When you’re going on a walk or commuting to work, your sunglasses, earbuds, phone, keys, and wallet can be a lot to keep track of. If you’ve been curious about finding ways to streamline and simplify (without dropping close to $400 on the Ray Ban Meta glasses) we spotted a pair of “smart” polarized sunglasses that let you listen to music, take calls, ask for directions and check traffic and the weather hands, phone and headphone free— for just $34.99.
Users say these specs are “much better than using my earphones and my sunglasses,” with one noting the sound quality is “pretty close to AirPods.”
Wearers call this genius two-in-one accessory a stylish and functional game-changer that exceed their expectations. And at this price, this pair seems to be a great choice for your eyes, ears and wallet.
While the glasses come in a bunch of colors and styles, this timeless all-black pair will give you the best price at $35. Here’s how they work:
They connect to your smartphone, letting you use all your favorite apps with a dual-open ear speaker that lets you make calls or listen to music, directions, podcasts or anything else. They’re made with a Bluetooth speaker and smart assistant, so you can control them with your voice as you’re calling a friend or putting on a podcast, with a 10-hour battery life. Reviewers call them “easy to figure out,” and “simple and easy to wear,” with one reviewer joking that their “work will never know,” when they’re jamming to tunes on the job.
Users agree on the sound quality of the speakers, noting that calls and music sound totally clear while allowing you to remain aware of your surroundings. “This is the best pair of sunglasses and speakers I’ve ever seen,” a reviewer who takes daily walks wrote. “I can walk freely knowing I can also hear any cars etc.”
Yet, there’s some to debate on how discreet the speaker on glasses can be, regarding whether others can hear your phone calls and your music. “Really I don’t think anyone could hear it unless we were together in a very quiet room, and even then, they would have to be extremely close,” one said.
The durable frames are designed to be flexible, but still sturdy, with anti-scratch polarized lenses and side buttons for volume control and forward and backward play. Fans say the glasses aren’t too heavy or bulky and can withstand light rain and splashes.
People find them handy for doing all sorts of activities.
Wearers have reported using them without issue for everything from e-bike rides, motorcycle rides, making calls on the go, taking walks, running and more. “The sunglasses lens are actually quite good and they are super comfortable,” one said.
“I use them when I do my morning walks and I love the sound quality while listening to my music and can easily press the pause/volume buttons when necessary.”
Several reviewers noted these being a preferred alternative to earbuds and headphones. (Yes, including the cult-favorites.)
They’re mostly compared to Bose headphones and AirPods, as people grabbed these as an alternative when theirs either gave out or having something in their ears wasn’t ideal. One person noted that they simply live in a climate “so hot and humid and sweaty here, [especially] with AirPods slipping out,” that they opted for these glasses.
“The sound and mic quality is far better than I would’ve expected, pretty close to Airpods without them actually being in your ear,” another user, Keegen, shared.
“And if you’re more than 3 feet away or they’re not right in your ears, other people can’t hear it, so they’re pretty much like earbuds. They also have a good polarized tint, so they’re great sunglasses themselves too.”
Want to know more about these budget-friendly smart glasses and how they stack up to earbuds? Check out these 5-star reviews.
“Amazing product I hate earbuds stuck in my ears, have social anxiety also, so wear them into public places so can listen to enjoyable music and keeps the anxiety in check” — Debby Hancock
“Easy to pair. Surprised at good listening quality. More comfortable outside than earbuds.” — OH Driver
“I absolutely love these OhO Smart Glasses! They are the perfect combination of style and functionality. The polarized lenses provide excellent UV protection, and the built-in Bluetooth speakers offer clear, high-quality sound. It’s amazing to be able to listen to music or take calls hands-free while still being aware of my surroundings. The voice control feature is incredibly convenient, allowing me to access my favorite music stations and get updates on directions, weather, and traffic without needing to reach for my phone. The battery life is impressive, lasting up to 10 hours, which is perfect for long days out. These glasses are comfortable to wear and have a sleek, unisex design that suits any outfit. Whether I’m out for a run, cycling, or just enjoying a sunny day, they enhance my experience without any hassle. If you’re looking for smart glasses that combine fashion, comfort, and advanced features, I highly recommend these!” — NB
“Got these for a trip. This is my first pair of smart glasses. It came with a cleaning cloth, case, and the charging cord. These are amazing. I can see very well. The sound quality of the speaker while listening to music and talking on the phone is better than some of my air buds. They are light weight. I am glad to have made this purchase. I ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ these shades.” — Kimberly Bruin
“THESE FRAMES HAVE MULTIPOINT CONNECTION! I just noticed it connected to my iPad & note 10 + and I could pause 1 and listen to other without touching a button. AMAZING! Amazon echo frames battery lasted barely 2.5 hours, these Oho sunshine pair I can easily get 8 hours out of it. I work in a wearhouse where earbuds are not allowed these are perfectly discrete and helps me get through the day. My biggest challenge is not to sing & dance too much & give my secret away. Great product I want to try more from this company!” – Rodrick Harvell
“Like how they fit over my glasses. I wear them on my forehead with a headband for comfort inside when listening to music. Good stereo quality. Much prefer them to earbuds. Well made. Very pleased with them as sunglasses as well.” — Josar
“I didn’t even know they could make sunglasses with speakers in them so compact, however when I saw these I was shocked so I had to order them, and I was not disappointed in the slightest. The sound and mic quality is far better than I would’ve expected, pretty close to Airpods without them actually being in your ear. And if you’re more than 3 feet away or they’re not right in your ears, other people can’t hear it, so they’re pretty much like earbuds. They also have a good polarized tint, so they’re great sunglasses themselves too. Overall very satisfied.” — Keegan
Not ready to give up earbuds yet but need a different sound options? Here’s my curated list of HuffPost Readers’ favorite headphones at every budget. Hot tip, lots of them are on sale too!
The Real Deal: We use deal trackers and commerce experience to sift through “fake” hike-and-drop deals and other deceptive sales tactics. Products will usually be rated at least 4 stars with a minimum 15% discount. (And when there’s an exception, we’ll tell you why.)
Amazon
A pair of colorful over-ear buds
Come for the fun colors, but stay for the comfort and sound quality. This over-ear option has up to 40 hours of listening time between charges and controls on the earbuds for easy listening. Hit the coupon for an extra $14 off.
Promising review: “I love these headphones !!! So comfortable to wear and stays on your ear well and comfortable. Seeing they are sports related and are water resistant I have even worn them in the shower as long as I’m not washing my hair. Case recharges them when docked and auto connect when removed. Definitely recommend to anyone who loves music in the background without having everyone hearing it. Wearing one at the time gives one on standby for when you want to switch ears and you can still hear everything else going on around you. Great product and very well made, quality product” — Charlie Suzy
Amazon
JBL Vibe wireless earbuds
Promising review: “These are without a DOUBT the best earbuds I have ever owned. That sound quality is PHENOMENAL. The amount of bass is unbelievable. And the fact that you can use the app which has an equalizer you can adjust yourself. Also, if you lose them the app can show you where to look. All around great buy.” — Nelson Eugene Perry
Amazon
Tozo T10 waterproof earbuds (20% off)
These waterproof earbuds have racked up 245,000+ 5-star ratings and an overwhelming number of positive reviews on Amazon that attest to their versatility, durability, sound quality and also the fact that they perform just as well as pricier options. They’re currently 20% off for Prime Members.
Promising review: “These are great and I have 2 pair. I found out they are truly waterproof because I dropped them in the hot tub and they were down for about 5 minutes while I looked for them. It was a big deep public hot tub. Found them, shook them off and let them dry. They still worked perfectly.” — Arike Ifaremi
Bose
An open-ear option from an iconic brand
Promising review: “Good sound quality, They stay on your ear real well. I use them while biking and they don’t fall off. Only took a day to get used to. These are open headphones so just remember, no sound cancelling and these aren’t going to be the greatest for loud environments, but they are great for their normal use.” — Kobbs1
Amazon
Second-generation Apple AirPods
Without a doubt, the consistent top-selling headphones here at HuffPost are the second-generation Apple AirPods. If you use a Mac computer or have an iPhone or iPad, these wireless earbuds automatically turn on and connect seamlessly between them. They’re Siri-enabled with a built-in microphone, five hours of direct playtime and an over 24-hour battery life with the charging case.
Promising review: “AirPods are fantastic! They offer a seamless connection with my devices and deliver crisp, clear sound quality. The battery life is impressive, and they’re comfortable to wear for extended periods. The built-in mic provides excellent call quality, and the convenience of the charging case makes them perfect for on-the-go use. If you’re looking for reliable and high-performing wireless earbuds, AirPods are a top choice!” — Mayshin Keltner
Amazon
Or Apple AirPods Pro 2nd generation wireless earbuds
Upgrade your workout, daily commute and general podcast listening with a pair of second-generation AirPods Pros. With active noise cancellation and transparency mode, these AirPods can let you get totally absorbed in your music or let some noise through so you can be safe while out and about. They’re water- and sweat-resistant so you can wear them in the rain or during a high-intensity jog. Best of all, they come with four different-sized silicone tips, only take an hour to charge and have up to six hours of playtime with active noise canceling. Made with Apple’s H2 chip, these headphones have dynamic noise cancellation and personalized spatial audio, meaning the sound moves with your head and fits your personal ear shape. These have six hours of direct listening time and 30 hours with the charging case.
Promising review: “AirPods Pro 2 are amazing. The Adaptive Transparency mode is absolute magic. I can wear it on the NYC subway and the terrible train noise is muted, but I can still hear the conductor’s through the speakers or even chat with someone next to me. Noise Cancellation mode is also fantastic when the world is just too noisy. They are also usually much cheaper on Amazon than they would be if you bought directly from Apple. Pro tip: if you find concerts or movie theaters too loud, wear these and just don’t play music. It’s a great use of Adaptive Transparency mode and will really cut the loud sounds down.” — Andrew
Amazon
Or the third-generation Apple AirPods
Amazon
Beats flex connected earbuds
Connected to each other but wireless for your device, this set from Beats really gives you the best of both worlds. The earbud heads are magnetic and can stick to each other for easy storage or to keep them around your neck when they’re not in your ears. According to our price trackers, they’re currently 18% off.
Promising review: “I have no interest in fully wireless earbuds as I know I’ll lose them right away. Finding these Beats wireless earbuds that wrap behind the neck are perfect. I bought my first pair a few years ago when looking for an affordable option and I use them almost daily (my second pair is for keeping in my suitcase). I like that I can wear one (leaving one ear free to hear around me) or two, or I can let them both fall around my neck where a small magnet connects them, turns the sound off, and keeps them from falling off. I can control everything on the lightweight comfortable headset.” — CarMela
Amazon
JBL Tune noise-cancelling ear buds
Looking for noise-canceling, sweat-resistant wireless earbuds with a long battery life? You came to the right place. These babies have six microphones, making them perfect for taking clear calls on the go or wearing during Zoom meetings. They have JBL’s Pure Bass sound and up to 40 hours of battery life per charge, too, so you’ll never be without your favorite podcast or playlist. They’re also water- and sweat-resistant, so you can take them to the gym or on a hike with no issues. With active noise-canceling as well as “Ambient Aware” and “TalkThru” features, you can totally tune out the outside world, decide what you want to hear or immediately switch to calls.
Promising review: “I purchased these earbuds for running and for work, where I am active all the time. They are a GREAT value for the money. I didn’t wamy to spend hundreds of dollars on more expensive options and the JBL reviews were positive. I am very pleased with the sound quality, bass, connectivity, and battery life. I usually get more than 12 hours of continuous use before charging. I recently compared the JBLs against the Apple pods and the JBLs were vastly better sounding.” — john