Oakley Meta Vanguard
The Oakley Meta Vanguard is a hybrid smart glasses device designed for fitness and everyday use, offering a bold, sporty design with advanced features. It includes a 12MP camera for high-quality photos and 720p 120fps video recording, along with open-ear audio for immersive sound. The device integrates with Garmin for fitness tracking and supports voice and touch controls.
Jumoka Cobbs 
Oakley Meta Vanguard Review Score
Mixed reviews - 10 reviewers had varied opinions
10
Reviews
90.0
Highest
60.0
Lowest
Battery
Glasses:up to 9 hours Case: Up to 36hrs
Field of View
122°
Weight
66g
Platform
Meta Horizon OS
Review Sources:
| Publication | Score (100) | Review Date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expert Reviews | Feb 23, 2026 | Read Review → | |
"I can heartily recommend the Oakley Meta Vanguards to anyone who enjoys strenuous outdoor activities like running or cycling, skiing or snowboarding. They're smart glasses, but they're not geeky. They're optically exceptional, capture top-quality foo" | |||
| Wired | Oct 21, 2025 | Read Review → | |
"I can actually hear my podcasts when I'm biking at speed, which is something you can't really do even with the Oakley Meta HSTNs. I'm looking forward to being able to take the Vanguard sunglasses snowboarding this season." | |||
| PCMag | Oct 21, 2025 | Read Review → | |
"The pricey Oakley Meta Vanguard smart glasses combine a sporty, weather-resistant design with useful software features and loud open-ear speakers, delivering a premium hands-free experience for athletes." | |||
| Engadget | Oct 30, 2025 | Read Review → | |
"While the second-gen Ray-Ban and Oakley HSTN glasses iterated on the same formula Meta has used for the last few years, the Vanguard glasses are refreshingly different. They aren't really meant to be everyday sunglasses (unless you're really committe" | |||
| The Guardian | Nov 3, 2025 | Read Review → | |
"The Oakley Meta Vanguard are new displayless AI glasses designed for running, cycling and action sports with deep Garmin and Strava integration, which may make them the first smart glasses for sport that actually work." | |||
| Tom's Guide | Oct 23, 2025 | Read Review → | |
"The Oakley Meta Vanguard smart glasses have some neat features, like Garmin and Strava integration, capture good-quality video, and are comfortable to wear while running or doing other outdoor activities. However, those who are serious about action v" | |||
| T3 | Nov 11, 2025 | Read Review → | |
"Oakley's Meta Vanguard sunglasses are bold, beautifully built and full of promise, but the execution isn't there yet. The camera can't replace an action cam, integrations are clunky, and it's heavy for everyday wear." | |||
| Trusted Reviews | Jan 9, 2026 | Read Review → | |
"The Oakley Meta Vanguard are a solid pair of screen-free smartglasses that perfectly embody Oakley’s sport-centric design, include brand-exclusive features like Prizm lenses, and tailor Meta’s established AI-backed smartglasses experience to better c" | |||
| Android Central | Nov 23, 2025 | Read Review → | |
"Oakley Meta Vanguard smart glasses have the same tech as Ray-Ban Meta glasses, but tailored to different people and lifestyles. Instead of wearing them in your day-to-day life, Vanguard offers convenient hands-free photos and videos, music, or callin" | |||
| TechRadar | Oct 21, 2025 | Read Review → | |
"If you have a compatible Garmin watch then the Oakley Meta Vanguard glasses will be a superb companion. The open ear audio, Meta AI assistance providing real-time fitness data, crystal clear calls, and auto capture video recaps combine into something" | |||
| * Price represents starting price. Price can increase based on product options and selection. | |||
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🤓 Nerd Verdict
Updated: February 24, 2026
The Oakley Meta Vanguard smart glasses are worth considering for serious athletes who prioritize fitness tracking, audio quality, and outdoor durability. However, their high price tag and limited usefulness outside of sports make them less appealing to casual users.
✅ Strengths
- Crystal clear call audio and open-ear speakers praised by multiple sources.
- IP67 waterproof rating allows use in various weather conditions, noted by TechRadar and CNET.
- Centralized camera captures good quality video, ideal for fitness tracking, agreed upon by The Verge and TechRadar.
⚠️ Weaknesses
- Reliance on Garmin devices for optimal fitness features, criticized by multiple reviewers.
- Limited fashion appeal due to design as a sports-specific accessory, noted by The Verge and Android Central.
- High price tag of $499 puts them out of reach for budget-conscious consumers, mentioned by TechRadar and Digital Trends.
💡 Bottom Line
Athletes who prioritize fitness tracking, audio quality, and outdoor durability should consider the Oakley Meta Vanguard smart glasses despite their high cost. Casual users or those prioritizing everyday wearability may want to explore other options at a lower price point.
