Is Ultrahuman's Ring Air Now the Most Accurate Ovulation-Tracking Smart Ring?

CNET

7 hours ago

Ultrahuman's new Cycle and Ovulation Pro feature for the Ring Air has an unexpected origin story. The algorithm behind it was originally designed for intravaginal fertility monitors, but Ultrahuman has since turned it into a non-invasive, temperature-sensing tool that can track ovulation right from your finger.
The wearable health tech company announced on Friday that it acquired viO HealthTech, which created the OvuSense algorithm. Validated in 13 peer-reviewed clinical publications and backed by 15 years of clinical research, the algorithm draws on data from over 260,000 cycles collected with medical-grade sensors. It was previously used in class II intravaginal medical fertility monitors. Now, Ultrahuman has adapted that technology for wellness tracking to create its Cycle and Ovulation Pro PowerPlug for the Ring Air.
How accurate is Ultrahuman's Cycle and Ovulation Pro?
In a press release, Ultrahuman said Cycle and Ovulation Pro delivers over 90% accuracy in confirming ovulation -- a level the company said makes the Air the "world's most accurate cycle-tracking smart ring." This data comes from equivalence testing that compared OvuSense and Ring Air with a multi-hormone ovulation prediction method that tracks rises in luteinizing hormone and progesterone.
Though other cycle trackers may report different ovulation confirmation rates -- for example, the Oura Ring claims 96.4% -- that data isn't directly comparable to OvuSense and Ring Air's testing due to differences in validation protocols, datasets and definitions of detection.
Ultrahuman
Most platforms that track menstrual cycles rely on a 28-day cycle, but Cycle and Ovulation Pro takes into consideration that 87% of people who menstruate have varying cycles due to conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, non-bleeding, thyroid disorders or irregular bleeding.
"This collaboration benefits from 15 years of clinically proven women's health expertise and applies it to the world's lightest smart ring," said Mohit Kumar, Ultrahuman CEO, in the press release. "For the first time, best-in-class hardware, software and algorithms with a clinical background come together in one wellness device. Our mission is to give women cutting-edge tools to optimize their health, combining clinical technology with comfort and style to deliver the most accurate women's health tool available."
How is Pro different from the free Cycle and Ovulation PowerPlug?
Cycle and Ovulation Pro complements Ultrahuman Ring Air's existing free Cycle and Ovulation PowerPlug, which provides basic conception and cycle tracking. Using physiological patterns and temperature biomarkers passively captured by the smart ring, the Pro version can support fertility planning, offer a space for mood, symptom and behavior logging and use temperature data to suggest hidden patterns in a cycle. Known as Cycle Flags, these patterns may include early, late or absent ovulation, a short luteal phase and trends potentially linked to conditions such as PCOS or miscarriage risk.
Ultrahuman
A note on FDA clearance
While the OvuSense algorithm is FDA-cleared for intravaginal use, the adapted, non-invasive version for the Ultrahuman Ring Air was created for general wellness and isn't FDA-cleared. In other words, the Ring Air isn't a substitute for contraception or for professional medical diagnosis and treatment. For those, you should consult your health care provider.
Cycle and Ovulation Pro cost
Now available in the US, UK, EU, Australia and Canada, Cycle and Ovulation Pro is a premium PowerPlug in the Ultrahuman app that costs $3.99 per month or $39.99 per year. The current Cycle and Ovulation PowerPlug remains free.