Oura Ring 4 Review: One Month After Ditching My Smartwatch

Why I switched from a smartwatch to the Oura Ring 4 — specs and features

After a month, I'm glad I bought it. The sleep-tracking accuracy is on another level, it's a ring so it doesn't get in the way when I sleep, and the app is easy to read. I can't go back to a smartwatch.

Smart rings often get pitched as "a replacement for your watch," but the Oura Ring 4 doesn't really fit that frame. It's built around sleep tracking from the ground up, you wear it on a finger instead of your wrist, and it assumes a monthly subscription. You shop for it completely differently than you would a smartwatch.

The Oura Ring 4 was announced in October 2024. It starts at $349 (up to $499 depending on finish), and unlocking the app's full feature set requires an Oura Membership at $5.99/month or $69.99/year. The body is full titanium, and the internal sensor bump was reduced from 1.3mm on the previous generation (Gen3) to 0.3mm, so the inside of the ring sits much flatter against your finger.

The biggest change versus the Gen3 is that the internal sensor bump shrank from 1.3mm to 0.3mm. The number alone is hard to picture, but it directly affects how much pressure you feel during long wear. The sensor paths also went from 8 to 18, improving PPG measurement accuracy.

The competing Samsung Galaxy Ring ($399, no subscription) is slimmer at 7mm wide and a featherweight 2.3g, but it's Android-only, and the Oura Ring 4 is generally regarded as the deeper data platform. The Oura Ring 4 supports both iOS and Android and integrates with Apple Health.

If you're after a budget entry-level ring with strong AI-assist features, the b.ring G2 is also worth a look.

What a month of nonstop wear revealed about the Oura Ring 4

The reason I quit smartwatches became the main selling point

I used a smartwatch for a long time, but the reason I eventually gave up came down to one thing: "wearing it on my wrist to sleep is annoying." Strapping a chunky block to my wrist to sleep stressed me out, so I'd end up taking it off — and then you can't collect any sleep data at all.

Switching to the Oura Ring 4 made that problem disappear. I have no resistance to sleeping with a ring on. Zero pressure on the wrist. That alone made the switch worth it. For anyone serious about improving sleep quality, that "forget you're even wearing it" feeling is a decisive advantage.

"Which finger?" sorts itself out within a week

The first thing you run into after buying the Oura Ring 4 is "which finger do I wear it on?" Factoring in interference with my wedding ring and contact while using my phone, I landed on the index finger by elimination. I cover the rest with a small habit: moving it to my middle finger only during meals.

At first there were moments where I'd notice "this is in the way right now," but a month in it's almost unconscious. My body has learned the routine, finger-swapping included. Once you're used to it, you forget you're wearing it at all.

Sizing tips — order the free sizing kit and you won't get it wrong

Oura ring sizes (numbers 4–15) are their own system. I actually got the size wrong at first and had to exchange it, so I'd strongly recommend ordering Oura's free sizing kit and wearing the dummy ring for a day or two before you order the real thing.

This is a $349-plus purchase, so this is the one step worth preparing for in advance.

Charge it in the shower, wear it when you get out — battery routine that just fits

The battery lasts 5–8 days on paper, but in practice the best routine is "charge it whenever you shower." Thirty minutes of charging restores about 30%, so if you run that cycle daily you'll never get caught short on battery.

Being able to pin the "ring off" window to shower time is smart design when you're aiming for 24-hour tracking. It's rated to 100m so on paper you could keep it on in the bath, but using that window to charge is the more sensible move.

The app is genuinely polished — a UI you'll want to check every morning

The Oura app is modern and refined in both UI and design. Compared with the Huawei band app I used before, there's far less advertising and noise, and you reach the data you want right away. It does nudge you toward higher tiers, but never to an annoying degree.

Sleep score, activity, stress level and more are all visible on one screen, and checking it every morning became a habit. There's also a feature that pings you with "time for a break?" after you've worked for a while — a quiet help if you're the type who over-focuses.

Sleep tracking gives you data that actually changes behavior

Checking my sleep score every morning, I realized my deep-sleep time was shorter than I'd assumed. Since seeing that, I've made a point of getting into bed by around 11 p.m. A month in, I really get how a health tracker is meant to be used.

I've written up how it stacks up against the SOXAI RING 2 in a separate Oura Ring 4 vs SOXAI RING 2 comparison.

I wore three devices at once — Huawei band, Xiaomi band, and Oura — to compare sleep

I did the grubby experiment of sleeping with three devices on at the same time: the Oura Ring 4, a Huawei band, and a Xiaomi band. Two on the arm, one on a finger. Probably not something a restless sleeper should attempt.

The result: a clear gap in measured deep-sleep time.

• Oura Ring 4: 37 min
• Xiaomi Smart Band: 1 hr 59 min
• Huawei Band: 2 hr 40 min

The Oura Ring 4 was the shortest, the Xiaomi band came in about an hour longer, and the Huawei band about another hour beyond that — roughly a two-hour spread in total.

Oura has published data showing 99%-plus agreement with medical-grade devices on heart-rate measurement, and I've seen it mentioned that pro athletes use it in their own training. Personally, I judge Oura's numbers to be the closest to reality. If you want to know the "real" quality of your sleep that cheap bands can't show you, the Oura Ring 4's accuracy is trustworthy. If you want to dig into how it differs from a smartwatch, a smartwatch vs smart ring comparison is a good next read.

Commute, work, sleep — how the Oura Ring 4 blends into daily life

It tracks my commute walk automatically

It automatically detects the walk to the station as a walking session and calculates calories. Not having to press a "start workout" button is exactly the right design for a tracker meant to dissolve into daily life.

Zero presence during PC work

I'd worried the ring on my index finger would get in the way while typing or using the mouse, but I don't notice it at all. A quietly appreciated detail.

If a subscription-free smart ring appeals to you, the RingConn Gen 2 is also worth checking out.

What to know before you buy

• Choose your size carefully. Order the free sizing kit and you won't get it wrong.
• The look is understated. The titanium build is nice and light, but if you want more of a premium-accessory feel, the higher-end finishes (such as Gold or Rose Gold) run about $100–$150 more.
• There's a monthly subscription. Unlocking the app's full features costs $5.99/month ($69.99/year). The first month is free, though, so you can try it before deciding.

If you're torn between models, it helps to check where it stands in a broader comparison of the major smart rings before you choose.

Bottom line: the Oura Ring 4 is the best pick for people serious about improving sleep

Here's my honest take after a month.

Best for:

• People bothered by the smartwatch problem of "my wrist hates wearing it to sleep." A ring won't disturb your sleep.
• People who prioritize sleep-tracking accuracy. The measurement quality is on a different level from cheap bands.
• People who'll actually change behavior — "okay, early night tonight" — after seeing the data.
• People who want to make serious use of health data. 50-plus metrics is staggering.

Before you buy:

• Confirm your size in advance with the sizing kit. Get that one thing right and you won't go wrong.
• If the accessory look matters to you, consider a premium finish.

Freed from wrist pressure, my morning sleep score is reshaping my daily rhythm. A month in, my satisfaction only keeps climbing. If you're serious about improving your sleep quality, the Oura Ring 4 is unquestionably a buy.