Smart rings and subscriptions: the full price
Oct 23, 2026 · 5 sourcesSmart rings look like a one-time purchase. One of the best-known isn't: most of Oura's features sit behind a monthly membership. Here's what three popular rings really cost over time, how long they last per charge, and whether you can shower and swim with them. We leave health accuracy out here; we haven't read an independent study on it yet.
The subscription question
Oura Ring 5 costs $399 to $499, plus $5.99 a month for most features. That's about $70 a year on top of the ring.
Samsung's Galaxy Ring ($399) and the RingConn Gen 2 Air ($199) have no subscription; tracking is included in the price. The catch with Samsung: it's Android only, and some AI features need a Samsung phone.
Sources: [1] BGR, [2] Tom's Guide, [3] Tom's Guide
About a week per charge
Samsung rates the Galaxy Ring at up to seven days in sizes 12 and 13 and up to six days in smaller sizes, and its charging case adds up to 14 days in total before you need an outlet.
BGR got about a week from the Oura Ring 5, and Tom's Guide got over a week from the RingConn Gen 2 Air, which RingConn rates for ten days.
Sources: [4] Samsung, [1] BGR, [3] Tom's Guide
Showers, swimming, dishes
All three are rated for water down to about 100 m: Oura says the Ring 5 is fine for sauna and water sports, Samsung rates the Galaxy Ring 10ATM and IP68, and Tom's Guide lists the RingConn at 100 m. None is meant for diving.
Sources: [5] Oura, [4] Samsung, [3] Tom's Guide
Adding it up
Over two years, an Oura Ring 5 costs its price plus about $144 in membership. The Galaxy Ring costs $399 and the RingConn Gen 2 Air $199, with nothing after. Companies can change their plans, so check the current terms before you buy.
Sources: [1] BGR, [2] Tom's Guide, [3] Tom's Guide
Keep going
Our full guide: Oura Ring vs Samsung Galaxy Ring: the real cost of a smart ring
- Can you use a smart ring without a subscription?
- Can a smart ring last a week on one charge?
- Can you swim and shower with a smart ring?
- Can a smart ring track your sleep without a watch?
Status pages: Oura Ring 5 · Samsung Galaxy Ring · RingConn Gen 2 Air
How we know (5 sources)
Review of the Oura Ring 5: much smaller titanium ring, $399 (Black, Silver) to $499 for other finishes, plus $5.99/month membership that unlocks most features, so about $470 in year one. About a week of battery. Sleep and recovery analysis among the best; new blood pressure and breathing trend features have little independent validation and are not diagnostics. Not a medical device.
Read the sourceGalaxy Ring vs Oura Ring 4 (last updated Aug 6, 2025): Galaxy Ring $399 with no subscription but Android only (Samsung phone for all AI features); Oura Ring 4 from $349 plus $5.99/month membership, works with iPhone and Android. Neither does detailed workout tracking on its own.
Read the sourceMonths-long review of the RingConn Gen 2 Air ($199, no subscription): detailed sleep tracking (REM, heart rate, respiratory rate, HRV), 24/7 vitals, over a week of battery (ten-day rating), 100 m water resistance. Limited fitness tracking; protruding inner sensors are a little uncomfortable.
Read the sourceUS Galaxy Ring page, read Oct 22, 2026: a seven-day charge for sizes 12 and 13, up to six days for smaller sizes, and up to 14 days in total with a full charge of the cradle. Water resistance consistent with 10ATM (up to 100 m for up to 10 minutes) and IP68 (up to 6 feet for up to 30 minutes); rinse and dry after it gets wet.
Read the sourceOura Ring 5 support page (read Oct 22, 2026): water resistant to 100 m, suitable for sauna and water sports but not for diving; an accelerometer tracks movement and activity day and night.
Read the source