In the US, the choice is now Ultrahuman Ring Pro ($479 with its charging case, no subscription for core data) against Oura Ring 5 ($399 to $499 plus $5.99 a month). At Longevity Benchmark, we review and compare smart rings to evaluate whether their hardware, software, and long-term costs match what each company claims. Both rings target daily health tracking.
Ring Air remains subject to an October 2025 import ban. However, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) ruled in March 2026 that the redesigned Ring Pro falls outside that exclusion order. Ultrahuman sells Ring Pro in the US while its federal appeal remains pending.
The Verdict
Ultrahuman vs Oura
| Attribute | Ultrahuman | Oura |
|---|---|---|
| US model and price | Ring Pro, $479 with PRO charging case (checked October 2026) | Ring 5, $399 to $499 depending on finish (checked October 2026); Ring 4 sold from $349 |
| Subscription | No recurring fee for core data; one-time device purchase | $5.99 per month or $69.99 per year (checked October 2026), first month free; basic profile without membership |
| Paid add-ons | PowerPlugs ($24 to $39 per year), UltrahumanX warranty ($36 to $54) | Health Panels ($99 blood testing), separate Ring 5 Charging Case |
| Battery | Up to 15 days (about 12 days in Turbo Mode, 15+ days in Chill Mode) | Up to 6 to 9 days for Ring 5 (Ring 4 rated 5 to 8 days) |
| Battery with case | Up to 45 days with included PRO Charging Case | Separate Ring 5 Charging Case; Oura says up to about one month of battery with it |
| Sensors | Temperature sensor, redesigned photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor, 6-axis inertial measurement unit (IMU) | 12 signal pathways with low-profile sensor domes, optical PPG, temperature sensors, accelerometer |
| Water rating | 100 m / 328 ft | Up to 100 m / 328 ft (Ring 5) |
| Sizes | Sizes 5 to 14, free sizing kit, no half sizes | Ring 5 sizes 6 to 13 (Ring 4 sizes 4 to 15), free sizing kit |
| Data storage | Up to 250 days of onboard data storage | Onboard data storage capacity is not published |
| US availability status | Ring Pro cleared by CBP ruling HQ H354023; Ring Air excluded under US International Trade Commission (ITC) Investigation No. 337-TA-1398 | Sold on ouraring.com; some Ring 4 finishes out of stock |
| Health Savings Account (HSA) / Flexible Spending Account (FSA) | Marked HSA/FSA eligible on Ultrahuman store | Marked HSA/FSA eligible on Oura store |
Which Ring Fits Which Buyer
Selecting between Ultrahuman and Oura comes down to two trade-offs: software subscription fees and hardware battery life. Ultrahuman Ring Pro suits buyers who want complete access to their recovery, sleep, and movement metrics without an ongoing monthly charge. Its 15-day battery life also appeals to frequent travelers.
Oura Ring 5 fits users who prioritize a mature software platform with conversational health guidance and vascular age calculations. However, Oura locks detailed metric tracking behind a recurring fee. That recurring fee accumulates over multi-year ownership.
Our recommendation would change if Oura dropped its membership fee. It would also change if the ITC ruled against Ring Pro, since CBP says its ruling would then be modified or revoked. Neither smart ring serves athletes who need live workout pace displays or GPS mapping during outdoor runs, who should choose a dedicated sports watch instead.
Can You Buy Ultrahuman in the US
In the US you can buy Ultrahuman's redesigned Ring Pro, but not the original Ring Air. Oura filed a complaint with the US International Trade Commission, which instituted Investigation No. 337-TA-1398 on April 17, 2024. The case named Ultrahuman, RingConn, and Circular as respondents.
On August 21, 2025, the ITC issued its final determination finding that Ultrahuman and RingConn violated Section 337 by infringing claims 1, 2, and 12 to 14 of Oura's U.S. Patent No. 11,868,178. The formal notice was published in the Federal Register. The Presidential review period ran with bond set at zero percent.
On October 21, 2025, the limited exclusion order took full effect, barring infringing Ultrahuman rings from US importation and sale. RingConn settled with Oura and obtained a royalty-bearing license, leading the ITC to rescind its exclusion order against RingConn on December 8, 2025. Our RingConn vs Oura comparison covers that settlement.
Ultrahuman appealed the ITC determination to the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit on October 22, 2025, under Appeal No. 2026-1083. Both the Federal Circuit and the ITC denied Ultrahuman's emergency motions for a stay in December 2025. The underlying merits appeal remains pending.
To regain domestic market entry, Ultrahuman redesigned its hardware into Ring Pro. On March 6, 2026, US Customs and Border Protection issued ruling HQ H354023, determining that Ring Pro is not subject to exclusion under the 337-TA-1398 order. CBP noted that Ring Pro features a single, continuous, and integrally formed open-ended titanium tube housing.
Ultrahuman announced pre-orders on March 24, 2026, via an official press release. Shipments commenced in June 2026 at $479, as reported by TechTimes. Oura publicly characterized the CBP ruling as not final or comprehensive, telling TechCrunch that it was evaluating legal next steps.
In September 2026, Ultrahuman raised $70 million in a funding round including Qualcomm's venture arm. For existing domestic owners of Ring Air, Ultrahuman published a blog statement confirming ongoing software updates, data access, and warranty support. The ITC order explicitly permits importing replacement units under active warranty for customers who purchased before October 21, 2025.
What You Pay Now and Over Five Years
The upfront purchase price of a smart ring gives an incomplete picture of its total cost. Ultrahuman sells Ring Pro as a one-time transaction of $479, checked October 2026, including the ring and its PRO Charging Case. Core health metrics incur no recurring fees.
Ring Pro costs $80 more upfront than a $399 Oura Ring 5, which passes it in total cost once the second $69.99 year is paid. Oura Ring 5 retails for $399 in Silver and Black, or $499 in Gold, Deep Rose, Stealth, and Brushed Silver, checked October 2026. Oura Membership costs $5.99 monthly or $69.99 annually after a complimentary first month.
Over a five-year ownership horizon, mandatory membership fees widen the cost disparity substantially. We break down subscription terms in our Oura Ring cost breakdown and evaluate ownership value in our is Oura worth it guide. The table below details cumulative expenses using annual subscription billing.
| Cost Component | Ultrahuman Ring Pro | Oura Ring 5 ($399 finish, annual billing) | Oura Ring 5 ($499 finish, annual billing) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront hardware price (checked October 2026) | $479 (includes charging case) | $399 (charging puck included) | $499 (charging puck included) |
| Annual subscription fee | $0 for core platform data | $69.99 per year (first month free) | $69.99 per year (first month free) |
| Year 1 total cost | $479.00 | $468.99 | $568.99 |
| Year 2 total cost | $479.00 | $538.98 | $638.98 |
| Year 3 total cost | $479.00 | $608.97 | $708.97 |
| Year 5 total cost | $479.00 | $748.95 | $848.95 |
| Optional paid features | PowerPlugs ($24 to $39/yr), UltrahumanX ($36 to $54) | Health Panels ($99/test), Ring 5 Charging Case | Health Panels ($99/test), Ring 5 Charging Case |
Where Ultrahuman Leads
- Subscription-free core metrics. Ring Pro provides complete sleep stages, recovery analysis, skin temperature trends, and movement scoring without recurring membership fees.
- Extended standalone battery life. The hardware operates for up to 15 days on a single charge in Chill Mode and roughly 12 days in Turbo Mode.
- Included portable charging case. The bundled PRO Charging Case gives up to 45 days of total battery, allowing multi-week travel without an external wall adapter.
- Substantial onboard data memory. Internal flash storage saves up to 250 days of continuous health metrics offline, preventing data gaps during extended disconnection from a smartphone.
Where Oura Leads
- Broader physical sizing range. Oura Ring 4 comes in sizes 4 through 15, one size smaller and one larger than Ring Pro's 5 to 14.
- Conversational health software. The mobile platform incorporates Oura Advisor to deliver natural language answers about biometric shifts, sleep patterns, and daily recovery.
- Membership health services. Oura added Health Radar, AI-enabled medical guidance with Counsel Health, and GLP-1 Insights with the Ring 5 launch, and offers optional Health Panels blood testing.
- Polysomnography validation history. Oura's sleep-staging algorithms have been evaluated against polysomnography across multiple peer-reviewed journal publications, including manufacturer-funded trials.
Hardware Specifications and Sizing
Hardware architecture separates the daily physical experience of wearing these two smart rings. Ultrahuman Ring Pro measures 2.65 mm in thickness and uses a single continuous open-ended titanium tube structure. It features ProRelease Technology, which Ultrahuman says lets the ring be cut off more easily if the finger swells or is injured.
Oura Ring 5 is titanium inside and out with low-profile interior sensor domes containing 12 signal pathways. Both rings achieve a water resistance rating of 100 meters, or 328 feet, making them suitable for showering, swimming, and surface water sports. Sensors on Ring Pro include a redesigned photoplethysmography sensor, a temperature sensor, and a 6-axis inertial measurement unit.
Both brands send a free sizing kit. Ultrahuman offers no half sizes. Ultrahuman covers sizes 5 to 14, while Oura covers sizes 6 to 13 on Ring 5 and sizes 4 to 15 on Oura Ring 4, which remains available from $349, checked October 2026.
Paid Add-Ons and Software Access
Understanding software costs requires examining what each company includes in its baseline application. Ultrahuman provides all core sleep, readiness, movement, and circadian metrics without recurring charges. However, the company offers optional micro-subscriptions termed PowerPlugs through its mobile marketplace.
Paid PowerPlugs include Cardio Adaptability at $24 for one year or $38 for two years, and Cycle & Ovulation Pro at $39 for one year or $69 for two years. Ultrahuman also sells an AFib Detection PowerPlug for nightly rhythm screening, alongside optional modules for respiratory health and migraine tracking. Device protection under UltrahumanX costs $36 for one year of accidental damage coverage or $54 for two years, which adds theft and loss replacement.
Ultrahuman notes that its Cycle & Ovulation offering is CE and UKCA certified as a Class IIa medical device in Europe and the United Kingdom, and is US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) registered. FDA registration is a different status from FDA clearance. Neither company's pages claim FDA clearance.
Oura structures its platform around mandatory membership, detailed on the official Oura Membership page. Without membership, the app displays only the three daily Sleep, Readiness, and Activity scores, battery level, profile data, and educational content in the Explore tab. All detailed hypnograms, heart rate variability trends, skin temperature variance curves, and daytime stress readings disappear behind the paywall.
An active membership includes over 50 health metrics, cardiovascular age calculations, and features introduced at the Ring 5 launch: Health Radar, AI-enabled medical guidance with Counsel Health, and GLP-1 Insights. Optional blood testing is available via Health Panels at $99 per draw at Quest Diagnostics locations. We examine alternative hardware choices in our guide to Oura Ring alternatives and assess hardware longevity in our Oura Ring 4 review.
Evidence and Validation Standards
Biometric accuracy in smart rings relies on optical signal quality against fluctuating finger perfusion and motion artifacts. No peer-reviewed sleep-staging validation of Ultrahuman is on our list of verified clinical publications. Users evaluating Ultrahuman must rely primarily on manufacturer data sheets and individual tracking consistency rather than independent hospital-grade comparisons.
In contrast, Oura's sleep staging has been compared against polysomnography in peer-reviewed journals, though several of those studies were Oura-funded or Oura-affiliated. We evaluate those diagnostic error margins and sleep architecture studies in our analysis of Oura Ring accuracy. Our standalone guide to HRV explained details how optical sensors capture beat-to-beat variability during deep sleep.
To see how rings rank against wrist monitors and chest straps, explore our roundup of the best sleep trackers and our comparison of Oura vs Whoop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Ultrahuman ring banned in the USA?
The US International Trade Commission banned the import and sale of Ultrahuman Ring Air after finding it infringed claims of Oura's U.S. Patent No. 11,868,178. On August 21, 2025, the ITC issued a final determination finding Section 337 violations against Ultrahuman. The limited exclusion order took effect on October 21, 2025, barring Ring Air imports. However, Ultrahuman redesigned its hardware, releasing Ring Pro with a continuous titanium housing. On March 6, 2026, US Customs and Border Protection ruled in HQ H354023 that Ring Pro is not subject to the exclusion order. CBP's ruling says a conflicting ITC decision would modify or revoke it. Ultrahuman's appeal before the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit remains pending.
Are Ultrahuman rings being discontinued?
No, Ultrahuman rings are not being discontinued. Ultrahuman sells Ring Pro in the US. While the company stopped importing the older Ring Air into the United States following an ITC exclusion order in October 2025, it launched the redesigned Ring Pro in March 2026. US Customs confirmed that Ring Pro can be imported legally under ruling HQ H354023. Furthermore, Ultrahuman raised $70 million in September 2026 from investors including Qualcomm's venture arm at a $365 million valuation. US demand for Ring Pro has outstripped initial supply, and the company maintains active software updates and warranty support for all devices.
What does Oura do that Ultrahuman doesn't?
Oura provides an AI health companion named Oura Advisor, long-term cardiovascular age modeling, and integrated diagnostic partnerships. Its Ring 5 launch introduced Health Radar, medical guidance via Counsel Health, and GLP-1 Insights. Oura also offers optional Health Panels, enabling users to book $99 blood biomarker tests directly at Quest Diagnostics locations. Oura Ring 4 also comes down to size 4, whereas Ultrahuman's Ring Pro sizing starts at size 5.
Does Ultrahuman have a subscription?
No, Ultrahuman does not require a subscription to access core health and sleep data. The purchase of a Ring Pro includes lifetime access to sleep staging, recovery metrics, skin temperature tracking, movement trends, and circadian rhythm recommendations. However, Ultrahuman sells optional paid add-ons called PowerPlugs. These include Cardio Adaptability at $24 for one year or $38 for two years, and Cycle & Ovulation Pro at $39 for one year or $69 for two years. An AFib Detection PowerPlug is also available for nightly rhythm screening. Device coverage under UltrahumanX costs $36 for one year (accidental damage, priority care) or $54 for two years, which adds theft and loss protection.
Can I still use my Ultrahuman Ring Air in the US?
Yes, existing owners of Ultrahuman Ring Air in the US can continue using their devices normally. The ITC exclusion order that took effect on October 21, 2025 prohibited new commercial imports and sales of Ring Air, but it did not disable devices already in consumer hands. Ultrahuman confirmed that existing US Ring Air users maintain full access to their data, software updates, and platform features without subscription fees. In addition, the ITC's cease-and-desist orders permit the importation of warranty replacement rings for consumers who purchased their devices before the Presidential review period expired on October 21, 2025. Retailers were also permitted to sell through existing domestic inventory.
Which smart ring is the best in 2026?
Neither smart ring is universally best; the decision depends on whether you prefer avoiding subscriptions or an established software ecosystem. Ultrahuman Ring Pro suits buyers who want a one-time purchase and long battery life: up to 15 days of runtime, up to 45 days with the included charging case, and no monthly fee for core health trends, though it has no peer-reviewed sleep-staging validation and its US availability rests on a CBP ruling while an appeal is pending. Oura Ring 5 suits buyers who want conversational AI coaching through Oura Advisor, vascular age analysis and a longer record of polysomnography studies, though it requires a membership of $5.99 monthly or $69.99 annually to view detailed data, which makes it more expensive over multiple years of use.
What happens if I cancel my Oura membership?
If you cancel your Oura membership, the mobile app restricts access to basic daily scores and settings. Without an active membership of $5.99 per month or $69.99 per year, Oura displays only your three daily scores: Sleep, Readiness, and Activity. You can also view your ring's battery percentage, basic profile information, app settings, and educational material in the Explore tab. However, the app hides all detailed sleep stage breakdowns, heart rate variability trends, resting heart rate graphs, temperature deviation charts, daytime stress tracking, and historical trend comparisons until membership is renewed.