Smart rings in 2026: Oura Ring 5 vs RingConn Gen 3 vs Samsung Galaxy Ring
Oura Ring 5, RingConn Gen 3 or Samsung Galaxy Ring? Verified prices, battery, subscriptions and phone support, and which to buy.
The skim
- Best overall: Oura Ring 5. It's the smallest and most polished ring here, from $399, but most of its insights require a $5.99/month membership.
- Best without a subscription: RingConn Gen 3. At $349 it has the longest battery life of the three (rated up to 14 days), with no monthly fee.
- For Android and Samsung fans: Galaxy Ring. It needs no subscription, but it doesn't work with iPhones, and a successor is reportedly due in early 2027.
- Already wearing an Oura Ring 4? You probably don't need to upgrade. New software features also come to older rings.
Prices are U.S. list prices from each maker's site, checked Oct. 21, 2026. Skimwire may earn a commission from links in this guide. As an Amazon Associate, Skimwire earns from qualifying purchases. That never decides what we recommend.
At a glance
| Oura Ring 5 | RingConn Gen 3 | Samsung Galaxy Ring | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $399 (Silver, Black); $499 (other finishes) | From $349 | From $399.99 |
| Subscription | $5.99/mo or $69.99/yr (first month free) | None | None for current features |
| Rated battery | 6–9 days | 10–12 days (vibration on), 11–14 days (off) | Up to 6–7 days, depending on size |
| Thickness / weight | 2.28 mm / from 2 g | 2.3 mm / 2.5–3.5 g | 2.3–3.3 g |
| Sizes | 6–13 | 6–15 | 5–15 |
| Phones | iPhone and Android | iPhone (iOS 17+) and Android 10+ | Android 11+ only |
| Water | IP68, 100 m | IP68, 10 ATM | IP68, 10 ATM |
How to choose in 30 seconds
- Do you mind a subscription? Oura's membership is what unlocks most of the detail. Without it, Oura says the app shows only your three daily scores (Readiness, Sleep and Activity). RingConn and Samsung don't charge for their current features.
- Which phone do you use? The Galaxy Ring is Android-only, and a few extras work only with Samsung phones. iPhone owners are choosing between Oura and RingConn.
- Which matters more, size or battery? The Oura Ring 5 is the smallest ring here. RingConn charges least often.
- Size before you buy, whichever ring you pick. All three makers use their own sizing, and it can change between generations. Use the sizing kit for the exact model you're buying.
Oura Ring 5: the best smart ring, if you'll pay monthly
Oura launched the Ring 5 in May. It is 40% smaller than the Ring 4: 6.09 mm wide and 2.28 mm thick. Oura rates the battery at 6–9 days, and a full charge takes about 80 minutes. It tracks sleep stages, heart rate and HRV, blood oxygen at night, temperature trends and activity. Its health alerts include Blood Pressure Signals and nighttime breathing patterns. Like all wearable estimates, these are wellness signals, not a diagnosis.
Reviewers rate it highly. The Verge calls it "the best smart ring on the market" for new users, but "not your best choice if you really sweat the fitness details." It also warns that the app is getting cluttered.
Watch out for:
- The membership costs $5.99 a month or $69.99 a year, according to Oura's buying guide.
- The charging case is a $99 extra.
- Sizes run only 6–13. If you need a 4, 5, 14 or 15, buy the Oura Ring 4 instead. It's still sold from $349 in sizes 4–15.
- Upgrading from a Ring 4 is hard to justify. The Verge describes the Ring 5 as mostly a smaller Ring 4. Oura says its new software features also roll out to Gen3 rings and newer.
Buy: Start with the Oura Ring 5 sizing kit, then get the Oura Ring 5 on Amazon (choose your size and finish on the listing). If you're buying a Ring 4, use the Ring 4 sizing kit instead; the two generations size differently.
RingConn Gen 3: best value, no subscription
The RingConn Gen 3 came out on May 29. It costs $349, and the brushed finishes cost a little more. It tracks heart rate, HRV, blood oxygen, respiratory rate, skin temperature, stress, steps and sleep, and flags patterns linked to sleep apnea risk. Every feature is free once you own the ring. A charging case comes in the box, and it fits any RingConn ring size.
Battery life is its biggest advantage. RingConn rates it at 11–14 days with vibration off. TechRadar's reviewer got nearly 12.5 days with the new features switched on. TechRadar also found its sleep data broadly matched a Whoop 5.0's. The verdict: Oura's app is more polished, "but the overall experience isn't far off."
Watch out for:
- "Vascular health" doesn't mean blood-pressure readings. RingConn says Gen 3 shows trends, not single readings, and you'll need to enter readings from a regular blood-pressure cuff.
- The vibration motor is for health alerts and move reminders only. It won't buzz for phone notifications or alarms.
- Gen 3 uses new sizing, so don't reuse a Gen 2 size.
Buy: Start with the RingConn Gen 3 sizing kit, then get the RingConn Gen 3 on Amazon (choose your size and finish on the listing).
Samsung Galaxy Ring: for Android users, especially Samsung owners
Samsung lists the Galaxy Ring from $399.99. It tracks sleep, heart rate, skin temperature and activity, and gives you a daily Energy Score in Samsung Health based on your sleep, heart rate and activity. It also has double-pinch gestures (to take a photo or dismiss an alarm) and Find My Ring. Samsung rates the battery at up to 7 days for sizes 12–15 and up to 6 days for smaller sizes. The charging case holds about another week of charge, so you can go up to 14 days between outlets.
Watch out for:
- It needs Android 11 or newer and the Samsung Health app, according to Samsung's specifications. It doesn't work with iPhones.
- Other Android phones work, but some Samsung-only extras, such as Find My Ring and some gesture controls, may be missing.
- The free features may not all stay free. Samsung says current features need no subscription, but it has said "different terms may apply" to future Samsung Health features.
- It's the oldest ring here. It launched in 2024. 9to5Google, citing ETNews, reports a thinner Galaxy Ring 2 with longer battery life in early 2027. Samsung hasn't announced pricing or a date, so if you're not in a hurry, it may be worth waiting.
Buy: Samsung Galaxy Ring on Amazon (choose your size on the listing).
Who should skip a smart ring
A ring is a quiet, screenless tracker for sleep, recovery and general health. If you want workout data you can see while training, GPS for runs or phone notifications, a watch is a better fit. For heavy lifting, TechRadar's reviewer took the ring off to avoid scratching it on metal dumbbells.
The bottom line
If the subscription doesn't bother you, the Oura Ring 5 is the most refined ring you can buy. If you'd rather pay once and charge less often, get the RingConn Gen 3. Choose the Galaxy Ring only if you use an Android phone, ideally a Samsung, and don't want to wait for its successor.
Sources: Oura buying guide, Oura Ring 5 specs, TechCrunch, The Verge, RingConn, RingConn Gen 3 features, TechRadar, Samsung US, Samsung specifications, Android Police, Android Authority, 9to5Google.
