Is the Oura Ring 5 worth it over these alternatives?

The Oura Ring 5 (May 2026) is about 40% smaller than the Ring 4 and lasts 6–9 days per charge, but it still needs a paid membership for full insights. If you want no monthly fee, RingConn Gen 2, Samsung Galaxy Ring, Ultrahuman Ring PRO and Amazfit Helio Ring are the alternatives to look at.

Is RingConn banned in the US?

No. RingConn reached a licensing agreement with Oura, resolving the dispute and keeping the Gen 2 Air available for purchase.

Can you still buy Ultrahuman Ring in the US?

Ultrahuman released a redesigned Ring PRO model built to avoid the original patent issues, though buyers should confirm current regional availability before purchasing.

Which smart rings don't require a subscription?

RingConn Gen 2, Samsung Galaxy Ring and Amazfit Helio Ring all skip the subscription model entirely.

Why are so many smart ring brands facing patent disputes?

Oura has pursued a series of patent infringement claims against competitors over sensor integration and ring form factor design, reshaping the competitive landscape across the category.

Buying guide

Best Oura Ring Alternatives in 2026: Which Ones Can You Actually Buy?

Updated October 14, 2026 · 7 min read

RingConn Gen 2 Oura Ring 4 Samsung Galaxy Ring Amazfit Helio Ring

A row of smart rings in titanium and black finishes

The smart ring market has been reshaped by an ongoing wave of patent disputes, and availability now varies significantly by brand. Before choosing an alternative to the Oura Ring, it helps to know which competitors are actually stocked — and which ones remain caught in legal limbo.

The patent situation, explained simply

Oura filed a complaint alleging that Ultrahuman, RingConn and Circular copied core aspects of its smart ring technology, including sensor integration and form factor design. The initial ruling favored Oura, finding that Ultrahuman and RingConn had infringed on its patents, which temporarily limited their availability.

RingConn resolved its dispute through a licensing arrangement with Oura, meaning the RingConn Gen 2 Air is back on shelves and its future in the category looks secure. Ultrahuman's situation shifted too — the brand officially announced the Ring PRO, a redesigned model built to sidestep the original patent conflict.

Samsung faced its own hurdle: the company petitioned to challenge the scope of Oura's patents, but a patent judge denied that petition. Meanwhile, Amazfit's parent company withdrew its own patent suit against Oura, though Oura's case against the brand continues.

Comparison table

Ring	Subscription	Availability	Best for
RingConn Gen 2	No	Available (licensed)	Best value, battery life
Oura Ring 5	Yes	Available (May 2026)	Smallest Oura, 6–9 day battery
Oura Ring 4	Yes	Available	Overall ecosystem
Samsung Galaxy Ring	No	Available	Android integration
Ultrahuman Ring PRO	No	Redesigned model	Biohacking, long battery
Amazfit Helio Ring	No	Available	Budget option

First, what the Oura Ring 5 changed

Oura released the Ring 5 in May 2026. It is roughly 40% smaller than the Ring 4 and rated for 6–9 days per charge, up from 5–8. What did not change is the membership: you still pay monthly for the full set of insights. That is the main reason people look at the rings below. Read our full Oura Ring 5 review.

RingConn Gen 2: the no-subscription favorite

The RingConn Gen 2 delivers roughly 80% of what the Oura Ring offers, without any monthly fees or paywalled features. Battery life stretches up to 12 days per charge — among the best in the category. It also includes sleep apnea monitoring and works across both iOS and Android. Read our full RingConn Gen 2 Air review and the Gen 3 review.

Samsung Galaxy Ring: best for Android users

The Samsung Galaxy Ring offers AI-powered health and fitness insights and is comfortable for all-day wear, with no monthly membership required. Its main limitation: certain gesture features only work with select Samsung devices.

Ultrahuman Ring PRO: built for longevity

Ultrahuman's Ring PRO boasts a category-leading 15-day battery life, making it a strong pick for anyone who wants to think about charging as little as possible.

The bottom line

The smart ring market in 2026 isn't just about features — it's about which rings you can actually buy without running into a legal gray zone. RingConn's licensing deal and Samsung's continued availability make them the safest subscription-free picks right now, while Ultrahuman's redesigned Ring PRO signals the category is adapting rather than shrinking.

Also worth reading: our Oura Ring 5 review and the best AI smart rings of 2026.

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