Fitness rings, which can track your steps, heart rate and more, are high on utility as well as aesthetics

Move over smartwatches— fitness rings are the newest trend in wearable tech. Sleek, wafer-thin and packed with advanced health-tracking features, these stylish rings are perfect for fitness enthusiasts who want real-time insights without a bulky device. The tiny powerhouses track everything—from your steps and heart rate to sleep cycles and stress levels—all while looking like a piece of jewellery.

Health insight

Fitness rings have the potential to revolutionise personal health tracking, offering health-conscious individuals an effortless way to stay on top of their well-being. These sleek wearables monitor crucial metrics like:

• Heart rate (resting & active)
• Heart rate variability (HRV)
• Blood oxygen (SpO2)
• Sleep stages (light, deep, REM)
• Steps and activity tracking
• Calories burned
• Body temperature variations
• Readiness/recovery scores

How these trackers work

Embedded sensors maintain constant contact with your finger, collecting precise physiological data that syncs via bluetooth to your smartphone. Advanced algorithms transform this data into actionable insights through apps, presenting health metrics as easy-to-understand graphs and scores.

Top contenders

Samsung Galaxy Ring

Price: Rs 38,999

Key features: Sleep monitor, gesture control, activity tracker, heart rate monitor

Battery life: Up to seven days

Crafted from titanium, scratch-resistant finishWorks with Android devices only

Ultrahuman Ring Air

Price: Rs 27,500-Rs 28,500

Key features: Heart rate, sleep and body temperature tracking; glucose and metabolic health monitoring (unique feature)

Battery life: three to six days

Water-resistant and lightweight titanium design

Works with Apple Health and Google Fit

Amazfit Helio Smart Ring

Price: Rs 19,999

Key features: Heart rate, stress and emotional response monitor, sleep and activity tracking

Battery life: four days

10ATM water resistance— swim-friendlyTitanium

alloy build, lightweight, yet strong

Gabit smart ring

Price: Rs 13,110

Key features: Heart rate and skin temperature sensor, sleep and stress tracking

Battery life: Upto seven days

Works with both Android and iOS

Light weight and titanium built

Boat SmartRing Active

Price: Rs 2,999

Key features: Heart rate, blood oxygen, sleep and stress monitoring; camera control (unique feature)

Battery life: Up to seven days

Water-resistant up to 50 meters

Stainless steel body with touch controls

What makes these rings tick?

n Discreet and stylish: No bulky watches, just a sleek ring

n All-day tracking: Monitors sleep, heart rate, steps and more

n Long battery life: Lasts days, unlike daily-charging smartwatches

n Health insights: Detects early signs of fatigue and stress

n  Water-resistant: Many are safe for swimming, showering, workouts

The trade-offs

Sizing issues: Must fit snugly for accuracy, can be uncomfortable for some

No screen: Unlike smartwatches, you need an app to see data

Not for all workouts: Risk of damage during lifting or climbing

Small size: Means fewer sensors than a smartwatch

Less smart features: Can’t take calls, send texts or support GPS

Final thoughts

Fitness rings are sleek, smart and secretly powerful. They might not replace your smartwatch for intense workouts, but excel at 24/7 health tracking with invisible effort. For those who want data without the bulk, these tiny tech marvels prove good things do come in small packages.

Pro tip

Consider your primary use case. Sleep tracking enthusiasts should prioritise comfort and fitness-focused users’ durability. Always check sizing guides carefully, as proper fit is crucial for accurate data collection