In a year packed with groundbreaking technological advancements, from Apple’s first-ever mixed reality headset to the explosive growth of artificial intelligence, one niche entered the mainstream: smart rings.

According to IDC, global ring sales reached 880,000 units in 2023. This year, the market research firm projects a surge to 1.7 million units, with an even bigger jump to 3.2 million units expected in 2025. As consumers increasingly prioritize health and wellness, the discreet form factor of smart rings is steadily chipping away at the market share held by fitness trackers, bands, and smartwatches.

The Contenders and the Champion

CES 2024 revealed a flood of new smart rings, making the competition fierce. Notable entrants included Samsung’s Galaxy Ring and exciting newcomers like Ultrahuman and the Movano Evie. These innovations highlighted the growing consumer interest in this wearable category. However, the Oura Ring 4 remained a standout, standing out for its seamless integration of advanced health tracking technology with everyday wellness.

“Its ability to monitor vitals and use the data it collects to predict illness, contextualize wellness, and provide data used for a diagnosis puts the smart ring ahead of its many competitors,” adds Nina Raemont, ZDNET’s smart ring reviewer.

Why the Oura Ring 4 Earned Top Honors

The Oura Ring 4’s release in early October proved to be strategically timed. Priced at $349, it offered several key hardware upgrades:

• The internal sensors were now flush, resulting in a more comfortable wearing experience.
• The ring became available in a wider range of sizes, including 4, 5, 14, and 15, increasing accessibility for a broader audience.
• A total of 18 signal pathways enabled the ring to gather more accurate health data.
• The battery capacity was significantly increased, providing an impressive eight days of endurance.

These advancements were bolstered by a companion app that ZDNET experts agree is one of the most intuitive, user-centric, and valuable available. It provides personalized insights and actionable recommendations based on sleep scores, stress data, and activity tracking.