Colmi R10 Smart Ring Review: Is This $26 Ring the Best Budget Wearable?

I have something super cool and affordable—the Colmi R10 Smart Ring. Now, I know what you’re thinking: a smart ring? For just $26? How good can it really be? Well, that’s exactly what we’re here to find out. Smart rings are becoming a big deal in the wearable tech world, and the R10 is one of the most budget options out there. But does it actually deliver, or is it just another gadget that looks good on paper?

In this review, we’re going to break it all down—from its sleek design to its fitness and health tracking features. We’ll talk about how it counts your steps, monitors your heart rate, and even tracks your sleep (well, sort of). Plus, we’ll compare it to some more expensive gadgets to see if it can hold its own.

Design and Build Quality

Let’s first discuss the design and build quality of the Colmi Smart Ring R10 because, let’s be honest, when you’re wearing something on your finger all day, it needs to look good and feel good. So, how does this $26 smart ring hold up?

When you first take the Colmi R10 out of the box, you’ll notice something right away—it’s got a little bit of sparkle. The middle section of the ring has this shiny, bling-bling finish that catches the light. Now, I’ll be honest, this isn’t my personal favorite. I’m more of a minimalist kind of person, so I prefer a plain, understated look. But hey, if you’re into a little extra flair, this might be right up your alley. The good news is, if you’re not a fan of the sparkle, Colmi includes a silicone case in the box. You can just pop that on, and boom—your ring looks sleek and simple. Problem solved!

Now, let’s talk about the materials. Colmi claims that the ring is made of titanium, which is a big deal because titanium is known for being lightweight, durable, and hypoallergenic. After wearing it for a while, I can say that it definitely feels solid. It doesn’t bend or flex when you press on it, and it has a nice weight to it—not too heavy, not too light. But here’s the thing: I’m not 100% sure if it’s actually titanium. I don’t have a lab to test it, so I’ll just say this—it feels premium for the price. If it’s not titanium, it’s still a well-built ring that doesn’t feel cheap or flimsy.

Comfort is key with a smart ring because you’re going to be wearing it 24/7 (or at least most of the day). The Colmi R10 is surprisingly comfortable. It’s smooth on the edges, so it doesn’t dig into your skin, and it’s lightweight enough that you’ll forget you’re even wearing it. I wore it for a full day, and I didn’t have any issues with irritation or discomfort. It didn’t get in the way even when I was typing or working out. So, big thumbs up for comfort!

One of the standout features of the Colmi R10 is the magnetic charging case that comes with it. This is a huge upgrade compared to other smart rings requiring you to plug in a cable directly. With the Colmi, you pop the ring into the case, and it charges wirelessly. The case itself is small and portable, so you can throw it in your bag or pocket without any hassle. It’s a small detail, but it makes a big difference in terms of convenience.

On the inside of the ring, you’ll find the sensors—two LED sensors to be exact. These are what track your heart rate, SpO2, and other health metrics. The ring is designed so that the sensors sit on the underside of your finger, which is where they need to be for accurate readings. The fit is snug enough that the ring doesn’t move around too much but not so tight that it’s uncomfortable. Just make sure you get the right size—Colmi offers a sizing guide, so you can pick the perfect fit.

Setting It Up

First things first—setup. The Colmi R10 is pretty straightforward to get started with. You download the Colmi app (available for both iOS and Android), pair the ring with your phone via Bluetooth, and you’re good to go. The app is simple and intuitive, with a clean interface that makes it easy to navigate. Even if you’re not tech-savvy, you shouldn’t have any trouble getting everything up and running.

The Colmi app is where you’ll spend most of your time checking your stats, and overall, it’s a decent experience. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, and the data is presented in a way that’s easy to understand. You can view your daily steps, heart rate, SpO2 levels, and stress levels all in one place, which is convenient.

However, there are a few quirks. For example, the app doesn’t always sync with the ring instantly, so sometimes you have to wait a few seconds for your data to update. There’s also no way to customize the app’s interface or set specific goals beyond the default step count. It’s not a huge issue, but it does make the app feel a bit basic compared to more advanced fitness apps.

Performance and Functionality

This is where things get interesting because, let’s face it, a smart ring can look great, but if it doesn’t do much, what’s the point? So, what can this little $26 ring actually do?

Step Counter (Pedometer)

First up, the step counter. This is one of the most basic features of any fitness tracker, but it’s also one of the most important. After all, if you’re trying to hit your daily step goal, you need to know that the numbers are accurate.

I tested the Colmi R10’s step counter against my Huawei Watch GT5, which is known for being pretty accurate. Over two days, I compared the step counts, and here’s what I found: the Colmi R10 was close but not perfect. On the first day, the Colmi recorded 1,054 steps, while the Huawei recorded 1,073 steps. Not a huge difference, but Huawei was consistently a bit higher. On the second day, the gap widened a bit more—Colmi recorded 3,959 steps, and Huawei recorded 4,420 steps.

So, what’s the takeaway? The Colmi R10’s step counter is decent, but it’s not the most accurate out there. If you’re just looking for a general idea of how active you are, it’ll do the job. But if you’re a stickler for precision, you might notice some discrepancies.

Heart Rate Monitoring

Next, let’s talk about heart rate monitoring. The Colmi R10 can track your heart rate, but there’s a catch—it’s not continuous. Instead, it takes readings every 20 minutes. For some people, that’s fine, but if you want real-time heart rate data during a workout, this might feel a bit limiting.

I compared the Colmi’s heart rate readings to my Huawei Watch GT5, and again, the Huawei came out on top. On the first day, the Colmi recorded an average heart rate of 72 BPM, with a minimum of 42 BPM and a max of 88 BPM. Huawei, on the other hand, recorded a minimum of 55 BPM and a maximum of 103 BPM. On the second day, when I was more active, the Colmi maxed out at 98 BPM, while the Huawei went up to 121 BPM.

So, Colmi’s heart rate tracking is okay, but it tends to underestimate your heart rate, especially during more intense activities. If you’re just casually tracking your heart rate throughout the day, it’s fine. But for serious fitness enthusiasts, it might not be enough.

SpO2 Monitoring

SpO2 monitoring measures your blood oxygen levels. This feature has become pretty popular in wearables, especially since the pandemic. The Colmi R10 does a decent job here. Over two days, my SpO2 readings were consistently between 97% and 99%, which is pretty much in line with what my Huawei Watch GT5 recorded (96% to 99%).

So, if you’re just looking to check your blood oxygen levels occasionally, the Colmi R10 gets the job done. It’s not medical-grade accuracy, but it’s close enough for most people.

Stress Monitoring

The Colmi R10 also has a stress monitoring feature, which is supposed to give you an idea of how stressed you are throughout the day. I compared it to my Huawei Watch GT5, and the results were… interesting. The Colmi recorded stress levels as low as 1 (which seems way too low) and didn’t go much higher than that. Meanwhile, Huawei recorded a minimum stress level of 17, which feels more realistic.

So, take the stress monitoring with a grain of salt. It’s a nice feature to have, but I wouldn’t rely on it too heavily.

Sleep Tracking

Okay, here’s where things get a little frustrating. The Colmi R10 is supposed to track your sleep, but during my testing, it didn’t record any sleep data. I wore it to bed for two nights, and it showed zero data in the app. Meanwhile, my Huawei Watch GT5 recorded my sleep perfectly.

I’m unsure if this is a bug or if I was doing something wrong, but it’s definitely a letdown. Sleep tracking is one of the main reasons people buy smart rings, so it’s a big miss if this feature isn’t working.

Sports Mode

The Colmi R10 has a sports mode that lets you track different types of workouts. You can set it up through the app, but here’s the thing—it doesn’t have built-in GPS. That means if you’re tracking a run or a bike ride, you’ll need to bring your phone along to get accurate distance data.

It’s a decent feature if you’re just looking to track basic workouts, but it’s not as advanced as what you’d get from a smartwatch. You might find it a bit limited if you’re a serious athlete.

Battery Life

Okay, let’s talk about battery life because this is where the Colmi R10 really shines. Over two days of testing, with all the health features turned on (heart rate, SpO2, stress monitoring, etc.), the battery only dropped by about 10-12%. That’s seriously impressive! If that rate holds up, you’re looking at around 7-10 days of battery life, which is way better than most smartwatches or even some other smart rings.

The magnetic charging case is also a nice touch. It’s small, portable, and makes charging the ring super convenient. You don’t have to worry about carrying around a cable or finding an outlet—just pop the ring into the case, and it charges wirelessly. It’s a small detail, but it makes a big difference in terms of usability.

Pros and Cons

Final Verdict

At the end of the day, the Colmi Smart Ring R10 is a solid choice for its price. On one hand, it’s affordable, comfortable, and covers the basics of health tracking. The battery life is fantastic, and the charging case is a nice bonus. On the other hand, It’s not perfect—there are some accuracy issues with step counting and heart rate monitoring, and the sleep tracking didn’t work for me. But for $26, it’s hard to complain too much. Just keep in mind that it’s an entry-level device, so it has its limitations. If you’re okay with that, the Colmi R10 is definitely worth a try.

So, what do you think? Would you give the Colmi R10 a try? Let me know in the comments! And if you’re ready to buy, check out the links. Thanks for reading, and I’ll catch you in the next review!