Smart rings have become increasingly popular as slim, lightweight alternatives to traditional fitness trackers and smartwatches. Combining advanced health monitoring with an unobtrusive design, these devices are perfect for tracking vital signs, sleep and physical activity without sacrificing style.

Top contenders in this growing market include the Kardena CARE Life Ring, the Samsung Galaxy Ring and the Oura Ring (Gen 3). Each of these rings offers unique features tailored to different user needs - from advanced health monitoring to emergency SOS functions. Whether you're looking for a device to track your overall wellness, improve your sleep quality or ensure your safety in emergencies, these rings offer a variety of options.

Kardena CARE Life Ring vs Samsung Galaxy Ring vs Oura Ring: Which is the best?

This comparison highlights the specific features and benefits of each ring and helps you make an informed decision based on your lifestyle and health priorities.

Smart ring comparison table: Kardena CARE Life Ring vs Samsung Galaxy Ring vs Oura Ring (Gen 3)

Function	Kardena CARE Life Ring	Samsung Galaxy Ring	Oura Ring
Health Monitoring	Heart rate, SpO2, body temperature, sleep, stress	Heart rate, SpO2, body temperature, sleep, ECG	Heart rate, body temperature, SpO2, sleep
Sleep Monitoring	Yes (light, deep, REM)	Yes (light, deep, REM)	Yes (detailed analysis)
Activity Monitoring	Steps, calories, workouts	Steps, calories, workouts	Steps, calories, workouts
Special Functions	SOS function, reminders for medication & fluid intake	Integration with Samsung Health, ECG	Readiness score, recovery insights
Battery Life	Up to 6 days	5-7 days	Up to 7 days
Subscription Required	No	No	Yes ($5.99/month for premium features)
Water Resistance	5 ATM (up to 50m)	5 ATM (up to 50m)	10 ATM (up to 100m)
Compatibility	Android, iOS	Android, Samsung-ecosystem	Android, iOS
Price	$249.95	Estimated~$299-$350	$299 (plus subscription)

Key Features Comparison: Kardena CARE Life Ring vs. Samsung Galaxy Ring vs. Oura Ring

1. Health monitoring :
   • The Kardena CARE Life Ring and the Samsung Galaxy Ring offer a variety of health metrics, including heart rate, SpO2 and body temperature. The Samsung Galaxy Ring complements this with the ECG function , which is especially valuable for people who are careful about their heart health .
   • Although the Oura Ring does not offer an ECG, it does offer detailed sleep analysis and provides a comprehensive overview of your recovery and fitness readiness.
2. Emergency functions :
   • The Kardena CARE Life Ring stands out for its SOS feature, which sends GPS location data and notifications to emergency contacts in the event of a health emergency. This feature is missing for both the Samsung Galaxy Ring and the Oura Ring.
3. Sleep and activity monitoring :
   • All three rings offer sleep monitoring for light, deep, and REM sleep stages. However, the Oura Ring is widely known for its detailed sleep analysis and recovery insights, making it the best choice for those looking to optimize their recovery and well-being.
   • Both the Samsung Galaxy Ring and the Oura Ring offer detailed insights into workouts and physical activity, with the Oura particularly focusing on the readiness score.
4. Battery life :
   • The Oura Ring and Samsung Galaxy Ring offer up to 7 days of battery life, while the Kardena CARE Life Ring lasts up to 6 days. For most users, these battery lives are more than sufficient.
5. Costs and subscriptions :
   • The Kardena CARE Life Ring and Samsung Galaxy Ring are more cost-effective in the long run as they don't require subscription fees. The Oura Ring requires a $5.99/month subscription to access all premium features, which can add up over time.
6. Water resistance :
   • The Oura Ring offers the highest water resistance at 10 ATM, making it suitable for deep water activities like diving. The Kardena CARE Life Ring and Samsung Galaxy Ring are both rated at 5 ATM, which is sufficient for swimming and showering.

Key findings:

• Best for Emergencies and Safety : The Kardena® CARE Life Ring is the ideal choice for users who require emergency features such as SOS notifications and GPS tracking . Especially beneficial for the elderly or those at higher health risk.
• Best for health integration : The Samsung Galaxy Ring offers ECG monitoring and seamless integration with the Samsung Health ecosystem , making it an ideal choice for Samsung users who want to centralize their health data.
• Best for sleep and wellbeing : The Oura Ring (Gen 3) shines with detailed sleep tracking and offers advanced insights into recovery and fitness readiness , but it requires a subscription to unlock the full range of features.

Smart Ring Comparison: Conclusion

The Kardena CARE Life Ring stands out with its emergency SOS function and comprehensive health monitoring without incurring ongoing costs. With functions such as heart rate, SpO2, body temperature and stress monitoring, it offers similar features to the Samsung Galaxy Ring and the Oura Ring (Gen 3) , but goes a step further with the emergency SOS function - ideal for people who value safety and cost-effectiveness .

The Samsung Galaxy Ring impresses with its ECG function and integration into the Samsung Health ecosystem , making it the optimal choice for Samsung users. The Oura Ring offers detailed sleep and recovery analysis , but requires a subscription , which makes it more expensive in the long run.

Ultimately, the Kardena CARE Life Ring offers the best combination of security, health tracking and cost savings , while the Galaxy Ring and Oura Ring offer their own strengths for specific needs.