RingConn Smart Ring Gen 2 Review
The first refinementDisclaimer: RingConn sent us a unit of the Smart Ring 2 free of charge to review, but all thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are our own and were not discussed with the company prior to publishing.
The RingConn 2 is one of the first second gen smart rings to appear on the market and even with its small improvements, it’s noticeable enough to see a difference in how the technology in this quickly populating field is improving. Is it worth the upgrade already and how does it compare to the recent first generation product? Let’s take a closer look.
Retail Price: $299.00
What’s Different
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Titanium alloy, PVD Coating, Medical-grade Epoxy
Width: 6.8mm
Thickness: 2.0mm
Weight: 2-3 grams (varies by ring size)
Heart rate acceloremeter
Blood oxygen saturation MAE
Heart rate variability MAE
Sleep apnea monitoring
Right out of the box, there’s both significant and also minor changes that RingConn has updated in the second gen smart ring. In terms of size, the RingConn 2 is 12% smaller in width and 23% smaller in thickness compared to its predecessor. While the ring is still larger than what many women wear for a traditional wedding band, users will definitely notice a difference in size and width if they’re coming from the first product from RingConn.
I found this ring to have less noticeable sensor protrusion than its predecessor, making it more comfortable to wear in the day to day. Colorways for the RingConn 2 are similar to its first gen. Options are silver, matte black, and brushed gold. The RingConn 2 continues to be IP68 dust and water resistant. However, RingConn advertises Gen 2 as having an enhanced waterproof performance of 100 ATM water resistance as well. The build quality of the RingConn 2 continues to feel premium -made with titanium alloy and is PVD coated. I like the shine of the silver color that I currently wear and it complimentarily goes with virtually all my outfits, both casual and formal.
One previous downside I had with the RingConn was how bright the sensors were and how noticeable it was at night in the dark. With the updated and thinner design, I no longer notice the sensors as much at night and don’t see the flashing lights when wearing the ring. It’s a small improvement, but one that makes the user experience that much better.
What’s Not to Like?
While there aren’t Major changes, Gen 2 is undoubtedly a more refined product
When it comes to biometric tracking, RingConn 2 has a heart rate accelerometer, measures blood oxygen saturation, heart rate, respiratory rate, and perhaps the most exciting feature - continuous sleep apnea monitoring.
Health Tracking
While I thought sleep tracking on RingConn 1 was already quite accurate, there’s more data and insight that comes with sleep tracking in this new generation of smart ring. I still appreciate the clean and easy to look at view when it comes to sleep stages, movement during sleep and the sleep summary. Some of the text and descriptions can still sometimes sound robotic and generic but for the most part, the insights that RingConn provides in its app when it comes to sleep score are interesting to consider.
RingConn is also actively pursuing FDA clearance for its OSA monitoring feature so that users can trust its sleep tracking and share back with medical teams. According to RingConn, its internal lab was proved to deliver 90.7% accuracy identifying obstructive sleep apnea.
Some of the minor desires I had previously were also improved with the RingConn 2. While using the first gen smart ring, I felt like I had to open the app up everyday so that data would sync regularly. This sync appears to happen much faster on the RingConn 2. Additionally, tracking for other biometric markers still appear to be very accurate for the most part and easy to follow along with.
RingConn also helps to measure things like your daily stress score and can run menstrual forecasts as well for women looking to track their periods. Similar to its predecessor, the RingConn 2 still has the same concerns when it comes to fitness tracking.
For those looking to track walks or step count, the ring is mostly accurate but waving your hand around can still overcount steps even by a little. For those who strength train or lift weights and want to track their workouts, it’s still significantly harder to do while wearing a ring. You still run the risk of scratching the surface despite the durable material and it can feel uncomfortable lifting heavy weights while wearing a ring.
Even Better Battery Life
RingConn 1 was advertised to have about 6-7 days of battery life but RIngConn 2 has even more, averaging from 10-12 days. That’s almost double! I was able to get 10 very comfortably and found myself loving the quick charging curve and incredibly long battery life. The RingConn 2 still comes with a charging case that has the same look and size as the previous model. It’s easy to transport and throw into a backpack for on the go charging. By far, one of the most impressive features of the RingConn 2 is its battery life and ability to maintain a charge with minimal effort. When users do need to charge the case, simply plug it in via the provided USB-C to USB-C cable to juice it up.
Easy Connectivity and Compatibility
RingConn really is made for the everyday market and connects to devices via Bluetooth 5.0. It’s a seamless and easy setup, getting users up and running quickly. The RingConn app is also compatible with both iOS and Android and syncs to Apple Health and Google Fit. While I’ve only used the RingConn app on iOS, it’s been reliable for me and I get excited to see regular updates when it comes to the device itself.
Another huge bonus is there’s no subscription required when it comes to the RingConn app. Using the app is free, so long as you are paired to a usable RingConn ring.
Should You Buy It?
Seeing a second generation RingConn made me so thrilled to see how even small changes can make a big difference. If you own the original RingConn, it may not be worth it to upgrade, but for those considering a smart ring who don’t necessarily need all the bells and whistles specific to fitness tracking, and instead want to focus on lifestyle checks, the RingConn 2 is a great and affordable option at $299. With a refined design and a reliable free app that features more advanced metrics like sleep apnea monitoring, and biometric sensors, it might be well worth it to consider this smart ring to help track your everyday health.
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