These $400 XR glasses gave me a 200-inch screen to game and watch movies on

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• The RayNeo Air 2S costs $399, with useful companion accessories like the $179 Pocket TV and $99 JoyDock.
• These XR glasses provide a bright, high-quality media viewing experience, with accessories that enhance playback.
• For the price, the glasses don’t feel as premium as I’d like, productivity functions are limited, and there is no integrated myopia adjustment.

With the launch of the Apple Vision Pro, awareness of wearable XR options has increased dramatically. Although XR glasses have been around for years, 2024 has brought more innovation and competition to the space than ever.

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As a ZDNET reviewer, I’ve tested nearly every pair of XR glasses on the market, including models from Viture, Xreal, and Rokid. Recently, I spent a few weeks with the latest offering from RayNeo, the Air 2S. While these glasses deliver a big-screen experience, I ultimately found a better alternative.

The RayNeo Air 2S improves upon the Air 2 glasses with support for spatial 3D video (via iPhone connection) and four speakers instead of two.

Also: My favorite XR glasses for productivity and traveling just got 3 major upgrades

To navigate, the dual-action button on the right side controls brightness, while a similar button on the left side adjusts the volume. The nose piece is comfortable and adjustable for a secure fit. The front cover is glossy and dark, but I wish there was a lens cover to block out light completely. It doesn’t help that the lenses aren’t electrochromic, so you can still see through them while viewing content in bright environments.

You can adjust the frame sides for a better fit, but overall, these glasses aren’t particularly stylish — not to me, at least. The arms are loose and flexible, with basic angled design features. Unlike the Viture One XR, there’s no myopia adjustment, but you can order compatible lenses from a third party.

The RayNeo XR iOS application lets you view spatial video stored on your iPhone through the glasses. However, the app doesn’t offer any other XR or AR experiences, and there’s no Android version available, so a good portion of users won’t be able to enjoy the same features. Additionally, while there’s no MacOS software, you can use Mirror Studio on a Windows computer for extra display options. The RayNeo Air 2S is primarily designed for video content consumption and isn’t optimized for productivity.

To enhance the viewing experience, companion accessories are available, including the Pocket TV device. This $180 accessory functions as a portable Google TV device, featuring a 6,500mAh battery, 64GB of internal storage, and a microSD card slot. Running Google TV means it supports almost every streaming service, including Apple TV and Netflix, making it a better option than the recently launched Xreal Beam Pro, which is limited to Android functionality and lacks Apple TV support.

Also: This XR media and gaming hub is surprisingly useful and affordable

The Pocket TV is ideal for those who want to conserve their phone’s battery while watching content. It features dedicated buttons for YouTube and Amazon Prime Video, along with an additional quick-launch button that can be customized to your favorite service. The device performed flawlessly, with a directional button and quick volume controls that made it a more convenient option than connecting the glasses to my phone.

If you have a Nintendo Switch and the RayNeo Air 2S glasses, then the JoyDock accessory is a must-have at $99. This 10,000mAh battery pack brings Nintendo Switch video and audio support to the RayNeo Air 2S glasses. The package also includes a bracket that connects the JoyDock to your Switch for portable charging and output.

Also: I returned my Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest 3 for these XR glasses – and they’re much cheaper

Although the RayNeo Air 2S is slightly less expensive than the Viture Pro XR glasses, I still recommend the Viture Pro. The Viture Pro offers better edge clarity, electrochromic tinting, the ability to share content with another Viture Pro user via the Mobile Dock, and the impressive SpaceWalker application available for iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac. While there’s plenty of competition in this space, the differences between devices are significant enough to guide informed purchase decisions.

ZDNET’s buying advice

The RayNeo Air 2S are one of the most affordable XR glasses on the market, and the company offers a couple of compelling accessories to enhance the 200-inch big screen experience. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly way to explore extended reality, this latest model is worth considering. Additionally, RayNeo’s accessories, like the Pocket TV or JoyDock, are compatible with other XR glasses, making them a good option even if you already own a different pair.