Technically, chest straps are more accurate than their smartwatch counterparts. This is because electrocardiography measures your actual heart rate, while PPG sensors measure your pulse as a proxy for heart rate. Today, companies have dramatically improved PPG sensors and heart rate algorithms in smartwatches and fitness trackers, but chest straps are still less error-prone.
Many smart bands have Bluetooth and ANT Plus connectivity, so they can easily communicate with fitness equipment and smartphone fitness apps. You can even pair them with smartwatches for heart rate information.
The problem with smart bands is that they are not as easy to use as smart watches or other wearable gadgets. They also cannot be used for 24-hour heart rate monitoring.
Smart rings
If you don’t have tattoos on your fingers, the smart ring is also a good option to check your physical health. They are not as popular as smartwatches, but they have a few advantages that we will mention below.
Smart rings are easier to wear and generally take up less space on the hand. Also, their PPG sensors shine light down your finger. In fact, the finger is preferred over the wrist for heart rate monitoring because there is less intrusive data to filter out. Plus, the skin under the finger has less melanin (and possibly ink) and the PPG sensors are less confused.
Oura Ring is the most successful and well-known smart ring. Although this product is primarily a sleep and recovery tracker, other features such as heart rate monitoring during exercise, blood oxygen monitoring, and period tracking have also been added since its launch. It also offers more basic features like step tracking, resting heart rate, and hourly reminders to move.
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