Oura Ring 4 Review: A Smart Health Tracker That Feels Like Jewellery
As someone who has been obsessed with tracking health metrics since the Apple Watch first launched, I have religiously monitored my daily step count, calorie burn during exercise classes, and most importantly, my sleep patterns. However, a new gadget has entered the market that promises to revolutionise personal health monitoring: the Oura Ring 4. This smart device uses high-tech sensors to track a comprehensive range of health metrics, including sleep quality, heart rate, physical activity, body temperature, and stress levels.
First Impressions and Design
For the past six weeks, I have been rigorously testing the latest Oura Ring 4 model, wearing it day and night as it continuously collects data and provides regular insights. The ring, which starts from £349, is undeniably a significant investment, but for those serious about understanding their biometrics, it offers unparalleled value. Even better, it resembles an elegant piece of jewellery with a battery that lasts for days, making it both stylish and practical.
Before receiving the device, I was sent a ring sizer to ensure an accurate fit. Oura recommends wearing the ring on the index finger, though the middle or ring finger also work well, provided the sensor bumps are positioned on the palm side. After submitting my size—an 11 for reference—I opted for the gold version, which complements my other gold accessories. Initially, the ring felt bulky and unusual on my index finger, but within days, I became accustomed to it, and now it feels strange when I am not wearing it.
Biometric Tracking Capabilities
The Oura Ring 4 excels in gathering detailed health data, particularly in sleep analysis. Each morning, it provides insights into overall sleep quality, including the duration of deep and REM sleep, sleep efficiency (the percentage of time asleep versus awake in bed), and factors like wake-ups and excessive movement. It even offers tips for improvement, such as adjusting bedroom temperature. Additionally, it tracks sleep debt, oxygen saturation, breathing regularity, and heart rate, offering a holistic view of restfulness.
Another standout feature is the readiness score, which assesses how prepared your body is for the day. During a recent trip abroad involving flights, cold weather, and physical strain, the ring alerted me to "minor signs" of bodily stress, which escalated to "major signs" as my condition worsened. It validated my feelings of illness by showing elevated resting heart rate, breathing rate, and body temperature, providing reassurance that I was not overreacting.
Activity Monitoring and Limitations
While the Oura Ring 4 is exceptional for sleep and readiness tracking, it falls short in activity monitoring compared to devices like the Apple Watch. It can track step counts and sedentary behaviour, but wearing it during gym sessions, especially weightlifting, is impractical. Oura advises removing it for heavy lifting, though it can be worn during cardio. For swimming, it is water-resistant up to 100 metres, but it does not track swim-specific metrics like strokes or laps, so I typically remove it to prevent slipping.
However, the ring integrates well with other devices; exercise data from an Apple Watch is transferred to the Oura app, ensuring workouts are logged and considered in long-term activity trends and recovery time calculations.
Additional Features and Battery Life
The Oura Ring 4 also monitors stress levels, offering prompts for breathing exercises to boost restorative time. For women, it aids in ovulation tracking by monitoring daily skin temperature trends. An AI advisor provides personalised advice, such as optimal sleep times based on historical data.
The battery life is phenomenal, lasting between five to eight days on a single charge—a welcome relief for those accustomed to daily charging of smartphones and smartwatches. The app includes a battery monitor and alerts for recharging, with regular short charges recommended to maintain longevity.
Cost and Subscription Model
The Oura Ring 4 starts at £349, with additional costs for premium finishes like gold at £499. Beyond the initial purchase, a subscription is required to access full data, priced at £5.99 per month or £69.99 annually in the UK. While this adds to the overall expense, the depth of insight justifies the cost for professionals seeking to optimise their health and avoid exhaustion.
Some may worry about becoming overly governed by biometrics, but in my experience, the ring provides calm reassurance and helpful tips rather than causing alarm. A friend who has used the ring for six months describes it as "life-changing," and it makes a thoughtful gift for occasions like birthdays or Christmas.
Comparison and Verdict
Overall, the Oura Ring 4 is ideal for holistic health monitoring with an emphasis on recovery and sleep quality. It is particularly beneficial for individuals prone to fatigue or illness, offering actionable insights to improve wellbeing. However, for those prioritising fitness tracking and calorie burn metrics, a traditional smartwatch like the Apple Watch SE3 may be more suitable. Ideally, combining both devices provides the best of both worlds.
In summary, the Oura Ring 4 is a remarkable device that blends advanced health tracking with elegant design. Despite its premium price and subscription model, it delivers unprecedented insights into sleep, stress, and readiness, making it a worthwhile investment for anyone committed to understanding their biometrics.
