Recently, coupled oscillator systems have garnered significant interest due to their rich dynamics and applications in various fields. This article examines the collective dynamics of a ring network comprising three mutually interacting autonomous Duffing oscillators. Analytical and numerical methods are employed to elucidate the network’s overall behavior as a function of its parameters. We show that the route leading to multi-scroll chaos begins with a series of Hopf bifurcations (associated with 8 of the 27 equilibrium points), followed by a sequence of period-doubling bifurcations, boundary crises, and merging crises, ultimately giving rise to a multi-scroll attractor as one of the system parameters (e.g., a coupling strength) is varied. This route is characterized by several regions of multi-stability, where multiple attractors of different topologies coexist in varying numbers, depending on the exact value of the control parameter. This mechanism is elucidated using key analytical tools, such as bifurcation diagrams, phase portraits, and basins of attraction corresponding to competing attractors. Reducing the number of interactions within the network led to profound modifications in the locations of the equilibrium points, the mechanisms underlying the onset of chaos, and the topology of the resulting multi-scroll attractor. An experimental validation is carried out by considering a physical implementation of the model using the Arduino microcontroller. This study provides valuable insights that serve as an introduction to understanding the dynamics of significantly more complex networks of Duffing oscillators.