Oura Ring 4 Named Best Smart Ring for 2026

Oura leads a crowded market

The $349 Oura Ring 4 remains the best smart ring for most people despite increasing competition from Samsung and Ultrahuman. Oura recently updated its hardware to include a fully recessed sensor interior and a slimmer titanium chassis. The company also overhauled its app to simplify data delivery and added a meal-logging feature that uses AI to analyze photos of food. Oura stands out because its algorithms provide the most accurate sleep and readiness data in the category. The Ring 4 tracks heart rate, body temperature, blood oxygen levels, and movement to detect when a user is getting sick or needs rest. It also supports a new partnership with Quest Diagnostics that integrates bloodwork results directly into the app. The primary drawback remains the $6 per month subscription required to access long-term health trends and detailed analysis. Oura also sells a premium ceramic version for an additional $150 and a portable charging case for $99. Users who want to avoid the monthly fee may find the hardware expensive compared to newer, subscription-free rivals.

Samsung builds for its own ecosystem

The $400 Samsung Galaxy Ring offers a seamless experience for users already invested in the Galaxy ecosystem. It weighs less than the Oura Ring 4 and includes a transparent charging case with integrated LED battery indicators. Samsung does not charge a monthly subscription fee, which helps offset the higher upfront hardware cost. The Galaxy Ring integrates deeply with the Galaxy Watch series to preserve battery life on both devices. When a user wears both, the devices trade off tracking tasks to optimize efficiency. The ring also supports Double Pinch gestures, allowing users to dismiss alarms or trigger a phone camera remotely. Samsung’s health platform provides an Energy Score and "Booster Cards" that offer personalized wellness tips. However, these specific features require a Samsung phone and the company's proprietary AI tools. The ring lacks a gyroscope, which occasionally leads to overly generous sleep tracking compared to more specialized devices.

Ultrahuman deals with a sales ban

The $349 Ultrahuman Ring Air is currently unavailable for import in the US following an International Trade Commission ruling on October 21, 2025. This ban resulted from a patent infringement lawsuit filed by Oura. Existing owners still receive software updates and warranty support, but new units are difficult to find at major US retailers. When available, the Ring Air serves as a top-tier subscription-free alternative to Oura. It features medical-grade skin temperature sensors and a six-axis motion sensor to track activity and recovery. The app provides unique "Power Management" tips, such as suggesting when to delay caffeine intake based on circadian rhythms. Ultrahuman struggles with workout tracking accuracy compared to its competitors. Heart rate data often fluctuates wildly during high-intensity exercise. The company recently launched Ultrahuman Home, a $399 companion device that monitors air quality and noise levels to provide more context for sleep data.

RingConn offers a budget alternative

The $199 RingConn Gen 2 Air is the most affordable reliable smart ring currently on the market. It is thinner and lighter than the original Gen 2 model and does not require a monthly subscription. RingConn reached a licensing agreement with Oura, ensuring its products remain available for sale in the US. The Gen 2 Air provides 10 days of battery life, which is the longest in the category. It tracks basic metrics including steps, calories, heart rate, and blood oxygen. While the hardware is comfortable, the app is less polished than Oura’s and often overestimates total sleep time. The device uses cheaper steel than the titanium found in more expensive rings. It also lacks the advanced sleep apnea detection found in the standard RingConn Gen 2. Despite these cuts, it remains a functional choice for users who only want basic health tracking without recurring costs.

Technical specifications and feature comparison

Smart rings vary significantly in their sensor arrays and battery performance. Most devices now use titanium for durability, though finishes can still scratch during heavy activity.

• Oura Ring 4: Up to 8 days of battery, 100-meter water resistance, requires subscription.
• Samsung Galaxy Ring: Up to 7 days of battery, 10ATM water resistance, no subscription.
• Ultrahuman Ring Air: Up to 6 days of battery, 100-meter water resistance, no subscription.
• RingConn Gen 2 Air: Up to 10 days of battery, 50-meter water resistance, no subscription.
• Amazfit Helio Ring: Up to 4 days of battery, 10ATM water resistance, optional AI subscription.

How to find the right fit

Smart ring sizing does not align with standard jewelry sizes and half-sizes are rarely available. Most manufacturers send a plastic sizing kit to customers before shipping the actual hardware. Users should wear the dummy ring for at least 24 hours because finger size fluctuates based on temperature and activity. The index finger on the non-dominant hand typically provides the most accurate heart rate readings. The ring must be snug enough to maintain constant sensor contact with the skin but loose enough to slide over the knuckle. Wearing a ring on the dominant hand often leads to more scratches on the titanium finish during daily tasks. Most smart rings use Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) coatings for color. Silver and gold finishes tend to hide scratches better than black or "stealth" matte options. If a user frequently lifts weights or works with metal tools, they should remove the ring to prevent gouging the chassis.

Other rings on the horizon

Several smaller manufacturers are attempting to undercut the major players with niche features. The $200 Leep Ring 1 is a new British entry that focuses on simplified "Balance" scores for stress management. However, early testing shows significant inaccuracies in its sleep tracking data, often missing wake periods during the night. The $329 Luna Ring 2.0 improved its connectivity and charging over the first generation. It includes a wireless charging case that holds 30 days of power, though the ring itself only lasts about four days. The data tends to be optimistic, often reporting higher readiness scores than Oura during periods of illness. The $269 Movano Evie Ring targets women’s health specifically by integrating menstrual cycle tracking with Apple Health. While it offers a unique open-gap design to accommodate finger swelling, its software features remain less developed than Samsung’s period tracking tools. The Verge continues to test new firmware updates for these devices as they attempt to catch up to Oura’s market share.