I recently picked up a pair of Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarer Gen 2 spectacles from Davies & Lowry Optometrists in Church Village and, as someone who always likes trying out the latest tech, they immediately caught my attention as something genuinely different.

Davies & Lowry is an independent opticians offering both NHS and private eye tests, alongside low vision services and a wide range of designer spectacles. They stock several styles from the Ray-Ban Meta range, but I opted for the classic Wayfarer design, which still manages to look like a normal pair of spectacles despite all the tech packed inside.

After spending some time using them day-to-day, I’ve come away genuinely impressed. The fit is comfortable and secure, with very little movement once they’re on, and they don’t feel overly heavy considering the amount of hardware built into them.

The standout feature for me has been the camera. Being able to quickly capture photos or video from your own point of view without scrambling for your phone is surprisingly useful, especially for those moments that would otherwise be gone before you had chance to react. The quality is much better than I expected too, producing sharp 12MP images and clean video that’s more than good enough for social media and casual content creation.

As someone working in creative design, I’ve actually found them incredibly useful professionally too. Whether I’m gathering quick visual references for website projects, capturing ideas while out and about, recording behind-the-scenes content, or even taking inspiration shots for print and branding work, they make the whole process feel far more natural and immediate than constantly reaching for a phone or camera.

The built-in speakers are another highlight. Audio is directed towards your ears through discreet speakers in the arms, allowing you to listen to music, podcasts or calls without completely shutting yourself off from the world around you. Call quality has been excellent in my experience, with the microphones picking up voices clearly even outdoors.

Meta AI is built directly into the spectacles and works through voice control. While its pronunciation of Welsh place names and words still needs a bit of work, the actual responses and information it provides are generally fast, accurate and genuinely useful when you’re out and about.

One of the smartest parts of the whole setup is the charging case, which doubles as a portable power bank for the spectacles themselves. It feels well made and gives plenty of extra charge while you’re on the move. Battery life has been solid too. With lighter day-to-day use, I’ve comfortably managed around 6-8 hours before needing to recharge, though heavier camera use will obviously drain them faster.

What I like most about the Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarers is that they don’t feel gimmicky. A lot of wearable tech can feel overcomplicated or unnecessary, but these actually fit naturally into everyday life. They still look like a stylish pair of spectacles first and foremost, while quietly adding genuinely useful features in the background.