Since I had a middle attack four geezerhood ago at the age of 33 , the Oura Ring has been a trusty sidekick for managing my health . First , it was the Oura Ring 2 , and a few calendar month after , theOura Ring 3became my go - to when it launch three age ago .
That ’s changed this year as every company compete for a spot on our better smart hoop inclination . The number of smart rings has grown exponentially this yr , and many company are set in motion first - propagation or 2nd - generation smart ring — offering executable alternatives to Oura . The ship’s company ’s answer ? TheOura Ring 4 .
I ’ve been extremely excited for the Oura Ring 4 to land , and it ’s delivered on many of my expectations . However , while the Oura Ring 3 was the standard - bearer , the Oura Ring 4 does n’t nail every part of the experience . It ’s arguably thebest smart ringnow , but it could be exponentially good if Oura had improve one fundamental area . allow me explain .
Why I like the Oura Ring 4 so much
TheSamsung Galaxy Ringappealed to me because it solve my great ill with the Oura Ring 3 : the bonce - same sensor living accommodations on the interior of the ringing . Since my heart attack , I have frequently suffered from swelling in my finger , and the Oura Ring 3 was uncomfortable and borderline unwearable at times .
The Galaxy Ring solved this problem with modest sensor domes , and its concave design has also made it extremely comfortable to wear for long periods . Oura realise the domes were a job , so the Oura Ring 4 uses a new embedded sensor design without dome . The solution is one of the most well-off smart ring there is .
The advance design is a neat melioration , and not one that ’s gone unnoticed . However , I ’ve examine most of the respectable chic rings , and there ’s one big feature that I wish Oura had meliorate .
As I write this in Washington D.C. , my Oura Ring sit in my bag as I impart the battery charger behind . Oura may have extend the battery lifespan of the Oura Ring 4 over the Oura Ring 3 , but it failed to direct the other elephant in the way : its charging solution .
The one big thing Oura forgot to improve
To be fair , Ouradidaddress its charging solution this year . It redesigned the included charging pedestal , making it square and fabricate it from titanium ( as opposed to plastic with the Oura Ring 3 ) . It also still charges your Oura Ring 4 wirelessly . The Oura Ring 4 itself is light and thinner , and the battery endure more than a full 24-hour interval longer than that of the late generation . That should be enough , correct ?
On its own , it would be easy for that to be enough — except for two key competitors . As we did n’t know we need a capacitive touch screen with apps until Apple made it , I did n’t know I wanted a portable charging case for my smart ring until Samsung made one . It ’s a big deal , and it ’s a significant deletion from the Oura Ring 4 .
The charging case is a big part of the appeal of the Samsung Galaxy Ring , and it provides enough succus to more than double the battery life sentence of your Galaxy Ring . The key matter that form it appeal is that it ’s an insert solution that make it easy to ship the smart ring . As I ’ve gone through airports with a drained Oura Ring 4 — and watched cautiously to ensure it did n’t shine out of the air hole in my bag — I hanker for an leisurely way to charge and post it .
My Oura Ring has run out to empty during my eight - day trip ; my Galaxy Ring is full excite after just two hr in the suit , which is the ideal shoes to hive away it when I ’m not actively fatigue it . The Oura Ring 4 is rated as offering up to eight days ’ stamp battery life , with no way of life to extend this through a charging case . As you ’ll see , the competition has Oura measure . The Galaxy Ring hold out between seven and eight daylight on a single charge — free-base on the band sizing — and a full recharged case can load your ring up to two times in full . That means up to 24 days on a undivided trip .
And it ’s not just Samsung that Oura has to make do with . RingConn ’s first - generation smart ringwas affordable , but theRingConn Gen 2is stylish , feature of speech - rich , and premium . It declare oneself most of the same lineament as the Oura Ring 4 — plus sleep apnea sleuthing — while also delivering up to 12 solar day of battery life . If that ’s not enough , the included charging cause can hold between 15 to 20 full recharges .
Oura missed an opportunity to elevate its approach to shelling and charging , and instead , it makes me actively consider other alternatives .
A mostly great experience with one drawback
That aside , however , the Oura Ring is exceedingly impressive . The data is second to none andOura ’s redesigned appmakes most things easy to find . There are still far too many menus and layers , but it ’s immensely improved over preceding endeavor .
ot beyond the feature - plenteous app , and you ’ll notice a genuine technology companion that ’s ready for anything that life cast your way . The Oura Ring 4 is staying on my finger , and it ’ll take a refined and about - unadulterated smart ring to gainsay that place , even with a right charging result .
