Ultrahuman Ring Air Review: Lightweight & Innovative Smart Ring
Two Aussie women have shared the ‘game-changer’ gadget that dramatically improved their health and fitness.
We may receive payments from third parties for sharing this content, and when you purchase through links in this article. Product prices and offer details are not assured, and should be confirmed independently with the retailer. Learn more
As I barrel through my 30s at an alarming rate, I’ve realised something that feels very adult to admit: your health and wellbeing actually matter (shocking, I know). I’ve never been into fitness trackers – I’ve so far resisted the Apple Watch – but this year I kept hearing whispers about smart rings.
Suddenly, they were everywhere and I found myself … ring-curious.
A smart ring appealed to me instantly. Instead of a chunky, ugly watch screaming “fitness tracker” to the world, a ring felt understated, sleek and actually wearable 24/7 (I refuse to wear a watch to sleep).
More importantly, the focus wasn’t just on fitness metrics but on overall wellbeing: sleep, stress, recovery, temperature, even cycle tracking. That’s the stuff I actually cared about.
So, I took the plunge and got myself an Ultrahuman Ring AIR. Unlike the popular Oura Ring, it’s a one-time purchase – no subscription fees – and promises all the same insights (plus a few extra).
Three months later, I can honestly say it’s life-changing. My sleep has improved dramatically and I feel more in tune with my body day to day.
To see if it could do the same for others, I roped in news.com.au lifestyle reporter Eleanor Wicklund to test it out too.
NEED TO KNOW
- The Ultrahuman Ring AIR is the world’s lightest smart ring, designed to improve sleep, boost recovery and optimise recovery.
- It costs $599 as a one-time purchase with no ongoing subscription fees, unlike the Oura Ring.
- It comes with a stack of smart health insights – from sleep, recovery, performance to circadian rhythm, cycle and caffeine tracking, it covers more than the basics.
- It’s best suited for people who want to track their overall health and optimise wellness routine, rather than for hardcore fitness insights.
Ultrahuman Ring Air, $599 at Amazon
Ultrahuman Ring Air
For anyone serious about sleep and overall wellbeing over fitness metrics
Tried and Tested by Melody Teh, news.com.au checkout Deputy Editor
I am, in a word, obsessed. These days, the first thing I check in the morning isn’t social media but my Ultrahuman app to see my sleep score. Hooked? Definitely. But also, incredibly helpful. Being able to see exactly how I slept – my sleep cycles, how quickly I drifted off, when my heart rate dropped, how often I tossed and turned – has made me far more conscious of my sleep and how to improve it.
Like most wearables, the Ultrahuman Ring AIR gives you all the health insights you want: heart rate, body temperature, stress, sleep, recovery scores and so on. But what sets it apart is how it interprets your data. Instead of throwing generic tips at you, it makes personalised suggestions. If you’ve built up sleep debt, it’ll nudge you towards an earlier bedtime. Rested and recovered? Your “caffeine window” extends. It sends weekly reports with practical ways to tweak your routine. Honestly, the caffeine guidance alone has been a game-changer for my energy levels.
That’s not to say it’s perfect. Step tracking is the weakest point. I often find it wildly overcounts compared with my iPhone, which makes me less inclined to trust it. And, like any ring, it’s not ideal for weightlifting. I prefer to take it off so it doesn’t get scratched or dig into my fingers. On runs though, it’s excellent: heart rate zones, average pace, routes – all tracked accurately.
I particularly love the cycle tracking. It uses biomarkers like temperature and HRV to suggest when to rest or push harder. It even picked up when I was coming down with something based on a temperature shift.
When you add in circadian rhythm insights, sun exposure tracking (I was shocked by how little winter light I was getting), and stress monitoring, this ring lets you see the full picture on your health and wellbeing.
After three months of wearing it every single day, I’m 100 per cent convinced this smart ring is absolutely worth it. It doesn’t broadcast “fitness tracker,” it’s comfortable to wear 24/7 and it genuinely helps me improve my health with minimal effort.
For anyone who wants data-driven health insights without looking like a tech gadget
Tried and Tested by Eleanor Wicklund, news.com.au Lifestyle Reporter
I’ve never been into wearables. Smartwatches look like you’re in Spy Kids, and fitness bands remind me of the 10,000-step craze, and the whole thing feels … a bit Silicon Valley tech bro.
But the Ultrahuman Ring AIR feels different. It’s gold (to match my jewellery), ultralight, and subtle enough that it mostly passes as a chic accessory. Until someone asks what it is – at which point, I get to smugly explain it’s an Ultrahuman ring, which sounds badass.
Unlike most trackers obsessed with steps and calories, the Ultrahuman Ring Air focuses on the often overlooked metrics that actually impact how you feel day-to-day.
Sleep quality, stress rhythm, heart rate variability, recovery … the less sexy stuff, but the insights that will actually explain why you’re either thriving or crashing.
The sleep insights are my favourite. It doesn’t just give me a quantifiable score, which I can use to compete, I mean compare with my husband’s, but it actually breaks down my REM, deep sleep and restlessness. It even counts my sleep cycles – which is so helpful in working out why I might feel groggy on some mornings, despite getting my eight hours.
It’s also strangely motivating – like something I want to secretly impress. Seeing my caffeine window closing makes me want to make a Sensible Decision and turn down that 3pm matcha like a responsible adult. Every time I do, I feel like I get a metaphorical gold star from my little ring, and it’s an incentive to keep behaving.
Same for my workouts. Whether I’m doing rhythm riding or weights, I can see how hard I’ve pushed and how well I’m recovering, based on different things like sleep or going to the sauna. On long office days, it reminds me to get up and actually see the outside world. It’s a polite nudge, but one I’ve actually started listening to.
I will say, when I first looked at the app’s interface, it was a tad overwhelming. There’s A LOT this ring can track. But my advice is to focus on the things you actually care about, and don’t get bogged down in the stuff you don’t.
Overall, I’d definitely recommend this ring if you’re after an accessible biohacking device that not only looks good but also tracks accurately and provides valuable insights to help optimise your life.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How easy is it to set up?
Melody: Before you commit, I’d recommend getting the $10 sizing kit. It comes with ten sample rings to test over a couple of days (definitely sleep in them to see how they feel as that’s when I noticed comfort most). You also get colour samples to help you choose. Once I’d picked my size, the ring came quickly and setup was a breeze: charge the ring, download the app, pair, and wear. Lots of data like sleep, heart rate and stress show up straight away but it takes a couple of weeks to build a really accurate picture of your health.
Eleanor: Surprisingly yes. The sizing kit arrives first, so you’re not left guessing which ring size you are, or awkwardly measuring your finger with a piece of string. Once it arrives, charging it and pairing it with the app takes maybe five minutes, and you’re basically off. When it’s charged, you literally just pop on the ring and it’s good to go.
What does it look and feel like?
Melody: The ring is made from titanium and weighs between 2.4-3.6 grams – it’s seriously lightweight. It comes in six colours: Air Gold, Rose Gold, Air Silver, Raw Titanium, Aster Black, and Matte Grey. It’s sleek, subtle and also waterproof so you can wash your hands, shower and swim without taking it off.
Eleanor: It’s discreet enough that it could just look like any other gold ring, but unique enough that those in the know will instantly recognise it as a smart ring.
You see, it doesn’t look particularly techy, unless you look on the inside of it, so you can get away with wearing it with more dressy outfits and it blends in seamlessly with your other accessories.
How’s the battery life?
Melody: Ultrahuman claims the battery lasts four to six days, but in reality I found it got closer to three on full mode. Switching to “Chill Mode” (which scales back certain features) stretched it much further but I preferred the extra insights from full mode. Be aware that workout mode drains it quicker. Charging is easy – simply pop it on the included dock and it’s full in about three hours. The app also gives you a low battery notification at 30 per cent.
Eleanor: One thing I like about this ring (as opposed to a fitness watch I’ve owned in the past) is just how long the battery life lasts. It sees me through easily from Monday through Friday, meaning I charge it on the weekend and am ready to go for the next week.
I also liked that you could choose battery usage modes, depending on how you use your ring the most, to stretch the battery life even further.
Do you need the app?
Yes, the Ultrahuman app is where all your data lives. This is where you’ll see all your metrics in one easy-to-digest feed. If you want more detail, you can tap on any card to dive deeper. At the top of the app, there’s a calendar view so you can compare your stats week by week, and the profile tab gives you full weekly reports. The app also comes with bonus “plug-in” tools like caffeine tracking, plus free workout content including HIIT, pilates, yoga, meditation, and breathwork.
How does it compare to the Oura Ring?
I haven’t personally worn an Oura but on paper the Ultrahuman has many of the same health and wellness features. The biggest win? No subscription fees. Oura requires a monthly membership to access your data while Ultrahuman Air Ring is a one-time purchase. Once you factor in ongoing costs, Ultrahuman actually works out cheaper.
Is is worth it?
Melody: For me, yes. The Ultrahuman AIR Ring has made me sleep better, feel better, and actually understand my body. I love that it focuses on overall wellbeing and it’s genuinely been useful in helping me reduce stress, lower my heart rate and get better sleep. It’s sleek, comfortable, and doesn’t scream “fitness tracker” so I’ve happily worn in 24/7 for the last three months and will continue to do so. There’s no denying it’s expensive piece of tech, but for anyone curious about smart rings, this ring is a game-changer and one of the smartest health investments you can make.
Eleanor: If you want something that just counts steps, this isn’t it. But if you want to get into the nitty gritty of your health, then this is for you. It’s perfect for data-curious types, people flirting with biohacking and anyone who has found themselves saying more often than not, “I should really stop doomscrolling and get more sleep”.
To stay across the latest products, sales, deals and more, sign up to the news.com.au checkout newsletter here.
‘Quick, easy’: App solves Boomer nightmare
Gadget ends Aussie’s all-time revenge habit
Apple’s $40 solution to worst travel nightmare
There’s no need to suffer this common but devastating loss again with this genius feature update.
‘Effortless’ app to keep you safe online
Keep your personal data private with our top picks on VPN services you can install right now.