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Wired published a hands-on review of multiple live-captioning smart glasses, testing devices from several manufacturers including Even, Leion, AirCaps, Captify, and XRAI. The review assessed real-world captioning accuracy, latency, battery life, weight, prescription lens availability, and pricing.
The reviewer found the Even G2 to be the standout option, citing its combination of captioning accuracy and price relative to competitors. They claimed the other devices had larger tradeoffs: the Leion Hey2 was noted as the most affordable entry point, with a clean app interface and support for over 140 languages on a paid plan, but no offline functionality. AirCaps was the heaviest and shortest-lasting on battery. Captify supported offline transcription but performed poorly when disconnected.
Several limitations apply across the category. Most devices require an active internet connection for full functionality. Battery life ranges from two to eight hours depending on the model. Prescription lens options are available from some manufacturers but vary in quality. The review noted ambient noise as an ongoing limitation, though the reviewer described the category as having matured to the point of practical everyday use in a way that earlier generations did not.
Read the full article here.
