XReal Air review: How do they perform in 2025
Old vision, new clarity.
Once a breakthrough in portable AR, the XReal Air promised a big-screen experience in a pair of lightweight glasses. But in 2025, can it still compete with newer mixed reality headsets?Darryl Linington Published
Are these early AR glasses still worth buying today?
For someone upgrading from console gaming, or seeking a second screen for travel paired with your laptop, the XREAL Air is absolutely worth considering. Just know its limitations and adjust expectations accordingly.
Pros
Cons
Unboxing a tech time capsule
When you unpack the XReal Air in 2025—a pair of AR glasses originally released in 2022 for around US $299-$349—you immediately feel the ambition. The promise: A wearable display that could replace your second monitor, travel screen, or immersive gaming surface. Paired with the Lenovo LOQ 16IRH8 (Intel i7 14th Gen + RTX 4050), this test aims to answer: Does it still hold up?
Included in the box are the glasses (≈79 g or 2.65 oz weight, foldable arms), detachable USB-C cable, travel case, cleaning cloth, multiple nose pads, and optional prescription lens frame.
Plugged into the Lenovo LOQ 16IRH8 via USB-C DisplayPort Alt Mode, setup is instant—a strong point amid today’s crowded XR options.
Specifications
| Display | Dual micro-OLED panels, 1920 × 1080 pixels per eye |
| Field of View (FOV) | Approximately 46 degrees |
| Refresh Rate | Up to 120 Hz (in compatible mode) |
| Brightness | Up to ≈ 400 nits (per manufacturer) |
| Weight | ~ 79 g (excluding cable) |
| Connectivity | USB-C (DisplayPort Alt Mode) |
| Audio | Open-ear stereo speakers with dual microphones |
| Certifications | TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light & Flicker Free certified |
Productivity and entertainment
With the LOQ as the host, the XReal Air becomes a floating 1080p virtual screen in front of you — ideal for multitasking, browsing, writing, or even light video editing. Text remains sharp, latency imperceptible when connected. The glasses handle casual workflows with no fuss.
However, indoor use is recommended, as the approximately ≈ 400 nits of brightness can struggle to compete with ambient lighting from today’s laptop panels in well-lit or outdoor settings. Also, the ~46° FOV means the ‘screen’ feels large but not cavernous — more like a 100-inch display at 2-3 m than an immersive full-room environment.
Streaming Netflix, YouTube, or local media through the Air with the LOQ delivers a surprisingly immersive experience. The micro-OLED panels produce deep blacks and rich colours (sRGB coverage ~108 %). Crisp visuals, no setup delays, and minimal distractions — especially useful when you don’t have access to a large TV.
As an audiophile, the built-in speakers are acceptable for casual use, but I’d still recommend a headset for full immersion. Overall, for streaming and movies, the XReal Air remains a very compelling portable display option.
Gaming with the Lenovo LOQ: How they perform together
Pairing the LOQ 16IRH8 (RTX 4050 laptop GPU) with the XReal Air, I saw very solid results in real play:
- Fortnite: Resolution 1080p, high preset + DLSS Quality delivered smooth gameplay, often hovering above 100 FPS in lighter scenes.
- Call of Duty: Warzone: Resolution 1080p, using Balanced DLSS, I averaged 80–100 FPS in most combat situations, with occasional dips in extremely crowded firefights.
- Gears of War: Reloaded: Resolution 1080p, on Ultra, I observed frame rates in the 100–130 FPS range in many levels — it handled the load well.
- Hogwarts Legacy: Resolution 1080p with Ray Tracing off and DLSS on, I saw between 60 and 90 FPS depending on the scene.
On the XReal Air display, responsiveness felt good in most games. In extremely fast-paced or high-detail action, subtle motion blur and the narrower FOV are noticeable... still, for casual play, it’s a strong combo.
Conclusion: Is the XRealAir still relevant in 2025?
Yes... within reasonable expectations. If you’re looking for a stylish, lightweight wearable display for productivity, streaming, or casual gaming, and your primary device is a capable laptop, the XReal Air still delivers excellent value. It won’t rival cutting-edge XR headsets in immersion, much like my previous PlayStation VR, but for the asking price and ease of use, it remains one of the best budget AR displays today. While the XReal Air works flawlessly when plugged directly into the Lenovo LOQ via USB-C DisplayPort, those wanting more flexibility may consider the XReal Beam transmitter.
The beam acts as an external hub, enabling wireless casting, HDMI input, and screen stabilization features for compatible devices. It also adds up to 3–4 hours of extended battery life, letting users stream content without draining the host device.
In testing, latency was much higher than direct-wired mode — noticeable in gaming but negligible for streaming or productivity. The trade-off: It's cumbersome and looks very similar to a large iPod.
Transparency
The selection of devices to be reviewed is made by our editorial team. The test sample was given to the author by the manufacturer free of charge for the purposes of review. There was no third-party influence on this review, nor did the manufacturer receive a copy of this review before publication. There was no obligation to publish this review. As an independent media company, Notebookcheck is not subjected to the authority of manufacturers, retailers or publishers.
