Echo Frames Review: Are These Smart Glasses Worth The Hype? – Sports Illustrated


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It’s summertime–and that means a hat and sunglasses are a must-have extension every time you go outside. With blazing heat waves (seriously, I’ve never said “It wasn’t this hot last year” more), it’s viscerally uncomfortable to have on any more layers than necessary. So if you’re looking to ditch the over ear headphones and close-fitting earbuds this summer, we’ve got the perfect alternative to keep you looking fly in shades and listening to tunes while out and about.

We break out what smart glasses are and how they work, and will dive into Amazon’s Echo Frames. We’ve tested out their form, function, setup process and usability to rank them against competitors. 

Contents

  1. What Are Smart Glasses?
  2. Echo Frames: A Review
  3. Echo Frames Sound Quality
  4. Are The Echo Frames Really Hands Free?
  5. Pros & Cons
  6. Echo Frame Specs
  7. Final Thoughts

What Are Smart Glasses?

In a nutshell, smart glasses (also known as smart audio glasses) are a form of wearable technology that connect to your smartphone, mainly through Bluetooth and using custom apps. They include voice recognition with the use of microphones, small speakers for audio, and in some cases very tiny processors and cameras.

The microphones make it almost entirely hands-free, so you can use “Alexa…” to trigger the voice assistant. The volume can be controlled with a button or a swipe, depending on your smart glasses model, and function as a transparency mode instead of full noise cancellation compared to earbuds. 

Echo Frames: A Review

Below are some details of my experience. I wouldn’t claim to be any kind of tech wizard (that’s my colleague Jake at SI Showcase). I approached this testing as someone who likes things set up easily and quickly and with little fuss. Consider me as a placeholder for your sister, wife, or–ahem–young, hip and cool mom.

So let’s dive in–I’ll walk through everything from unpackaging and set up, through various testing scenarios.

Echo Frames–2nd Gen ($134.99, originally $249.99; amazon.com)

Echo Frames–2nd Gen ($134.99, originally $249.99; amazon.com)

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Packaging

The Echo Frames come in some cute, albeit standard, packaging. The case is thick and sturdy, with a smooth synthetic leather feeling to it. There’s no built-in charging to the case–like with the Ray-Ban Stories audio sunglasses made in partnership with Meta–but it comes with a wall plug and charging cable that makes it quite easy.

It also comes with easy-to-read instructions to get started and a user manual for more detailed information on the button functions, care instructions and Amazon’s privacy policy.

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Echo Frames Fit

I’m going to be honest–as a petite female, I have a pretty small head. My riding helmets, for example, usually fall in-between a large child and a small adult, so getting sunglasses to fit my face usually requires a lot of testing in-store.

As such, it came as little surprise that a one-size fits all pair of sunglasses didn’t exactly fit my face shape or head size. To get it high enough on the bridge of my nose meant I needed to push the frame of the sunglasses far enough back that the square edge of the speakers would sit on my ears.

As you can see, the edge of the speakers sit above my ears due to larger size of frames. 

Stephanie Quick/SI Showcase

As a point in favor of the Echo Frames, despite the frame of the sunglasses being just a shade too long, they are light enough that it did not cause undue comfort when wearing them. I did feel conscious of the fit, and fiddled with them at first, but after letting them settle into place, it wasn’t the worst fitting pair I’ve ever worn.

With the audio housing portion of the frames slimmer and more discreet than other competitors on the market, it doesn’t weigh enough to cause the glasses to slide forward every time I looked down. However, I would eventually need to push them back up the bridge of my nose after some shifting and turning of my head.

The one-size-fits-all Echo Frames sunglasses slightly large for a woman’s face shape.

Stephanie Quick/SI Showcase

I had my husband pop them on for a fit, and he’s on the opposite end of the head size spectrum, usually favoring flexible arms for slightly broader features and temple size. He found the frames too unforgiving for his face shape. They ultimately were more comfortable on me than on him.

Final takeaway on the Echo Frames fit: It’s going to be a better fit if you are medium sunglasses sizing; it would fit an average sized male better than a female, and large male face shapes may also experience some tightness in the fit.

Echo Frames Setup

Amazon is known for their efficiency–from the advent of one-click checkout to the recurring grocery orders, there’s a reason most people start, and end, their search on Amazon.

The setup was no different; once you download the Amazon Alexa app and login, the introduction is straightforward. It’ll ask you a few questions:

  • Which device you’re setting up (and connecting to the app)
  • Access to your location, if you wish to share, to be used for local weather and location-based features
  • Microphone access to make calls, send voice messages, and use the Alexa assistant

It then finds your Echo Frames, and asks you to pair it. Once paired, it moves on quickly to the instructions on how to actually use them. It gives you pointers on how to adjust the volume (which I will discuss in the sound quality section), accept or reject a call, and turn on or off notifications.

It goes on to ask you to say four sentences to learn your voice and accent for voice ID keywords.

Stephanie Quick/SI Showcase

In the final phase of the setup you do have to provide your first and last name, set up voice ID so that Alexa can learn your voice for extra personalization, and choose whether you would allow them contact access.

For the sake of testing, I selected “Don’t Allow” – in the contact section within the app, you can manually add in select phone numbers of family and friends. You would need to add at least a few if you wish to use the “Alexa, call [Name]” function of the assistant setting.

Final takeaway on the Echo Frames setup: After downloading the app, Amazon’s setup takes you screen by screen. As long as you follow along the walkthrough, it only takes a couple of minutes before you can start using it freely. You can limit how much you share with the Alexa app, but it does impact the usability quality when you restrict certain features.

Echo Frames Sound Quality

The Echo Frames have four micro speakers, two on each side near the back of the electronics housing. There’s a volume button for bumping the volume up or down, rather than using a touchpad. I found this easier and more intuitive than fumbling for the touchpad and trying to figure which way to slide.

In all honesty, the speakers aren’t the best in comparison to some of the other brands. I didn’t expect anything stellar, but you certainly aren’t going to get the immersion or sound quality you would with a pair of earbuds or headphones.

The Alexa app teaches you how to ask for Ambient Noise, like thunderstorm and ocean sounds.

Stephanie Quick/SI Showcase

I tested out a lot of the ambient noise options, and found the sound could be a little choppy on certain sounds (especially thunderstorms), but not as noticeable on others (ocean waves).

Stephanie Quick/SI Showcase

I also listened to some of my favorite K-pop stations on Spotify and Pandora, and both were easy to voice activate. While a bit of a tinny sound, after it’s playing for a while you won’t really notice the sound quality, and it was a more satisfying test than the ambient noise.

Final takeaway on the Echo Frames sound quality: While not the absolute best speakers on the market, it gets the job done. I could see these being useful when you’re out and about–doing yard work or hanging out at the beach or pool–and don’t really feel like popping in earbuds. It definitely functions like a transparency mode versus immersive noise cancellation.

Are The Echo Frames Really Hands Free?

The answer is yes and no. When I’d pick them back up for testing, I always had to make sure the Amazon Alexa app was open before it would follow any voice commands. So, I don’t really consider them a stand-alone smart home hub; they really function as an extension of the app. It definitely requires that you have your phone handy.

My voice-to-text messaging was a bit of a failure. For the texting to go through to my husband, he needed to have the Alexa app as well–which he does not have installed–and have elected to receive the messages.

The voice-to-call, however, did work decently well with my phone in range. He could hear me clearly on the other end. I did have some static and volume fluctuations, but overall, it was fine. If you really needed to make a call, your phone seems like a better option, but it was hands-free chatting at least.

To disconnect the call or to pause the music, you can double tap the touchpad on the Echo Frames or use the app.

Pros & Cons

Here’s a summary of the pros and cons I found during my testing, and why you may want to consider buying the Echo Frames, or steering clear and trying out a different brand.

Pros Cons

Price Point: Currently marked down 46%, starting at $134.99.

In comparison: Bose Tempo: $249, Ray Ban Stories: $299

Sound Quality: Lower against some competitors or a regular pair of earbuds.

Lens and Frame Selection: Availability in clear, polarized and blue-light filtering lenses in a number of different frame colors.

Frame Material Quality: They feel like they are entirely made of plastic, and while not super breakable, they couldn’t be described as luxurious. 

Performance & Options: Tapping into the Alexa app really opens up a lot of fun interactivity outside of just a strict audio-only experience. Taking phone calls is interesting though probably not as ideal if you’re not in private.

Limited to Alexa: Theoretically you’re supposed to be able to use Google Assistant and Siri through the device as well, but it requires a lot more effort than any normal user would be willing to go through for a sub-par experience. You’re better off just using Alexa, which is probably the overall intent if you’re buying an Amazon product.

General Comfort: Lightweight in comparison with other audio glasses models on the market. 

One Size Fits All: Fitting only medium features, it’s definitely designed to fit an average sized male. More sizing options in at least one of the sunglasses models would be more broadly appealing.

Prescriptions: If you take them to a eyewear store, you can get the lenses replaced with prescription lenses. Some insurance providers provide reimbursement. 

Echo Frame Specs

Category Description

Size

The frame arms are roughly 5.5 inches, and the front-facing glasses are 6.5 inches.

Material

Uses eyewear grade TR90 (a thermoplastic material is designed to be durable, flexible and lightweight), carbon fiber and titanium.

Smartphone Compatibility

Support Android 8.0 and iOS 14 or greater. Here’s a list of devices that aren’t compatible.

Bluetooth

Bluetooth 5.0 for calling, audio streaming and voice control.

Water Resistance

Rated IPX4–splash resistant for water and sweat. 

Battery Life

Two hours at 80% volume and a 100% charge will get you:

20 Alexa interactions

85 minutes of music

30 minutes of phone calls

90 incoming notifications

Data Connection

Uses the Alexa app on your smartphone and data plan or Wi-Fi for connectivity. 

Final Thoughts

Honestly, as one of the least expensive models on the market for a decent quality smart glasses experience, the Echo Frames are a pretty solid choice. They make a great gift idea if you have some tech lovers in your friends and family group, and may not be something that anyone would invest in over a pair of decent headphones or earbuds.

Surprisingly comfortable despite the not-so-perfect fit, I am definitely going to be wearing them more often. They are a fun alternative with a few extra smartphone and audio perks–like a smartwatch, but for your face.

Don’t expect the most seamless and entirely hands-free experience, but you would be hard pressed to find any alternative on the market that has as many options as the Echo Frames do. 

Prices are accurate and items in stock at time of publishing.