Oura Ring 4 Review: The Best Smart Ring for Women's Health?

The Oura Ring 4 has quickly become a standout in the world of smart wearables, particularly for women’s health. Known for its sleek design and advanced health-tracking capabilities, the Oura Ring 4 is a top choice for those who want cutting-edge technology wrapped around their finger. However, with competitors like the Samsung Galaxy Ring and RingConn 2 entering the market, is the Oura Ring 4 still worth the investment?

In this review, we'll dive into the design, health-tracking features, and overall performance of the Oura Ring 4, and whether it's the best smart ring for you.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Insightful, well-presented data
• Fewer data gaps compared to previous versions
• Lighter and more comfortable design

Cons

• Expensive when considering the subscription fee
• Not significantly smaller than the Gen 3
• Battery life could be better

Key Features

• **Various sizes available**: Comes in sizes 4 to 15
• **Advanced sensors**: Smart Sensing tech, Infrared photoplethysmography (PPG), red/green LEDs, NTC temperature sensors, accelerometer
• **Multiple colors and finishes**: Silver, Black, Brushed Silver, Stealth, Gold, and Rose Gold

Price

The Oura Ring 4 starts at $349/£349 for the basic design. If you want to upgrade to a more premium finish like gold, the price jumps to $499/£499. Additionally, to access all of the high-end tracking features, you’ll need to pay for a subscription, which costs $5.99/£4.99 per month.

If you're interested in checking out the Oura Ring 4, you can find it on Amazon here.

Design

The Oura Ring 4 is lighter and more comfortable than its predecessor, the Oura Ring 3, but it’s not significantly thinner. While some might find this disappointing, the ring remains sleek and stylish. The fully rounded shape makes it more comfortable to wear, and the weight reduction is noticeable.

One of the most significant design upgrades is the switch from resin to titanium for the inner material, which houses 18 signal pathways (up from eight in the Ring 3). This change enhances the ring's accuracy, particularly for users with darker skin tones and varying BMIs.

However, competitors like the Samsung Galaxy Ring and RingConn 2 are thinner, which may appeal to those looking for a more discreet wearable.

Health and Fitness Tracking

The Oura Ring 4 excels in health and fitness tracking, particularly in sleep monitoring. Its sleep-tracking capabilities are among the best on the market, offering detailed insights into sleep stages, efficiency, and restfulness. In fact, Oura has been a top performer in clinical studies on sleep tracking.

The updated Oura app organizes data into three main categories:

• **Today**: Current live tracking
• **Vitals**: Underlying health data compared to your baseline
• **My Health**: Long-term health trends and insights

The Oura Ring 4 also introduces meal tracking, allowing users to photograph meals for better alignment with their natural cycles. This feature is especially useful for those looking to improve their eating habits based on their circadian rhythm.

For women, the Oura Ring 4 offers Cycle Insights, which include pregnancy metrics and fertility insights. The ring integrates with apps like Natural Cycles and Clue, making it a popular choice for women, who make up 60% of Oura’s user base.

Fitness Tracking and Battery Life

While the Oura Ring 4 offers expanded auto workout detection, it’s not perfect. Running detection works well, but other activities like yoga and weight training are sometimes missed. However, manual workout tracking is more reliable.

Oura claims the ring offers up to eight days of battery life, but in my testing, it lasted around five days with regular use. This includes daily passive tracking and occasional workouts. The charging puck has been redesigned to be more stable, but a charging case like the one offered by the Samsung Galaxy Ring would be a welcome addition.

Should You Buy the Oura Ring 4?

You should buy it if:

• You want a discreet, stylish ring that blends into daily life
• You value detailed health insights, particularly for sleep and women’s health

You should skip it if:

• You don’t want to pay a monthly subscription fee
• You’re looking for a thinner, more discreet ring

Final Thoughts

The Oura Ring 4 is a top-tier wearable that excels in health tracking, particularly for women. Its detailed insights and sleek design make it a standout in the smart ring market. However, with competitors like the Samsung Galaxy Ring and RingConn 2 offering strong alternatives—often without a subscription fee—Oura’s lead is no longer as substantial.

If you’re looking for a smart ring that provides detailed health insights and don’t mind the subscription fee, the Oura Ring 4 is a fantastic choice. However, if you’re looking for a more affordable option without monthly fees, alternatives like the Samsung Galaxy Ring might be worth considering.

To purchase the Oura Ring 4, visit Amazon here.

FAQs

Does the Oura Ring 4 work with both Android and iOS?

Yes, the Oura Ring 4 is compatible with both Android and iOS devices.

How long does the battery last?

Oura claims up to eight days of battery life, but in testing, it typically lasts around five days with regular use.

Is the Oura Ring 4 waterproof?

Yes, the Oura Ring 4 is water-resistant up to 10 ATM, making it suitable for swimming and other water-based activities.

For more information or to purchase the Oura Ring 4, visit Amazon.