The best Smart rings will slip easily onto your finger to track your activity, health, and sleep—in addition to offering nice-to-have features like meal-logging, AI capabilities, and cycle tracking. Equally important, though, is what these devices don't force you to deal with: distracting screens, a bulky smartwatch banging you in the face while you're deep in REM sleep, or seemingly constant charging time.
Once the preserve of wealthy wellness buffs, top-of-the-line smart rings are becoming increasingly more affordable and widely available. Although our top pick remains from Finnish pioneer Oura with the Oura Ring 4 (from $349), the company is now hardly the only fish in the smart-ring sea, thanks to upstarts like Ultrahuman and RingConn, established fitness-tracking brands like Amazfit, and even tech giants like Samsung. I expect to see more entrants in the coming months, but for now, these are the best smart rings you can buy.
For more wearable recommendations, check out WIRED's guides to the Best Smartwatches, the Best Fitness Trackers, and the Best Fitbits.
Updated May 2026: I've updated product information and specs for all top picks. I've also added pros and cons, included my testing methodology, a comparison chart, and an FAQ section. I removed discontinued products, and confirmed prices and links are up-to-date.
Amazon (Ceramic)
Best Buy (Gold)
The original Oura Ring unilaterally created the health smart ring category. This stylish, unobtrusive ring, popularized by biohacking billionaires, soon brought miniaturized fitness tracking to the masses. Product reviewer Adrienne So was a little disappointed in the Oura Ring Gen 3 at launch because of delayed features and the switch to a monthly subscription, but eventually grew to love it. Now, the Oura Ring 4 hits new heights. Though still subscription-based, it's the best sleep tracker, one of the best fitness trackers, and the best smart ring for most folks.
Oura stands out for several reasons, chief among them being accuracy. The top-quality hardware tracks your heart rate, body temperature, and blood oxygen levels. Oura can also automatically recognize activities, break down sleep, and adjust your wellness goals based on your readiness. Over time—it takes about 30 days to detect trends—the Oura Ring findings more closely reflected how I actually felt than any other tracker. It flagged changes in my respiratory rate and body temperature when I was ill and prompted Rest Mode to help me recover. Plus, Oura is always adding new features like meal logging, enabling you to snap a photo of your plate and get an AI-powered breakdown of its nutrition and suitability.
With the release of the Ring 4 came an Oura app update that simplifies the interface, making it easier to digest your data (something that all models benefit from). Oura also participates in many groundbreaking research studies with a wide array of partners, including a partnership with Quest Diagnostics that lets you get bloodwork as part of your subscription.
The Ring 4 is also slimmer and lighter than its predecessor, and there is now a ceramic version. Reviewer Simon Hill had issues with dwindling battery life and some scuffing with his silver Ring 4, but he hasn't encountered those issues with the ceramic version. (Just know the ceramic finish costs $150 more than the standard Ring 4). The stylish portable charging case ($99) is great for travel and holds up to five full charges, but you must match the size to your ring. It would have been nice if Oura had designed a charging case for any size of ring, especially since there is multi-ring support in the app, so you can swap out rings depending on your outfit.
The RingConn Gen 2 Air is slimmer, lighter, and cheaper than the regular Gen 2 and offers subscription-free sleep and health tracking. There are photoplethysmography (PPG) and temperature sensors inside, alongside a three-axis accelerometer. The Gen 2 Air tracks your steps, calories burned, heart rate, blood oxygen, and sleep. It can prompt you to get up when you’ve been sedentary for too long and nudge you to take a breather if your stress levels spike. Compared to the Gen 2, it is made from cheaper steel, has a slightly shorter battery life (still up to 10 days), can’t detect sleep apnea, and comes with a basic charger instead of a nifty charging case. RingConn also added a tiny notch (like the Oura has) to help you align it correctly for accurate tracking.
The RingConn Gen 2 Air is much more comfortable than previous models. It also has colored ring protectors to swap out with your outfits if you're someone who likes to color-coordinate. However, it has the same main problem as its predecessors: Workout tracking is limited and does not work well when your heart rate is elevated. It also consistently overestimated my sleep and slightly underestimated my steps and activity compared to my Oura and Apple Watch. RingConn added an AI assistant to the app that generates a plan for you, adjusting your targets weekly based on your activity and feedback. This feature is fine. You can ask questions and get tips, but it didn’t move the needles much for me in either direction.
Ultimately, the Gen 2 Air struggles to compete with the top pick overall for best smart ring, the Oura Ring 4, but it's worth considering given its strengths: being comparatively affordable and subscription-free. —Simon Hill
The Samsung Galaxy Ring works seamlessly with the Galaxy Watch8 series and Galaxy Watch Ultra, extending each device's battery life by trading tasks and keeping tabs on your activity while the other is charging. It comes in an attractive, clear charging case with an LED that shows you how much battery life you have left. It's also noticeably slimmer and lighter than the Oura Ring 4.
I found this ring's accuracy similar to an Apple Watch Ultra, save for the Samsung being a bit too generous with its sleep tracking, which makes sense since it lacks a gyroscope. Even so, the ring accurately auto-detected workouts—even pool workouts—and the heart rate tracking is also very reliable. Its cycle-tracking feature, powered by the fertility-tracking app Natural Cycles, uses skin-temperature sensing to track when your period will come—and it works. It correctly predicted my period would be late, turning what would've been a stressful week into one that was much less so.
While you can use the Galaxy Ring with most Android phones, it's more expensive than the Oura (there's no subscription, though). The most useful features, like your daily Energy Score and wellness tips (what the company calls Booster Cards), also rely on Galaxy AI, which means you'll only be able to see them if you are using the ring with a Samsung phone. But if you have a Samsung phone and Galaxy Watch, it has an Apple-like seamlessness and interoperability to it. You can even dismiss alarms with a Double Pinch gesture on your ring-wearing finger or remotely snap a picture (only available with Samsung phones). —Adrienne So
We have tested several other entrants in this category, some good, some bad, and some in between. Here is the lowdown on some of your smart ring alternatives.
Leep Ring for $199: A British smart ring that's affordable, subscription-free, and offers simplified, accessible stats on your activity, sleep, and stress. The Leep Ring is slim and stylish, with a subtle diagonal indent to help you line up the knobbly internal sensors. It comes with a handy charging case that’s supposedly capable of providing an extra 60 days of charge. A fully charged ring is meant to last up to eight days. (I’ve been getting closer to five.) The app is straightforward and gives you a score out of 100 for sleep, balance (stress), and activity. Sadly, sleep is woefully inaccurate and tends to report that I’ve been asleep for my entire time in bed, even if I was watching TV or reading. One night, it suggested I slept 8 hours 43 minutes (Oura says 6 hours 52 minutes). The activity and stress scores seem a bit more accurate, with step counts that were mostly within 100 or so of my Oura and Apple Watch (it was out by 1,000 one day). But the app could use some polish. For example, it doesn’t take into account that it’s only a couple of hours into the day before telling me my movement for today is “Bad.” I also lost data on the first night it ran out of battery, and there was no warning notification to tell me to recharge. It’s early days for Leep, and it’s priced very reasonably, but it needs to improve fast to compete. —Simon Hill
Luna Ring 2.0 for $329: We had issues with charging and connectivity with the first-generation Luna Ring, but the Indian manufacturer seems to have made significant improvements in version 2.0. My Luna Ring 2.0 came with a jazzy wireless charging case (it is $29 cheaper with the regular charging dock) that promises up to 30 days of power. The ring is supposed to go five days between charges, but I found four was more realistic. I don't love the diagonal crease that marks the front of the ring, and it’s not as comfortable as my Oura. It boasts all the usual sensor suspects for tracking (optical heart rate, blood oxygen, PPG, skin temperature). Data is divided into sleep, readiness, and activity tabs in the busy app, with the obligatory AI option for advice and insights. There’s no subscription necessary, which is a big plus, and the data seemed reasonably accurate, but it’s definitely on the generous side. Comparing a full day to my Oura, the Luna thought I got an extra hour of sleep, burned 100 kcal more, and rated my readiness above 80 out of 100, while Oura scored much lower and picked up on something straining my body (I do have a cold right now). If you want a subscription-free ring, I prefer the Ultrahuman listed above. —Simon Hill
Circular Ring 2 for $349: This ring is pretty, with rounded edges that make it slightly look more like jewelry than the Oura or Ultrahuman rings. I also like the closed charging case, which means you can bring it while traveling and recharge without a USB-C cable, and I also like that the ring pings me throughout the day when I'm in my best zone for productivity, working out, or caffeine. However, during my two-week testing period, I was plagued with persistent server issues and data processing delays that made it difficult to double-check any of my health metrics for accuracy, like heart rate, SpO2, or sleep data. —Adrienne So
RingConn Gen 2 for $299: Despite being $100 more than the Gen 2 Air, this is still a relatively affordable, subscription-free smart ring. The main differences here are that the Gen 2 offers sleep apnea monitoring, tracks VO2 max, and it's a titanium build; the Gen 2 Air is made of stainless steel.
Amazfit Helio Ring for $150: As a purveyor of affordable fitness trackers like the Active 2, I expected a competitive smart ring from Amazfit, but the Helio falls short in several areas. I like the textured bronze finish, but it is the only color you get. Sizes are limited to 8, 10, or 12 for now (sizes 7 to 13 are coming). Also, the Helio was often inaccurate, with heart rate measurements wildly out of step with other wearable tech. It lacks automatic workout tracking, battery life averaged three days for me, and it frequently disconnected from the busy and confusing Zepp app. You don’t need a subscription, but there is Aura AI ($70/year) for sleep insights and content or Fitness ($30/year), which includes an AI coach. They are expensive and confusing. (Why have two separate subscriptions?) The Helio works much better in conjunction with a smartwatch (I tried it with the Amazfit Cheetah Pro), as it can merge the data, but as a standalone device, it is impossible to recommend. —Adrienne So
Movano Evie Ring for $269: When the subscription-free Movano Evie Ring first came out, it was touted as the fitness tracker for women. However, its menstrual health features are pretty underbaked compared to those offered by its competitors. Now that the Oura and the Galaxy Ring can track cycles accurately, this ring's time may have passed. It's also currently sold out.
How Do I Choose the Right Smart Ring Size?
Some smart rings come in standard sizes, but there is variation, and half sizes are rare, so it's worth taking some time to ensure you get the correct ring size. Most manufacturers will send you a free sizing kit, enabling you to wear a dummy ring for at least 24 hours. Your smart ring should be snug to enable the sensors to measure accurately, but you don't want it so tight that it restricts blood flow. Bear in mind that your fingers swell and shrink throughout the day.
Note: You may have to buy the ring directly from the manufacturer to get the sizing kit for free.
Which Finger Should I Wear My Smart Ring On?
You can wear your smart ring on any finger, but most manufacturers recommend wearing these gadgets on your index finger for the most accuracy, though the middle or ring finger can also work. These three fingers all have large blood vessels for more accurate pulse monitoring. What’s really important is that the ring fits tightly and securely around the base of your chosen finger, so if you have a big knuckle and a narrower finger base (more common with the middle or ring finger), this can be tricky. I recommend wearing it on the index finger of your less dominant hand because I found wearing it on my right index finger, as a right-handed person, led to more damage on the ring and scrapes.
How Do I Care for My Smart Ring?
Regular cleaning can help maintain accurate tracking and prevent skin irritation. Use mild soap and water to remove buildup and oils. Wipe the inner sensors with a soft cloth. Always dry the ring and your finger completely after handwashing.
Most smart rings are built to handle everyday wear, but if you want to avoid damage, it's best to remove them when working with tools, lifting heavy weights, or playing contact sports. I'd also remove mine during chores like washing dishes or cooking, especially when abrasive products are involved.
How Often Do I Need to Charge My Smart Ring?
Most models need to be charged every five to eight days. I tested the smart rings above with all the functionalities turned on, so my battery life estimates are typically lower than the manufacturer's claims.
Smart rings come with a charging cable (and sometimes a charging case), but you will generally have to provide your own wall adapter. From dead, they take anywhere from an hour and a half to three hours to fully charge, but you should avoid letting the battery run down completely, or you run the risk of losing health data. Oura recommends charging your ring for short bursts and during moments of low activity, such as cooking or showering. The company also suggests charging your smart ring to at least 30 percent before bed to ensure uninterrupted sleep monitoring.
What Smart Ring Features Should I Look For?
Choosing the best smart ring for you comes down to a few key considerations:
Are Smart Rings Better Than Smartwatches?
Neither is better per se. Smartwatches are designed to do more than just track health data, offering broader functionality and interactive features that allow users to check notifications, reply to messages, and even make calls right from their wrist. They're built to combine fitness tracking with everyday convenience, making them a versatile option for people who want multiple functions in one device. Smart rings take a more understated approach. Designed to be low-maintenance and discreet, they specialize in tracking health and wellness metrics in the background without the need for a display screen or interaction.
That said, here are a few reasons why you might consider a smart ring over a traditional fitness tracker or smartwatch:
How I Test Smart Rings
WIRED has been testing smart rings since the NFC Ring and the first-ever Oura Ring. I wear each smart ring 24/7, for at least a month, to assess how it performs in everyday life. Every ring is worn during activities like commuting, exercising, and sleeping to see how comfortable it feels over extended use and whether the design causes irritation, scratches easily, or gets in the way of everyday tasks.
Next up: I am testing the new Ultrahuman Ring Pro, the RingConn Gen 3, and the Pulse Ring.
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Source: Wired
