About the Oura Ring Test

We tested Oura for 30 days in regular daily and nightly use. The ring was rated on a scale of 1 to 5 in four categories: Purposefulness, User Experience and Design, Functionalities and Tech, and App and Ecosystem.

Purposefulness ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5.0)

We evaluated Oura’s purposefulness — how it helps, if it fulfills a genuine purpose, or if there is a need for the device. Find out!

Readiness

Oura’s ‘Readiness’ score measures how prepared you are to take on tasks for the day. It is based on contributors like RHR, HRV, body temperature, previous night’s sleep, and previous day’s activities, among other things.

My ‘Readiness’ score peaked at 87 for two consecutive days, which is optimal — no complaints at all.

A few days into the ring test, my score tanked to 59 after a rough night. When I say a rough night, I mean I was able to sleep at 2:40 a.m. and woke up after 5.28 hours. This is where Oura warned me to pay attention and gave me great advice on how to take on the day.

Oura suggested taking a power nap in the afternoon or taking a moment to breathe. I did take short breaks and breathing exercises here and there. Oura has several guided and unguided meditation practices to give your body its much-needed help. But if I have to be honest, I did not feel any significant difference from every time I had restless nights. Although I still felt tired, the breathing exercises I took somehow helped me keep my focus throughout the day.

Ultimately, Oura is not some kind of voodoo to help users feel good if they need to. It needs some time to understand how your body operates, and most certainly, your body needs more time to heal if it’s experiencing so much distress.

ALSO READ: BEST OURA RING ALTERNATIVES

Sleep Tracking

The ‘Sleep’ score evaluates how well you have slept throughout the night. Oura uses factors like total sleep, restfulness, REM sleep, deep sleep, and timing to come up with scores.

As someone with erratic sleeping habits, I figured Oura would give me a clearer picture of this problem. To my surprise, it did not just provide me with sleep data but gave me a blow-by-blow account of my sleeping stages and which sleep contributor I can improve on. Two nights I only had a little more than 5 hours of sleep, and my ‘Sleep’ score dropped below 60 from the usual 70 and above.

Oura suggested getting some fresh air, avoiding a long nap in the afternoon, and getting more sleep at night, which I appreciated given that I sometimes tend to resort to oversleeping in the afternoon, overeating, and overworking myself.

Even more amazing is the detailed sleep stages — what time your REM, light, and deep sleep fall and how long. These also have a huge impact on your readiness. Also, you get a detailed view of your resting heart rate, which can also be useful data for those who are suffering from heart or cardiovascular diseases. Overall, Oura’s sleep tracking is the most useful feature for people with sleep apnea, chronic insomnia, and other sleep-related problems.

ALSO READ: BEST OURA RING DUPES

Activity Tracking

The ‘Activity’ score measures how active you are for the day. It is based on your daily goal progress, total burn, walking equivalency, and steps, among other things.

Oura’s activity-tracking component is something fitness enthusiasts would love. It functions a lot like a smartwatch or any other fitness tracker. The app keeps track of your daily activities, including steps, movement, and inactivity, to calculate your active calorie burn and total burn.

Oura also offers a detailed graph of your daily movements — what time you are or are not moving, the walking distance covered, and the intensity of your movements (inactive, low, medium, high). In case you fall below the minimum, Oura gives you alerts. For instance, in the middle photo, I got an alert to move every hour. I was most likely working, sitting on my desk at that time. Overall, it’s a nifty feature to help you get moving when you need to.

ALSO READ: BEST SMART RINGS YOU CAN BUY NOW

User Experience and Design ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5.0)

The ring’s overall design is impressive. In fact, if you are into a minimalistic, no-frills design like me, you will fall in love with Oura’s simplicity. The ring is made of titanium alloy, an ultra-strong metal often used for spacecraft parts, and is covered with PVD coating. Rest assured, you will get a durable ring that can withstand even the most extreme conditions. Although made of titanium alloy, Oura is not invincible against scratches, especially if you are lifting weights. If you want to preserve its shiny, speckless exterior, avoid wearing it while weightlifting. This is also Oura’s suggestion.

The ring is not as slender as a regular ring, but it’s fairly lightweight, weighing 4-6 grams, depending on the ring size. In terms of the interior, the inner molding is non-allergenic. As someone with highly sensitive skin, I never felt any itch around my middle finger at all, not even once.

Most importantly, Oura is waterproof. You can submerge it up to 100 meters deep. I love that you can bathe with it, swim with it, dive with it, wash your hands with it, and do pretty much everything involving liquid. The sensors are covered well from water and dust particles, so you don’t have to worry about removing and wearing and then removing the ring.

Meanwhile, I have nothing to complain about Oura’s iOS app. It’s professionally designed to be user-friendly. Overall, it’s clean and very easy to navigate around.

ALSO READ: BEST SLEEP TRACKER RINGS

Functionalities and Tech ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4.0)

Oura is just a piece of metal without the technologies behind it. So I set out to know what goes into the ring itself and found out that Oura, despite its tiny body, is carrying three different sensors responsible for tracking different body signals. These are infrared photoplethysmography (PPG) sensors for heart rate and respiration, a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) sensor for body temperature, and a 3D accelerometer for movements.

What I like about Oura’s accelerometer is that it can automatically detect activities like strength training and walking. In such a case, it would ask you to add the suggested data, so your activity tracking is more accurate. I did an apples-to-apples comparison between Oura and my smartwatch’s activity data, and the two seem to coincide. Overall, the activity-tracking functionality is reliable enough for anyone to use.

The PPG and NTC sensors are accurate for the most part. Oura for some reason did not track my daytime sleep. It happened a few times, but I was not exactly sure what went wrong until I did a little digging and found out that the ring only tracks one sleep period during each 24-hour segment. Daytime sleep and naps are only counted as restful periods, which are categorized as activities just like walking and strength training. 

Also note that if you sleep in a position that causes your hand to go numb, you might see gaps in your RHR and HRV graphs just like what happened to me a few times. Blood circulation is blocked in this case, and the sensors cannot find your pulse. There are, however, other causes for these gaps, such as the ring being too loose or dirty LED sensors.

In terms of battery life, Oura promises the ring can last for 7 days. And it’s quite accurate. Sleep tracking, however, does not work right if it’s below 20%. One time I slept with the ring’s battery at 17% and woke up at 2%. To my surprise, it did not track anything that night at all. And then I found out later that Oura cannot track and analyze when the ring is below 20%.

In addition, there was one time when Oura failed to connect to my iPhone’s Bluetooth. I’m not sure where the problem occurred, but it took me some time to figure out what happened, after trying a few ways to troubleshoot the problem based on Oura’s recommendations. Despite that, Oura’s Bluetooth connection is reliable in general. The app automatically syncs with the ring, as long as the mobile phone’s Bluetooth is on.

ALSO READ: BEST FITNESS TRACKER RINGS

App and Ecosystem ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5.0)

The smart ring experience won’t be complete without the mobile app, and that’s why a well-designed one is imperative. The good news is that Oura has an impressive app for both Android and iOS devices, wherein the ring’s collected data are presented and analyzed. 

Oura’s data like steps, walking and running distance, and active calorie burn can all be synced with third-party apps. It supports a slew of integrations, including Apple Health for iOS devices, Google Fit for Android devices, and Samsung Health for Samsung devices. If you are using any of these apps as a control center for your health data or other purposes, Oura is a great source of information. Oura also supports dozens of other apps like Natural Cycles, HRV4Training, Wattson Blue, Bioloop Sleep, Heads Up Health, and Health Sync, among others.

ALSO READ: BEST SMART RINGS FOR PAYMENT

Oura’s Overall Score ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️(4.75)

A lot of Oura’s suggestions are really basic if you think about it. However, it pays to have a ring that has concrete data and an app to guide you, because sometimes — admit it or not — we tend to brush off the thought to, say, take a 20-minute power nap after a restless night when we are not told. Although there are a few things about Oura that I would a miss, the ring still did a pretty good job overall.

Do note that the longer you use the ring, the better it understands your body signals. Overall, Oura is a great device for people who have a sleep-related problem, cardiovascular disease, or anyone really who wants to drastically get better at their overall health.

ALSO READ: BEST FITNESS TRACKERS

Compare Oura with Other Devices

Based on my experience with Oura, it is perhaps the best device available for sleep tracking. However, the ring form factor limits its functionalities to pretty much that. If you want to expand from mere sleep tracking to also activity and fitness tracking, smartphone notifications, or GPS, you might want to see how some of the smartwatches compare against Oura. Here are links to some of our most popular blogs:

• Oura vs. Apple Watch
• Oura vs. Fitbit
• Oura vs. Whoop
• Oura vs. Garmin

Oura Ring Alternatives

This test was one more evidence of Oura’s superior capabilities in sleep and activity tracking. However, it is not a wearable that everybody wants to use. Our blog on Oura Ring alternatives introduces seven health monitoring gadgets that can provide you with similar functionalities!

For the latest wearable tech news and updates, follow Smart Ring News on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

The post Oura Ring Test: What’s the Verdict After Using it for 30 Days first appeared on Smart Ring News.

What is the Aeklys One smart ring?

Whereas its predecessor, the Aeklys by Starck smart ring, which provides you with several functionalities, including a smart public transit pass, digital business card, and smart key, Aeklys One, as the name suggests, only gives you one thing — and that’s contactless payments. With it, you will no longer take out your wallet, phone, or card. All you need to do is hold out your hand at the point of sale to use it. The smart ring works free of charge anywhere in the world on all contactless payment terminals.

Innovative sizing app

Aeklys One could be the world’s most innovative contactless payment ring. Its innovation starts already before you get to stick it on your finger – from how the product is ordered and measured via their online shop.

One of the biggest frictions in buying smart rings online is sizing. Typically most smart ring vendors offer you to order a sizing kit with plastic replicas. After waiting for the kit to arrive and testing the correct size, you can order the ring. And, after waiting some more, you will get what you ordered.

Aeklys, in my opinion, takes a bold, calculated risk and fuels the online buying process with a ring sizing mobile app! At the beginning of the buying process on their webshop, after the initial registration, you will receive an SMS on your mobile asking you to download the Aeklys mobile app. After downloading and starting the app, it fires a digital ring sizing feature.

Honestly, by the very first sight, the sizing app screen looked slightly strange, a bit difficult to catch what to do. However, after a few moments of pondering and trial and error, I got the idea of how sizing should be done. Eventually, I managed to measure my ring size (68), and it was a perfect fit for my index finger!

So, I think Aeklys’ sizing app is a truly innovative way to remove friction from the buying process. It worked for me at the trial. I cannot say it will work for every customer for the first time, but compared to waiting for shipping sizing kits, Aeklys’ sizing app is smart and functioning.

Design

This ring is neither a perfect circle in geometrical terms nor the crosscut of your index finger circular. Philipp Starck, the designer of the ring, got this one right! Aeklys One is designed to be more like a heavily rounded, elliptical triangle, and it perfectly sits and fits on an index finger (at least mine). If a ring can be ergonomic, this one is. The ring’s shape works like a charm all the way when sliding the ring through your finger, and it managed the big bulky joint with ease before firmly sitting on my finger.

Aeklys One is super light, too. Ok, all smart rings are light, but this one is feather-light. Benefit? Maybe limited. But it feels nice to wear.

The material feels and looks more plastic than some competing contactless payment rings made of zirconia, which gives them a more elegant ceramic feeling. However, with Aeklys One, that “plastic-y” feel is not a problem. The surface is partly glossy and partly matte. That gives the ring a modern, friendly, functional, and smart look.

Button

Aeklys One features a tiny bump on its surface. That is a button to confirm payments, giving extra safety and control. Especially because the bump is placed at an optimal location, easily and quickly reachable with your thumb.

Smartphone App

All smart rings we have used, tested, and reviewed come with a mobile app. So does Aeklys. However, its app differs from the crowd in one way. Normally other apps are used for controlling the ring and viewing information, such as biometric data. Aeklys app starts to provide value before you even have the ring – from measuring and ordering the correct ring size.

Otherwise, the app user interface follows the same stylish, minimalistic look and feels like the whole world around Aeklys. It is easy to use, and you can do everything there.

Authentication before activation

Once you have received your Aeklys One ring and take it into use, the app asks you to authenticate. For this process, you will need an official ID such as a passport and some document that proves your permanent residence address (e.g., utility bill). You must photograph the documents, answer a few questions, and within 48 hours, you should get validation. All this happens pretty smoothly in the Aeklys app.

Security

Aeklys One boasts several security features. These include the proprietary anti-fraud system, accessible through the ring’s side button, and an anti-theft system, which can deactivate the ring right from the app. Aeklys One’s anti-fraud system called Wave Control is designed to prevent any undesired transactions and fraud risks. But you need to keep the button pressed while making a payment. Otherwise, it won’t work.

Meanwhile, the anti-theft system’s purpose is to prevent your ring from being and curb unauthorized payments. You can deactivate the ring from your app and reactivate it instantly from a distance. When someone uses your ring to make a payment, it will be denied, and you will get a push notification about it.

In terms of software security, Aeklys One has been EAL6+ certified by the ANSSI (French National Cybersecurity Agency). This means that the ring uses operating system security that has been approved to protect high-value assets, that is, your banking information.

RELATED: Smart Ring Security – Can it help us to stop password hacking and phishing?

Paying with Aeklys One

Paying with Aeklys One contactless payment ring

Paying with Aeklys One is straightforward. However, compared to other contactless payment rings, there are two main differences.

Firstly, Aeklys One has got one additional step in the paying process. You have to pay the button with your thumb to confirm. Other rings confirm the payment as soon as the ring is close enough to the payment terminal. Although it takes a little extra effort to push the button, you might appreciate the extra safety.

Secondly, Aeklys One allows you to pay with a flat palm finger straightened out, whereas with all other payment rings we have tested, you have to do a fist pump on the payment terminal. Which one is better? I would say it depends on how the payment terminal is placed. Sometimes flat palm is more convenient, sometimes fist pump could be easier.

It took a bit of trial and error to place Aeklys One correctly above the terminal, but there were no problems once I learned the trick.

You can pay amounts up to the local contactless payment limit – 50€ in Finland. Aeklys One provides you a PIN code that allows paying purchases above the contactless limit while traveling abroad. I didn’t get to test this because this feature is not yet available in the UK, France, and Finland. You can disable and enable payment easily via the app for safety reasons.

After payment, the app shows you all the details.

Credit upload

With Aeklys, you have to upload credits before you can pay. Two ways:

– Standard. Make standard bank transfer (minimum 10€) to Aeklys IBAN bank account. It is free and takes roughly 2-5 days to see the funds available.

– Express. Credit card transaction (minimum of 50€). Funds are available instantly. 2% fee.

RELATED: Top 10 countries for contactless payment wearables

Aeklys One Test Report

Purposefulness

Stars 1-5 – What can you do with the ring in your everyday life? How does it help? Does it fulfil a real purpose? Is there really a need for this device?

Verdict – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Aeklys One is a payment-only ring. It is a limitation when compared to many other payment rings, which also allow for contactless transit passes, smart keys, and more. Also, the other Aeklys smart ring model provides you with these extended features. So, if you buy Aeklys One for payments, it fulfills its purpose perfectly. If you want more features, this one is probably not your device. Still, 4 stars is justified because payment is still the #1 use-case for these devices, and Aeklys One has no problems doing that job for you.

User experience + Design  

Stars 1-5 – How does the ring look and feel? How robust is the design? How easy/difficult is it to use the ring and the app?

Verdict – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was a hard judgment. Visually, Aeklys One looks great. Ergonomically, it is hands down the best smart ring I have ever worn. The ergonomic design makes Aeklys One a perfect companion for all kinds of sports – it fits snugly on your index finger while running, biking, and even at the gym. It is light as a feather. You can forget your wallet and still buy a bottle of ice-cold water during long endurance exercise.

The smartphone app’s look and feel are minimalistic, while usability is good. The app allows you to do everything you need to do with it. A big plus for handling sizing and ordering on the app.

Functionalities + Tech

Stars 1-5 – Listing down the functionalities and tech spec. Does the ring function as promised. Does the tech like Bluetooth, HRV sensor, and others work?

Verdict – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

As a payment-only ring, that could be considered a functional limitation compared to many other payment rings that allow contactless transit passes, smart keys, and more. Also, the other Aeklys smart ring model (Aeklys by Starck) provides you with these extended features. But, if you consider Aeklys One a payment-only ring, then that’s fine. No nagging about missing features. There are simply no missing features!  

Otherwise, Aeklys One’s functionalities and tech worked fine throughout the test period. One small minus point – it took some time to learn how to place the ring on the terminals and press the button to get payments through. Pressing the button with thumb requires some pressure. But that’s understandable – it is there to avoid accidental payments.

App + Ecosystem

Stars 1-5 – Does the ring come with an app? What does it do? Is it useful? Does the ring or app provide third-party support for Apple Health, MasterCard payments, banking, and the like?

Verdict – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What does a contactless payment user need from the smart ring ecosystem? An easy way to upload credits using (e.g., Mastercard) and geographical coverage wherever you may roam. Aeklys One is backed by uploads via Mastercard credit card transfer and direct bank transfer, which is a good standard level, similar to most contactless payment devices.

Aeklys One works on all contactless payment terminals that accept MasterCard. This practically means global support for the users.

Overall  

Verdict – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Aeklys One costs you only 49€ and gives just one feature – contactless payments. But it does it with style. The ergonomic design is perhaps its coolest feature. It is easy to order because of the digital sizing app. Looking at value for money, it’s a no-brainer to give it 4 stars. Overall, Aeklys One is one of the best smart rings for contactless payments. There are a few options out there that are more versatile than Aeklys One. But one thing is sure, Aeklys One is the best wearable you’ll get for 49€.

SURVEY: Contactless payment ring is the most popular wearable for paying

The post Aeklys One Test – Our Verdict After Using it for 30 Days first appeared on Smart Ring News.