The best fitness trackers offer a holistic perspective on your fitness, recovery, and overall lifestyle so you can track your progress toward your health and wellness goals, whether you’re training for your first powerlifting competition or simply trying to notch eight hours of sleep per night. In fact, research has shown that on average, using a physical activity monitor was positively associated with participants taking an extra 1,235 steps per day and doing 49 additional minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per week.(1)
For those who dislike wearing watches or want a more subtle aesthetic, the Oura Ring offers a compelling alternative to wrist-based trackers. “Ring-worn trackers are less common than wrist-worn trackers, but they can be more accurate in tracking certain biometrics, like total sleep time,” says Dr. Raj Dasgupta, MD.
Not only does the Oura Ring offer accurate biometric tracking, but it also translates your data into intelligent, personalized recommendations. However, many health and wellness enthusiasts may balk at the cost and wonder if this premium tracker is worth it. As a certified personal trainer and five-time marathoner, I’ve tested over a dozen fitness trackers over the years, adapting BarBend’s equipment testing methodology to put these high-tech wearables through their paces. In this Oura Ring review, I’ll detail the three months I spent personally testing the Oura Ring 4 and its accompanying app.
Oura Ring 4
The Oura Ring 4 is a premium health and wellness wearable that collects data on over 20 biometrics to help you gauge your fitness, sleep, and stress. With deep insights into activity, readiness, and sleep, the accompanying Oura App translates numbers into real-life suggestions for optimizing health and longevity.
Oura Ring Review Main Takeaways
- The Oura Ring is one of the most intuitive and accurate activity trackers we’ve tested, correctly identifying even the most obscure activities from its database of over 40 unique activity types.
- While the Oura Ring is comfortable to wear and water-resistant up to 100 meters, the company does not endorse wearing it during weight lifting, which may deter serious strength trainers.
- The Oura Ring 4 starts at $349 plus an optional $5.99 monthly membership, although both ring and app are HSA- and FSA-eligible.
Oura Ring 4 Specs
| Price | Starting at $349, depending on finish |
| Membership Fee | $5.99 per month or $69.99 per year |
| Free Trial Period | 30 days |
| Compatibility | iOS, Android |
| Sizes | 4 to 15 |
| Finishes | Silver, black, brushed silver, stealth, gold, rose gold |
| Activity Types | Badminton, hiit, strength training, barre, hiking, stretching, basketball, horseback riding, surfing, boxing, housework, swimming, core exercise, kettlebell. table tennis, cross country, skiing, martial arts, tennis, cross training, motorsport, trampoline, cycling, pickleball, volleyball, dance, pilates, walking, downhill skiing, rowing, water, fitness, elliptical, running, yardwork, fitness class, snowboarding, yoga, flexibility, soccer, golf, stair exercise |
| Biometrics Detected | Resting heart rate, heart rate variability, body temperature, respiratory rate, sleep regularity, sleep stages, sleep efficiency, average oxygen saturation, steps, calorie burn, walking equivalency, cycle insights, and more |
During the fitness tracker craze of the 2010s, the Oura Ring made waves with its Finnish engineering and gorgeous aesthetics — a welcome change from clunky, screen-based wearables that took up valuable wrist real estate. Now in its fourth generation, the Oura Ring has evolved to become slimmer and smarter, with more finishes and sizes than ever.
The Oura Ring uses Automatic Activity Detection (AAD) to record and analyze over 40 unique types of activity. Over time, AAD gets to know the user’s habits and movement tendencies to offer better insights, including more accurate calorie burn. Users can also manually input over 50 different activities, including details such as Start Time, Duration, and Intensity.
The Oura Ring also detects over 20 biometrics that can be broadly categorized into activity, sleep, and readiness. Along with the most common data points found across fitness trackers (like heart rate, steps, sleep stages, and calorie burn), the Oura Ring tracks more sophisticated data around heart rate variability, oxygen saturation, stress, and menstrual cycle.
While you can get basic Readiness, Sleep, and Activity scores for free on the Oura App, Oura’s most valuable data and insights requires a membership fee. Users can opt to pay $69.99 for a prepaid annual membership or $5.99 monthly. The Oura App is compatible with iOS and Android, and the app also integrates with popular health and fitness apps such as Apple Health, Android Health Connect, Strava, Natural Cycles, and the Zero Fasting App.
Pros
Detailed and accurate tracking for over 40 activities
Battery life outpaces most other trackers we’ve tested
App goes beyond tracking data to provide actionable insights
Cons
Starting at $349, one of the most expensive trackers we’ve tested
Most data is behind a membership paywall
Not recommended to wear Oura Ring while weightlifting
Who Should Use / Who Shouldn’t Use the Oura Ring
While we largely loved our experience testing the Oura Ring 4, it’s not for everyone. Here are the groups of people we think would get the most value out of the Oura Ring and membership, along with who may be able to skip this premium wearable.
Recommended for:
- People who want a holistic health tracker that goes beyond steps and calorie burn
- Anyone who craves deeper insights into sleep and recovery
- Fashion-forward fitness buffs who cringe at wrist-based fitness trackers
Not Recommended for:
- Dedicated strength trainers who want a wearable they can use while lifting heavy
- Those who prefer an activity tracker with a screen
- Beginners or budget-conscious shoppers who want to build a consistent movement habit before splurging on a wearable
Our Experience Training With the Oura Ring
During over three months of testing for this Oura Ring review, I put the Oura Ring 4 through dozens of workouts, over 100 nights of sleep, and even a brief bout with the flu. Throughout it all, I took detailed notes and screenshots while judging the Oura Ring in several categories: style, functionality, app functionality, cost, durability, and tracking ability and accuracy. For each category, I rated the Oura Ring on a scale of 1(not good) to 5 (great). Here’s the most important information I discovered during my extended testing period.
Amazingly Accurate Tracking
The “if you can’t track it, it doesn’t count” diehards will be thrilled at the broad range of activities the Oura Ring can detect. The ring automatically tracks over 40 unique activities and allows you to manually input activities.
During testing for the Oura Ring review, I was shocked at how intuitive the Automatic Activity Detection was. Not only did it pick up my usual training (like walking, running, and tennis), but the ring also noticed when I was doing household chores and recorded it as “housework.” When compared head-to-head with my Apple Watch Ultra, the Ring was much more accurate in detecting both the activity and its duration.
The Oura Ring also excelled at biometric tracking. For example, each morning I compared my Oura App sleep data to data from my wrist-based Apple Watch and my bed-based Eight Sleep pad. In every instance, the Oura App’s data was nearly identical to that of my other trackers. In fact, a growing body of evidence suggests that ring-based trackers may be the new gold standard in biometric tracking, in part because the photoplethysmography (PPG) signal is often clearer and easier to read than signals from the wrist. (2) (3) Therefore, I rated the Oura Ring a 5 out of 5 in tracking ability and accuracy.
Better Battery Life
Many fitness trackers (especially the ones that track as much data as the Oura Ring) are beleaguered by short battery life. The Oura Ring 4 boasts up to eight days of battery life, depending on Oura Ring size, Oura App settings, feature configuration, activity, battery age, usage, and more.
While I never got quite that much in my Oura Ring review testing, I was still impressed. Using all of the ring’s functionalities and checking the app several times a day, I was able to squeeze at least four days in between charges. When it was time to charge, my ring charged in less than an hour, minimizing the amount of untracked time.
I also found the ring incredibly comfortable to wear, which I largely attribute to the unique sizing process (more on that below). I appreciated the recessed sensors inside the ring, an upgrade from the Oura Ring 3 that result in a more comfortable fit. These factors led me to score the Oura Ring’s functionality at a 4 out of 5. I docked a point because it’s not recommended to wear the ring during weightlifting sessions, which may render this wearable impractical for serious lifters.
User-Friendly App
Without a built-in screen on the Oura Ring, the Oura App is core to any user’s enjoyment and value of the product. During testing, I navigated the app several times a day, diving into each of the three sections: Today, Vitals, and My Health.
Throughout the day, the app’s home screen updated to be as relevant as possible. For example, each morning I was greeted with a summary of my sleep quality and my Readiness score, indicating whether I should tackle a high-energy day or prioritize rest. During the day, the app showed progress toward my Activity goal, and at night, the app nudged me to wind down according to my ideal sleep schedule and chronotype. As a recovering numbers-obsessed perfectionist, I also appreciated the ability to turn off calorie counting and instead track my daily activity goal by steps.
I was particularly impressed when the Oura App predicted a mild case of the flu. My Readiness score hit a low, and the Symptom Radar noted major signs of strain vis-a-vis an elevated resting heart rate, HRV balance, and body temperature, paired with a low recovery index. Faced with the cold hard facts, I took my mandate to rest seriously and recovered within a couple of days. Note that all of this data was only available to me through the paid Oura Membership. For that, I rated app functionality a 4.5 out of 5 in my Oura Ring review.
What to Consider Before Buying the Oura Ring
While the Oura Ring, App, and Membership are quite tempting to the data-obsessed wellness enthusiasts, there are several factors we’d recommend considering before making this purchase.
- Budget: Remember, you’re not just paying a one-time cost for the Oura Ring; you’ll also need to decide whether you’re able to commit to a regular membership fee. The Oura Ring and Membership fees are HSA- and FSA-eligible, which may be worth looking into.
- Data Preferences: Are you the type who’s excited by diving into data and analytics, or will you feel paralyzed or pressured by all the available tracking? “A solely numbers-focused approach to diet and exercise can have negative health consequences. It may lead to stress, anxiety, and obsession, which can be counterproductive. Also, it can promote an unhealthy relationship with food and exercise,” notes Dr. Raj Dasgupta, MD. We did feel like the Oura App gave a holistic picture of health that went beyond numbers (and there’s an option to turn off calorie counts in your daily activity goal), but only you can understand if this approach will work for you.
- Community: On the App, Oura Circles are a private group for sharing high-level data (Sleep, Readiness, and Activity) with your support group. However, the community feature isn’t as built out as similar fitness tracking apps, like Strava or Peloton. If you love accountability groups and thrive on friendly competition, the Oura Ring may not be the best fit.
- Workout Preferences: We’ve said it before, but it bears repeating: It’s not recommended to wear the Oura Ring while lifting heavy weights. If that’s your daily training regimen, the Oura Ring may not be worth the buy.
Oura Ring Vs. Competitors
“Technology has provided new tools and data that can give personalized insights into health and lead to positive results,” says Dr. Raj Dasgupta, MD. While there aren’t yet any comparable ring-based trackers on the market, there are very popular wrist-based wearables that may be worth considering alongside our Oura Ring review. Check out our chart below to see exactly how our favorites stack up.
| Oura Ring 4 | Apple Watch Series 10 | Fitbit Charge 6 | WHOOP | |
| Price | Starting at $349 | Starting at $399 | $159.95 | N/A; WHOOP only charges for membership |
| Membership Fee | $5.99 per month or $69.99 per year | None | $9.99 per month or $79.88 per year; six months free included with Fitbit Charge 6 purchase | $30 per month or $239 per year, inclusive of your WHOOP 4.0; must commit to at least one year of membership. |
| Compatibility | iOS, Android | iOS | iOS, Android (requires Google account) | iOS, Android |
| Battery Life | Up to 8 days | Up to 18 hours | Up to 7 days | Up to 5 days |
Ordering and Assembling Oura Ring
Shoppers can easily order the Oura Ring online. As part of the checkout process, you’ll be asked if you need the Free Sizing Kit. That’s because the Oura Ring 4 doesn’t follow a standard ring-sizing system so you’ll need to order the proprietary sizing kit or try-on in person at a participating Best Buy. It’s free when you purchase an Oura Ring and arrives within three to nine days. Note that the Oura Ring 4 has different sizing than previous generations, so if you’re upgrading from the Oura Ring 3, you’ll need to reassess your size. During the try-on period, you’ll wear different sizes on various fingers (including overnight) to judge which option feels right for your lifestyle.
Once delivered, set-up is easy and fast. Start by downloading the Oura App, then plug in the charger and place the ring on the charging dock. Ensure your phone has Bluetooth enabled, then follow the in-app instructions to pair your ring. This process took us less than five minutes during testing.
Places to Buy Oura Ring
The Oura Ring is available to purchase on the company’s website. It’s also available via major retailers such as Target, Best Buy, and Amazon. You can download the Oura App in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. We rated the pricing a 4 out of 5 given the ongoing membership fees (which we were surprised to see were lower than similar options at Fitbit), and we rated overall value at 4 out of 5 as well, since the detailed data breakdown feels well worth the cost of a monthly latte.
Brand Reputation and Customer Reviews
Oura App users seem to love the app and appreciate its various features and functionalities. On the Apple App Store, Oura holds a 4.7 rating with over 24,000 reviews. “I feel way more information about my sleep, menstrual cycles, my heart rate, and activity,” notes one reviewer. “It even tracks oxygenation in your sleep which can help diagnose sleep apnea. All the data is exportable for your doctor, in easy to understand reports.” The Google Play Store holds a slightly lower Oura Ring review, with 19,000 reviews and 500,000 downloads contributing to a 3.7 rating.
Warranties
Oura offers a one-year limited warranty for the ring and the charger. This warranty only covers damage that is the result of a workmanship or material defect. It does not cover lost or stolen products; normal wear and tear; consumable parts (including batteries); or secondhand purchases from an unauthorized reseller. Put another way: If you ignore our advice and lift weights wearing your Oura Ring, which may result in scratches or dents, you’re out of luck. For customer support, the Oura website has a 24/7 chatbot, or you can submit a ticket, which will ensure a response within about 24 hours.
Final Thoughts on Oura Ring
If you crave deep dives into data and value an aesthetically pleasing health tracker, the Oura Ring just might be for you. During three months of testing, we felt the ring exceeded expectations with automatic activity detection, vital signs monitoring, and extended battery life. Although weight lifters and competitive strength athletes may not get the full value of the ring, since you should take the ring off while lifting heavy, most wellness enthusiasts will be impressed with the ring’s sensitivity and biometric sensing.
When considering whether you should buy the Oura Ring (and the Membership), the most important factors to reflect on are cost, most frequent forms of exercise, and whether the ring shape of the tracker will work for your wearable preferences. Remember, a health and fitness wearable needs to fit your personal style, feel comfortable to wear 24/7, and charge quickly so that you can get the most out of your investment.
Oura Ring FAQs
Is the Oura Ring really worth it?
After three months of testing, our editors and experts think the Oura Ring is worth it for the automatic activity detection, the in-depth biometric sensing, and the helpful recommendations suggested by the app in response to your data. However, some populations (most notably, serious weight lifters) may not get the full value of the ring.
Is there a monthly fee for the Oura Ring?
Oura Membership is not required, but it is the only way to access the deepest, most detailed levels of your data. Otherwise, you’ll only be able to see your Sleep, Readiness, and Activity scores. Membership costs $5.99/month or $69.99/year.
What exactly does the Oura Ring do?
Using recessed interior sensors, the Oura Ring 4 uses a variety of sensors to track biometrics related to sleep, stress, and activity. Then, the Oura App synthesizes that data to give you overall scores for Sleep, Activity, and Readiness.
Can you shower with the Oura Ring?
Yes, you can shower with the Oura Ring. It’s considered water-resistant up to 100 meters.
References
- Larsen R T, Wagner V, Korfitsen C B, Keller C, Juhl C B, Langberg H et al. Effectiveness of physical activity monitors in adults: systematic review and meta-analysis BMJ 2022; 376. https://www.bmj.com/content/376/bmj-2021-068047
- Kwon S, Kim H, Yeo WH. Recent advances in wearable sensors and portable electronics for sleep monitoring. iScience. 2021 Apr 21;24(5):102461.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8113882/
- Tsai, P.-Y., Huang, C.-H., Guo, J.-W., Li, Y.-C., Wu, A.-Y. A., Lin, H.-J., & Wang, T.-D. (2021). Coherence between Decomposed Components of Wrist and Finger PPG Signals by Imputing Missing Features and Resolving Ambiguous Features. Sensors, 21(13), 4315.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/21/13/4315
