Best Smart Rings for 2026: Expert Tested and Reviewed


The Ultrahuman Ring Air: Following a lawsuit filed by Oura Ring, the Ultrahuman Ring Air has been banned in the US. It was not at the time of my testing, after which we awarded it the superlative “best smart ring if you like working out.” But if you own a ring or purchase one, you can still use it exactly as intended. The company is working on a new design and plans to launch it as soon as possible. In the meantime, the Ultrahuman Ring Pro is available in the US.

The Ultrahuman Ring Air came out in June 2023. Verizon teamed up with it to be the first carrier to sell a smart ring. The light ring, which costs $349, is available for iOS and Android. It uses infrared photoplethysmography or PPG sensors to track sleep, recovery, stress levels, caffeine intake, calories burned, steps and reproductive health for those who menstruate (cycle, ovulation and pregnancy insights). There is no extra subscription fee to use the Ultrahuman ring, so that’s a plus. Unlike the Oura and Evie Ring, the Ultrahuman Ring Air has a more masculine look and a thicker band. If you prefer daintier jewelry, this may not be the smart ring for you.

I wasn’t a fan of the app layout for this ring because it looks busy, which makes it difficult to read. Between the dark backdrop of the app and each data marker being a different background color, it’s displayed in a way where there’s too much information to take in at once. The key data markers are also not always in the same order. For example, at points when I open the app, the caffeine permissible window is shown as a line graph at the top, depicting the window that it’s okay to drink caffeine.

Right after that is the dynamic recovery data, then sleep and sleep debt, followed by data on your light exposure window as a countdown, and that’s just the first half of the page. Perhaps the app would benefit from a more consistent and simplistic approach when showing all this data. Someone who loves data may like this but I thought it could be presented in a more digestible manner. I was also reminded that wearables can be inaccurate: When I compared the sleep data and other data markers across the rings, they were never the same. In some cases, the readings were close and in others they were off by a lot.

One of the features that stood out to me was this smart ring’s ability to record different types of workouts. Unlike the other smart rings I tested, the Ultrahuman Ring Air seemed to have a better version of workout tracking but it can still use some improvement. I think it could benefit from the auto-detection feature that the Oura Ring has for movement, and even take it a step further so that it can accurately detect the type of workout you’re doing based on your exercise habits. The Ultrahuman Ring Air also lets you create zones, which you can share with other friends who own the ring. The zones are meant to share your movement stats for the day as a way to connect. If you own the Ultrahuman M1 Live Glucose Monitoring patch, you can even connect your data to the ring, which would probably give you a more detailed reading.

I mainly used this ring to record some of my strength training workouts. As I mentioned, the Ultrahuman ring has a long list of workouts you can choose from to record, ranging from outdoor running, functional strength training, outdoor walking, household chores, cross-training, hiking, Pilates and a lot more. The Ultrahuman ring’s data mainly looks at your average heart rate, heart rate recovery, calories burned and the heart rate zone you’re in (zone 1 to 5). This can be helpful in some circumstances, like if you’re pregnant and want to avoid overexerting yourself or keep track of your training zone.

At one point, I wanted to see how similarly the rings collected data during a run. I usually use my Apple Watch to record my runs, so I’m familiar with how it calculates distance and pacing. I compared the results from the Oura and Ultrahuman Ring Air to my Apple Watch, as the Evie Ring can’t record any workout in real time. The Oura and the Ultrahuman Ring Air captured similar data (heart rate, pace, distance), but it was surprising to see that even though each wearable provided its own estimates for these respective factors, the Ultrahuman ring was the most inaccurate.

For example, the Apple Watch logged me at 10 minutes, 25 seconds per mile pace for the 30-minute run, but the Ultrahuman Ring Air captured it at a pace of 17 minutes per mile, which is a vast difference and makes me question its accuracy if I were to rely on it as a wearable. Whereas the Oura Ring captured it as a 10:32 minute/mile pace, which is closer to the Apple Watch reading. If you don’t mind the ring not capturing the most accurate data when running and want a basic reading, you may not mind the Ultrahuman Ring Air. However, if you’re training for races and care about accurate metrics, then you’re better off using another type of wearable.

As far as sleep tracking goes, I don’t think it captured my reading as accurately as the Oura Ring. Similar to Oura, Ultrahuman Ring Air uses its own scores for sleep. The Ultrahuman ring seems to provide me with a more generous reading than the Oura. With the Oura Ring, I can tell the difference if I’m not as well-rested. Besides the ease of recording a workout in real time, I liked that the Ultrahuman ring gives you a caffeine window that’s easy to follow. I am sensitive to caffeine and I usually don’t drink a lot of coffee to begin with but I have referred to Ultrahuman’s recommendations and tried to stick to the window. I notice when I drink caffeine outside of the window, it’s harder for me to wind down.

Like other rings on this list, the Ultrahuman ring went through some updates during the testing period, but I didn’t notice anything significant from the data I received. If you’re a fitness enthusiast, you may like the Ultrahuman Ring Air. But before I go smartwatch-free, I would like to see some improvement in a few of its wellness features.

The Evie Ring: The Evie Ring is the first smart ring on the market designed with those who menstruate in mind to help them track their sleep and other wellness factors. The ring retails for $269 (the cheapest on this list), is iOS and Android compatible and comes in three colors: silver, rose gold and gold. No subscription is needed to use this ring. The ring design is also a touch more stylish than that of the Oura and Ultrahuman rings, but that depends on your personal preference. The charging case is ideal because you can take it anywhere, it has up to 10 additional charges before needing the charging cable, and it’s a good way to store the ring when not in use. It has a four-day battery life, though I would argue it’s more like three days, like the other rings.

What is supposed to make Evie unique is that it can track menstruation cycles and automatically track your sleep, heart rate, exercise and more. However, unlike Oura or Ultrahuman, where you are provided with suggestions to improve certain aspects of your health based on the data it collects, it seems that Evie is lacking in that department. While it can log your menstruation symptoms daily, whether you have a heavy or light flow, a workout or even read sleep data, Evie doesn’t make recommendations based on this information. It functions more like a health diary than an actionable piece of wearable tech.

I didn’t find Evie did anything different to make it stand out from the other two rings I tested, even with the various software updates it went through. The app itself is basic and easy to follow but lacks in its design. I will give it credit that one of the latest updates includes an AI chatbot, which asks about health goals you have in mind and offers recommendations based on your answers. I found it more generic than I would’ve liked because the ring should be familiar with your habits based on the data it’s collecting. You can easily lie to a chatbot and this defeats the point of wearing a smart ring that observes your health habits.

Like the other rings, I had to log a workout after the fact because it only records certain activities. It also tracks how active you are, your steps and the calories you burn throughout the day. This is fine, but I could just wear a smartwatch and get the same data. As far as the features being targeted toward menstruating people, I didn’t think it was anything revolutionary. I could easily use Apple Health to track when I’m ovulating or to log my period. I would’ve liked to see Evie take it a step further. For example, skin temperature readings could offer more information than just telling me my average at night. It left me wanting more because tracking body temperature is how some people can tell they’re ovulating or most fertile, especially if they’re trying to get pregnant.

The Evie has potential, but until it revamps its software functions and readings, you’re better off with a different smart ring that’s already ahead of the curve.

Reebok Smart Ring: Reebok launched the Reebok Smart Ring in October 2025. I was excited to see an activewear brand release its own smart ring and hoped that it would be reliable for tracking fitness data. This ring fell short for me due to the cheaply made design and lackluster app. It didn’t collect as much information as I would’ve liked from the fitness perspective, and I thought it could use improvements.





Source link

Leave a Reply

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get our latest articles delivered straight to your inbox. No spam, we promise.

Recent Reviews


Anchorage is Alaska’s gateway city, with more enplanements than the rest of the state combined. Chances are, if you’re cruising Prince William Sound or Kenai Fjords, taking a bush plane to see bears at Katmai, riding the rails to Denali, or heading deep into the interior, you’re coming through Anchorage.

Last summer, we spent a full week in Anchortown between adventuring in McCarthy and cruising from Juneau. Looking to save a little money and curious how far we could push the idea, we decided to explore Anchorage completely car-free.

What we found was a city that quietly excels at “Only-in-Alaska” experiences without ever needing a rental car.

Stay Central

The sun sets on Downtown Anchorage on a cold, quiet day in February, with the Chugach Mountain Range just below the horizon above snow-covered rooftops, as seen from the Hotel Captain Cook.
Captain Cook Anchorage, Alaska

Captain Cook Anchorage Alaska

Anchorage is America’s third-largest city by area; bigger than Rhode Island and nearly the size of Delaware, yet home to just 290,000 residents. Instead of endless sprawl, it’s a surprisingly walkable downtown wrapped in parks, greenbelts, and mountain views.

If you’re planning a car-free visit, downtown is non-negotiable and the Hotel Captain Cook is the place to anchor yourself.

It’s Anchorage’s only Preferred Hotel, with five distinct in-house restaurants, rooms that overlook Cook Inlet or the Chugach Mountains, complimentary airport shuttles, and a location just a 15-minute walk from the Alaska Railroad Depot. It makes arriving, exploring, and leaving town effortless.

Dine Local

Delicious appetizer plate, Simon and Seaforts Restaurant Anchorage Alaska

Simon and Seaforts Restaurant Anchorage Alaska

49th State Brewing Anchorage Alaska

Wild Scoops Ice Cream Anchorage Alaska

Downtown Anchorage has many restaurants within walking distance, but these stood out during our stay:

49th State Brewing
A beloved Alaskan brewpub serving northern favorites like yak burgers. It’s popular for a reason! Call ahead and add your name to the waitlist.

Wild Scoops
Alaska’s ice-cream scene is serious business, and Wild Scoops leads the charge with small-batch flavors made from local ingredients. Their Fort 49 patio location is dangerously convenient.

Simon & Seafort’s Saloon & Grill
You don’t come to Alaska and skip the seafood, and nowhere beats the Cook Inlet views at Simon’s.

Ride the Rails

Alaska Railroad Alaska

Train interior Alaska Railroad Alaska

Alaska Railroad Alaska

Ride the Rails, Alaska Railroad

The Alaska Railroad is more than transportation; it’s an adventure. Better yet, the Anchorage Depot is only a 10–15 minute walk from the Hotel Captain Cook, making it one of the easiest car-free connections in the entire state.

From there, you can ride north to Denali and Fairbanks or hug the coast down to Whittier and Seward. The scenery is breathtaking, especially from the GoldStar Service cars with their glass-dome ceilings.

Interpretive guides narrate the journey, pointing out towering peaks, sprawling glaciers, and the stories of fortunes made and lost along Alaska’s iron highway. Some services even include whistle stops that allow you to step off the train and explore remote wilderness that cars simply can’t reach.

Blue Water Kayak on Spencer Glacier

Kayaking on Glacier Blue Kayak & Grandview Tour with Chugach Adventure

Kayaking on Glacier Blue Kayak & Grandview Tour with Chugach Adventure

Kayaking on Glacier Blue Kayak & Grandview Tour with Chugach Adventures

Single kauaker Blue Water Kayak on Spencer Glacier Anchorage Alaska

Spencer Glacier is accessible only by train, and Chugach Adventures has an exclusive partnership with the Alaska Railroad for morning drop-offs.

We boarded the Coastal Classic Train in Anchorage, met our guides in Girdwood, and then bounced down a gravel road in a bus that looked like it came straight out of Into the Wild. At the lake, they outfitted us with kayaks, paddles, and life vests before sending us across mirror-still water, weaving through glowing blue icebergs toward the glacier itself.

After lunch, we boarded the Glacier Discovery Train, passing through Grandview and tunnel country before a whistle stop at Grandview Glacier—another short hike, another jaw-dropping view. By evening, we were back in Anchorage. Zero car keys required.

Flightsee to Knik Glacier

Rust’s Flying Service Anchorage, Alaska

Glacier and glacial lake Flightseeing on Knik Glacier Alaska

Flightseeing with Rust’s Flying Service Anchorage, Alaska

Flightseeing with Rust’s Flying Service

Trains aren’t the only way out of town.

Rust’s Flying Service has been operating from Lake Hood, adjacent to Ted Stevens Airport, for more than 50 years. They offer narrated seaplane flightseeing tours and provide shuttle service from downtown hotels.

Our flight to Knik Glacier included aerial views of Anchorage, the Chugach Mountains, and a smooth landing on a glacial lake. We spotted Dall sheep from the air and drifted beside ancient ice that had never once felt the heat of a road.

Go on a Guided Adventure

Van for Backcountry Eats & Foraging Treats tour with Go Hike Alaska at Chugach St Park Anchorage Alaska

Trail at Chugach St Park Anchorage Alaska

Mushroom on trail Backcountry Eats & Foraging Treats tour with Go Hike Alaska at Chugach St Park Anchorage Alaska

Wild mushrooms on a Guided Adventure-Backcountry Foraging Alaska

Guided tours remove the guesswork and open doors you didn’t even know existed. Many operators pick up from the Egan Center downtown, making them perfect for car-free travelers.

Lifetime Adventures runs mesmerizing multi-sport trips to Eklutna Lake, where the water glows an unreal shade of glacial blue.

Go Hike Alaska offers specialty hikes throughout the Chugach Mountains. We joined them on their Backcountry Eats & Foraging Treats trip, learning to identify edible fungi and berries before cooking a backcountry feast of mushroom risotto and fresh salmon. Educational, edible, unforgettable.

Ride the Tony Knowles Trail

Pablo Bike Rentals Anchorage Alaska

Tony Knowles Coastal Trail (Pablo Bike Rentals) Anchorage Alaska

Tony Knowles Coastal Trail (Pablo Bike Rentals) Anchorage Alaska

Bikes beside Tony Knowles Coastal Trail Anchorage Alaska

The Tony Knowles Coastal Trail stretches 11 paved miles from downtown Anchorage to Kincaid Park, hugging the coastline with views of Denali on clear days and frequent moose sightings if luck is on your side.

We rented e-bikes from Pablo’s Bicycle Rentals near Elderberry Park and cruised past Westchester Lagoon, Earthquake Park, and up to Point Woronzof, where jets lift off right overhead. The gentle hills were effortless with pedal assist, though next time we might rent mountain bikes just to explore Kincaid’s forested trail maze.

Visit the Museums

Anchorage Museum Anchorage Alaska

Anchorage Museum Anchorage Alaska

Alaska Native Heritage Center Anchorage Alaska

Performers at Alaska Native Heritage Center Anchorage Alaska

Anchorage punches well above its weight when it comes to cultural institutions.

The Anchorage Museum blends art, science, and history to tell the story of life in the North. A short shuttle ride away, the Alaska Native Heritage Center offers immersive programs, traditional games, and powerful storytelling from Alaska Native communities.

The Heritage Center runs a free downtown shuttle every summer, making it easy to include without ever opening a car door.

Take the Trolley

Anchorage Trolley Tour trolley

Anchorage Trolley Tours is the perfect one-hour orientation to the city, covering highlights like:

  • Earthquake Park
  • Lake Hood Seaplane Base
  • The Alaska Railroad
  • Captain Cook Monument

Every ticket includes a coupon book with savings at 40+ nearby businesses, making it a smart first stop for maximizing a car-free stay.

Freedom From Car Keys

Anchorage Alaska Skyline Snowcapped Chugach Mountains at dusk.

Anchorage surprised us, not because it was easy to visit without a car, but because it was better that way.

Moving through the city on foot, by bike, train, plane, and trolley slowed us down in all the right ways. We noticed more. Talked to more people. Let Alaska’s rhythms set the pace instead of a GPS.

And here’s our biggest takeaway: don’t treat Anchorage like a layover city.

Build in a few extra days at the beginning or end of your Alaska trip and use Anchorage as your adventure basecamp. From glacier kayaking and flightseeing to coastal bike rides and world-class museums, this city quietly delivers some of the most memorable experiences in the state, without ever opening a car door.

So leave the rental car line behind. Pack your walking shoes, trust the rails, and let the Last Frontier show you just how far you can go without ever turning a key.

Disclosure: A big thank you to Visit Anchorage for hosting us! For more Anchorage travel inspiration, check out their Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter accounts.

As always, the views and opinions expressed are entirely our own, and we only recommend brands and destinations that we 100% stand behind.

Ready to Book Your Trip? These Links Will Make It Easy:

Airfare:

Insurance:

  • Protect your trip and yourself with Squaremouth and Medjet
  • Safeguard your digital information by using a VPN. We love NordVPN as it is superfast for streaming Netflix
  • Stay safe on the go and stay connected with an eSim card through AloSIM

Our Packing Favs:

  • We LOVE Matador Equipment for their innovative products and sustainability focus. Their SEG45 is a game changer when you need large capacity while packing light.
  • Travel in style with a suitcase, carry-on, backpack, or handbag from Knack Bags
  • Packing cubes make organized packing a breeze! We love these from Eagle Creek

Attractions/Activities:

  • Save on tickets to attractions, sightseeing tours, and more with Tiqets
  • Get Your Guide and Viator for guided tours/excursions, day trips, and activities
  • Want to learn a city from the ground up? Take a small group walking tour with Walks – 5-star rated with a Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence
  • Want to book an epic adventure experience with top-notch companies like Intrepid Travel, G-Adventures, or Backroads? Check out Travelstride
  • Find information on local trails with the All Trails App.
  • Need something else to plan your perfect trip? Visit our Resources Page for more trusted partners

Like it? Pin it for later on Pinterest!

Hi! We are Jenn and Ed Coleman aka Coleman Concierge. In a nutshell, we are a Huntsville-based Gen X couple sharing our stories of amazing adventures through activity-driven transformational and experiential travel.





Source link