Vera Ring Summary

Vera Ring Features and Functionalities

Primed as your “live health dashboard,” the Vera Ring keeps tabs on your health 24/7 and personalized insights based on your tracked data. The smart ring is touted to learn about the user’s health issues before it gets worse. While its maker Vera Health did specify how this works, the ring might look at symptoms like body temperature and heart rate variability to determine one’s state of health.

To give you a 360-degree view of your health, the Vera Ring tracks six major health metrics—heart, respiratory, sleep cycles, immune system, stress levels, and activities. This set of metrics is not new at all except for one thing—the immune system. Vera Health has not given any details as to how it goes about tracking the user’s immune system as of now.

With heart monitoring, the ring will look at beats per minute (BPM), heart rate variability (HRV), resting heart rate (RHR), and soon blood pressure (BP). When it comes to sleep tracking, the ring will dive into sleep cycles (REM, light sleep, deep sleep), time awake, and sleep duration. The user’s respiratory health will be determined by blood oxygen levels (Sp02), VO2 Max, and breathing rates.

ALSO READ: BEST SMART RINGS YOU CAN GET NOW

In terms of tracking the user’s immune system, the ring will take into account the data gathered through the temperature sensors combined with data from sleep, stress, and HRV. Talking about stress, the smart ring will mainly use heart rate metrics to identify stress levels as well as triggers.

For activity tracking, Vera Health will use its signature ActiveZone technology to track the user’s daily activities, including heart rate zones. Fertility tracking will also be available later on.

With personalized insights, the mobile app that comes with the ring will push out practical recommendations based on your data. In addition, one thing that makes the smart ring unique is its ability to predict illnesses based on extreme drops or spikes in the user’s vital signs.

ALSO READ: BEST OURA RING ALTERNATIVES

Vera Ring Design

The smart ring will be made from aircraft-grade titanium material. It is designed to be discreet, durable, and waterproof.

Its sensors include its signature Mirror Prism Technology PPG sensors, skin temperature sensors, and 6-axis accelerometers.

In terms of battery life, the ring is designed to last for up to 7 days. It has a charging case that can extend the battery life of the ring for an additional 30 days.

ALSO READ: BEST FITNESS TRACKERS

Vera Ring Price and Release Date

The Vera Ring costs $249 for a start. It’s available in light blue, white, matte black, silver, gold, and rose gold.

Each ring comes with a sizing kit which is expected to be shipped in April 2024. The shipment of the actual ring will commence in May 2024.

Pre-order the Vera Ring here!

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

The post Vera Ring Features, Pricing, Release Date, and Everything You Need to Know first appeared on Smart Ring News.

Researchers from UC San Francisco used the Oura Ring in an attempt to anticipate COVID-19 in healthcare workers. The NBA and WNBA bought 2,000 Oura Rings for their players. And Nascar gave away Oura Rings for their drivers and staff. A bunch of celebrities have been vocal about how they loved the smart ring, while some have been spotted wearing this tiny device. But what is the hype around it all about? Here’s everything you need to know about the Oura Ring:

What Does Oura Ring Do?

The Oura Ring is a sleep tracker designed to keep tabs on the user’s natural body clock (called the circadian rhythm) and nightly rests. On top of sleep tracking, the ring also has a host of other sensors that measure the user’s daily activities, heart rate zones, and body temperature. Each morning, you get a Sleep Score measuring how good your sleep is and a Readine Score measuring how recovered your body is. You also get an Activity Score gauging how much you’ve been moving throughout the day.

ALSO READ: WHAT EXACTLY DOES THE OURA RING DO?

How Does Oura Ring Work?

The Oura Ring packs several tiny activity and body sensors for different purposes into its 6-gram body. These include infrared photoplethysmography (PPG) sensors for heart rate and respiration, a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) sensor for body temperature, and a 3D accelerometer for movements. All these sensors are instrumental for the Oura mobile app to come up with daily insights and recommendations about your sleep, activity, and readiness.

The fact alone that the manufacturer managed to roll three sensors into one infinitesimal wearable is quite impressive. But do they really work as intended? Learn more about the features of the Oura ring in the following sections.

ALSO READ: WHY DO PEOPLE LOVE OURA RING? 5 COMMON REASONS

Oura Ring Features

We’ve talked a little about the Oura Ring sensors. Now let’s shed light on what these sensors do and how you can take advantage of them to improve your daily life.

Personalized Insights

Rather than overwhelm you with raw data, the Oura app is the partner tool of your ring to interpret collected health data. Through the app, you may see deviations from your own baseline, so Oura will suggest things you can do or change in order to improve your current situation. For instance, some users might find it startling to have a heart rate spike to 150. But that’s quite normal if you are doing strenuous activities like running or cycling. This is where the free mobile app (available for Android and iOS devices) comes in handy. You can check all the data, including sleep stages, steps, heart rate, and body temperature deviation, summarized in three different scores: Readiness, Sleep, and Activity.

ALSO READ: BEST SMART RINGS YOU CAN BUY

Readiness Score

The Readiness Score takes into account factors like resting heart rate, heart rate, respiratory rate, activity levels, and sleep to tell you how ready you are to take on your day — physically, mentally, and emotionally. The good thing is the Readiness Score is compared against your own baseline rather than the general population’s.

Sleep Score

The Sleep Score helps you understand the overall quality of your sleep. It’s measured by a combination of deep sleep, REM sleep, light sleep, sleep timing, and heart rate insights. For people suffering from sleep apnea, Oura can be of great help to manage their condition. Since the ring sits comfortably on your finger at night, it’s easier for people with sleep-related disorders to monitor their sleep duration, sleep quality, and how much time is spent in various stages.

ALSO READ: BEST OURA RING ALTERNATIVES

Activity Score

The Activity Score tells you how to strike a balance between physical activity and recovery. It’s based on inactivity alerts, daily activity goals, and movements.

Oura Ring for Meditation

As someone who practices meditation, Oura’s Moments is something I find fairly useful. Moments helps you get a grip of how effective different mindfulness activities are by comparing your results over time. For instance, Moments can show you which breathing exercise or soundscape helps tone down your resting heart rate. This way, you would know which mindfulness exercises work best for your productivity and recovery.

ALSO READ: BEST OURA RING DUPES

Oura Ring for Birth Control

One of the most recent developments in the smart ring market is the addition of birth control as part of its feature set. The Oura ring has made history as the first wearable technology to have such a powerful functionality that enables women to use their rings to know their fertility or the lack thereof. This functionality works with the Natural Cycles app, which imports and interprets the user’s body temperature data and provides sound conclusions. With Oura, women no longer need to use an oral thermometer for days every month to know if they are fertile or not, which is more convenient and accurate since the ring can be snugly worn 24/7.

Oura Ring for COVID-19 Detection

Back in March 2020, the news broke out that Oura was able to detect early symptoms of Covid-19, resulting in the ring getting too much hype. It’s misleading to say that the ring in itself can detect COVID-19 because it cannot. That’s for sure. However, it’s accurate enough to tell you your body temperature and if your body is ready for the day. The ring can only tell you if your body is okay based on your vital signs and the scores it draws up, but you still need to do due diligence and have yourself properly tested if you want to know if you contracted the virus. So, no — the Oura ring cannot detect COVID-19. But it does help in identifying early symptoms of the disease.

ALSO READ: WHAT ARE SMART RINGS? HOW DO THEY WORK?

Oura Ring Price and Availability

The Oura Ring costs $299 or €246. It is available in two styles–Heritage and Horizon. Heritage is available in silver, black, stealth, and gold colors, while Horizon is available in these colors plus rose gold and brushed titanium. The ring’s inner surface is made of hypoallergenic materials, while the entire body is fully sealed titanium metal, thereby protecting the electronics and sensors inside against dust, scratch, moisture, and liquid. Even if you take Oura for a sweaty run or a swim, no worries as it is waterproof up to 100 meters.

The ring also comes with a charger and a sizing kit. The Oura ring can last for seven days per charge. Before sending you the real deal, Oura will send you a sizing kit with eight sizes from 6 mm to 13 mm and ask you to wear the right ring size on your finger of choice for 24 hours. Do note that our fingers swell when we work out and sleep. Once you have decided, Oura will send you the real thing, but you need to be extra patient as the ring needs enough time to understand how your body works. It usually takes at least 14 days for the ring to get your baseline metrics.

Oura Ring Review: Is Oura Ring Worth It?

The Oura Ring is like no other fitness and sleep tracker wearables devices I have seen. It’s unique in a way that you can’t swipe through your stats like you would on a smartwatch. But I like how unobtrusive it is, that it sometimes feels like you are not wearing anything at all. And what I love most about Oura is its unique algorithm. Most wearables take your metrics and measure your fitness on any given day without taking your history into account. This is where Oura is different; it takes note of your baseline metrics.

Is the Oura ring worth it, though? Generally, yes! Oura is best for people with sleeping problems and people who are trying to do better with their overall health and well-being. Otherwise, Oura might just end up like a fancy wearable that you wear because it’s what’s trendy right now. If you are looking for the smart ring’s actual test, check out our Oura Ring Test!

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

The post Oura Ring Review 2024: Is It Worth It? first appeared on Smart Ring News.

The Apple Watch Series is one of the most popular wearable technologies that ever came out of Cupertino in the last 10 years. A lot of Apple fans use the smartwatch as a statement piece, but for health and fitness enthusiasts, there’s more to it than just being a treat to the spectator’s eyes. We use it day in, day out to track our steps, monitor our heart rate, and a host of other functionalities to help improve our health.

However, the device has evolved into a more useful health and fitness companion ever since the first Apple Watch was released in 2015. The most recent models have tons of advanced features incorporated into them, but they cost an arm and a leg. Having said that, you don’t really need to spend hundreds of dollars just to get the more expensive model. Here are the best Apple Watch models you can get to suit your needs and budget.

1. Apple Watch Series 9

Although there has been no major upgrade for the Apple Watch Series 9 except for the S8 chip, the smartwatch is a pretty robust option if you are switching from other brands or upgrading from the Apple Watch Series 7 and Apple’s older smartwatches. With the S8 chip, this smartwatch is faster and has way better overall performance than its predecessor This smartwatch introduces the double tap gesture which allows you to control your watch and smartphone using predetermined gestures.

Check out Apple Watch Series 9 on Amazon!

2. Apple Watch Ultra 2

If you’re looking for a durable outdoor smartwatch, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is one of the best options available. Designed for extreme sports and activities, the smartwatch has better health monitoring capabilities, especially when it comes to activity tracking and sleep monitoring. Its display has up to 3,000 knits, making it brighter and clearer under the bright sun. It’s certified to IPX6 standards, so it’s dust-resistant and water-resistant up to 100 meters. The smartwatch has also been tested to MIL-STD 810H1, which means it went through and surpassed over 30 testing situations, including extreme temperature, moisture, dust, and shock tests. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 has all the features of the Watch Series 9.

Check out Apple Watch Ultra 2 on Amazon!

3. Apple Watch Series 8

Released in 2022, the Apple Watch Series 8 is still an impressive smartwatch that you can get. If the current Apple Watch does not fit your budget, you can still enjoy some important functionalities, including blood oxygen monitoring, sleep tracking, and fall detection, crash detection, and emergency SOS capabilities, among other things. Again, the difference between the Watch Series 9 and 8 lies in the chip and native features (double tap gesture, on-device Siri, etc.).

Check out Apple Watch Series 8 on Amazon!

4. Apple Watch Ultra (1st Generation)

If the Watch Ultra 2 is too expensive for a reliable outdoor smartwatch, consider looking into the first-generation Watch Ultra. Released in 2022, you are not missing out on a lot of important features with this device. Features like running form, heart rate zones, dual-frequency GPS, compass waypoints, and safety features like fall detection and crash detection are present with the Watch Ultra. The 36-hour batter life is even the same. The only difference the successor has is its brighter screen and S9 chip.

Check out Apple Watch Ultra on Amazon!

5. Apple Watch SE 2

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly Apple Watch, the Apple Watch SE 2 is a great option. This mid-range smartwatch has everything you need to stay up to date with your health. It can track your activities, sleep, and heart rate zones. Plus, it also has fall detection, crash detection, and emergency SOS capabilities to ensure your safety first. The watch is water-resistant up to 50 meters too.

Check out Apple Watch SE 2 on Amazon!

6. Apple Watch 7

The Apple Watch 7 is the latest smartwatch in the series released in September 2021, which has the most functionalities. A brand-new piece costs around $339 (~€333) which is a bit pricey for a piece of wearable tech. But if you have the budget, go for it. The Apple Watch 7 houses an electrocardiogram (ECG) for monitoring heart activities and a blood oxygen (Sp02) sensor. Its third-generation optical heart sensor allows for more accurate heart rate tracking, while the fall detection feature comes extra handy if you are active, especially in the outdoors.

Check Out Apple Watch 7 on Amazon!

7. Apple Watch 6

Released in September 2020, the Apple Watch 6 is pretty much like its successor, the Apple Watch 7. It rocks an ECG, a blood oxygen sensor, a third-generation optical heart sensor, and a fall detection capability into the bargain. The most notable difference is only the screen display. The price of Apple Watch 6 starts at $210 (~€206).

Check Out Apple Watch 6 on Amazon!

8. Apple Watch SE (1st Generation)

Debuted in September 2020, the Apple Watch SE is a more affordable smartwatch which retails for $188 (~€184), less than half the price of the Apple Watch 7. The Apple Watch SE is suitable for those who only need the core health and fitness and watch functionalities. It does not have the fall detection capability of the Apple Watch 6 and 7, their optical heart sensor as well as their bigger screen size. The Apple Watch SE does have the second-generation optical heart sensor and an electrical heart sensor. Not bad at all!

Check Out Apple Watch SE on Amazon!

9. Apple Watch 5

The Apple Watch 5 is a decent model released in September 2019. It has an ECG like the Apple Watch 6 and 7, fall detection ability as well as an electrical heart sensor. It’s using a second-generation optical heart sensor like the Apple Watch SE. This model retails for $279 (~€274).

Check out Apple Watch 5 on Amazon!

10. Apple Watch 4

The Apple Watch 4 is pretty much like its successor. Released in September 2018, the model is armed with an ECG, electrical sensor, a second-generation optical heart sensor, and the fall detection feature. The obvious difference lies in the electronics inside. You can get the Apple Watch 4 for $183 (~€180).

Check out Apple Watch 4 on Amazon!

Apple Watch Series Comparison Chart

This quick comparison chart shows the Apple Watch models head to head based on their health and activity features. After having found the model with the right combo of health tracking capability, you can move on choosing the most suitable display size, cellular connection, memory capacity, color, and so on.

One of the common health and fitness features you can find among all Apple Watch Series models mentioned above include the ability to send notifications when the user experiences low and high heart rates as well as irregular heart rhytms. Sleep tracking capabilities for Apple Watch 3 and later is available in watchOS 9, though very limited. They have GPS, altimeter, emergency SOS, and international emergency calling (except for the Apple Watch 3).

Overall, the health and fitness functionalities of the Apple Watch models don’t have much of a difference. The Apple Watch 6 and 7 have almost the same functionalities and sensors, while 4 and 5 share common things too. That said, you should consider looking at other things as well that make these models differ, including screen display and size, cellular capability, memory capacity, and more.

Apple Watch Alternatives

Apple Watch might be the most advanced and admired wearable for a health and fitness companion. However, it’s not a fit for every budget. There are more affordable , high-quality smartwatch alternatives though. One of them is Fitbit, the iconic brand that has been making great activity tracking wearables since 2009. Read our Fitbit comparison – it compares four Fitbit devices which we think cover the most user requirements with flying colors while retailing for less than Apple Watch!

Garmin has an endless portfolio of robust, high-quality, good looking watches, which could offer a perfect Apple Watch alternative for those outdoors savvy, active users. Our two recent blogs give a quick overview of five Garmin smartwatches and the best Garmin fitness trackers that have a ton of health, fitness, and activity features and could easily substitute an Apple Watch!

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

The post Best Apple Watches 2024: Which Apple Smartwatch Has the Right Health and Fitness Features for You? first appeared on Smart Ring News.

If there are three smart rings that look, feel, and function the same, it’s the RingConn, Oura Ring, and Ultrahuman Ring Air. Although RingConn and Ultrahuman Ring Air have only been around recently, they will give you a run for your money. If you’re still wondering what’s the difference between the three wearables and which one should you get, find out in this RingConn vs. Oura vs. Ultrahuman review.

RingConn is a Chinese health tech company with headquarters in Delaware, USA. Their crowdfunded smart ring of the same name began on Indiegogo in 2019, but the actual smart ring first came out in January 2023. Although new, RingConn has been in research and development for more than 6 years.

Oura is a Finnish health wearable company based in Oulu, Finland. It is by far the most successful smart ring to ever hit the shelves, gathering a cult following from athletes and Hollywood celebrities. The current generation Oura Ring 3 was released in November 2021, so you can expect the device to need a massive upgrade.

Ultrahuman is an Indian health tech company based in Bangalore, India. Its smart ring first came out on Kickstarter in October 2022 and recently started releasing in September 2023. Ultrahuman Ring Air spent 1.5 years in research and development before it hit the market.

RingConn vs. Oura vs. Ultrahuman Quick Comparison

Before diving into the features and functionalities of the smart rings, here’s a side-by-side comparison:

RingConn vs. Oura vs. Ultrahuman: Features and Functionalities

Sleep Tracking

RingConn, Oura Ring, and Ultrahuman Ring Air all have sleep-tracking capabilities, giving you a preview of your sleep. All smart rings give you a sleep score based on various factors, such as sleep duration, sleep stages (light, REM, and deep sleep), resting heart rate (RHR), heart rate variability (HRV), and body temperature. One wearable that stands out in this category is the Ultrahuman Ring Air, which drills down into the details of your sleep patterns and factors affecting your sleep.

ALSO READ: OURA RING 3 VS. GARMIN FENIX 7 REVIEW: WHICH DEVICE FITS YOU BEST?

Heart Rate Monitoring

All of these smart rings track various heart rate metrics using various sensors like infrared photoplethysmography (PPG) technology at a frequency of 50Hz on top of red and green LEDs. When compared to medical-grade electrocardiogram (ECG), the Oura Ring returns a 99.9% reliability for RHR and 98.4% reliability for HRV. Meanwhile, RingConn and Ultrahuman Ring Air can detect heart rate metrics when compared to my Apple Watch SE 2.

ALSO READ: OURA RING GEN 3 VS. SAMSUNG GALAXY WATCH 6: IS OURA BETTER THAN SAMSUNG GALAXY WATCH?

Activity Tracking

In terms of fitness tracking, there’s not much difference between the three as they all can track steps and calculate walking distance equivalence and calorie burn based on the tracked steps. All smart rings can also automatically detect activities from simple running and walking to HIIT and swimming. However, Ultrahuman Ring Air uses a 6-axis accelerometer, helping the ring to track movements better than RingConn’s and Oura Ring’s 3-axis accelerometers.

ALSO READ: FITBIT CHARGE 5 VS. OURA RING 3: WHICH IS MORE ADVANCED HEALTH AND FITNESS TRACKER?

Recovery and Stress Monitoring

RingConn, Oura Ring, and Ultrahuman Ring Air each have a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) sensor they use for detecting body temperature. Body temperature is a major factor for estimating your recovery and stresses alongside HRV, activities, and sleep. It’s also used for period prediction for Oura Ring and RingConn. The Oura Ring catapulted to popularity during the pandemic when several users claimed the ring managed to detect the early signs of COVID-19 symptoms, including body temperature.

Oura Ring uses a Readiness Score to assess your recovery, while Ultrahuman Ring Air uses a Recovery Score. Meanwhile, RingConn does not have a recovery or readiness metric per se but uses a stress score to give you an idea of your stressors. Oura does not have clear indicators as to what these stressors could be unlike Ultrahuman Ring Air, which not only depends on tracked data but also looks into common stressors like caffeine intake, food intake, light exposure, and intensity of workouts.

ALSO READ: RINGCONN VS. ULTRAHUMAN RING AIR: WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?

The Outliers

One important feature Ultrahuman Ring Air has that Oura does not have is its continuous glucose monitor (CGM) sensor. For diabetics, this changes the game among all wearable devices, allowing them to constantly keep track of their blood sugar levels.

Meanwhile, Oura Ring and RingConn do have period prediction capabilities, enabling women to predict their menstrual cycles. If you are planning or avoiding pregnancy, this feature comes in handy. TOura Ring is the first wearable to be used for birth control through the Natural Cycles app.

ALSO READ: ULTRAHUMAN RING AIR VS. OURA RING REVIEW: WHICH IS BETTER?

RingConn vs. Oura vs. Ultrahuman: Specs and Design

The outer bodies of RingConn, Oura Ring, and Ultrahuman Ring Air are all made of titanium, which is a pretty durable material. The inner shell is made from epoxy resin, which is often used in jewelry. RingConn and Oura Ring are coated with PVD, while Ultrahuman Ring Air is coated with tungsten carbide. Both are non-allergenic. All three look good in metallic finishes.

RingConn weighs 3-5 grams, Oura Ring weighs 4-6 grams, and Ultrahuman Ring Air weighs 2.4-3.6 grams, depending on the size. Of the three, RingConn and Oura Ring both look bulkier than Ultrahuman Ring Air.

ALSO READ: RINGCONN VS. OURA RING 3 REVIEW: BATTLE OF HEALTH MONITORING SMART RINGS

In terms of battery life, RingConn can survive up to 7 days and up to 150 days with the help of the charging case, and each charge takes 2 hours. Oura Ring Gen 3 can last up to 7 days, and each full charge takes about 20 to 80 minutes. Meanwhile, Ultrahuman Ring Air can last up to 6 days, and each charge takes about 90 to 120 minutes. 

When it comes to water protection, the Oura Ring is IP16-rated, while the Ultrahuman Ring Air is IPX8-rated. Both are water-resistant up to 100 meters. Meanwhile, RingConn has not been certified for ingress protection but the company claims it can withstand water up to 50 meters.

ALSO READ: APPLE WATCH SERIES 9 VS. 8 REVIEW: SHOULD YOU UPGRADE?

RingConn vs. Oura vs. Ultrahuman: Pricing and Availability

RingConn costs $279 and is available in 6-14 mm sizes in colors moonlit black, midnight black, and pale gold. 

Get RingConn here!

Ultrahuman Ring Air is available in 6-12 mm sizes in colors aster black, matte black, bionic gold, and space silver. Each ring comes with a charger and cord.

Get Ultrahuman Ring Air here!

Oura Ring Gen 3 is available in two styles: Heritage (price starts at $299) and Horizon (price starts at $349). Colors available include silver, black, stealth, gold, and rose gold. It comes with a free 1-month premium membership, which costs $6 per month after.

Get Oura Ring here!

ALSO READ: OURA RING VS. APPLE WATCH SERIES 9: WHICH IS BEST FOR SLEEP TRACKING?

The Verdict: Which Is the Best Smart Ring?

At the end of the day, these smart rings use almost the same set of technologies with a few subtleties in some areas. The big difference lies in the execution. Choosing the best smart ring depends on what you need.

Get the Ultrahuman Ring Air if you can. It’s more expensive but it’s worth buying, especially if you think the CGM sensor is something you can use. The Oura Ring is a pretty stacked health smart ring with all the common health functionalities you need, but it also needs a lot of upgrades in terms of design. By today’s standards, Oura Ring is still bulky. I’m an Oura Ring user, but I would advise against it. To be completely honest, it’s not a good time to buy it now. Wait for the Oura Ring 4, which is expected to come out in 2024 with its revolutionary integration of new features like contactless payment.

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

The post RingConn vs. Oura vs. Ultrahuman: Which Is the Best Health Smart Ring? first appeared on Smart Ring News.

Dhyana is one of the upcoming smart rings that will soon be launched, joining India’s health and wellness space alongside Ultrahuman Air, Boat Ring, and Luna Ring. As the 2023 Red Dot Award winner and a partner of the Indian Olympic Association, there’s a lot to expect from the smart ring. If you are wondering what the Dhyana smart ring can do, here’s everything you need to know about it:

Dhyana Smart Ring Summary

Dhyana Smart Ring Specs and Features

As a wellness smart ring, Dhyana puts a lot of emphasis on heart rate variability (HRV) or the amount of time between your heartbeat fluctuates slightly, which is a core indicator of someone’s recovery. A lot of the metrics Dhyana uses are based on HRV, which is collected using its optical heart rate sensor with the help of an optical blood oxygen saturation (Sp02) sensor.

Sleep tracking is a huge part of Dhyana’s functionalities, providing you with data like total sleep time, blood oxygen during your sleep, and resting heart rate (RHR). At the end of each sleep cycle, you get a sleep score so you have an idea of what to improve on. You can also use the ring to spot early signs of sleep apnea through continuous measurement of your blood oxygen saturation.

ALSO READ: SAMSUNG GALAXY WATCH 6 REVIEW: IS IT GOOD FOR WORKING OUT?

Dhyana also keeps track of your activities, including steps, calorie burn, distance, total time, and average pace. The smart ring uses an HRV-based approximation of your actual energy expenditure to obtain precise calorie data. Soon, you will be able to discuss your personal wellness with a vitality coach who can help you achieve your best self every step of the way.

One thing that stands out about Dhyana is its emotional seismograph based on continuously tracking your sympathovagal balance, which is a strong indicator of how your body responds to stressors. When the ring detects you are stressed, it will notify you so you can do exercises to help you negate or reduce it. The wellness smart ring has audio and visual guided meditation to help you avoid distractions as you meditate.

ALSO READ: OURA RING GEN 3 VS. SAMSUNG GALAXY WATCH 6: IS OURA BETTER THAN SAMSUNG GALAXY WATCH?

The smart ring’s outer shell is made from unibody recycled aluminum, so it’s light and tough. It has an open ring design, the same design used by Movano’s Evie Ring. Its unique and aesthetically pleasing design has won the Red Dot Award 2023 for Product Design.

In terms of battery life, each full charge takes 1 hour to complete and can last up to 5 days. It comes with a portable battery dock that lengthens the life of your ring for up to 20 days.

ALSO READ: FITBIT VERSA 4 REVIEW: IS IT WORTH BUYING?

Dhyana Smart Ring Pricing and Availability

Dhyana Ring is available in silver, gold, gunmetal, copper, and space black finishes. Sizes available are extra small, small, medium, large, and extra large, ranging between 5mm and 15mm.

The smart ring is now available for pre-order start at INR 19,700 or about $236. Shipping starts in December 2023.

Get Dhyana Smart Ring here!

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

The post Dhyana Smart Ring: Specs, Features, Pricing, Release Date first appeared on Smart Ring News.

Ultrahuman Ring Air and Oura Ring Gen 3 are two of the most well-designed health and wellness smart rings. The former markets itself as the “most comfortable smart ring,” while the latter hails itself as the “most trusted smart ring.” One is a newcomer, the other a veteran.

While it’s easy to lean towards the market leader, you cannot discount the new kid on the block as it delivers a performance the way the more experienced does. If you are wondering which wearable to get, between Ultrahuman Ring Air and Oura Ring Gen 3, you are in the right place.

In this comparison review, we break down the differences between Ultrahuman Ring Air and Oura Ring Gen 3, including the features and functionalities, specs and design, and pricing and availability.

Ultrahuman is an Indian health tech maker based in Bangalore. They introduced their smart ring in October 2022 through a Kickstarter campaign and started hitting the shelves in September 2023.

Oura is a Finnish health tech company with headquarters in Oulu. Its widely popular Oura Ring Gen 3 was released in November 2021, but its first-generation smart ring came out in 2015.

Also Read: Fitbit Charge 5 vs. Oura Ring 3: Which Is More Advanced Health and Fitness Tracker?

Both wearables have almost the same set of features, but the differences are very subtle. Before diving deeper into these smart rings, here’s a table comparing Ultrahuman Ring Air and Oura Ring Gen 3:

Ultrahuman Ring Air vs. Oura Ring Gen 3: Features and Functionalities

Ultrahuman Ring Air and Oura Ring Gen 3 share a lot in common. In terms of features and functionalities, here’s how they differ from one another:

Sleep Tracking

A basic health and wellness functionality, sleep tracking is present for both wearables. They can track the different sleep stages (light, REM, and deep sleep) and sleep duration. Ultrahuman Ring Air and Oura Ring Gen 3 also keep tabs on your resting heart rate (RHR), heart rate variability (HRV), restfulness, and skin temperature and provide a score for your overall sleep.

Also Read: RingConn vs. Ultrahuman Ring Air: What Is the Difference?

The best thing about Oura is how it drills down your biosignals, even providing insights into your tossing and turning. Ultrahuman does take into account some factors that affect your sleep and presents them on the app in a user-friendly manner.

Also Read: Ultrahuman Ring Air Review: Should You Buy It?

Activity Tracking

Another core feature of health and wellness wearables is activity or fitness tracking. Ultrahuman Ring Air and Oura Ring Gen 3 can track steps, calorie burn, and active heart rate. On top of that, both can automatically detect activities, so there’s no need for you to manually record your activities. Keep in mind that Oura Ring Gen 3 uses a 3-axis accelerometer, while Ultrahuman Ring Air uses a 6-axis accelerometer, which makes it more accurate with its activity tracking.

Also Read: Oura Ring Test: What’s the Verdict After Using It for 30 Days?

Heart Rate Tracking

Oura Ring Gen 3 and Ultrahuman Ring Air use a bunch of sensors for heart rate tracking, including red and green LEDs and infrared PPG. Heart rate metrics they can monitor include active heart rate (for activity tracking), resting heart rate (for sleep tracking), and heart rate variability (for recovery monitoring). 

Also Read: RingConn Smart Ring Review: Is It Worth It?

Recovery Monitoring

Recovery monitoring of wearable devices is based on sleep, activities, and heart rates. Both wearables have recovery measures. Oura calls it Readiness Score, while Ultrahuman calls it Recovery Index. Ultrahuman Ring Air has a feature that tells you when to consume stimulants like coffee. I find it really nifty, allowing me to enhance my mood and improve my mental clarity.

Stress Management

Ultrahuman Ring Air and Oura Ring Gen 3 have skin temperature sensors, the key tool for monitoring daily stressors. Oura, however, does not have clear indicators as to what these stressors could be unlike Ultrahuman Ring Air, which not only depends on tracked data but also looks into common stressors like caffeine intake, food intake, light exposure, and intensity of workouts.

Also Read: Garmin Venu 3 Review: Is It a Good Fitness and Health Wearable?

The Outliers

One important feature Ultrahuman Ring Air has that Oura does not have is its continuous glucose monitor (CGM) sensor. For diabetics, this changes the game among all wearable devices, allowing them to constantly keep track of their blood sugar levels.

On the other hand, Oura Ring Gen 3 does have period prediction capabilities, unlike Ultrahuman Ring Air, allowing women to plan a pregnancy or avoid it, for that matter. The skin temperature sensor is the main sensor used for this functionality, which Ultrahuman Ring Air has. So we might be able to see this feature in the smart ring sooner or later.

Also Read: 5 Best Smartwatches for Sleep Tracking

Ultrahuman Ring Air vs. Oura Ring Gen 3: Specs and Design

Made of titanium and coated in tungsten carbide carbon, Ultrahuman Ring Air’s outer shell is as durable as it can be. The inner shell is coated with hypoallergenic epoxy resin. On the other hand, Oura Ring’s outer shell is also made of titanium coated with PVD, while the inner shell is made of non-allergenic molding.

Ultrahuman Ring Air weighs 2.4-3.6 grams, while Oura Ring Gen 3 weighs 4-6 grams, depending on the size. Both rings are slim enough to be comfortably worn anytime. However, Oura Ring Gen 3 has a more elegant finish.

Battery-wise, Oura Ring Gen 3 can last up to 7 days, and each full charge takes about 20 to 80 minutes. Meanwhile, Ultrahuman Ring Air can last up to 6 days, and each charge takes about 90 to 120 minutes.

When it comes to water resistance, both wearables can be used underwater for up to 100 meters. You can swim, shower, and snorkel with them. Only Ultrahuman is endorsed for diving.

Also Read: Oura Ring 3 vs. Garmin Fenix 7 Review: Which Device Fits You Best?

Ultrahuman Ring Air vs. Oura Ring Gen 3: Pricing and Availability

Ultrahuman Ring Air is available in 6-12 mm sizes in colors aster black, matte black, bionic gold, and space silver. Each ring comes with a charger and cord.

Get Ultrahuman Ring Air here!

Oura Ring Gen 3 is available in two styles: Heritage (price starts at $299) and Horizon (price starts at $349). Colors available include silver, black, stealth, gold, and rose gold. It comes with a free 1-month premium membership, which costs $6 per month after.

Get Oura Ring 3 here!

The Verdict: Which Is Better?

The burning question now is—is Oura Ring Gen 3 still better than Ultrahuman Ring Air? Or, does Oura Ring finally have a good match? Well, personally, you can never go wrong either way as both devices have almost the same set of features, except for one thing—blood sugar monitoring. If you need a CGM sensor, then Ultrahuman Ring Air is the better option here. Other than that, both devices are robust health companions.

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

The post Ultrahuman Ring Air vs. Oura Ring Review: Which Is Better? first appeared on Smart Ring News.

Is Samsung coming out with a smart ring? The questions we’ve all been asking. It’s been quite a while since we first heard about Samsung introducing a new wearable device in the form of a smart ring, but we have yet to hear a confirmation straight from the horse’s mouth. Despite being mum about the allegedly upcoming smart ring, there have already been many pieces of evidence pointing to the new wearable tech.

Samsung Smart Ring Trademarks and Patents

Several trademarks and updates have already been spotted allegedly referring to the South Korean tech giant’s next big thing—the yet-to-be-named Samsung smart ring. The latest piece of information, courtesy of a Reddit user, was found last week through the features list of the latest Samsung Health beta app, version 6.24.1.023, mentioning “ring support.” While this is not a confirmation, this could be an indication of the maker’s long-awaited smart ring.

Last August 22, a new Class 9 trademark for a device was spotted in the UK Intellectual Property Office. The Class 9 classification consists of smart rings and software for smart rings, wearable computers, wearable digital electronic communication devices, and more. One significant detail in the new trademark is the name “Samsung Curio,” which could well be the name of the company’s upcoming smart ring device.

Also Read: Oura Ring 3 vs. Garmin Fenix 7 Review: Which Device Fits You Best?

Samsung earlier this year secured the trademark “Galaxy Ring” and applied for the trademarks “Samsung Circle,” “Samsung Index,” and “Samsung Insight” earlier in July 2023. Other names that have reportedly been trademarked include Galaxy Feel, Galaxy Glia, Galaxy One, Galaxy Pulse, and Galaxy Rhythm. It remains a mystery whether we are getting one or multiple smart ring devices, or these names could refer to smart ring features.

In December 2015, Samsung was first reported to have considered making a smart ring accessory through a patent application published by the US Patent and Trademark Office. The smart ring accessory was reportedly designed to control smart TVs, smartphones, and home automation systems. Later, a ring design with a volume rocker, call buttons, and a supposed card slot surfaced online. More interestingly, the ring had sensors believed to monitor a person’s heart rate.

Also Read: RingConn vs. Oura Ring 3 Review: Battle of Health Monitoring Smart Rings

What Does Samsung Galaxy Ring Do?

Nothing has been confirmed yet, but it seems like Samsung Electronics is heading towards health and wellness for its smart ring device. It can be noted that Samsung started working on a smart ring accessory for controlling smart devices. But it didn’t pan out.

Expectedly, Samsung’s latest smart ring venture is centered on sleep and fitness tracking, a first for a major technology company. Samsung’s smart ring might include fitness tracking and heart rate monitoring just like its other wearables. Currently, Oura Ring is the most popular health and wellness smart ring that could directly take on Samsung’s. Other smart ring players include RingConn, Ultrahumann, Circular, and Go2Sleep.

Also Read: Fitbit Charge 5 vs. Oura Ring 3: Which Is More Advanced Health and Fitness Tracker?

Samsung is likely throwing blood oxygen saturation and ECG monitoring into the mix, which industry leaders have. At this point, if Samsung Electronics launches a smart ring that could take on Oura, it does not make sense to push out a device that does not have Sp02 and ECG monitoring.

If Samsung decides to throw remote control functionalities into the ring, it will likely be with another device. So far, we don’t see Samsung pushing its original smart ring plan to focus on the health and wellness aspects of the device.

Also Read: Oura vs. Apple Watch vs. Whoop: Which Is the Ultimate Health and Fitness Device?

Pricing

Expect Samsung’s smart ring to be priced a little lower than the Galaxy Watch 6, whose base price is set at $300. We are looking at $200 to $250 for the Samsung smart ring. It is unlikely that Samsung will go over the Galaxy Watch 6’s price unless the set of features the smart ring comes with is compelling enough (when I say compelling, I mean features we have not seen yet).

To put this in perspective, the base models of Oura Ring and Ultrahuman cost $300, while RingConn costs $150. If we are getting the same set of features, that is sleep tracking, fitness tracking, heart rate monitoring, recovery monitoring, blood oxygen monitoring, and ECG, then Samsung is likely to peg its smart ring around this price point as well.

Also Read: Oura vs. Circular: Which Is the Best Overall Health and Wellness Smart Ring?

Release Date

It’s difficult to tell whether Samsung is ready to release its smart ring when all we see are patents and trademarks. However, reports suggest that the big tech firm could be introducing its forthcoming wearable in January or February 2024 at the Galaxy Unpacked event. I doubt this is the case, considering the recent developments regarding the device. If no official announcement comes by then, we might finally get concrete answers at the event soon.

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

The post Samsung Smart Ring: Features, Pricing, Release Date, and Everything We Know first appeared on Smart Ring News.

There seems to be a disconnect if we compare a smart ring and a smartwatch, let alone compare a sleep ring with a multisports smartwatch. Despite that, some people can’t help but be confused about whether it’s worth getting Oura Ring 3 or Garmin Fenix 7.

In this comparison review, I will break down the difference between Oura Ring 3 and Garmin Fenix 7 and find out how each device’s common features stack up against each other. It would be a lopsided comparison if we compare the two devices as a whole. So I would like to preface this by saying that I will zero in on the health and fitness front only. Let’s get down to brass tacks and talk quickly about the devices that we are about to compare.

Garmin Fenix 7 is considered one of the most advanced smartwatches on the market. Released in January 2022, its versatility is one of its main selling points, often used for running, swimming, hiking, skiing, and cycling. Fenix 7 does have sleep tracking and recovery management capabilities as well.

Meanwhile, Oura Ring is the most advanced smart ring available with sleep tracking and recovery management as two of its core functionalities. Released in November 2021, Oura Ring 3 is the latest generation of the smart ring packed with features in such a tiny form factor. Read our Oura Ring Review!

What Is the Difference Between Oura Ring and Garmin Fenix 7?

Both devices are very different in so many ways. They do, however, share some common features, mostly in the health and wellness department. Here’s a quick look at the differences between Oura Ring 3 and Garmin Fenix 7:

Oura Ring 3 vs. Garmin Fenix 7: Features and Functionalities

Activity Tracking

In terms of tracking activities, there’s a lot to love with Garmin Fenix 7. The watch provides solid data of complex sports, let alone simple activities like walking, running, and strength training. This is what sets Fenix 7 apart. Garmin Fenix 7 is specially built for people into running, cross-country skiing, hiking, climbing, cycling, surfing, swimming, and even HIIT training.

Oura Ring 3, on the other hand, still has a lot to improve when it comes to fitness tracking. If you have read any of Oura Ring reviews, you know that I’m a huge fan—except for its automatic activity detection which is a hot mess at the moment.

If you want to get serious with activity tracking, Garmin Fenix 7 is the most logical choice. It’s versatile and more well-equipped than Oura Ring 3.

ALSO READ: RingConn vs. Oura Ring 3 Review: Battle of Health Monitoring Smart Rings

Sleep Tracking

Both Oura Ring 3 and Garmin Fenix 7 have robust sleep tracking capabilities, monitoring data sleep stages (light, deep, and REM) as well detailed insights into your sleep patterns, including the time you went to bed, how long you are in bed, and tossing and turning. 

Through their respective mobile apps, Oura and Garmin provide sleep scores based on the data culled from your sleep, plus factors like heart rate, heart rate variability, and body movement data. Oura and Garmin are also able to look at your respiration and blood oxygen saturation (Sp02) for a more in-depth context on your sleep quality as well as training and recovery.

While both wearables have a fairly robust sleep technology, Oura is way more comfortable to wear to sleep. It’s less bulky and less restrictive than a smartwatch.

Heart Rate Tracking

Among all health and fitness wearables, heart rate tracking is one of the most important functionalities as it’s usually the main basis of many metrics, including sleep and recovery. On top of the heart rate variability and continuous heart rate, Oura Ring 3 is capable of tracking daytime heart rate, workout heart rate, and live heart rate.

Wrist-based heart rate sensors may not be the best to track heart rate, but Garmin Fenix 7 has proven to be a practical device that delivers accurate data. However, it can get quite tricky to use the device when swimming due to limitations that come with the blockage of their sensor. Also, excessive motion can greatly impact the accuracy of the readings.

ALSO READ: Fitbit Charge 5 vs. Oura Ring 3: Which Is More Advanced Health and Fitness Tracker?

Recovery Management

Recovery management is a great addition to any health and wellness wearable. With Oura Ring 3, you get a readiness score (1-100 with 100 being the highest) through the app as you start your day. Garmin Fenix 7 is a little bit different. It doesn’t just return a readiness score after a night’s sleep but also advises a recovery time after training, whether you are ready for another hard workout. 

The Outliers

With a bigger form factor, you can expect Fenix 7 to carry more functionalities. These include a preloaded map, music, preloaded activity profiles, smart notifications, and Garmin Pay, among many others. Garmin Fenix 7 also has features that are particularly helpful for certain sports and activities, such as running, cross-country skiing, hiking, climbing, cycling, surfing, swimming, and HIIT training. 

Meanwhile, Oura has a more meaningful use for women. Its Period Prediction allows you to understand the changes in your menstrual cycle, giving you a five-day forecast window. Using the Natural Cycles app, the first FDA-cleared hormone-free birth control app, women can now use their Oura ring to plan or prevent pregnancy and even track menopause.

Oura Ring 3 vs. Garmin Fenix 7: Specs and Design

Design

Oura Ring 3 is made from PVD-coated titanium metal, designed to withstand extreme conditions. Its body is slender enough to be comfortable and good-looking enough to look like a piece of fashion statement. Garmin Fenix 7 is available in various displays—42 mm, 47 mm, and 51 mm. So you have options whether you want to have a smaller or bulkier watch display. The smartwatch has a bunch of different buttons with different functions, so keep that in mind.

Battery Life

Garmin Fenix 7 has an internal, rechargeable lithium battery that provides up to 18 days of battery life in smartwatch mode, 57 hours in GPS mode, and up to 57 days in battery-saver mode. The solar variants can give you a battery boost from the sunlight, so you can go longer between charges. Meanwhile, Oura Ring 3 can last up to 7 days.

Protection

Both Garmin Fenix 7 and Oura Ring 3 are classified with 10 ATM protection, which means you can submerge the smart ring up to 100 meters down the water for about an hour. Made from a fiber-reinforced polymer case, Fenix 7 is designed to survive military standards for thermal and shock as well.

Comfort

Before Oura delivers your ring, you will get a sizing kit with sizes from 6-13 millimeters. It is highly recommended to test out your chosen size for at least 24 hours to ensure you have the best-fitting size possible. Regardless, for me, it took me a while to get the hang of it when I first wore my Oura Ring since I was not a ring wearer before. Meanwhile, Garmin Fenix 7 comes with various bands that fit every type of wearer.

ALSO READ: Oura vs. Apple Watch vs. Whoop: Which Is the Ultimate Health and Fitness Device?

Pricing and Availability

The base price for standard Fenix 7 starts at $650 for 42 mm, 47 mm, and 51 mm. The solar variants start at $700, while the pro variants start $900. Get Garmin Fenix 7 here!

Oura Ring is available in two styles: Heritage (price starts at $299) and Horizon (price starts at $349). Colors available include silver, black, stealth, gold, and rose gold. It comes with a free 1-month premium membership, which costs $6 per month after. Get Oura Ring 3 here!

Oura Ring 3 vs. Garmin Fenix 7: Which Should You Choose?

Oura Ring 3 and Garmin Fenix 7 are both incredible wearables that can help you achieve your health and fitness goals. But which is better?

Comparing the two devices is doing us a disservice. Although they share a lot in common, Oura Ring 3 and Garmin Fenix 7 don’t quite match up. If you are looking to get better at sleep and recovery, Oura Ring 3 might be the best device for you. If you are looking for an overall health and fitness wearable, Garmin Fenix 7 is the best option. But if you have the means to get both, I highly recommend getting the two to support each other’s data.

Which device are you getting? Let’s discuss in the comments!

The post Oura Ring 3 vs. Garmin Fenix 7 Review: Which Device Fits You Best? first appeared on Smart Ring News.

An Oura Ring challenger has finally arrived! After 6 years in research and development and 2 years in crowdfunding, RingConn has shown to be a worthy contender, packed with very familiar features and functionalities. If you have been up to speed on smart rings, looking at RingConn right now, you know that it looks just like another health and fitness wearable coming for Oura. Although there’s nothing with that (we love options by the way!), it looks to me like RingConn has some proving to do at this point. How does it stack up?

Well, I dug deeper into the technology inside the smart ring to find out how accurate it is and whether it’s worth buying over Oura or other options available on the market. I found a couple of interesting things that you might want to know. So you better read on!

What Is RingConn Smart Ring?

Before diving into the nitty-gritty, what is RingConn anyway? What is it trying to achieve? Simple. RingConn markets itself as a health and wellness device promising to deliver accurate data. Pretty much Oura, to be honest. But of course, RingConn is trying to carve a niche of its own.

RingConn puts heavy emphasis on its no-subscription fee business model. It sounds nice considering premium memberships have become a thing in the past couple of years among wearables. But do not veer away from the real issue here and look at how the device fare. Does it really measure up to its claim as the ultimate health and fitness wearable device? You’re about to find out!

Features and Functionalities: What Does RingConn Do?

Sleep Tracking

RingConn can automatically track your sleep, from the moment you turn in until you wake up. It records and analyzes your sleep patterns, including light, deep sleep, and REM stages. RingConn uses 4 temperature sensors and a 3-axis accelerometer to detect your sleep as well as its quality. 

Some metrics it produces include sleeping heart rate (your heart rate while sleeping), sleeping skin temperature (your skin temperature while sleeping), sleep duration, and sleep time ratio. RingConn rates how excellent, good, or bad it is based on the data it pulled from your body.

One thing I like about its sleep tracking is the graph showing the number of hours and minutes you spend on the stages of your sleep on top of the shared percentages. This is clearer and more understandable to the average user.

Heart Rate Tracking

RingConn can monitor heart rate continuously and store data 24/7 that you can access at any time. It also keeps track of your resting heart rate (RHR), heart rate range, as well as your average heart rate to make sure you get a comprehensive view of your vitals. If you have a heart-related disease, RingConn is a useful device to help you keep tabs on your heart rate.

ALSO READ: Oura Ring Test – What’s the Verdict After Using it for 30 Days

Blood Oxygen Level (Sp02) Monitoring

RingConn is packed with 4 photoplethysmograph (PPG) modules for tracking your blood oxygen saturation levels or simply the amount of oxygen in your blood. The normal blood oxygen level is between 95%-100%, although it may vary among people. For people suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, pneumonia, lung cancer, anemia, heart failure, heart attack, and other cardiopulmonary disorders, RingConn proves useful. Although it’s not a medical-grade blood oxygen device, RingConn delivers useful data just like a pulse oximeter.

Stress Management

There’s no single sensor that monitors how stressed a person is. Instead, wearable devices rely on a bunch of metrics to deliver data on your recovery. These metrics include ones related to your heart rates, sleep, and activities, that’s why the accuracy of each tracking functionality is fairly important to return an accurate interpretation of recovery. On top of those metrics, RingConn uses 4 temperature sensors to assess how your body is feeling, ultimately helping provide better information on blood pressure, heart rate, sleep, exercise, and over-metabolism.

Fitness Tracking

Using a 3-axis accelerometer, RingConn can detect your activities. Unlike many wearables (ahem, Oura), RingConn’s accelerometer is accurate enough to automatically detect activities, whether you are cycling, skiing, running, or swimming. RingConn can count your steps and calorie burn. Adding to your active metabolic rate is your basal metabolic rate (BMR) or resting metabolism rate (RMR), which is the number of calories you burn as your body does basic activities like lying in bed or driving.

ALSO READ: 5 Best Smart Rings for Payment

RingConn Smart Ring Review: Specs and Design

Design

RingConn is made from high-quality PVD-coated titanium metal, that’s why it’s tougher and lighter only weighing 3-5 grams. Its sleek and slender design is perfect for people who don’t want an obtrusive ring, so it looks like your regular ring—only packed with powerful electronics inside.

Battery

Like most battery-dependent smart rings, RingConn can last for up to 7 days. It does come with a portable charging case, enabling your ring to survive for up to 150 days. So even if you don’t charge it for months and months, as long as your charging case is there, you’re good!

Protection

RingConn is IP68-rated, which means it is water-resistant for up to 50 meters and is dust-proof, hence there is no need for cover to protect the electronics inside the device. This test is usually done on freshwater, so these companies don’t recommend freediving or scuba diving with your smart ring. However, I used mine while freediving several times and I had no problems so far. Although, you need to take note that saltwater can quickly erode your device.

Comfort

In terms of comfort, there’s no question about it. Smart rings work just like any other regular ring. As long as you are wearing the right size, you should have no problem with it. When used for sleep, a smart ring is always more comfortable than a smartwatch—that’s for sure!

ALSO READ: Smart Ring vs. Smartwatch: Which Is the Best Fitness and Activity Tracker?

RingConn Smart Ring Review: Pricing and Availability

RingConn costs $279 with free shipping. For a limited time, they are offering a $30 discount until August 31. The smart ring is available in moonlit black, midnight black, and pale gold, in sizes 6-14 mm.

Each ring comes with a charging case, a USB-C charging cord, and an instruction manual. If you don’t know your ring size yet, they can send you a free sizing kit for free before sending the actual ring. Your smart ring will be covered with a 1-year warranty.

Unfortunately, RingConn is not available worldwide. RingConn is currently available to 22 countries and territories, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, France, Spain, Germany, Italy, Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong, and China. It should be available to more countries and territories soon.

To order RingConn, visit their website.

The Verdict: How Accurate Is RingConn Smart Ring? Is RingConn Worth It?

Since RingConn is still in its early stages, it’s difficult to judge whether it’s accurate or as accurate as the other wearables of its kind. But I will say this though—RingConn returns very impressive metrics on heart rate variability with an 86% correlation with Garmin and Whoop based on our tests. For sleep tracking, the correlation between these devices is 85%.

If you are considering buying a smart ring for the first time, getting RingConn is a viable option. If you have been using similar smart rings, you’re fine without RingConn. Really, it’s just another Oura Ring, except it’s $20 cheaper.

Is RingConn worth it? Yes, it’s a robust health and wellness wearable device packed with features and functionalities instrumental to meeting your overall health goals.

What do you think of RingConn?

The post RingConn Smart Ring Review: Is It Worth It? first appeared on Smart Ring News.

Heart Rate Monitoring

Both Oura and Polar use an optical heart rate sensor, and although they are using the same technology, the execution is different. With its suite of green LED sensors, Oura promises a 99.6% accuracy, providing more accurate continuous heart rate tracking, especially during sleep. Even with workout and activity heart rates, Oura is pretty reliable. Polar gives random spikes in heart rate data more than Oura and for the most part, tends to record shifts in HR movements later than Oura. There were a few spikes I noticed that Polar picked up but Oura did not and eventually came back down to agree with Oura’s readings. This instance alone suggests that Oura’s readings are more accurate than Polar’s.

Related: Oura Ring Test – What’s the Verdict After Using It for 30 Days?

Sleep Tracking

Oura has been excelling in the sleep tracking space, which I think no other wearable maker can top so far. Among its sleep metrics include sleep duration, sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep score, and detailed sleep stages (deep sleep, REM sleep, and light sleep). And just recently, Oura added naps. So far, Oura has the best sleep monitoring functionality, vastly improving the quality of my sleep over the last two years. With Polar, you also get a detailed analysis of your nightly rest with a bunch of sleep metrics, such as sleep stages, length of sleep, and interruptions. It uses two different sleep metrics: Sleep Charge and ANS Charge. Sleep Charge is directly affected by sleep stages—sleep duration, continuity of sleep, length of interruptions, and how long was spent in light, REM, and deep sleep. ANS Charge is impacted by heart rate, HRV, and breathing during sleep. In some cases, Polar records sleep later than Oura. But other than that, Polar’s sleep tracking technology is as good as Oura’s.

Related: Whoop vs. Oura: Which Is Better for Sleep, Activity, and Recovery Tracking?

Activity Tracking

Oura has pretty much all the activity metrics you need, including steps, calorie burn, training frequency and volume, recovery time, and activity score, among others. You also have the option to be notified when you’ve been static for an hour and set activity goals. The problem, however, lies in the execution of its automatic activity detection, which is hit-and-miss. Oura has a problem sensing which movements have transpired, even for basic activities like running and walking. Activity suggestions are way off a lot of times. Oura supposedly can automatically detect over 30 different movements, including surfing, yoga, biking, strength training, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), core exercises, and even household chores. Meanwhile, Polar has an automatic activity-sensing feature and a reminder feature that alerts you to take active breaks when you become idle. You also get a daily activity goal according to your activity level setting and personal data. Activity tracking is clearly not Oura’s strength. This is actually one thing I would really love Oura to focus on soon. Polar, on the other hand, hits the nail on the head with its technology.

Related: Oura vs. Circular: Which Is the Best Overall Health and Wellness Smart Ring?

Recovery Monitoring

Another functionality that has been an obsession of mine with Oura is the recovery monitoring called ‘Readiness.’ The Readiness score is entirely based on several factors, including sleep, heart rate, HRV, body temperature, and activities. So far, Oura has been consistent with the suggestions and scoring. I can only remember a few instances where I thought Oura got my recovery wrong. Polar has a couple of different recovery monitoring tools. There’s the free Nightly Recharge feature that requires no effort from you as this automatically gives you a score in the morning with ANS and sleep metrics. Note that Nightly Recharge will need at least 3 days during a 28-day period. Polar also has smart features like Recovery Pro and Training Load Pro for a more advanced and accurate read of your recovery and performance. If you are using a Polar smartwatch with the FitSpark daily training guide, FitSpark will suggest ready-made exercises designed for you according to your fitness level, training history, and recovery status.

Related: Oura Ring vs. Fitbit: Which Is a More Accurate Sleep and Recovery Tracker?

Design

it’s a matter of preference and the functionalities you need.

In terms of battery, Oura can last for up to 7 days. Charging time takes about 20-80 minutes. Polar watches can last for up to 4 days in watch mode with continuous heart rate monitoring and up to 50 hours in training mode with wrist-based heart rate and connected GPS.

Oura can be submerged up to 100 meters underwater. You can swim with it, shower, or even be in the hot tub or sauna with it. I used mine when cliff diving and freediving a few times, though Oura does not recommend so. Most Polar watches and fitness trackers can be used for swimming. These include A370, Grit X, Grit X Pro, Ignite, Ignite 2, M200, M400, M430, M460, M600, OH1, Pacer, Pacer Pro, Unite, V650, V800, Vantage M, Vantage M2, Vantage V, Vantage V Titan, Vantage V2, and Verity Sense. Oura’s memory can store data for up to 6 weeks offline, while most Polar smartwatches can record up to 90 hours of training data without worries.

RELATED: Apple Watch vs. Oura: Which Is the Best Health and Wellness Companion?

Availability

Oura 3 is available in two different styles and five colors: silver, black, stealth black, gold, and rose gold. Price starts at $349 or €350 with an optional membership fee of $5.99 or €5.99 per month. It comes with a sizing kit.

Get Oura 3!

Polar smartwatches range between €200 and €600 ($198-$595). Polar watches vary in color.

Get Polar smartwatches!

Oura vs. Polar: The Verdict

Both Oura and Polar are great sleep trackers and can be used as an alternative to a manual sleep diary. Oura can also be used to measure resting heart rate (RHR) but neither of these devices can replace an actigraph to measure steps, physical activity, and total energy expenditure. Both devices solely rely on optical heart rate sensors and make estimates based on a few factors. Nevertheless, they can be used as an extra source of physical activity measures. Between Oura and Polar, the latter wins in terms of activity tracking. In terms of heart rate tracking, Oura seems to have knocked the accuracy out of the park not because we are certain it is accurate but just by looking at the sample size and the variation of heart rate it records. Either way, take it with a grain of salt. Finally, Polar watches don’t have blood oxygen monitoring, which is surprising, considering that even cheap wearables have it. Oura 3 has blood oxygen monitoring, which really helps if your goal is to improve your sleep and recovery. If you’re solely looking for performance tracking, Polar takes the cake for its more accurate activity tracking. Nevertheless, Oura is still a great device with a robust sleep and recovery monitoring system. At the end of the day, it’s a matter of choosing which form factor you like better.

The post Oura vs. Polar: Which Wearable Is the Best for Performance Tracking? first appeared on Smart Ring News.