In the world of wearable technology, the Oura Ring has carved out a unique niche as the premier smart ring for health and wellness tracking.
With the release of the Oura Ring 4 in 2024 October, the Finnish company has refined an already impressive product, making it sleeker, more accurate, and packed with even more insightful health metrics .
After months of testing and analyzing user experiences from early adopters, it’s clear that the Oura Ring 4 maintains its position as the market leader in smart rings, though it now faces stiff competition from Samsung’s Galaxy Ring . This comprehensive review will break down everything you need to know about Oura’s latest offering.
Design and Comfort
Size and Fit Options
One of the most significant improvements in the Oura Ring 4 is its expanded size range. The ring now comes in sizes 4 through 15, compared to sizes 6-13 in the previous generation . This makes it more inclusive for people with smaller or larger fingers who may have struggled to find a good fit with earlier models.
Users report that the sizing kit (which includes white plastic sizers) is essential to get the perfect fit, especially since the ring sits differently on your finger than traditional jewelry . The company recommends wearing the sizing kit for 24 hours to account for natural finger swelling that occurs throughout the day .
Oura Ring Materials and Colors
The Oura Ring 4 features a fully titanium construction (both exterior and interior), a upgrade from the Gen3’s titanium exterior with epoxy interior . This makes the ring more durable while also reducing its weight to between 3.3-5.2 grams depending on size .
Color options include:
- Black
- Silver
- Brushed Silver (new for Gen4)
- Stealth (dark gray)
- Gold
- Rose Gold
The brushed silver finish has been particularly popular among users who want a more subtle, jewelry-like appearance .
Comfort and Wearability
Perhaps the most noticeable design improvement is the recessed interior sensors. The Gen3 had three raised sensor domes (1.3mm high) that some users found uncomfortable, while the Gen4’s sensors are nearly flush with the interior at just 0.3mm .
“I didn’t realize how much those sensor bumps bothered me until I tried the Ring 4,” reports Charles Thorp, Fitness Editor at Men’s Health who has worn multiple Oura generations. “The new recessed design makes it far more comfortable for 24/7 wear.”
The ring’s width remains at 7.9mm, with a thickness of about 2.88mm – slightly thicker than Samsung’s Galaxy Ring (2.6mm) but still very low-profile .
Health and Fitness Tracking
Oura Ring Sleep Tracking Excellence
Sleep tracking remains Oura’s standout feature, with users consistently praising its accuracy in detecting sleep stages (REM, deep, light) and sleep interruptions .
Key sleep metrics tracked:
- Sleep stages and duration
- Sleep latency (time to fall asleep)
- Restfulness (awakenings)
- Sleep efficiency
- Respiratory rate
- Blood oxygen levels (SpO2)
In comparative tests against smartwatches and other trackers, the Oura Ring 4 consistently provided the most accurate sleep data, especially in detecting short wake periods during the night . The ring can even recognize daytime naps – a feature that often eluded the Gen3 model .
Comprehensive Health Metrics
Beyond sleep, the Oura Ring 4 tracks an impressive array of health indicators:
Daily Scores:
- Readiness (recovery status)
- Sleep quality
- Activity level
- Stress
Long-term Health Insights:
- Heart rate variability (HRV)
- Resting heart rate
- Body temperature trends
- Cardiovascular age
- Cardio capacity
- Chronotype (night owl vs morning person)
Many users report the temperature tracking being particularly valuable for spotting illness early. “My Oura flagged elevated temperature and lower HRV a full day before I felt flu symptoms,” notes Amanda Capritto in her BarBend review .
Activity and Workout Tracking
While not designed as a dedicated fitness tracker, the Oura Ring 4 has improved its activity detection:
- Automatically recognizes 40+ activities
- Tracks steps, calorie burn, and active time
- Now includes heart rate zones during exercise
However, users note it’s not as precise as dedicated fitness watches for intense workouts. “For running, my Oura showed half the calories burned compared to my Apple Watch,” reports one tester . The ring also isn’t recommended for weightlifting as it can get scratched .
Women’s Health Features
Oura has enhanced its cycle tracking with:
- Period prediction
- Fertile window estimation
- Temperature-based ovulation detection
- Integration with Natural Cycles app
“As someone trying to conceive, the temperature tracking helped me pinpoint ovulation when we were trying for our baby,” shares a Good Housekeeping reviewer .
Oura Ring Battery Life and Charging
Oura claims up to 8 days of battery life for the Ring 4, an improvement over the Gen3’s 7 days . Real-world usage typically shows:
- Average: 6-7 days with normal use
- Heavy use: 4-5 days
- Low-power mode: Up to 8 days
Charging takes 20-80 minutes depending on starting battery level, with most users reporting full charges in 30-40 minutes . The new USB-C to USB-C charger is more modern than the Gen3’s USB-A cable .
Compared to the Samsung Galaxy Ring’s 7-day battery, the Oura has a slight edge, though Samsung offers a portable charging case that provides emergency top-ups .
Oura Ring 4 vs Samsung Galaxy Ring
While a full comparison deserves its own article, here are key differences:
| Feature | Oura Ring 4 | Samsung Galaxy Ring |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $349-$499 | $399 |
| Subscription | $5.99/month or $69.99/year | None |
| Compatibility | iOS & Android | Android only |
| Sizes | 4-15 | 5-13 |
| Battery Life | Up to 8 days | Up to 7 days |
| Activity Tracking | 40+ auto-detected | Limited auto-detection |
| Health Insights | More comprehensive | Basic metrics |
| Design | More color options | Slimmer profile (2.6mm) |
The Galaxy Ring excels for Samsung ecosystem users with features like gesture controls for Galaxy phones, while Oura offers deeper health analytics and cross-platform support .
App Experience and Membership
The Oura app organizes data into three main tabs:
- Today: Daily scores and quick stats
- Vitals: Historical trends
- My Health: Long-term insights
Recent app updates have made navigation more intuitive, with faster loading times compared to previous versions . However, access to most features requires an Oura Membership:
Membership Costs:
- $5.99/month
- $69.99/year (saves $2/month)
- 1-month free trial included
“The subscription is annoying, but I can’t imagine using my Oura without the detailed data it unlocks,” admits a Good Housekeeping tester . Free users only get basic sleep, readiness, and activity scores.
Price and Value
Oura Ring 4 pricing:
- Starting price: $349 (silver, black, stealth)
- Premium finishes: $499 (gold, rose gold)
While expensive, many users find the health insights valuable enough to justify the cost. “As someone who tracks sleep religiously, the Oura pays for itself in better rest and recovery,” says Men’s Health reviewer Lauren Keary .
The ring is also HSA/FSA eligible in the U.S., making it more affordable for some .
Verdict: Who Should Buy the Oura Ring 4?
Best for:
- Sleep optimization enthusiasts
- Those wanting discreet 24/7 health tracking
- People who dislike wrist wearables
- Women tracking cycles or fertility
- Anyone focused on recovery and stress management
Not ideal for:
- Serious athletes wanting workout metrics
- Budget-conscious shoppers
- Those opposed to subscription models
- People who prefer screen-based devices
Final Thoughts
The Oura Ring 4 represents an evolutionary improvement over its predecessor, with a more comfortable design, better sensors, and expanded health insights.
While the subscription requirement remains controversial, most long-term users find the data valuable enough to justify the ongoing cost .
For those invested in holistic health tracking rather than fitness metrics alone, the Oura Ring 4 remains the smart ring to beat – even as competition like the Samsung Galaxy Ring enters the market . Its unparalleled sleep tracking, comprehensive health metrics, and jewelry-like discretion make it a standout choice in the wearable category.
