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What I tested…

• pulse loop ($199+)

Why did I test…

How I Tested…

I wore the Pulse Ring every day for six weeks. I didn’t sleep with it on because I can’t sleep with any jewelry on, but I wore it from the moment I woke up.

Test results…

• Ease of setup. I started with a measurement kit, but once my ring was delivered, fitting it was incredibly quick. You put the ring on its charger and wait for the light to turn off. From then on, you can wear it. It will vibrate at different times for you to capture the memorable moment.

• Efficiency. During the six weeks, there were some really stressful and anxious moments where the ring started shaking and I immediately pulled it out of my head. Then I’d take a few deep breaths, repeat a few mantras, and if I felt like I was really into it, I’d put my hands on my chest to ground myself. Through the app, you can adjust the settings and make the ring vibrate more often, but I liked that I couldn’t predict the vibrations of the ring. It made it feel more organic, and when the ring caught me in a moment of panic, I actually tried to stop what I was doing.

• Features. You don’t need to download the app to activate the call, but if you do, you get access to a focus mode where you can have minute-by-minute haptics to help with habit formation. There is also a meditation mode (with vibration) and a relaxation mode (gentle vibrations to move from the head to the body). Much of the inside of the app is free, so you don’t need a subscription, but behind the paywall there is a journal for reflection, various courses, and features such as family status, couples status, calendar sync, social media notifications, and more. I wish social media alerts were free because that’s something I’d definitely use. I have set time limits on my social media apps, but I am guilty of blowing those limits some days.

• Battery life. Battery life on this ring is terrible. There were some days where I was sure I needed to charge it, but when I checked within the app, it still had a decent amount of battery left. In six weeks, I refilled it twice.

• brand mission. When it comes to the brand’s mission, I really appreciate the ring’s purpose. The whole idea is to be more mindful throughout the day, to get into your body as much as possible and pause. As someone who lives and works in New York, I often forget to slow down. I also appreciate that the ring doesn’t track you. Health information is not stored. I don’t wear health trackers for this reason, so knowing that nothing was being recorded about my measurements put me at ease. You don’t even need your phone when a shake occurs. Breathing can happen regardless of screen time, so it won’t encourage you to pick up the phone.

Sides…

• Price. The silver option is $199 and the gold option is $239. For something that doesn’t offer health metrics, I think it’s expensive. I wish it was more affordable, in the $99-$150 range.

• Heart rate. As I said above, I like that it doesn’t track my health, but at the same time, it would be a great feature if the ring could only track heart rate to read when stress and anxiety spike. I got shivers at extreme moments, but since it was random, it felt more blissful than anything else. I would like to know the brand’s position on this feature.

• Who is it for? At this price point, I understand that this ring is not for everyone. After using it myself, I can say that it is for those who are aware of their stress and anxiety and are doing a lot for their mental health and whatever means they have to keep themselves on a healthy footing. I’d also say it’s for someone who prioritizes privacy and little screen time. You return to the app every day to see results or optimize. You’re really trying to create memorable moments where you can breathe, get away from the dust, and not pick up your phone.

• Total PSA. This ring did not solve my anxiety. If something did, I’d cash it (maybe). It’s a helpful tool, but it’s not a cure-all. Also, there were moments when stopping was simply impossible, for example between business meetings. Yes, I could take a few deep breaths, but there were times when I wore the ring that I had to ignore the shaking because of what I was doing.

Good details…

• pulse loop, ($199+)

• Waterproof titanium, allergen free, 21+ day battery life

• Charging cable is provided, packaging is made from recycled materials

• 14 day return window, two year limited warranty

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