Oura Ring 5 vs Ring 4: What This Comparison Covers
Oura Ring 5 vs Ring 4 is a head-to-head smart ring comparison between Oura’s latest thinner health tracking ring and the proven Oura Ring 4, focusing on design, features, pricing, and whether the upgrade is worth it for existing users who already wear Ring 4 every day. Both models aim to deliver discreet, 24/7 health tracking without the distraction of a smartwatch screen, but they now sit at different price points and promise slightly different experiences. The Ring 5 refines the formula with a slimmer profile and updated internals, while the Ring 4 remains a capable, established device that is now selling at record-low prices. This article looks at comfort, battery life and the subscription model to help you decide if an Oura Ring upgrade is worth it or if you should keep or buy the older Ring 4 instead.
Design and Comfort: Thinner vs. More Options
From the outside, the Oura Ring 5 is an evolution, not a radical redesign. PCMag reports that the Ring 5 is 40% thinner than the Oura Ring 4, measuring 0.24 inches wide by 0.09 inches thick, compared with 0.31 by 0.11 inches for the Ring 4. That should mean a subtler profile and fewer snags during workouts, which matters if you lift weights or wear the ring all day. Both generations use a titanium body and are water-resistant to 328 feet, so durability remains similar. However, the Oura Ring 4 still offers more size choices (sizes 4 through 15) and an optional zirconia ceramic exterior, including Ceramic Midnight and Cloud finishes. Because of the new frame, Oura recommends a fresh sizing kit for Ring 5, even if you already own Ring 4, so current users need to factor that extra step into any upgrade decision.
Battery Life and Everyday Use
Battery life is already a strong point for Oura, and both generations are designed for uninterrupted wear. According to PCMag, the Oura Ring 5 is rated for six to nine days of use per charge, slightly higher than the five to eight days Oura quotes for the Ring 4. In real-world testing, the Ring 4 has been reported to last just over a week between charges, so the Ring 5’s advantage depends on it reaching the top of its claimed range. Both rely on a size-specific charging base, and Oura now offers an optional aluminum charging case, sold separately, that can store about a month of battery life and works with either model. The Ring 4’s screen-free, vibration-free design already makes it easy to forget you are wearing it, so for many owners, battery and comfort gains with Ring 5 may feel incremental rather than transformative.
Health Tracking Features and the Membership Question
On paper, the Oura Ring 5 and Ring 4 share a similar health tracking toolkit. Both rings use red and green infrared LEDs, temperature sensors and an accelerometer to monitor heart rate, heart rate variability, respiratory rate, blood oxygen saturation, stress signals, daily activity and detailed sleep stages. The Ring 4 already tracks over 50 health metrics with Oura’s Smart Sensing technology, adapting to your individual patterns over time. Inside the slimmer Ring 5, the sensor layout is redesigned: it traces 12 pathways through your finger instead of the Ring 4’s 18, with Oura claiming higher accuracy despite fewer paths. A key part of the value question is software: with both the Oura Ring 5 and the Oura Ring 4, you must pay a USD 69.99 (approx. RM325) annual membership to access most features in the Oura app once the initial trial ends.
Pricing, Value, and Who Should Upgrade
Price is where the Oura Ring 5 vs Ring 4 decision gets sharp. PCMag notes the Ring 5 starts at USD 399 (approx. RM1,855) for black or silver, rising to USD 499 (approx. RM2,320) for finishes like brushed silver, deep rose, gold and stealth. The Oura Ring 4, by contrast, now starts at USD 349 (approx. RM1,625) in select finishes, with previously premium options such as stealth and gold discounted. PC Guide highlights that the Ceramic Midnight Ring 4 has fallen to USD 399 (approx. RM1,855), down from its original USD 499 (approx. RM2,320), and is currently 20% off on Amazon. As PCMag puts it, “the Oura Ring 4 remains the better value.” For existing Ring 4 owners, the Oura Ring upgrade is worth it only if the thinner design and small battery and comfort gains matter more than saving money and keeping a still-advanced health tracking ring.
