Rokid Max 2 AR Glasses review: Hardware shines, software needs polish

Rokid's upcoming AR glasses have an innovative controller that works well but does not integrate well with an Apple ecosystem workflow.

With the Apple Vision Pro's infamous price point and the growing AR/VR market, many companies are stepping in to have their take on "spatial computing." Rokid is launching a "Lite" and "Max" version of their glasses in a new Kickstarter.

Rokid was founded in 2014, starting with voice-interaction products and transitioning to AR/VR in 2018.

Rokid Max 2 AR Glasses - Design

Out of the box, the Rokid Max 2 AR glasses come with a case, cloth, USB-C cord, the glasses themselves, and the Station 2 remote, which is a small computer with Rokid's YodaOS, which powers the software experience with a capacitive touch panel for control.

The glasses are designed to look inconspicuous, but anyone looking at you directly will know you're using AR glasses. The plastic construction makes it lightweight on your face, and the matte black finish is classy.

Rokid Max 2 AR Glasses review: Held in hand.

The glasses have integrated speakers and a microphone, with volume and brightness adjustment buttons. The Station 2 remote features a home button, settings, volume, power button, and two USB-C ports for connection and charging.

Rokid Max 2 AR Glasses - Specs

Rokid Max 2 AR Glasses - Use

My first use of the Rokid glasses was with the Station 2 remote. It has its own app store, albeit limited, and the OS is smooth and easy to navigate with the remote.

You can open up to three menus or separate monitor tabs, making it easy to multitask. Using your neck and controller to navigate the screen adds a nice physical component, as well.

You can also connect Bluetooth devices like your mouse and keyboard to Station 2.

Chrome comes on the device but appears to be unsupported. I used the default search engine and downloaded some apps like Pinterest, Amazon Prime Video, and ChatGPT.

Rokid Max 2 AR Glasses review: The Station 2 held in hand.

Downloading apps and using three menus at once made the Station 2 remote rev up its fans considerably, convincing me this is more of a media device than one for productivity applications.

I could expand the screen on Theater Mode up to 300 inches when watching video and use Reading Mode to make it easier to digest text on websites. I also found that AR naturally enhances apps like YouTube and Pinterest, making the visuals more immersive.

As for integrating the AR experience with the devices I already have, you can plug in the USB-C cable for the glasses into your iPad, iPhone, or MacBook to either mirror or create a new screen for you to use.

This made gaming more immersive on my iPhone 16 and slightly increased my iPad and MacBook productivity. The glasses don't necessarily level up the experience, though, so there's the reliance on the Station 2.

Rokid Max 2 AR Glasses review: Focus adjustment wheels are shown on the top of the glasses.

Rokid Max 2 AR Glasses - Solid hardware, software in progress

After much use, my main takeaway from these AR glasses is that the hardware is solid for both the glasses and the remote. However, I find the software and lack of integration with known ecosystems a detractor when considering this as a daily carry.

As a current Kickstarter, the final product and software will be ironed out and can be changed, but the foundation of the hardware remains solid. From what I've seen, there are two popular ways to go about spatial computing: integrating the experience with devices consumers already have or making an all-in-one package.

These glasses try to do a little bit of both with the Station 2 remote but with half the effect. Still, I look forward to what comes next as AR/VR evolves.

Rokid Max 2 AR Glasses review: Glasses and wires in case.

Rokid Max 2 AR Glasses Pros

• Lightweight and fluid design
• Fun and interactive media device
• Compatible with Bluetooth devices

Rokid Max 2 AR Glasses Cons

• Limited app store
• Limited ecosystem integration
• Station 2 unfit for heavy work

Rating: 2.5 out of 5

Where to buy the Rokid Max 2 AR Glasses

The Rokid Max 2 AR Glasses and Station 2 are available on Kickstarter with late pledges.