Oura Ring 4 Review: Is This Smart Health Tracker Worth It?

When it comes to health tracking wearables, the Oura Ring has established itself as a standout option, offering advanced technology and sleek design in a small, unobtrusive form factor. With the recent release of the Oura Ring 4, users are left wondering: Should you upgrade from the Oura Ring 3? In this article, we’ll break down the key differences between the Oura Ring 4 and its predecessor, explore the features and benefits of this new version, and help you decide whether the upgrade is worth it for your health tracking needs.

Oura Ring 4 Key Specs

4.2/5 ★★★★★ 5/5

How we rate

Cost: $349 to $499 (base model)
Subscription price: $5.99 monthly/$70 annually to get first month free
Health metrics monitored: Sleep, heart rate, body temperature, activity, stress, women’s health
Sensors: Infrared photoplethysmography (PPG), NTC body temperature sensor, accelerometer
Battery life: Up to 8 days
Trustpilot rating: 4.2/5

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The Oura Ring is a smart wearable designed for individuals seeking to optimize their health and wellness. With a focus on tracking key health metrics like sleep, activity, and readiness, the Oura Ring 4 continues to build on the brand’s reputation for precision and user-friendly design. Its sleek form factor makes it a favorite among health-conscious individuals, tech enthusiasts, and anyone aiming to improve sleep, recovery, and overall well-being.

Our Quick Take:

The Oura Ring 4 remains one of the most comprehensive fitness trackers on the market, offering a unique combination of style, comfort, and precision. Unlike many bulkier alternatives like wrist-based trackers, the Oura Ring fits snugly on your finger, making it less intrusive while still delivering robust health insights. It’s particularly valuable for users who prioritize sleep tracking and stress management, with improvements in battery life and sensor technology making the Oura Ring 4 a clear step up from its predecessor. Explore the Oura Ring 4 here.

Oura Ring 4 Pros & Cons

Pros

Sleeker, more comfortable fully titanium design
Advanced sensors for more accurate tracking
Longer battery life (up to 8 days)
Personalized health insights and recommendations

Cons

Requires a monthly subscription for full access to features
No significant upgrades in terms of new tracking metrics

My Personal Experience with Oura Ring in 2024

I’ve had the pleasure of trying out the Oura Ring 4, and from the moment I received the sizing kit to the time I started wearing it daily, the experience has been seamless. The ring’s lightweight design makes it easy to forget that you're even wearing it, and the four new size options help ensure a perfect fit. The onboarding process through the app was intuitive, and syncing the ring with my phone was effortless. In terms of comfort, the ring fits snugly without being too tight, and I appreciated the updated design, which feels thinner and more natural to wear compared to the Oura Ring 3.

Oura Ring 4 vs. Oura Ring 3 – What’s New?

When comparing the Oura Ring 4 to the Oura Ring 3, there are a few notable differences that stand out:

Design and Size: The Oura Ring 4 takes its commitment to quality seriously, now crafted entirely from titanium, which feels solid yet light on the finger. Unlike previous models with an epoxy interior, this all-metal design not only enhances durability but elevates the ring’s overall feel. The ring has adopted a fully round profile, similar to the current Horizon models, eliminating the flat edge for a more consistent look. Additionally, the recessed sensors remove the dome-shaped covers, providing a smoother, more comfortable fit for extended wear.
Oura Battery Life: Oura Ring 4’s battery life goes beyond simply lasting longer. With Smart Sensing, the ring dynamically adjusts LED brightness, using only the minimum light needed to maintain accuracy. This intelligent approach not only extends battery life to up to 8 days but also demonstrates Oura’s commitment to a seamless user experience where maintenance feels minimal.
Sensors and Tracking: The new sensor array is designed to accommodate unique aspects of each user’s physiology, considering factors like finger structure, skin tone, BMI, and age. Oura’s advanced algorithm reportedly enhances signal quality by 120% and improves blood oxygen tracking accuracy by 30%. This upgrade means gaps in heart rate readings are significantly reduced—by 7% for daytime and an impressive 31% for nighttime tracking—delivering a more consistent view of health metrics. For those looking for reliable insights, these refinements make the Oura Ring 4 a standout choice.

While the Oura Ring 4 doesn’t offer revolutionary new tracking capabilities, the updates to its design and sensor technology make it a meaningful upgrade for those seeking greater comfort and precision in their health monitoring.

To better understand the Oura Ring 4 and all that it has to offer, we’ll take a look at its design, pricing, battery life, and app, including what it tracks, personalized recommendations.

Benefits & Features of Oura Ring 4

How Does It Work?

The Oura Ring 4 uses a set of asymmetrically placed PPG (photoplethysmography) sensors, strategically designed to measure across varied distances and tissue depths, adapting to the unique blood vessel patterns in each person’s finger. This layout boosts signal quality by minimizing power consumption and optimizing sensor alignment.

Acknowledging that smart rings can shift slightly during wear, Oura’s new algorithm improves reliability by increasing signal pathways from 8 to 18. This allows the ring to select the strongest signal at any moment, significantly reducing data gaps for more consistent health tracking.

Sleep Tracking

One of the standout features of the Oura Ring 4 is its enhanced sleep tracking, which uses improved sensors to provide more detailed insights into your sleep cycles. The ring tracks REM sleep, deep sleep, and light sleep stages, allowing users to understand not just how long they sleep, but how well.

Activity and Fitness Tracking

The Oura Ring 4 monitors your daily activity levels, tracking steps, calorie burn, and overall movement throughout the day. Although it doesn’t include workout-specific metrics like a wrist-based fitness tracker, it offers valuable insights into your overall physical activity and energy expenditure.

Readiness Score

The Oura Ring’s readiness score is one of its most useful features, compiling data on your sleep, activity, and heart rate variability to tell you how prepared you are for the day. This score helps users make decisions about whether they should push themselves physically or take it easy to avoid burnout.

Stress and Heart Health

The Oura Ring 4 also tracks your stress levels by monitoring heart rate variability (HRV), offering insights into how your body is responding to physical and mental stress. Additionally, it provides heart health metrics such as resting heart rate, which can be useful for individuals focusing on cardiovascular wellness.

Women’s Health

For female users, the Oura Ring 4 provides tracking features for menstrual cycle prediction and overall hormonal health, offering personalized insights based on temperature fluctuations and other metrics.

Why We Recommend The Oura Ring 4

The Oura Ring 4 is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a comprehensive, easy-to-use health tracker. Here’s why:

Easy-to-Read Data

The Oura Ring 4 stands out for its user-friendly data visualization, presenting complex health metrics in an intuitive, easily digestible way. This accessibility makes it easier for users to engage with their data daily, tracking trends and noticing changes without needing to interpret complicated graphs. The clear, color-coded visuals help users understand their wellness at a glance, making health insights feel both approachable and actionable.

Comprehensive Health Monitoring

With an array of monitoring features, from heart rate and sleep cycles to activity levels and temperature, the Oura Ring 4 offers a holistic view of health. Instead of focusing on isolated metrics, it combines various data points to give a complete picture of physical well-being, helping users identify patterns and make connections between different aspects of their lifestyle and health.

Personalized Insights

By analyzing individual data, Oura’s personalized insights go beyond generic advice, providing tailored recommendations that support users in improving their wellness over time. These insights evolve as the user’s data grows, adapting to changes in lifestyle or health trends and providing a more customized experience than standard health trackers.

Seamless Syncing

Syncing between the Oura Ring and its app happens effortlessly, ensuring real-time updates on all tracked metrics without requiring extra steps. This seamless connection allows users to check their data anytime without hassle, reinforcing Oura's reputation for a smooth user experience.

Integrations

With compatibility across over 40 health platforms, the Oura Ring’s app integration options make it highly versatile. This allows users to merge Oura’s insights with other fitness or health data, enabling a more comprehensive look at their wellness. Whether syncing with fitness apps or health databases, the integration support enhances the overall experience, making it easier to manage all health data in one place.

Oura Ring 4 Customer Reviews

Many users seem happy with the Oura Ring 4 overall, but note that it can scratch fairly easily and it may be most useful for sleep tracking. Others note their data may seem off occasionally and the product is quite expensive.

Just Ordered a Gen 4 Oura. Anybody got pros and cons?tabion- Reddit Read More “It’s all pros. The only con is $. This ring has literally saved my health physically and mentally.” OuraSpaceAgePanda- Reddit Read More “It’s all pros. I wear with my Apple Watch and it’s genuinely an amazing piece of kit. It has helped me think about my routines more and I have undoubtedly become more healthy.

The first scuff is the most painful though - be prepared to scuff it and be extremely upset for days 😃” Oura ring app menstrual tracking vs Natural Cycles?killachillvanilla- Reddit Read More “Oura automatically syncs my temperature to every morning and very accurately predicts when I’m gonna ovulate and which days are fertile. This means that I don’t ever have to manually check my temperature or take hormonal contraception, which is amazing. I don’t have an Apple Watch so I don’t know how it compares but it’s a very freeing feeling to only have to wear a ring at night vs wearing a full-on watch. This makes it worth the double subscription 100%. Oura and NC had a package discount for the first 6 months when they launched the partnership so that helped save some money as well. Overall, I cannot imagine not using it!” OURAPicartist- Trustpilot Read More “I pay the subscription rate because I want to track my sleep. I think it is pretty much dead on but occasionally I don't feel I got what the software reports. Overall, I like it and will keep using it. I was tossed between a 3 and 4 star but don't want to mislead people thinking I don't like the ring.” Started wearing my Oura ring 3 weeks before getting pregnantcmcglab- Reddit Read More “I knew I was pregnant a few weeks before I was able to confirm based on all of my Oura readings. Particularly my temperature. That and the insanely vivid dreams I was having 😂” Previous Next

Oura Ring 4 vs. Alternatives

It’s tough to figure out which fitness tracker is best for you without being able to compare them side by side. That’s why we made this convenient chart so you can see how Oura stacks up against their competitors.

Swipe or scroll to view all columns →

Comparison: Oura Ring 4 vs. Alternatives
Oura Ring vs. Whoop vs. Ultrahuman			Ultrahuman
Price	$349 to $499	$49 to $99	$349
Membership price	$5.99/month	$239 paid anually upfront	Not needed
Health metrics monitored?	✅ Blood oxygen levels, skin temperature, and heart rate	✅ Blood oxygen levels, skin temperature, and heart rate	✅ Blood oxygen levels, skin temperature, and heart rate
Personalized coaching recommendations?	✅ Bedtime guidance, workout and recovery insights	✅ Strain (fitness and recovery), sleep, and stress monitoring and coaching	✅
Tracks reproductive health?	✅	❌	✅
Battery life	8 days	5 days	6 days
Charging time	20 to 80 minutes	2.5 hours	90 minutes
Batteries of cable charging?	Cable	Battery	Cable
Water resistant?	✅ Up to 100m	✅ Up to 10m for 2 hours	✅ Up to 100m
Dustproof?	✅	✅	✅
Weight	4-6 grams	27.88 grams	2.4-3.6 grams
Material	Titanium	Micorfilament yarn and stainless steel	Titanium with tungsten carbide carbon coating
Warranty	1 year	Lifetime	1 year
Compatible with third-party apps?	✅ 40+ apps including Apple Health, Google Fit, Strava, Health Connect, and Natural Cycles	✅ Peloton, Strava, Zwift, Concept2, Wahoo, Run Keeper, Trainer Road, Apple Health, and some Garmin devices	❌
On the go charging?	❌	✅	❌
Style variations	Black, matte black, brushed silver, stealth, gold, and rose gold	Fabric wrist strap comes in 30 color options Clothing line includes undergarments, swim suits, tanks, shorts, and pants	Silver, space silver, black, grey, and gold
Website	Oura	Whoop	Ultrahuman

Oura Ring 4 vs. Whoop

The Oura Ring 4 and the Whoop Strap each excel in specific areas, offering users unique benefits based on their lifestyle. The Oura Ring 4’s discreet, ring-shaped design is ideal for those seeking a minimal wearable, providing advanced sleep and readiness tracking that seamlessly integrates with daily attire. Meanwhile, the Whoop Strap, worn on the wrist, focuses on athletic performance with detailed strain and recovery metrics, making it well-suited for fitness enthusiasts who prioritize workout optimization. While both require subscriptions, Oura’s is more affordable, while Whoop’s higher monthly cost includes deeper fitness insights. Ultimately, Oura is best for overall wellness with a sleek design, whereas Whoop caters to those needing high-level training feedback.

Whoop 4.0 vs. Oura Ring 4: Our Personal Experience

While both the Whoop 4.0 and Oura Ring 4 are designed for continuous wear, we found several places where one outshone the other. Having used each device for over 3 years, I found the Oura Ring is a bit more comfortable to sleep in. Its style is also modest and elegant enough that many may not even notice you’re wearing anything other than a piece of jewelry. We particularly like that you can manage your stress with audio wellness sessions and receive biometric feedback via the Oura app. If you see that a particular session helps you relax, you can add it to your routine. For simply better understanding our body’s systems and gaining insights, we prefer the Oura Ring’s gentler approach over the Whoop 4.0.

We appreciate that the Whoop 4.0 can send haptic alerts that gently vibrate to wake you and includes three alarm settings that silently wake you depending on your sleep needs– at a specific time of your choice, when you’ve reached a desired sleep goal, or when your recovery is optimal. We also prefer Whoop’s coaching over Oura’s insights when it came to fitness and enjoyed how motivated we felt during workouts. We definitely feel that the Whoop pushed us harder when it came to meeting our health and wellness goals.

Whoop ends up being as expensive as Oura after just 10 months of payments, so if you’re fully committed to optimizing your performance over the long-run, then it could be economical to choose the higher priced Oura Ring. However, the low up-front cost of Whoop may work better for some individuals.

Oura Ring 4 vs. Ultrahuman

The Oura Ring 4 and Ultrahuman Ring cater to different health priorities: the Oura Ring 4 focuses on holistic wellness, excelling in sleep and readiness tracking with a sleek, wearable design, while the Ultrahuman Ring leans toward metabolic health and biohacking, monitoring glucose levels and metabolic responses to help users optimize diet and energy levels. For users seeking a well-rounded overview of their daily health, Oura’s comprehensive tracking stands out; for those focused on biohacking and real-time metabolic insights, Ultrahuman offers a unique, data-driven approach.

The Verdict: Should You Upgrade to Oura Ring 4?

Oura Ring 4 is ideal for health enthusiasts wanting upgraded tracking precision, a sleeker design, and longer battery life.

If you're like me, and already own the Oura Ring 3, upgrading to the Oura Ring 4 is worthwhile if you prioritize comfort, improved tracking precision, and longer battery life. The sleeker design and enhanced sensors make it a more refined option for those serious about health tracking. However, if you’re satisfied with your current Oura Ring 3, the improvements may not be enough to justify the upgrade

Ultimately, the Oura Ring 4 is ideal if you want a stylish, comprehensive health tracker with top-tier sleep and stress monitoring features.

Explore the Oura Ring 4 here →

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How reliable is the Oura Ring?

The Oura Ring is 94.8% reliable in tracking health metrics.

Which finger is best for an Oura Ring?

Most users wear the Oura Ring on their index or middle finger for best results.

Should I wear the Oura Ring all day?

Yes,the Oura is meant to be worn 24/7 – especially while sleeping – in order to give you the most accurate, powerful insights. Since the Ring is water resistant up to 328 feet, you can also wash your hands and shower with it on. (Just double check that the sensors of the ring are on the palm side of your finger.)

How long does the battery last?

The Oura Ring 4’s battery lasts up to 8 days and charges in under 80 minutes.

What data can you export from the Oura app?

Users can export a wide range of health metrics including heart rate, sleep data, and activity history.

Methodology

To evaluate the Oura Ring 4, we conducted extensive research focusing on its design, effectiveness, usability, and overall quality. Our assessment included a comparison of both the third and fourth generations of the Oura Ring, with a particular focus on features such as sleep tracking, heart health monitoring, activity tracking, and readiness scoring. We considered user experiences, expert reviews, and first-hand trials to gauge the real-world performance of the Oura Ring 4.

For overall value, we evaluated factors such as pricing, battery life, subscription services, and ease of use. Additionally, we explored the company’s reputation, customer support, and the user experience of the Oura app. We also compared Oura Ring 4 to other prominent health trackers, such as Whoop and Ultrahuman, analyzing distinctions in terms of design, health metrics, and customization. Our goal was to provide a comprehensive understanding of the product’s strengths and weaknesses for health-conscious individuals looking to improve their wellness journey.