Buzzapp Master 
ProsExcellent sleep, stress, and recovery trackingNo tangible sensors on the insideEasy to navigate appConsMonthly membership required (but packed with insights)Though there are over 40 different workouts you can track, the activity tracking accuracy could be betterThe Oura Ring 4 continues to come out on top for us, even as we add more smart rings to our testing lineup. As the most up-to-date version of Oura’s popular smart ring, the Oura Ring 4 brings new sensors and algorithmic improvements to an already powerful health-tracking device. This new iteration nixed the tangible sensors and cut back on the thickness to build an even sleeker and more comfortable model—but don’t worry, the data has only improved with each iteration.
From a health-tracking standpoint, the Oura Ring 4 gives you a holistic picture of your wellness: temperature variation, sleep analysis, blood oxygen monitoring, heart rate variability (HRV), resting heart rate, activity tracking, and daytime stress detection. If you wear it overnight, it automatically logs how long and how well you slept, how much time you spent in deep sleep, REM, and light sleep, and even gives you a readiness score each morning.
I personally love the sleep tracking feature on my own Oura Ring. It’s definitely my most-utilized metric—it’s the first thing I check every morning when I wake up. And I have to say, it’s highly accurate. I wake up at least once a night, and I’ll typically look at the clock when I do. When I check my Oura sleep metrics in the morning, it shows my midnight wake-up time almost exactly every time.
In addition to its accuracy and sleek look, the Oura Ring’s app is also a standout. It’s intuitive and easy to navigate, presenting your metrics in separate tabs so you know exactly where to look. One of the only downsides? To unlock all the features, you’ll need to sign up for a $5.99/month membership. But considering the insights you’ll gain into your sleep cycles, stress levels, and recovery patterns, we find it to be a worthwhile investment.
Read More: Our Hands-On Review Of The Oura Ring 4
Thickness2.88mmBattery LifeUp to 8 daysAvailable MetricsSleep, HRV, heart rate, readiness, temperature, blood oxygen, stress, over 40 workout modesWater ResistanceUp to 100mSubscription$5.99/monthConnectivityiPhone, AndroidBest for Android Users
Samsung Galaxy Ring
ProsSeamless Samsung Galaxy Watch integrationThinner, titanium designStress and sleep trackingConsAndroid-only, for nowSamsung’s long-awaited Galaxy Ring is a newer addition to the smart ring catalogue. Crafted from lightweight titanium and available in three finishes, if you already use a Samsung Galaxy phone or smartwatch the integration takes no effort.
Designed to work seamlessly with Samsung Health, the Galaxy Ring tracks heart rate, activity, and sleep highly accurately. Its biggest selling point may be its emphasis on stress and sleep metrics, which have become central to Samsung’s wellness strategy. Galaxy Ring will even give you a sleep animal that reflects your sleep habits—dog is the golden ticket there. If you get, say a turtle (you fall asleep slowly and may have some interruptions throughout the night), Galaxy AI will bring you a proposed plan of action to get your sleep back on track, taking sleep tracking to that next level. It also includes skin temperature sensors and supports auto workout detection for some activities, like walking and running.
While it lacks compatibility with iPhones, it does everything Android users need it to. And although Samsung hasn’t introduced a subscription plan yet, there’s speculation that one may arrive in the future to access advanced features. For now, all features are free, making it one of the most robust and cost-effective options for Android users. And if you’re debating between the Oura Ring and the Samsung Galaxy Ring, we have things to say.
Thickness2.6mmBattery Life5 to 7 daysAvailable MetricsHeart rate, sleep, activity, stress, skin temperatureWater ResistanceUp to 100mSubscriptionNone (yet)ConnectivityAndroid (Samsung phones preferred)Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
Best Without a Membership
Ultrahuman Ring Air
ProsNo subscription requiredThinner design than some competitorsDetailed metabolic trackingConsApp isn’t as easy to navigate as some more tenured brands, but you can definitely figure it out after a few days of useThe Ultrahuman Ring Air stands out for what it doesn’t require: a membership. If you’re in the market for a smart ring, you’ve probably heard of the Oura brand and its membership fee. But if you keep digging, Ultrahuman—though newer to the industry—is a great value option as it provides all the same insights (and even some additional ones) at no added monthly cost. The build is titanium, just like the pricier options, and it’s lightweight, with a smooth interior free of any bulky sensor nodes.
In testing, the ring delivered accurate and consistent data across multiple metrics, including heart rate, HRV, temperature, and movement. It also has a unique metabolic score that tracks how well your body recovers from stress, workouts, and sleep. Another cool feature? The ring integrates with Ultrahuman’s continuous glucose monitor (CGM) platform if you want to add even more data to your day-to-day.
Though Ultrahuman tracks all the same metrics as big name brands like Oura and Galaxy, I’ve found the data delivery to be a little lacking. The data itself is impressive across the board, but if I’m being judgy, the app is nowhere near as good looking or easy to navigate as the Oura Ring’s. The sleep tracking is also not as good as some of its competitors, and that’s a huge negative, since that’s one of the main draws for many who are looking for a smart ring. Still, you get plenty of metrics without paying extra. And if you’re serious about metabolic health, the Ultrahuman definitely wins here.
Thickness2.45 – 2.8 mmBattery LifeUp to 6 daysAvailable MetricsSleep, heart rate, HRV, temperature, movement index, metabolic health, over 22 workout modesWater ResistanceUp to 100mSubscriptionNoneConnectivityiPhone, AndroidBest Value
RingConn Gen 2 Air
ProsAffordable price pointSlimmest ring on this listExceptionally long battery lifeConsLimited workout tracking accuracyRing runs large, but they offer a sizing kitFor those who want insights into sleep, heart rate, and recovery—without dropping $400 or signing up for a monthly membership—the RingConn Gen 2 Air offers great value. RingConn has refined its hardware with this second generation, offering a noticeably lighter and more comfortable fit than the original.
What makes RingConn different is its inclusion of sleep apnea detection, a rare find in this industry, especially without requiring a subscription. However, the Air does not offer this feature that RingConn is known for. The RingConn Gen 2 Air monitors a wide range of sleep metrics, including time spent in each sleep stage, movement during the night, and breathing irregularities. It’s an ideal ring for anyone trying to better understand how their overnight recovery impacts daily energy and long-term health, but it does not monitor sleep apnea like its sister product, the RingConn Gen 2.
I do have some qualms with the workout tracking. While those looking for in-depth fitness tracking are more likely to go with something like a Garmin or Whoop, the RingConn Gen 2 Air is especially basic when it comes to distinguishing different workouts. I wouldn’t really trust it to correctly judge what kind of workout I’m doing, but perhaps running. It can log activity and heart rate zones, but its technology for exercise auto-detection is new this year and not entirely accurate yet.
Still, for users more concerned with sleep and recovery than fitness performance, the Gen 2 Air is more than capable. Just note that sizes run slightly large, so it’s worth using their sizing kit or sizing down if you’re between sizes.
Thickness2mmBattery LifeUp to 10 daysAvailable MetricsHeart rate, sleep stages, blood oxygen, activity, temperatureWater ResistanceUp to 100mSubscriptionNoneConnectivityiPhone, AndroidAdvertisement – Continue Reading Below
Best New Smart Ring
Amazfit Helio Ring
ProsNo subscription requiredA.I. fitness coaching featuresWorks with Amazfit watchesConsApp and metrics aren’t as in-depth as othersAmazfit is known for its budget-friendly fitness tech that often outperforms what you may expect from an Amazon brand product. The new Helio Ring continues that by offering a smart ring that boasts solid metrics, sleek design, and no subscription fee. It’s especially alluring for users already in the Amazfit ecosystem—this ring pairs seamlessly with devices like the T-Rex 3.
The Helio Ring includes the basic smart ring metrics: sleep tracking, readiness scoring, heart rate monitoring, and activity logging. It also offers a few innovative features, like built-in A.I. coaching, which can help you adjust your sleep habits, activity levels, and even recovery tips based on your daily data. The ring is comfortable and well-made featuring a durable titanium exterior and a fairly slim profile.
That said, if you’re expecting Oura-level insights, you may find the data a little surface-level. It doesn’t really stack up to its competition when it comes to the app and the data. I would say it’s much more of a smart ring for beginners looking to save a few hundred dollars while getting something that is generally useful and looks good on the finger. To go a little deeper, the app is functional, though not especially polished, and some might miss the granularity offered by more premium competitors. Still, for the price—just under $200—the Helio Ring offers a step into smart rings, especially for anyone prioritizing affordability and comfort.
Thickness2.6mmBattery Life4 to 6 daysAvailable MetricsSleep, heart rate, readiness, 4 workout modesWater ResistanceUp to 100mSubscriptionNoneConnectivityiPhone, Android (works best with Amazfit ecosystem)Most Anticipated Smart Ring
Acer Freesense Ring
ProsNo subscription requiredPriced competitively for promised valueConsNewcomer to smart rings, may be bugsThe new Acer FreeSense Ring was unveiled at this year’s Computex event. And while the company is mostly known for building computers and laptops (I own the Swift Go 14), early word seems to suggest that they’ve made an impressive smart ring as well.
But how well does it really stack up against the mainstays like Oura Ring? Only time and some real testing will tell. The release date won’t be until later 2025, so check back here in a few months.
Thickness2.6mmBattery Life4 daysAvailable MetricsSleep, heart rate variability, blood exygen levels, fitness trackingWater ResistanceUp to 50mSubscriptionNoneConnectivityiPhone, AndroidAdvertisement – Continue Reading Below
Should I Buy a Smart Ring or a Smart Watch?Well, that all depends on your individual priorities. Smartwatches generally offer more features: GPS, message notifications, guided workouts, music controls, and in-depth workout analytics. But they also tend to be bulkier, need more frequent charging, and cause screen distractions.
Smart rings, on the other hand, are streamlined, screenless, and usually focused on sleep, stress, recovery, and wellness in general. They’re ideal if you want to track biometrics without getting sucked into a screen every few minutes. For the data-obsessed, wearing a smart ring at night and adding a smartwatch during the day is a great combination.
That said, if you’re a serious runner, cyclist, or athlete who wants workout coaching and performance stats in real time, a smartwatch is likely a better fit. If you’re focused on recovery, sleep quality, and managing stress, a smart ring may be the choice for you.
Charles Thorp is the Fitness and Commerce Editor at Men’s Health, where he shares the best product recommendations in gym equipment, recovery tools, supplements, and more. Following an early life in athletics, Charles became a NASM-certified trainer and began writing programs alongside the most respected coaches in the world.
Since entering the world of fitness content, Charles has had the opportunity to learn from and train alongside high performance individuals from the NFL, UFC, NBA, Formula 1, CrossFit, US Olympics, and Navy SEALs. When he’s not writing about training programs or gear, he can be seen at the gym or in the wild, putting them to the test.
Lauren Keary is a NASM-certified nutrition coach and fitness/nutrition writer based in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is an ex-collegiate rower, and received her M.A. in magazine journalism and B.A. in literary journalism. She has nearly a decade of professional journalism experience and has covered topics all across the wellness and lifestyles spaces.
Her bylines include Fortune, BarBend, Outside Magazine, Evening Standard, BuzzFeed, Modern Luxury, Women’s Running Magazine, TripSavvy, San Diego Magazine, Orange Coast Magazine, Fitt and FoodBeast.
When she’s not writing or editing, you can catch her walking with her dog and an iced vanilla latte (half sweet) beachside or catching a flight.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings