Oura Ring 5 review: Thinner, lighter, better
Source: TechCrunch
When I first opened the box the Oura Ring 5 came in, my first thought was, “Wow, that’s tiny.” My second thought was that this is the smart ring many people have been waiting for.
Having used the Oura Ring 4 Ceramic, I was surprised by how noticeably smaller and lighter the new Ring 5 is.
Design and Size
The Ring 5 is marketed as the world’s smallest smart ring. It is 40 % smaller than its predecessor, measuring 6.09 mm wide (vs. 7.90 mm on the Ring 4) and 2.28 mm thick (vs. 2.88 mm). Weight varies by size, ranging from 2 g to 2.69 g, compared with 3.3 g–5.2 g for the Ring 4.
These changes dramatically improve comfort and give the ring a more traditional jewelry look. Oura says the Ring 5 is designed to “look and feel like any other ring,” and the design largely succeeds.
The Ring 5 starts at $399.
Image credit: Aisha Malik / TechCrunch
Comfort and Wearability
Opinions on Oura’s smart rings have traditionally split between life‑changing benefits and complaints about bulk. The Ring 5’s slimmer profile bridges that gap, appealing to users who previously avoided smart rings because they felt too bulky.
On the Ring 4 I was constantly aware of the device on my finger. With the Ring 5 I often forget it’s there—a boon for anyone who doesn’t regularly wear jewelry. The smaller size also makes nighttime wear for sleep and health tracking more comfortable; a smart ring is already less intrusive than a smartwatch, and the Ring 5 is even less noticeable.
Battery Life
Battery life improves modestly:
| Model | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Ring 4 | 5–8 days |
| Ring 5 | 6–9 days |
In my testing the Ring 5 arrived at ~50 % charge, reached 75 % after a 30‑minute charge, and after five days of continuous wear was still at ~25 % without needing a recharge.
Sizing Options
The Ring 5 is offered in sizes 6–13, whereas the Ring 4 covered sizes 4–15. Oura explained that manufacturing a smaller form factor limited the range of viable sizes, so they focused on the most popular ones while monitoring demand for the discontinued sizes.
Image credit: Oura
Finishes and Pricing
Six finishes are available:
- Gold (new, truer gold tone)
- Deep Rose (copper‑like)
- Silver
- Brushed Silver
- Black
- Stealth
The Gold, Stealth, and Deep Rose finishes are priced at $499—$100 more than the standard finishes. I received the Gold version, which lacks the yellow tinge of earlier gold rings and feels closer to genuine gold jewelry.
Durability
Oura claims the Ring 5 is more scratch‑resistant thanks to a new physical vapor deposition (PVD) coating. After five days of use I haven’t encountered any scratches. A brief incident with a rusty chain left surface rust that was easily removed with a cloth, suggesting the coating can handle minor abrasions.
Software Features
The Ring 5 launches alongside new software updates (also rolling out to Oura Ring Gen 3 and later), including Blood Pressure Signals and Nighttime Breathing. These features were not yet available at the time of review but are slated for release later in the month.
Verdict
Overall, the Oura Ring 5 is a notable upgrade over the Ring 4 in terms of comfort, aesthetics, and modest battery‑life gains. It’s an excellent entry point for anyone who hasn’t yet tried a smart ring. Existing Ring 4 owners will need to weigh the $100 price premium for premium finishes against the aesthetic and comfort improvements, especially since the Ring 4 will continue receiving the new software updates.