Oura Ring 4 vs. Samsung Galaxy Ring: Which should you buy?

We’re a society obsessed with numbers and data about our own bodies. Just look at the popularity of fitness trackers for proof. With the advent of smart rings, things have gotten even more impressive. The Oura Ring 4 and the Samsung Galaxy Ring are two of the main contenders in that field (and likely will remain so, unless Apple gets around to producing its own smart ring) — but there are some stark differences between the two gadgets. If you’re having trouble deciding which of them, if either, is worth your investment, we’ve broken down their differences right here.

Oura Ring 4 vs. Samsung Galaxy Ring: specs

Oura Ring 4 vs. Samsung Galaxy Ring: design and durability

Both the Oura Ring 4 and the Galaxy Ring are designed to be worn for extended periods of time, so comfort has to be one of the main considerations. The Oura Ring 4 has a comfortable fit, although it fits more snugly and is slightly heavier than the Galaxy Ring. Unlike the Oura Ring 3, the fourth version is made of solid titanium on the inside and out. That means it does away with the sensor bumps that the Oura Ring 3 and Galaxy Ring have, which improves comfort, but does result in a thicker ring.

On the other hand, the Galaxy Ring is slim, lightweight, and comfortable to wear. At just 2.6mm thick, the Galaxy Ring weighs in at 3 ounces. The Oura Ring 4 is just slightly thinner at 2.5mm, but weighs between 4 and 6 ounces. That might not seem like much of a difference, but when it’s something you wear on your hand all day long, you will notice it.

Both rings are durable, but they aren’t impervious to damage. Neither ring is good to wear while doing physical labor or lifting weights, as it’s easy to scratch the exterior of the ring — or to have it pressed against your finger by a barbell. While they may look sleek, it’s better to only wear them for tracking throughout the day. If you find yourself reaching for a dumbbell or a shovel, take it off.

As a bonus, the Galaxy Ring has a feature that lets you take a picture remotely with your phone or even turn off an alarm. A way to stay in bed longer without actually moving? Perfect. However, it’s not out yet, so we can’t say how good it is.

The Samsung Galaxy Ring is slimmer and lighter, which gives it an edge here. However, we haven’t spent a lot of time with the Oura Ring 4 yet, and the lack of sensor bumps could be a game changer. We’re giving this to the Galaxy Ring for now, but that may change.

Winner: Samsung Galaxy Ring

Oura Ring 4 vs. Samsung Galaxy Ring: fitness and tracking

Let’s start with the Galaxy Ring. While wearing it, it will automatically track certain workouts and record the data without requiring you to trigger it on your phone. That said, it’s options for workouts are actually somewhat limited. It can track when you’re running or walking, and there’s an option for “other workouts” that you can use to manually log anything that doesn’t fall into one of those two categories. As far as strength training goes, it has “weight machines.” If you’re someone who is more into lifting, it can be hard to track, especially since weight bars can scratch the ring easily.

It’s tracking is hurt by the lack of a gyroscope or GPS. The Galaxy Ring struggles to accurately track distance on runs, and it can sometimes have weird interactions with Galaxy Watch measurements, which it can borrow from. It also takes a hit because some of its most useful features only work with Galaxy AI, which means a non-Samsung Android phone will have limited functionality.

The Oura Ring 4 brings a lot of strengths to the table. On the hardware side of things, it has double the pathways of the Oura Ring 3, allowing it to more accurately track information like heart rate. It also auto-detects whenever your heart rate rises and will record those periods as individual events, making it easy to track your activities throughout the day. It also has other interesting analytics like “Resilience” that will help you manage stress, as well as pregnancy tips for women.

However, the Oura Ring 4 isn’t the best when it comes to keeping track of your workouts. While it can measure your runs, it won’t provide a more detailed breakdown of your metrics during that time. The Oura app also lacks the detail of the Galaxy Ring in terms of workout analytic, but it is far more accurate than the Galaxy Ring when tracking blood oxygen levels.

It’s a mixed bag for sure. But while the Galaxy Ring is clearly meant to work alongside other trackers like the Galaxy Watch, the Oura Ring 4 is meant to stand alone and has more tracking options. For that reason, the Oura Ring wins.

Winner: Oura Ring 4

Oura Ring 4 vs. Samsung Galaxy Ring: compatibility

No matter which ring you choose to go with, you’ll need a smartphone to power it — and not a Windows phone.

The Oura Ring 4 works with both iOS and Android platforms. It’s the best option for Apple fans, especially given that the company hasn’t entered this particular arena. While there are other options like the RingConn Gen 2 or the AmazFit, Oura has a long history and a proven track record.

The Galaxy Ring, on the other hand, only works with Android devices, and only works best with Samsung devices. As impressive as it may be, it has a much more limited scope.

Winner: Oura Ring 4

Oura Ring 4 vs. Samsung Galaxy Ring: companion apps and updates

Both the Oura Ring and the Galaxy Ring sync with other applications to show your data. The Oura Ring can be downloaded on both the iOS and Google Play Stores, while the Galaxy Ring works with the Galaxy Wearables and Galaxy Health apps and is only available on Android devices.

The amount of data the rings collect can be hard to take in, given the amount and complexity of it all. The accuracy varies, too. In tests, we found the Galaxy Ring to be accurate in most categories, but it fell far short of a reliable blood oxygen level.

The Oura Ring is quite accurate. Both devices gather data constantly in the background and record it for viewing later at your convenience, but the Oura Ring only keeps records of the most bare-bones data unless you pay a subscription fee. The fee is $6 per month or $70 per year — something that feels a bit unnecessary after paying the cost of the ring itself. The Galaxy Ring does not require a subscription.

That said, given the Oura Ring’s broader availability and the depth of its readings, it’s the better pick of the two.

Winner: Oura Ring 4

Oura Ring 4 vs. Samsung Galaxy Ring: pricing and availability

There’s one major downside to smart rings: they’re expensive. By any stretch of the imagination, these aren’t budget-friendly items — although you could argue that the information about your health that’s gleaned from the gathered data could more than make up for it, especially if it prevents a visit or two to the doctor.

Before investing in either ring, you can use a sizing kit to figure out exactly which one will be the best fit for your finger. The Oura Ring 4 comes in sizes ranging from 4 to 15, while the Galaxy Ring has a slightly more limited range of 5 to 13.

The Oura Ring 4 starts at $349 and reaches all the way to $499, depending on the finish you choose to go with. You also need to factor in the cost of the monthly subscription. Yes, the Oura Ring 4 works without it, but you’re missing out on a lot of the benefits of the ring if you only use the basic tier.

The Galaxy Ring starts at $399 for any of its finish and color choices. It doesn’t have a monthly subscription to worry about, but it is limited solely to Android devices.

Oura Ring 4 vs. Samsung Galaxy Ring: verdict

Both smart rings are technical marvels and excellent examples of the potential of the technology, and neither one is a bad choice — but the Oura Ring 4 is the better pick of the two.

Not only is it less expensive from the start, but its greater accuracy levels and broader compatibility make it the best option. However, if you are already fully into the Samsung Galaxy ecosystem, there’s no harm in going with the Galaxy Ring. By pairing it with your other health-tracking accessories, you’ll be able to collect a huge amount of insight into your fitness levels.