The five kinds of smart glasses

Three display words matter before the product names.

A conventional display is a monitor, laptop, or phone. An in-eye display replaces that: you wear a computer display. An on-glasses display sits on the lens. It is a HUD, not a monitor.

In-eye display

An in-eye display. It replaces a conventional computer monitor. Fully portable: wear it on a plane, use it with a phone, work at a desk without a monitor. Typical use: private desktop in view, USB-C hosted.

On the matrix today: XREAL One Pro, VITURE Luma Ultra, Lenovo ThinkReality A3 (discontinued — listed so we still recognise it).

On-glasses display, no camera

An on-glasses display: text and cues on the lens. Not an in-eye computer display. No camera. Typical use: discreet text and UI, no filming of anyone in front of you.

On the matrix today: Even G2 + R1.

Camera and on-glasses display

An on-glasses display, plus a camera. Not an in-eye computer display. This is where most industrial remote-support and guided-work sets live.

On the matrix today: RayNeo X3 Pro, Brilliant Labs Halo (maker only — Brilliant sells it direct), RealWear Navigator 520, Vuzix M400, Iristick G3, Rokid X-Craft.

Several of the industrial sets are quote-only. The maker does not run a simple public checkout for the territories we serve, so the honest path is a quote through us.

Camera, no display

Film, call, and listen. No in-eye or on-glasses display. Typical use: everyday AI and recording, still looking like glasses.

On the matrix today: Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2, Rokid AI Glasses Style.

Sound only

Help through sound only. No camera, no in-eye or on-glasses display. Typical use: private voice help and calls.

On the matrix today: Solos AirGo 3.

The kind is the first filter. An in-eye pair that replaces a monitor is not a substitute for a rugged on-glasses set in the field, even if both have a camera.