Oura very recently announced the Oura 5 Ringand although I knew it would be “40% smaller than Oura Ring 4,” when I received my unit, I never anticipated that the ring would be as beautiful, sleek, and slim as it is.
No, I’m not even joking; This ring is so thin that after putting it on, I forgot I was wearing it. But that’s not the only conclusion I take away after only using it for a few days, so before our full review, here are my first impressions of the Oura Ring 5.
40% smaller, same battery size
I want to spend a little more time on how slim and elegant this new ring is. In two years, Oura managed to make the ring 40% smaller without compromising battery life or performance.
The company says the new design built on the internal architecture, adding lower-profile sensor domes for better skin contact, more powerful LEDs, and more consistent readings.
As of this writing, I’ve been using the Oura Ring 5 for two days, and the slimmer design is so discreet that I keep forgetting it’s on my finger.
He Oura 4 Ring It is visibly thicker in comparison. I didn’t hate it because it reminded me of a cigar-shaped gold ring, which I always thought was pretty trendy. But now the Oura Ring 5 matches my other rings very well and really feels like a normal gold ring.
Again, although I didn’t care much about the size, I could always tell when I was wearing the Oura Ring 4. I could feel it even if I was just reading a book. But with Oura Ring 5, it really feels like an invisible, silent health tracker that’s always running in the background.
Working out has been a dream.
I can say ad nauseam how thin this ring is, but you notice it more when you exercise. Part of my workouts include weight lifting, and when it comes to heavier weights, there were many times where I removed the Oura Ring 4 because it would pinch my skin or, due to its bulk, make lifting it uncomfortable. That defeats the purpose of using a tracker.
But now, with the slimmer model, I couldn’t even feel my ring while lifting weights. I explicitly expressed how impressed I was to Android Central Editor-in-Chief Derrek Lee, who has been extensively testing the Ring for a full review coming soon.
I will also add that, since Oura Gen 3 Ring For the Oura Ring 5, my biggest concern has been wear and tear. Both my Oura Ring Gen 3 and Oura Ring 4 have seen a lot of wear and tear because they are so thick, especially during my workouts. But so far, I don’t really think this is the case with my Ring 5, or at least not to the same extent. The construction of the ring is so fantastic that scratches should hopefully be less of a concern (although we might still recommend purchasing a cheap ring cover for added protection).
Automatic activity detection continues to impress
I think Oura has been taking automatic activity detection (AAD) much more seriously, because since the Oura Ring 4 I have noticed a considerable improvement in the detection of my workouts.
My family is working on a backyard project that involves extensive digging. I didn’t think Oura would be able to detect it, so I figured I’d have to go into the app and manually enter my work.
It turns out that automatic detection has improved so much that Oura Ring 5 detected that it was doing “yard work.” Derrek also told me that when he goes out, it will always automatically detect that he is dancing.
This is huge because the less work I have to do to enter my workouts, the easier it is for me, as vague as that may sound. But if I’m going to spend money on a portable device like a smart ringI want to know what it really is elegant.
Additionally, with Oura Ring 5, the company supports live workout tracking right in the app, including pace and distance, as well as lock screen widgets. Additionally, lower movement workouts like Pilates will also be spotted, which fitness enthusiasts will love.
Is it worth the price?
The new ring costs $50 more than its predecessor, and while it may not be a BIG change, it’s still a change.
But for how sleek and slim it is, I’d buy the Oura Ring 5 over the Oura Ring 4 any day. I think the big problem most people have with the ring is that it requires a separate paid subscription. And while that sucks, I will say that it’s a pretty big plus as part of the ring, especially considering how affordable the subscription is.
Here’s a list of all the features you get with a $5.99/month membership that I’ve taken full advantage of:
- Detailed sleep analysis
- 24/7 heart rate tracking (day, night, activity)
- Integration with third-party health and wellness apps like Strava
- Advanced temperature monitoring
- Detection of blood oxygen (SpO2)
- daytime stress
- Dynamic activity goals with automatic activity detection
- Heart health (cardiovascular age, cardiovascular capacity (VO2 max))
- Metabolic health (glucose tracking, meals)
- Oura Laboratories
- Resilience
- Weekly, monthly, quarterly, annual and anniversary reports.
- Women’s Health (Cycle Information, Pregnancy Information)
But the good news is that you can buy the Oura Ring 5 and membership with your HSA/FSA, which is a potentially great way to use your health benefits.
And honestly, I think the monthly subscription is worth it. I am very excited and excited to see Oura continually improving and investing in their product and listening to user feedback. I don’t think I’ll ever stop wearing a smart ring because it’s really changed the way I think about my health, and I think if you’re going to invest in getting a ring, it should be the Oura Ring 5.
Big things, small packages
The Oura Ring 5 is just what consumers have been asking for: a powerful, durable smart ring that’s slim and comfortable to wear without sacrificing what makes it so great.
