Smart rings offer a less intrusive alternative to bulky smartwatches for tracking activity, health, and sleep. According to WIRED, they avoid distracting screens and constant charging while becoming more affordable. The top pick remains the Finnish pioneer Oura with the Oura Ring 4, but competitors like Ultrahuman, RingConn, Amazfit, and Samsung are expanding the market.
Top Three Smart Rings Compared
WIRED tested the leading models and compiled a comparison table:
| Product | Price | Sensors | WIRED | TIRED |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oura Ring 4 | $499 | Red and Infrared LEDs, Green and Infrared LEDs, Accelerometer, Digital Temperature Sensor | Looks and feels like jewelry; Accurate and consistent with readings; Intuitive app regularly updates its features; Solid battery life. | Some colorways more expensive; Requires paid subscription; Heavier than competitors. |
| RingConn Gen 2 Air | $199 | PPG, Temperature Sensor, Accelerometer | No subscription required; Relatively affordable; Lighter and more comfortable than Oura Ring 4. | Limited workout tracking; Slow app syncing; Less accurate than competitors. |
| Samsung Galaxy Ring | $400 | Accelerometer, Optical Heart Rate Sensor, Temperature Sensor | Lighter than Oura Ring 4; Works seamlessly with Galaxy Watch; Full suite of health features. | Not worth buying without a Samsung phone; No gyroscope or GPS; Poor AI suggestions. |
Honorable Mentions
Beyond the top three, WIRED tested several alternatives. The Leep Ring, a British smart ring priced at $199, offers subscription-free basic stats on activity, sleep, and stress. It comes with a charging case that provides up to 60 extra days of charge, with the ring itself lasting up to eight days per charge (though WIRED's test achieved about five days). The app gives scores out of 100 for sleep, balance, and activity. However, sleep tracking was inaccurate in testing: one night it reported 8 hours 43 minutes while Oura logged 6 hours 52 minutes. Step counts were generally within 100 steps of the Oura and Apple Watch, but occasionally off by 1,000 steps. The app lacks polish, according to WIRED.
Key Considerations for Buyers
When choosing a smart ring, WIRED emphasizes factors like battery life, subscription costs, and device compatibility. The Oura Ring 4 requires a paid subscription for full features, while RingConn and Leep do not. Samsung's Galaxy Ring is best paired with a Samsung phone. Weight and comfort also differ: RingConn Gen 2 Air is lighter and more comfortable than the Oura Ring 4, but less accurate. All rings support activity, sleep, and health tracking through dedicated apps.
WIRED expects more entrants in the smart ring market in coming months, but for now, the Oura Ring 4 remains the top recommendation for its accuracy, design, and consistent software updates.
