Best AI glasses for Home Inspectors

2/27/26

At this pint these two appear to be the only real choices for home inspectors.

Price Comparison between the Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2) and Oakley Meta HSTN 

Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2) generally costs less than Oakley Meta HSTN, with a gap of roughly 20–35% depending on configuration.

Typical base pricing

• Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2) smart glasses start around $379 for standard configurations.​

• Street and promo pricing for Ray-Ban Meta often drops to about $299 for some styles, especially Gen 1/discounted Gen 2 models.

• Oakley Meta HSTN launches with most configurations at $399, with some editions at $499.

Current price gap range

• Versus Ray-Ban Meta at its common $379 price, Oakley Meta HSTN is typically $20–$120 more, depending on whether you’re looking at the $399 or $499 HSTN versions.

• Versus discounted Ray-Ban Meta around $299, Oakley Meta HSTN can be about $100–$200 more for comparable base glasses.

Special/limited editions

• Oakley Meta HSTN limited editions with gold or 24K-style PRIZM/PRIZM Polar lenses are positioned at the top of the range (~$499).

• Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2) price increases mainly with options like Transitions lenses but still tends to stay below Oakley’s highest HSTN tiers (e.g., $379 range vs $499).

Feature comparison between the Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2) and Oakley Meta HSTN 

Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2) and Oakley Meta HSTN use essentially the same camera, AI, and core hardware, so for home inspections the differences that matter are fit, lenses, and how you work (indoor vs outdoor, movement, POV capture).

Core hardware and capture

Both families share Meta’s Gen 2 platform, so the fundamentals for inspection use are nearly identical.

• Camera: 12 MP ultra‑wide, stills around 3024×4032, video up to roughly 3K at 30 fps, with strong electronic stabilization (a big upgrade over Gen 1 Ray‑Ban Meta).

• Audio: 2 open‑ear speakers and a 5‑mic array for dictation, calls, and narration during walkthroughs.

• Storage: 32 GB flash, roughly 500+ photos or 100+ 30‑second clips.

• Battery: About 8 hours per charge on both, with a charging case rated up to ~48 hours of top‑offs.

• Meta AI: Same voice assistant, object description, messaging, and cloud features on both, so any “AI note‑taking” or “describe what I’m seeing” workflow is shared.

Functionally, for capturing attic passes, roof edges from the ladder, or panel interiors, you’ll get very similar video quality and stabilization on either.

Fit, ergonomics, and movement

This is where they diverge in ways that matter on a job.​

• Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2)

  • Curved temple tips that grip a bit better; testers found they stay on more securely when you tilt your head a lot.​​

  • Classic Wayfarer/Headliner/round options; generally a bit more “everyday” and less sporty looking with slightly better stability on quick head turns.

• Oakley Meta HSTN

  • Straighter temples and an angular bridge; some reviewers noted they can loosen if you’re moving vigorously or looking sharply up/down.​

  • Marketed for active/outdoor users, with a wrap more like sport frames, but in practice they didn’t stay put quite as well as Ray‑Bans in high‑movement tests.​​

For climbing ladders, leaning back to see roof planes, or ducking in crawlspaces, the Ray‑Ban frames’ grip is slightly better as‑shipped, which can mean fewer “push glasses back up” moments while filming.​​

Lenses, visibility, and environment

Lens options and how they handle light are probably the biggest workflow difference for you.

• Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2)

  • Lots of styles and tints; clear, sun, and prescription options across multiple frames.

  • Better if you want something that looks like standard clear prescription glasses for interior inspections and low‑light spaces.

• Oakley Meta HSTN

  • Strong emphasis on PRIZM and polarized lenses; polarized PRIZM 24K, transitions‑style Amethyst, etc., tuned for outdoor contrast and bright sun.

  • Polarized lenses are excellent for exterior work in bright Colorado sun—seeing detail on roofs, siding, and grading—but can make some phone/tablet screens harder to read at certain angles.​

If you spend a ton of time outdoors or on roofs, the Oakley PRIZM options will give you more comfortable vision and better contrast outside. If your priority is interior inspections, panels, and screens, Ray‑Ban with clear or light prescription lenses is usually more practical.

Comfort, style, and “client‑facing” feel

Both are light (low‑50‑gram range) and can take prescriptions in about the same range.

• Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2)

  • Slightly lighter on paper, with a more traditional, non‑tech look that blends in better with clients.

  • More frame and color choices, so easier to get something that looks like your regular inspection glasses.

• Oakley Meta HSTN

  • Sportier aesthetic, polarized by default on some models, which many reviewers felt made them feel more “premium” but also more obviously like performance shades.

For client comfort and a low‑profile “these are just my glasses” vibe, Ray‑Ban Meta has the edge. For a more outdoor/sport profile with higher‑end sun lenses, Oakley Meta HSTN wins.

Quick recommendation for home inspections

• Choose Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2) if:

  • You value secure fit when looking up/down ladders and in attics.​​

  • You do a lot of interior work and want clear or prescription lenses that look like normal glasses.

  • You want more frame and style options so they don’t scream “wearable tech” to clients.

• Choose Oakley Meta HSTN if:

  • You’re often in bright sun and want PRIZM/polarized lenses for roof/exterior work.

  • You prefer the Oakley sport aesthetic and don’t mind a bit less secure fit under aggressive movement.​

Since both share the same Meta platform, you’re not giving up much in capture quality either way; pick based on lenses and how they sit on your head during a long inspection day.