I tried the RayNeo Air 4 Pro, and the new HDR10 visuals are absolutely stunning

RayNeo Air 4 Pro
(Image credit: Future / Tom's Guide)

RayNeo has come a long way in the AR glasses space, dishing out some of the best smart glasses for the price. Now, it looks to carry on the flame with the all-new RayNeo Air 4 Pro AR specs — this time with HDR10 support.

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That, along with the Bang and Olufsen side speakers delivering detailed audio, made these AR glasses a treat to wear while throwing shells in Mario Kart World (through the Joydock accessory that allows Switch 2 connectivity, no less).

Set to launch on January 25 for $299, TCL's latest smart glasses are still seriously competitively priced, even compared to other specs we've seen here at CES 2026, like the Asus ROG Xreal R1 (with its price still up in the air).

They're easily among the best smart glasses we've tried out at CES, so if you're looking for a huge, personal display right on your face while watching shows or playing games, keep these on your radar.

Giving gaming the cinematic treatment (for less)

RayNeo Air 4 Pro

(Image credit: Future / Tom's Guide)

When putting on the RayNeo Air 4 Pro, I was already impressed by its comfort and lightweight design. The AR glasses weigh just 2.6 ounces, even lighter than the RayNeo Air 3S Pro (at 2.8 ounces). I'd barely notice these specs weighing me down when playing games — it's just like putting on a regular pair of glasses.

That's the goal of wearing AR glasses: having a pair of high-tech specs that are seamless when playing games right before your very eyes. It's a good thing, then, that the SeeYa 0.6-inch Micro-OLED display offers a similar experience of just playing titles on a TV or monitor.

Thanks to the usual 1,200 nits of perceived brightness, lighting doesn't get in the way of making full use of these specs as a full-blown display to play comfortably on. Sure, its 120Hz refresh rate isn't the highest we've seen now (the ROG Xreal R1 goes up to 240Hz now), but for a majority of console games, that's already enough for most.

RayNeo Air 4 Pro

(Image credit: Future / Tom's Guide)

I realized I was only playing Mario Kart World at the standard display settings when I opened the options. It already looked great, as with TCL's other AR glasses, but switching to HDR10 made the picture quality feel more natural. As in, I may as well have been playing on a physical screen.

That's the goal of AR glasses, after all — watching shows or playing your favorite titles with a personalized cinema experience without any drawbacks. Sure, compared to the best gaming monitors, the level of detail doesn't quite match up, but for many PC, PS5 or Switch games, that's hardly a major nuisance.

Being able to connect the RayNeo Air 4 Pro to virtually any device, whether your smartphone or gaming console, opens plenty of options for those on the go or simply playing in bed. And, most importantly, at just under $300, it's a great investment for anyone after a portable screen that stays fixed to your face.

RayNeo Air 4 Pro

(Image credit: Future / Tom's Guide)

Another perk is the elevated sound you'll get from the Bang and Olufsen speakers. Its boosted bass and clear audio delivered a proper gaming experience for me, even with a crowd chattering behind me. Of course, I only got to wear the RayNeo Air 4 Pro for a brief time, so this would need to be fully tested.

In any case, though, it's already a welcome level up from the RayNeo Air 3s Pro. While its 3D video wasn't on show (one element we couldn't praise the 3s for), anyone after a solid pair of specs boasting vivid colors, a bright Micro-OLED display and a massive screen for binge-watching shows or playing the latest games will appreciate what the Air 4 Pros have to offer, especially at its price compared to the competition.

Outlook

RayNeo Air 4 Pro

(Image credit: Future / Tom's Guide)

We'll need more hands-on time with TCL's RayNeo Air 4 Pro, but I've very much enjoyed my time failing to drift around corners in games like Mario Kart World. They're comfortable to wear, offer high-quality displays, and let you watch shows or play games in an immersive, virtual experience.

They may not reach the heights of its Xreal competition right now, but it won't cost as much.

The RayNeo Air 4 Pros continues its legacy of offering a more affordable way to jump on the AR glasses bandwagon, without compromising a premium visual experience. AR glasses just keep improving, and even though these specs will still stay strictly on your face at home or in transport (they are evidently AR glasses that don't exactly scream "I've got style"), it's clear the Air 4 Pro AR specs are ones to look out for in 2026.


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Darragh Murphy
Computing Editor

Darragh is Tom’s Guide’s Computing Editor and is fascinated by all things bizarre in tech. His work can be seen in Laptop Mag, Mashable, Android Police, Shortlist Dubai, Proton, theBit.nz, ReviewsFire and more. When he's not checking out the latest devices and all things computing, he can be found going for dreaded long runs, watching terrible shark movies and trying to find time to game

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