Oura Ring 5 Review: Streamlined, Lightweight, and Improved Performance

Unboxing the Oura Ring 5, my first impression was, “It’s incredibly compact.” My next thought was that this is the much-awaited smart ring that many have been looking forward to.

Having been used to the Oura Ring 4 Ceramic, I was struck by how significantly smaller and lighter the new Ring 5 is.

Oura promotes the Ring 5 as the smallest smart ring globally, being 40% smaller than its predecessor, with a width of 6.09 mm compared to the Ring 4’s 7.90 mm, and a thickness of 2.28 mm versus the Ring 4’s 2.88 mm. Depending on the size, the Ring 5 weighs between 2 grams and 2.69 grams, while the Ring 4 ranges from 3.3 grams to 5.2 grams.

These modifications greatly enhance the ring’s comfort and aesthetics, giving it a more attractive appearance. The design is understated, blending well with other accessories. Oura asserts that the Ring 5 is intended to look like an ordinary ring, and I agree they’ve accomplished this.

The starting price for the Ring 5 is $399.

In conversations about Oura’s smart rings, I’ve noticed a split in opinions. Some users assert it has revolutionized their lives, while others find it overly bulky. I think the Oura Ring 5 is a transformative product, appealing to a broader audience, including those who previously shied away from smart rings due to size issues.

Oura has acknowledged the need for a more compact ring, responding to user requests for a slimmer design. Additionally, competition from subscription-free brands like RingConn and Ultrahuman, which offer lighter alternatives to the Ring 4, has contributed to this redesign.

While the Oura Ring 4 never felt excessively bulky, the Ring 5 genuinely feels more comfortable on my finger. With the Ring 4, I was always aware of it, but with this newer model, I often forget it’s on, which is perfect for someone like me who doesn’t typically wear jewelry.

The ring’s reduced size further improves comfort for nighttime wear, facilitating the tracking of sleep and health metrics. Compared to a smartwatch, a smart ring is far more comfortable for wearing at night, and the Ring 5’s design minimizes its presence during sleep.

In terms of battery life, the Ring 5 lasts between six and nine days, while the Ring 4 is rated for five to eight days. Based on my experience, the Ring 5’s battery performance seems satisfactory. It arrived at 50% charge and after about 30 minutes of charging during setup, it reached 75%. After five continuous days of use, I’m still around 25% battery left.

It’s worth noting that the Ring 5 comes in fewer sizes (6 to 13) compared to the Ring 4 (4 to 15). Oura stated that the limited size options are due to manufacturing difficulties associated with the smaller design. They chose to focus on the most popular sizes while monitoring demand for the discontinued sizes.

The Ring 5 comes in six distinct finishes, including a redesigned Gold that boasts a more authentic gold tone, an updated Deep Rose resembling copper, as well as Silver, Brushed Silver, Black, and Stealth.

I received the Gold version, which I find visually striking. Unlike previous golden shades, this new color lacks the yellow tint, offering a subtle hue that feels more like genuine gold jewelry. It’s important to mention that the Gold finish, along with Stealth and Deep Rose, is priced at $499—$100 higher than the standard finishes.

In terms of durability, Oura claims the Ring 5 has improved scratch resistance thanks to a new finishing method, but I can’t fully attest to this after only five days of use. There was a moment when I feared I had scratched it while dealing with a rusty swing chain, but thankfully it was just surface rust that wiped off easily.

Oura’s new physical vapor deposition (PVD) coating process is designed to preserve the wearable’s premium appearance over time. It will be interesting to see if this promise stands true in the long run.

Along with the Ring 5, Oura is introducing new software features that will also be available for the Oura Ring Gen3 and newer models, including Blood Pressure Signals and Nighttime Breathing. I cannot elaborate on these yet, as they are set to be launched later this month.

In summary, the Oura Ring 5 marks a substantial upgrade over the Ring 4 in both comfort and aesthetics, making it an excellent choice for newcomers to smart rings. Existing Oura Ring 4 users will need to weigh the decision to upgrade based on budget and personal preferences for appearance, especially since the Ring 4 will receive all the new software updates.