How I bought the Meta Ray-Bans for 20% off on Black Friday - and got an Amazon gift card too

I don't think anyone -- not even Meta -- expected last year's Ray-Ban smart glasses to be as big of a hit as they have been. However, packing a slew of useful features into a widely accepted form factor has made them one of the most successful tech gadgets in recent years. Since reviewing them a year ago, I still wear mine whenever I work, travel, or go out for walks.

Also: The best Black Friday deals live now

That's why I'm spotlighting one of the most competitive offers on the smart glasses yet, with both Meta and major retailers selling the wearable for 20% off, bringing the starting price down to just $239. The best part? Amazon will even bundle a $90 gift card when you checkout with the code 'WAYFARER90'.

I won't get into the nitty-gritty of the Meta Ray-Bans, but their core features include a 12-megapixel ultra-wide lens for capturing photos and videos, Bluetooth audio playing, and Meta AI for conversing and asking questions. I've found the camera capability ideal for when I'm recording footage of me testing and demoing products at briefings, conventions, and trade shows. It's also handy when driving, and I want a shot of my scenic views.

Review: Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses: The best AI-powered glasses to buy right now

Since publishing my review, Meta has rolled out several updates to the glasses that have made them even more worth the investment. These include recording up to three minutes (instead of one minute), remembering things for you thanks to its multimodal AI, and even translating conversations (though it's limited to Spanish for now). There are more features to come, of course.

Notably, this Black Friday offer applies to every frame and style of the Meta Ray-Bans except for one: the limited-edition release from October. But for just about everything else, you can pick up a pair, including with transition lenses and prescriptions, for 20% off and with a free $90 Amazon gift card, the best deal I've seen for the wearables yet. You'll want to act fast, as the offer will run while supplies last. When in doubt, check listings from major retailers like Amazon and Best Buy if your preferred design is no longer available on the Ray-Ban website.