Updated
Oakley Meta HSTN vs Oakley Meta Vanguard
Oakley sells two Meta camera glasses, and they are built for different days. HSTN is an everyday frame with the usual Meta features. Vanguard is the sport model: rated IP67, with louder speakers, five microphones tuned for wind, a 122-degree camera and direct Garmin and Strava links. Both use the Meta AI app and a 12MP camera that records 3K. Vanguard launched at $499 against HSTN's $399, and the extra money buys sport hardware, not better everyday features. Both are listed in the same countries, from the US and Japan to Chile, Peru and Turkey.
Short answer
Runners, cyclists and anyone who trains in rain should look at Vanguard first: the IP67 rating, wide stabilized video and Garmin data are the reasons it exists. Everyone else gets more from HSTN, which costs less, can be ordered with prescription lenses from -12.00 to +6.00 on Oakley.com and Meta.com, and is designed as an everyday frame. Both use the same Meta AI app and get the same core assistant features.
Choose Oakley Meta HSTN if
Choose HSTN for daily wear: commuting, travel, calls and casual photos. It is rated IPX4 for splashes, gets 8 hours of typical use and charges to 50% in about 20 minutes. Prescription wearers can add Rx lenses at purchase, which Vanguard does not offer on Meta.com.
Choose Oakley Meta Vanguard if
Choose Vanguard if you train outdoors. Meta lists IP67, 9 hours of typical use, a 122-degree camera with adjustable stabilization, slow motion and hyperlapse, speakers 6 dB louder than HSTN and a customizable action button. Linked Garmin and Strava accounts let you hear workout stats and share activities with overlays.
Published specs side by side
Rows that differ are marked. "Not published" means the maker hasn't given a figure.
| Oakley Meta HSTN | Oakley Meta Vanguard | |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $399 (collection starting price)[1] | $499 (launch price)[2] |
| Status | On sale | On sale |
| Type | AI glasses with a camera and open-ear speakers | AI glasses with a camera and open-ear speakers |
| Display | None | None |
| Camera | 12 MP; 3K Ultra HD[3] | 12 MP; 3K; 122-degree wide-angle; slow motion, hyperlapse, adjustable stabilization[2] |
| Audio | 2 open-ear speakers, 5-mic array | open-ear speakers (6 dB louder than HSTN), 5-mic array optimized for wind |
| Battery (glasses) | up to 8 hours (glasses, typical use)[1] | up to 9 hours (glasses, typical use)[2] |
| Water resistance | IPX4 | IP67 |
| Prescription | -12.00 to +6.00 total power[4] | Yes, range not published[4] |
| iPhone | iOS 17.2 or later[5] | iOS 17.2 or later[5] |
| Android | Android 10 or later[5] | Android 10 or later[5] |
| Controls | touchpad, capture button and voice ("Hey Meta") | touchpad, capture button, customizable action button and voice ("Hey Meta") |
| Countries listed | 25[6] | 25[6] |
| Features tracked | 25 | 24 |
The differences that matter
- Water and dust: HSTN is IPX4. Vanguard is IP67; Oakley's FAQ wrongly lists IPX4 for all models, but Meta and the product page say IP67.
- Camera: both are 12MP and record 3K. Vanguard adds a 122-degree field of view, adjustable stabilization, slow motion and hyperlapse.
- Battery: 8 hours of typical use for HSTN against 9 for Vanguard, but the HSTN case holds 48 hours of extra charge and the Vanguard case 36.
- Audio: Meta says Vanguard's speakers are 6 dB louder than HSTN's and its five mics are optimized for wind.
- Fitness links: Garmin and Strava integration is listed for Vanguard only. Garmin autocapture is listed for both.
- Prescription: HSTN Rx can be chosen at purchase, from -12.00 to +6.00. Vanguard Rx comes only through certified retailers, and no range is published.
- Price: $399 and $499 in the US; ¥77,220 and ¥96,580 in Japan.
Features only one of them has
Based on the features each maker lists for the model. A feature missing here may still arrive by software update.
- Oakley Meta HSTN only: Conversation focus, Follow-up questions without "Hey Meta"
- Oakley Meta Vanguard only: Garmin and Strava integration
Questions people ask
Does Vanguard show workout stats in the lens?
No. Vanguard has no display. Garmin stats are spoken through the speakers when you ask, for example for your pace, and a status LED sits in your peripheral vision.
Which one charges faster?
Both reach 50% in about 20 minutes, per Oakley and Meta. A full Vanguard charge takes 75 minutes, and Oakley says the HSTN case itself recharges in 3.5 hours.
Open this pair in Compare to swap either model.
Sources
- Introducing Oakley Meta Glasses(about.fb.com, read 4 October 2026)
- Athletic Intelligence Is Here, Meet Oakley Meta Vanguard(about.fb.com)
- Oakley Meta HSTN product page(oakley.com, read 4 October 2026)
- How to order prescription lenses for AI glasses(meta.com, read 5 October 2026)
- Meta AI app (Apple App Store)(apps.apple.com, read 5 October 2026)
- AI glasses supported countries(meta.com, read 5 October 2026)
Last verified 5 October 2026 against the sources listed on this page.