The Oura Ring 5 has just hit the market, but it’s not the only smart ring that’s worth considering. Depending on your needs, it may not even be the top choice.
Smart rings are wearable health trackers that you wear on your finger instead of your wrist. They keep an eye on sleep quality, heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and daily activity, all without a screen. The Oura Ring has led this space for years, but now several competitors have emerged, offering attractive features and often lower prices.
Why Explore Alternatives to Oura?
The Oura Ring 5 starts at $349 and requires a $5.99 monthly subscription to unlock most health insights. That adds up over time — around $72 per year on top of the initial cost. For many users, that ongoing fee is a dealbreaker.
Beyond pricing, the smart ring market has evolved rapidly. Brands like Samsung, RingConn, and Ultrahuman have launched rings that cover essential health tracking features without requiring a subscription.
Top Alternatives
Samsung Galaxy Ring
Samsung’s smart ring is the most refined option available. It tracks sleep, heart rate, and activity while feeding data directly into Samsung Health, all without a subscription. The downside? It works best for those already using Samsung devices, like a Galaxy phone or Galaxy Watch. If you’re an iPhone user, you might want to look elsewhere.
RingConn Gen 2
RingConn is the budget-friendly choice. It’s priced much lower than the Oura Ring 5 and doesn’t have a subscription fee. The Gen 2 version boasts improved battery life and a slimmer design. While its health tracking isn’t as detailed as Oura’s, it does a solid job for anyone primarily interested in sleep and step data.
Ultrahuman Ring AIR
Ultrahuman targets fitness enthusiasts with the Ring AIR. This ring is lightweight, making it one of the lightest options out there, and it provides detailed metabolic health scores along with standard sleep and activity tracking. Like RingConn, it skips the subscription model. Ultrahuman also updates its features regularly, making it a great long-term investment.
Circular Ring Slim
The Circular Ring Slim is a surprising contender. It’s thinner than most rings and features a built-in vibration motor, allowing it to send silent alerts — a feature many smart rings lack. It does offer a subscription tier for advanced features, but you can still access basic tracking without one.
| Ring | Starting Price | Subscription | Battery Life |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oura Ring 5 | $349 | $5.99/month | ~7 days |
| Samsung Galaxy Ring | $299 | None | ~7 days |
| RingConn Gen 2 | ~$150 | None | ~10 days |
| Ultrahuman Ring AIR | $349 | None | ~6 days |
| Circular Ring Slim | ~$259 | Optional | ~5 days |
Implications for Everyday Users
If you’ve been curious about smart rings but hesitated due to Oura’s subscription, you’re in luck. You now have some solid options. Think of this as a moment similar to the early days of fitness trackers — Fitbit used to dominate, but now others have caught up. Smart rings are at that same crossroads.
For most people wanting basic sleep tracking and step counting, the RingConn Gen 2 is the easiest recommendation. You make a one-time payment and that’s it. If you’re after a more polished experience and already own Samsung devices, the Galaxy Ring is worth the extra cost. And if you’re serious about fitness and want in-depth health data without a subscription, check out Ultrahuman.
The Oura Ring 5 remains a solid product — especially its sleep tracking, which is still among the best you can find. But “best in category” doesn’t always mean it’s the best fit for your specific needs and budget.
What Users Are Saying
“I switched from Oura to the Galaxy Ring six months ago and honestly don’t miss it. The subscription was the dealbreaker for me. Samsung Health gives me everything I actually look at.”
“RingConn Gen 2 is genuinely underrated. No subscription, solid battery life, comfortable to wear. Oura is the iPhone of smart rings — premium for the name as much as the product.”
Further Reading
What To Keep an Eye On
- Samsung Galaxy Ring pricing changes: Samsung has been competitive on price and may adjust its lineup as the Ring evolves into its next generation. A follow-up model could be on the way before the end of 2026.
- Oura subscription model: With more competitors eliminating subscription fees, Oura faces increasing pressure to rethink its pricing. Keep an eye out for announcements related to its next big software update.
- RingConn and Ultrahuman health certifications: Both companies are pursuing FDA clearance for features like irregular heart rhythm detection. Approval would greatly enhance their credibility compared to Oura.
Daniel Park
Daniel Park covers AI, cloud infrastructure, and enterprise software for Explosion.com. A former software engineer who transitioned to technology journalism 5 years ago, Daniel brings technical depth to his reporting on artificial intelligence, startup funding rounds, and the companies building the future of computing. He breaks down complex AI developments and business strategies into clear, actionable insights for readers who want to understand how technology is reshaping industries.
