After connected watches and activity bracelets, here comes the time for connected rings, or how to collect health data without the hassle. And with its reasonable price, the Ice Ring has arguments to seduce.
A few weeks ago, we tested the Smart One, the first connected watch from Ice Watch. A specialist in trendy fashion watches for years, we were somewhat disappointed with an unsuccessful model (read our test). But the Belgian company has not said its last word. She is now back not with an activity bracelet but with a connected ring. Surprising and risky bet. A connected ring requires a lot of know-how to be able to integrate so much technology into an object as small as a ring to put on the finger without it adopting a crude look and becoming annoying on a daily basis. . Without forgetting an essential point: reliability. Because if the data collected is crazy, the ring is useless.
Ice Watch is not the first to embark on the adventure of connected rings. Oura Ring dominates the market with already its third version of its eponymous ring (from 329 euros) backed by a monthly subscription of 5.99 euros. We also count with the French from Circular Ring and their Pro (359 euros) or Slim (264 euros) models. Other players are also in the race but we are mainly waiting for Samsung which should soon deliver its vision of the connected ring with its Galaxy Ring. So, Ice Watch is entering a market which has not yet really taken off but where competition is already tough. However, the brand has one asset going for it: the price. The Ice Ring is priced at 199 euros, much less than what the competition offers. Is the price argument enough to tip the scales in its favor? We tested the Ice Ring for several weeks. Here is our verdict.
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Ice Ring: an elegant, light and discreet ring
The finishes are impeccable. This is the first good surprise of this Ice Ring. Available in three colors, gold, silver or black, the ring is also offered in six sizes: 52, 54, 57, 57, 59, 62 and 64. It is better to take the measurement of your finger before choosing. Because the accuracy of the measurements collected throughout the day will depend on the correct fit of the ring. It is also recommended to wear the ring on the index finger.
The outer surface of the Ice Ring is made of titanium. The example tested adopts the silver finish. We wore it on our finger 24 hours a day for two weeks and kept it on during all activities. We did not notice any premature wear or pronounced scratches, either on the surface of the ring or on the edges, although they are thick for a ring (3 mm). So much so that you feel the presence of the ring at the very beginning, especially when you press your fingers together. Then it is forgotten after a few hours. It also measures 7 mm wide for a surprisingly low weight: only 3 g!
The interior of the ring reveals, under a thin layer of transparent plastic, some electronic elements such as the various LED sensors for the heart rate as well as the magnetic pin allowing the device to be recharged. The latter emerges very slightly from the inner side but we do not feel its presence once the ring is slipped on the finger.
Very nice work. Note that, during heart rate measurements, the green LED of the sensor may be visible in the space left between the finger and the ring.
To recharge the ring’s small battery, Ice Watch provides a base on which it is magnetized. It’s visually quite successful.
Finally, note that the Ice Ring benefits from IP68 certification. It is therefore protected against dust but especially against water. You can wash dishes, take a shower or even go swimming with it without risk. It is waterproof up to 5 ATM. Practical.
Ice Ring: a simple application to understand
The companion app that comes with the ring, available for Android and iOS, is a model of simplicity. It first presents a dashboard which summarizes the day. Activity, number of steps taken, calories burned, sleep, heart rate, blood oxygen level (SpO2), heart rate variability (HRV) and finally stress level. It is possible to launch manual measurements (heart rate, HRV, SpO2 and stress). The second tab displays activity tracking on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. The next tab displays sleep tracking in the same way and, finally, the last tab gives access to some settings. You can thus define daily objectives (steps, calories, exercises) or adjust your profile (weight, height, age). Note that on an iPhone, it is possible to link the app with Apple Health for data collection. A well-designed and intuitive app.
Ice Ring: measurements not always reliable
Tracking health data remains the Ice Ring’s raison d’être. The principle of bringing together in such a small object the sensors necessary to take the different measurements mentioned above provides several advantages. First, a ring is less bulky or conspicuous than a watch or a connected bracelet. It also allows you to collect these measurements without sacrificing style. A connected watch or bracelet is not always elegant to wear. Finally, for those who do not like to keep a device on their wrist during the night, the ring is much less intrusive for monitoring sleep. However, to carry out all these tasks, technology must be up to the task. And it is clear that everything is not yet in place.
Cardiac monitoring
We compared the measurements taken by the Ice Ring to those taken from an Apple Watch Ultra. At rest, the two devices agree on the heart rate measured in 98% of cases within one or two BMPs. It’s a good start. In exercise, some larger deviations ranging from 5 to 12 BPM may occur. It’s a little more embarrassing. The Ice Ring is not a device for athletes.
Distance tracking
The Ice Ring does not have a GPS sensor. To calculate distances, it therefore relies on the smartphone’s GPS and its own sensors to calculate the number of steps taken. The test carried out using an iPhone 15 Pro Max supported by an Apple Watch Ultra is clear: the Ice Ring gets a little confused. Out of a distance of 4.64 km indicated by the Apple Watch, the Ice Ring measured only 4.06 km. A difference of more than 12%. This is too much and therefore relatively unreliable once again in the context of sporting use. In the same vein, we noticed a difference in the number of calculated steps of around 17%, with the Ice Ring having a nice tendency to overestimate the measurements.
Finally, we noticed a bug in the app since, after the exercise, the measurements of average BPM, BPM Max and BPM min disappear like the heart rate zones and the steps and strides. Odd.
Sleep tracking
Obviously, the Ice Ring prefers tranquility to agitation. Sleep tracking seems to be quite reliable. We have noted some differences with that noted by the Apple Watch but they remain minimal. The only regret is the impossibility of obtaining more details on the graph displayed. For example, we cannot know the time at which an alarm clock was detected during the night.
Ice Ring: impressive autonomy
To go the distance, the Ice Ring has a 20 mAh battery. A capacity almost 20 times lower than that of a connected watch. However, this is the pleasant surprise: during our test, the Ice Ring displayed six days and six nights of autonomy. An excellent score for such a small device. It must be said that it simply takes a few measurements several times a day (and night), does not have a vibrator and even less of a screen, and does not send any notifications by any means. Besides, we would have appreciated being able to receive a notification when the ring reaches 10% battery remaining. The app only allows you to be informed when the gauge reaches 5%. It’s too fair.
For recharging, Ice Watch therefore provides a base with a magnetic pin and equipped with a USB-C socket (a USB-C/USB-A cable is delivered in the box). Refilling the Ice Ring is relatively quick. Allow around 35 minutes.
Ice Ring: should you go for the Ice Watch connected ring?
For a first foray into the small world of connected rings, Ice Ring is doing quite well. The Belgian brand creates an elegant, robust and durable ring. We welcome the comfortable wearing experience day and night and the water resistance which avoids having to remove the device as soon as you wash your hands, for example. Hats off also to the companion application, clear and intuitive. The few bugs we encountered shouldn’t take much difficulty to resolve with an update. The same cannot be said for the precision of the measurements carried out.
As it stands, the Ice Ring cannot compete with a connected watch or activity bracelet. The differences that we observed in the measurements of heart rate during activity and on the distances traveled turned out to be too significant. On the other hand, for sleep monitoring, the Ice Ring is a good candidate. On the one hand, because the data collected is quite good and, on the other hand, because it is more comfortable to wear during the night than a watch or a bracelet. Ultimately, the Ice Ring may be suitable for anyone who is unmoved by sport or who simply wants to monitor their health from time to time. It’s a good daily companion, what’s more, at the price offered (199 euros) and without a subscription.