Smart rings are often considered water resistant by default, as they should be. After all, we shouldn’t have to think about taking them off when we do everyday tasks like washing hands or doing the dishes. But is it safe to assume that you can always wash your hands without taking off your smart ring first? Let’s find out.
Washing Your Hands With Your Smart Ring
Smart ring manufacturers understand that most people wouldn’t want to take their rings off too often. In fact, smart rings work best when you wear them for longer since that lets them monitor your health for more extended periods to compile more accurate statistics. That’s why most manufacturers pay attention to what people do throughout the day, like washing their hands.
However, it’s never a good idea to assume that something is accurate, and you should consider a few factors before you wash your hands with your smart ring on.
Water Resistance
Most manufacturers make their smart rings highly water-resistant. The sensitive electronics inside are usually coated with resin to keep liquids and moisture away. But with so many different smart rings on the market, it’s not always guaranteed.
For example, the Oura Ring has a 10ATM water resistance rating, so it’s safe to submerge it in water up to 100 meters (approximately 330 feet) deep for up to 12 hours. That’s more than enough to safely wash your hands with it on. The Ultrahuman Air Ring is rated IPX8, so it’s also safe to wear while washing your hands or even in the shower or pool.
Some cheaper smart rings, especially those from smaller or lesser-known brands, may not have adequate water resistance, so it’s essential to check your ring’s rating before you wash your hands while wearing it.
Other Factors to Consider
Apart from water resistance, you should also be aware of the soaps and chemicals you use while washing your hands.
Though most of them should be safe as hand soaps are usually quite gentle, it’s possible that some corrosive chemicals or substances might scratch the surface of your smart ring. It’s unlikely that it would damage the electronics if the ring is water-resistant, but you probably won’t want to damage that beautiful finish.
Before you go…
So, now we know it’s usually safe to wash your hands while wearing a smart ring since most of these rings are highly water resistant. But have you ever wondered if it’s safe to shower with it? You might want to read this post next!