Nina Raemont/ZDNET
Smart rings might be a newer product category in the world of wearables, but they're making big waves. As we follow the growth of this burgeoning product category, ZDNET's team of experts is testing out every notable smart ring on the market. It's no small feat, given how rapidly the market in question is growing.
Also: The best smart rings you can buy
How do we test and evaluate these smart rings? What features do we seek out, and what are some red and green flags you should look for as you shop for smart rings? Here's the full breakdown.
What makes a smart ring ZDNET recommended?
We don't recommend that you buy a smart ring unless we've spent days and weeks testing them ourselves. To receive our recommendation, the best smart rings must excel in terms of comfort, activity features, battery life, and sleep-tracking features, and they do this while having the price to match (at or around $350, with or without a subscription). Other features, like add-ons and accessories, don't hold equal weight to the aforementioned ones. Sure, it's pleasant to have an AI-assisted health coach or symptom logging, but those add-ons or accessories don't fundamentally impact the usability of the smart ring in the way that health tracking metrics, battery life, and comfort do.
How we test smart rings in 2026
Kerry Wan/ZDNET
Comfort
I once wore a smart ring shaped like a square, and I couldn't move my fingers for the entire day. I've worn smart rings that feel naturally unobtrusive and ones that stick out and make it nearly impossible to go about everyday tasks, like gripping a subway pole, carrying multiple bags, or typing on a keyboard. Before I even open the smart ring app on my phone, I first pay attention to how the smart ring feels around my finger. If a brand can't nail comfort right off the bat, it's going to be hard for someone to wear realistically.
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