If you haven’t heard of Smart rings, then it is time to get up to date! These mini devices are growing in popularity and capabilities and show no sign of slipping away quietly into the night! Smart rings are set to explode this year due to their smart tracking of health stats and quick paying tool. We took a look at the most popular options and outlined our findings so you can purchase with confidence.
Why Oura Smart Rings are Leading the Way
Oura’s smart ring has become the top pick as its biggest competition – Motiv – recently went bust. When Oura first started, they used Kickstarter to fund their project and raised a lot of money. This allowed them to push further forward and create the sleep tracking ring, seen on the fingers of many high-profile individuals.
Weighing only 4 to 6 grams and lasting for up to 7 days, the Smart Ring is definitely worth keeping on our finger.
There is a companion app that gives you insight into your sleep and then tells you your score. Not only is this great for monitoring sleep hygiene, but it also helps you understand limitations on your low-score days.
With four different colour choices and a huge range of sizes available, the two Oura models prove more popular. The ring is a statement piece, though this may vary depending on the model’s size.
The ring has sensors that measure pulse and body temperature and works as an accelerometer and gyroscope. It converts the information into insights like readiness, activity, and sleep scores.
Pay Your Bills with the McLear Ring
One feature many like is the ability to pay from our device, and the McLear Ring offers this! It works by setting up a secure account useful for contactless payments by waving the ring in front of the terminal. Currently, you can only use Visa or Mastercard to pay, but this may change as demand increases.
The companion app is designed to open up your account automatically, so you have enough money for all your purchases. Plus, it provides you with transaction history and average spend amount to keep you on top of your spending habits.
If you want to donate to charities, you can set your account on the ring to donate a portion of each purchase you make. There is also a RingPay+ subscription to get access to ongoing discounts and offers. It comes in either black or white, and there are several ring sizes to choose from.
Use the NFC Ring to Communicate More Effectively
When the NFC ring was in its infancy, the company that made it used crowdfunding to get capital. Unlike the McLear and the Oura ring, it helps you unlock doors, access your phone, share information, and link with people who don’t already have your information.
The ring has two separate parts – a private area and a public area to offer all these features. The private zone stores door lock combinations for smart locks, phone unlocking information, and your payment information and banking details. This area cannot be accessed by anyone other than you.
The public section has your contact details and other data that you may need to give out more quickly. Physically, this section sits on the top part of the ring and is easily accessible. However, the private area is on the underside of the ring and is only unlocked using a specific gesture.
It comes in either black or white, and there are several ring sizes to choose from. It also offers up to 50m of waterproof usage, so you don’t have to take it off near water.
Something for the Sleep Lovers Out There
The Go2Sleep ring is different from the other three we have reviewed because it focuses on tracking and understanding your sleep rather than aesthetics.
The ring is essentially a sleep sensor that will monitor how well you are sleeping and record vital data such as your Sp02 count. SpO2 is the level of Oxygen in our Blood. It monitors your perfusion index and your heart rate. It even records the amount of movement you make during the night to understand how well you are sleeping.
The companion app will then use the information to provide you with hints and tips to improve your sleep. It will also alert you if you may be suffering from sleep apnea so that you can get medical attention to resolve it urgently.
- If you prefer the more traditional sleep trackers, check out the best here.
Why a Smart Ring May Be the Smart Thing To Do
If you are a tech lover and want to be part of the new wave of offerings, buying a smart ring will ensure that you are up to date. Plus, having access to handy data on your health and sleep or being able to pay without rummaging through your bag will be a welcome relief!
If you’re not quite ready to swap your smartwatch for smart rings then have a look at some of these new releases:
- The Fitbit Luxe – Sleek, Smart, Affordable
- The Polar Ignite 2 – Stylish, Simple, Smart
- The Battle of the Sixes – Xiaomi Band 6 vs Honor Band 6
Last Updated on May 10, 2023
A top of the line copywriter with more than a decade of writing experience with many high-end and diverse multinational clients. Lots of experience and interest in writing about and implementing technology. Scott manages the creation of content for us as a freelancer service and even though he is based in the UK, his writers can adapt and cater to our audience which is mostly US based.
Currently living a rural life in South Yorkshire, United Kingdom and devoted to work. Owner of Anglo Content writing services.