This Amazon Echo Frames deal comes with an Echo Spot (and it's cheaper than Meta Ray Bans)

Kerry Wan/ZDNET

Smart glasses are among the latest and most interesting tech developments. They suit an audience of tech enthusiasts and photographers and can even help bridge the gap for those with visual impairment. Amazon took its stab at them, introducing the Echo Frames in 2019 and updating them periodically since. 

Also: These smart glasses beat the Meta Ray-Bans in a few key ways

Luckily, Amazon is offering a great bundle deal. For only $180, you can get the third generation of Echo Frames in any color, plus an Echo Spot. That's an excellent offer, considering Amazon is selling the Echo Frames alone for $270. 

A good way to describe the Echo Frames is as headphones with a little more utility. Besides wearing them for the aesthetic, the glasses offer many different features that substitute devices like your headphones or Bluetooth speaker and your Alexa devices.

The glasses are still extremely capable. An Alexa assistant is available, and you can use it to listen to books, music, and podcasts, as the open-ear speakers direct sound to your ear while minimizing it for others around you. 

These frames are a good entry point into smart glasses, as the price is fair. However, the features are minimal compared to their competitors. For instance, the Echo Frames do not have a built-in camera. 

Also: The best Alexa devices you can buy: Expert tested

You can make calls, though, which would be a selling point for business professionals or those on the go. The glasses can also be used for controlling Alexa devices, like the Echo Spot, Amazon's Alexa-enabled alarm clock, which comes with this bundle. 

ZDNET expert Kerry Wan tested the Echo Frames and thought they were very convenient for daily use, especially for tasks like calling or listening to music while walking.

Also: I took my Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses fly fishing, and they beat GoPro in several surprising ways

"Besides the smart features, I've also enjoyed listening to podcasts and making calls during my evening walks. Perhaps it's the ability to listen to my on-device audio while staying aware of my surroundings, or the fact that the speakers on the Echo Frames favor the mid and high frequencies more than the bassy, engulfing lows," he said. 

The Echo Frames are a great entry point into the world of smart glasses, and right now they're much cheaper than a pair of Meta Ray-Bans. 

Looking for the next best product? Get expert reviews and editor favorites with ZDNET Recommends.

How I rated this deal 

With this deal you're getting the Echo Frames at a significant discount, plus a free Echo Spot. We have factored in the 49% bundle discount, and have given this deal a 5/5 Editor's deal rating. Not only is this a newer product with a price slash, but it also includes a compatible Alexa device. This deal would be great for those who want to try out new variations of tech without breaking the bank.