Oura Ring 5 stands out as the premier smart ring on the market today. Building upon the foundation laid by its predecessor, the Oura Ring 4, it combines an appealing design, a user-friendly app, and precise health tracking in a compact format. However, this doesn’t automatically deem it the ideal fitness tracker for everyone. With a growing number of contenders including smart rings like the RingConn Gen 3 and non-screen trackers like the Whoop 5.0 and Google Fitbit Air, prospective buyers may question whether the Oura Ring 5 is truly worth the investment.
Having tested multiple Oura Rings over the years, starting with the Gen 3 model, I have now used the Oura Ring 5 for over a month. I can confidently assert that it is the best iteration the brand has produced so far. Here’s a comprehensive overview for those contemplating a purchase.
Understanding Oura Ring 5
The Oura Ring 5 is the latest version of the brand’s innovative smart ring, which tracks a variety of health metrics such as heart rate, body temperature, breathing rate, and blood oxygen levels. It automatically detects and logs certain exercises—primarily walking and running—and allows users to manually start and stop workouts via the Oura app, providing accessible insights into their health data.
One remarkable feature of the Oura Ring 5 is its size—it is 40% smaller than the Oura Ring 4, a difference that is immediately noticeable to the wearer. Furthermore, it boasts improved battery life, lasting between six to nine days on a single charge, compared to the five to eight days offered by its predecessor. Available in six finishes and sizes ranging from 6 to 13, it caters to a broad audience.
It’s important to note that the Oura Ring 5 necessitates a membership subscription priced at $5.99 per month or $69.99 annually; without it, users are confined to basic, same-day tracking functionalities.
User Experience with Oura Ring 5
Over the past month, both NBC Select Social Media Associate Editor Caitlin Cusack and I have daily worn the Oura Ring 5, after receiving initial samples from the company. We compared our Oura data with other wearables, including the Google Fitbit Air, Whoop 5.0, and various Garmin models. For Cusack, who experienced the Oura Ring for the first time, the emphasis was on first impressions and ease of use.
Strengths of Oura Ring 5
One of the most notable improvements is the ring’s diminutive size compared to previous versions. Initially resistant to rings in general, I found the Oura Ring 5 surprisingly comfortable. It’s significantly sleeker, allowing for everyday wear without the discomfort associated with bulkier designs. Many times, I even forgot I had it on.
Oura Ring continues to excel in sleep tracking, outperforming competitors such as the Apple Watch Series 11 and Google Fitbit Air. Throughout my testing phase, it effectively monitored sleep interruptions, accurately capturing instances when I awoke during the night to tend to my toddler.
Versatile Health Tracking Features
While testing the Oura Ring 5, both Cusack and I encountered the ring’s symptom radar feature during a bout of illness, both confirming similar health concerns. The symptom radar effectively highlighted signs of distress through metrics like heart rate and body temperature. This feature serves as a gentle reminder to prioritize recovery when necessary, though it did add a layer of stress for some users.
Limitations for Athletes
Despite its strengths, the Oura Ring 5 isn’t tailored for athletic performance. While it effectively tracks sleep and health metrics, its exercise tracking leaves much to be desired. For instance, during outdoor cycling sessions, the automatic tracking for metrics such as distance and speed proved unreliable, making manual entry a better option for accuracy.
Moreover, the increasing volume of data presented in the Oura app can feel overwhelming. Features such as Sleep Debt, Symptom Radar, and Health Panels offer valuable insights, but the breadth of information may leave some users feeling inundated.
Who Should Consider Oura Ring 5?
Overall, the Oura Ring 5 is an excellent choice, particularly for daily wearers seeking reliable health and sleep metrics in a compact form. Its reduced size enhances comfort, and the accompanying app delivers useful insights clearly. However, for dedicated athletes or outdoor enthusiasts, traditional smartwatches or fitness trackers may provide superior functionality.
Users of the Oura Ring 4 may not feel an urgent need to upgrade, as the data and experience remain quite similar. Personally, I plan to wait until my current ring shows signs of wear or if a significant price drop occurs.
Why You Can Trust This Review
This review is informed by my experience at NBC Select, where I cover technology and fitness innovations. After testing the Oura Ring 5 over the course of a month, I meticulously tracked daily stats and compared them with those from previous Oura iterations and competitor devices. For reliable insights into health tracking technology, NBC’s in-depth coverage remains a valuable resource.
