When I first opened the box it Oura Ring 5 walks in, my first thought was, “Wow, that’s small.” My second thought was that this is a smart ring that many people have been waiting for.
As someone who got quite used to wearing the Oura Ring 4 Ceramic, I was surprised at how noticeably smaller and lighter the new Ring 5 is.
The Ring 5, which Oura describes as the world’s smallest smart ring, is 40% smaller than its predecessor, measuring 6.09mm wide compared to the Ring 4’s 7.90mm and 2.28mm thick compared to the Ring 4’s 2.88mm. Although the exact weight depends on your ring size, Ring 5 weighs between 2 grams and 2.69 grams, while Ring 4 weighs between 3.3 grams and 5.2 grams.
I found that these changes dramatically improve the comfort of the ring and also make it more aesthetically pleasing compared to its predecessor. The ring no longer screams smart ring and blends in with the rest of your jewelry. Oura says the Ring 5 is designed to look and feel like any other ring, and I think the company has achieved that.
The Ring 5 starts at $399.
Whenever I’ve seen people discuss the Oura smart rings, there always seem to be two opposing opinions. One side swore the ring had changed her life and the other claimed it was too bulky and she would never consider getting it. I think the Oura Ring 5 is a game changer and appeals to a larger audience, including those who shy away from smart rings because of their bulk.
Oura was aware of the demand for a smaller ring. The company told me that users were asking for a slimmer and more compact design, which prompted the company to comply. Of course, Oura has also had to update its rings in response to competition from non-subscription competitors like RingConn and Ultrahuman, both of which sell rings lighter than the Ring 4.
While I never found the Oura Ring 4 overtly uncomfortable, the Ring 5 feels noticeably better on my finger. With the Ring 4, I was always aware I was wearing it, but with this latest model, I often forget it’s there, which is great for people like me who don’t always wear jewelry.
I’ve also found that the smaller size of the ring makes it more comfortable to wear at night to track sleep and health metrics. A smart ring is more comfortable than a smart watch for nighttime use, and the Ring 5’s smaller design allows it to be even less noticeable at night.
In terms of battery life, the Ring 5 lasts between six and nine days, compared to the five to eight day range on the Ring 4. In my experience, the improvement seems to hold. The ring arrived 50% charged and after about 30 minutes on the charger after the setup process, it reached 75%. After five days of continuous use, I still haven’t had to charge it and I’m about 25% out of battery.
It’s worth mentioning that the Ring 5 comes in fewer sizes (sizes 6 to 13) than the Ring 4 (sizes 4 to 15). Oura told me that the fewer sizing options are due to the challenges of making smaller rings in the new form factor. The company said it chose to focus on the most popular sizes and is monitoring demand for the discontinued sizes.
The Ring 5 comes in six finishes, including a redesigned Gold with a truer gold tone, an updated Deep Rose with a bronze look, as well as Silver, Brushed Silver, Black and Stealth.
Oura sent me the Gold version and I really like the look. Unlike previous Oura gold rings, this new color does not have a yellow tint, but has a more subtle tone that looks closer to real gold jewelry. It’s worth noting that the Gold finish, along with the Stealth and Deep Rose finishes, are priced at $499, exactly $100 more than the standard finishes.
As for durability, Oura says the Ring 5 is more scratch-resistant than previous generations thanks to a new finishing technique, but I can’t fully speak to durability yet since I’ve only had it for five days.
There was a time I thought I had scratched the ring alignment guide when I grabbed a rusty swing chain, but it turned out the rust had only rubbed into the ring and I was able to clean it off with a rag.
Oura says the Ring 5’s new physical vapor deposition (PVD) coating process ensures the wearable maintains its premium “out-of-the-box” look for longer. It will be interesting to see how this promise is kept.
Oura Ring 5 ships with new software features also coming to Oura Ring Gen3 and later products, including blood pressure signals and night breathing. I can’t speak to them yet as they are due out later this month.
Overall, the Oura Ring 5 is a notable upgrade over the Ring 4 in terms of comfort and aesthetics, making it a great choice for anyone who hasn’t bought a smart ring yet. As for people who already own the Oura Ring 4, the decision to upgrade depends on your budget and how much you value your aesthetics, especially since the Ring 4 will receive all new software updates.
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