Best Smart Rings of 2023: A Comprehensive Guide to Fitness Tracking and Payment Rings

Introduction: Smart rings have taken the wearable technology market by storm, and they show no sign of fading away. Unlike some short-lived wearable categories, smart rings are thriving, and the future looks promising. In this guide, we’ll explore the top smart rings available in 2023 and offer insights into their features and functionalities.

What Is a Smart Ring and What Do They Do? Smart rings are discreet and compact wearables designed for individuals who want the advantages of a wearable device without the bulkiness of a smartwatch or fitness tracker. They serve various purposes, with the most popular ones being fitness tracking and contactless payments.

Fitness Tracking with Smart Rings: Leading smart rings like the Oura Ring 3, Ultrahuman Ring Air, and Movano Evie focus on fitness tracking, capturing metrics such as heart rate, step count, sleep patterns, and exercise data. Thanks to the thin skin around the finger, they offer reliable accuracy for heart rate monitoring, often surpassing that of smartwatches. Smart rings are evolving into powerful health devices, offering valuable insights into users’ well-being.

Contactless Payments: Another prevalent use of smart rings is enabling contactless payments, similar to smartphones and smartwatches. Rings like the McLear RingPay provide secure and convenient payment options.

Now, let’s dive deeper into some of the top smart rings of 2023:

1. Oura Ring 3:

• Compatibility: Android and iOS
• Features: Heart rate monitoring, SpO2 tracking, respiration rate, body temperature tracking, step counting, sleep tracking, and exercise heart rate tracking
• Battery Life: 4–7 days
• Review: The Oura Ring 3 has received rave reviews and earned the title of “Wearable of the Year.” It excels in readiness and recovery analysis, offering continuous heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and SpO2 measurement. However, it has moved to a subscription-based model, which may not suit all users.

2. Ultrahuman Ring Air:

• Features: Heart rate monitoring, temperature tracking, blood oxygen level monitoring, and sleep tracking
• Weight: 2.4g
• Review: The Ultrahuman Ring Air, a second-generation smart ring, prioritizes sleep tracking, recovery analysis, and circadian rhythm management. It also features a recovery score and offers insights into various metrics. However, some users may find it slightly bulky.

3. Ringconn:

• Features: Heart rate tracking, temperature monitoring, sleep tracking, blood oxygen level monitoring, and stress monitoring
• Design: Titanium material, IP68-rated, available in gold, silver, and black options
• Review: The Ringconn is a compelling Oura competitor with no ongoing subscription fees. It includes essential health and fitness tracking features and boasts a unique design, making it suitable for various scenarios.

4. Prevention Circul+:

• Compatibility: Android and iOS
• Features: ECG and blood pressure tracking, step counting, and sleep monitoring
• No subscription required
• Review: Prevention Circul+ stands out by offering ECG and blood pressure monitoring. It provides accurate health data but may lack some actionable insights. It’s not the most comfortable for exercise and has a limited battery life of 16 hours.

5. Circular Smart Ring:

• Compatibility: Android and iOS
• Features: Heart rate monitoring, skin temperature tracking, blood oxygen level monitoring, activity tracking, sleep tracking, and changeable outer shells
• Built-in data storage for 10 days
• Battery Life: 4 days
• Review: The Circular Smart Ring, though facing patent disputes with Oura, offers comprehensive health tracking features. It also includes a smart assistant called Kira and promises an extended battery life. However, it’s yet to be released as of May 2023.

6. McLear RingPay:

• Compatibility: Android and iOS
• Features: Contactless payments
• Available in black and white
• No charging required
• Review: The McLear RingPay focuses exclusively on contactless payments, providing a secure and convenient payment solution. It offers a companion app to track spending and activate automatic top-ups.

Upcoming Smart Rings:

• Movano Evie Ring (due November 2023):
• Features: Heart rate tracking, heart rate variability, respiration rate, temperature tracking, blood oxygen level monitoring, and sleep tracking
• Available in black, copper, silver, and gold
• No subscription required
• Price: $269
• Review: The Movano Evie Ring, designed with women’s health in mind, promises accurate health metrics. It will be more affordable than the Oura Ring and boasts a sleek design.

Key Considerations for Smart Rings:

• Getting the Size Right: Choosing the right size for a smart ring is crucial to ensure comfort and accurate data collection.
• Scratch and Water Resistance: Some smart rings offer scratch-resistant designs and protection against moisture. IP ratings indicate the level of moisture resistance.
• Health and Fitness Features: Smart rings often track health and fitness metrics, including heart rate, sleep, and body temperature.
• Battery Life: Most smart rings have a battery life ranging from one day to around a week, depending on usage and features.

In conclusion, the world of smart rings is rapidly evolving, offering a wide range of options catering to different preferences and needs. As technology advances, we can expect even more innovative and feature-rich smart rings in the future.