My Search for the Best Smart Rings 2026
Look, I’ll be the first to admit it: I used to be a total smartwatch addict. My wrist was constantly buzzing with emails I didn’t want to read and “stand up” reminders that felt like a personal attack while I was mid-binge on a Netflix show. But eventually, the “tech-shackles” got to be too much. I wanted my health data—I’m a data nerd at heart—but I didn’t want a glowing rectangle strapped to my arm 24/7.
That’s what led me down the rabbit hole of the best smart rings. If you’re just starting your research, you’ll see that PCMag’s deep dive into the best smart rings confirms exactly what I found: the market is finally mature enough to replace your watch.
It’s 2026 now, and the market has exploded. It’s not just the “Oura show” anymore. We’ve got rings that last nearly two weeks on a charge, rings with no monthly fees (praise be!), and rings so light you genuinely forget you’re wearing them until someone asks why your finger is glowing green in the dark.
I’ve spent the last few months swapping these things out, dealing with “smart ring tan lines,” and explaining to my friends why I’m wearing three rings at once like some sort of tech-wizard. If you’re looking to jump into the ring game this year, here’s my honest, no-filter take on the Best Smart Rings.
Top 5 Best Smart Rings:
1. The Oura Ring 4: The “Gold Standard” (With a Catch)
Let’s start with the big one. Oura is basically the Apple of smart rings. They were here first, they have the slickest app, and let’s be real, their rings look the most like actual jewelry.
My Experience: When I first put on the Oura Ring 4, the first thing I noticed was the “Smart Sensing” tech. Unlike the older Gen 3, which had those little bumps on the inside that would occasionally dig into my finger if I carried heavy groceries, the Gen 4 is almost completely smooth. It’s incredibly comfortable.
The data is scarily accurate. Last month, I woke up feeling fine, but my Oura “Readiness Score” was in the 60s (usually I’m an 85+ guy). It told me my body temperature was slightly elevated and I should take it easy. Two hours later? Full-blown flu. It literally knew I was sick before I did. This kind of tech is exactly why TIME named the Oura Ring 4 one of the Best Inventions of 2025.
The Downside: The subscription. Ugh. You pay $349 for the ring, and then you still have to pay about $6 a month to see your own data. As CNET pointed out in their review, it’s a pricey caveat for what is arguably the best tracker on the market. It feels like buying a car and then being charged a monthly fee to use the steering wheel. If you want the absolute best insights and don’t mind the “wellness tax,” this is the one.
2. Samsung Galaxy Ring: The “Easy Button” for Android Fans
If you have a Samsung phone, this is a no-brainer. Samsung finally entered the chat in late 2024/early 2025, and they did a great job.
The Story: I paired the Galaxy Ring with my S24 Ultra, and the integration is seamless. The coolest part? The “Energy Score.” It uses Galaxy AI to look at your sleep, activity, and heart rate to give you a single number for the day.
I’m not the only one impressed by the ecosystem; ZDNet’s hands-on testing highlighted that it actually outperforms the Apple Watch in several key sleep-tracking metrics. I also love the charging case. It looks like a high-end jewelry box and has its own battery, so you just drop the ring in and it charges wirelessly. It’s way more elegant than the little plastic “pucks” that most other rings use.
The Catch: If you have an iPhone, stay away. It’s built specifically for the Samsung ecosystem. It’s also one of the pricier options without a subscription, but the build quality is top-tier.
3. Ultrahuman Ring Air: The Data Junkie’s Dream
The Ultrahuman Ring Air is for the person who wants to know everything. Not just how you slept, but how that 3:00 PM espresso affected your heart rate variability (HRV) at 2:00 AM.
My Experience: Ultrahuman has this feature called “Power Plugs.” It sounds like something for an electric car, but it’s actually mini-apps within their main app. I used the “Caffeine Window” plug religiously. It tells you exactly when to stop drinking coffee so it won’t wreck your sleep.
One Saturday, I ignored the ring and had a late-night decaf (which still has some caffeine!). The next morning, the app basically gave me a “told you so” by showing how my deep sleep dropped. It’s like having a very nerdy, slightly judgmental health coach living on your finger.
The Vibe: It’s incredibly light (only about 2.4 grams). At times, I actually panicked thinking I’d lost it because I couldn’t feel it on my hand.
4. RingConn Gen 2: The Marathon Runner
If the Oura is the “pretty” ring, the RingConn Gen 2 is the “utility” ring. It’s for the person who hates charging things.
The Anecdote: I took this ring on a 10-day camping trip through the Smokies. I didn’t bring the charger. I didn’t even think about the battery. While my friends were huddled around a portable power bank trying to juice up their Apple Watches every night, my RingConn was just sitting there, silently tracking my hiking steps and my (terrible) tent sleep.
When I got home? I still had 15% battery left. TechRadar’s testing of the Gen 2 found it to be one of the best “bang for your buck” upgrades of the year, and I have to agree.
Why I like it: Zero subscription fees. You buy the ring, you own the data. The Gen 2 is also remarkably thin. It has this slightly “squircle” (square-circle) shape that actually helps it stay in place on your finger, which means the sensors are always where they need to be.
5. Amazfit Helio Ring: The Athlete’s Recovery Tool
Last but not least, the Helio Ring. Amazfit is known for making great budget smartwatches, but the Helio is a serious piece of tech.
Personal Take: I’m a casual runner—the kind who runs 5ks just so I can eat more pizza. The Helio Ring is obsessed with “Recovery.” After a hard run, it tells me exactly how long I should wait before hitting the pavement again. It also has an EDA (Electrodermal Activity) sensor. Basically, it measures the sweat on your skin to track stress.
I wore it during a particularly stressful Zoom presentation, and the app showed a massive spike in my stress levels right when my boss asked me a question I didn’t know the answer to. Seeing that data later actually helped me realize I need to work on my “calm under pressure” game. For more on the specifics, TechRadar’s ranking often cites this as the top choice for those already in the Amazfit ecosystem.
Best Smart Rings Comparison Table:
| Feature | Oura Ring 4 | Samsung Galaxy Ring | Ultrahuman Ring Air | RingConn Gen 2 | Amazfit Helio Ring |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Key Features | Sleep, activity, HRV, temperature | Sleep, activity, heart rate, snore tracking (Samsung phones) | Sleep, activity, recovery | Sleep, activity, heart rate, HRV | Sleep, activity, heart rate |
| Subscription | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Battery Life | Up to 8 days | Up to 7 days | Variable | Around 7 days | Variable |
| Pros | Accurate tracking, excellent app | Good sleep tracking, Samsung integration | Lightweight, no subscription | Long battery life, no subscription | Affordable |
| Cons | Subscription required | Samsung ecosystem favored, Higher price. | less metrics than some competitors. | Less advanced features. | Accuracy can be variable. |
Final Thoughts: Which one should you get?
If you’re still sitting on the fence, let me simplify it for you based on the “vibe” you’re going for. Here are some additional thoughts about the best smart rings:
- “I want the best and don’t care about a monthly fee”: Get the Oura Ring 4. The app is just miles ahead of everyone else in terms of beauty and user experience.
- “I’m a traveler and I hate chargers”: Go with the RingConn Gen 2. That battery life is a genuine game-changer.
- “I want to optimize every second of my life”: The Ultrahuman Ring Air is your new best friend.
- “I’m already deep in the Samsung ecosystem”: Just get the Galaxy Ring. Don’t overthink it.
- “I want to track my workouts and recovery on a budget”: The Amazfit Helio is a solid, sturdy choice.
Switching from a smartwatch to a smart ring was the best thing I did for my “digital hygiene.” I still get all the data I crave, but I’ve reclaimed my wrist—and my peace of mind. No more phantom vibrations, no more glowing screens at dinner. Just a simple band that knows more about me than I probably know about myself.
Welcome to the future. It’s a lot lighter than I expected.
