The evolution of headphones has come a long way, and thankfully so.
In the 90s we had the ghastly bright yellow metal headpiece that may or may not have fit your head and was equipped with cumbersome earbuds that sometimes allowed you to hear the bass. Soon after, we moved on to the earbuds that were attached to three feet of wiring that required 5-10 minutes of untangling peruse. And finally, we reached the promised land with the glorious wireless earbuds that music lovers enjoy today.
But what if we told you that the evolution didn’t end with wireless earbuds? What if we told you there was something called Bluetooth sunglasses that was here to change the game? What if you could go for a run in the park or a walk on the beach with no earbuds at all?
Spoiler alert – YOU CAN. And not only can you enjoy these activities without stuffing your ears full of hard plastic and rubber, but you can look good doing it. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about the hottest trend in headwear.
What Are Bluetooth Sunglasses?
Bluetooth glasses are sunglasses with built-in speakers and a microphone that are integrated with Bluetooth technology that allows you to connect to your smartphone to listen to music, take in a podcast, or make a call to your bestie… and take/make business calls. No hands, nothing in your ears, just a fashionable pair of shades to block the sun while doubling as your personal DJ.
These kinds of glasses aren’t entirely new. They’ve been on the market since around 2016, but the problem with the older versions is that the technology wasn’t quite there yet. Unlike the sleek and sexy models that are available today, it used to look like you were actually walking around with a stereo on your head, and that stereo just happened to moonlight as sunglasses. It wasn’t pretty.
How Do They Work?
Bluetooth sunglasses have paper-thin audio technology built into the arms (or temples) of the sunglasses. The technology of the speakers is designed so that you get a crystal-clear listening experience but the people around you hear basically nothing.
Can Other People Hear Your Music?
If you are in a quiet room and have the volume maxed out, other people will be able to hear your music to some degree. However, that’s not what these glasses are for. Although it is kinda fun when you are checking out at the supermarket and the person behind the counter is looking at you wondering where the music is coming from.
Bluetooth sunglasses are designed for being outside or in your car while affording you the comfort of a hands-free and open-ear experience. It’s a safer option for activities like hiking and biking where you’re able to hear the surrounding sounds such as traffic or wildlife, while still enjoying your music.
What Types of Bluetooth Sunglasses Are There?
As of right now, there are essentially two different types of Bluetooth sunglasses.
Non-Bone Conduction Glasses
This type has specialty speakers that are housed in the arms of your glasses and designed for open-ear use. The speakers are directed towards your ears and are superior in sound quality to bone conductive glasses.
Bone Conduction Glasses
Then there are bone conduction glasses, which use bone conduction vibrators to transmit sound vibration through your cheekbones to your cochlea. Although some sounds will escape and enter through your eardrums, most of the sounds will be distributed through your cheekbones.
What About Sound Leakage?
This is one of the first concerns for those worried about their privacy. Rest assured that while these glasses are not soundproof to the outside world, the sound is kept to a minimum and is designed for your ears only. It’s slightly different with each type of style.
Non-Bone Conduction Glasses
Naturally, with open-ear speakers, there will be a degree of sound that escapes that a passerby will be able to faintly hear. However, with the directional speakers that are used, this is kept to a minimum and is non-intrusive to those around you for the most part.
Bone Conduction Glasses
Bone conduction glasses will generally have less sound leakage because the sound is mainly traveling through your cheekbones. If privacy is your main concern, this is probably your best bet. However, at that point, you’re probably better off just wearing earbuds, as the sound quality of bone conduction glasses isn’t quite there yet.
Will the Lenses Protect My Eyes?
The short answer is yes. Just like any other kind of sunglasses, you can buy Bluetooth sunglasses that have UV protection and are polarized. You will not have to sacrifice safety or lens quality which makes these glasses even more attractive.
Can You Get Them With a Prescription?
You absolutely can. You can purchase Bluetooth sunglasses or Bluetooth eyeglasses that will both take your prescription. Most of the time when you order online, you can just click on an option that will allow you to add your prescription. What fun would music be outdoors if you can’t see properly?
What About Charging and Battery Life?
The technology is coming along quite nicely when it comes to the battery life of Bluetooth glasses. Where it used to be a concern, you can now expect 6-8 hours of playback time per two-hour charge. You can charge them with a USB and wall adaptor as you’d expect.
What Version of Bluetooth Do You Need?
No matter what kind of smartphone you have, it will be compatible with the glasses that you choose. Of course, the later the version of Bluetooth, the more efficient it will be, which can have an effect on battery life.
Are They Expensive?
The good news is that Bluetooth sunglasses are very affordable. You can expect to pay between $100-400 for a decent pair, which is on par (if not cheaper) than most quality sunglasses.
A Great Addition to Your Accessory Cabinet
If you like music, podcasts, and hands-free open-ear conversations on the phone, Bluetooth sunglasses are definitely worth your investment. They are perfect for outdoor activities as they allow you to listen to music while still being in tune with your surroundings. Check out Lucyd eyewear to learn more and pick out your new pair of glasses today.
Feature: Chris Lewis, Founder - Dad of Divas
Chris Lewis, founder of Dad of Divas tested out ways to stay connected no matter what by trying out Lucyd Lyte bluetooth glasses. Why is this important? Well, as a dad, you are on call 24-7. This means you need to stay connected at times when you are on professional and personal time and you also need to keep your hands free.
