After reviewing the GUNNAR Mustang and Overwatch Reaper glasses, I was curious to see how the GUNNAR Echo glasses would compare. Both earlier pairs looked good, but their fit or comfort left something to be desired. The Echo is a completely different experience.
These glasses are extremely lightweight. I can put them on and almost forget they’re there. The flexible metal frame feels well-made, the Amber lenses provide a pleasant viewing experience, and the hinges might be the best part of the entire design.
There are a couple of things worth knowing before buying, especially the slight focusing effect in the lenses. But overall, the Echo is easily my favorite of the three GUNNAR pairs I’ve tried.
My rating: 8.5/10 — Very Good.
“I can barely notice these glasses on my face. And the hinges? That’s easily my favorite part.”
Design and Build Quality: Light, Flexible, and Surprisingly Solid
My pair is the Onyx frame with Amber lenses, which means a sleek black finish with that familiar yellow-orange tint. GUNNAR calls the design a half-rimless stainless-steel frame, and it looks considerably more understated than the character-inspired Reaper glasses.
What’s impressive is how little the Echo weighs. GUNNAR lists the weight at just 26.9 grams, and that lightweight feel is immediately noticeable when you put them on. Even though the frame is thin and flexible, it doesn’t strike me as cheap. It feels like a good-quality pair of glasses.
The arms have rubberized ends that sit comfortably around my ears, and the mostly metal construction gives them a clean, professional appearance. You can tell some thought went into making them flexible without giving up that high-quality feel.
The 180-Degree Hinges: Easily the Best Feature
Let’s talk about the hinges, because this is where the Echo really impressed me.
Instead of feeling stiff or restrictive, the temples can open outward well beyond what I’d expect from typical glasses. The spring-loaded mechanism lets them flex naturally and then return to position. GUNNAR describes the hinges as having 180-degree flexibility, and in normal handling, the movement is impressive.
I’m not saying anyone should force the frame beyond its intended range, but the difference is obvious when putting the glasses on and taking them off. There’s a little give to the frame instead of that uncomfortable, rigid squeeze.
For me, the hinges are the number-one selling point. The glasses feel easier to handle, and that flexible fit makes them a much better match for my head than the Overwatch Reaper glasses.
“The flexibility is just fantastic. The temples open so easily, spring back, and make these feel a lot more comfortable to wear.”
Comfort: I Almost Forget I’m Wearing Them
Comfort was my biggest issue with the Reaper, but the Echo is the opposite. The Reaper squeezed the sides of my head; the Echo feels light, relaxed, and comfortable.
The combination of the stainless-steel frame, flexible hinges, and rubberized temple tips makes a noticeable difference. When I put these on, they don’t dominate my face or make me want to take them right back off.
They feel like the kind of glasses I could wear for hours while working or gaming. That’s an impression based on how comfortable they’ve been for me—not a claim that I’ve performed a controlled endurance test—but I’m much more confident reaching for these during a long computer session.
They’re particularly appealing because they don’t have to rely on an oversized, chunky design to feel substantial. For something marketed as esports eyewear, being this unobtrusive is a genuine advantage.
Amber Lenses and the Slight Magnification Effect
The viewing experience is fairly similar to the GUNNAR Reaper. My Echo pair has the recognizable yellow-orange Amber tint, which is the most obvious visual change when looking through the lenses.
But there’s something else I’ve noticed: text and nearby objects can look a little larger or closer. I don’t normally wear prescription glasses, so that subtle effect stood out to me right away. At first, I couldn’t quite put my finger on what caused it.
GUNNAR’s press material mentions +0.2 diopters of focusing power for its standard lenses, which helps explain what I’m seeing. It’s a small amount of positive lens power rather than some kind of dramatic zoom.
Personally, I actually think it’s a nice touch. It doesn’t distract me, and I don’t find it uncomfortable. If I were choosing a lens purely for my own preferences, I might lean toward a completely neutral, zero-power viewing experience. But that small amount of magnification doesn’t hinder these glasses for me.
I also wouldn’t say I’ve experienced a dramatic transformation in how screens look. The Amber color shift is obvious, and the overall viewing experience is pleasant, but I can’t independently confirm every eye-strain or glare-reduction benefit advertised in the marketing.
One practical trade-off: the Amber tint changes color appearance. If you’re doing photo editing or other color-sensitive work, that’s worth keeping in mind, even if you enjoy the tint for everyday screen use.
Everyday Wear: They Don’t Scream Gaming Glasses
One of my favorite things about the Echo is that they don’t really look like gaming glasses.
The Onyx metal frame has a subtle, almost everyday-eyewear appearance. I could picture wearing them at my desk, while reading something on a screen, or just walking around. They don’t have the theatrical styling of the Reaper, which makes them much more versatile in my opinion.
That doesn’t mean my Amber-tinted pair should automatically replace prescription readers, regular sunglasses, or eyewear selected for driving. The lenses have tint and focusing power, so those specific uses deserve separate consideration.
But for general computer use, I really like the balance between style and practicality.
Accessories: A Proper Case and Cleaning Cloth
The accessories are another nice touch. My Echo glasses came with a solid-feeling protective hard case and a GUNNAR-branded cleaning cloth, which I appreciate.
GUNNAR also lists a microfiber pouch and a 12-month warranty among the included items. It’s a sensible package for something you’re likely to carry between a desk, a backpack, and other everyday activities.
Value: Are the GUNNAR Echo Glasses Worth $84?
At the original $84 MSRP, the Echo costs a little more than the Mustang and Overwatch Reaper glasses I’ve reviewed. But this is the first of the three where I can really feel a meaningful improvement in everyday comfort.
You’re getting a genuinely lightweight stainless-steel frame, excellent hinge flexibility, a versatile design, and a lens experience I find pleasant. The slight focusing effect may not be everyone’s preference, and I would personally be fine without it, but it isn’t enough to take away from the overall package.
For my use, I would gladly choose the Echo over the other two. In fact, the hinges and comfort make a stronger case for buying these than any gaming-focused marketing language could.
What I Liked—and What I’d Change
The good
- Extremely lightweight; I almost forget they’re on my face
- Flexible, spring-loaded hinges that are the standout feature
- Comfortable fit without the side pressure I experienced with the Reaper
- Good-quality feel from the stainless-steel frame
- Rubberized temple tips and a clean, understated design
- Pleasant Amber viewing experience with subtle magnification that doesn’t distract me
- Nice protective case and branded cleaning cloth
The trade-offs
- The Amber tint shifts colors, which may not be ideal for color-accurate work
- I would personally prefer a neutral, zero-power view, even though the +0.2 effect doesn’t bother me
- The $84 original price is a step above GUNNAR’s Mustang and Reaper models
Final Verdict: My Favorite GUNNAR Glasses So Far
I’ve now used three different GUNNAR glasses, and the Echo has left me with the most positive impression by far.
The Reaper had the character-inspired styling, and the Mustang looked good on paper, but both gave me fit-related frustrations. The Echo feels like the one that gets the fundamentals right. They’re lightweight, flexible, easy to wear, and surprisingly comfortable.
The hinge system is what really sets them apart. I love how easily the temples open and return, and I love that the frame doesn’t feel like it’s squeezing my head.
The yellow-orange lenses offer a similar visual experience to the Reaper, including a slight magnification effect I actually find pleasant. Would I prefer zero magnification if I had the choice? Probably. Does it hurt the product for me? Not really.
If you’re considering GUNNAR glasses for extended computer use, I think the Echo deserves serious consideration. They’re the pair I’d personally reach for first.
Final Rating: 8.5/10 — Very Good. Excellent comfort and hinges, with only minor lens and price trade-offs.
GUNNAR Echo: Product Fact Sheet
| Product | GUNNAR Echo (Pro eSports Collection) |
| Original MSRP | $84 USD |
| Reviewed variant | Onyx frame / Amber-tinted non-prescription lenses |
| Frame | Stainless steel, half-rimless, high-wrap design |
| Hinges | 180-degree flexible |
| Weight | 26.9 grams (without packaging) |
| Lens width / height | 56 mm / 41 mm |
| Bridge | 15 mm |
| Frame width | 132 mm |
| Temple length | 137 mm |
| Lens technology | GUNNAR Focus lenses; Amber tint reviewed |
| Standard focusing power | +0.2 diopters (per GUNNAR’s press materials) |
| Coating | G-Shield Plus, advertised as anti-reflective, smudge-resistant and oleophobic |
| Included | Pro eSports case, microfiber pouch and cleaning cloth |
| Warranty | 12 months |
Specifications are based on GUNNAR’s official product page and the 2025 Echo press announcement. Lens options, price, and availability may change. View the GUNNAR Echo product page.
Review Disclosure and Photo Credits
GUNNAR provided the Echo glasses for review consideration through its public relations representative. The 8.5/10 rating and all hands-on impressions are independent and reflect my own experience; favorable coverage was not guaranteed. Images in this article are official GUNNAR Optiks product photography, credited to the manufacturer.
Related GUNNAR Reviews
- GUNNAR Overwatch Reaper Glasses Review — 5.5/10: Great design, but a restrictive fit
- GUNNAR Mustang Glasses Review — 6/10: Stylish look, mixed performance
Have you used the GUNNAR Echo or another pair of gaming glasses? I’d like to know what you think about the fit, lenses, and hinge design. Leave a comment below.
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