I Used a Smart Ring and a Smartwatch Together — Which One Won?
We’ve seen a surge in smart wearables — and now, rings are joining the wrist race. So I wore the Ultrahuman Ring Air and Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 side by side for a week. Here’s how it played out in comfort, features, and daily usefulness.
🏋️♀️ 1. Fitness Tracking
- Smartwatch:
- More detailed step, heart rate, GPS, and active zone tracking
- Great for runners or HIIT fans
- Smart Ring:
- Focused on passive metrics: sleep, readiness, HRV
- No screen = no distractions
- Great for low-effort lifestyle tracking
Verdict: Watch wins for workout junkies, ring wins for recovery nerds.
🛏️ 2. Sleep & Recovery Insights
- Ring:
- Continuous overnight data
- Readiness score every morning
- No buzzing, no screen = better sleep experience
- Watch:
- Sleep stages and snoring detection
- Screen glow can be distracting
Verdict: Ring wins — by a sleep cycle.
🔋 3. Battery & Charging
- Smart Ring:
- 4–6 days battery
- Tiny, discreet charging dock
- Smartwatch:
- 1.5–2 days max
- Larger charger, needs more frequent top-ups
Verdict: Ring wins again for endurance.
📲 4. Notifications & Control
- Smartwatch:
- Handles calls, notifications, music, timers
- Great for glancing during meetings or walks
- Smart Ring:
- No screen, no notifications — purely health-focused
Verdict: Watch wins for multi-taskers.
👕 5. Style & Comfort
- Ring:
- Ultra-light, almost invisible
- No wrist tan, doesn’t snag on sleeves
- Watch:
- Stylish if chosen right — but still bulky for small wrists
Verdict: Tie — depends on your fashion.
⚖️ Final Thoughts: Which One Won?
| Feature | Smart Ring | Smartwatch |
|---|---|---|
| Fitness Tracking | ❌ | ✅ |
| Sleep Tracking | ✅ | ❌ |
| Battery Life | ✅ | ❌ |
| Utility & Control | ❌ | ✅ |
| Comfort & Style | ✅ | ✅ |
Emma’s Winner:
If you love full control and don’t mind charging — go smartwatch.
But if you want peaceful, passive, and accurate wellness tracking, the smart ring surprised me as a true daily companion.
