With it being back-to-school season, it's important that both students and parents prioritize their well-being as much as they would checking off their school supplies lists. To help, we selected our favorite fitness and health devices that can promote wellness when students are in school. You may, for instance, want to consider kids' smartwatches or the parental controls on iPhones and iPads. We also thought about sleep, recovery, dental hygiene, hydration, hearing health and more.
"Whether you're a student or teacher, you know that getting enough sleep is important for focusing and fully functioning during the school day. The Oura Ring is a CNET favorite because its holistic nature helps you align your sleep and wellness habits. It's the only smart ring on the market that has an accurate health tracker and is consistently updating its software, including its latest features, which help people who are perimenopausal or pregnant.
I tested the Oura Ring as a new parent and found that it helped me get my sleep in order -- something I think students and teachers alike can appreciate. I also loved the other wellness features. The readiness score, which tells you how recharged you are, is easy to follow, especially on the app. I'd tested three smart rings at the same time and found that Oura had the best health tracking features, app interface and was the most stylish to wear if wearing a smartwatch isn't your thing." -- Giselle Castro-Sloboda, wellness writer
"Student athletes put in a lot of work on the field, court, track and classroom. Most athletes know that recovery is essential to staying in tip-top shape for their sport. Hyperice has made this easy with the Venom Go. It's a portable wearable that has a reusable pad with heat and vibration. The heat and vibration help to loosen and relax sore muscles and any tension you may have in the area. It's small enough to throw in a gym bag or backpack and can be worn discreetly out in public or in class. It's also TSA-friendly, so it can be added to a carry-on if you're traveling for your sport.
I've used it on sore muscles, and I appreciate that Venom is rechargeable and doesn't take up much space. I can use it while relaxing on my couch or while working. It's a must-have if you're active and take your recovery seriously." -- Giselle Castro-Sloboda, wellness writer
"The right toothbrush can improve your morning and evening routine. As a mom to an almost 2-year-old, I knew the importance of establishing healthy dental hygiene. This part didn't always come easy because my son would fight me every time I came near him with a toothbrush. That was until I discovered the Pure Enrichment PureBaby Infant-to-Toddler Electric Toothbrush. He loved this toothbrush, probably because of the buttons and lights on it, but it also made brushing his teeth a breeze.
The brush is designed for toddler mouths and is rechargeable, which is a plus. It's also the right size for toddlers who are more self-sufficient to hold in their hands. If your toddler is still teething like mine, the gentle vibration also helps massage their gums when they need that relief." -- Giselle Castro-Sloboda, wellness writer
"For kids ready to move on to a more adult electric toothbrush, I love the Oral-B Pro 1000 for its simplicity and affordability. It works just as well as one of the smart toothbrushes I've used, but doesn't have all the bells and whistles (like an app) that might be too much for kids or young adults. It does have a 2-minute brush timer and pressure sensor to help both kids and adults alike ensure they are brushing enough and aren't putting too much pressure on their gums." -- Anna Gragert, wellness editor
"For kids who struggle with drinking water, this is a great water bottle because it comes with an app that allows you to keep track of your hydration. The bottle even has a flashing light that reminds you to hydrate. Plus, it has a self-cleaning feature that uses UV-C LED to remove 99.999% of Salmonella and 99.99% of E. coli, and comes with a filtered straw for extra purification." -- Anna Gragert, wellness editor
"I love that the AirPods Pro 2, CNET's pick for the best wireless earbuds for iPhone users, have features that prioritize hearing health, such as Hearing Protection and a clinically validated Hearing Test. They're also comfortable to wear and fit a wide range of ear sizes." -- Anna Gragert, wellness editor