ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The RingConn Smart Ring is available now in three colors for $259 (regularly $279).
- One week battery life, lovely matte finish, powerful smartphone app, and no subscription fee.
- No readiness score and does not sync with third-party fitness apps other than Apple Health
While I wear watches on both of my wrists, that type of wearable isn’t the best for tracking sleep without being disruptive. For more than two years, I have also had an Oura Gen3 Ring on my finger, and there have been some compelling updates to both the software and the hardware.
RingConn launched its Smart Ring back in 2023 after a successful Indiegogo campaign. I tested the RingConn Smart Ring — Moonlit Silver, size 13 — on my left index finger for about three weeks in 2024, and I liked it a lot. I soon became stuck deciding whether I should keep it or the Oura Gen3 Titanium ring. I wore the latter on my right index finger for comparison purposes over that same three-week period.
Also: The best smart rings of 2025: I tested and found an obvious winner
The Moonlit Silver color looks almost exactly like the brushed titanium Oura model, and it is very attractive. It is not completely round, with just a hint of a squircle shape, although most will think it is a circle at first glance. The size 13 one I am wearing weighs about 5 grams, and inside, you will find a 3D accelerometer, four temperature sensors, four PPG sensors, and a low-power Bluetooth module.
The RingConn Smart Ring is available for $259 in Moonlit Silver, Midnight Black, and Pale Gold. The ring is made of lightweight titanium, and each color has a matte finish. Sizes vary from 6 to 14, and the first step in the buying process is to have a sizing kit sent out to confirm the perfect size for your selected finger.
Also: Finally, a smart ring I don’t have to charge every night (and no subscription)
An IP68 waterproof rating is provided so you can wear the ring at all times. Just like the Oura Ring, the battery life is rated at one week. However, RingConn provides a unique portable charging case that contains a 500 mAh charger capable of keeping the ring going for up to 150 days.
The Oura Ring Heritage model starts at $299, so the initial costs of these two rings may be similar (although the Gen3 Horizon brushed titanium model that looks like the RingConn silver version is priced at $449). Another significant cost difference is found in the monthly subscription fee. Oura charges $6 per month for accessing all of your health and wellness details, while RingConn has no subscription associated with its smart ring.
Android and iPhone devices are well supported by the RingConn Smart Ring. For people like me who use both smartphone platforms, switching between Android and iOS is a seamless process with RingConn. In contrast, Oura Ring users are required to reset the ring when switching platforms — thereby losing out on seeing consistent data and trends.
Also: This smart ring company will test your blood for $500 – here’s what for
One of the primary functions of a smart ring is sleep tracking. The two rings’ results over the past three weeks show similar time asleep, heart rate, and SPO2; however, the scores tend to be 8-10 points higher on the RingConn model than the Oura model. The scores are just indicators, and sleep tracking via watches and rings is more about tracking trends and confirming how you feel. I would love to see a company like Garmin partner with RingConn to connect its sleep data captured by the ring into Garmin Connect, so I don’t need to wear a watch to track my sleep.
The RingConn app provides many more details related to stress than the new daily stress feature on the Oura Ring. The activity score on the RingConn more closely matches what I expected to see given the exercises I completed on those days. (Honestly, smart rings are not the best option for activity tracking.) Oura connects and brings in activity data from other services, while RingConn relies on data captured just by the ring. This is one area where I would like to see RingConn connect to Garmin, Apple, Polar, or Samsung.
One metric that RingConn does not provide is a readiness score or recovery assessment. Then again, I trust the readiness score on my Garmin more than the value shown on the Oura Ring. Oura usually shows a fairly high readiness score for me while my Garmin varies more and seems to match how I feel after a day of running, rowing, or biking.
RingConn has a feature called Wellness Balance that is currently in beta. It shows an overall assessment based on your sleep, activity, vital signs, and stress. Wellness is provided as excellent, good, and improvable. I’ve only had one day out of the past three weeks that was not provided with a good rating, and I have yet to see an excellent rating.
The RingConn app provides insights into the three key metrics of sleep, activity, and stress, with a second major view providing trends. Trends can be viewed by week, month, or year and provide a ton of interesting data in easily viewable charts and plots. You can also view and share weekly and yearly reports that are full of interesting and useful information.
I was much more impressed with the RingConn Smart Ring than I expected to be; it’s great to see such compelling competition in the smart ring space. If you are not interested in paying a monthly subscription fee, then it is easy for me to recommend the RingConn ring. I’m close to switching to it as my primary smart ring because I like the extensive amount of data provided and the ability to easily swap smartphones that I connect to the ring.
Also: I replaced my Apple Watch with the Oura Ring 4 for sleep tracking (and it did some things better)
RingConn continues to develop features and functions with workout mode, menstrual cycle prediction, meditation, and mindful breathing on the schedule for future updates.
ZDNET’s buying advice
Smart rings are becoming more popular, with rumors that Samsung and others may be releasing them soon. RingConn stepped up after years of development and offers a worthy competitor to the current leader in the smart ring space. If you like the idea of not paying a monthly subscription fee, this wearable is worth your consideration. Right now, the RingConn Smart Ring is on sale for $179 over at the brand’s online store.
How it compares
|
RingConn Smart Ring Gen 1 |
RingConn Smart Ring Gen 2 |
|
|
Materials |
Titanium and PVD coating |
Titanium alloy, PVD coating, Medical-grade epoxy |
|
Dimensions |
7.8 x 2.6 mm / 3 to 5 grams |
6.8 x 2.0 mm / 2 to 3 grams |
|
Battery life |
Up to 7 days on a single charge |
Up to 12 days on a single charge |
|
Connectivity |
Bluetooth 5.2 |
Bluetooth 5.0 |
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Waterproof |
IP68 |
IP68 / ATM 10 |
|
Sensors |
Photoplethysmography, temperature, 3D Accelerometer |
Sleep apnea monitoring, heart rate variability, SpO2, step counting, stress management, menstrual management |
|
Compatibility |
Apple Health, Google Fit |
Apple Health, Google Fit |
|
Price |
$179 |
$299 |
Latest updates
July 29, 2025: Added a new comparison chart comparing the first-generation RingConn Smart Ring to the second-generation RingConn Smart Ring. The newer model is smaller, has a longer-lasting battery, and unique sensors that the previous wearable lacks. Outdated links were also replaced.
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