Oura Ring 5 vs Samsung Galaxy Ring
The Oura Ring 5 is WIRED’s best smart ring and works with iPhone and Android, but most insights need a $5.99/month membership. The Galaxy Ring costs less (from $299.99), has no subscription and is for Android, especially Samsung phones.
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Quick answer
Choose Oura Ring 5 ($399) if you have an iPhone, you want the best sleep tracking or you don’t mind a subscription. Choose Samsung Galaxy Ring (from $299.99) if you have a Samsung phone, you don’t want a subscription or you also wear a Galaxy Watch.
Last updated Prices checked Oct 2026
Check Oura Ring 5 price (opens in a new tab)Check Samsung Galaxy Ring price (opens in a new tab)
Key facts at a glance
| Oura Ring 5 | Samsung Galaxy Ring | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399 (silver, black); $499 other finishes | From $299.99 before trade-in |
| Subscription | $5.99/mo or $69.99/yr for most insights | None |
| Battery | 6–9 days | Up to 7 days |
| Phones | iPhone and Android | Android only; best with Samsung |
| Material | Titanium | Titanium |
For more options, including subscription-free rings, see best smart rings.
Get the Oura Ring 5 if you have an iPhone, or want the best sleep tracking and app and don’t mind the membership. Get the Galaxy Ring if you have a Samsung phone and don’t want a subscription.
Oura Ring 5 vs Samsung Galaxy Ring: side-by-side
| Oura Ring 5 | Samsung Galaxy Ring | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399 (silver, black); $499 other finishes | From $299.99 before trade-in |
| Subscription | $5.99/mo or $69.99/yr for most insights | None |
| Battery | 6–9 days | Up to 7 days |
| Phones | iPhone and Android | Android only; best with Samsung |
| Material | Titanium | Titanium |
| Charging | About 80 minutes to full | — |
| WIRED verdict | Best smart ring; best sleep tracker | Best for Samsung users |
How much do they cost?
Oura Ring 5 plans
| Option | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Silver or black | $399 | Plus membership |
| Gold, deep rose, stealth, brushed silver | $499 | Plus membership |
| Membership | $5.99/mo or $69.99/yr | US pricing |
Samsung Galaxy Ring plans
| Option | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Galaxy Ring | From $299.99 | Before trade-in; no subscription |
What are the pros and cons?
Oura Ring 5: pros
- Works with iPhone and Android
- Best sleep tracking, per WIRED
- Up to 9 days of battery
Oura Ring 5: cons
- Membership needed for most insights
- $100 more to start
Samsung Galaxy Ring: pros
- No subscription
- Cheaper to start
- Works with Galaxy watches
Samsung Galaxy Ring: cons
- Android only
- No gyroscope or GPS, per WIRED
- Weak AI suggestions, per WIRED
Which should you choose: Oura Ring 5 or Samsung Galaxy Ring?
Over two years, an Oura Ring 5 costs about $540 with an annual membership, while the Galaxy Ring stays at about $300. Oura is the better ring and works with iPhones. The Galaxy Ring makes sense for Samsung phone owners who don’t want another subscription.
Choose Oura Ring 5 if…
- You have an iPhone
- You want the best sleep tracking
- You don’t mind a subscription
Choose Samsung Galaxy Ring if…
- You have a Samsung phone
- You don’t want a subscription
- You also wear a Galaxy Watch
Total cost
Oura’s membership is $69.99 a year in the US. Two years of an Oura Ring 5 is about $540 ($399 plus two years of membership). The Galaxy Ring has no subscription. See best fitness trackers for cheaper wrist options.
Ring or watch?
Neither ring has a screen. If you want notifications and GPS, look at best smartwatches or best Garmin watches.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Galaxy Ring work with an iPhone?
Does the Galaxy Ring need a subscription?
Which lasts longer?
Sources
Pricing and plan details were checked on the official pages below as of Oct 2026. Vendors change prices, credits and plan names often, and some show regional pricing at checkout, so confirm on the vendor’s site before you buy.
- Oura: Oura Ring 5 (ouraring.com)
- Oura: Membership (ouraring.com)
- Samsung: Galaxy Ring (samsung.com)
- WIRED: The best smart rings (wired.com)
Related
Whoop 5.0 vs Oura Ring 5
Whoop has no upfront hardware cost but needs a $199–$359 yearly membership. The Oura Ring 5 costs $399 upfront plus $69.99 a year. Whoop focuses on training strain and recovery; Oura is a discreet ring focused on sleep and readiness.
best ofBest Smart Rings of 2026
The Oura Ring 5 is the best smart ring, but it needs a $5.99/month membership. The RingConn Gen 2 Air is the best no-subscription pick at $199, and the Galaxy Ring is for Samsung phone owners.
best ofBest Fitness Trackers
The Garmin Vivoactive 6 is the best overall, the screenless Fitbit Air is the value pick, and the Oura Ring 5 is the best if you don’t want anything on your wrist.
best ofBest Smartwatches
If you have an iPhone, get an Apple Watch Series 12 (or the SE 3 to save money). On Android, the Pixel Watch 5 has the best battery life of the big three, and the Galaxy Watch9 is the pick for Samsung phones.