How we test smart rings at ZDNET in 2025 [Video]

Smart rings might be a novel 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 testing them ourselves. To gain 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, …