Let’s be honest, most tech wearables are bulky and not exactly what you’d describe as pretty. But when you regularly wear something on your hands, you probably want it to look nice and maybe even match the rest of your jewelry. That’s the idea behind Oura’s newest smart ring, the Oura Ring 4 Ceramic.
Ring 4 Ceramic is Oura’s first collection of smart rings that don’t have metallic finishes. Instead, they’re made of zirconia ceramic, a more wear-resistant material that, Oura says, offers style and comfort.
I’ve been testing the Oura Ring 4 Ceramic for the past three weeks and here’s what I found.
Before I dive into the details, it’s worth noting that since the software behind the Oura Ring 4 Ceramic is the same as the Oura Ring 4, I won’t delve too much into the software and hardware side of things. For that, you can check out our Oura Ring 4 review.
Finish and feel
Oura Ring 4 Ceramic is available in four colors: Midnight (dark blue), Cloud (white), Tide (light teal) and Petal (light pink). The ring costs $150 more than the original Ring 4, priced at $500, and is available in sizes 4-15.
I chose Midnight. Although the shade is technically dark blue, it can look black from a distance — or even a dark shade of green, I’m told. The ring doesn’t look like a tech wearable at first glance, which is nice if you want to prioritize aesthetics without sacrificing functionality.
Compared to the original Ring 4, the ceramic version is slightly thicker, but the difference is not noticeable. The titanium version is 2.88mm thick, while the ceramic version is 3.51mm thick.
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In terms of weight, the ring can weigh between 5.1 and 8.1 grams, depending on the size you get, making it heavier than the Titanium 4 ring, which weighs between 3.3 and 5.2 grams.
Although the Oura Ring 4 Ceramic is thicker and heavier than its predecessor, I found it comfortable and lightweight, even compared to a standard metal band. It feels like a regular ring, just marginally thicker.
The ring is smooth and not as prone to picking up fingerprints as the titanium versions of the Ring 4. Since the zirconia ceramic is warmer and less smooth than titanium rings, the Ring 4 Ceramic can feel a bit ‘sticky’ at times, meaning the outside of the ring can stick to the sides of the ring, but your fingers adjust quite quickly.
Oura says the color in the rings comes from natural minerals in the ceramic itself, so it stays vibrant and won’t fade over time. (Of course, I’ve only had the ring for three weeks, so I can’t speak to its long-term durability, but so far, the color is identical to what it was on day one.)
Resistance
Oura says the Ring 4 Ceramic is prone to scratches from softer metals, such as those found in cookware or dumbbells. The company says these scratches can be treated with the polish that comes with the ring. (The review unit I received from Oura did not include the Polishing Pad, however.)
The company also recommends wearing the ring on your non-dominant hand to avoid unnecessary impact. However, the ring felt right on my dominant index finger, so that’s where I’ve been wearing it for the past three weeks. This exposed it to more potential damage in a shorter amount of time than a typical customer might experience.
The first day I put the ring on, I put it on a busy day of travel to TechCrunch Disrupt, our annual conference in San Francisco. I wasn’t sure how well the ring would hold up to carrying around my luggage, accidentally knocking the ring on some counters (I’m clumsy!), or letting it rest against the plane window when I leaned over for a nap.
As it turned out, the ring made it through all of this unscathed. There were even a few moments when I was sure I’d scratched it — like when I was holding on to a rusty railing going up the steps of the Point Arena Lighthouse, forgetting I had the ring on, or forgetting to take it off before doing the dishes. But the ring didn’t end up scarred or permanently damaged.
It’s worth mentioning that although the ring is water resistant up to 100 meters, meaning you can wear it while washing dishes or showering, I took it off while washing dishes because Oura warns that the ring can scratch when it comes into contact with softer metals.
Since I’ve had the ring for less than a month, I wouldn’t be surprised if, down the line, it picked up at least a few scratches or dents, especially given its position on my dominant hand.
Final thoughts
Aesthetics aside, the ring has been very helpful in helping me understand my heart health, sleep and stress through the Oura app. Every morning, I looked forward to seeing my “readiness score,” which is calculated using short- and long-term metrics to show how prepared you are for the day ahead.
Additionally, battery life holds up well as I only had to charge it once a week, which is in line with Oura’s promise of five to eight days of battery life.
Choosing between a titanium and ceramic ring ultimately comes down to your aesthetic preferences and ideal price. With color and material being the only differences between the two, it really comes down to whether you want a sleek, modern finish or the typical metal smart ring look.
If you want that pop of color and style, then the Oura Ring 4 Ceramic might be the smart ring for you.
