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

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

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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