Oura Ring 5 vs Ring 4: What This Comparison Is About
Oura Ring 5 vs Ring 4 is a head‑to‑head health tracking comparison between two smart rings that monitor sleep, recovery, and daily readiness while aiming to disappear on your finger through small size and long battery life. Both rings track heart rate, HRV, temperature trends, and activity, but Oura Ring 5 focuses on a smaller body, refined sensors, and extra health software features. The question for many users is whether these physical and software changes make the smart ring upgrade worthwhile when Ring 4 already delivers reliable sleep and readiness tracking. This wearable device review looks at design, comfort, tracking accuracy, battery life, and value so you can decide if the slimmer Ring 5 is a true upgrade or an optional refinement over the discounted Ring 4.
Design and Comfort: 40% Smaller, Noticeably Less Obvious
The most obvious difference in the Oura Ring 5 vs Ring 4 debate is size. Oura Ring 5 is 40% smaller and thinner, measuring about 6.09mm wide and 2.28mm thick, so it sits more like a piece of jewellery than a gadget on your finger. Reviewers note that the slimmer profile makes daily tasks, from gripping weights to pressing fingers together, feel more natural because the ring no longer forces a small gap between fingers. According to PCMag, the fifth‑generation ring is 0.24 inches wide and 0.09 inches thick, versus 0.31 by 0.11 inches for Ring 4. Both rings use titanium and offer deep water resistance, but Ring 4 still wins on size range and finish options, including a zirconia ceramic exterior. Comfort‑sensitive users, however, will see Ring 5’s miniaturisation as a major reason to upgrade.
Health Tracking: Better Sensors and New Health Radar Features
Beyond design, Oura Ring 5’s sensors and software make up the core of this smart ring upgrade. Oura redesigned the sensing architecture with more efficient LEDs, better skin contact and 12 signal pathways, improving consistency across fingers and skin tones. The company says Ring 5 delivers 12% more accurate overnight HRV readings and a 24% improvement in workout heart‑rate signal quality, which should help health‑conscious users trust their sleep and training data more. Ring 5’s “Health Radar” and live activity tracking add proactive warnings and more immediate feedback on workouts, stepping beyond the mainly retrospective insights of Ring 4. While much of Oura’s app experience remains shared between both generations, Ring 5 leans harder into continuous, live‑style guidance, which may appeal to users who want their wearable to nudge them about readiness and exertion rather than only summarising each day.
Battery Life, Durability, and Everyday Wear
Oura Ring 5 keeps one of Ring 4’s biggest strengths: multi‑day stamina. Oura claims 6–9 days of battery life per charge, which translates to about a week of continuous tracking without needing a charger. ZDNET notes that Ring 5 squeezes in an extra day of battery compared with Ring 4 by changing the battery design, refining algorithms, and inserting more powerful LEDs. That combination gives heavy users more room for continuous heart‑rate and workout tracking without constant charging. Durability also improves through a scratch‑resistant titanium finish and water resistance rated to 100 metres, making the ring more resilient through showers, training, and daily knocks. Together, the lighter body, longer battery window, and tougher exterior make Ring 5 easier to keep on 24/7—essential for a wearable meant to capture sleep and recovery trends without gaps.
Price, Value, and Who Should Upgrade
When it comes to value, Oura Ring 4 is now the cheaper option. PCMag reports that Oura Ring 5 starts at USD 399 (approx. RM1,880), a USD 50 (approx. RM235) increase over the previous generation, with premium finishes priced higher. By contrast, Oura Ring 4 remains available in select finishes starting at USD 349 (approx. RM1,645), and some variants have seen sizeable launch‑price discounts. Both rings still require a USD 69.99 (approx. RM330) annual membership for full app features, so ongoing costs are similar. For most users, Ring 4 delivers strong sleep and health tracking at a better price, making it the value pick. Oura Ring 5 makes sense if you care about comfort, want the smallest possible ring, or value Health Radar and live activity tracking. Otherwise, the discounted Ring 4 remains a sensible, capable choice.
