Meta’s first AI smart glasses with a built-in display won’t be a simple add-to-cart, start-filming proposition. To try Meta Ray‑Ban Display, you have to book an in‑store demo at authorized retail partners — and those appointments are vanishing fast. The glasses, the EMG-based Neural Band wrist accessory and a folding case are part of the $799 bundle, but only those who go through a demo will be able to purchase it at launch.
How the demo‑only purchase works at participating stores
Meta is selling the glasses only in person at Best Buy, LensCrafters, Sunglass Hut and Ray‑Ban stores. It’s not available at every store, so shoppers will have to rely on the retailers’ scheduling tools to find a slot for pick‑up. LensCrafters advertises demos at about 20 minutes long, and staff walk you through features, fit and style decisions before you can complete a purchase.
There’s a prescription caveat. The demo units have an SV range between about -4.00 and +4.00 diopters of total power. If you typically wear prescription lenses, you will then need your prescription information at the ready — or to wear an additional set of contacts — in order to actually enjoy the display. Associates can help guide you through frame options and lens pathways post-demo, but you’ll want your Rx and pupillary distance ready for maximum efficiency.
At this moment, only those who attend a confirmed appointment can buy. It’s a controlled rollout, intended to pair interest with limited inventory — and to make sure that people are appropriately onboarded for a brand‑new category.
Appointments are filling fast across many regions
In early checks of dozens of ZIP codes, availability is uneven: While certain regions have a single participating store, major metro areas often list several. That said, the earliest openings at most places are already more than a week out, and some stores are booking two or more weeks ahead — particularly on weekends and evening slots.
The bottleneck isn’t just demand. Each demo is time-consuming; staff need training on calibration and Neural Band setup, and stores are capping throughput to maintain quality. Anticipate cancellations and new slots popping up every now and then; being willing to attend any testing location at any time can make all the difference.
Why Meta is demanding in‑store demos before purchases
Meta’s CTO Andrew Bosworth said on Instagram that Meta wants these first units in the hands of people who are really going to use them, and not spirited buyers who might return them after giving it a go. And that’s not a small matter, with the National Retail Federation noting countrywide double‑digit return rates across retail and consumer electronics being one of the categories where much of it is cannibalized by “trial” purchases that are turned around too quickly.
There’s also an obvious supply‑side argument here. The glasses form factor is paired with a monocular LCOS microdisplay providing glanceable information and an EMG wristband that captures artful neuromuscular signals to generate pointer events. New display pipes and sensor calibrations introduce manufacturing limitations. The supply chain analyst Ming‑Chi Kuo has estimated production in the low hundreds of thousands, over a longer window, highlighting why Meta is pacing its distribution.
Finally, the demo per se counts for satisfaction. Indeed, smart glasses demand exact fitting, HDR‑based assessment in real lighting and proper alignment for the display eye. Guided setup minimizes the chances of buyers abandoning a purchase after a subpar out‑of‑box experience.
What to expect during your in‑store demo session experience
Associates usually begin with frame fit and style, and then go through display alignment and clarity checks. You’ll have the opportunity to preview key features like glanceable notifications, hands‑free capture, AI‑assisted prompts, and more before pairing and calibrating the Neural Band to teach you basic gestures for selection and scrolling. Look for guidance on battery life, privacy indicators and how the glasses hand off tasks to your phone as necessary.
If you require prescription lenses, staff will explain how to have them filled and when they will be ready. The demo inventory is limited to a certain range of Rx, so bringing contacts (or at least your current prescription) will enable you to properly assess how the display fits and seals against light leakage.
Buying tips and how to make appointments more available
Book in advance and shop around if your neighborhood store is full. Weekday daytime slots are usually easier to grab. There’s nothing wrong with wanting a little peace of mind before the big purchase, and by putting your needs or concerns out on the table from the get-go, you’ll increase your chances of using these glasses sooner than later. Come ready with Rx information and your pupillary distance to hand over for virtual try‑on. Then think through how you might use the Neural Band throughout a day (e.g., quick replies, media controls or navigation) so you can test those flows in‑store as well.
Meta says sales will go online after that initial in‑store period. And if you are leaning toward skipping the demo, well, you’ll probably have that chance at some point when supply is more stable and there’s confidence within the company that a self‑serve setup can reliably succeed. For now, the in‑person limit is an exclusive first crack at Meta’s most ambitious smart glasses yet — and demand indicates that those who waver might have a long time to wait.