Ultrahuman Ring Pro Goes On Sale in US Stores for $479

The Ultrahuman Ring Pro is now on sale across the US, online and on store shelves, for $479. That is the first time American buyers can walk into a store and pick up the titanium smart ring, months after Ultrahuman reopened US preorders in March.

It also arrives with a legal cloud overhead. Oura has gone back to court to try to stop Ring Pro sales, as we reported in our story on Oura's new lawsuit in Texas. Here is what the launch changes for shoppers, and what to check before you buy.

Where you can buy the Ring Pro right now

According to GSMArena, the ring is available at:

• Ultrahuman.com
• BestBuy.com, Target.com and Walmart.com
• About 300 Best Buy stores

Target and Walmart stores are expected to stock it in a few weeks. On Ultrahuman's own US store, the price is $479, or $120 a month, with trade in credit of up to $115. The cheaper Ring AIR stays on sale at $349.

What $479 gets you

The Ring Pro's main pitch is battery life. Ultrahuman lists up to 15 days per charge, split into a Turbo Mode at about 12 days and a Chill Mode at 15 days or more. The optional Pro Charging Case stretches that to as much as 45 days. These are company estimates, so real results will depend on which tracking features you leave switched on.

Other specs from Ultrahuman's buy page:

• Titanium unibody, 2.65 mm thick, weighing 3.3 to 4.8 grams depending on size
• Water resistance to 100 meters
• Up to 250 days of on device data storage
• ProRelease Technology, which lets the ring be cut off safely if a finger swells or gets hurt
• Four finishes: Bionic Gold, Space Silver, Aster Black and Raw Titanium

Ultrahuman also says there are no recurring subscription fees to see your data. That is a real difference for anyone comparing total cost over two or three years with rings that charge a monthly membership.

Who should care about this launch

Buyers who wanted to try a ring in person. Until now, getting a Ring Pro meant ordering online and waiting. Best Buy shelves make it easier to compare finishes and return it through a familiar retailer.

Current Oura owners thinking of switching. The no subscription model and longer battery are the two clearest reasons to look. Sleep and readiness history does not carry over between brands, so expect to start fresh, and give the new ring a week or two to learn your baselines before you compare scores.

Anyone worried about the lawsuit. Ultrahuman said in its March press release that US preorders opened after clearance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Oura's case is still pending, and a court ruling could affect future sales. If that worries you, buying from a big retailer with a clear return policy gives you the most room to change your mind early.

A buyer checklist before you check out

1. Get your size right first. Ring Pro comes in sizes 5 through 14 with no half sizes. Ultrahuman sends a free sizing kit from its site, and GSMArena says Best Buy, Target and Walmart sell one for $10.
2. Wear the sizer for a full day. Fingers swell in heat and overnight, and a ring that slips will log worse sleep data.
3. Decide on the charging case. If you travel often, the 45 day case may matter more than the ring's own battery figure.
4. Compare total cost, not sticker price. Add up any subscription a rival ring charges over the years you plan to keep it.
5. Check the return window at the retailer you pick. Store policies differ, and you want room to test sleep tracking for a couple of weeks.

If you are still weighing other wearables, our look at Samsung's open ear Galaxy Buds On covers another wearable arriving this season, and our refurbished iPhone checklist has inspection tips worth borrowing if you shop secondhand. For more launches, visit our gadgets page.

One tip worth repeating: order the sizing kit before the ring itself. It costs nothing from Ultrahuman, and it is the step most likely to decide whether you keep the ring at all.