When we started covering augmented reality (AR) smart glasses, the Rokid Max stood out for two reasons: They have a wider field of view than the competition and unique focus dials that let nearsighted users (like me) enjoy a sharp picture without spending extra on prescription lens inserts. Rokid is replacing them with the $449 Max 2 glasses, which retain both of those benefits and still project a sharp 1080p picture in front of your eyes. In fact, the second-gen specs are nearly identical to the original in features and performance, just with a less conspicuous design. Overall, they're an excellent option for private, on-the-go work and play, but the Viture Pro glasses ($459.99) have a brighter display and dimmable lenses, so they remain our Editors’ Choice.

Design: An Aesthetic Upgrade

Though still not particularly subtle with their big, Spider-Man-like lenses, the Rokid Max 2 glasses are at least a bit less conspicuous than their predecessors. The frames are almost identical in shape, with a large, flat, slightly bug-eyed front, but now they’re a dark gray that stands out much less than the metallic blue shade of the Rokid Max.

(Credit: Will Greenwald)

All of the elements are in the same place as on the Rokid Max, from the pinhole microphone on the top of the bridge to the speakers above the inward-facing lenses to the USB-C port on the end of the left temple. Most importantly, the diopter adjustment wheels on the upper left and right corners are still present. If you wear prescription glasses, you can use the wheels to focus the lenses for a sharp picture without separate lens inserts like the RayNeo Air 2S and XReal Air 2 require. It’s a welcome feature you also get with the Viture Pro.

The glasses come with the chunkiest carrying case I’ve seen in the category. It’s a flip-top faux-leather-covered box measuring 3 by 6.8 by 3.4 inches (HWD), too big to fit into a jacket pocket. On the plus side, it can certainly protect the glasses.

(Credit: Will Greenwald)

Specs: The Same as Before

While sleeker and less bug-eyed, the Max 2 has the exact same micro-OLED display system as the Max. The glasses show a 1080p picture with a 50-degree field of view and a refresh rate of up to 120Hz. They put out a satisfyingly bright 600 nits of light. 

The resolution, refresh rate, and light output specs are fairly common across smart glasses, but the field of view makes both the Max and the Max 2 stand out. For smart glasses, field of view relates to how much of your personal view is taken up by the projected picture, and 50 degrees is one of the widest available in the category, showing the same size image as a 215-inch screen viewed from about 20 feet (six meters) away. For comparison, the XReal Air 2 and the Viture XR Pro both have a 46-degree field of view, though the Viture glasses have an edge on brightness with a maximum of 1,000 nits.

Like most smart video glasses, the Max 2 features transparent outward-facing lenses that provide a sunglasses effect, darkening your surroundings so you can better see the picture. It works well in moderate lighting, but if you’re outside during the day or the room is very bright, enough light can come through to get in the way. A plastic blackout shield that clips over the front of the glasses to block out any outside light is included, which solves that issue. However, since you need to juggle that extra piece of plastic, it isn’t nearly as convenient as the integrated dimming function on the Viture Pro and XReal’s Air 2 Pro, both of which allow you to darken the outward-facing lenses with the push of a button.

(Credit: Will Greenwald)

The Max 2 glasses use a standard USB-C-to-DisplayPort wired connection for most devices, which means they can work with the majority of USB-C-equipped computers, most Android phones, and all newer iPads and iPhones with USB-C ports. If you want to use them with an unsupported device, like the Nintendo Switch and its nonstandard USB-C video output, you’ll need to get an adapter. Rokid offers a $39 HDMI-to-USB-C adapter for any devices that output over HDMI, and the pricey $99 Rokid Hub, which enables pass-through charging and works directly with the Switch’s USB-C output.

You can also get Rokid’s standalone media hub, the remote-control-sized Rokid Station, either on its own for $199 or as a bundle with the Max 2 for $548. It’s an Android TV-powered device that serves as a video source for the Max 2, with a built-in interface, Bluetooth connectivity, and access to Android TV-compatible Google Play apps. 

Rokid has also announced the $299 Rokid Station 2 as another companion for the Max 2. It foregoes the Android TV interface and physical buttons in favor of a more straightforward Android-like experience controlled via a touchpad or by moving the entire device like an air mouse. It is currently only being released to crowdfunding backers, but will likely be added to Rokid’s online store next year.

Performance: A Colorful, Sharp Picture

The Max 2’s picture is sharp and vibrant, with strong color performance thanks to its micro-OLED projectors. I again laud the Max 2 for keeping the earlier model's diopter adjustments, which ensure that the image is crisp to my eyes without requiring prescription lens inserts. The wide angle of view is also welcome and doesn’t soften or blur near the edges and corners.

(Credit: Will Greenwald)

The 600-nit peak brightness is comfortable to view in most lighting environments and is in line with most other smart glasses like the original Rokid Max and the XReal Air 2. The Viture Pro XR’s 1,000-nit peak brightness is noticeable when comparing the two, and that extra light output can really help cut through any distractions that might be around you. As mentioned, you can slide the included plastic blackout cover over the Max 2 and completely block out your surroundings.

Audio sounds clear on the Max 2, and I enjoyed watching videos on the glasses in a reasonably quiet room. Like all smart glasses, there’s no noise isolation, so you’ll have a hard time hearing anything through them in a noisy environment. When there isn’t much noise, people near you can potentially hear what you’re watching.