The Best Silicone Rings of 2021
Silicone rings keep fingers safe while climbing, working with machinery, or hitting the gym. Here’s our guide to the best silicone rings to suit every style and budget.
Why silicone rings, you ask? Well, they’re durable, affordable, easy to clean, nonconductive, and comfortable. They’re a great option for the gym when you don’t want to beat up your traditional wedding ring, a necessity when working with heavy machinery, and a great option for climbing, traveling, and daily life.
If you’ve ever cringed listening to someone talk about ring avulsion — when a ring catches on something and does serious damage to one’s finger — you can imagine the importance of a silicone ring. With the variety of colors and styles available, it’s clear they’re also growing in popularity.
We tested rings for more than 3 years while lifting weights at the gym, climbing, swimming, paddling, cooking, woodworking, and living daily life. Here are the best silicone rings for every budget and style.
Check out our comprehensive buyer’s guide and frequently asked questions for helpful tips, and have a look at our comparison chart to steer your decision-making.
Scroll through to see all of our recommended buys,or jump to the category you’re looking for:
The Best Silicone Rings of 2022
Best Overall: QALO
QALO ($10-40) wins top awards for durability and versatility. We’ve worn our QALO rings through all manner of outdoor activities and haven’t had any issues with the medical-grade silicone stretching or breaking. And we like that there’s a huge selection of color options and styles available.
Our female tester found some of the unisex designs to be a bit too thick and uncomfortable. But the Metallic Strat line is comfortably thin (while still being plenty durable) and offers a more natural look.
If you like colors and patterns, QALO has a lot to choose from. From etched designs to tie-dye patterns and reversible rings, there’s something for everyone. You can even customize certain rings with personalized engraved text. For comfort, versatility, and style, QALO offers some of the best silicone rings on the market today.
GearJunkie reader exclusive: Receive 15% off sitewide at QALO when you use the code GEARJUNKIE at checkout. This offer ends December 31, 2022.
Specs:
- Price: $10-40
- Materials: Q2X Silicone
- Warranty: Yes – “One time, any time, any reason”
Pros:
- Highly durable
- Lots of colors and styles available
Cons:
- Certain styles feel overly thick
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Runner-Up: Groove Life
Looking for a ring with an eye-catching pattern? Then you need to check out the ring selection from Groove Life ($22-35). From cactus blooms to a variety of Mossy Oak and Kryptek camo designs, there’s a lot to choose from. The brand’s copper ring is fairly realistic, although it doesn’t mimic natural metals as well as Enso Rings (see below).
Comfort-wise, we’ve been very impressed with our Groove ring. The inside has an etched groove design meant to increase airflow and let moisture out. And while we can’t claim that it works better than other rings, we will say these are some of the most comfortable we’ve worn.
And best of all, they have a lifetime warranty. As its website states, “If your Groove Life product stretches, breaks, gets lost or eaten by a fish (sorry, excludes belts), our professional customer service individuals will send you a replacement.”
One tester saw some wear and tear (literally) after years of wearing his. And the brand was prompt to respond and honor its impressive warranty. If you try one on and like it, you’ve got one of the best silicone rings for life.
Specs:
- Price: $22-35
- Materials: 100% medical grade silicone
- Warranty: Yes, lifetime
Pros:
- Comfortable
- Unique colorful designs
Cons:
- Slightly more expensive than other options
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Best Budget Ring: ROQ
ROQ ($7-17) offers up an unbeatable bargain, paired with impressive durability. We’ve worn a single ROQ ring for 6 months straight. This includes plenty of time spent splitting firewood and lifting weights, in addition to daily activities like showering, cooking, and washing hands frequently. And the ROQ ring fits just as well as it did on day one.
They have a variety of colors and styles, including a few with a shimmery finish and several stackable options. And considering you can get a four-pack for $13, you can rest easy knowing you’ll have a backup if you accidentally lose one.
ROQ also has a lifetime guarantee and a “no questions asked return/exchange policy.” These rings are easily the best budget silicone rings available.
Specs:
- Price: $7-17
- Materials: 100% medical grade silicone
- Warranty: Yes, lifetime
Pros:
- Affordable
- Durable
Cons:
- ROQ offers fewer colors and designs than other brands
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Best of the Rest
Enso Rings
Enso ($12-50) wins for design and realistic precious metal options. Unfortunately, long-term durability concerns keep it from being our overall favorite silicone ring.
First, the good: these rings actually look like real metal rings. People are always shocked to find out it’s made of silicone. The shape mimics a traditional ring, and the metallic finish is quite realistic (especially the copper and rose gold). It also breathes well and is exceedingly comfortable.
Unfortunately, we’ve had issues with stretching. After a few months of daily use, it stretches out and no longer fits. Several have been lost while swimming due to a stretched fit. And some male testers with larger hands faced issues with the ring tearing.
Enso does offer a lifetime warranty. It states that its warranty “covers rips, breaks, tears, and discoloration. Your first warranty is completely on us. Each additional replacement will just have a fee for shipping and handling.”
Of all the silicone ring brands on the market, Enso offers the biggest range of novelty designs. Enso’s niche collections include Star Wars, Lilo & Stitch, Pixar, and more. If you want a realistic-looking ring and don’t mind phoning in for the occasional replacement, Enso offers some of the coolest silicone rings on the market.
Specs:
- Price: $12-50
- Materials: “Premium” silicone
- Warranty: Yes, lifetime
Pros:
- Realistic precious metal designs
- Lots of unique novelty designs to choose from
Cons:
- Not the most durable
Check Price at AmazonCheck Price at Enso Rings
ThunderFit Silicone Rings
ThunderFit offers up an array of styles for men and women. They all clock in under $20 and come in a wide range of colors and sizes. Our male testers like the 10mm bands with Air-Flow grooves (shown above) while our female tester favored the 5.5mm copper ring.
All of ThunderFit’s rings are made with hypoallergenic silicone that is built to break away at 43 pounds of pressure. We found them smooth and comfortable through all manner of activities. These rings did seem to attract more lint than some other brands, which was slightly annoying.
The durability was okay, but we found these wore out more quickly than similar-size QALO rings. All in all, they’re a great bargain and solid choice. If you don’t mind replacing them more regularly, this could be the best silicone ring for your needs.
Specs:
- Price: $8-17
- Materials: “Top grade hypoallergenic” silicone
- Warranty: Yes
Pros:
- Good value
- Rings come in a wide range of colors and sizes
Cons:
- Not the most durable
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SafeRingz
SafeRingz ($25-29) silicone rings are made in the USA and come in three widths: the 3mm Stackable, 6mm Original, and 9mm Titan. There are 11 colors available, all with a slight shimmer to mimic a traditional metal ring. There’s also an option for custom engraving, so you can make it unique with initials or an homage to your favorite mountain or sports team.
All in all, we found SafeRingz comfortable and long-lasting, but they didn’t stand out in any one category. They don’t offer up the extreme durability and versatility as our top pick, nor are they the best budget option. And the metallic options aren’t as realistic as others.
It’s also worth noting that “YESJ” is inscribed on the inside of each SafeRingz. As its website explains, it is “a representation of our team saying ‘YES Jesus’.” If that’s not your cup of tea, this probably isn’t the style for you. If your beliefs align, however, it might be the best silicone ring option for you and your partner.
Specs:
- Price: $25-29
- Materials: Silicone
- Warranty: Unknown
Pros:
- Custom engraving available
- The metallic pigment is mixed directly with the silicone and will not fade
Cons:
- Not the most durable, minor stretch over time
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Silicone Ring Comparison Table
Ring Brand | Price | Materials | Warranty |
QALO | $10-40 | Q2X Silicone | Yes – “One time, any time, any reason” |
Groove Life | $22-35 | 100% medical grade silicone | Yes, lifetime |
ROQ | $7-17 | 100% medical grade silicone | Yes, lifetime |
Enso | $12-50 | “Premium” silicone | Yes, lifetime |
ThunderFit | $8-17 | “Top grade hypoallergenic” silicone | Yes |
SafeRingz | $25-29 | Silicone | Unknown |
Why You Should Trust Us
Traditional metal rings are simply not practical for people who work and play outside. The GearJunkie team is composed of hunters, anglers, climbers, and other folks who can’t stand the hassle of constantly removing and reinstating a metal wedding band.
Many of us have been wearing silicone rings long before we began intentionally testing them for this roundup. We’ve owned certain rings through multiple years of heavy active use. While testing a wide variety of rings, we carefully assessed their comfort, durability, aesthetics, and overall value.
After careful consideration, we’re confident that this list is composed of the best silicone rings on the market today.
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose a Silicone Ring
Comfort & Fit
Rubber wedding bands set the standard for comfort. Our testers all preferred them over traditional metal rings. We like how flexible and lightweight they are.
That said, you’ll need to make sure you get the right ring size for a perfect fit. Each manufacturer has a size guide to help ensure a snug, yet comfortable-fitting ring.
Stretchiness
A little bit of stretchiness makes the silicone band more comfortable. But too much, and you’ll have trouble with slippage and fit.
All the rings listed above have just the right bit of stretch. However, we did find the Enso ring eventually stretched too much after several months of hard wear.
Thickness
A thick or thin ring is really a matter of preference. The rings listed here range from 2.5 to 8 mm, and each of our testers liked them for different reasons.
The thicker rings tend to last longer and fit larger hands more comfortably. Our smaller testers mostly preferred rings under 5.5 mm.
Durability
Obviously, you want your ring to last. Silicone rings are more prone to stretching or tearing than a traditional metal band. In our 2 years of testing, we found the QALO silicone ring has held up great and has hit all the marks for comfort and durability.
Variety
We love a good artisan-made silver ring, but when it comes to variety, it’s hard to beat a silicone band. Whether you’re looking for a customizable wedding band, a cute stackable ring, or something in a wildly different color, you can find just what you need.
Whether you’re looking for an understated men’s ring to replace a traditional wedding band or just a fun piece of everyday jewelry, the variety of silicone rings available will suit almost anyone.
FAQ
Why Do People Wear Silicone Rings?
There are numerous reasons you should consider a silicone ring. First, we like how affordable they are. With a range of $6 to $50, you don’t have to panic if you lose it.
Second, they’re great for active lifestyles. Whether you regularly go climbing, lift weights at the gym, or operate machinery, a silicone ring is a safer option.
Third, they’re comfortable and stylish. They come in a range of colors and designs. And our testers have found the lightweight, flexible design is superior to traditional metal bands.
Can You Wear a Silicone Ring All the Time?
Definitely. We’ve worn ours nonstop while swimming, running, climbing, hiking, sleeping, working, and traveling.
You may choose to remove yours at night or during specific activities out of personal preference. But after 2 years of testing, we’ve found you can certainly wear a silicone ring every day.
Do Silicone Rings Prevent Degloving?
Ring avulsion, also known as degloving, is pretty darn terrifying. Basically, it means your ring gets stuck on something. The results can range from a little bruise to full amputation. It’s of particular concern to climbers, woodworkers, and anyone who uses machinery.
And while the best option is to completely remove all jewelry during these pursuits, we understand that’s not always ideal. And a silicone wedding ring is a great, safe alternative. As QALO explains, silicone rings are built to break free under extreme stress, thereby preventing degloving and saving your digits.
How Long Do Silicone Rings Last?
This can vary depending on the ring and your personal lifestyle. That said, we’ve been wearing our top choice ring for a solid 2 years, and it looks and feels as good as new.
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