Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarer Gen 1 just got way more tempting now that Gen 2 is out

Any time a new generation of tech drops, the real value often shows up one step behind it. That’s exactly what’s happening here. Now that the Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2 models are out, the Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 1) Wayfarer smart glasses in Shiny Black with clear lenses have dropped to $224.25, down from $299 — a 25% discount.

You’re getting the original version that made this collab interesting in the first place: the classic Wayfarer look with a 12MP ultra-wide camera, open-ear speakers, and Bluetooth built into the frame. Unless you absolutely need the latest-generation tweaks, Gen 1 at this price is a very easy “yes.”

What you’re getting

These glasses still do the core smart-glasses thing really well: look like normal Ray-Bans, quietly do much more.

You’re getting:

• The iconic Wayfarer frame in Shiny Black with clear lenses
• A built-in 12MP ultra-wide camera for hands-free photos and video
• Open-ear speakers integrated into the arms for music, podcasts, and calls without covering your ears
• Bluetooth connectivity for pairing with your phone (Apple or Android)
• A design meant for everyday wear — commuting, travel, walks, events, or casual content capture

Even with Gen 2 in the picture, this first-generation hardware still covers the use cases most people actually care about: shooting POV content without fishing for your phone and listening privately without sticking something in your ears.

Why it’s still worth it in the Gen 2 era

The latest generation will always grab the headlines, but Gen 1 gets a lot more attractive once the price drops.

A few reasons this deal still makes sense:

• Big discount vs launch price: At $224.25, you’re saving a solid chunk off the original $299, which puts these closer to the price of regular premium frames.
• Core experience is intact: For most people, the big draw is still hands-free camera + open-ear audio in a normal-looking pair of glasses — and Gen 1 nails that.
• Style hasn’t changed: The Wayfarer silhouette is timeless. You’re not buying a “previous-gen look”; you’re buying the same classic Ray-Ban styling that doesn’t really age.
• Great entry point into smart glasses: If you’re curious about wearable tech but not ready to pay full freight for Gen 2, this is a lower-risk way to try the category without sacrificing the essentials.
• You’re not paying extra for features you might not use: If you mostly want to snap quick photos, record video, take calls, and listen to audio while keeping your ears open, Gen 1 already covers that set nicely.

Unless you know you specifically want the very latest refinements, Gen 1 at a discount is often the more rational buy — especially if this is your first pair of smart glasses.

The bottom line

Now that the newer generation has arrived, the Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 1) Wayfarer smart glasses quietly became the value play. You still get that classic Wayfarer styling, a 12MP ultra-wide camera, open-ear speakers, and Bluetooth connectivity wrapped into a pair of glasses you’d actually wear daily.

At $224.25, down from $299, they’re no longer priced like a “just launched” gadget, but they very much still behave like one, which makes them a smart way to step into the smart-glasses world without paying Gen 2 money.