Marques Brownlee — MKBHD to his 20 million subscribers — doesn’t mince words about tech. So when he says “smart glasses are good now,” the industry pays attention. His video essay on the state of smart eyewear in 2025 has racked up millions of views and might be the moment the category truly entered the mainstream conversation.

Brownlee’s Verdict

Brownlee’s thesis is simple: after years of compromises, the latest generation of smart glasses finally checks enough boxes to recommend to regular people. He highlights the Ray-Ban Meta as the poster child — good-looking, capable camera, solid audio, and deep smartphone integration. “They don’t look weird,” he notes, “and that matters more than any spec sheet.”

But he doesn’t stop at Meta. Brownlee also praises the Xreal Air for media consumption, gives a nod to the Even G2 for translation features, and acknowledges the Aventa G100 as a legitimate budget option. The breadth of his coverage signals genuine category depth.

The critique is measured. Battery life remains the Achilles’ heel — no smart glasses last a full day of active use. Privacy concerns around always-on cameras persist. And the prices, while coming down, still represent a premium over regular glasses. “We’re not at the iPhone moment yet,” he cautions, “but we’re closer than I ever expected.”

Whether you agree with Brownlee’s assessment or not, his endorsement matters. Smart glasses have crossed the chasm from tech demo to consumer product. The conversation has shifted from “will anyone wear these?” to “which ones should I buy?” — and that’s real progress.