The smart ring ecosystem has evolved rapidly over the past few months, with plenty of options now available. However, Oura has been in the game for over a decade, offering smart rings long before other brands joined the market. The new Oura Ring 4 builds on this legacy, and here’s why it should be your next health-tracking device.
The Oura Ring 4 finally addresses my biggest pain point with smart rings
Improved automatic tracking is a game-changer
5
Stylish and durable design with plenty of color options
More colors and sizes than other smart rings
Smart rings are tricky to get right. One issue we had with the Amazfit Helio Ring was its slightly bulky design, which made it uncomfortable to wear for long periods. In contrast, the Oura Ring 4 nails the sizing. It’s slim and lightweight, fitting comfortably on your finger without causing any fatigue.
The ring is made out of medical-grade, non-allergic titanium, making it one of the most durable smart rings that won’t irritate your skin. It also offers water resistance of up to 100 meters, making it perfect for water sports, swimming, or even just wearing in the rain.
The Oura Ring 4 also stands out with its extensive size and color options. It’s available in sizes 4 to 15, more than any other smart ring, including the Samsung Galaxy Ring. On top of that, it comes in five finishes — Black, Silver, Rose Gold, Stealth, Gold, and Brushed Silver — so you’re sure to find a style that suits you.
All in all, if you’re looking for a smart ring that fits perfectly, offers durable materials, and comes in a variety of colors and sizes, the Oura Ring 4 is hard to beat.
4
Works seamlessly without ecosystem lock-in
Oura Ring is compatible with both iOS and Android devices
One of the downsides of smart rings like the Samsung Galaxy Ring is the ecosystem lock-in. While you can technically use the Galaxy Ring with any Android phone, the best features are reserved for those paired with a Galaxy smartphone. And if you’re an iPhone user, forget about using it altogether.
The Oura Ring, on the other hand, doesn’t have these restrictions. It works seamlessly with both iPhone and Android devices, with all features available regardless of the operating system. Plus, the Oura app integrates with Apple Health, Google Fit, and Strava, letting you sync your health data effortlessly with the apps you already use.
3
Battery that lasts for up to 8 days on a single charge
No need to charge it every night like a smartwatch
While smartwatches like the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 and Google Pixel Watch 3 last up to two days on a single charge, Oura claims the Ring 4 can go up to eight days. In our testing, this held true, with the smart ring lasting just over a week for our Google Editor, Taylor Kerns. Smaller ring sizes might have slightly shorter battery life, but most users with larger sizes will enjoy long battery life — enough to get through a full weekend trip without needing a charger.
Sadly, Oura still uses a charging puck for the Ring 4, but placing it on charge while you shower is usually enough to get you through the day. It’s manageable, but I still think charging cases should become the standard for smart rings.
Oura makes my favorite smart ring, but the competition has it beat in one key way
An open and shut case
2
Tracks your health without being bulky
Get all your health info without wearing a big watch
Despite its compact design, the Oura Ring 4 tracks most health metrics you’d expect from a smartwatch. It monitors your heart rate, blood oxygen levels, sleep, and even heart rate variability. The best part is that the Oura app presents this data in a clear, easy-to-digest way, giving you readiness and activity scores to help you track recovery and daily activity.
The Oura Ring 4 also includes a skin temperature sensor that can detect early signs of sickness, helping you take action before things get worse. It even tracks menstrual cycles by analyzing temperature patterns for accurate predictions. While some features are locked behind an Oura membership ($6/month or $60/year), the subscription cost is worth it for the detailed insights you get.
1
Automatic workout detection for easy fitness tracking
No need to start or stop tracking manually
One of the reasons I usually prefer tracking workouts with a smartwatch rather than a smart ring is that rings can get scratched during weightlifting, and most don’t automatically start tracking workouts. Usually, you have to open the app and navigate through the UI to begin tracking.
But that’s not the case with the Oura Ring 4. It offers automatic workout detection, so you can just start exercising, and the ring will track all your metrics without any manual input. It supports over 40 different activities, including walking, running, cycling, swimming, and many more, and if the workout is detected incorrectly, you can easily edit it in the app.
Oura Ring 4 is easily one of the most reliable fitness trackers you can buy
On the whole, if you’re looking for a reliable fitness tracker that doesn’t add bulk to your wrist but still offers comprehensive fitness tracking, the Oura Ring 4 is a great choice. While it’s not the perfect fitness tracking device for everyone, and the subscription cost can be a bit annoying, the Oura Ring 4 gets most things right.
Oura Ring 4
The Oura Ring 4 offers an expanded size range, a more comfortable and premium build, and more accurate tracking compared to the Oura Ring Gen 3. It also includes improved features like automatic activity detection and longer battery life. This is the best Oura ring yet.
