Over the past five years, the number of smart ring options has exploded. A product category that initially consisted of Oura… and virtually no one else, is now jam-packed with wellness tech brands eager to earn a coveted spot on your ringer.
I’ve tested the latest smart rings from all the major players, including Oura (duh), but also Circular, RingConn, Ultrhuman, Amazfit, and more. After countless hours of testing, which mainly consist of poring over sleep-tracking data, workout recovery insights, and long-term health trends, the best smart ring in 2026 is the Oura Ring 4.
Dan Bracaglia
My name is Dan and I lead TG’s coverage of wearables, including smart rings. My favorite emerging consumer tech category, I’ve been obsessed with smart rings ever since the first Oura Ring debuted in 2015. Since then, I’ve gotten my hands on and tested numerous models both from Oura and the competition and have witnessed first-hand the category’s progression from quirky Kickstarter products to legit and reliable wellness-tracking machines.
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The best smart ring you can buy today
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Best smart ring overall
Reason to buy
– Best-in-class battery life: The Oura Ring 4 battery lasts for eight days, the longest of any smart ring we tested.
– Our favorite wellness insights: The Oura app may have a subscription cost, but the brand’s wellness insights are second to none.
Reasons to skip
– Recurring costs: No one likes paying a recurring fee. Sadly, there’s no way around the cost if you want the best smart ring. Access to the Oura app is $5.99 or $69.99 for the year.
– Weird step-count data: If you’re looking to keep tabs on steps, you may be better suited by one of the best fitness trackers.
The Oura Ring 4 is by some margin the best smart ring available right now. It’s an upgrade to the Oura Ring Gen 3, which launched in late 2021, and although the updates are fairly modest, no other smart ring offers this level of performance and insight.
There’s only a single design to choose from (circular), replacing the circular Horizon and flat-topped Heritage from the Gen 3. The sensors are recessed into the ring, so the sensor bump is gone, too, which I found made the ring more comfortable to wear.
And the epoxy (plastic) coating on the interior is gone too, replaced by an all-titanium design and a new ‘smart sensing’ platform that improves the accuracy of Oura’s measurements. While testing, I found that this led to fewer gaps in sleep and stress data, as the ring could adapt to changing positions on my finger.
There’s a slight bump in battery life too, increasing to a theoretical eight days between charges. I didn’t find that it lived up to this promise, achieving closer to six days, but it’s an improvement on the previous model’s seven-day specifications and five-day performance.
But Oura’s real edge over the competition is the companion smartphone app. Alongside the new ring, the app was redesigned to make it easier to see daily insights, long-term trends, and an overall picture of your health. But it keeps the impressive analysis that made it the top smart ring in the first place.
So while it’s still relatively new, it should be able to do everything the older ring could, but with improved accuracy. This means it’s also still the best smart ring for women, as its integration with Natural Cycles means you can keep tabs on your cycle and fertility, a feature that’s so impressive it worked out that one of our editors was pregnant before she did.
While the overall experience with the Oura Ring 4 is still miles ahead of its competitors, there’s one major downside: the monthly subscription. You need to pay $5.99 to use the ring, which is a substantial ask when you’ve already paid at least $350 for the hardware.
This is where alternatives like the Samsung Galaxy Ring shine, as there’s no subscription or charge for its AI-backed analysis. However, the Oura Ring 4 works with iPhone and Android smartphones, so it is more versatile than the Samsung in that regard.
Best smart ring for sleep tracking
– Top-notch sleep insights: Samsung’s sleep tracking data and insights are the best of the bunch, beating out even Oura.
– No subscription fee: Unlike the Oura Ring, once you’ve purchased the Galaxy Ring, there are no further payments to be made.
Reasons to skip
– You have an iPhone: Sorry, Apple people, the Samsung Health app is for Android smartphones only.
– You’re on a budget: At $399, the Samsung Galaxy Ring is one of the priciest smart rings on offer.
The Samsung Galaxy Ring is the best smart ring for sleep tracking, and my favorite subscription-free smart ring available today. It has Oura beat when it comes to analysis of your sleep patterns, while providing nearly the same level of holistic tracking and trends insights.
The interior sensors on the ring protrude slightly, making it less comfortable than the Oura Ring 4, but overall, it’s pretty easy-wearing. Sizes range from five to 15, with three finishes to choose from: Black, Silver, or Gold.
Though the Samsung Galaxy Ring is subscription-free, at $399, it’s one of the pricier models in this buying guide. Additionally, to get the most out of its AI-backed insights and trend reports, you’ll need to pair it with one of the latest Samsung Galaxy phones.
Battery life is nearly as good as the Oura Ring 4, with the Galaxy Ring cruising for between five and six days per charge in my testing. The ring also ships with a clamshell-style charging case that can recharge the device up to two times while on the go.
Like Oura, Samsung has partnered with Natural Cycles for female health tracking features. And even though the tools aren’t quite as advanced as you’ll find on the Oura Ring — you don’t get access to Natural Cycle’s full suite of fertility and contraceptive features — my female colleagues who’ve tested the Galaxy Ring report good, reliable results from those that are on offer.
Sleep tracking is really where the Galaxy Ring shines, in my opinion, with details on nightly body movements, breathing patterns, body temperature, heart rate, blood oxygen saturation levels, and more. Basically, all the sleep insights and AI-backed recommendations you’d get from the best Samsung Galaxy Watches are available in a much more comfortable, discreet form factor via the Samsung Galaxy Ring.
Best cheap smart ring
Reasons to buy
– Affordable price: The Helio Ring is just $199, half the cost of the Samsung Galaxy Ring. It’s also subscription-free, unlike the Oura Ring.
– Decent health insights: The Helio Ring’s health and sleep insights aren’t as detailed as Oura’s or Samsung’,s but they’re still pretty good.
Reasons to skip
– Limited ring sizes: Unlike the competition, the Helio Ring comes in only one finish and just three sizes: 8, 10, and 12.
– Battery life: Four days of battery life may sound impressive, but the Oura Ring 4 offers double that, and many of the best smart rings last for closer to a week per charge.
The Amazfit Helio Ring is the best wallet-friendly smart ring you can buy today. Normally priced at $199 (and subscription-free), I’ve seen it go as low as $109. That said, there are some caveats.
The Helio Ring comes in just one finish, titanium, and three sizes: eight, ten, and 12. While it works with both Android and iOS, battery life is considerably less than the competition, lasting for between three and four days per charge in my testing.
That said, the Helio Ring is pretty comfortable, despite protruding sensors, and fairly durable. I knocked it into plenty of walls and desks while reviewing it, and even dropped it (accidentally) on a hard tiled floor with no damage to report.
Sleep and holistic insights aren’t nearly as detailed as what you’ll find on the Oura Ring 4 and Samsung Galaxy Ring, but the Helio Ring covers the basics well, with daily metrics for sleep quality, readiness, heart rate variability, workout recovery, and more.
Like the Oura and Samsung, the Helio boasts onboard heart rate, blood oxygen, body temperature, EDA, and ECG sensors, along with an onboard gyroscope and accelerometer for movement detection. Fitness tracking modes are seriously limited, though, with only four to choose from. This is likely because Amazfit hopes you’ll pair the ring with one of the brand’s smartwatches, like the also cost-effective Amazfit Active 2, one of the best cheap smartwatches.
The Helio Ring additionally supports female health tracking, with period and ovulation predictions. However, the Oura Ring 4 these tools don’t hold a candle to what the Oura Ring 4 offers in terms of women’s health.
Best entry-level smart ring
Reasons to buy
– Works with Android and iOS devices: Ringconn’s entry-level smart ring plays nicely with both iPhones and Android smartphones.
-Subscription-free: Unlike Oura, you don’t have to pay a monthly fee to access your data with the Ringconn Gen 2 Air.
Reasons to skip
– Not the comfiest: The Ringconn Gen 2 Air sensors protrude further than other smart rings, leading to a slightly less comfortable design.
– Limited fitness features: While sleep and overall wellness are well covered, fitness features are pretty lacking on the Ringconn Gen 2 Air.
Similar to the Amazfit Helio Ring, the Ringconn Gen 2 Air starts at $199, is subscription-free, and works with both Android and iOS smartphones. It also comes in a wider range of sizes (6-14) and two finishes, gold or silver.
Compared to the best smart ring, the Gen 2 Air has the Oura Ring 4 beat in terms of battery performance. Advertised as lasting up to ten days per charge, I managed about eight days of usage per charge compared to closer to six days for the latest Oura Ring. The Gen 2 Air also lasts nearly twice as long as the Helio Ring in my testing.
The Ringconn Gen 2 Air is one of the thinnest and lightest smart rings in this guide, but that doesn’t mean it’s the most comfortable. The interior sensors protrude considerably, leading to an initial period of discomfort that lasted a few weeks before I eventually got used to the ring on my finger. That said, it’s just as well-built as any of the options listed here.
The sleep insights from the Gen 2 Air go further than what you’ll find from the Helio Ring, but aren’t as in-depth as those from the Oura Ring 4 or Samsung Galaxy Ring. As expected, you get a daily sleep score, details on time spent in sleep cycles, and alerts for any abnormalities, like irregular blood oxygen levels or body temps.
Women’s health tracking features are pretty limited compared to Oura and even Samsung, and mostly consist of ovulation predictions and not much else. Fitness tracking tools are also far and few between, similar to the Helio Ring.
There are only six workout modes: Outdoor running, Indoor running, Indoor cycling, Outdoor cycling, and Outdoor Walk, but post-workout insights are quite lacking. For example, when tracking a walk, there are no metrics for pace, distance, or climb.
Still, as far as easy-to-use, entry-level models that work as intended and play nicely with most modern smartphones go, the Ringconn Gen 2 Air is my top choice. It’s longer-lasting than the Amazfit Helio Ring, with deeper sleep insights, albeit in a slightly less comfortable package.
Also consider
Best smart rings: features comparison
Smart rings are one of the newest categories in the world of wearable tech, and though a handful of big brands currently dominate the space, like Oura and Samsung, there are plenty of worthy smaller companies vying for space on your finger, like Amazfit and Ringconn.
The Amazfit Helio Ring and Ringconn Gen 2 Air are the most affordable options at $199 a pop with no subscription costs, while the Samsung Galaxy Ring is the priciest at $399 (also subscription-free).
Oura is the only model with a monthly fee of $5.99 a month for access to the Oura app. However, Oura’s wellness insights are the most comprehensive and also our favorite.
While the latest Oura Ring and Galaxy Ring come in lots of sizes and finishes, the Ringconn Gen 2 Air is only available in 2 finishes and nine sizes, while the Helio Ring comes in just one finish and three sizes.
All of the best smart rings are reasonably lightweight and easy-wearing, though some are a tad heavier and thicker than others. Ultimately, though, it’s the positioning of the sensors that most dictates long-term comfort. In that regard, only the Oura Ring 4 offers a sensor array that’s flush with the interior of the ring.
Battery life ranges from four days per charge for the Helio Ring to up to ten days per charge for the Ringconn Gen 2 Air. The Galaxy Ring and Oura Ring 4 each last for roughly a week. For durability, a water resistance rating of 100 meters is par for the course for all the best smart ring models, so feel free to keep them on while you shower and swim.
| Header Cell – Column 0 |
Oura Ring 4 |
Samsung Galaxy Ring |
Amazfit Helio Ring |
Ringconn Gen 2 Air |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Starting price |
$349 |
$399 |
$199 |
$349 |
|
Subscription |
$5.99 per month |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
|
Sizes |
4 – 15 |
5 – 15 |
8, 10, 12 |
6 – 14 |
|
Finishes |
Gold, Rose Gold, Silver, Brushed Titanium, Black, Stealth |
Titanium Black, Titanium Silver, Titanium Gold |
Titanium |
Gold, Silver |
|
Thickness |
2.88 mm |
2.6 mm |
2.6 mm |
2 mm |
|
Weight |
3.3 – 5.2 g |
2.3 – 3.0 g |
3.8 g |
2.5 – 4 g |
|
Battery life |
Up to 8 days |
Up to 7 days |
Up to 4 days |
Up to 10 days |
|
Water resistance |
100 meters |
100 meters |
100 meters |
100 meters |
How to choose the best smart ring
When shopping for your first smart ring, you’ll want to first identify your budget, then narrow your search by phone type (the Galaxy Ring, for example, is Android only). Next, choose which features matter most and how often you’re willing to recharge your new smart ring.
You’ll also want to take comfort into consideration. The Oura Ring 4 is the comfiest smart ring in this guide, while the Ringconn Gen 2 Air is the least comfortable. Finally, choose your size and finish.
For folks with an Android smartphone, I recommend starting your search with the Samsung Galaxy Ring vs. the Oura Ring.
iPhone users will likely be choosing between the Oura Ring vs. the Helio Ring or the Ringconn Gen 2 Air.
How we test the best smart rings
Testing the best smart rings involves wearing them for weeks at a time while we sleep, work, eat, exercise, and perform daily chores. During this period, I’m taking diligent notes on overall comfort, durability — does it scratch or scuff easily? — how long the battery lasts, and how quickly/easily data syncs with the device’s companion app.
Assessing the accuracy of the best smart rings is another crucial part of my testing. It involves wearing them alongside other fitness trackers that have proven reliable to see how the results compare. For example, I walked 5,000 steps with the Helio Ring and Garmin Forerunner 165 to gauge the accuracy of the former; it proved quite precise.
I also do testing while we sleep to ensure the rest/recovery data is legit. For this assessment, I’m noting how sleep duration, sleep cycles, heart rate and other core metrics compare to other popular sleep trackers worn during the same period.
Finally, I look at how the core features of each smart ring line up with other options out there by evaluating the data presented in each app. Are these metrics easy to parse? Are there insights and tips to help you better understand the big picture? And, are any core data points missing?
FAQs
Do you need to pay for a smart ring subscription?
Whether or not you need to pay for a smart ring subscription depends on which device you choose. Of the smart rings I recommend, only the Oura Ring 4 requires a subscription fee ($5.99 a month).
What are the pros and cons of a smart ring vs a fitness tracker?
Unlike most wrist-based fitness trackers and smartwatches, smart rings don’t have a screen, which means that you primarily interact with them through a companion app. For fitness tracking, smart rings also don’t have onboard GPS, unlike some trackers and watches, so you’ll need to bring your paired smartphone along for location data.
On the flip side, smart rings tend to offer better battery life than non-finger wearables. Most last somewhere around a week before needing a recharge. I also find smart rings less cumbersome to wear to bed than smartwatches. And for the fashion-conscious, they’re all but inconspicuous compared to an Apple Watch or Garmin device.
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