Things are hotting up in the smart ring market.
Ringconn launched a Kickstarter for its second-gen product on 1st August 2024 and raised over £1 million in the first 3 days. Add to that Samsung’s Ring launch and all we’re waiting for is for Apple and Google to do the same…maybe not this year though!
RingConn is lighter, smaller and has a longer-lasting 10-day battery and pretty much all the same features plus sleep apnea detection. If you have 200 bucks to spare to risk on the Kickstarter price then go for it. As this is the comapnmy’s second-gen product they have a good track record and plan to start whipping in Sepember 2024.
It’s worth noting that RingConn has already raised the price from the super early-bird price of $179. Hmmm.
Oura Ring 4 is likely to launch soon and we will probably see it head off in a slightly different direction than the competition ie with payment and authentication mechanisms built in. It won’t be cheap! Ultrahuman Ring Air (Reviewed) also has its unique angle and the company is set on building a multi-sensing infrastructure that leverages other sensors to measure indoor air quality and invasive blood glucose measurement.
- Buy: Oura
- Buy: Ultrahuman
- Buy: RingConn
- Buy: Circular Smart Ring
- Buy: Amazfit Helio ring – $
299$201 - Buy: Samsung Ring
Last Updated on 4 October 2026 by the5krunner
Small things I always use
- Garmin 90-degree charging adapter: Charges your Garmin from any USB-C cable. Essential when travelling. I use one.
- Body Glide: The blue anti-chafe stick swimmers and runners carry. I use it.
- Speedo earplugs: Fewer ear infections and no cold-water dizziness. I use them.
- Dryrobe Advance: My winter changing robe for open-water swims. I use one. A cheaper option is the AONYIYI changing robe.
- Maurten: Race fuel that stays easy on the stomach. I use them.
- Garmin charging puck: The quickest way to top up before a session. I use one.
- Injinji: Toe socks that stop rubbing, so you run more. I use them.
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- Compressport R2 v2 calf sleeves: My calf sleeves of choice. I use them.
- Cellucor C4: My pre-workout before hard sessions.
- TPU tubes: Schwalbe Aerothan, Tubolito and Pirelli SmarTube. Light, tiny spares. I use all three.
- G8 insoles: Adjustable insoles that are good. I use them.
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Watches and sensors
- Polar H10: My daily driver for waking HRV.
- Polar Verity Sense: My backup arm-worn HR sensor.
- Nomad bedside charger: Charges my iPhone and Apple Watch overnight. I use it, and many of their bands.
- Train.Red: The best muscle oxygen sensor I’ve used.
- Tymewear: Accurate heart rate and reliable ventilatory zones. I use it to pace endurance rides over an hour.
- Garmin Forerunner 970: A pro-grade triathlon watch. I use this.
- Apple Watch Ultra 4: My daily smartwatch. No phone needed on rides.
- Garmin Fenix 9 Pro: I’ve just bought one.
On the bike
- Continental GP5000 for everyday riding, and Aero 111 on the front for special occasions.
- Helmets: Specialized S-Works Evade 3 for road riding, and Rudy Project Wing for TT-style races. I use both.
- Ravemen FR300: A front light that mounts under your Garmin or Wahoo. I use one.
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- Garmin Varia RTL515: Radar that warns you of cars from behind. I use this model.
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- Favero Assioma Pro RS2: Accurate power pedals that swap easily between bikes. I use this model.
Home and indoor training
- NPE Runn: Makes my basic treadmill smart, sending more accurate speed and distance to my watch and Zwift. I use it.
- Google Wifi: Keeps Zwift connected in my pain cave. I use it.
- Apple TV 4K: Zwift on the big screen. I use two.
- Google Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen): My video doorbell, running in both Google Home and Apple Home. I use it.
Health, recovery and sleep
- FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus: Shows how my blood sugar responds to diet.
- hDrop: Measures my sweat loss in summer and indoors.
- Fourth Frontier Zone: Checks my heart under load in hard sessions.
- Oura Ring 5: My partner’s recovery tracker of choice.
- Kineon MOVE+: Red light therapy for niggles. It works.
- Eight Sleep: A cooling mattress cover my partner and I use nightly.
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tfk is the founder and author of the5krunner, an independent endurance sports technology publication. With 20 years of hands-on testing of GPS watches and wearables, and competing in triathlons at an international age-group level, tfk provides in-depth expert analysis of fitness technology for serious athletes and endurance sport competitors. ID
All i want is a Garmin ring, able to connect to my Edge.
you and lots of other people!
i dont think it will come any time soon tho
first up the ring wouldnt give workout hr that’s actionable or accurate
however a Garmin ring would work as a general avtivity tracker and sleep tracker. That would combine nicely with Edge. Garmin would rather you bought one of their watches for that!