Smart rings: The new wave of fitness trackers has arrived

We’ve already got heart rate trackers, smartwatches, step counters, sleep tracking mats and Whoop bands, but the new device on the block is a smart ring. So, if you’re after a stylish ring that doubles as a discreet piece of tech, designed to keep your fitness on track, you’ll want to consider this new wave.

Out of all the devices on the market, smart rings are subtle in looks and surprisingly powerful when it comes to health monitoring. Intrigued? Let's deep dive into the next best thing in wearable trackers.

NOTE: Prices are accurate at the time of publishing.

What is a smart ring?

They're a wearable piece of tech designed as sleek jewellery with functionality similar to smartwatches. Smart rings are built for continuous monitoring and focus on deep metrics like your heart rate, body temperature and sleep by using sensors that are in constant close contact with your skin.

So what's the advantage? Well, it's an inconspicuous ring that, when used correctly, provides better insights into your health. Plus, smart rings typically have better battery life than smartwatches because they've ditched the display.

Just make sure you know your size. Brands usually offer a sizing kit for you to confirm the fit before purchasing.

The most compelling smart rings on the market right now

Samsung Galaxy Ring

Now $699

The Samsung Galaxy Ring provides a powerful and discreet health monitor built into its Galaxy AI ecosystem. With three colourways (titanium black, silver and gold), and up to seven days of battery life on a single charge, you can keep track of crucial metrics like sleep, heart rate, and skin temperature with the three-sensor technology.

Best of all, its titanium frame is tough enough to resist the shower or a dip in the ocean with its 10 ATM water-resistant rating. This high-end smart ring provides detailed personalised insights through the Samsung Health app without a subscription fee.

So why this ring over others?

• It's a great option for Samsung users
• It features AI-powered health insights
• No ongoing costs! You don't need a subscription
• Samsung Health offers a good user interface and experience, and the app is downloadable on other Android devices

Oura Ring 4

Order from $569

Oura has been a smart ring pioneer since 2015, and late last year, they launched their most accurate and comfortable design yet: the Oura Ring 4. Using their Smart Sensing technology, this ring offers up to eight days of battery life and delivers over 30 health metrics, including advanced heart rate variation, sleep staging, blood oxygen and even cycle insights for women.

Although if you're after a serious deep dive into your health, you'll need to pay the monthly $9.99 subscription to access personalised data and insights.

So why this ring over others?

• It's serious about health insights, and for that, you'll pay a subscription fee
• It's compatible with both Apple and Android

RingConn Gen 2 Smart Ring

On Amazon for $499

The RingConn Gen 2 Smart Ring is focused on delivering value through its 12-day battery and informed health insights. Its ultrathin titanium design weighs at a mere 2g and 2mm thickness and still packs the essentials to allow you to track sleep, stress, vitals, activity and women's health. It also has a dust and water resistance of IP68.

So why this ring over others?

• It has exceptional battery life
• There's no subscription fee
• It features sleep apnea monitoring
• It's compatible with both Apple and Android

Ultrahuman Ring AIR

From $599

Coming in six different colours, the Ultrahuamn Ring AIR is one of the lighter smart rings, weighing at 2.4g and built using durable titanium. It offers great health tracking with up to 6 days of battery life, including stats on REM sleep, stress, skin temperature, HRV, as well as insights on how to improve recovery. Plus, it also offers advanced features like tracking your circadian rhythm and caffeine window detection without the need for a subscription.

So why this ring over others?

• It offers unique health detection features
• It's compatible with both Apple and Android
• It's one of the most comfortable to wear, thanks to its size

Kogan Aura Smart Ring

Get yours for $69.99

If you're after a sleek, lightweight ring at a fraction of the price of other flagship smart rings, Kogan's got you covered with its bargain Aura Smart Ring. You can choose between silver, black and gold to match your aesthetic, and the ring features the important health tracking essentials, plus a seven-day battery life and a 5ATM waterproof resistance.

So why this ring over others?

• It's a great budget-friendly option
• It's compatible with both Apple and Android, using the QRing app
• You don't need a subscription

READ MORE: We found the perfect budget-friendly fitness companion

Is it worth buying a smart ring?

If you're after a discreet health monitoring tool that has a longer battery than most smartwatches, then smart rings are the way to go. Your phone, budget and desired features will ultimately influence the ring you choose, but the design philosophy and principles stay mostly the same.

Be sure to use the size guides before you buy and decide whether paying a subscription fee is for you before you get too invested.

How do smart rings work?

Smart rings function very similarly to how smart watches and other fitness trackers work: with a sensor! These are placed inside the inner workings of the ring, so the sensors can track directly from your finger. These sensors can then track your heart rate, movement tracking, and other health metrics, then transmit the data to your phone via Bluetooth.

Do smart rings have a monthly fee?

You'll have to double-check which smart ring requires a monthly fee, as not all do. From this list, the Oura Ring and RingConn Gen 2 both require a subscription.

What are the disadvantages of a smart ring?

A smart ring does not have a screen interface as a smartwatch does. Some smart rings also have subscriptions, which will impact your monthly bill. If you have sensitive skin as well, you may find the smart rings uncomfortable.