Wearable devices have exploded in popularity in recent years, promising effortless 24/7 health tracking. Smartwatches and fitness bands may dominate, but an innovative new form factor is emerging — the smart ring. Leading this next wave is the Ultrahuman Ring Air, a highly advanced health optimization ring packed with health signs tracking and actionable insights.
This article shows how the Ultrahuman Ring Air outperforms competitors like the Oura Ring with revolutionary sensor capabilities, a variety of tracking options, and advanced software to help you improve every aspect of your health and performance.
Before analyzing the Ultrahuman Ring Air’s capabilities, let’s look at the basics of these futuristic devices.
Smart rings house an array of miniaturized sensors in a slender, ring-shaped band worn comfortably on the finger for seamless 24/7 health tracking and optimization.
They utilize advanced sensor technologies including:
Photoplethysmography Sensors (PPG): Utilize infrared LED lights to precisely detect volume changes in blood vessels and calculate heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV), and blood oxygen saturation levels.
Accelerometers and Gyroscopes: Track fine-tuned movement patterns including steps taken, calories burned, sleep disturbances, and the orientation and rotation of the ring.
Temperature Sensors: Monitor minute changes in skin temperature, especially nighttime body temperature drops and fluctuations indicative of circadian rhythms.
The measurements collected by these sensors are processed by sophisticated algorithms that provide a complex picture of sleep quality, activity level, cardiovascular health, recovery capacity, and overall physiological performance.
The top advantages of smart rings over traditional health wearables include:
Now let’s examine how the Ultrahuman Ring Air pushes smart ring innovation further than the current pacesetter, the Oura Ring.
The table below highlights the key hardware specifications and feature differences between the Ultrahuman Ring Air and the latest generation Oura Ring Gen 3:
Ultrahuman Ring Air |
||
---|---|---|
Dimensions |
8.1mm x 2.5mm |
9.0mm x 2.55mm |
Weight |
2.4g — 3.6g |
4g — 6g |
Battery Life |
Up to 6 days |
3-7 days |
Sensors |
PPG, temperature, SpO2, 6-axis motion |
PPG, temperature, SpO2 |
Heart Rate Tracking |
Continuous 24/7 monitoring |
Sleep and workouts only |
Sleep Tracking & Analysis |
Advanced stages, quality metrics, circadian guidance |
Sleep Score and stages |
Readiness Tracking |
Holistic Recovery Index |
Readiness Score |
Workout Tracking & Insights |
Real-time stats and tracking |
Auto-detection, basic insights |
App Experience |
Robust data visualization and insights |
More polished UI |
Cost |
$349 one-time payment |
$299 + $5.99/month fee |
With a slimmer, lighter design, longer battery life, 24/7 heart rate monitoring, and no subscriptions, the Ultrahuman Ring Air pulls ahead on cutting-edge hardware and software capabilities. But let’s delve deeper into the key differentiating features.
Sleep quality profoundly impacts everything from mood and mental performance to immunity and heart health. The Ring Air provides unrivaled sleep tracking and guidance through its advanced photoplethysmography sensor paired with a high-precision temperature sensor.
It uses an infrared light source to accurately detect sleep stages including light, deep, REM, and awake time in minute detail. The Ring Air’s Sleep Index algorithm then processes sleep stage data along with heart rate variability to generate a personalized 0-100 sleep performance score. You can compare your score to benchmarks based on thousands of other Ultrahuman users to better understand your sleep quality.
But the Ring Air goes further by mapping your temperature data during sleep to identify your unique circadian rhythm patterns. It then provides customized guidance on when you should start winding down before bed and recommends ideal morning and evening routines to align with your natural circadian phase. Helps regulate sleep-wake cycle for more consistent and enhanced sleep quality.
The Ring Air also utilizes two advanced heart rate variability (HRV) metrics — RMSSD and SDNN — to further quantify sleep performance.
RMSSD (root mean square of successive differences) tracks short-term, day-to-day HRV changes influenced by parasympathetic nervous system activity.
SDNN (standard deviation of normal-to-normal intervals) assesses long-term HRV trends.
Higher HRV is associated with better sleep and the ability to handle stress.
Oura’s sleep tracking feels basic in comparison. It assigns a sleep score and tracks stages but lacks personalized circadian alignment guidance or HRV quantification. For truly optimal, science-backed sleep improvement, the Ultrahuman Ring Air is in a class of its own.
Heart health impacts everything from energy levels to disease risk. The Ring Air provides unmatched 24/7 cardiovascular monitoring and health insight generation through the continuous tracking of resting heart rate, heart rate variability, and blood oxygen saturation.
Abnormal resting heart rate and HRV patterns often signal developing illness and high-stress levels before other symptoms appear. Lower nighttime blood oxygen can indicate possible breathing issues.
By using advanced PPG and SpO2 sensors to monitor these metrics day and night, the Ring Air allows you to make proactive lifestyle modifications to enhance heart health. You can also get notified when readings may warrant medical evaluation for underlying conditions.
Oura’s lack of continuous heart rate data severely limits its ability to provide holistic health analysis. Only the Ring Air offers 24/7 surveillance and actionable guidance to optimize cardiovascular well-being around the clock.
Both Oura and Ultrahuman aim to quantify your daily capacity for physical and cognitive exertion via their recovery/readiness scores. But the Ring Air’s Recovery Index delivers far deeper personalization for performance optimization.
It synthesizes heart rate variability, resting heart rate, sleep efficiency, skin temperature, and even subjective user feedback into a single 0-100 recovery score. Benchmark comparisons indicate how your level of recovery compares to that of thousands of other Ultrahuman users.
Oura’s Readiness Score only looks at sleep and activity data, lacking key variables like skin temperature and continuous heart rate that can significantly impact recovery needs and capacity. The Ring Air also uniquely customizes your recovery insights based on your own perceived recovery levels.
By correlating objective, continuous health signs with your subjective input, the Ring Air provides science-backed optimization of workout intensity, activity levels, and recovery periods for maximized daily performance.
For fitness and athletics, tracking workouts can unlock improved conditioning and results. But Oura completely lacks this capability while the Ring Air pulls far ahead for workout optimization.
Its built-in 6-axis motion tracking automatically detects when you start exercising. But the newly added real-time workout mode takes health signs workout tracking to the next level, harnessing connected GPS to record key data like heart rate zones, calories burned, workout splits, elevation, and more.
You can view a detailed breakdown of training intensity, cardio response, splits, and recovery metrics after each session. The Ring Air provides unparalleled workout performance tracking and maximization among smart wearables.
Oura has no workout tracking whatsoever — it simply senses basic exercise start/stop times with no real-time stats. Only the Ultrahuman Ring Air offers the health signs insights athletes need to optimize their training.
The Ultrahuman and Oura apps both allow you to access your accumulated health metrics. However, the Ring Air app excels in the depth of data available along with next-level personalization.
You can view your Sleep, Recovery, and Activity Indexes on the main dashboard along with shortcuts to dig deeper into each metric. Customizable widgets and charts let you configure data visualization tailored to your needs.
But what sets Ultrahuman apart is how the app contextualizes your data into personalized guidance. Based on your health signs, it offers specific tips to optimize sleeping, enhance workout recovery, reduce stress, improve nutrition, and more. Oura simply presents raw data without prescriptive recommendations.
The Ring Air seamlessly integrates with Ultrahuman’s complete ecosystem for maximizing human performance including:
Continuous Glucose Tracking: Ultrahuman’s metabolic health program involves wearing a secondary device that tracks glucose from interstitial fluid. You gain ultra-personalized insights into how your unique body responds to foods, activities, sleep, and stress.
Workout Recommendations: Based on your fitness level, goals, and health signs, you get suggested audio and video workouts to match your needs and capacity for workout planning optimization.
Fitness and Wellness Content Library: 1000+ on-demand classes for training, meditation, nutrition education, and more. Live classes coming soon that adapt in real-time based on your health signs response.
Personalized Nutrition Insights: Later this year, you’ll get AI-generated nutrition and recipe guidance tailored to your tastes, goals, and biomarker feedback rather than generalized advice.
App Improvements: The app evolves rapidly with new modes and Ultrahuman promises all updates at no cost and without limiting access to your data. Exciting upcoming enhancements include social engagement, women’s health insights, and more.
This integrated ecosystem for data-driven human enhancement makes the Ultrahuman Ring Air the center of a cutting-edge,science-backed optimization platform unmatched by any wearable.
For $349, you get the Ring Air’s state-of-the-art sensor technology and access to all software features included — no annoying monthly subscriptions or loss of access to your data. And it lasts 6 days between charges so you can wear it day and night without disruption.
Oura users pay $349 upfront and then $5.99 per month after 6 months to maintain full app functionality and access to the ring’s tracking data. This essentially “locks” you out of the product you purchased unless you keep paying recurring fees.
The Ring Air eliminates this paywall approach, a refreshing change for the wearables space. All your data is always accessible with premium hardware at a single upfront cost.
Before purchasing smart ring, you’ll want to understand the key technical capabilities:
Sizing: The Ring Air ranges from size 6 to 13. Ultrahuman provides a sizing kit option or you can use their app’s e-sizing tool to determine your ideal fit.
Materials: An aerospace-grade Titanium alloy band coated in scratch-resistant DLC carbon-based coating surrounds the inner epoxy resin shell housing the sensors for durability and comfort.
Water Resistance: With a rating of up to 100 meters, you can comfortably wear the Ring Air swimming, bathing, or in wet conditions without taking it off.
Battery Life: A full charge reliably delivers 5-6 days of usage before needing a recharge. Charging takes 1.5 to 2 hours.
Mobile OS Compatibility: Syncing the ring’s data requires an iPhone model with iOS 14 or later, or an Android phone model running Android 8 or newer.
Supported Languages: The app currently supports English, Japanese, German, French, Spanish, and Italian languages.
Data Security: All data transmission and cloud storage follows strict encryption protocols to safeguard user privacy. No personally identifiable data is ever shared or sold.
As you can see, the Ring Air boasts robust capabilities under the hood to power its advanced tracking and insights.
Thanks to its aerospace materials and streamlined design, the Ultrahuman Ring Air weighs just 2.4 — 3.6 grams depending on the size selected. This is over 30% lighter than the 4-6 gram Oura ring, making it one of the lightest and most wearable smart rings ever made.
It achieves this feather-like weight while retaining a slim, comfortable profile at just 2.5 millimeters thick. The edges are smoothly contoured with no external sensors or segments that could dig into adjacent fingers.
Inside, Ultrahuman utilizes its patented epoxy resin to encase sensors, yielding a smooth hypoallergenic surface optimized for 24/7 skin contact. A proprietary antimicrobial nanocoating further reduces any skin irritation risks from continuous wear.
For sizing, both Ultrahuman and Oura provide sizing kits you can order to properly gauge finger dimensions before selecting a size online. Sizes range from 6 to 13 for optimally snug yet comfortable wear.
Ultrahuman’s aerospace materials feel silky smooth yet durable enough for daily wear. And at just over 2 grams, you’ll barely notice the Ring Air on your finger. Oura’s bulkier titanium build feels noticeably heavier in comparison.
For swimmers and active users, both rings deliver water resistance up to 100 meters depth making them safe to never take off if desired.
Convenient charging is crucial for a device designed to be worn 24/7. Both Oura and Ultrahuman optimize battery life for multiple days of use before needing a recharge while minimizing size.
The Ring Air lasts approximately 5-6 days between charges based on typical usage. Oura states their ring endures 3-7 days on average between charges depending on settings and usage. For both, battery longevity declines moderately from the rated specs over years of use.
Charging uses included inductive chargers — the ring wirelessly recharges by simply placing it on the charging pad. Ultrahuman cites 1.5 to 2 hours for a full Ring Air charge while Oura claims 80 minutes.
For active users who don’t want yet another device to charge daily, the Ring Air’s battery efficiency gives it a slight edge. But both sufficiently outpace old-school smartwatches that may need nightly charging.
To sync your smart ring’s data and access metrics on the app, your iPhone or Android phone will need to meet a few compatibility requirements:
Operating System: Ultrahuman requires a model running Android 8 or newer. Oura supports Android models with OS 6 and above. For iPhones, both mandate iOS 12 or later.
Bluetooth: Connectivity relies on Bluetooth 5.0 LE (Low Energy) to link the ring and phone. Ensure your phone supports this Bluetooth version.
App Integrations: The Ring Air conveniently exports activity and workout data automatically to Apple Health. Oura does not currently integrate with Health.
Before purchasing, check your phone against Ultrahuman’s and Oura’s compatibility lists to guarantee full integration.
It’s important to remember these consumer wearables rely on algorithmic estimation — they don’t provide definitive medical-grade accuracy on all metrics. However, today’s miniaturization and sophisticated data science make them impressively reliable considering their non-invasive nature.
For foundational metrics like steps counted, calories burned, sleep stage times, and heart rate, both Oura and Ultrahuman demonstrate over 90% average accuracy compared to clinical benchmarks. They also excel at detecting sleep interruptions and disturbances.
But for more complex generalized assessments like overall fitness levels and blood oxygen saturation, readings should be interpreted more loosely as general indicators of direction rather than stone-cold facts.
Machine learning capabilities and sensor precision continue to evolve, and soon we can expect improvements in the accuracy and personalization of data analysis. But today’s top smart rings already provide accurate tracking to optimize your sleep, fitness, and overall well-being.
In the emerging smart ring space, Ultrahuman’s flagship Ring Air leads the pack when it comes to multi-faceted tracking, personalized guidance, future-proof ecosystem integration, and premium features without recurring costs.
But how does the ring enhance your health, fitness, and performance?
The Ring Air’s unparalleled sleep stage tracking and circadian rhythm guidance help you fall asleep faster, sleep more soundly, and wake up feeling refreshed. Consistently higher quality sleep pays dividends across all aspects of life.
24/7 heart rate tracking enables early illness detection while providing insights to improve resting rate, HRV, and oxygen saturation through lifestyle and nutrition adjustments.
Optimally balance training, activity, and recovery each day based on your personalized Recovery Index score incorporating sleep, health signs, and your subjective input.
Log and monitor heart rate zones, pace, form, splits, and intensity during workouts. Unlock your fitness potential with a deeper understanding of your physiology
Here is a draft conclusion to complete the article:
The era of smart rings has arrived, spearheaded by Ultrahuman’s game-changing Ring Air. With its unmatched array of health signs tracking, prescriptive personalization, and future-forward connectivity, the Ring Air ushers in the next generation of wearable technology.
While the Oura Ring deserves credit for early innovation in this space, its limitations have become apparent when compared side-by-side with Ultrahuman’s latest offering. Lack of continuous heart rate data, guided insights, workout tracking, and annoying recurring subscription fees hamper Oura’s value.
In just about every area, the Ultrahuman Ring Air represents a dramatic leap forward that sets a new bar for the category. No other smart ring or wearable can match its powerful capabilities across sleep optimization, 24/7 health tracking, personalized recovery insights, and precise workout performance optimization.
And this is only the beginning. With a robust ecosystem and app improvements coming, the potential for Ultrahuman’s platform grows exponentially. They have effectively future-proofed the value of the Ring Air as more integrations roll out over time.
For consumers seeking the most cutting-edge wearable experience that doesn’t compromise style or comfort, the Ring Air delivers the human upgrade we’ve been waiting for. Both are simple to use yet staggeringly advanced under the hood.
Ultrahuman has achieved the impossible: packing lab-grade health signs tracking technology into an elegant ring form factor. If you’re ready to take a giant leap forward for your health, fitness, and quality of life, the Ring Air awaits. The future starts today.
Question: What is the Ultrahuman AIR Ring?
Answer: The Ultrahuman AIR Ring is a modern piece of jewelry that combines cutting-edge technology with elegant design.
Question: What functions does this ring offer?
Answer: Beyond its aesthetic beauty, the Ultrahuman AIR Ring can perform various functions such as tracking physical activity, monitoring health metrics, and even receiving notifications from your smartphone.
Question: What materials is the Ultrahuman AIR Ring made of?
Answer: The ring is crafted from the aerospace-grade Titanium alloy band coated in scratch-resistant DLC carbon-based coating surrounds the inner epoxy resin shell housing the sensors for durability and comfort.
Question: Is the ring waterproof?
Answer: Yes, the Ultrahuman AIR Ring is waterproof, making it an ideal accessory for an active lifestyle.
Question: Where can I purchase the Ultrahuman AIR Ring?
Answer: You can buy the Ultrahuman AIR Ring from the company’s official website or from authorized dealers.
Question: What is the warranty on the Ultrahuman AIR Ring?
Answer The Ultrahuman AIR Ring comes with a manufacturer’s warranty, which typically lasts for one year.
Question: Can I customize the design of the ring?
Answer: Yes, Ultrahuman offers customization options that allow you to make your ring unique.
Question: Is the ring compatible with my smartphone?
Answer: The Ultrahuman AIR Ring is compatible with most modern smartphones and can be synchronized via a specialized app.
Question: How is the Ultrahuman AIR Ring charged?
Answer: The ring features wireless charging capabilities and can last up to 7 days on a single charge.
Question: What should I do if the ring is broken or lost?
Answer: In case of breakage or loss, it is recommended to contact Ultrahuman’s customer support for a resolution.
26.09.2023