Gone are the days of clip-on pedometers. Now, it’s all about tech wearables that maximize your physical fitness with vital monitoring around the clock – but I’m not talking about the Apple Watch or Fitbit. The next evolution of fitness trackers is here, and it’s the smart ring.
Smart rings monitor your health in a small, inconspicuous package. At first glance, they look like any other jewellery, a simple gold or silver ring. But with smaller sensors, these rings track biometrics through your finger. Yes, they’ll track your step count and calories burned, but more advanced technology allows them to track sleep and stress levels, which are detected through heart rate and heart rate variability.
If you want to gain deeper insight into your health, a smart ring will help you do that, and, we’ve examined the most popular models on the market through weeks of testing to find the best smart ring.
But be careful, the biggest disadvantage of a smart ring is its price. Even the cheapest smart ring starts around $200, so purchasing one will be an investment. But that also means you’ll want to find one on sale. With Black Friday approaching, we’ll be looking for all the best deals on these devices, and look forward to seeing sales on the Ora Ring 4.
What is the best smart ring?
The smart ring market is constantly growing, with new models coming out every year. Samsung just launched a smart ring in 2024, and while Apple doesn’t have a smart ring on the market yet, we’re sure it will be here in no time. But smart rings are synonymous with Aura Ring, the leader in this field, and for good reason too. After spending several weeks with the device, testing its hype, and comparing it to other devices, we can say with confidence that Aura makes the best smart ring in 2025.
Oura offers the most comprehensive biometric tracking, monitoring your health around the clock. It focuses on daily and long-term health goals more holistically than other rings.
However, Ora Ring also has downsides such as the monthly subscription fee. If you’re not ready for the monthly fee, we’ve tested some popular alternatives to Ora Rings.
Why should you buy a smart ring?
So do you think you want a smart ring? Here’s what you need to know about the latest tech wearables.
Credit: Samantha Mangino/Mashable
Smart rings aren’t just another fitness tracker. Yes, they track your activity, steps, and calories burned. However, they’re really meant to offer a more holistic view of your health so you can gain deeper insight into your sleep habits, heart health, and more.
If you hate the look of smartwatches or fitness trackers with LED screens that frankly aren’t that good, you’re a good candidate for a smart ring. Smart rings are presented as a discreet alternative, which looks like a regular piece of jewellery. However, to be clear, they are not compatible with each other He Well. In the weeks leading up to my trial, when wearing rings during hangouts, someone would inevitably ask me, “What’s that?”
Since smart rings don’t have a screen, you’ll have to take out your phone and open an app whenever you want to track activity. It’s certainly not the end of the world, but if you replace it with a smartwatch, you’ll miss out on the convenience of a tap on your wrist. That being said, I actually find the Smart Ring most useful when paired with a smartwatch. I did all my testing simultaneously wearing an Apple Watch, and I appreciated the smart rings that were compatible with my watch so I could receive push notifications.
Latest Smart Ring News
If I had to give the ultimate title of ‘most dramatic’ to any tech product, it would have to be smart rings. Amidst new product and feature launches, the smart ring Beat has been filled with brand conflicts, privacy concerns, and aging batteries.
Ora Ring: New ceramic rings, blood tests, and Palantir
In early September, the Internet grappled with concerns over data privacy with Ora. Following the announcement of Ora’s continued partnership with the United States military, as well as the use of Palantir software being used in this venture, users were concerned about their data. Ora has clarified that Palantir has no access to user data.
Things have calmed down since Ora clarified their partnership. The brand recently launched the Ora Ring 4 in ceramic, which comes in four new colors. Additionally, the brand also launched multi-device pairing as well as a health panel that analyzes users’ blood tests through the Quest Diagnostics partnership.
Ultrahuman: Are they still available in the United States?
Earlier this year, Oura won a patent dispute against Ultrahuman and Ringcon, claiming that its rivals purchased Oura Rings to reverse engineer the curved batteries. The International Trade Commission ruled in favor of Ora, resulting in Ultrahuman and Ringcon not being able to import into the US until October 21, 2025. But does this mean that the devices are shutting down? Not necessary.
In an email with Ultrahuman representation, they clarified that the brand cannot import into the US or sell the ring through Ultrahuman’s website after October 21. However, other retailers like Amazon or Best Buy may still sell the product before that date and as of November 2025, you may still find the Ring Air available to buy. This decision only applies to the Ultrahuman Ring Air, and the brand has hinted that a new device may be on the way.
Samsung: Reports of battery swelling are increasing
The Samsung Galaxy Ring, which we recommend to those already in the Samsung ecosystem, has also been in the news recently. A YouTuber named Daniel, who runs the channel ZONEofTECH, alleged that his Samsung Galaxy Ring started swelling while he was boarding a plane. Daniel reportedly had to go to the hospital to have the ring removed. The swelling appears to be caused by the Samsung Ring’s battery, which swells inward, preventing users from being able to remove it. This isn’t the first report of a Samsung Ring battery swelling, but it is the first time a user has had to go to the hospital.