In This Guide
Have you charged your sunglasses?
The future is upon us and with it comes a fantastic wearable audio gadget from Bose – audio sunglasses. These are rechargeable sunglasses have built in speakers just above the ears and offer an interesting alternative to conventional headphones.
Thankfully, as much work has gone into the design aspect of these shades as the technical side of things. The resulting product is sun glasses that you’ll actually want to wear, as well as listen to.
It’s kinda weird seeing a personal audio product that doesn’t insert anything
Availability note: Bose has stopped making its Frames range, so what you can buy now depends on remaining stock and second-hand listings. The buying advice below still applies to any pair of open-ear audio glasses, and there are current alternatives covered further down the page. Check prices and availability before you order.
Best Alto & Rondo Sunglasses Prices today
Rondo vs. Alto
The Bose headphone sunglasses currently come in two distinct versions – the Rondo, a smooth round stylized affair, and the Bose Alto sunglasses – a more angular version. Technically they’re both unisex so it’s down to personal taste which you prefer. The important thing is they’re sleek, light and stylish.
How do they work?
It’s kinda weird seeing a personal audio product that doesn’t insert anything (behave, at the back…) or try to cover your ear. Actually it’s very liberating. Audio shades don’t store any music on the device (aside from firmware updates) – instead you stream tunes to your sunglasses from any Bluetooth device. So you could have your phone in your pocket, or somewhere close by and be completely hands free.
One button to rule them all…
These Bose Frames have one button that you’ll use to control everything. This will control important jobs such as changing track, powering on and off and answering calls. It takes a bit of practice mastering the one button, as you’ll need to learn your double-tap from your triple tap, and what each of these does. But it’s a simple, discreet way to operate the glasses without having ugly buttons everywhere.
Getting the app set up
You’re also advised to download the Bose Connect App and go through the setup process from there. This is a free App that’s available on iOS and Andriod stores. With this app you can:
- Download firmware to get your Bose bluetooth sunglasses up to date
- Control the volume
- Skip tracks
- Get tech support (something Bose have been very speedy with in the past)
What’s the audio quality like though?
Nothing plugs into your ears here, instead the Bose audio sun shades use an ‘open ear’ system. Miniature (if very well crafted) speakers are built into the frames. Bose have done a great job with the sound quality here and it’s easily one of the best sounding systems of it’s kind.
There’s a but coming…
Having said that, you’re always going to get sound leakage. And other people will be able to hear your playlist in a quiet room.
This open ear system is especially useful when you’re out and about however. You can hear your tunes but not zone out from the outside world. You won’t miss important audio cues like that bus bearing down on you from behind. Hey, it’s boring but safety first people!
5 cool quick things about Bose’s audio glasses
- They come in an awesome package. The case looks and feels super-high quality. Drop a few hints and you might just get some for your birthday.
- They come with a gorgeous quality hard case – Unless you like to live dangerously, you’re going to want to take care of these puppies. To that end, Bose have included a high quality case what’s lovely and soft on the inside but will take some serious punishment too.
- Bose audio frames charge with a magnetic charging cable – There’s a gold USB charging cable in the box – no fumbling around trying to get that micro USB think in and wondering if you’re going to damage anything. The cable looks extra luxurious in gold and is very easy to use. The cable just snaps securely on the right-hand side of your glasses.
- Battery Life: you get around 3+ hours per charge – That’s continuous usage. Not bad for something so small and light. Future versions will no doubt increase this. Charge time takes a couple of hours for a full clip. Sadly, there’s no quick charge option.
- You get a choice of two sizes per design. Both Rondo and Alto are available in two sizes. Great for anyone with a small head who’s familiar with glasses slipping off your face!
These are definitely going to appeal to anyone who spends a lot of time walking, hiking or just sorting out the garden.
What’s the point in audio sunglasses?
Still on the fence, here’s some stuff can do with a paid of these bad boys:
- Make calls – As long as you’re fine with people looking at you like you’re a nut job, you can walk and talk with the latest wearables thanks to the built in mic. As you won’t have any headphones in, or any wires, you might have to explain to one or two people you’ve not lost the plot though.
- Protect your eyes – While companies like Bose are well known for kick-ass audio products, you might not necessarily associate them with good eye care. But these audio sunny Gs come with full UVA and UVB protection (UVB is an especially important protection as it can do all kinds of nasties to your skin!)
- Wear safely when you’re out and about – These are definitely going to appeal to anyone who spends a lot of time walking, hiking or just sorting out the garden.
Whats not so cool about the Bose sunglasses?
You’re never going to get ‘deep bass’ from your Bluetooth sunglasses
Are shades with speakers in them ever going to replace your headphones? Maybe not. But then they’re not meant to. These wearables have a different job. And no, they’re never going to be able deliver the same level of bass you’d get with over ear or in even ear headphones. This is an open ear system and that bass is going to get seriously watered down.
Play time per charge is less than a portable speaker
At just over 3 hours, these sun glasses haven’t got the longest play time out there. There’s only so much you can do with that tiny space for a battery. Mini Bluetooth speakers can have a charge time around the 12 hour mark, so that’s one trade-off here.
Expensive for a pair of sunglasses?
Bose Audio Frames, at the time of writing, come in at around the £200 mark. You can pay a lot more than that for a pair of designer headphone sunglasses (that you can’t play your latest mp3s on), but The Alto and Rondo are not the cheapest pair of audio sun glasses out there. Of course, Bose don’t really go for that market.
Where’s the best place to buy Bose Frames?
You can pick these awesome sunglasses up now at Amazon.
Compare Bose Sunglasses Prices
Save some money and find a good deal when you buy Bose sunglasses using our handy, up-to-date price comparison.
How open-ear audio works
Audio sunglasses use tiny speakers built into the arms, just in front of your ears, and aimed at your ear canal. Good ones use a small gap and carefully shaped sound channels to send most of the sound into your ear and as little as possible into the air around you. Because nothing seals your ear canal, you keep hearing traffic, conversation and announcements, and there’s nothing pressing on or in your ears. The trade-off is that you don’t get the isolation or deep bass of headphones that seal, and at high volume in a quiet room, people nearby may hear what you’re playing.
Open-ear glasses vs bone conduction vs earbuds
- Audio glasses: sound from small speakers near your ears. Best for casual listening, calls, podcasts and audiobooks while doing something else, and if you’d wear sunglasses anyway.
- Bone conduction headphones (such as Shokz’s range) send vibrations through the bones of your cheeks. They keep your ears completely free and are popular with runners and cyclists, and they work under a helmet.
- Earbuds and over-ear headphones seal the ear for much better bass and noise cancelling, and give the best sound quality. They’re the better choice for commuting on noisy trains, flights and serious music listening. See our comfortable over-ear headphone guide.
Who audio sunglasses suit best
- Walkers and hikers who want music or an audiobook but need to hear the trail and other people.
- Anyone who dislikes things in their ears, or finds earbuds uncomfortable during long sessions.
- Frequent call takers. A built-in mic means you can take calls without touching your phone.
- People doing the garden or DIY who want to listen while staying aware of their surroundings.
They’re less suited to noisy trains, aeroplanes and anyone who needs deep bass. For those uses, noise cancelling headphones are a better choice.
Staying safe with open-ear audio
Open-ear audio is a real safety advantage because you can hear what’s around you, but it isn’t a licence to switch off. Keep the volume at a level where you can still hear traffic and other people, and take extra care near busy roads, when cycling and on shared paths. Check local rules if you cycle, and never let any audio device distract you from what’s around you. Also remember that sunglasses reduce light, so take them off in tunnels, at dusk or in dark conditions.
Sunglasses lenses, prescriptions and fit
Audio sunglasses come with tinted lenses that block UVA and UVB. Before buying, check the UV protection rating, and whether the lenses are replaceable or can take a prescription. Some brands sell clear or prescription-ready frames, which suit everyday wear indoors. The frame size matters for comfort and for the speaker position, so choose a size that puts the speakers close to your ears, and check the returns policy if you can’t try them on first.
Alternatives to Bose Frames today
Several brands now make open-ear glasses and headphones. The market changes fast, so check the latest reviews and prices.
- Smart glasses from Amazon (Echo Frames) and Ray-Ban with Meta include open-ear audio, a mic and voice assistants.
- Anker Soundcore Frames offer open-ear audio in a range of styles.
- Bone conduction headphones from Shokz and others are a well-established alternative for sport.
Care and battery tips
- Charge them fully before a long outing, and use the case to protect them and keep them out of hot cars.
- Wipe the lenses with a microfibre cloth, and keep water and sweat away from the charging contacts.
- Keep the firmware up to date through the manufacturer’s app, since updates often improve connection and battery life.
- Check the water-resistance rating. Most audio glasses resist sweat and light rain but aren’t meant to be submerged.
Audio sunglasses – FAQs
Here’s some things we’ve seen asked a lot when it comes to wearable audio sun glasses. Let us know in the comments if you’ve got any more questions and we’ll get them answered, quick smart.
Can you run with them?
Yes. As long as you get the correct size, they do sit tightly (not too tightly) on your head. As long as you’re not doing crazy jumping around they’ll be fine for regular running, rowing or cycling.
Can other people hear my music?
At normal volume, usually not in a noisy place, but in a quiet room people close by may hear a faint version of your audio. Turning the volume down a notch solves most of this.
Do audio sunglasses work with a phone and Alexa or Siri?
Yes. They connect over Bluetooth like any headset, so you can use your phone’s voice assistant with the microphone, which is handy for calls and hands-free commands.
Will they fit over prescription glasses?
Generally no. They’re designed as your main pair of glasses. Some brands offer prescription lenses or clear frames, which is a better route if you wear glasses full time.
Are they good for music?
They’re good for casual listening, podcasts and calls. Because they’re open, bass is weaker than sealed headphones, so they won’t replace headphones if sound quality is your priority.
Find out more
Sun screen fact sheet – know your UVA from your UVB
