We Tried The RingConn Gen 2 And Here's What We Thought

As a frequent traveler and outdoor recreation enthusiast, I am always looking for products that help keep me healthy on the go. I consider myself an adventurous person, but I'm also someone who suffers from a lot of health-related anxiety that can sometimes get in the way of an otherwise fun travel experience. When I first read about RingConn, my curiosity peaked. Could this tiny high-tech ring help reduce travel stress and provide me with some much-needed peace of mind, or were the promises of better sleep, less stress, and 24/7 health monitoring too good to be true? When RingConn asked Explore to take their new Gen 2 smart ring for a test drive, I eagerly volunteered. 

RingConn is a lightweight smart ring that uses cutting-edge technology to monitor your health and record the data on a mobile app, which you can view on your smartphone. The ring is about the size of a wedding band and tracks your vitals using sensors on the inner band. The ring is available in three colors (future silver, matte black, and royal gold) and claims to be the lightest and thinnest smart ring on the market. Its sleek black carrying case doubles as its charger, making it perfect for on-the-go use. My RingConn arrived just in time for a long weekend camping trip; here's how I put it to use.

I wore the RingConn Gen 2 constantly while sleeping, hiking, and biking. I also wore it swimming to test if it was really waterproof. The smart ring provides an abundance of health information, and I loved its understated design and lightweight construction. It was comfortable on my hand, and I even occasionally forgot I was wearing it. It took me some time to learn the various functions and figure out the app, but once I did, reviewing my health data was easy and intuitive. Overall, the RingConn Gen 2 is an excellent choice for health-conscious travelers.

The ring provides many of the same insights as popular smartwatches, but it's far less bulky, easier to style with a variety of outfits (I chose matte black so that I could pair it with both silver and gold jewelry), and great for packing as light as possible. Furthermore, my smartwatch isn't easy to keep charged when I'm traveling — the RingConn Gen 2 lasts for around 10 days on a single charge. If you bring along the compact charging case, you can keep the ring charged for more than 150 days without ever plugging it in. The smart ring is also extremely durable and waterproof, making it a great choice for off-the-beaten-path adventures. It's well worth its $299 price tag, and unlike some competitors, there are no subscription fees for using the app and reviewing your data.

RingConn Gen 2 is powered by a built-in body temperature sensor, a PPG sensor to measure your heart rate, and a three-axis accelerometer sensor that measures vibrations to track movement and sleep. I enjoyed checking my vitals on the app during workouts and seeing how my heart rate fluctuates, opening the app each morning to review detailed reports about my sleep patterns and quality. Through the app, I learned I wasn't getting quite enough REM sleep, so I started taking a bit more time to wind down without screens before bed. The ring can even monitor sleep apnea symptoms. Throughout the day, my RingConn also keeps tabs on my stress levels and provides me with a helpful chart to see when my stress peaks so that I can implement better stress management habits. It also tracks my daily movement, helping me reach my fitness goals and ensuring I'm getting my steps in. 

One of my favorite functions of the RingConn Gen 2 smart ring is its ability to predict my menstrual cycle. Using daily measurements of my basal body temperature, the ring is able to tell me exactly when my period will arrive, which is awesome when it comes to planning trips. It allows me to plan my travel for when I won't be menstruating or come prepared if travel is unavoidable at that time. Even better, you can set up reminders right before your period arrives so that you aren't caught unaware on a long travel day. 

Overall, I found the RingConn Gen 2 smart ring to be an amazing option for hassle-free health monitoring on the go. Whether you're looking to keep track of your health while at home or traveling, RingConn's new Gen 2 smart ring has plenty to offer.