Oura Ring 4: My Honest Review After Almost a Year
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I’ve had my Oura Ring 4 for almost a year now, and it’s one of those products I’m genuinely glad I bought. I originally chose Oura because I wanted the health-tracking benefits of a smartwatch without having to wear a watch all the time. I also just prefer the look of a ring.
After almost a year of wearing it pretty much 24/7, I still love having it. I use it mostly for sleep, activity, cycle tracking, and those little readiness insights that help me pay attention to how I’m feeling and what my body might need.
The quick take
What I bought: Oura Ring 4
Where I bought it: Amazon, from the Oura Store
Membership: About $9 CAD/month
How long I’ve used it: 1 year
My favourite features: Sleep, activity and cycle tracking
Biggest downside: It scratches easily and requires a monthly membership
Would I buy it again? Yes
Want to check out the Oura ring 4? – Shop the Oura Ring 4 on Amazon
Why I bought it
I wanted something that could give me more insight into my health and activity without adding another screen to my day. I’ve never loved the look of smart watch for myself personally, so the ring seemed like a better fit for me.
I was especially interested in sleep tracking, but I also liked the idea of being able to monitor my activity and cycle without having to think about it too much.
What I actually use it for
I check my sleep data every morning. Over time, it’s been helpful for figuring out what seems to make a difference in my sleep and recovery.
One of my favourite features is being able to add tags in the Oura app and look back at how things like medications, exercise, late nights, or other habits affect my sleep and how I feel the next day. I’ve learned little things about my own sleep patterns that I probably wouldn’t have noticed otherwise. For example, Oura calculated that I have an early evening chronotype and has helped me find my optimal sleep schedule.
I also use it throughout the day to keep an eye on my activity and make sure I’m moving enough. The readiness information is useful too. I don’t treat it as a strict rule for what I should or shouldn’t do, but I find it helpful as a guide for when it might be a good idea to take an easier day.
The cycle tracking has also been helpful for keeping an eye on my overall basal body temperature trends and cycle length.
The app is one of my favourite parts
The app is probably one of the biggest selling points for me. There’s a lot of information, but it’s presented in a way that feels easy to understand rather than overwhelming.
I also like that the activity tracking is editable. It doesn’t always recognize exactly what I’ve been doing, so I can go in and change the activity when needed rather than just accepting what it recorded.
There are a lot of features in the app, and I’m still trying to make use of as many of them as I can. I like having all the information in one place without having to constantly check the ring itself.
Is it comfortable to wear all the time?
Yes. I wear mine essentially 24/7, including while working out and sleeping.
I take it off while I’m in the shower, but that’s less about comfort and more of a little battery-saving trick. I put it on the charger while I shower, which means I can keep the battery topped up without really having to think about charging it. If you’re considering an Oura, this has worked really well for me.
The ring is comfortable to sleep in, too. When you’re falling asleep, you can sometimes see the green or red light from the sensors scanning, but I don’t find it bothersome.
One thing to keep in mind is that it is noticeably bulkier than a regular ring. I really notice this when I’m weightlifting or doing certain exercises.
Definitely use the sizing kit
I bought the Oura sizing kit separately, and I definitely recommend using one before ordering your ring.
However, of note, I found that the sizing ring actually felt a little smaller than the real Oura Ring. My Oura ring still fits, but does feel a bit looser than the sizing kit. For that reason, I would recommend sizing down for those in between two sizes.
Since the actual ring is bulkier than a regular ring, I would also recommend wearing the sizer on the finger you plan to use for a few days and doing normal everyday things with it. You want to know how it feels when you’re typing, sleeping, working out, etc., rather than deciding based on how it feels for five minutes.
I also received a $10 Amazon credit (the cost of the sizing kit) to put towards the purchase of my Oura ring.
Want to check out the Oura ring 4 sizing kit? – [Shop the Oura Ring 4 sizing kit on Amazon]
The downsides
The biggest downside for me is that the ring scratches really easily.
Mine had marks almost immediately, and after almost a year of everyday wear, there are definitely plenty of scratches. I chose the silver finish because I thought it would do a better job of hiding wear and tear (which I personally think it has), and I didn’t want to pay extra for a finish that might eventually wear off.
The scratches don’t bother me enough to stop wearing it, but if you’re someone who likes your jewellery to stay looking brand new, it’s something to consider.
I also bought silicone covers from Amazon that I use during workouts, especially when I’m lifting weights. They’ve helped protect the ring from getting even more scratched up.
The other downside is the cost. There’s the initial cost of the ring, plus the Oura membership, which for me works out to around $9 CAD per month. That’s something I’d definitely factor into the overall cost before buying.
What about the battery?
When my ring was new, I could generally get around five days of battery life before needing to charge it.
Close to the one-year mark, though, the battery started deteriorating pretty quickly. Eventually, it wouldn’t reliably last even 24 hours and I was having to fully charge it every day.
Thankfully, Oura’s warranty process was really easy. I contacted them through the app, and the battery issue was assessed quickly. Since the ring was still within the one-year warranty, they sent me a replacement at no cost.
The whole process was surprisingly quick and hassle-free, which was definitely a positive experience.
So, is the Oura Ring 4 worth it?
For me, yes.
I like having a better understanding of my sleep, activity and cycle without having to wear a smartwatch. I also like that the information has actually helped me notice patterns and make small changes, particularly when it comes to sleep.
It’s not perfect. It scratches easily, it’s bulkier than a regular ring, and the monthly membership is an additional cost. The battery issue was also disappointing, although I was happy with how quickly Oura handled the warranty replacement.
Despite all of that, I haven’t felt the need to replace it with a newer model because I’m still very happy with what I have. And honestly, after almost a year of daily use, I think that probably says more than anything.
Would I buy it again?
Yes! I would buy the Oura ring again because of the data and benefits that it provides me, and for the overall ease of use. I would just make sure to buy covers before hitting the gym.
Shop the review
Shop the products I mentioned
Oura Ring 4
The ring I’ve been wearing for over a yar
-> Shop the Oura Ring 4 on Amazon
Silicone Oura Ring Covers
The covers I use during workouts to help protect the ring from scratches.
