Smart glasses are the futuristic technology of today, and they’re perhaps one of the top accessories to pair with a smartphone or use independently. At the heart of most smart glasses is a micro-display system that projects images onto a transparent waveguide or prism. Manufacturers pair microLED or OLED chips with lenses or diffraction gratings to direct light into the wearer’s eye, creating the appearance of floating text, icons or simple graphics blended into the real world. Some designs use temple-mounted projectors that bounce light off coated glass surfaces to preserve optical clarity. This display layer overlays information without obstructing everyday vision.

Processing may occur on-device or be offloaded to paired smartphones and cloud services. High-end models embed system-on-a-chip modules that handle graphics, AI tasks, and voice processing locally to reduce latency. Many consumer variants stream data over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi to companion apps, balancing performance and battery life.

Smart glasses fall into categories based on how they present digital content. For example, augmented reality (AR) glasses overlay translucent graphics onto the real world, enriching tasks like navigation or heads-up notifications without isolating the user, whereas virtual reality (VR) headsets fully immerse users in a digital environment.

Like other wearable technology, designs also vary by intended audience. Consumer smart glasses emphasize lightweight frames, stylish aesthetics and seamless smartphone integration, often focusing on fitness tracking, media playback or social sharing. Enterprise variants feature rugged construction, extended battery life and secure software. Some professional models support prescription lenses. Prescription-compatible frames and smart sunglasses add vision correction or UV protection for users who need standard eyewear equipped with digital features. Battery life, weight and app or smart home capabilities are also sub-types within these categories. Make sure to evaluate things like software support and device compatibility when you shop for smart glasses.