Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority
If you’ve been thinking about buying a smart ring, your options are getting smaller. Over the weekend, Oura announced that the United States International Trade Commission (aka the ITC) ruled against RingConn and Ultrahuman for patent infringements against Oura. As a result, both RingConn and Ultrahuman have been issued cease-and-desist orders to stop selling their smart rings in the US.
Although RingConn and Ultrahuman may not be the biggest names in the smart ring world, they have been two of the most reliable alternatives to the Oura Ring. However, now that both companies’ future in the US is in limbo, buying a RingConn or Ultrahuman smart ring may not be the best choice.
If you live in the United States and are in the market for a new smart ring, here are your best choices in light of the ITC’s order against RingConn and Ultrahuman.
What do you think is the best smart ring you can buy in the US? 48 votes Oura Ring 4 13 % Samsung Galaxy Ring 27 % Amazfit Helio Ring 8 % Circular Ring 2 6 % A RingConn or Ultrahuman ring, even after the ITC order 42 % Other (let us know in the commnets) 4 %
Oura Ring 4
Rita El Khoury / Android Authority
This first pick is an obvious choice, but for most people, it remains the best smart ring available. The Oura Ring 4 was released last October as the long-awaited successor to the Oura Ring 3, and it’s just about as perfect a smart ring as we’ve seen.
The Oura Ring 4 is a good-looking smart ring. It comes in a wide variety of colors, has a smoother design than the previous model, and is very comfortable, too. It’s on the thicker side compared to other smart rings, and we found it was prone to scratches in our testing. It’s not the absolute best smart ring hardware out there, but it’s good.
What really makes the Oura Ring 4 worth the price of admission is its software. Of all the smart rings we’ve tested, Oura’s mobile app is, by far, the best in the business. The way Oura breaks down your readiness, sleep, and activity is both approachable and insightful. The Oura Ring 4 tracks a lot of data, but unlike other smart rings, it actually presents it to you in a way that can be legitimately helpful. Whether it’s showing how your body reacts to different stressors or revealing long-term trends in your health, Oura — more than any other smart ring brand — does an excellent job of helping you understand what’s happening with your body.
... continue reading