The best smart rings without a subscription in 2026
A smart ring with a monthly fee costs more than its sticker price. Oura Ring 5 starts at $399, and its membership is $69.99 a year, so two years of ownership runs about $539. These rings skip the fee entirely.
Quick picks
Why the subscription matters
Oura is still the reference app, but without a membership you only see three daily scores: activity, sleep and readiness. The rings below give you their full app with no fee. Two of the listed alternatives, Ultrahuman and Circular, also offer optional paid plans, but nothing is required to use the ring.
RingConn Gen 3
RingConn Gen 3 is the most complete ring here without a fee. It adds vibration alerts, blood pressure trend insights and a wireless charging case over Gen 2, and its rated 11 to 14 days of battery is among the longest in our comparison. Prices vary by retailer, from $349 on RingConn's site to $426 at TechRadar's listing, so check before you order. It also uses a new sizing system, so order the sizing kit first.
| Price | $349 on RingConn's site |
|---|---|
| Subscription | None |
| Battery | 11 to 14 days (10.5 to 13 with vibration) |
| Weight | 2.5 to 3.5 g |
| Works with | iPhone and Android |
| Charging case | Included (wireless charging case) |
Best for: The best all-round ring without a subscription, if you can pay about $350.
Sources: Gadgets & Wearables review · the5krunner specs · TechRadar review
RingConn Gen 2 Air
The Gen 2 Air keeps RingConn's no-fee app and up to 10 days of battery for a launch price of $199. The savings come from a stainless steel shell instead of titanium, no charging case and no sleep apnea tracking. If you mainly want sleep and readiness data, it is the easiest recommendation under $250.
| Price | $199 at launch |
|---|---|
| Subscription | None |
| Battery | Up to 10 days |
| Weight | 2.5 to 4 g |
| Works with | iPhone and Android |
| Charging case | Not included |
Best for: The lowest-cost no-subscription ring from an established brand.
Sources: T3 review · the5krunner specs
RingConn Gen 2
Gen 2 is the older RingConn, but its 10 to 12 days of battery and charging case (which holds about 150 days of charge) still make it a strong buy. It also includes sleep apnea monitoring. Launch price was $299, and one outlet now lists $359, so compare it against Gen 3 at the time you buy.
| Price | $299 at launch |
|---|---|
| Subscription | None |
| Battery | 10 to 12 days |
| Weight | 2 to 3 g |
| Works with | iPhone and Android |
| Charging case | Included (holds about 150 days of charge) |
Best for: Buyers who want long battery life and no subscription.
Sources: Tom's Guide hands-on · Digital Trends review
Samsung Galaxy Ring
If you own a Samsung phone, the Galaxy Ring fits right into Samsung Health with no fee. Battery runs 5 to 7 days depending on size, shorter than RingConn. There is no iPhone app, and some features only work with Samsung phones.
| Price | $399.99 |
|---|---|
| Subscription | None |
| Battery | 5 to 7 days (by size) |
| Weight | 2.3 to 3.0 g |
| Works with | Android only (Android 11 or newer) |
| Charging case | Included |
Best for: Android users, especially on Galaxy phones, who want no subscription.
Sources: Samsung Mobile Press specs · Android Central
Amazfit Helio Ring
At $149.99 on Amazfit's US store, the Helio Ring is the lowest-cost ring in our list. The trade-offs are real: battery is rated at up to 4 days, and it only comes in three sizes (8, 10 and 12).
| Price | $149.99 |
|---|---|
| Subscription | None |
| Battery | Up to 4 days |
| Weight | 3.65 to 3.82 g |
| Works with | iPhone and Android |
| Charging case | Not included (wireless charger) |
Best for: The cheapest way to try a smart ring, if you can live with short battery life.
Sources: Amazfit US product page · T3 review
Before you buy any ring: order the free or low-cost sizing kit first. Ring sizes do not match jewellery sizes, and RingConn changed its sizing system between Gen 2 and Gen 3.
Two-year cost at a glance
| Ring | Price | Fee | 2-year cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oura Ring 5 | $399 | Required: $5.99/mo or $69.99/yr | ~$539 |
| RingConn Gen 3 | $349 | None | ~$349 |
| RingConn Gen 2 | $299 | None | ~$299 |
| RingConn Gen 2 Air | $199 | None | ~$199 |
| Samsung Galaxy Ring | $399.99 | None | ~$400 |
| Amazfit Helio Ring | $149.99 | None | ~$150 |
Two-year cost is the list price plus two years of any required fee. It ignores sales, which are common for all of these rings.
Our verdict
Most people should get the RingConn Gen 3. It has the battery, the features and no fee. If you want to spend less, the Gen 2 Air covers the basics for about $200. Compare all 14 smart rings →