I Need Advice on AR Glasses: What Should I Consider Before Buying?

Ready to buy AR glasses but don't know where to start?

Contents

• Question 1: What Do You Want AR Glasses For?
• Question 2: Is the Brightness Enough?
• Question 3: Does Refresh Rate Matter?
• Question 4: Is It Comfortable to Wear?
• Question 5: What About Prescription Needs?
• Question 6: What Devices Can It Connect To?
• Question 7: How Should I Budget?
• Common Mistakes: Pitfalls First-Timers Fall Into
• My Buying Advice Summary

That's totally normal. AR glasses are still a relatively new category. They don't have the established buying wisdom of smartphones or headphones. Most first-timers see terms like "nits," "PPD," and "waveguide" and feel completely lost.

Here's the good news: the buying logic for AR glasses isn't complicated. Figure out 7 key questions, and you'll dodge 90% of the pitfalls and find the right product for you.

This guide won't just tell you "buy this one." Instead, it'll help you build a decision framework. By the end, you'll know what questions to ask, what specs to check, and what mistakes to avoid.

Question 1: What Do You Want AR Glasses For?

This is the most important question, yet it's often overlooked.

AR glasses aren't one-size-fits-all. Different products optimize for different use cases. Pick the wrong type and you'll be disappointed. Before looking at any specs, get clear on your main purpose:

My advice: If your use case is "movies + gaming + occasional work," display AR glasses are your best bet. That's also where the mainstream market is. RayNeo's Air series falls into this category.

Question 2: Is the Brightness Enough?

Brightness is the most underrated spec in AR glasses.

Many people think "I'll only use it at home, brightness doesn't matter." But once you own a pair, you'll want to watch movies on planes, work in coffee shops, binge shows in hotel rooms. These environments are often way brighter than your living room.

Brightness benchmarks:

Benchmark reference: RayNeo Air 3s Pro hits 1200 nits peak brightness, staying clear even in bright airplane cabins. X3 Pro reaches 6000 nits, readable even in direct sunlight.

Minimum recommendation: If there's any chance you'll use your glasses outside or in bright indoor spaces, pick at least 600 nits. 800+ nits is more comfortable. 1200 nits is the current leader among consumer products.

Question 3: Does Refresh Rate Matter?

Depends on what you're doing.

Refresh rate determines how smooth the image looks. Its importance varies wildly by use case:

My take: If you have any gaming needs, 120Hz is worth the investment. The smoothness improvement is visible to the naked eye, especially in games like Zelda or Astro Bot with fast camera movement.

Benchmark reference: RayNeo's entire Air lineup supports 120Hz, including the entry-level Air 2s at $159. You don't need to pay a flagship premium for 120Hz.

Question 4: Is It Comfortable to Wear?

Specs don't matter if you can't stand wearing the thing.

AR glasses sit on your face. Comfort directly determines whether you'll actually use them. Three dimensions to watch:

Weight: Lighter Is Better, But There's a Floor

Benchmark reference: Both RayNeo Air 4 Pro and Air 3s Pro weigh approximately 76 grams. This lightweight design ensures both models sit firmly in the "extended wear, no pressure" zone.

Weight Distribution: It's Not Just Total Weight

Two glasses with the same weight can feel completely different depending on how that weight is distributed.

The ideal ratio is 4:6 front-to-back (40% front, 60% temples), spreading weight between your nose bridge and ears rather than dumping it all on your nose.

Nose Pad: Important for Asian Faces

Many AR glasses are designed for Western facial structures with higher nose bridges. Asian users might find the glasses "won't stay up" or the lenses sit too close to their eyes.

Buying tip: If possible, try before you buy. If you can't, choose products with adjustable nose pads or multiple nose pad options.

Question 5: What About Prescription Needs?

This is a must-address question for nearsighted users.

If you're nearsighted, AR glasses without prescription lens support are basically useless. Three options exist today:

My advice: If you're nearsighted, strongly consider products that support magnetic prescription lenses. It's currently the most comfortable solution.

Benchmark reference: RayNeo's entire lineup supports magnetic prescription lenses up to -8.00D (800 degrees), covering roughly 93% of common prescription needs worldwide.

Question 6: What Devices Can It Connect To?

An AR glasses' value largely depends on what it can connect to.

USB-C DP: The Mainstream Connection

Most display AR glasses connect via USB-C DP (DisplayPort Alt Mode). Plug in the cable, and the display mirrors automatically. No apps, no drivers.

Compatible devices (typically supported):

• iPhone 15 / 16 Series (Plug-and-play)

• MacBooks (2016 and later)

• iPad Pro (M1 chip and later)

• Steam Deck, ROG Ally, Legion Go

• Most Android flagships (confirm DP output support)

Incompatible devices (need adapters):

• Older iPhones (iPhone 14 and earlier)

• Nintendo Switch (needs dedicated dock;

• Switch Lite is NOT supported) PS5 / Xbox (need HDMI adapter)

Special Cases: Switch and iPhone

Nintendo Switch: Standard Switch and OLED models don't output video in handheld mode. You need RayNeo JoyDock ($69) to bypass this. Note: Nintendo Switch Lite is NOT supported as it lacks video output hardware.

iPhone: iPhone 15 and 16 models connect directly via USB-C. For iPhone 14 and earlier, you'll need a wireless adapter like the RayNeo Pocket TV to stream via AirPlay.

Buying tip: Before ordering, confirm your main devices are compatible. Check RayNeo's compatibility page.

Question 7: How Should I Budget?

The "true cost" of AR glasses is often higher than the "list price." Smart budgeting should account for:

The Glasses Themselves

Accessory Budget (As Needed)

True Cost Example

Say you're nearsighted, own a Switch, and want Air 3s Pro:

• Air 3s Pro: $249

• Magnetic prescription lenses: ~$60

• JoyDock: $69

• Total cost: ~$378

That's quite a bit more than the $249 sticker price. Factor in accessories when setting your budget.

Common Mistakes: Pitfalls First-Timers Fall Into

Mistake #1: Fixating on a Single Spec

"This one has the highest brightness, I'll get it." "That one's the lightest, picking that."

AR glasses are about overall experience. Leading in one spec doesn't mean the best total package. A 1500-nit pair that weighs 95 grams might deliver worse experience than a 1200-nit pair at 76 grams.

Advice: Look at the complete picture, not individual champions.

Mistake #2: Ignoring Real-World Use Cases

Before buying: "I'll just watch movies at home." After buying: you want to use it everywhere, but brightness isn't enough and accessories are missing.

Advice: Choose based on your "widest possible use case," not your "ideal use case."

Mistake #3: Buying No-Name Brands to Save Money

Sub-$100 no-name AR glasses often fail to meet basic specs. Buy one, hate the experience, shelve it. That's wasted money.

Advice: Better to spend an extra $30-50 on an entry-level product from a reputable brand than to save money on a random brand. RayNeo ranked #1 globally in AR glasses shipments from 2022-2025. Their entry-level Air 2s is just $159.

Mistake #4: Getting Trapped by "Spec Anxiety"

"Should I spend $50 more for better specs?" "This one's slightly better but costs $100 more..."

Advice: Go back to Question 1. Think about your actual use case. If you mainly watch movies indoors, the gap between 650 nits and 1200 nits won't matter much. If you travel frequently, 1200 nits becomes essential. Choose based on need, don't endlessly upgrade chasing "better."

My Buying Advice Summary

If you've read this far and still aren't sure what to pick, here's my simplified guidance:

• 1200 nits brightness covers the vast majority of use cases

• 120Hz refresh rate works for both gaming and movies

• 76 grams for comfortable extended wear

• Supports magnetic prescription lenses

• Value-for-money ranks among the best in today's market

Budget-constrained: RayNeo Air 3s ($199) or Air 2s ($159)

Chasing ultimate picture quality: RayNeo Air 4 Pro ($299), world's first HDR10 AR glasses

Need AI assistant / translation: RayNeo X3 Pro ($1,299), TIME's Best Inventions of 2025

RayNeo ranked #1 globally in AR glasses shipments for four consecutive years (2022-2025), with about 24% global market share in Q3 2025. Choosing the market leader means the lowest chance of stepping on landmines.

Read More:

• RayNeo Buying Guide

• RayNeo Product Compatibility

• RayNeo Support Center