Smart rings are a step above smartwatches for their health- and sleep-tracking capabilities. I credit the Oura Ring for helping me understand the factors that impact and improve my sleep. Smart rings track everything a smartwatch does, but without a screen. Plus, they tend to have longer battery life than smartwatches, so you spend less time charging and more time wearing them.
While Oura continues to dominate the smart ring space, brands ranging from newer startups to established companies are throwing their hat — or rather, their ring — in the ring. These new devices could introduce innovative features and fundamentally shake up the health tech space. The best smart rings, like smartwatches, house a comprehensive suite of health and sleep-tracking features. Some, like the Samsung Galaxy Ring, even connect to your phone for functions like photo capture and more.
For our July update, we added the Oura Ring 5 as the best smart ring overall.
Also: Best headphones for sleeping in 2026
Get more in-depth ZDNET tech coverage: Add us as a preferred Google source on Chrome and Chromium browsers.
What’s the best smart ring right now?
At ZDNET, I’ve gone hands-on with several top smart rings, spending weeks or months wearing them to test out how their apps, battery life, and other features perform. I also always compare them with other smart rings — wearing two rings at the same time and a smartwatch or two as well.
Our tested pick for the best smart ring overall is the Oura Ring 5, thanks to its impressive health suite, comprehensive health data illustrations, and thin, comfortable size that makes it easy to wear. If you are looking for a more affordable pick, the RingConn Gen 2 Air is a viable smart ring with no subscription fee and a $200 price point.
The best smart rings of 2026
Show less
Nina Raemont/ZDNET
What we like about it: The Oura Ring 5 has one thing every other smart ring on this list doesn’t: a thin, discreet build. It’s 40% smaller than the Oura Ring 4, and the size upgrade has made a tangible difference in my daily wear and comfort. It finally feels like a ring — not a smart ring. Additionally, Oura tacks on one more day of battery life to the smart ring, so you’ll spend one less day charging it.
Oura’s strongest feature — and the reason it was able to sidestep the smartwatch competition early on — is sleep tracking. Oura measures heart rate, heart rate variability, blood oxygen, body temperature, and breathing rate to gather data on how you slept and recovered throughout the night. It can even detect when you’re about to get sick simply by measuring these variables for a long enough period of time.
That’s because, after weeks and months of wear, Oura begins to understand your personal biometric baseline. The technology can then assess and detect deviations. I’ve experienced this several times: Oura’s Symptom Radar feature flags that I have major or minor signs of strain at least a day before I get sick with a fever or cough.
You can exercise with it, though it’s not the most accurate when it comes to step tracking or calorie counting. It’s a far better sleep tracker than it is an exercise companion. I deem it a wellness companion that gives you a good general idea about your health, but you might want to grab a smartwatch if you’re intent on tracking calories or running pace to a tee.
Who it’s for: If you’ve been deterred from buying the current selection of chunky smart rings because of their chunkier design, the Oura Ring 5 blends in naturally with other jewelry. This inconspicuous build keeps the technology discreet and long-time wear comfortable.
When I first wore the new smart ring, I noticed that I could finally keep my fingers together with the ring on thanks to its smaller size. This wasn’t the case for the Oura Ring 4. I recommend the Oura Ring 5 to anyone willing to spend a little more than the previous generation for an unnoticeable health-tracking experience.
Who should look elsewhere: I like everything about the smart ring besides the cost. The Oura Ring 5 starts at $399, $50 more than the Oura Ring 4. Select finishes including Deep Rose, Gold, and Brushed Silver cost $499. Then, if you want access to all the datapoints Oura provides, you’ll have to pay an annual $70 subscription.
Ther are more affordable and subscription-free options like RingConn’s smart ring or the Samsung Galaxy Ring. In addition, the Oura Ring 4 price will inevitably get cut now that the fifth-generation has hit the market.
Oura Ring 5 tech specs: Material: Lightweight titanium with non-allergenic, non-metallic inner molding | Battery life: Between 6 to 9 days | Charging: Full charge in 20 to 80 minutes | Compatibility: iOS and Android | Durability: Water-resistant up to 328 feet | Sizing: 6 to 13 | FSA and HSA eligible
Read More
Show Expert Take Show less
Show less
Jason Hiner/ZDNET
The Galaxy Ring is the first smart ring released by a leading tech brand. It’s a wearable any Android user could get excited about.
Why we like it: The Galaxy Ring tracks your sleep, activity, and stress, and delivers that data in a simplistic, easy-to-use format. It works best for people already integrated within the Samsung Health ecosystem, who might own a Galaxy Watch to track their activity and want a lighter health tracker for sleep. The Galaxy Ring isn’t only for Samsung users — any Android phone owner can download the Samsung Health app and start using the smart ring. However, iPhone owners can’t use the smart ring or download the Samsung Health app.
It delivers sleep and readiness scores that tend to be higher than other smart ring scores I’ve received. This makes it a great option to track your slumber or exercises without guilt. Since it pairs with Samsung phones, you can take photos by pinching your ring-wearing finger and thumb together, which is a unique touch.
Who’s it for: The Galaxy Ring is best for Android users who are already within the Samsung Health ecosystem. Maybe they own a Galaxy Watch and use it for exercise tracking during the day but don’t want to wear it to bed.
Who should look elsewhere: The Galaxy Ring mainly covers daily health insights and minimal health trends. If you want more long-term health insights, I suggest an Oura Ring 5 instead.
Review: Samsung Galaxy Ring
Galaxy Ring tech specs: Material: Titanium | Battery life: Seven days | Sizing: 5 to 13 | Compatibility: Android: | Durability: 10ATM waterproof rating | Charging: Charging case | FSA and HSA eligible
Read More
Show Expert Take Show less
Show less
Nina Raemont/ZDNET
The RingConn Gen 2 Air is the top smart ring for budget and battery life.
Why we like it: The RingConn Gen 2 Air offers a lower-stakes entry point into the world of health and sleep tracking. The ring delivers lots of the same health metrics and recommendations that are packaged into those higher-priced smart rings.
Plus, the smart ring’s battery life is the longest on this list at up to ten days, so you won’t have to charge it as frequently.
Unlike other smart rings on this list, the RingConn Gen 2 Air does not include a readiness or recovery score. Instead, it takes your sleep score, stress/relax status, vitals score, and activity score to generate an overall Wellness Balance. It’s a more holistic approach to health and sleep tracking and is best for people who are casual exercisers not looking to optimize their training load with data-driven suggestions, like a readiness or recovery score.
Who’s it for: Casual exercisers looking to stay active will reap the benefits of the RingConn Gen 2 Air. The smart ring is a great entry-level health tracker thanks to its affordable price – the cheapest on this list – and its long battery life. It’s also a great ring for people who wear a smartwatch during the day and are looking for a smart ring to mainly track their sleep.
Who should look elsewhere: The RingConn Gen 2 Air’s user interface is not my favorite – it feels bare bones and underdeveloped compared to the other picks on this list. If you want a smart ring with more robust data illustrations, innovative features, and an advanced user interface, I recommend the Oura Ring 4 or Ultrahuman Ring Air.
Review: RingConn Gen 2
RingConn Gen 2 Air Smart Ring tech specs: Material: Titanium | Battery life: 10 days | Sizing: 6 to 14 | Compatibility: iOS and Android: | Durability: IP68 waterproof rating | Charging: Charging case | FSA and HSA eligible
Read More
Show Expert Take Show less
Here are a few things you might want to consider before buying a smart ring or smartwatch:
- Battery life: Smart rings tend to have longer battery life than most smartwatches. The average smart ring can run for four to five days without a charge, while a smartwatch like a Pixel Watch, Apple Watch, or Galaxy Watch battery can last a day or two at most.
- Comfort: I hate sleeping with my Apple Watch and its chunky screen. But I’ve never had a problem sleeping with smart rings around my finger. They’re far more discreet for everyday activities and don’t take up as much real estate on your hands. The only time smartwatches would be more comfortable is during weight training activities, given how the weight could pinch at your finger with a ring on it.
- Sleep tracking: Because of its longer battery life and more comfortable build, a smart ring is an amazing sleep tracker compared to a smartwatch. I’ve found that the most useful sleep trackers deliver a sleep score alongside each night of sleep, to give people a visualization of the night’s rest. It’s worth noting that the Apple Watch, one of the most popular smartwatches on the market, doesn’t provide owners with this functionality. Most notable smart rings, however, include a sleep score and comprehensive sleep data in their product.
- Activity tracking: Smartwatches take the cake when it comes to activity tracking. Unlike a screenless smart ring, smartwatches display key activity metrics like pace, distance, heart rate, and more as someone is running, cycling, walking, and more. This at-a-glance functionality makes smartwatches the true winner for activity tracking. While you can record workouts through a smart ring app, that health data is only available on your phone and oftentimes presented in full once the workout is complete.
- Style: Style is subjective, yes. But to me, a smart ring has far more potential to look stylish against your other jewelry or outfit than a smartwatch. You can get your smart ring in gold, silver, or black to complement the jewelry tones you tend to wear most. Smart rings dissolve into your wardrobe, while a smartwatch demands more attention and can be an eyesore on a wrist.
All in all, depending on what you want from a health wearable, you might choose a smart ring over a smartwatch or vice versa. It’s all a matter of which suits the data you’d like to track best and your preferences for comfort, style, and battery life.
Also: Best Android smartwatches: Galaxy Watch Ultra to the Tag Heuer
It depends on your needs and your budget. Below, our table helps you determine the right ring for you based on specific uses:
| Choose this smart ring… | If you want… |
| Oura Ring 5 | The best smart ring overall for understanding your health and the thinnest smart ring you can wear. Health tracking is accurate and comprehensive without overwhelming you with data, and the company rolls out new features every month. A subscription is required. |
| Samsung Galaxy Ring | The best smart ring for Android users with impressive AI-powered sleep algorithms, activity monitoring, and a double pinch gesture for taking photos and snoozing alarms. It’s the most expensive upfront cost, but you don’t have to pay for a subscription, unlike a few options on this list. |
| RingConn Gen 2 Air | An affordably priced smart ring that does the bulk of daily health tracking, if not with a less developed user interface. |
If you’re interested in purchasing a smart ring, you should consider the following factors:
- Purpose and functionality: Traditionally, smart rings like the Oura Ring are a substitute for a smartwatch or other health-tracking device. For this list, we considered rings that monitor factors like blood oxygen testing, sleep and heart rate tracking, and activity metrics, but also considered rings with smart nuances, such as NFC readings and making contactless payments.
- Durability: To go from jewelry accessories to smart staples, there are certain durability aspects these rings should include to maximize benefits. We considered if the rings were waterproof, water-resistant, or coated with any extra protection.
- Device compatibility: Unlike a smartwatch, smart rings don’t have an interactive display. Therefore, all the data is housed via third-party software. We made sure these choices were compatible with iOS and Android.
- Design: One of the benefits of a smart ring is that, ideally, it’s sleek, subtle, and comfortable to wear — even as your finger may swell in the summer heat.
ZDNET went hands-on with every smart ring on this list. We spend a few weeks or months wearing the rings to test out how their apps, battery life, and other relevant features perform — not just for a day or two, but over the course of many wears and through different environmental conditions. When we think a product is worth your money, we put it on this list and write up a spotlight highlighting its best qualities and specifying who it’s for.
Also: How we test smart rings at ZDNET
Plus, we are constantly scouring the web for new products that are worthy of testing and following news on product rollouts and upgrades. We know buying an expensive smart ring can set you back a few hundred dollars. That’s why our advice is tailored to your needs and budget.
To learn more about my process for testing smart rings, visit this article, which covers it in depth.
Latest news on smart rings
- Oura unveiled the Oura Ring 5 in May. It’s the thinnest smart ring the company has created and it’s 40% smaller than the Oura Ring 4. Additionally, Oura has quietly filed for an initial public offering, signaling the strength and popularity of the health company.
Several stories have circulated recently about wearables like the Oura Ring waving the red flag on a user’s health. Just this week, a nurse practitioner’s story went viral on TikTok after her Oura Ring notified her of data that eventually led to her receiving a lymphoma diagnosis.
Oura’s Symptom Radar feature monitors your vitals (your heart rate, heart rate variability, body temperature, and blood oxygen) and notifies you of when there are variations worthy of paying attention to. If it detects major signs of strain, it will encourage you to rest or take a sick day.
Both devices are accurate for what they do best, but they excel in different areas.
For example, the Oura Ring is a great and comfortable smart ring to wear to bed for sleep tracking. You’ll get insights into your sleep patterns, recovery, and notifications if you’re getting sick. That last piece is something the Apple Watch can do, but Oura has perfected the interface and notifications for symptom tracking and recovery.
Apple can provide accurate activity-tracking mechanisms and step counting that Oura has sometimes missed the mark on. You also probably wouldn’t want to wear the Apple Watch to bed, but you could use it to set timers, call friends, create reminders, or check the weather. They’re different devices and they serve different purposes.
The Apple Watch and the Oura Ring are the only two wearables with full Natural Cycles compatibility. The recently released Galaxy Ring, along with the Galaxy Watches, has cycle insights powered by Natural Cycles. However, it doesn’t offer the full extent of fertility tracking (or charge you $20 a month, as a Natural Cycles subscription does), meaning you probably wouldn’t want to use the Galaxy Ring’s cycle insights as a form of contraception.
All the smart rings I’ve included above are FSA/HSA eligible, meaning you can use your FSA or HSA money to purchase one. Since they track your health and sleep — and encourage healthy habits — they are considered a health device.
Yes, the Oura Ring is waterproof up to 100 meters, so you can wear it in the shower, at the beach, or in the training pool.
Smart rings vary in price, depending on their features and which finish you get your ring in. A matte black smart ring is going to cost much less than a rose gold smart ring. On average, a smart ring will cost you around $250 to $450, depending on the finish and features.
Despite how small smart rings are, their battery life can compete with, say, smartwatches. Look for a smart ring that can last up to four to seven days while you’re shopping around. If you are paying around $300 for a smart ring, it should last you at least four days, but ideally five or six. The more you have to charge this ring, the less you’ll want to wear it and reap the benefits of the health data tracking suite.
Latest updates
- In July 2026 we added the Oura Ring 5 as the best smart ring overall. We moved the Oura Ring 4 down from best smart ring overall to an alternative to consider, since it will be going on sale more often now that the Oura Ring 5 is available.
Are there alternative smart rings worth considering?
Show less
Nina Raemont/ZDNET
Looking for a discounted smart ring that is just as competitive as the Oura Ring 5? I suggest the earlier generation Oura Ring 4 instead. You’re getting all of the same software updates as Oura Ring 5 but at a discounted price.
Read More
Show Expert Take Show less
For more, check out our favorite fitness smart rings and how the Oura 4 and Oura 5 compare to each other.
