Smart Rings: Aura Ring 4 vs. Samsung Galaxy Ring vs. Ultrahuman Ring Air vs. RingConn Gen 2
Smart rings are becoming a popular alternative to smartwatches, offering longer battery life, better comfort (especially for sleep tracking), and fewer distractions. But with so many options now available, which one is the best for you?
I’ve been testing four of the top smart rings—the Aura Ring 4, Samsung Galaxy Ring, Ultrahuman Ring Air, and RingConn Gen 2—for over a month. I also compared them against my Apple Watch 10 for accuracy.
| Feature | RingConn Gen 2 | Oura Ring Gen 3 | Ultrahuman Ring Air | Circular Ring Slim | Samsung Galaxy Ring |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subscription Required | ❌ None | ✅ Yes ($5.99/month) | ❌ None | ❌ None (subscription or extra fees may be introduced in the future) | ❌ None (Samsung has hinted at potential charges for Galaxy AI insights in the future) |
| Battery Life | 🔋 7–10 days | 🔋 Up to 7 days (real-world usage may vary) | 🔋 3–6 days (real-world usage around 3–4 days) | 🔋 Not specified | 🔋 5–7 days (varies by ring size) |
| Charging Time | ⚡ ~89 minutes | ⚡ 20–80 minutes | ⚡ 2–3 hours | ⚡ Not specified | ⚡ ~90 minutes |
| Compatibility | 📱 iOS & Android | 📱 iOS & Android | 📱 iOS & Android | 📱 iOS & Android | 📱 Android only (initially) |
| App Integration | 🔗 Google Fit, Apple Health | 🔗 Apple Health, Google Fit | 🔗 Apple Health, Google Fit | 🔗 No third-party app integration | 🔗 Samsung Health |
| SpO₂ Monitoring | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| HRV Monitoring | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Sleep Apnea Indicator | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes (FDA-cleared) |
| Temperature Sensor | 🌡️ Yes | 🌡️ Yes | 🌡️ Yes | 🌡️ Yes | 🌡️ Yes |
| Step Tracking | 🚶 Yes | 🚶 Yes | 🚶 Yes | 🚶 Yes | 🚶 Yes |
| Workout Detection | ❌ No (manual sync only) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Smart Alarm / Haptics | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (vibrations) | ❌ No (no haptics) |
| Material | 🛡️ Titanium | 🛡️ Titanium | 🛡️ Titanium | 🛡️ Aluminum (noted as not durable enough) | 🛡️ Titanium |
| Water Resistance | 💧 10 ATM, IP68 | 💧 100 m | 💧 100 m | 💧 5 ATM | 💧 10 ATM, IP68 |
| Price Range | 💰 ~$279 (no subscription) | 💰 ~$299 + subscription | 💰 ~$349 (no subscription) | 💰 ~$275 (no subscription) | 💰 ~$399 (no subscription) |
Let’s break them down in five key categories:
1. Design & Comfort
All four rings are comfortable, but there are key differences:
- Thickness & Shape:
- Aura Ring 4 and Galaxy Ring have external protrusions to help keep the sensors (on the underside) in place.
- RingConn & Ultrahuman are smoother but slightly harder to align correctly.
- Durability:
- Over time, scratches appear (especially on darker finishes). Silver hides them best.
- Sizing:
- All brands provide sizing kits. Samsung’s battery life varies by ring size (larger rings last longer).
Winner: Aura Ring 4 (best balance of comfort and secure fit).
2. Battery Life
Smart rings last much longer than smartwatches. Here’s how they compare:
| Ring | Battery Life | Charging Case |
|---|---|---|
| Aura Ring 4 | ~6 days | Basic charger |
| Samsung Galaxy | ~5 days | Case (1 charge) |
| RingConn Gen 2 | 7+ days | Case (10 charges) |
| Ultrahuman Air | ~5 days* | Basic charger |
(Ultrahuman had a rough start—died on Day 1, then stabilized at ~5 days.)*
Winner: RingConn Gen 2 (best battery + portable charging case).
3. Accuracy: Steps, Calories, Heart Rate, Sleep
I compared all rings against the Apple Watch 10 (one of the most accurate wearables).
Steps Counting
- Galaxy Ring: Most inconsistent (sometimes way too high/low).
- Aura & Ultrahuman: Under-count if hands aren’t moving.
- RingConn: Closest to Apple Watch.
Test:
- 2,500-step walk: Galaxy Ring was most accurate.
- 1,500-step walk: All were close except Ultrahuman (glitched).
- Arm movement test: All rings (except Apple Watch) falsely counted steps when I wasn’t walking.
Calories & Heart Rate
- Aura Ring: Closest to Apple Watch.
- Galaxy Ring: Stuck around 2,000 calories/day (suspiciously consistent).
- Ultrahuman: Wildly inconsistent.
Sleep Tracking
- All rings overestimated awake time.
- Deep/REM sleep: Aura Ring was closest to Apple Watch.
- Galaxy Ring missed a 30-minute wake-up.
Winner: Aura Ring 4 (best overall accuracy, especially for sleep).
4. App Experience
Since smart rings rely on apps, this is crucial:
- Worst: Samsung Health (too basic, no HRV, Android-only).
- Better: Ultrahuman (detailed but pushy with upsells).
- Great: RingConn (simple, customizable, no subscription).
- Best: Aura (most detailed, but requires subscription).
Winner: Aura Ring 4 (if you don’t mind paying), else RingConn.
5. Price & Final Verdict
- Aura Ring 4: Best overall accuracy & app, but subscription required.
- RingConn Gen 2: Best value (cheaper, no subscription, great battery).
- Galaxy Ring: Good if you have a Samsung phone, but inconsistent tracking.
- Ultrahuman: Decent, but no clear advantage over Aura/RingConn.
Who Should Buy Which?
- Best for Sleep/Accuracy: Aura Ring 4 (if you’ll pay the subscription).
- Best Budget Pick: RingConn Gen 2 (great battery, no fees).
- Samsung Users: Galaxy Ring (better integration, but wait for software updates).
- Community Fans: Ultrahuman (active subreddit, but not the best hardware).
Should You Ditch Your Smartwatch?
If you prioritize accuracy, keep the Apple Watch. But for comfort, battery life, and sleep tracking, a smart ring is a fantastic alternative.
Final Rankings:
🥇 Best Overall: Aura Ring 4 (if you accept the subscription).
🥈 Best Value: RingConn Gen 2 (no subscription, great battery).
🥉 For Samsung Fans: Galaxy Ring (needs improvements).
Which one would you pick? Let me know in the comments!
