The new Meta smart glasses from Ray-Ban look every bit as good as the traditional fashion model, launched in style and technology packaged in one sleek frame.

A s a tech editor with an endless list of new gadgets to try, what caught my attention about this was how it allowed me to listen to music, make calls, and snap photos-all without having to reach for my smartphone. For $300, they looked like the sort of fun but perhaps frivolous accessory it would be interesting to explore.

Having used them for a month in New York City, commuting, walking through parks, and running errands, I'm impressed with many of the features, especially text messages are clear and audio is sharp. One major flaw prevented me from giving them my full recommendation.

Design: Stylish Yet Bulky
Ray-Ban's Meta smart glasses are sleek: there's a tiny camera discreetly embedded into the upper right frame, and a dummy lens on the left side for symmetry. You can pretty much tell you're taking a photo or a video because of the glow ring around the lens. While the charging case looks so fashionably dressed within a faux leather, it is pretty bulky and an encumbrance to carry around in small bags. The magnetic mount for the glasses takes some getting used to apply. On the other hand, this case does come with a handy LED light to show low battery. Thick frame arms-a definite plus-thick enough to be comfortably fattening when worn for long periods, though they are firmly held in place.

Battery Life: Underwhelming
The biggest dissappointment is the battery life. For four hours, the Ray-Ban Metas hold their charge and still that's relatively too short for bigger uses like attending festivals or long-duration outdoor activities. Look at this against the backdrop of the Amazon Echo Frames (Gen 3), with a battery life of six to eight hours and no camera in tow. The Meta Ray-Bans include a charging case that expands up to 32 hours, but the lack of initial four hours is a significant drawback for most users.

Performance: Impressive but Not Without Issues
I was pleasantly surprised by just how much I enjoyed using the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses. The audio was excellent, too-there was minimal distortion, and it even outperformed several of the other smart glasses I've reviewed. Open-ear design provides situational awareness, and the touch controls and Meta AI voice assistant were responsive and easily usable. But at 12MP resolution-the camera is just a little too aggressive on distortion, and it's only just enough for casual use.

The Major Mistake: Lack of Location Tracking
The biggest oversight is the lack of on-glass location tracking. Lose your glasses, and forget about retrieving them, which is a pretty important feature for a $300 pair of sunglasses. The Amazon Echo Frames features a "find my device" feature, so you're left high and dry by the Ray-Ban Metas if you lose yours-the horror I experienced firsthand with mine

Verdict: Worth Considering, With Reservations
Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses provide a few popular features and decent audio. However, location tracking is a sorry omission, and the battery life isn't exemplary. If you're fine sacrificing some of these issues for the sake of fashionably cutting-edge tech, then these may be the ticket. Otherwise, you might settle with a pairing of old-school sunglasses and wireless earbuds.

How I Tested the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses
I wore the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses everywhere: parks and city streets. In general, I tested their audio quality for a broad set of music (think album integrity) and how it stacks up against the Amazon Echo Frames (3rd Gen). Plus, I ran these little guys through the wringer when it comes to battery life-and location tracking, where it drops the ball-sadly, the hard way.

My Credentials
As a seasoned consumer tech editor with Forbes Vetted, I've covered the gamut of consumer electronics-from wearables to smart home gadgets. Much hands-on time has been spent across multiple borders, so I approach my recommendations based on thorough reviews and first-hand experience.