microphones.

The 5MP cameras are decent, with high-resolution image quality up to 2592 x 1944 pixels and video quality of 1414 x 1414 pixels at 30FPS. However, don't expect the excellence of high-end phone cameras.

The photos are easily imported to Facebook and Instagram using the Facebook View app, and there is enough storage for about 500 photos or 30 videos. However, this storage capacity is probably unnecessary as images get deleted as soon as you sync them to your phone. It's also worth bearing in mind that the maximum video length is 30 seconds, so if you are prone to making long videos, you may want to stick with your phone.

The sound quality from the open-air speakers is decent, although the bass is a little low. Therefore, some bassy genres, such as hip-hop, may sound flat. On the other hand, the call quality is surprisingly good.

The glasses' case in the package conveniently doubles as a charger when on the go. You can charge the case via the USB-C cable in around an hour, giving you about a full day of light use.

Bose has released a series of smart glasses that is an improvement in quality on previous iterations. With Bose Frames Soprano and Tenor frames, you have very stylish-looking glasses with better sound quality and longer battery life than before.

The open-ear speakers allow you to interact fully with others while listening to music. They differ from earbuds by not blocking out the sounds of the outside world, allowing you to listen to music and podcasts from your phone safely while driving or cycling.

Although these glasses are, like other brands, not particularly heavy on bass, the mid-range has a full sound. Blasting the volume is unnecessary to enjoy your music, and controlling the audio output is more manageable than before by simply sliding your finger along the arm. Additionally, a double tap will have you questioning Siri or answering incoming calls.

The supplied cat-eye lenses on the Soprano style are an excellent choice; they are polarized and will protect your eyes from harmful UV rays. However, you can fit prescription lenses if you have access to a Lensabl store, and other stores may also be able to provide them.

Additionally, the glasses are IPX2 water-resistant. This rating will allow you to keep them on in very light rain and prevents you from worrying about light splashes. However, you shouldn't keep them on in a heavy thunderstorm, and it isn't advisable to submerge your head underwater while wearing them!

Another pair of aesthetically pleasing smart glasses is Razer Anzu. They are now available at a much more economical price than before, making them an excellent choice for those seeking value.

The frames are made from glossy black plastic and are available in round or rectangular lens shapes. Unlike many other smart glasses, they also come in two sizes. Regular-sized spectacles don't always comfortably fit everybody. Therefore, you might be thankful for the larger-sized option.

The glasses come with two sets of clip-on lenses, which you can easily pop into the frame with a bit of pressure. One set is a blue-light filtering pair that protect your eyes by filtering out harmful light from your computer screen by up to 35 percent. When outside, you can replace them with the polarized lenses for protection from UV rays. Prescription lenses are also available from Lensabl.

Audio-wise, the Razer Anzu glasses perform as well as any smart glasses. Again, the bass is a little flat; you may be disappointed to discover the sound quality is not as good as wearing earbuds. However, once more, you can listen to music safely and interact with others without your tunes being a nuisance. On the other hand, good mid-range audio makes them excellent for voice calls, Zoom meetings, and podcast listening.

Battery life is also pleasing at around five hours. Conveniently, the glasses automatically power off when folded to preserve battery life.

On the downside, the tap gestures take a bit of practice to master. The functions are all touch-sensitive with no buttons. You can learn the gestures or even customize them on the app.

Other than their style, the Bose Frames Soprano and Tenor smart glasses differ little from each other. However, the Bose Frames Tempo glasses have subtle changes that make them more suitable for sportsmen and women.

First, they have a better water-resistance level. At IPX4, these glasses are more resistant to sweat and more tolerant to heavy downpours. Also, the frames have much better battery life. At eight hours, you will feel confident that your glasses will last the length of a full day's workout and quite a bit more. Additionally, the fit is tighter. This fit is more suitable for sports, and they will stay stuck to your head when running or cycling.

The sound quality is the same as the Soprano or Tenor models. However, Bose claims that their OpenAudio speakers are louder and more fully sounding than other brands. On top of this, the dual beam-forming array microphones will decrease wind noise and improve call quality.

The Soundcore Frames by Anker look fantastic, and, at first glance, it's difficult to tell that they are smart glasses.

When you order a pair, you will receive one style of frame of your choosing. However, Anker offers a wide variety of frames at an extra cost. These options open up a plethora of customizable designs, and it's possible to have a pair of glasses for almost every occasion should you feel the need.

Despite being able to pop different front frames on and off throughout the day, you will find the connections remain sturdy. The build quality is solid, and the glasses don't deteriorate quickly.

The Soundcore app offers several features to help you control the volume, such as privacy mode. This mode quietens the audio output and is an excellent option when taking calls. Additionally, the preset commands are customizable, giving you more personalized control over the audio. The app also has voice control options, control over the spatial audio on the OpenSurround feature, and a customizable graphic equalizer.

Despite the spatial audio and graphic equalizer features, you still shouldn't expect deep and rich bass in the audio. Instead, you should anticipate mid and treble-rich immersive sounds.

Depending on how you feel about Alexa perpetually drifting around somewhere in the background, the second generation of Amazon Echo Frames could be a good choice.

You can use Alexa when you are on the go the same way you would with an Echo speaker at home. You can set reminders and alarms, control smart devices, and make calls, among many other tasks. Siri or Google Assistant users can also use Echo frames.

The Alexa app has tutorials to help get you started, and some neat features include VIP filter and Top Contact options that enable prioritization of contacts. There's also control over Alexa and the frames with the "Action" button, and the auto-volume feature adjusts the volume level based on surrounding noise.

The glasses themselves have a somewhat retro look and may not be to everyone's taste. However, they are pretty sturdy and lightweight. The controls on the frames are relatively undetectable by sight, and the touchpad on the right side is invisible. There are three different lenses to choose from: polarized, blue-light filtering, or prescription ready.

In terms of sound quality, low-latency sounds are, once more, as flat as a pancake. Don't expect the hairs on your neck to rise when listening to heavy-bass-infused tracks.

On the other hand, they have an IPX4 rating and impressive battery life. Amazon claims the battery will last 14 hours with two hours of talk time, 20 Alexa interactions, and 85 minutes of media playback. Alternatively, one full charge will give you four hours of continuous listening.

If you want to capture shots and videos in 3D, Snapchat Spectacles 3 are the glasses for you. Two HD cameras record 3D videos of 1216 x 1216 pixels at 60FPS and 3D photos with a resolution of 1728 x 1729 pixels.

However, this latest iteration is quite a bit more pricey than previous ones. The design has also created division among fans; they quite obviously look like tech-laden glasses. Only the least fashion-conscious will feel like they are wearing something swanky!

That aside, you can use many editing and filtering effects on Snapchat to create new versions of your videos and photos. Alternatively, you can use the included 3D viewer to relive your moments, upload them to YouTube VR, and even make 3D prints. In short, you can have a lot of fun with them.

You need to use the Snapchat app with these glasses. They are not compatible with anything else. However, from the app, you can export to anywhere you like. You can also store around 100 videos or over 1,000 photos on the glasses.

Recharging is also very convenient. The included leather-case charger can hold up to four charges, meaning all-day use is very much possible. They charge quickly, too. It only takes 15 minutes to power them to 50 percent, with a full battery taking about an hour and a quarter. The case also handily folds down and fits away into a bag or elsewhere.

The four built-in array microphones capture immersive audio. However, you can't use these glasses for making calls or listening to music or podcasts.

AR glasses haven't quite flooded the market yet. But, rest assured, they are on the way.

For now, you can enjoy smart glasses that may not have as many features as what's to come but are an exciting form of presently available eyewear presently.

The next big thing is wearable technology. With it set to become even more versatile and green, many experts predict a massive surge towards it.

With smart glasses, society is already moving in that direction.

Barry has had a passion for all things tech-related ever since he was given a Commodore Plus/4 computer as a child. Having spent most of his adult life traveling, teaching, and writing—often combining all three—Barry considers himself a "digital nomad." His current passion is travel gadgets, and he has been writing buying guides for around a year.

Join our newsletter for tech tips, reviews, free ebooks, and exclusive deals!