RingConn Gen 2 Air – Is This the Best Budget Smart Ring?
RingConn has launched a budget-friendly version of its smart ring—the Gen 2 Air. I tested it for a month, focusing on key features, battery life, and pricing. This review compares it with the premium Gen 2 to help you decide which one suits you best.
The name RingConn Gen 2 Air was first mentioned in our article about smart rings at CES 2025:
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At the time of CES, RingConn’s exact intentions for this new version were still unclear. However, in early February 2025, the company sent me the RingConn Gen 2 Air for testing under an information embargo, which was originally set to last until March 21.
RingConn has since changed its strategy and is now actively preparing for the official launch.
In this article, I will mainly focus on the differences between RingConn Gen 2 and RingConn Gen 2 Air. Since the first generation is still being sold, I will also include a brief comparison.
So let’s get started! 💥
📦 Packaging Evolution
Having all three existing generations/models of RingConn smart rings allows us to observe how their packaging has evolved:
The RingConn Gen 2 Air comes in the most compact packaging, aligning with its focus as an affordable smart ring option.
🔌 Charging
The Gen 2 Air features a USB-C charging dock, differing from the charging case provided with Gen 1 and Gen 2 models. The charging case allows up to 150 days without needing an outlet, thanks to its built-in battery.
In contrast, the Gen 2 Air's charging dock must always be connected to a USB-C power source. The dock appears to be universal and likely capable of charging different ring sizes.
📐 Dimensions and Weight
In my review of the Gen 2, I praised its light weight. How does the Gen 2 Air compare? Here's a comparison of the weights for all three models (size 9):
- RingConn Gen1: 3.40 g
- RingConn Gen2: 2.48 g
- RingConn Gen 2 Air: 3.18 g
Thus, the RingConn Gen 2 Air is lighter than Gen1 but heavier than Gen2. This aligns with RingConn's statements regarding materials: the Air is made from stainless steel, while the Gen2 is crafted from titanium. In terms of dimensions, the Air is identical to the Gen2.
The overall width of the Air matches that of the Gen2. It retains RingConn's distinctive design, lightweight build, and favorable dimensions.
🌈 Visual Aspects
The Air is available in two metallic shades: Dune Gold and Galaxy Silver.
In my comparison, the Galaxy Silver appears very similar to the silver Gen2. A new feature is the indicator for the correct ring orientation on the finger:
💍Protective Rings
RingConn has expanded its offering of silicone protective rings ("Ring Protectors") that can be placed over the smart ring, allowing users to "change its appearance according to style".
🔋 Battery
The Air's battery life is reportedly up to 10 days, whereas the Gen2 offers up to 12 days. I've initiated battery tests by charging both the Gen2 and Air to 100% and will share the results below.
Here are the estimated durations for size 9 rings:
📱 Application
The RingConn app for the Air is the same as for Gen1 and Gen2, with slight differences.
According to RingConn, the Air version offers the following functionalities:
Notably, Sleep Apnea Monitoring is absent from the Air's feature set. In the current app version (3.4.0), this is somewhat confusing; initiating sleep apnea monitoring in the evening results in an error by morning.
While the ring's hardware is crucial, the app serves as the smart ring's interface. Regarding the RingConn app, here are its pros and cons (long-term experience):
| ✅ PROS | ❌ CONS |
|---|---|
| ✔ Reliability | ❌ Less "sexy" app design |
| ✔ Fast synchronization | ❌ Few personalized recommendations |
| ✔ Abnormality tracking | ❌ AI coach does not yet allow custom queries |
| ✔ Detailed trends | |
| ✔ New AI Health Plan | |
| ✔ Detailed family sharing |
💰 Price
Now we get to the main factor that defines the Air—once again, an affordable RingConn smart ring with no subscription.
Here's the thing. RingConn was long considered an excellent alternative to expensive smart rings (Oura, Ultrahuman). But then they launched the Gen2, setting the price dangerously high, on par with those competitors.
Currently, the Gen2 costs $362
🏷️ And the Gen 2 Air? It's set to launch at $199
Conclusion
💍 RingConn Gen 2 is the premium version with maximum features, long battery life, and the most extensive functionality. However, its $362 price makes sense mainly for those who want sleep apnea monitoring, premium materials and charging case .
💍 RingConn Gen 2 Air is the more affordable option at $199. It offers great value for money but comes without a charging case and (for now) without advanced sleep analysis (apnea monitoring).
🔍 My opinion?
The Air is clearly a response to the flawed pricing of the Gen 2. If you don’t need a charging case or sleep apnea monitoring, it's one of the best budget-friendly options on the market.
Technically, I believe the Air could measure apnea, so it would make sense to offer this feature as an optional subscription in the future.
However, be aware❗ At the time of finishing this article, there is hope that Apnea monitoring will become available.
