Extended reality glasses are always a hit at CES, and CES 2026 XR glasses were no exception. This year, though, the conversation felt noticeably more serious. Instead of relying on flashy demos or “maybe someday” concepts, mixed reality makers showed off display tech that finally feels like it’s hitting its stride.
After digging into announcements, specs, and early impressions, the pattern was hard to ignore. The XR glasses that stood out weren’t trying to reinvent the category—they focused on what actually matters: sharper, brighter displays, lighter designs, and smoother visuals.
The result? XR glasses that aren’t quite perfect, but far enough along to signal that the category growing up fast.

If you’re curious about getting a pair of smart glasses in 2026, the XREAL 1S is worth a hard look. Basically, it’s a sleek mid-generation refresh of the XREAL One series that makes AR and MR more wearable. You can pull up a giant virtual screen anywhere you like, and the visuals are surprisingly crisp and bright—enough to make a movie or game feel cinematic.
What really sold me is how light it feels. At 82 grams, I could imagine wearing these for a few hours without feeling like I’m lugging around tech on my face. And the Bose-tuned speakers? They actually sound like they belong in something premium, which makes the whole experience feel more like entertainment and less like a gadget test.
On top of that, the 1S pairs with laptops, phones, and even devices like the Steam Deck. For $449, it’s an affordable price for immersive tech in an easy-to-wear design.

The XREAL 1S glasses are a solid option for everyday use, but the ROG XREAL R1 puts a massive 171-inch virtual display right in your field of vision. And the visuals? As the world’s first gaming glasses with a 240Hz micro-OLED experience, they give AAA titles and multiplayer matches the refresh rate they deserve.
What I love most is that these premium features are packed into a featherweight design. You can literally strap these on anywhere—from your battlestation to a cramped commute—and still get fully immersed without feeling like you’re carrying a mini headset on your face.
Beyond just gaming, the R1S integrate seamlessly with laptops, consoles, and handhelds (like the ROG Xbox Ally). Plus, the built-in Bose speakers and adaptive brightness make for a polished experience. For gamers who want a massive, immersive screen without the clutter, the ROG XREAL R1 glasses make it happen.

As the world’s first AR glasses with HDR10, the RayNeo Air 4 Pro are like strapping a mini theater to your face. Yep, with visuals that hit 1,200 nits and over a billion colors, everything looks brighter and sharper.
What really makes these glasses stand out is how easy they are to wear. At just 2.6 ounces, the Air 4 Pro barely makes its presence known. Then, those adjustable nose pads and a balanced frame keep long viewing sessions comfortable. And the sound? Bang & Olufsen tuned it for a cinematic, private audio experience.
You can pair these glasses with your phone, laptop, a Switch 2, PS5, Steam Deck, and more. Priced at $299 and launching on January 25, RayNeo continues its tradition of offering a premium experience at an affordable price.

Another pair of CES 2026 XR glasses I love is the Rokid AI Glasses Style. Launched as a competitor to Meta’s Ray-Ban AI glasses, this set of mixed reality specs does away with a screen and, thus, lowers the price significantly, to $299.
At just 1.36 ounces, they’re ridiculously light—so light, in fact, that you might forget you’re wearing them. Looking like sleek, everyday sunglasses, they actually house a 12MP camera, open-ear speakers, and a ChatGPT-powered AI assistant that handles everything from navigation to real-time translations in 89 languages.
Available now for $299–$349, they offer style, AI smarts, and light portability. They’re a great for anyone interested int smart glasses but not ready to sport a full-on XR headset.

XGIMI introduced its MemoMind AI Glasses line at CES 2026, to the delight of tech journalists. The most popular pair in the series is the Memomind Memo One AI Glasses, due to its lightweight build and easy-to-use app. This flagship device has a display on each lens and screens that are bright and easy to read indoors.
Style-wise, the lineup boasts a customizable design. With eight frame options, five interchangeable temples, and full prescription support, I feel like I can make these glasses completely mine. Plus, an AI system helps with translations, notes, reminders, and more.
The MemoMind glasses are designed for people who actually want AI to help them think, not distract them. Whether you go for the full-feature Memo One or the minimalist Air Display, XGIMI has focused on turning AI from a “cool tech demo” into something you might genuinely wear every day.
CES 2026 showed that XR glasses are finally moving beyond concept and into something you’d actually want to wear. From the cinematic XREAL 1S and RayNeo Air 4 Pro to the gamer-focused ROG XREAL R1 this year’s lineup proves that lighter frames, brighter displays, and smarter software are (finally) becoming the norm.