For folks who want something other than a smartwatch.
Smart rings are having a moment. Celebrities, health enthusiasts, and tech-savvy consumers are all gravitating toward these sleek, discreet devices that promise to track your health 24/7 without the bulk of a traditional smartwatch. But with so many options flooding the market, which one should you actually buy?
We’ve spent months testing the top smart rings to find the ones that truly deliver on their promises. From sleep tracking accuracy to battery life, build quality to app experience, we’ve put these tiny computers through their paces to help you make the right choice.
The rings in our guide represent the cream of the crop, each offering unique strengths for different types of users. Whether you’re a data-driven fitness enthusiast, a casual health tracker, or someone who simply wants better sleep insights, there’s a smart ring here for you.
What I’m Looking For
How we test smart rings
We wear each ring for at least two weeks, tracking sleep, activity, and health metrics while comparing data against medical-grade devices when possible.
Sizing
Getting the right fit is crucial. We test the sizing process, comfort during extended wear, and how well rings stay put during activities.
Design
We evaluate build quality, materials, water resistance, and how the ring looks and feels as an everyday accessory.
Durability
Smart rings take a beating. We test scratch resistance, water exposure, and general wear-and-tear over extended use.
Charging and Battery
We measure real-world battery life, charging speed, and the convenience of the charging system.
App
The companion app makes or breaks the experience. We assess data presentation, insights quality, and ease of use.
Best Smart Ring for First-Time Buyers
Herz P1 Smart Ring
1# Best Overall Smart Ring
$59.99 (63% off – was $169.98)
THE DEAL
- Space-grade titanium construction
- 6-day battery life & super fast charging
- IP68 waterproof rating (Swim, sweat & shower safe)
- No subscription fees
- Available in 4 colors: Midnight Black, Silver Spark, Sunrise Gold, Rose Gold
The Herz P1 Smart Ring is the perfect entry point into the world of smart rings. At just $59.99 (currently 63% off the regular $169.98 price) with no ongoing subscription fees, it delivers the same premium health tracking features you’ll find in rings costing $349+ — making it ideal for casual users who want to dip their toes into health tracking without the premium price tag or monthly fees.
Why Choose Herz P1 for Your First Smart Ring: This isn’t a watered-down budget device — it’s a fully-featured smart ring that happens to be incredibly affordable.
You get the same comprehensive health monitoring capabilities as the expensive competitors: over 20 biometrics including heart rate, blood pressure, blood oxygen levels, and heart rate variability. The advanced red laser technology provides real-time cardiovascular monitoring that rivals medical-grade equipment.
The build quality is exceptional. The space-grade titanium construction feels premium while remaining lightweight and comfortable for 24/7 wear. The IP68 waterproof rating means you can swim, shower, or get caught in the rain without worry.
With 6 days of battery life and fast magnetic charging that reaches 100% in under an hour, it keeps up with your busy lifestyle.
The app experience is refreshingly straightforward, presenting your health data in clear, actionable insights without overwhelming you with unnecessary complexity.
For women, the comprehensive menstrual cycle tracking provides valuable insights into how your cycle affects sleep, stress, and overall health metrics.
Compare the Value:
- Herz P1: $59.99 (one-time) — Full features, no compromises
- Oura Ring 4: $349 + $72/year subscription — Same tracking capabilities
- Samsung Galaxy Ring: $399 (Android only) — Limited to Samsung phones
- Ultrahuman Ring Air: $349 — More complex interface
For first-time smart ring users, the Herz P1 removes all barriers to entry. You get to experience comprehensive health tracking, premium build quality, and 6-day battery life for less than the cost of a premium dinner out. If you decide smart rings aren’t for you, you’re only out $60 instead of $350+.
RECOMMENDS: If you want to try smart ring health tracking without the premium price tag or subscription fees
Best for Sleep Analysis
Oura Ring 4
$349 + $5.99/month ($69.99/year)
THE DEAL
- Industry-leading sleep tracking with over 30 biometrics
- Up to 8-day battery life
- Recessed sensors for comfort
- Smart Sensing technology that adapts to you
- All-titanium construction
- HSA/FSA eligible
The Oura Ring 4 sets the gold standard for sleep analysis. If understanding your sleep patterns is your primary goal, this is the ring to get.
Oura’s sleep tracking is simply the best in class. The ring tracks over 30 biometrics and provides detailed insights into sleep stages (light, deep, REM), sleep scores, and personalized recommendations that actually help improve your rest. The new Smart Sensing technology adapts to your unique physiology for accurate, continuous data even if the ring shifts position.
The Cycle Insights feature is particularly impressive, using body temperature trends to predict periods with remarkable accuracy and estimate fertile windows. The AI-powered Oura Advisor provides contextual insights that help you understand how your daily habits affect your recovery.
However, there’s a significant catch: the subscription model. While you can buy the ring without a subscription, you’ll only get basic daily scores for sleep, readiness, and activity. To access the detailed analysis and advanced features that make Oura special, you’ll need to pay $5.99 monthly ($69.99 annually). The first month is free for new users.
RECOMMENDS: If sleep optimization is your priority and you don’t mind subscription fees
Best for Android Users
Samsung Galaxy Ring
$399
THE DEAL
- Seamless Samsung Health integration with Galaxy AI
- Up to 7-day battery life (6 days for smaller sizes)
- Three color options: Titanium Black, Silver, Gold
- AI-powered Energy Score and Wellness Tips
- Innovative gesture controls
- No subscription fees
- HSA/FSA eligible
The Samsung Galaxy Ring is purpose-built for Android users who want seamless integration with Samsung Health and Galaxy AI. If you’re in the Samsung ecosystem, this ring delivers exceptional value.
The sleep tracking capabilities rival Samsung’s best smartwatches, with AI-backed insights into heart rate, breathing patterns, body temperature, and movement during sleep. The Energy Score feature calculates your physical readiness based on yesterday’s sleep, heart rate, and activities, giving you a clear understanding of how ready you are to take on the day.
The gesture controls are genuinely useful—pinch to take photos or dismiss alarms adds a fun interactive element that other rings lack. The build quality is excellent, with a durable titanium construction and 10ATM water resistance.
The major limitation is platform compatibility. This ring requires a Samsung Galaxy smartphone and the Samsung Health app, making it incompatible with iOS devices. However, for Android users with Samsung phones, the seamless integration makes this an excellent choice.
RECOMMENDS: If you’re an Android user who wants deep Samsung ecosystem integration
Most Feature-Rich Alternative
Ultrahuman Ring Air
$349
THE DEAL
- World’s lightest smart ring at 2.4-3.6 grams
- Fighter jet-grade titanium with tungsten carbide coating
- Unique PowerPlugs ecosystem for actionable insights
- Up to 6-day battery life
- 10 sizes available (5-14)
- 5 color options: Raw Titanium, Aster Black, Matte Grey, Bionic Gold, Space Silver
- No subscription fees
- HSA/FSA eligible
The Ultrahuman Ring Air takes a unique approach, positioning itself as the most comprehensive health tracking platform in ring form. At just 2.4 grams for smaller sizes, it’s genuinely the lightest smart ring available.
What makes Ultrahuman special is the PowerPlugs ecosystem—optional widgets that provide actionable notifications for caffeine timing, circadian rhythm optimization, sun exposure, and cycle tracking. These features actively guide your daily decisions rather than just tracking data passively. The ring includes advanced health features like AFib (atrial fibrillation) monitoring and cardio adaptability tracking.
The build quality is impressive with fighter jet-grade titanium construction and a smooth hypoallergenic inner shell for comfort during sleep. You can even link it with Ultrahuman’s M1 glucose monitoring sensors for comprehensive metabolic insights—a unique capability in the smart ring space.
The trade-offs include shorter battery life (4-6 days in real-world use) and a sizing system that requires careful attention to prevent the ring from slipping off. The app interface, while feature-rich, can feel overwhelming for casual users who just want basic health insights.
RECOMMENDS: If you want the most comprehensive health tracking features and don’t mind a learning curve
The Bottom Line
The smart ring market has matured significantly, with each option serving different user needs. The Herz P1 Smart Ring emerges as our top pick for first-time buyers, delivering the same premium features as rings costing 6x more at an incredible $59.99 price point with no ongoing subscription fees. Its comprehensive health monitoring, premium build quality, and exceptional value make it the perfect entry point for anyone curious about smart ring technology.
For those who prioritize sleep analysis above all else and don’t mind paying premium prices with subscription fees, the Oura Ring 4 remains the gold standard. Android users will find the Samsung Galaxy Ring offers excellent ecosystem integration at a higher price point, while health optimization enthusiasts will appreciate the Ultrahuman Ring Air’s unique features and actionable insights.
Choose based on your priorities:
- First-time buyers or budget-conscious users: Herz P1 ($59.99, no subscription)
- Sleep optimization enthusiasts: Oura Ring 4 ($349 + $72/year)
- Samsung ecosystem users: Samsung Galaxy Ring ($399, Android only)
- Advanced health tracking: Ultrahuman Ring Air ($349, complex features)
The Herz P1 proves that you don’t need to spend $350+ to experience the benefits of smart ring health tracking. At under $60, it’s the perfect way to discover if this technology fits your lifestyle — without the premium price commitment.