You might have noticed in the pictures above that I’m wearing a wide pink ring on my left hand that, from a distance, looks a bit like a bandage. It’s not—it’s my new Q Ring Smart Ring!

I’d been eyeing an Oura ring for years, but I could never quite justify the price. When I realized there were some much less expensive alternatives on the market, I decided to do a little research and eventually settled on this affordable option. I’m so glad I did. It tracks things like steps, sleep, and stress levels, and for what I’m using it for, I’ve been really impressed with its performance. It also comes with a little portable charging case that holds a charge, so I can recharge the ring on the go. I’ve been charging it about every three or four days.

The ring is comfortable enough that I’ve worn it pretty much 24/7 for the past two weeks. It can get wet, although I take mine off when I’m washing up in the kitchen or taking a shower. Other than that, I really don't notice that I'm wearing it, and I love how simple it is to use.

The setup couldn't be easier:

• Charge the ring.
• Download the phone app.
• Answer a few questions about yourself—age, sex, height, weight, and any goals you want to share.

That's it! Also, there is no subscription fee. Purchase the ring, and all the info is free on the free app.

For me, the most useful feature is the sleep tracking, and so far I've found the information to be remarkably consistent with how I actually slept. The app breaks your sleep down into awake time, REM, light sleep, and deep sleep, and shows each in hours and minutes. If you're experimenting with ways to improve your sleep, I can see this being particularly helpful because you can actually see whether your efforts are making a difference.

I also use the step counter and have found it to be surprisingly accurate. I compared it with the step counter on my iPhone while out walking, and the two were pretty much step for step. The big advantage of the ring, though, is that I don't carry my phone around the house, so the ring keeps counting those steps, too. Between walking the dog and just going about my day, I regularly get more than 10,000 steps, which is my goal, and I love having that little bit of confirmation.

There are other health measurements available through the app, but I don't pay much attention to those. I'm mainly interested in my sleep and steps, and for those two things, I've been very happy with the Q Ring. After two weeks, I'm genuinely thrilled with it.

One important tip before you buy: get a Smart Ring Sizer first. Smart rings aren't necessarily sized like ordinary fashion rings, and getting the right fit is important--this step should not be missed. Smart rings are designed to be worn on the index or middle finger of your non-dominant hand. I recommend wearing the sizer ring for 24–48 hours before ordering your ring. That gives you a chance to make sure the size is comfortable enough for all-day wear—an extra step that is worth it.

• Q Ring Smart Ring
• Smart Ring Sizer

What made this party work? First of all, our hostess was genuinely happy to see us! We were greeted with smiles and hugs, which is such a lovely way to start an evening. This was one of our beloved “Second Friday” dinner parties, and I think what we love about them is that they are so wonderfully casual and yet still feel like a special occasion. 

From there, we were immediately escorted to the drinks table, where I chose a champagne cocktail that was absolutely delicious. And then there was the food. I happen to love hot dogs and almost never eat them, so seeing them served at a dinner party was a delight. Our hostess elevated them with wonderful accompaniments, including a beautiful Caprese salad. It was the kind of menu that was both completely fun and delicious—and, as someone who loves a good chili dog, I was pretty much in heaven!