Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Travel

How Solos Smart Glasses transformed my travels

Is AI-integrated eyewear the future of smart accessories?

By
A man wearing solos glasses and pressing the side button to activate them
Rachel Dennis / The Manual

Let’s be honest — there are so many travel gadgets and accessories out there. Slowly but surely, the cords and trinkets take over your suitcase, and your packing list suddenly has twice as many items on it. The Solos Smart Glasses are designed with the minimalist traveler in mind, streamlining your electronic needs into one essential item.

These smart glasses, available in prescription and non-prescription lenses, connect Bluetooth technology with ChatGPT for hands-free access to messages, music, and much more. There are dozens of applications for home and office use, but as a full-time traveler, I wanted to see how beneficial they could be on the road.

Recommended Videos

Here’s my take on the Solos Smart Glasses — what works, what doesn’t, and what travelers need to know to make the most of the burgeoning technology.

Related

A traveler’s take on design, fit, and all-day wear

A man holding solos glasses
Rachel Dennis / The Manual

I’ve used the Solos Smart Glasses AirGo 3 for a month, and I don’t find them much different than a pair of regular glasses or sunglasses in their feel and fit. This is a good sign- I expected them to be much heavier and uncomfortable. Their sleek design helps to minimize bulk and keeps things ergonomic.

Here’s a rundown of what to expect in terms of all-day wear:

  • Comfort: The AirGo 3 Smart Glasses weigh 35 grams, only slightly heavier than my regular sunglasses. Most of the weight is in the temples since the technology is housed here. I found them comfortable for up to three hours before feeling discomfort behind my ears.
  • Lens quality: The AirGo 3’s photochromic lenses adjust their tint based on lighting conditions. In sunny weather, they’re dark and turn clear indoors. I found that the transition was fairly quick. You can opt for prescription or non-prescription lenses, which block UV and blue light.
  • Glasses controls: There’s a button and swipe panel that lets you play, pause, browse, and adjust media volume. You can also use these controls to activate Google Assistant or ChatGPT.
  • Customization: SmartHinge frames make swapping out your glasses’ frames easy while holding onto the hardware. Many styles are available, including specialized outdoor frames for protection and durability.

They’re a great pair of starter smart glasses, balancing high-tech features with a minimalist selection panel on the casing. Learning the swipe and click patterns only takes a few minutes. But many users (including myself) experienced a slight learning curve when attempting to place the finger just right on the side controls. With practice, you’ll adapt a muscle memory for hitting them correctly.

Next-level connectivity features without a screen

A man wearing solos glasses looking into the woods
Rachel Dennis / The Manual

The Solos Smart Glasses don’t necessarily do anything your phone or laptop can’t do. Still, they offer a hands-free experience and make it easy to keep your phone in your pocket when accepting a call, putting on a song, or asking your voice assistant a quick question.

These glasses have Whisper Technology, which helps to sift out background noise and makes them more effective in loud environments. The microphone is embedded in the glasses’ temple rather than the nose bridge, which situates it close to the speaker’s mouth. It was able to pick up everything I was saying with about 98% accuracy and understood the context beyond that.

The “coach” feature wirelessly tracks your steps, estimates your calories burnt per day, and can even monitor and measure your posture based on the position of the glasses.

An accompanying Solos app brings additional functionality to the glasses, but I wouldn’t say this is entirely hands-free, as you’ll need to open the app to pair many of its features with the glasses.

Final verdict: Are the Solos Smart Glasses worth it for travelers?

Solos AirGo 3 Black Glasses with the USB-C Charger exposed
Solos / Solos

If this is your first time using smart glasses, the Solos AirGo 3 model is great for beginners. It covers all bases when it comes to hands-free audio streaming. But are there use cases that can elevate the travel experience?

Here are ways I see this product working well for travelers:

  • It can be a tour guide – for example, if you’re visiting Death Valley National Park, tap the glasses and ask where to head for the best scenic drive in the park. If you’re in New Orleans, tap your Solos, share your location, and ask where to get a high-rated Sazarac in walking distance.
  • While Solos LiveTranslation requires the app, it makes conversation seamless by translating directly into your glasses. It’s nearly as powerful and speedy as the renowned Vasco Translator V4 regarding voice and text processing.
  • The app allows you to geo-locate the Solos Smart Glasses — so place them in your luggage and you have an instant tracker.
  • It’s great for listening to music or podcasts in unfamiliar environments, allowing you to keep an ear on your surroundings for safety.
  • You can activate Whisper Sync notifications to help keep you on schedule without checking your phone — let’s say you linger too long in a museum — your glasses can remind you that you have an upcoming dinner in an hour so you’re not late.
  • The IP67 waterproof level casing keeps Solos’ glasses dustproof and dry when briefly submerged in water, making them great for light watersports and outdoor activities.
  • The glasses’ battery life is up to 10 hours, and they are easily rechargeable with a wireless connector or USB-C cable.

Overall, the Solos Smart Glasses AirGo 3 are a solid accessory for travelers. They’re simple to set up with the help of the AI-guided walkthrough, and the features feel well-rounded, ranging from translation to notifications. The Solos sports line caters to the adventurous traveler, and there are plenty of styles to choose from in the entire catalogue, so you’re not stuck with a generic clunky frame.

After a full month using the Solos AirGo 3 glasses, I found them helpful during my travels. Still, I miss one powerful feature — the ability for my eyewear to see and interpret the world around me. Unfortunately, the AirGo 3 model doesn’t have a video component, but the Solos Krypton 1 glasses have cameras that can analyze your travels in real time.

This addition takes smart glasses to the next level for savvy travelers, with expanded functionality like enhanced translation and visual identification of landmarks. Most promising, video-enabled glasses can help you navigate better, saving time and energy if you get lost.

Topics
Rachel Dennis
Rachel Dennis
Author
Full-time slow traveler sharing honest insights on nature, culture, and travel to help you plan informed memorable adventures

Editors’ Recommendations

10 top eco-friendly travel products (that I never travel without)
Looking to travel more sustainable? Start with these items
Man in an airport

If you're one of the 80 percent of travelers who say sustainability matters to them, you're in the right place. Travel is one of the most rewarding things we can do, but it's not always easy on the planet. I used to be that person grabbing travel-sized shampoo bottles, tossing plastic utensils after one meal, and using Ziplocs for just about everything. I didn’t think much of it until I cleaned up a beach littered with plastic waste, and I realized what my actions were contributing to.

Since then, I’ve slowly switched to more sustainable travel habits, and let me tell you, it doesn’t take much to make a big impact. These are my tried-and-true eco-friendly travel products that I personally use, love, and bring with me on most trips. No matter where you’re traveling, these swaps are easy, useful, and better for the environment.
1. Reusable silicone toiletry bottles

Read more
How much is a first-class flight? Here’s the breakdown
This is the true cost of flying first class (and how to save)
First class on an airplane

Have you ever found yourself wondering, how much is a first-class flight? I know I did. Before I had the chance to experience it myself, first class always felt like a luxury that was just out of my reach. But now that I know what it actually costs, I’m here to share what I’ve learned about the true price of flying first class. So, here’s how much a first-class flight really costs.
Factors that affect the price of first-class flights

First things first, the price of a first-class ticket can vary depending on the different factors at play. But there is a general range, so let’s break it down a bit.
The airline and route
The cost of a first-class ticket depends mainly on the airline and the route you’re taking. For example, on a popular international route like New York to London, a first-class ticket can range from $4,000 to $7,000, sometimes even more. If you’re flying from Los Angeles to Tokyo, that price tag can jump to $14,000 or more. These prices fluctuate based on the airline’s pricing structure and the demand for seats on that specific flight.
The flight duration
Another big factor is the length of the flight. The longer the journey, the more expensive the first-class ticket tends to be. A shorter domestic flight might cost somewhere in the range of $1,000 for a first-class seat, while international flights that can last 10 hours or more could easily push into the $8,000-$15,000 range for first class. 
When you book your flight
Timing also plays a big role in the cost of your first-class ticket. The Luxury Travel Expert recommends booking your flight as early as possible to secure the best deals. So if you book months in advance, you’ll probably find better fares. However, airlines do occasionally offer last-minute discounts or promotions to fill seats, although this isn’t always the case. It’s always best to plan ahead, but keep an eye out for any deals, especially during off-peak travel seasons.
The time of year
Airline ticket prices also vary depending on the time of year. Traveling during peak times, like the holidays or summer vacation, will typically result in higher prices. Airlines usually raise prices to accommodate the increased demand during these periods.
What do you get for the price of first class?

Read more
Celebrity Captain’s Club explained: How to earn points and get exclusive benefits
Everything you need to know about this exclusive loyalty program
Celebrity Cruises

One thing about me, I love a good rewards program. If I’m already spending money on something I love, why not earn perks along the way? That’s exactly why the Celebrity Captain’s Club is a must-know for anyone who cruises with Celebrity Cruises.

Whether you’re sailing to dreamy destinations like the Caribbean, Europe, or Alaska, the Captain’s Club rewards you for your loyalty with everything from priority boarding to free drinks and even complimentary cruises. The best part? You don’t have to do anything extra, just keep cruising, and the benefits roll in.

Read more