The last item I could possibly justify adding to my collection is yet another Amazon Echo smart speaker. As someone who evaluates smart home technology professionally for The Verge, I already live in a space filled with an abundance of these devices — roughly a dozen of them dotted throughout my home, each serving as a testing unit for reviews and ongoing experiments. However, when Amazon’s Echo Frames smart glasses appeared in this year’s Cyber Monday lineup with an astonishing price cut to $115 — a dramatic drop from their original $300 — the temptation proved irresistible for my husband. The offer, which combined deep savings with practical utility, was simply too good for him to ignore.
After considering the available models, he opted for the version designed to accommodate prescription lenses rather than the blue-light-filtering alternative. This particular choice came with an extra perk: Amazon included the Echo Spot, a compact and versatile $80 smart speaker and alarm clock hybrid, at no additional cost. In tangible terms, that meant a total savings of $265 — not a small sum — and, more amusingly, it brought my household inventory of smart speakers to roughly thirteen. For someone already immersed in the smart home ecosystem, those numbers illustrate the scale of my ongoing engagement with this technology.
Despite that growing collection, the Echo Spot continues to rank as my personal favorite among Amazon’s Alexa-enabled speakers intended for bedside use. Its thoughtful design merges the convenience of an intelligent voice assistant with the practicality of a traditional alarm clock, allowing for seamless voice-activated music playback, quick control of connected smart devices like lamps or plugs, and gentle, customizable wake-up routines. Placing one on a nightstand instantly enhances the morning and evening experience, adding subtle layers of automation and ambiance without requiring much effort or space.
Yet the true excitement of this Cyber Monday purchase revolved around the smart glasses themselves. My husband had been eyeing my pair of Echo Frames ever since I snagged them during Amazon’s previous Prime Day sale at that same reduced price. The notion of hands-free communication — the ability to take calls and listen to music without ever reaching into a pocket or inserting earbuds — fascinated him. When the opportunity reappeared, his curiosity transformed into action, and the deal was sealed without hesitation.
For my part, I completely understood the allure. As someone who wears glasses daily, I had long considered whether the convenience of smart eyewear could meaningfully improve my day-to-day routine. The technology behind such devices has matured significantly, moving from early novelty to useful practicality. I had even come close to purchasing the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, appreciating especially the improvements introduced in their second generation, which boasted extended battery life and a refined design. Nevertheless, the newly discounted Echo Frames caught my attention. Priced at only $115 — a full $250 cheaper than Ray-Ban’s latest model — they presented a low-risk, high-reward opportunity to experiment with wearable smart tech for the first time.
Crucially, another key factor in that decision was my hesitation about integrating a constant camera into my daily environment. While camera-equipped glasses offer fascinating possibilities, I’m not yet comfortable with the idea of wearing visible recording hardware on my face throughout the day. What appealed to me far more was the combined presence of high-quality speakers and microphones, along with built-in access to Amazon’s ever-evolving Alexa voice assistant. I spend a good deal of time listening to podcasts and streaming music while walking my dog or tending to the garden — activities where I prefer not to wear in-ear headphones for comfort reasons. Having those same audio capabilities integrated into something I already need to wear was an elegant solution. And since my home ecosystem relies on Alexa for everything from managing lights to setting reminders, having that same intelligent assistant literally at eye level felt like a natural extension.
Adding further appeal, the Echo Frames recently received support for Alexa Plus, Amazon’s more advanced, large-language-model-powered update to its virtual assistant. This upgrade expands the glasses’ usefulness beyond simple voice commands or playback to quick, context-aware Q&A exchanges and enhanced smart home control. Beyond their functions, I also appreciate that these frames maintain the aesthetic and weight of traditional eyewear. Their subtle, unassuming design means they blend easily into everyday settings without drawing attention — an important factor for something intended for all-day wear.
After picking up my prescription lenses from the optician last week, I’ve been wearing the Echo Frames regularly and have genuinely enjoyed the experience. Still, the first time I forgot to charge them overnight was a sobering reminder that embracing new technology often comes with new habits — in this case, yet another device demanding a spot in my nightly charging lineup. For those intrigued by this latest sale and considering a purchase, I’d offer one small but useful recommendation: if you have a wider head shape, opt for the gray rectangular version of the frames. Among the available silhouettes, that model alone provides the necessary extra width for a more comfortable fit, ensuring that your introduction to smart glasses feels as natural and seamless as possible.
Sourse: https://www.theverge.com/gadgets/834064/echo-frames-cyber-monday-deal-echo-spot
