A smart ring may be little, but it’s the latest big thing in wearable devices. Lightweight and stylish, they contain technologies that can help you stay fit, sleep better, and even manage stress.
Less cumbersome than a smartphone or smartwatch, a smart ring can be the right wearable for you if you know what to look for. If you’re new to smart rings, here’s a simple guide to some of the latest smart rings on the market.
What Is a Smart Ring & How Does It Work?
A smart ring is a wearable device that fits on your finger. Depending on the brand and model, a smart ring typically tracks fitness and wellness metrics. Smart rings can easily take heart rate and blood oxygen readings because the skin on the finger is thin. For this reason, this type of device appears to be more accurate than other wearables.
Like other wearables, people also use these discreet and lightweight devices to listen to music or even control other devices in the home. Some rings also have contactless payment capabilities; however, these rings aren’t yet available in the United States.
Types of Smart Rings
Before you buy a smart ring, you should know how you plan to use the device. Maybe you’d like a smart ring that monitors wellness in general. But you should consider if instant messaging or Bluetooth is important to you. Or, do you mostly want to track fitness? Perhaps you’re more interested in using your smart ring to help get a better night’s sleep.
How to Choose a Smart Ring
There are many factors to consider when shopping for a smart ring. From material to size to battery, it’s worth the time and effort to think about all aspects of your new wearable to find a smart ring that you’ll want to wear and use.
Materials To Fit Your Lifestyle & Budget
One important consideration is the material of the ring. Choosing a material is a matter of personal preference and comfort.
Some budget-friendly rings contain acrylic or plastic. Meanwhile, others contain titanium, a pricier but lightweight and durable material ideal for an active lifestyle. If you have skin sensitivities, you may want to look for hypoallergenic materials such as ceramic.
Ring Size for Comfort
You’ll likely be wearing your smart ring in a variety of circumstances. Whether you’re typing at a keyboard, riding a bicycle, or sleeping, your ring should feel comfortable on your finger.
Many companies will send you a plastic sizing kit before they send you the actual ring. You should wear the temporary ring on the finger that the manufacturer recommends. Correct ring placement will help ensure correct readings as well as comfort.
Scratch & Water Resistance for Longevity
You want your smart ring to look good and work properly for a long time. Scratch resistance and water resistance are therefore important for the longevity of any device.
Check the product description to find out if a smart ring is waterproof or water-resistant. A waterproof device can withstand swimming and other heavy water exposure.
If a ring is listed as water-resistant, it will tolerate a brief drizzle, but you wouldn’t want to wear it in the shower.
Battery Life & Charge Time That Work for You
A smart ring works hard at many tasks, from tracking your heart rate to accepting phone calls. This is why battery life of smart rings is variable. Some devices stay charged for only one hour of continuous use, while others last up to a week or more.
The good news is that smart ring batteries usually charge quickly. Some take only 20 minutes to charge, but most batteries need about an hour of charge time.
So when it comes to battery, make sure you choose a ring with a battery that works with your life. If you wear your ring to track sleep, for example, you don’t want the battery to wear out before you wake up.
Smart Rings to Consider
Understanding the different types and features of a smart ring is one thing, but how do you know which smart ring is right for you?
Here are some smart ring options for a variety of main uses:
Oura: Detailed Wellness Tracking You Can Share on Social Networks
Some smart rings cost a monthly subscription fee as well as the price of the ring itself to be able to track all of the metrics you want. Possibly the most recognized subscription-based smart ring is the Oura Ring.
The lightweight titanium ring offers extensive fitness and wellness tracking featuring daily sleep, readiness, and activity scores. Then, you’ll learn what steps you need to take for optimal well-being. Plus, you can even share scores and connect with other Oura users through Oura Circles.
Compatible with iOS and Android, the Oura Ring offers the following top features:
- Research-grade sensors
- Hypoallergenic
- Sleep stage monitoring and nap detection
- Heart rate and blood oxygen sensing
- Physical & mental recovery tracking
- Temperature trend monitoring
- Battery life up to 7 days
- Fast 20- to 80-minute battery charge
- Water-resistant
Ringconn: Wellness Tracking Without a Subscription
If you don’t want to commit to a monthly fee, we found a smart ring that combines fitness and mental health tracking without a subscription.
Thanks to its advanced sensors, the Ringconn Smart Ring monitors a full range of wellness metrics, from sleep to workouts, including:
- Sleep phase monitoring
- Daily sleep scores
- Step and calorie tracking
- Heart rate
- Blood oxygen saturation
- Stress monitoring
- Waterproof
- Personalized relaxation techniques
The titanium ring will alert you when it’s time to adjust your sleep patterns or take a break from daily pressures. And if fitness is your thing, it can help you develop a workout program that’s tailored for your needs.
Along with all these features, Ringconn monitors your vitals around the clock and stays charged for up to seven days.
Available in gold, silver, or black, Ringconn has a sleek squared-off design.
Go2 Sleep: Find Out How Well You Rest With Dedicated Sleep Tracking
You may be interested in a smart ring that focuses primarily on sleep data. Good news is that these rings have sensors that can track sleep cycles. You simply wear the lightweight ring on your finger, and there’s no need for wires or monitors that could interfere with your sleep.
So, if you’re trying to get a better night’s sleep with the help of a smart ring, the Go2 Sleep Ring is a good option. This smart ring doesn’t charge a monthly subscription fee and it works with iOS and Android devices.
Dedicated to tracking sleep, the Go2 Ring offers the following features:
- Heart rate & variable heart rate tracking
- Blood oxygen saturation sensing
- Day & night mode
- Periodic sleep reports
- Airplane mode
- Apple Health app sync
- Made of acrylic and plastic
- Waterproof
The Go2 Sleep ring also lets you share data with family members. But helpfully, you can encrypt your data to comply with HIPAA and other health privacy guidelines.
ArcX: Hands-Free Control on the Go
If you spend a lot of time outdoors or at the gym, you don’t want to bother fumbling for your phone. It’s also not safe to reach for a device when you’re in the middle of adventure sports like paddling a kayak.
Luckily, with the ArcX smart ring, you can control your smartphone, TV, home exercise equipment, and other devices, hands-free. ArcX recommends that you wear this micro joystick on your index finger and control it with your thumb. They say that you can even wear gloves with this smart ring and it will still work.
The ArcX smart ring comes with a color pack of five outer rings that stretch to fit. So, all you have to do is place the actual smart ring in the rubber outer ring in the color of your choice. The ring also comes with two handlebar mounts so you can attach it to the handlebars of, say, a rowing machine for comfort while you work out.
There are many reasons to like the ArcX smart ring, including:
- Waterproof & shockproof
- Patented SOS function for emergencies
- USB charging cable
- Handlebar mount for outdoor activities
- Works as a presentation clicker
- Works with a free, intuitive iOS or Android app
Choose the Right Smart Ring That’s Right for You
With so many brands on the market, shopping for a smart ring can be overwhelming. But all you have to do is keep these features in mind when you shop, and you’re sure to find a smart ring that fits your needs, whether you want to track your sleep, take calls, or just manage your general well-being.
