AirGo has built a loyal following by doing something no other smart glasses company has tried: modular, interchangeable frames. The A5 Collection is their most refined design yet, proving that smart eyewear doesn’t have to mean committing to a single look. The magic is in the detachable temple modules that house all the electronics.
In a market where most smart glasses lock you into one aesthetic for the life of the device, AirGo stands out by decoupling the electronics from the fashion. The A5 Collection lets you swap frames in seconds, turning a pair of sleek professional glasses into sporty shades without buying a whole new device. It’s a genuinely innovative approach that deserves more attention.
How the Modular System Works
The AirGo A5 system consists of two parts: the smart temple modules and the interchangeable front frames. The temples contain all the electronics — speakers, microphone, battery, sensors, and Bluetooth chip — while the frames are simple, lightweight pieces that click into place with a secure magnetic mechanism.
Swapping frames takes about five seconds. You press a small release button on each temple, slide the old frame off, and snap the new one on. The connection is solid with no wobble, and the design ensures the electronics are protected regardless of which frame you choose. Currently AirGo offers over 20 frame styles, from classic acetate to modern titanium and sporty wraparounds.
Design and Build Quality
The A5 Collection represents a significant step up from earlier AirGo generations. The temple modules are slimmer and more comfortable, reducing the bulk that plagued earlier models. At first glance, the A5 temples look almost like normal thick acetate temples — only the subtle speaker grilles and touch panel give away that these are smart glasses.
The frame options span a wide range of styles. There are classic Wayfarers for everyday wear, lightweight rimless options for a minimalist look, cat-eye frames for a more fashion-forward aesthetic, and sporty wraparounds for active use. Each frame is available in multiple colors, giving you virtually endless combinations. The frames themselves are reasonably priced, typically $30–$60, making it affordable to build a collection.
Audio and Call Quality
AirGo has made audio a priority with the A5, and it shows. The open-ear speakers deliver clear, balanced sound with noticeably better bass response than previous generations. They use directional audio technology similar to what you’d find in premium smart glasses, channeling sound toward your ears while keeping leakage to a minimum.
Phone calls are where the A5 really shines. The beamforming microphone array does an excellent job isolating your voice from background noise. Call recipients consistently report hearing you clearly, even in moderately noisy environments like coffee shops or busy streets. For anyone who takes lots of calls on the go, this alone makes the A5 worth considering.
Smart Features and Controls
The A5 temples feature a touch-sensitive panel that handles playback, calls, and volume control with swipe and tap gestures. The controls are intuitive and responsive, and haptic feedback confirms your inputs. Voice assistant support is built in, giving you hands-free access to your phone’s assistant for queries, messages, and navigation.
AirGo’s companion app adds useful functionality including find-my-glasses, EQ adjustments, gesture customization, and firmware updates. The app also includes a “translator mode” that uses the phone’s microphone and the glasses’ speakers for real-time conversation translation — a genuinely useful feature for travelers.
Battery Life
Battery life is solid, with AirGo claiming up to 8 hours of continuous music playback and 6 hours of talk time. In real-world mixed use, you’ll comfortably get through a full day. The temples charge via a magnetic USB-C connector, and the charging case doubles as a storage and charging solution. The case provides about two full charges, extending your total usage to several days between wall charges.
Pricing and Value
The AirGo A5 starter kit — temple modules plus one frame — starts at $169, making it one of the most affordable smart glasses options available. Additional frames range from $29 to $59. When you consider that most smart glasses lock you into a single design, the A5’s total cost of ownership is remarkably reasonable if you want multiple looks.
Compare this to buying two pairs of Ray-Ban Metas ($299+ each) or two pairs of any other smart glasses, and the AirGo approach starts to make enormous financial sense. You’re buying the brains once and the fashion as needed.
Who Is the AirGo A5 For?
The AirGo A5 is ideal for:
- Fashion-conscious users who want their glasses to match their outfit
- Professionals who need different frames for work and casual settings
- Frequent callers who want excellent audio without wearing headphones
- Travelers who want translation features and navigation in a stylish package
- Value seekers who want the flexibility of multiple frames without buying multiple devices
The Verdict
The AirGo A5 Collection is a genuinely clever product in a market that often prioritizes specs over usability. The modular approach solves a real problem — the fact that your glasses are a fashion piece you wear every day, and no single style works for every occasion. By separating the smart technology from the frame design, AirGo has created something that’s both practical and personal.
Are they the most technically advanced smart glasses? No. The A5 doesn’t have a camera, a HUD, or the AI integration you’ll find in pricier competitors. But it doesn’t need them. The A5 succeeds by focusing on what matters most for everyday wear: comfort, style, and excellent audio, all wrapped in a modular system that adapts to your life rather than the other way around.
At $169, the AirGo A5 is an easy recommendation for anyone who wants smart glasses that don’t look like smart glasses — and who doesn’t want to choose between technology and personal style. Sometimes the best innovation isn’t about adding more features, but about giving users more choices.
