Technology has transformed watches from traditional wristwatches to smart tracking devices straight out of a James Bond movie. Lately, rings are the latest jewelry staple to get a smart makeover.1
The best smart NFC rings, like smartwatches, have a comprehensive suite of health and sleep tracking features. They take a more cautious (and even less obstructive) approach, especially ahead of summer sports and social events. Some options even include non-health-related NFC functionality, like contactless payments.
Our overall pick for the best smart ring we tested is the Oura Ring 3, thanks to its impressive health suite. Read on to learn more about the benefits of Oura, and which other top smart rings might be worth considering.
Oura Ring 3
Best for Health and Sleep Tracking
advantage
Lightweight and natural fit
fast charging
Automatic Firmware Updates
run in airplane mode
shortcoming
$5.99/month membership
no half size
Oura Ring 3 Specs: Material: Lightweight Titanium, Non-Allergenic, Non-Metallic Inner Mold|Battery Life: 4-7 Days|Recharge: Fully Charges in 20-80 Minutes|Compatibility: iOS and Android|Durability: Water Resistant to 328ft | Sizes: Buy a free size kit on their website.
I purchased a Heritage Oura ring and put it to the test with weekly activities such as strength training, cycling, yoga, etc. Not only did it adequately track my activity, sleep, and daily readiness, but I didn’t get lost in an overwhelming amount of data. Instead, my morning sleep score is actionable and provides insight into how I can improve my nighttime habits.
For example, over 50 guided meditation options help me relieve stress instantly and set me up for sleep success. A simplified overall score will be displayed as a detailed graph, monitoring nightly heart rate, body temperature and blood oxygen levels. Plus, the ring can automatically sense when you’re feeling stressed and adjust what Oura calls the activity’s “daily readiness score” accordingly.
This comprehensive yet simple approach is evident in the form factor and integration of the ring. I’m also amazed at how all the (accurate) tech fits into such a small, sleek device. Also, even with the lights turned off at night, I don’t notice the red and green sensor lights. The ring syncs with Apple Health, Google Fit, and the iOS and Android apps. This compatibility means you can see daily, weekly and monthly views of activity and other metrics.
The downside is that there is a $5.99 monthly membership fee to unlock the features that make this ring worth the money, such as in-depth morning sleep analysis, blood oxygen monitoring, real-time heart rate and temperature trend monitoring (it can even predict the early stages of disease), and overall personalized insights. However, non-paying members only have access to sleep, readiness, and activity insights.
McLear RingPay
Best for Contactless Payments
McLear RingPay takes a different approach by focusing on contactless payments and NFC interaction.
McLear RingPay Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Material | Hypoallergenic Ceramic |
| Compatibility | iOS and Android |
| Charging | No Charging Required |
| Durability | Water Resistant |
| Sizes | Multiple Sizes |
McLear Ring Specs: Material: Hypoallergenic Ceramic | Compatibility: iOS and Android | Recharging: No Charging Required | Durability: Water Resistant | Sizes: Available in sizes 4.5-16; Ring Sizer at Checkout; Free Size Exchange
The simple, elegant RingPay integrates the always useful contactless payment technology. You can securely pay for items by linking your debit or credit card and earn cash back when you use it. The ring is quicker to use than contactless alternatives like unlocking your phone wallet or using your credit card. You can wash your hands while wearing it because the smart ring is water resistant, scratch resistant and pressure tested. It’s made from hypoallergenic ceramic, so there’s no glue or plastic involved.
RingPay comes from McLear, the company that made the first NFC (near field communication, or wireless data transfer) ring to digitally unlock doors. Likewise, McLear promises that the Ring can unlock your NFC-enabled Android phone and tablet with a simple tap from the ring to the device. You can store and securely share information to your friends’ devices, including Wi-Fi information, website links, and contact information.
Circular Ring
Best for Health Tracking
Circular Ring is another health-focused smart ring designed around sleep, activity and health monitoring.
Circular Ring Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Material | Hypoallergenic Material |
| Battery Life | Around 4 Days |
| Charging | Around 60 Minutes |
| Compatibility | iOS and Android |
| Durability | Waterproof |
| Sizes | Size Kit Available |
The ring tracks metrics such as heart rate, respiratory rate, blood oxygen, temperature and movement during sleep.
It is therefore more closely related to Oura than to a dedicated NFC ring.
If your priority is health and fitness tracking, a health-focused smart ring may be more appropriate. If you mainly need NFC data sharing, digital identification or contactless interaction, an NFC ring offers a different type of functionality.
Hecere NFC Ring
Best for NFC Data Sharing
The Hecere NFC Ring is designed around NFC functionality rather than health tracking.
Hecere NFC Ring Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Material | Zirconia Ceramic and Epoxy |
| NFC Chip | NTAG215 |
| Compatibility | Android and Apple |
| Battery | Not Required |
| Charging | Not Required |
| Durability | Waterproof |
| Sizes | Multiple Sizes |
The ring contains a rewritable NFC chip that can be programmed for different applications. Depending on how the chip is configured, the ring can be used to share contact information, website links, Wi-Fi information or other digital content.
This makes an NFC ring particularly useful for people who want a wearable digital business card or a convenient way to share information with an NFC-enabled smartphone.
Unlike health-focused smart rings, an NFC ring generally does not need a battery or charging for basic NFC functions.
Go2sleep Ring
Best Sleep Smart Rings
advantage
sleep tracking focus
Support airplane mode
Continuous upgrade
one year warranty
shortcoming
The ring needs to be disassembled when the report is generated
Go2sleep Ring Specifications: Material: Acrylic/PC+ABS Plastic | Battery Life: Three Days | Sizes: Silicone Finger Cots in Three Sizes | Compatibility: iOS and Android: | Durability: Waterproof | Charging: Two Hours Magnetic Charging
The Go2sleep ring is dedicated to one function: tracking your sleep based on heart rate, blood oxygen levels and heart rate variability. If you or anyone in your family suffers from a sleep condition, this ring could be a helpful tool.
You can share data with family members on the app to learn more about their sleep habits, and even download your sleep report as an Excel file to show your healthcare provider.
Advanced technology wakes you up during your lightest sleep phase in the morning, so you won’t feel disoriented when you wake up. The Go2sleep ring automatically syncs with the Health app on your iOS device and features a ring finder so you can find your device if it’s misplaced.
What Can an NFC Ring Be Used For?
NFC rings can be used in many situations where users need a convenient way to share information or interact with an NFC-enabled device.
Digital Business Cards
An NFC ring can work as a wearable digital business card.
Instead of handing someone a traditional card, the user can tap the ring against a compatible smartphone to share contact information.
A digital profile may include:
- Name
- Company
- Phone number
- Website
- Social media profiles
This makes NFC rings useful for networking, sales teams, events and promotional activities.
Website and Digital Information Sharing
An NFC ring can be programmed with a URL that directs a smartphone to a website or landing page.
Businesses can use this function to connect customers with:
- Product information
- Company websites
- Campaign pages
- Social profiles
- Registration pages
- Digital menus
- Promotional content
The destination can be changed depending on the NFC chip and programming method.
Contactless Information Sharing
NFC rings can also be used to share information without typing a URL or manually entering contact details.
For example, a ring may be configured to share a contact profile, Wi-Fi information or another supported digital record.
Events and Membership
NFC rings can be used as wearable identifiers for events, membership programs and promotional activities when integrated with a compatible NFC system.
The ring can provide a convenient way to identify a user or connect them with a digital profile.
Identification and Access Applications
Depending on the NFC chip, reader and access-control system, NFC rings can also be used for identification or access-related applications.
However, not every NFC ring works with every access-control system. Compatibility should always be confirmed with the system provider before production.
NFC Ring vs. Smart Ring: What’s the Difference?
Although the terms NFC ring and smart ring are sometimes used interchangeably, they can refer to very different types of products.
| Feature | NFC Ring | Health Smart Ring |
|---|---|---|
| NFC Data Sharing | Yes | Model dependent |
| Contactless Interaction | Yes | Model dependent |
| Digital Business Card | Yes | Limited |
| Website Sharing | Yes | Limited |
| Health Tracking | Usually No | Yes |
| Sleep Tracking | Usually No | Yes |
| Battery Required | Usually No | Usually Yes |
| Charging | Usually No | Usually Yes |
| Access Applications | Model dependent | Model dependent |
| Custom Branding | Available for custom NFC rings | Usually limited |
The main difference is the primary purpose.
Health-focused smart rings use sensors, batteries and mobile applications to monitor personal health and activity.
NFC rings are typically designed around contactless communication, digital information sharing and NFC-based interactions.
Some products may combine NFC with other smart functions, so specifications should be checked before choosing a ring.
How to Choose the Best NFC Ring
The best NFC ring depends on the application rather than simply the appearance of the ring.
1. Consider the NFC Application
First determine what you want the ring to do.
For example:
- Digital business card
- Website sharing
- Contact sharing
- Marketing
- Event identification
- Membership
- Access-related applications
The application determines which chip and programming method may be appropriate.
2. Choose the Right NFC Chip
Common NFC chip options include:
- NTAG213
- NTAG215
- NTAG216
These chips offer different memory capacities and can be selected according to the amount of information that needs to be stored.
For a simple URL or digital business card, a lower-memory chip may be sufficient. More data-intensive applications may require a higher-capacity chip.
3. Check Smartphone Compatibility
If the ring is intended for smartphone interaction, check compatibility with the target devices.
NFC functionality can vary depending on the phone model, operating system and application.
For business projects, it is better to test the final NFC configuration on the actual devices used by customers or employees.
4. Choose the Ring Size
Ring size is particularly important for NFC wearables because the product is intended to be worn continuously.
Before bulk production, confirm:
- Inner diameter
- Ring size
- Target user group
- Size range
- Sample fit
A size sample or ring sizing kit can help reduce ordering errors.
5. Consider Material and Design
The material affects appearance, durability and overall product positioning.
Depending on the design, NFC rings may use materials such as:
- Stainless steel
- Ceramic
- Epoxy
- Other custom materials
For business applications, the ring can also be customized with a logo, pattern, finish or packaging.
Custom NFC Rings for Business
For businesses, a custom NFC ring can be more useful than a consumer smart ring because the NFC function can be configured around a specific application.
Newbega provides NFC ring solutions for applications such as digital business cards, contactless information sharing, marketing, membership and events.
Depending on the project, NFC rings can be configured with different chip options, sizes, materials and designs.
Custom options may include:
- NTAG213, NTAG215 or NTAG216 chips
- Custom ring sizes
- Custom materials
- Logo and branding
- NFC programming
- Individual URLs
- Custom packaging
For bulk orders, the NFC chip and programming method can be selected according to the intended application and required data capacity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an NFC ring?
An NFC ring is a wearable ring containing an NFC chip that can communicate with compatible smartphones or readers for contactless data sharing and other NFC applications.
What can an NFC ring do?
An NFC ring can be used for digital business cards, website sharing, contact sharing, identification, events, membership and other NFC applications, depending on the chip and system configuration.
Does an NFC ring need to be charged?
Most passive NFC rings do not require a battery or charging for basic NFC functions. The NFC chip can be activated by the electromagnetic field generated by a compatible smartphone or reader.
Can an NFC ring work with an iPhone?
Many NFC rings can interact with NFC-enabled iPhones for supported NFC functions. However, the exact experience depends on the iPhone model, operating system and how the NFC ring is programmed.
What is the difference between an NFC ring and a smart ring?
An NFC ring is primarily designed for contactless communication and digital interaction, while a health-focused smart ring typically uses sensors and a battery to track metrics such as sleep, heart rate and activity.
Can NFC rings be customized?
Yes. Custom NFC rings can be produced with different chip options, sizes, materials, logos and NFC programming depending on the supplier and application.
Which NFC chip is best for an NFC ring?
NTAG213, NTAG215 and NTAG216 are common options. The right chip depends on the amount of data required and the intended application.