XREAL xbx a01+ Review: AR Glasses for the Masses (2026)

XREAL recently unveiled its new sub-brand, X by XREAL. This new line of smart glasses is built for the masses, with lower price points and more customization, plus all of the tech XREAL is known for. Their first release? The xbx a01+! XREAL was kind enough to send me a pair before release to review!

Some people would call the X by XREAL lineup a “budget” AR glasses brand. However, XREAL has made it very clear to me that while they are targeting a lower price point at $299 than, say, the XREAL One series, which start at $449, these are anything but a budget device.

Design & Comfort: 62 Grams & Swappable Frames

The xbx a01+ are easily the lightest smart glasses in any category I have tested to date. At 62 grams, I honestly felt they were closer to my normal non-smart sunglasses than any other smart glasses, including the Ray-Ban Meta. On a scale, the Ray-Ban Meta are actually lighter, so I’m a little shocked at whatever wizardry XREAL is doing behind the scenes, because these are VERY comfortable. The xbx a01+ weight distribution must be studied. AR glasses have made large strides in comfort over the years, and the xbx a01+ are the best example.

Although this pair is missing some of the bells and whistles from the One series, such as electrochromatic dimming, XREAL has thought of it all. They created a magnet system to provide the option of swappable frames, making them darker when needed, or just to change your style. Although I can’t personally see myself changing them out for style too much, I can see this being a huge feature for people taking them on college campuses. No more one design fits all; you can truly make them your own.

The Visual Experience: 1600 Nits & Stabilization

Just like XREAL’s other glasses on the market, the display is absolutely stunning. Even better than their other glasses, the xbx a01+ features a 1600 nits display, allowing it to be one of the first HDR10 AR glasses on the market.

I noticed two big things during my testing. First, while the screens on the xbx a01+ are definitely brighter than the XREAL 1S, the display quality on the 1S was definitely better. That is, of course, to be expected of a pair of glasses that costs $150 more, but it has to be noted. Second, even though they are brighter, I actually notice FAR LESS light reflection on the xbx a01+. One of the biggest complaints in my XREAL 1S review was the sheer amount of light reflection on the top of the display. Not only was the xbx a01+ a noticeable improvement, I hardly notice it at all. There is still a very minimal amount of reflection, but I had to really focus on it to actually notice.

The xbx a01+ also features a new auto-stabilization mode. In theory, this new mode should allow you to take the glasses on trains, planes, or even road trips (make sure you aren’t the one driving!) while keeping a smooth display with no jitter. I unfortunately was unable to effectively test this new mode before my review, so I will be sure to update this section in the coming weeks.

Audio & Connectivity: Plug and Play

I want to make two things clear: the xbx a01+ audio quality is definitely inferior to the XREAL 1S, but the difference is absolutely not worth $150. The xbx a01+ has about 90% the quality of the 1S, and that’s before you enable the new surround sound mode. I had absolutely no complaints about the audio, other than some bugginess with the 3D mode causing my audio to become noticeably quieter, but it was fixed after a simple mode change. I’m sure this is a bug, and I will be working with XREAL to make them aware.

The xbx a01+ couldn’t be simpler to connect to (most) devices. Since they are USB-C, any device that can provide display over USB-C can be connected directly with the glasses to mirror. This includes most Windows laptops, MacBooks, USB-C iPhones, Steam Decks, and more. Even the Nintendo Switch & Switch 2 can be connected, but requires an adapter to mimic the dock. They are truly plug-and-play, making them an easy pickup instead of a tech product you never want to use due to complicated setup.

Pros and Cons

Pro: Incredibly lightweight
Pro: Tremendous value at $299
Pro: Beautiful display + great audio

Con: Control buttons are very shallow and “mushy”
Con: No screen adjustment options

The Verdict: Is the xbx a01+ Right for You?

If you are on the market for a pair of AR Glasses, the xbx a01+ should definitely be on your radar. They are my new favorite option in this price range (sorry RayNeo). While the XREAL 1S remain my favorite pair overall thanks to its faster response times, upgraded features such as screen distance and size adjustments, and slightly better display and audio quality, the xbx a01+ cannot be counted out at $150 cheaper.

If you are new to smart glasses and want to see if they’re for you, I would highly recommend these over anything else on the market in 2026.