A few months ago, I was intrigued by the idea of smart rings. As someone who has used smartwatches for years, I wondered if a smart ring could offer similar functionalities in a more compact form. After researching and trying out a few models, I decided to share my experience with the Ultrahuman Smart Ring.
Why I Considered a Smart Ring
Smartwatches have been a part of my daily routine, helping me track fitness, monitor notifications, and more. However, they come with their own set of challenges bulkiness, the need for daily charging, and sometimes, a design that doesn’t suit all occasions. I wanted a device that was discreet, comfortable, and required less maintenance.
Choosing the Right Smart Ring
After evaluating various options, I settled on the Ultrahuman Smart Ring. It struck a balance between functionality and affordability. Here’s why:
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Design and Comfort: The ring is sleek and lightweight, making it comfortable to wear throughout the day and night.
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Battery Life: With a battery life of up to 6 days, it outperforms many smartwatches that need daily charging.
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Health Tracking: It offers comprehensive health metrics, including heart rate, sleep patterns, and activity levels.
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Water Resistance: Being water-resistant, I didn’t have to worry about removing it during showers or workouts.
My Experience Using the Smart Ring
Comfort and Wearability
From the moment I started wearing the Ultrahuman Ring, I noticed the difference in comfort compared to a smartwatch. It felt like any other ring, and I often forgot I was wearing a smart device. This was a significant advantage, especially during workouts and sleep.
Health and Fitness Tracking
The ring provided accurate health metrics. The heart rate monitoring was consistent, and the sleep tracking offered insights into my sleep quality and duration. The activity tracker motivated me to stay active, setting daily goals and reminding me to move when I was sedentary for too long.
Battery Performance
One of the standout features was the battery life. I charged the ring once and didn’t have to worry about it for nearly a week. This was a refreshing change from the daily charging routine of my smartwatch.
App Integration
The companion app was user-friendly, displaying all the health metrics in an easy-to-understand format. It synced seamlessly with my smartphone, ensuring I had access to my data anytime.
Comparing Smart Rings to Smartwatches
While smart rings like the Ultrahuman Smart Ring offer numerous advantages, they also come with limitations:
Pros:
- Discreet and stylish design
- Longer battery life
- Comfortable for continuous wear
- Effective health and activity tracking
Cons:
- Limited display (no screen for notifications)
- Fewer functionalities compared to advanced smartwatches
- App dependency for data visualization
Other Smart Ring Options
If you’re considering a smart ring, here are a few other models worth exploring:
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boAt Active Smart Ring: An affordable option with basic health tracking features.
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Amazfit Helio Smart Ring Wearable Fitness Tracker Sleep Hear: Offers advanced health metrics and a sleek design.
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Oura Smart Ring Activity Tracker Gen3 Silver (Imported): Known for its comprehensive health tracking and premium build.
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Samsung Galaxy Ring: Integrates well with Samsung devices, offering a range of smart features.
Switching to a smart ring has been a positive experience. While it doesn’t replace all the functionalities of a smartwatch, it offers a comfortable and efficient way to monitor health and activity. For those seeking a minimalist approach to wearable tech, smart rings are a worthy consideration.
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One thing I am thinking is about accuracy. Sensors on fingers are usually more reliable for heart rate but not always great for step counts or activity detection. Did you notice any mismatch between what your ring recorded and what your watch used to?
Yes, finger-based sensors tend to have an edge in pulse readings because of the proximity to arteries. With the Ultrahuman ring, heart rate and sleep data felt very consistent, actually sometimes better than what my smartwatch gave me overnight. Where I did see slight differences was in step counts and activity intensity. For example, during weight training sessions or activities where my hands weren’t swinging much, the ring occasionally undercounted. But when I compared running or walking data side by side with my smartwatch, it was fairly close. I think rings are evolving in this area, but if someone is very serious about precise activity data, a smartwatch still has the advantage. For wellness monitoring, heart, recovery, sleep the ring held up impressively.
Smart rings sound like a temporary hype to me. Most people will buy one because it is trendy and later throw it in a drawer. With smartwatches you still see utility like notifications or navigation. Do you think smart rings have long term staying power or are they just niche?
I get your point, Mayank, and it’s valid to be skeptical given how fast wearable fads come and go. What I have noticed, though, is that smart rings aren’t trying to be miniature smartwatches. They dependheavily into health and wellness tracking, which is a growing market that doesn’t seem like it will fade soon. For example, companies like Oura have already built a loyal following around recovery and sleep optimization, and the Ultrahuman ring feels similar in intent. Where smartwatches try to do everything, rings are intentionally minimal. I see them carving out a lasting place among people who want low-disruption data. Will they replace smartwatches? Not at all. But as a secondary device, especially for sleep and long-term health insights, I think they will stick around. The market might shrink to enthusiasts, but it won’t vanish.
I feel smart rings are cool for people who dont like wearing watches but for those who already use smartwatch it is like having same thing in different shape only less features why downgrade right.
I get your perspective, Kamal, and it’s true on the surface it can feel like a downgrade since you are losing notifications, GPS, and the convenience of a screen. For someone deeply integrated with smartwatch features, a ring alone wouldn’t be enough. But the way I see it, smart rings are more of an alternate mode than a replacement. Think of it like having wireless earbuds and over ear headphones both serve a purpose, you use them differently depending on context. I still own my smartwatch and use it during outdoor runs or when I need quick notifications. But the ring shines for low-profile everyday wear and especially sleep. So rather than downgrade, it felt more like supplementing my tech wardrobe. It really depends on whether you value minimalism or multifunction more.
I have seen some ads of these rings but my question is about durability like if you wear it everyday while working out lifting weights carrying groceries or even bumping it somewhere does it scratch easily or survive.
Durability is definitely something people overlook when comparing wearables. The Ultrahuman ring I used is made of titanium coating with scratch resistance, so daily bumps didn’t leave noticeable marks. I wore it while doing pushups, kettlebells, even carrying heavy bags, and it held up better than I expected. Of course, if you smash it directly against rough concrete or drag it across metal bars, it’s not invincible. But for normal active life, it’s resilient. One area to be cautious about is fit, if it’s too loose, it may twist and scratch more. If too tight, it may feel uncomfortable during workouts. So sizing matters. Compared to a smartwatch screen, which can crack or scuff more visibly, the ring has actually been less fragile in my experience.
I feel like smart rings are great for people who want health data but don’t want to be online all the time watches sometimes make me feel chained to notifications but a ring would give health focus without digital noise Do you think that is the real selling point?
Yes I think you have nailed the essence of what makes smart rings unique. Smartwatches try to straddle two worlds health and connectivity. And while that’s useful, it often means you are never truly off. A smart ring, on the other hand, strips away the distractions and keeps the focus squarely on wellness. It doesn’t ping you about emails or WhatsApp messages, so it almost feels like a permission slip to disconnect while still keeping track of your body. For me, that became its biggest selling point. It created a healthier relationship with technology where I was still measuring, but not constantly reacting. In a way, the ring reminded me that sometimes less tech actually means more value. That subtlety is what I appreciated most.
I keep thinking about one specific thing how do women fit smart rings into their lifestyle when many already wear engagement rings or jewelry on fingers does it clash or is it possible to balance
I think anyone would say that it is very valid consideration. Women who already wear rings for personal or cultural reasons might find stacking another one awkward. The Ultrahuman offers different finishes, but it’s still chunkier than delicate jewellery. Some women I know wear it on the middle finger or even the thumb to avoid clashing with engagement or wedding rings. That worked well. Others simply alternate, smart ring for workouts and sleep, traditional jewellery during social occasions. The good part is that rings are discreet enough that they don’t always clash, but they’re not invisible either. Personally, I think smart ring makers could do more by offering slimmer, more elegant versions that feel jewellry-inspired instead of sporty. Until then, balancing is definitely a matter of choosing fingers creatively and adjusting for context.
Honestly I like the idea of something small and minimal but I also feel like rings are more jewelry like and not everyone may want their tech to look like jewelry. Was it ever awkward or did people even notice you were wearing a smart device?
You are right, rings carry a very different social signal compared to a watch. Watches are openly techy, whereas rings can feel like jewellry, and not everyone is comfortable with that. In my case, most people never realized it was a smart device. A few times, friends noticed and asked, but the sleek design blended in more like an accessory than a gadget. Personally, I liked the discreetness it drew less attention, especially in formal settings where a smartwatch might feel bulky or too casual. But yes, if someone doesn’t usually wear rings or dislikes jewelry, this could feel odd. It almost asks you to accept a different identity less tech-on-display, more techh idden in plain sight. For me, it was liberating but I see how others might feel awkward.
I see the appeal of the ring but I wonder if it actually motivates you to move like a smartwatch does. With a watch the notifications and buzzes are in your face but with a ring, since there is no screen, maybe people might ignore the reminders more easily. Did you feel that way?
That’s a sharp observation, Raman. You are absolutely right that smartwatches, with their constant screens and haptic nudges, are more intrusive motivators. The ring is definitely more subtle. Instead of buzzes every hour, it mainly records and then reflects on the data through the app. For me, this was actually a plus because I don’t always want my wrist buzzing during a meeting or while focusing on work. That said, if someone thrives on real-time prompts and needs a constant push, then a ring might feel too quiet. Personally, I found myself checking the app at natural breaks in the day rather than being interrupted. The motivation shifted from external nudges to a kind of accountability when I reviewed my data at night. It depends on personality some prefer active reminders, others prefer passive reflection.