The Oura Ring | Sleep Tracking, Pricing & The Color I Chose!
Originally posted on 10/4/23, updated on 8/26/26.
Can I say how much I love how jewelry stacks are back? I was there for the bubble necklace days and the era of rose gold, but right now I’m in healthy high-quality jewelry era. I’m mixing metals and even throwing in a wearable in the form of my Oura Ring. I’ve been wearing my Oura Ring non-stop for years now, and it took me a while to decide whether it’s really worth it.
Today on the blog, I’m sharing my honest Oura Ring review: pros, cons, and whether I’d repurchase, from an aesthetic, functionality, and budget perspective, because there’s a lot to consider here. Since I first wrote this, Oura released the Oura Ring 5, so I’m also breaking down how it compares to the Oura Ring 4 I’ve been wearing.
Before we dive in, here are a few other reviews I’ve posted lately…
- Beis Luggage Review – How Mine Has Actually Held Up…
- The Magnesium Supplement That’s Changed My Nighttime Routine
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you.
First things first, it looks great on my hand
I don’t think I’d wear the Oura Ring if it wasn’t able to blend in with my everyday jewelry stack. The Oura Ring is essentially a thick band that comes in plenty of colors, and mine is gold. It’s definitely chunkier than my set of dainty rings, which can look more like a statement piece. Don’t worry, it’s not too overpowering, but I also don’t want you to think it will be your most coveted piece of jewelry. It’s somewhere in the middle. I think it’s most comparable to a cigar band, which I’m loving these days.
In an era where every other person seems to flaunt an Apple Watch (which, between you and me, might one day get the side-eye just like a pager does today), the Oura Ring slips onto your finger like a stylish secret. It doesn’t scream “hey, I’m tracking my steps,” which is a huge plus for me.
But like, is it cute??
Let’s get real for a second. I’m not about to say that people drop their coffees and come running over to ask about my ring every day. But on the rare occasion someone does throw a “oh, I love that ring, where’d you get it?” my way, and it feels pretty dang good.
The Oura Ring has become pretty popular, so there are lots of times someone will point to their ring in solidarity. Trust me, you won’t be the only one wearing one.
What’s Inside That Counts
The Oura Ring isn’t just a pretty face, it’s got some serious tech prowess too. Designed primarily for sleep tracking, it dives deep into the quality of your sleep, body temperature, and overall readiness for the day. For all my ladies out there, understanding your body’s patterns can be super empowering. More than just steps or calories, this ring tries to give a holistic view of health.
I live and breathe by this daily score. When everyone else is focused on calorie counting and step goals, having this readiness score for the day feels like a grade on my self care.
Am I sleeping enough?
Am I taking care of my body both physically and mentally?
Am I fueling my body for sustained energy?
The readiness score takes all of these into consideration and presents you with a number that can indicate how you may feel the rest of the day.
If I’m staying up late working or not taking enough time to recover between workouts (that’s rare, haha), my score will be lower than on nights where I’ve gotten my 8 hours.
The lower score isn’t a game or a punishment, but it helps prepare my mind for how to improve the following day. If I wake up to a low readiness score, I might take a raincheck on happy hour to get to bed a little earlier and drink water instead of alcohol. That’s just one example of how this data really can impact my health decisions, if I choose to let it.
Now, About That Oura Ring Activity Tracking
Let’s address the elephant in the room. When I splurged on the Oura Ring, I’d heard whispers that its activity tracking wasn’t top notch. And well, those whispers weren’t wrong. While it’s great for monitoring sleep, it’s not the best for those intense workout sessions or step tracking. A bit of a bummer considering the price tag, but it’s always better to know what you’re signing up for.
Worth noting for anyone reading this now: this was my biggest complaint about the ring I’ve been wearing, and it’s the one thing Oura actually addressed with the newer generation. More on that below.
The Oura Ring Can Be Used as a Period and Fertility Predictor
This part is so cool. Our body temperature can give us a ton of clues about what’s going on with us hormonally. The Oura Ring senses those subtle body temperature shifts, ensuring you’re always in tune with your cycle. You can even pair it with apps like Natural Cycles to track this data over time. Personally, I don’t do that just yet (you have to pay for access to the fertility apps). The info provided by my Oura Ring is perfect for this stage of life. No more guessing when my cycle is going to start? Yes yes yes.
How the Oura Ring Charges
It comes with a small wireless charging dock that I keep on my nightstand. To charge the Oura Ring, you simply place the ring onto the dock like a wireless charger. Charging the ring to full typically takes a few hours and provides battery life that can last up to a week.
You heard that right, I’m only charging it once per week.
Oura Ring 4 vs Oura Ring 5: What’s Actually Different
Oura released the Oura Ring 5 in 2026, so if you’re deciding between generations, here’s what’s actually changed from the Oura Ring 4 I’ve been reviewing.
Size and Weight
The Ring 5 is about 40% smaller than the Ring 4, dropping from 2.88mm to 2.28mm thick, and it’s noticeably lighter on the hand. Sizing also isn’t the same between generations, so whichever one you go with, order a ring sizer kit first rather than guessing based on a regular ring size. It’s a small step that saves you the hassle of returning the wrong size later.
Battery Life
Ring 4 gets up to 8 days per charge. Ring 5 stretches that slightly to up to 9 days, and Oura sells an optional charging case that extends it to about a month between plug-ins.
Price
At the time of writing this, Ring 4 starts at $349. Ring 5 starts at $399, with premium finishes running up to $499.
Activity Tracking
This is the big one. Ring 5 adds live workout tracking, which was the exact complaint I raised earlier in this post about the Ring 4. If accurate workout data has been your dealbreaker, this alone might change your answer.
Women’s Health
Ring 5 expands on the period and fertility tracking I mentioned above with added menopause insights and hormonal birth control tracking.
If you already own a Ring 4 and mainly care about sleep and readiness scores like I do, I wouldn’t rush to upgrade. If activity tracking or the smaller size is what’s held you back from buying an Oura Ring at all, the Ring 5 is worth a look.
Pros & Cons of the Oura Ring: A Quick Breakdown
Pros of the Oura Ring:
- Fashion Forward: It’s elegant and doesn’t carry the same techie stigma as other wearables.
- Holistic Health: Focuses on overall well-being, from sleep quality to body temperature.
- Discreet and Lightweight: You’ll often forget you’re wearing tech on your finger.
- Women-Friendly: Offers insights that can align with a woman’s unique physiological patterns and hormone cycles.
Cons of the Oura Ring:
- Pricey: Let’s face it, it’s an investment piece.
- Activity Tracking: Not the most accurate for fitness and step counting on the Ring 4 (Ring 5 improves this with live workout tracking).
- Battery Life: While decent, other wearables on the market can last longer on a single charge.
Worth the Splurge?
So, is the Oura Ring worth adding to your daily routine? If you’re looking for something that blends seamlessly with your wardrobe, offers insightful sleep tracking, and makes a statement (both in style and tech), then absolutely.
But if you’re hunting for an all-in-one fitness tracker, you might want to explore a bit more. This is where an Apple Watch or Fitbit might be a better choice for those goals, unless the Ring 5’s new workout tracking closes that gap for you.
How Does the Oura Ring 4 Hold Up?
Two-plus years in, it’s genuinely held up. I’m still wearing it every single day, the gold finish hasn’t scratched or worn down the way I half expected a daily-wear piece to, and it still fits right in with the rest of my stack. I haven’t felt the urge to swap it out for a new color or finish, gold is still my pick. If anything, knowing it’s lasted this long makes the price tag feel a little more justified in hindsight.
In the world of wearables, Oura certainly carves a niche for itself. With a dash of elegance and a sprinkle of tech magic, it’s a device that looks just as good at a brunch date as it does at the gym. I’m a fan and I don’t see myself stopping anytime soon.
It’s such an easy way to add one healthier habit to your day. Sometimes with just a little bit of information, it creates enough accountability for us to make meaningful change. I’m really happy with the habits it’s created for me (mainly getting enough rest), and I hope you have the same experience.
