The Smart Ring War Just Got Personal
Smart rings are no longer a niche curiosity. In 2026, they're one of the fastest-growing wearable categories on the planet — and two brands are fighting tooth and nail for your finger: Ultrahuman and Oura. After a very public dispute that led to Ultrahuman losing significant US market ground, the Finnish-Indian company has fired back with a completely redesigned smart ring, betting everything on a comeback in America's lucrative health tech market.
But is the new Ultrahuman Ring enough to dethrone the Oura Ring 4, which has dominated the category for over a year? Let's break it down — design, health tracking, battery life, subscription model, and value — so you can decide which smart ring belongs on your hand.
Photo by Simge on Pexels | Source
Background: Why Ultrahuman Is Fighting for Its US Comeback
If you've been following the wearable tech space, you'll know that Ultrahuman and Oura had a very messy falling out. Ultrahuman's original Ring AIR launched to solid reviews, but a legal dispute with Oura — centered on patent claims over core health-tracking technology — created significant turbulence. The result? Ultrahuman pulled back from aggressive US expansion while the legal dust settled, ceding valuable ground to Oura during a critical growth period.
Now, according to a TechCrunch report from February 2026, Ultrahuman is betting on a redesigned smart ring to win back US consumers. The redesign isn't just cosmetic — it signals a strategic pivot toward premium materials, improved sensor accuracy, and a more competitive subscription pricing model. This is a company swinging for the fences, and the timing matters: the smart ring market is expected to continue rapid growth, with health-conscious consumers increasingly ditching bulky smartwatches for sleek, discreet alternatives.
Design and Build Quality
Oura Ring 4 has set a high bar in the design department. Available in six finishes including Brushed Titanium and Stealth Black, it's slim, lightweight (as little as 4 grams depending on size), and virtually indistinguishable from a regular ring. Oura spent years refining the form factor, and it shows.
Ultrahuman's redesigned ring responds directly to these strengths. According to reports, the new design emphasizes:
- Premium titanium construction with improved durability
- A slimmer profile than the original Ring AIR
- Improved comfort-fit geometry for extended wear
- New color options targeting fashion-forward US consumers
Both rings are water-resistant and designed for 24/7 wear, but Oura's longer track record in materials refinement gives it a slight edge in polish and consistency across ring sizes. Ultrahuman's redesign looks promising, but real-world durability data over months of use is still emerging.
Winner (Design): Oura Ring 4 — by a slim margin, based on proven track record.
Photo by Andrey Matveev on Pexels | Source
Health Tracking Features: What Each Ring Measures
This is where the competition gets genuinely exciting — and where Ultrahuman has historically punched above its weight.
Oura Ring 4
Oura's latest generation includes:
- Heart rate & HRV (heart rate variability) monitoring
- Blood oxygen (SpO2) sensing
- Body temperature tracking (particularly useful for cycle tracking and illness detection)
- Sleep staging — one of the most accurate on the market, validated against clinical polysomnography studies
- Readiness Score — Oura's flagship metric combining multiple data points into a daily wellness score
- Cardiovascular Age feature (added in recent updates)
- Integration with Apple Health, Google Fit, and third-party apps
Ultrahuman Ring (Redesigned)
Ultrahuman counters with:
- Metabolic health focus — unique in the category, with features designed around blood glucose awareness (when paired with their CGM patch)
- Movement Index and activity tracking
- HRV, SpO2, skin temperature
- Sleep tracking with specific coaching nudges
- Caffeine and alcohol impact modeling — a distinctive differentiator
- The Ultrahuman App's "Cyborg" score — their version of Oura's Readiness Score
Ultrahuman's edge is its metabolic health ecosystem. If you're someone who cares deeply about nutrition, blood sugar management, or metabolic performance (not just sleep and activity), Ultrahuman offers a more holistic picture — especially when paired with its optional continuous glucose monitor.
Oura, meanwhile, wins on sleep tracking accuracy and the sheer depth of its research-backed health insights, particularly for menstrual cycle and fertility tracking.
Winner (Health Tracking): Tie — depends on your priorities. Oura for sleep and recovery; Ultrahuman for metabolic health.
Battery Life
Both rings offer approximately 7 days of battery life under normal use conditions, which is the current industry benchmark. Oura Ring 4 is well-tested here — most users report consistent 6-8 day performance. Ultrahuman's redesigned ring claims similar figures, though independent long-term testing is still catching up.
Both charge via a magnetic charging cradle, and both reach full charge in roughly 60-80 minutes. Neither ring is far ahead here.
Winner (Battery): Tie.
The Subscription Model Showdown
This is where your decision might ultimately be made — and where Ultrahuman has a meaningful competitive advantage.
Oura Ring 4 requires a $5.99/month membership after the first month (included free). Without the subscription, you lose access to most health insights beyond basic data. For a ring that already costs $349-$549 depending on finish, the ongoing cost adds up.
Ultrahuman Ring has historically offered no mandatory subscription — all core features are included with the hardware purchase. The redesigned ring appears to maintain this approach, though some premium AI coaching features may move to an optional paid tier.
Over two years, Oura's subscription adds roughly $144 in additional costs on top of the hardware price. That's a real consideration if you're budget-conscious.
Winner (Subscription Value): Ultrahuman — no mandatory subscription is a significant consumer-friendly advantage.
Photo by Patrick on Pexels | Source
Price Comparison
| Oura Ring 4 | Ultrahuman Ring (2026) | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | ~$349 | ~$349 |
| Premium Finishes | Up to $549 | TBD |
| Monthly Subscription | $5.99/month | None (core features) |
| 2-Year Total Cost | ~$493+ | ~$349+ |
At similar hardware price points, the no-subscription model makes Ultrahuman significantly cheaper over time.
Ecosystem and App Experience
Oura's app is mature, polished, and deeply integrated with third-party health platforms. Years of user feedback have shaped an experience that's genuinely intuitive, and Oura's research partnerships (including with major universities and health institutions) give its data credibility.
Ultrahuman's app has improved substantially but still trails Oura in ecosystem depth and third-party integrations. However, for users invested in the metabolic health angle — and particularly those using Ultrahuman's CGM patch alongside the ring — the app experience is actually more cohesive and purpose-built for that use case.
Which Smart Ring Should You Buy in 2026?
Here's the bottom line:
Choose Oura Ring 4 if:
- Sleep tracking accuracy is your top priority
- You want the most mature, research-backed health platform
- You value deep third-party app integrations
- You're interested in menstrual cycle and fertility tracking
Choose Ultrahuman Ring if:
- You care about metabolic health and nutrition awareness
- Avoiding a monthly subscription is important to you
- You're interested in pairing your ring with a CGM for glucose insights
- You want to support a challenger brand with a compelling vision
The smart ring category is better for having both of these competitors pushing each other. Ultrahuman's redesigned comeback in the US market is good news for consumers — it means Oura can't rest on its laurels, and you, the buyer, benefit from the rivalry.
The finger is yours. Choose wisely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Ultrahuman Ring require a monthly subscription?
No — one of Ultrahuman's biggest selling points is that core health features are included with the hardware purchase, with no mandatory monthly fee. This contrasts with Oura, which charges $5.99/month for full access to its health insights platform.
Is the Oura Ring 4 worth the subscription cost?
For users who prioritize sleep tracking accuracy, fertility insights, and a mature health ecosystem, many find the $5.99/month Oura subscription worthwhile. However, over two years it adds roughly $144 in extra costs on top of the ring's purchase price, which may be a dealbreaker for budget-conscious buyers.
What is the best smart ring for health tracking in 2026?
Oura Ring 4 leads for sleep and recovery tracking with extensive research backing, while Ultrahuman's redesigned ring excels for metabolic health monitoring — especially when paired with its optional continuous glucose monitor. The best choice depends on your specific health goals.
How long does the Ultrahuman Ring battery last?
The Ultrahuman Ring offers approximately 6-7 days of battery life on a single charge, comparable to the Oura Ring 4. Both rings charge via a magnetic cradle and reach full charge in about 60-80 minutes.
Why did Ultrahuman lose US market share to Oura?
A legal patent dispute between Oura and Ultrahuman created significant turbulence for the latter, slowing its US expansion while Oura continued to grow. Ultrahuman has now responded with a redesigned smart ring specifically aimed at recapturing American consumers in 2026.
