What a smart ring does
A sensor-packed ring measures heart rate, heart-rate variability, skin temperature and movement, mostly to score your sleep and recovery. With no screen, everything happens in the phone app, and battery life is usually measured in days.
The main options
- Oura Ring 4: the category leader with the most polished app, but most insights need a paid monthly membership.
- Samsung Galaxy Ring: no subscription, works best with Samsung Galaxy phones.
- RingConn: a lower-priced, subscription-free option, now sold in the US under a patent licence according to reports.
- Ultrahuman: subscription-free, but its Ring Air was hit by a US import ban after an October 2025 patent ruling in Oura’s favour. Check current availability where you live.
Sizing and subscriptions
Always use the free sizing kit: ring sizes vary between brands and fingers swell during the day. And add up the yearly membership cost before comparing prices. A cheaper ring with a subscription can cost more over two years.
Last updated: 14 October 2026
