The Best Smart Rings Tested and Reviewed (2024)
There’s a lot to consider when buying a smart ring, so use these tips to narrow down your choices and get the most out of your product.
Size: Some smart rings come in standard sizes, but there are some variations, and half sizes are rare. Most manufacturers will send you a free sizing kit, which allows you to wear a dummy ring for 24 hours to ensure you get the right fit. (You may have to buy the ring directly from the manufacturer to get this free kit.) You should absolutely do this. Keep in mind that your finger will swell and shrink during the day. Your smart ring needs to fit snugly so that the sensors can measure accurately, and it will work best on your index finger (although your middle or ring finger may also work).
Complete: All of the smart rings we tested combine solid titanium with a sensor array inside, but the finishes and colors vary. If you’re picky about your rings, a silver or gold finish might be best for you, as it’s less likely to get damaged. My Oura and Ultrahuman rings have a black finish that shows obvious scratches and chips after a few months. The Oura and Amazfit rings have small indentations that help you align the sensors. While I prefer the smooth finish on the Ultrahuman, I think proper placement helps with accuracy.
Take care of: If you want to avoid damage, you should remove your ring when working with tools, lifting weights, washing pots and pans, or even washing the sink. If your ring is likely to rub against a surface, take it off. I find wearing a ring on my index finger causes more problems than wearing a ring on my middle or ring finger. I’ve scratched my Oura and Ultrahuman rings while gardening, moving boxes, and using dumbbells. Titanium is also hard enough to damage surfaces in your home. I’ve gouged out the porcelain in a sink and marked the inside of a mug with a corner Ringconn ring. All of the smart rings we tested are water-resistant, so you can swim or shower without removing them.
Charging: Smart rings come with chargers and cables, but you usually have to provide your own power adapter. When they run out of battery, they take about an hour and a half to three hours to fully charge, but you should avoid letting the battery drain completely or you risk losing data. We tested the smart rings above with all the bells and whistles turned on, so our battery life estimates are lower than manufacturers’ claims.
Feature: Most smart bands will track your sleep, heart rate, and temperature. If you want to track your sleep and health in a discreet and convenient way, a smart band is ideal. Fitness tracking varies, with most smart bands offering basic step counts and movement, some offering manual workout tracking, and only the Oura and Galaxy Ring offering automatic workout recognition. But you can expect more depth and accuracy from a Traditional health trackers or smart watch. Combine a smart ring with a Apple Watch or Fitbit provides a seamless experience, allowing you to take your watch off and charge it at night without interrupting tracking.
