Helio Ring has quickly grabbed eyeballs as one of the top smart rings in the market, providing a wealth of data. I was especially drawn to its unique design, which sets it apart from its contenders, but let’s get to the real question: is it worth what smart rings are all about– sleep tracking?
From Score to Stages: Here’s What the Helio Ring Tracks
The Amazfit Helio boasts a number of features. Here are all the sleep metrics the ring tracks:
- Sleep stages
- Resting heart rate
- HRV
- Recovery time
- Daytime naps
- Sleep breathing quality
- Sleep score
- Zepp Aura (trial, extended via subscription in select regions)
- Apnea risk profile
- Daytime sleepiness risk profile
- RLS (Restless legs syndrome) risk profile
- Insomnia risk profile
Image Courtesy: ZDNET
The Score and Report
Based on the quality of my sleep the previous night, in conjunction with the many metrics the Helio Ring tracks, the Zepp app displays a ‘Score’ every morning. In the beginning, it kinda felt like a test I needed to ace, but over time, I have realized that every day is not going to be the same.
Every morning, my sleep report tells me the duration of my sleep, how much time I spent in each sleep stage, how many times I woke up in the middle of the night and for how long, heart rate, and many more sleep-related parameters.
What’s interesting about this ring, which I have never seen in other rings, is that it compares my data to the other users’ data.
For example, my score one day was lower than 75% of the users, or my REM sleep was longer than 58% of the users. It also asses my sleeping patterns and tells me if the regularity in my sleeping habits is off— with a number, of course.
Now, the depth of the data this ring gives me is unmatched. It’s far more detailed than any other smart ring I’ve tried before, but the accuracy is questionable. The ring constantly overhyped my total sleep time, which ultimately led to longer sleep stages and a higher sleep score.
The resting heart rate was also slightly elevated for the most part. This wasn’t always the case, but when it consistently happened even after I hit the bed but never hit sleep– I knew it wasn’t me, it was Helio.
Sleep Disorder Risk Tracking
Helio Ring, in addition to the various metrics it tracks, also measures breathing quality when we sleep. This detects signs of an abnormal respiratory pattern and how often these occur. These patterns are monitored over time to see if they pose serious risks.
This measurement, in combination with the Zepp Aura Premium, adds value to the smart ring. The Zepp Aura AI then assesses these measurements and categorizes if there’s an indication of risk related to Sleep Apnea, Daytime Sleepiness, RLS, and Insomnia.
The Zepp Aura premium membership is available for a free trial, which can further be continued with a subscription for $69.99/year.
The Integration with Zepp Aura
In addition to the risk profile for potential sleep disorders, the Zepp Aura Premium also offers a library of audios that help people fall asleep. These are supposedly said to adapt to the biometrics data the ring receives.
These sleep and meditative exercises are good bonuses, but just for a couple of reasons, which may or may not be accurate, and a few tunes, I don’t think it’s worth investing in a premium service.
Without the premium, though, the app still allows you to log your mood as you wake up and rate your pre-sleep state. I personally don’t think it helps, but if you have used this feature and it seems like it’s been helpful to you, please let me know.
Wrap Up
Although the Helio Ring needs improvement in its sleep-tracking abilities, it’s not too bad. It’s a decent sleep-tracking device with an extensive feature list. With the competition in today’s wearable world, I’m sure Amazfit will improve the ring’s accuracy with updates or the upcoming variants.
For those who heavily rely on the sleep metrics, I would skip this ring, for it doesn’t justify the cost. The AI-powered Zepp Aura’s premium also doesn’t provide enough value. The Helio ring shows promise but falls short of delivering the same.
