Thanksgiving is fast approaching, which means Black Friday will bring big deals; in fact, many discounts on gadgets like the Meta Ray-Bans are already available.
If you’re content with simply snagging a discount on the last-gen model, you can buy Ray-Ban Meta glasses for their cheapest-ever price – that is, a basic clear or shaded pair are as low as $238.99 at Amazon (from $299), though I’d opt for a transitions pair at $303.20 (down from $379).
Those of you after the Gen 2 Ray-Bans, or Oakley specs like the HSTN or Vanguard glasses, are out of luck… or you would be if not for a trade-in deal Meta is trialling.
If you head to the AI glasses section of Meta.com and add a pair of AI glasses to your basket (unfortunately, the Ray-Ban Meta Display glasses are ineligible for the trade-in offer), you can head to your basket and should see the option to trade in a device for a discount.
Per Meta’s rules the device must be in full working order, and the eligible trade-in devices are:
- Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 1)
- Apple AirPods Pro 2
- Apple AirPods 4
- Apple AirPods 3
- Beats Powerbeats Pro 2
- Beats Studio Buds +
- Beats Fit Pro
- Samsung Galaxy Buds3
- Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro
- Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE
As this is a pilot, some users are noticing some inconsistencies with the system. That is, users need to check different browsers across different devices to actually have the trade-in offers appear, and when they do appear, folks are seeing different trade-in rates.
For example, the Reddit post above shows folks being offered up to $113 for their Ray-Ban Gen 1 glasses, while our sister site Android Central reports being offered $122 in credit.
Meta has been known to offer deals that can’t be seen by all users in the past, with some Meta Quest software sales, so this could be a repeat of those tactics – or because it’s a pilot program, it might not want to provide the offer to every user that shops at its site.
It’s yet to be seen if this pilot will be a permanent fixture either. It’s set to end on December 31 for the lucky few who can see the deal, and presumably based on the success or failure of the pilot, Meta may choose to expand the trade-in deal or scrap it entirely.
If you’re unable to see the trade-in offer, as I mentioned before, you can still find deals on the Gen 1 Ray-Ban Meta glasses.
I gave them four stars in my Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses review, and that was when they were at full price. Yes, the Gen 2 model is better, and forking out extra for transitions makes a lot of sense as they’re a lot more versatile than lenses that are permanently clear or shaded, but at 20% off, these glasses are an undeniable treat thanks to their fun first-person camera, solid open-ear audio, and useful AI assistant.
Shop more of today’s best Black Friday sales
- Amazon: 45% off TVs, AirPods, air fryers & vacuums
- Apple: iPads, AirPods & MacBooks from $119
- Best Buy: $1,000 off TVs, laptops & headphones
- Dell: laptop deals from $249.99
- Home Depot: 40% off appliances, furniture, grills & tools
- Lenovo: 45% off laptops & tablets
- Lowe’s: up to 30% off appliances, holiday decor & tools
- Samsung: up to $2,000 off appliances, TVs & phones
- Target: 40% off Christmas decor, clothing & furniture
- T-Mobile: up to $1,100 off latest iPhone 17
- Walmart: furniture, cheap TVs & vacs from $69
- Wayfair: 54% off Christmas, furniture & decor
