Smart rings come with various features that cater to different aspects of your lifestyle, but it’s very easy to get confused with what smart ring does what?
The three primary major types of smart rings are NFC, Interactive, and the dominant Health & Fitness category.
NFC Smart Rings
The NFC Smart Rings are passive devices and can replace proximity swipe cards for a ring instead. In some cases, an NFC Smart Ring can be used for contact-less payments like Visa Pay Wave, but more generally these rings are often used as a security access device, such as swiping into your home or office door locks, or even unlock a Tesla vehicle with a Tesla Smart Ring.
These devices are “passive” and don’t require a battery or charging. Due to this, they are typically priced less than a hundred dollars.
- Contactless Payments rings support contactless payments using NFC technology. These rings allow you to make purchases by hovering the ring over compatible payment terminals.
- Contactless Transit Pass rings serve as a contactless transit pass for public transportation, offering convenience for users in select regions.
- Contactless Key/Access Badge rings function as a contactless key or access badge, using biometric data for secure entry to various locations. Many of this type exist, such as the HECERE Waterproof Ceramic NFI Ring.
- Online Security Device rings can offer online security features, allowing passwordless logins and enhancing security.
Health & Fitness Smart Rings
The truly “Smart” rings are interconnected with bluetooth, and measure your blood oxygen levels, heart rate, steps / pedometer, temperature and more. These are very sophisticated devices and can replace a much more expensive smart watch with the additional comfort and convenience of simply wearing a small ring rather than a wrist band.
- Sleep Monitoring For comfortable sleep monitoring, smart rings are a better option compared to smartwatches. The best rings can do the lot, such as blood oxygen, heart rate, movement, steps, temperature, etc, and are the top of the class.
- Fitness/Activity Tracking Smart rings excel in accuracy due to the many arteries and capillaries in our fingers. For fitness tracking, consider rings equipped with sensors like pedometers, accelerometers, gyroscopes, and heart rate monitors.
- Stress Management Stress management rings measure and manage stress levels using electrodermal activity sensors. They offer insights into emotional states and provide guidance for maintaining a balanced life.
A few examples of Fitness Smart rings include the Fitiger Smart Ring and the Jakom R5 Smart Ring.
Interactive Smart Rings
These types of smart rings are similar to a small remote control, voice activation device, or a tiny version of a smart watch. Whilst similar to fitness rings in the sense that they integrate with your mobile device or computer, these are primarily interactive devices rather than to fitness trackers.
- MIDI Controller rings enables music control and command sending for musicians, DJs, and producers.
- Voice Assistant rings can supports voice commands through Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri for phone calls and more.
An interesting example of this is the Annivella Smart Ring, which aims to revolutionise prayer routines.
How to Choose a Smart Ring
- DESIGN
Smart ring designs are generally sleek, lightweight, and comfortable. Customization options for color, finish, and size are available. Some rings have screens, buttons, or light indicators for added functionality. - SIZING
Choosing the right ring size is crucial for comfort. Some brands offer sizing kits with plastic test rings for accurate fitting. Adjustable straps or multiple replaceable flexible rings can simplify sizing. - BATTERY AND CHARGING
Smart rings have varying battery lives, ranging from 3-7 days. Some NFC rings are passive and do not require charging, while others use wireless charging for convenience. - PROTECTION
Water, scratch, and dust resistance vary among smart rings. Consider the level of protection needed based on your lifestyle. - OS AND DEVICE COMPATIBILITY
Ensure the smart ring is compatible with your devices and operating systems, as this affects functions like syncing data, voice commands, and more.
Selecting a smart ring depends on your priorities, whether it’s sleep tracking, fitness monitoring, stress management, contactless payments, or other features that enhance your daily life. Evaluate these factors to find the right smart ring that aligns with your needs and preferences.
