Oura Ring 4 Review

Review Summary

After spending time with the Oura Ring 4, it’s clear that this smart ring is a serious upgrade in both form and function. Designed to be a sleek, stylish accessory that packs advanced health-tracking features, the Oura Ring 4 feels like a natural progression for anyone looking for precision and ease of use in their wearable health tech.

Design & Build Quality

Right off the bat, the Oura Ring 4 impresses with its minimalist yet elegant design. The titanium construction feels sturdy but lightweight, and the variety of finishes (including black, silver, and gold) offers versatility in style. It’s noticeably comfortable for all-day wear, and the lack of bulky sensors means the ring looks more like a piece of jewelry than a fitness tracker. Throughout our daily testing, we found the smooth design highly comfortable, even while sleeping or during workouts.

The ring’s IPX7 water resistance also means it can withstand daily activities, including washing hands or showering, without concern. It easily fits into an active lifestyle without needing to be constantly removed.

Health & Fitness Tracking

Where the Oura Ring 4 really shines is in its health tracking. During our tests, the Smart Sensing platform worked flawlessly. The ring boasts 18 signal pathways, a significant upgrade from the Gen 3, ensuring better accuracy, especially if the ring rotates during sleep or exercise. We were impressed with the detailed heart rate monitoring, both during the day and while asleep. The ring also measures heart rate variability, blood oxygen levels, and skin temperature, providing comprehensive data on overall wellness.

Sleep & Stress Monitoring

We tested the sleep tracking feature over several nights, and the Oura Ring 4’s performance was excellent. It accurately recorded sleep stages, wake times, and breathing disturbances, offering helpful insights for improving sleep quality. We especially appreciated the stress monitoring improvements. Compared to the Gen 3, we found the stress readings to be more accurate and realistic, with the resilience score providing a better reflection of our actual stress levels throughout the day.

Battery Life

The battery life of the Oura Ring 4 is one of its standout features. In our experience, the ring lasted 7-8 days on a single charge, making it ideal for extended use without frequent charging. Charging the ring takes around 80 minutes, and though the ring's compact size means smaller batteries for those with smaller rings, we didn’t notice a significant difference in performance.

Subscription Model

One caveat worth mentioning is the subscription model. To get the most out of the Oura Ring 4, you’ll need to subscribe to the Oura membership for $5.99 per month. While the ring provides basic functionality without a subscription, features like long-term sleep tracking and detailed health insights are locked behind this paywall. For dedicated users, the extra data may be worth it, but casual users might find the added cost unnecessary.

Who It’s For

• Health Enthusiasts: The Oura Ring 4 is perfect for users who want in-depth health data but prefer not to wear a bulky device.
• Sleep-Conscious Users: If you’re focused on improving sleep quality, the advanced sleep tracking features will provide valuable insights.
• Minimalist Tech Users: For those who want a discreet, stylish wearable that doesn’t scream “fitness tracker,” the Oura Ring 4 blends function with form effortlessly.

Overall Rating: 4/5

The Oura Ring 4 strikes a fantastic balance between aesthetic design and high-performance health tracking. From its sleek look to the comprehensive data it provides, the ring offers a convenient and accurate way to monitor key health metrics. While the subscription model and the lack of advanced workout tracking might deter some, its battery life, comfort, and accuracy make it a solid investment for those who prioritize health tracking in a subtle, stylish package.