Oura very recently announced the Oura Ring 5, and while I knew that it would be “40% smaller than Oura Ring 4,” when I received my unit, I never anticipated that the ring would be as gorgeous, sleek, and thin as it is.
No, I’m not even kidding; this ring is so thin that after I put it on, I’ve forgotten that I’ve been wearing it. But that’s not my only takeaway after wearing it just for a few days, so ahead of our full review, here are my first impressions of the Oura Ring 5.
40% smaller, same battery size
I want to spend a bit more time on how thin and sleek this new ring is. In two years’ time, Oura managed to make the ring 40% smaller without compromising its battery life or performance.
The company says that the new design was based on the internal architecture, adding lower-profile sensor domes for better skin contact, more powerful LEDs, and more consistent readings.
At the time of writing this article, I’ve worn the Oura Ring 5 for two days, and the thinner design is so unobtrusive that I keep forgetting that it’s on my finger.
The Oura Ring 4 is visibly thicker by comparison. I didn’t hate it because it kind of reminded me of a gold cigar band ring, which I always thought was pretty fashionable. But now the Oura Ring 5 blends nicely with my other rings and truly feels like a regular gold ring.
Again, while 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 the Oura Ring 5, it truly feels like an invisible and silent health tracker that always runs 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’re working out. Part of my workouts includes weightlifting, and when it comes to heavier weights, there were many times when I would remove my Oura Ring 4 because it would pinch my skin or, because of its bulkiness, would make lifting uncomfortable. That defeats the purpose of wearing a tracker.
But now, with the thinner model, I didn’t even feel my ring while weightlifting. I explicitly expressed how impressed I was to Android Central’s managing editor, Derrek Lee, who has been extensively testing the ring for a full review coming soon.
I will also add that, from the Oura Ring Gen 3 to the Oura Ring 5, my biggest concern has been scuffing. Both my Oura Ring Gen 3 and Oura Ring 4 have gotten so scuffed because they’re so thick, especially during my workouts. But so far, I genuinely do not think this will be the case with my Ring 5, or at least not to the same extent. The ring’s construction is so fantastic that, with any luck, scuffing should be less of a concern (though we might still recommend buying a cheap ring cover for added protection).
Automatic activity detection continues to impress
I think Oura has been taking automatic activity detection (AAD) a lot more seriously, because since the Oura Ring 4, I have noticed a considerable improvement in detecting my workouts.
My household 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 would have to go into the app and manually enter my work.
Turns out, the auto-detection has improved so much that the Oura Ring 5 detected I was doing “yardwork.” Derrek has also told me that when he goes out, it will always auto-detect that he’s dancing.
This is huge because the less work I have to do to input my workouts, the easier it is for me, as lazy as that might sound. But if I am going to spend money on a wearable like a smart ring, I want to know that it is actually smart.
Moreover, with the Oura Ring 5, the company supports live workout tracking directly in the app, including pace and distance, as well as lock screen widgets. Plus, lower-motion workouts like Pilates will also be detected, which more fitness enthusiasts should love.
Is the price worth it??
The new ring is $50 more than its predecessor, and while that might not be a HUGE change, it’s still a change.
But for how sleek and thin it is, I would get the Oura Ring 5 over the Oura Ring 4 any day. I think the big problem that most people have with the ring is that it requires a separate paid subscription. And while that sucks, I will say it’s a pretty big bonus as part of the ring, especially given how inexpensive the subscription is.
Here’s a list of all of the features you get with a $5.99/month membership that I have taken full advantage of:
- Detailed sleep analysis
- 24/7 heart rate tracking (Daytime, Nighttime, Activity)
- Integration with third-party health and wellness apps like Strava
- Advanced temperature monitoring
- Blood Oxygen Sensing (SpO2)
- Daytime Stress
- Dynamic activity goals with Automatic Activity Detection
- Heart Health (Cardiovascular Age, Cardio Capacity (VO2 Max))
- Metabolic Health (Glucose Tracking, Meals)
- Oura Labs
- Resilience
- Weekly, monthly, quarterly, yearly, and anniversary reports
- Women’s Health (Cycle Insights, Pregnancy Insights)
But the good news is you can buy the Oura Ring 5 and the membership with your HSA/FSA, which is a potentially great way to use your medical benefits.
And honestly, I think the monthly subscription is worth it. I am so thrilled and excited to see Oura continuously improving and investing in its product and listening to user feedback. I don’t think I’ll ever stop wearing a smart ring because it’s truly 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, long-lasting smart ring that’s thin and comfortable to wear without sacrificing what makes it so great.
