Oura Ring 4 Review
Oura Ring 4 excels at what it does best: unobtrusive, highly accurate sleep and recovery tracking for those who want health data without a wrist device.
Oura Ring 4 Review
Oura Ring 4 excels at what it does best: unobtrusive, highly accurate sleep and recovery tracking for those who want health data without a wrist device.
Oura Ring 4 Review
Oura Ring 4 excels at what it does best: unobtrusive, highly accurate sleep and recovery tracking for those who want health data without a wrist device.
Oura Ring 4 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Best-in-class sleep tracking accuracy
- Discreet ring form factor
- Comfortable for 24/7 wear including sleep
- Excellent temperature trend tracking
- Cumulative stress over weeks
- 5-8 day battery life
Cons
- Limited workout tracking capabilities
- Optional membership ($6/mo) for full features
- Must remove for heavy lifting/gripping
- Ring sizing can be tricky
- High upfront cost ($350+)
Overview
The Oura Ring 4 proves that the best fitness tracker is one you actually wear. By shrinking comprehensive health monitoring into a sleek titanium ring, Oura has created the most comfortable 24/7 wearable on the market. It excels where others struggle: sleep tracking so accurate that researchers use it in clinical studies.
For users prioritizing sleep optimization and passive health monitoring, the Oura Ring 4 is unmatched.
Features Deep-Dive
Best-in-Class Sleep Tracking
Oura's sleep analysis remains the gold standard. The ring's inner sensors track heart rate, HRV, body temperature, and movement from your finger, where blood flow provides cleaner signals than the wrist. Sleep stages, sleep score, and detailed recommendations help you optimize your rest.
Readiness Score
Each morning, Oura provides a Readiness Score factoring in sleep quality, HRV trends, recent activity, and recovery patterns. Unlike competitors focused on single-day metrics, Oura's Cumulative Stress feature tracks how your body accumulates and clears stress over weeks.
Temperature Trends
The ring continuously monitors skin temperature, detecting deviations that can signal illness, ovulation, or overtraining. Many users report Oura catching oncoming colds 1-2 days before symptoms appear.
Discreet Form Factor
Weighing just 4-6 grams, the ring is virtually unnoticeable. No one knows you're wearing a health tracker, making it perfect for professionals who can't wear fitness bands in certain settings.
Pricing Analysis
The Oura Ring 4 starts at $350 for the basic Heritage design, with premium finishes reaching $500+. The optional membership ($5.99/month or ~$70/year) unlocks full analytics, though basic tracking works without it.
Total two-year cost: $350-500 device + $0-140 subscription = $350-640. More affordable than Whoop long-term, but pricier upfront than fitness bands.
Who Is This For?
Oura Ring 4 works best for:
- Sleep optimizers who want the most accurate overnight tracking
- Professionals who can't wear visible fitness trackers
- All-day wearers who find watches uncomfortable
- Women tracking cycles using temperature-based ovulation estimates
- Minimalists who want health data without wrist clutter
Who Should NOT Use This
Oura Ring 4 might not be the right choice if:
- Workout tracking is priority: Limited exercise metrics compared to watches
- You do heavy lifting: Ring must be removed to protect sensors
- You want GPS: No built-in location tracking
- Real-time heart rate needed: No continuous display during workouts
Bottom Line
The Oura Ring 4 dominates sleep and recovery tracking with a form factor that makes 24/7 monitoring effortless. Limited workout features are the tradeoff for unmatched comfort and sleep accuracy.
FAQ
Do I need the membership?
Basic tracking (sleep, activity, readiness) works without membership. The subscription adds deeper insights, trends, and educational content. Most users find the membership worthwhile.
How do I find my ring size?
Oura ships a free sizing kit with plastic sample rings. Wear the test ring for 24 hours before ordering, as finger size fluctuates.
Can I wear it in the shower?
Yes, the Oura Ring 4 is water-resistant to 100 meters. Avoid hot tubs and saunas, which can affect sensors and battery.
How long does the battery last?
Expect 5-8 days depending on usage. The wireless charging dock tops up the battery in about 90 minutes.
Who Is Oura Ring 4 Best For?
Users prioritizing sleep optimization and passive health monitoring
The Bottom Line
Oura Ring 4 excels at what it does best: unobtrusive, highly accurate sleep and recovery tracking for those who want health data without a wrist device.
Buy on AmazonKey Specs
Scoring Breakdown
Quality of recovery scores, readiness metrics, AI coaching, and actionable health recommendations. Includes Body Battery, Recovery Score, and similar features.
Accuracy of sleep stage detection, sleep score reliability, and quality of sleep improvement recommendations.
Days between charges under normal use. Considers always-on display impact and GPS usage drain.
Price-to-feature ratio including subscription costs. Considers total cost of ownership over 2 years.
Build quality, display readability, comfort for all-day wear and sleep, and aesthetic appeal.
Accuracy of step counting, heart rate monitoring, GPS tracking, and workout detection. Evaluates sensor quality and algorithm reliability.
App quality, data visualization, third-party integrations, and compatibility with major phone platforms.