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Best Smart Rings

Smart rings are the newest and most promising trend in wearable technology. Although they are not as popular as smartwatches and fitness bands, the technology is ingenious. Inside these smart rings are tiny chips and electronic components that serve a variety of applications. Some smart rings serve as health trackers and measure your daily activities and sleep patterns. Others can be used for contactless payment instead of a smartphone. Some smart rings connect to your smartphone and vibrate or light up when you receive a notification or a call. Use them to lock and unlock your car, or gain access to your home and office. The applications are endless. To bring you up to speed, our experts reviewed the best smart rings currently on offer. They looked at their functionality, ease of use, materials, and durability and compiled a list of the best-of-the-best for you to choose from. They look very stylish too!

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need to charge a smart ring?

Some smart rings need to be charged every now and then, while others don’t. Although they have electronic components and an internal battery to power them, the technology used requires very low power transmission. This means that the battery lasts for a very long time and does not need to be recharged. How long the smart ring’s battery lasts depends on the capacity of the battery used by the manufacturer, which is generally not disclosed on the label or specifications.

How do I measure my finger for a smart ring?

Before ordering a smart ring, decide on which finger you plan to wear it on. Wrap a string around the root of the finger and mark the intersection of the string. Use a ruler or a tape measure and note down the circumference of your finger. If the central joint on your finger is larger than the root of your finger due to joint issues or arthritis, repeat the same procedure but wrap the string around the joint and not the root. Consult the sizing chart provided by the manufacturer and choose the correct size.

Buying Guide

Wearing a smart ring rids you of your access cards, key fobs, and car keys. But how do you know which smart ring is compatible with your car or access control device? We will answer all your questions and highlight the main things to look for when shopping for smart rings.

  • Purpose: The first thing to consider when choosing a smart ring is what you need it for. Smart rings that are designed to allow you access to your office are different from those designed to allow you access to your car, for example. If you are looking to replace key cards and access fobs at work and use the ring to authorize exit and entry on access control devices, carefully inspect the technology of the ring and ensure its compatibility. Smart rings with RFID technology are ideal for access control, while NFC smart rings can be used to unlock a phone, for example. If you are looking for a smart ring to replace your Tesla key card, make sure it is compatible with the Tesla model you have. Some smart rings only work on model 3, for example, while others work on models S and X, produced after 2021.
  • Ease of Programming and Use: Smart rings are easy to use. They do, however, need to be programmed for use for the first time. A compatible RFID reader/writer is needed to program a smart ring for access control. Ensure that the frequency on the RFTo ID reader/writer matches the frequency of the ring, or you won’t be able to program the smart ring. To program a Tesla smart ring, the procedure is the same as adding a key card and is fairly straightforward most of the time. To connect an NFC smart ring to your smartphone, just place it on the back and follow the instructions on your screen.
  • Materials and Comfort: Since you will be wearing the ring all day and probably all night, the choice of materials is crucial. Lightweight and thin materials that do not cause skin irritation or discomfort, like zirconia ceramics and gemstones, are ideal. They are also wear-resistant and scratch-resistant to last you for years to come.
  • Size: The size of the ring is crucial to ensure the ideal fit. Before picking the size of the ring, you have to decide which finger you plan to wear it on. For married men and women, smart rings resemble wedding bands, and most opt to wear them on their ring fingers. Some people prefer to wear them on their index or middle finger. Please refer to our frequently asked questions on how to accurately measure your finger for a smart ring.

hecere Smart Ring

Best Overall

Replaces All Access Cards

Tired of fumbling through your wallet or purse to find access cards to get into your home or office? Our top choice comes with a pre-written UID number and is compatible with most access control devices on the market.

Why We Love It:

  • Can be programmed with any 125 KHz or 13.56 MHz RFID copiers
  • 360-degree sensing technology means the ring does not need to be positioned in a certain way to work
  • Made of zirconia ceramic material that is comfortable to wear and does not cause skin irritation
  • Available for men and women in sizes from 5 to 14

Something to Consider:

  • Not an NFC ring and does not work with smartphones

 

CNICK Smart Ring

Runner Up

Multiple Car Access

Can’t find your car key? Is your phone battery dead and you can’t get into your Tesla? No problem. This option is as secure as a key card and allows you access to multiple cars, so you never carry a key again!

Why We Love It:

  • Compatible with Model S and X 2021, as well as all Model 3 and Model Y Teslas
  • Gives you access from the driver’s side by just touching your knuckle against the door
  • Completely waterproof and can be worn while showering, swimming, and under the rain
  • Made from thin and light materials that are comfortable to wear
  • Available in several colors and sizes for men and women

Something to Consider:

  • May take a couple of swipes to unlock the door

 

COLMO Smart Ring

Contender

Customized Engraving

This option can be engraved with names and logos and makes the ideal gift for any Tesla owner. It makes an easy and convenient replacement for the key card and never runs out of battery life like a smartphone!

Why We Love It:

  • Compatible with any Tesla Model 3, regardless of production year
  • Available in two widths and sizes from 6 to 12 to match your fingers
  • Made from zirconia ceramics and uses the Tesla Model 3 original key card chip
  • Wear-resistant, scratch-resistant, and does not contain harmful chemicals

Something to Consider:

  • The sizing chart provided by the manufacturer may not be very accurate
Rusty Davis
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Rusty Davis has been a tech lover for as long as he can remember. From the early days of gaming consoles to the introduction…
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