Razer, the company known for its gaming peripherals and laptops, also has a pair of smart glasses called the Anzu Smart Glasses. It has built-in speakers and microphones and can be connected to a phone or computer for calls or music playback. Soundcore, an Anker brand, has also begun selling the Soundcore Frames, a pair of glasses with built-in speakers that can be used to take calls or listen to music by pairing via Bluetooth to a compatible device. Both glasses serve the same function, but which one of them should a buyer purchase?
Smart Glasses have become the latest trend in the wearable space. A few tech companies have one or more smart glasses on the market right now. Snapchat's Spectacles series launched in 2016 and is now in its third generation. Huawei's partnership with South Korean brand, Gentle Monster, has spawned two smart glasses while Facebook partnered with Ray-Ban for the Ray-Ban Stories. Amazon has also launched two smart glasses under its Echo Frames line and audio giant, Bose, has more than three audio sunglasses.
The Anzu Smart Glasses and Soundcore Frames are both priced at $199.99. However, their similarities extend beyond their price tags. Both are audio smart glasses with open-ear built-in speakers that connect via Bluetooth to a phone or computer, just like headphones. They also have microphones so owners can use them to make calls. Depending on the lenses, the two smart glasses protect against Blue light to reduce eye strain or protection from ultraviolet light from the sun. The Anzu Smart Glasses and Soundcore Frames are compatible with prescription lenses too. They are also rated IPX4 for protection against sweat and splashes and have touch controls. The two glasses are not only compatible with both iOS and Android devices and the voice assistant on these devices but also have a companion app on the App Store and Play Store for customizing the experience they offer.
A Case Of Personal Preference
The Anzu Smart Glasses are slightly different from the Soundcore frames in terms of how they look. The former is available in two sizes with the option for rectangle or round lenses. It also ships with blue-light filter lenses pre-installed and replacement polarized lenses for protection against UVA/UVB. Razer has partnered with Lensabl and is offering a discount for those who want prescription lenses. Soundcore offers eight different sunglasses options and two eyeglasses options, all of which have shatter-resistant lenses. It makes it even better by allowing buyers to pick up additional frames for $49.99. Without needing a tool, owners can easily swap frames by detaching the audio temples and attaching them to the frame of their choice. A virtual try-on page on the Soundcore website and app will allow you to try on a frame before purchasing it. Soundcore says the glasses are compatible with prescription lenses, but buyers will have to get them themselves.
Both Razer and Soundcore are known for their numerous audio products, so it is no surprise that they have carried that experience over to their smart glasses. Razer boasts its smart glasses have a 60ms low-latency Bluetooth connection for smooth and disruption-free audio, while Soundcore takes pride in its OpenSurround audio system. While both support voice assistants on the device they are connected to, the Soundcore Frames has its own local voice assistant that users can use to control music playback and calls. Soundcore's smart glasses also have a slightly better battery life by 30 minutes and support fast charging too.
Seeing as the Razer Anzu Smart Glasses and Soundcore Frames have the same price tag and primarily similar features, it all boils down to the buyer's preference. However, the Soundcore Frames has a slight edge with its modular design and slightly better battery life.