Smart rings have become popular since early 2024, with many offering similar features like sleep, step, and exercise tracking for those who prefer not to wear a smartwatch.
Oura, a long-time player in this space, released its 4th-gen smart ring in late 2024, introducing new technology and an updated app. However, it still requires a subscription, unlike some competitors. After using it for 30 days, including a week at CES, here are my thoughts.
Features Appealing to Me
Simple Design
The Oura Ring has a simple design. Oura has reduced the size of the bumps inside the ring for a better fit. While two small bumps remain, they’re barely noticeable and easy to forget.
It also features eight sensor tracks that improve accuracy, even if the ring shifts on your finger. Ideally, the groove should be centered on the underside of your finger, but the multiple sensors ensure reliable biometric tracking regardless of slight movement.
When it comes to comfort, the Oura Ring 4 isn’t the best I’ve tested—that title goes to the Ringconn Gen 2. However, it’s still a sleek and lightweight option, measuring 2.88mm thick, 7.9mm wide, and weighing between 3.3 to 5.2 grams, depending on size. It fits ring sizes 4 to 15, making it accessible to most users.
Well-Designed App
The Oura app organizes your health data in an easy-to-read format, letting you view daily stats or expand them to see weekly and monthly trends. It focuses on what’s happening now rather than long-term patterns, though you can dive deeper into trends when needed. You can also add activity tags to help interpret your data later.
Like other wearables, Oura tracks metrics like readiness, sleep, and activity levels, but some scores can be unclear—what does an activity score of 49 really mean? The app uses color-coded graphs to highlight areas for improvement, but some inconsistencies, like a “bad” resting heart rate of 56 bpm despite normal ranges being 40-100 bpm, make certain insights confusing. The concept is great, but some details need refinement.
Features Less Appealing to Me
The Subscription
Oura is one of the few smart ring brands that requires a subscription. When it first launched with little competition, this was easier to justify. But now, with brands like Samsung, Ringconn, and Circular offering similar features without a monthly fee, it’s a tougher sell. Circular does have a paywall, but users can unlock features by earning credits through activity—gamifying health in a unique way.
Oura charges $6 per month or $70 per year, which feels unnecessary. If the subscription included AI-powered insights explaining health metrics, it might be more worthwhile. Without a subscription, you still get sleep, readiness, and activity scores, which may be enough for some users. However, with Samsung’s Galaxy Ring offering similar features at a lower price and no subscription, Oura needs to rethink its approach before competitors take over.
Basic Charging Stand
The Oura Ring’s charging stand isn’t bad, but it falls behind newer competitors. Unlike some rivals, it doesn’t have a built-in battery and must be plugged in to charge the ring. While USB-C cables are easy to find, other brands offer charging cases that let you power up on the go, even in your bag.
Another downside is that the stand isn’t a case. While not a major issue, a case provides a more secure feel—you can close the lid, toss it in your bag, and let the ring charge while traveling. Compared to competitors with portable charging cases, Oura’s stand feels limiting.
Final Impression
Oura’s Challenge in a Growing Market
As one of the pioneers of smart rings, Oura has built a strong reputation. However, with new competitors offering better features, its lack of innovation is becoming frustrating. Brands like Ringconn and Samsung provide battery cases and don’t require subscriptions. Samsung even integrates with its ecosystem, allowing users to double-tap their ring finger to take photos.
Oura’s biggest strength—its software—is held back by its subscription model. If you’re willing to pay, you get detailed, well-organized health data that keeps you focused. In fact, Oura’s software is among the best I’ve tested across rings and smartwatches. But with strong competition, Oura needs to rethink its business model to stay relevant. Being first only matters until others improve on your ideas and deliver a better experience.