I’ve worn the Oura Ring 4, and I’m conflicted about it

TheOura Ring 4is here , and it has been on my finger for a few 60 minutes . What you ’re about to scan are my initial intellection about the latest edition of thebest smart ringyou can buy from someone who hasworn an Oura Ring for at least three yearsnow .

It ’s undoubtedly a beautiful ring , but I ’m conflicted about some of the big hardware changes that differentiate it from my beloved Oura Ring 3 .

What it’s like to wear the Oura Ring 4

The most important matter about any composition of wearable technology is how it sense on your body , which is impacted by its sizing , weight , design , and the materials used in its expression . Theis made entirely of Ti , which replaces the epoxy rosin inner plane section from the third - propagation Oura Ring . It ’s also altogether plane on the bottom .

Even in the first few minutes of wearing the Oura Ring 4 , you may tell it ’s all - alloy , and that the dome - like nubbins have been removed . It does not have the same degree of grip on your finger as the third - gen hoop , which I presume is down to the flat metal underside . It feels more tricky and seems to move about more on your fingerbreadth . In good turn , it also means you have to be very careful about the size of the ring , as it does n’t wear in quite the same style as previous Oura rings .

I used the sizing kit before choose my mob size ; as Oura indicated , the size has slightly changed . At the time , I establish the size 11 ring , the same as my third - gen Oura Ring , was the most worthy . It ’s physically the same size of it as the honest-to-goodness ring , but as of in good order now , with stale bridge player , the size 11 Oura Ring 4 may be too large . It ’s likely because of the smooth underside , but also because I ’m so used to the almost everlasting fit of my honest-to-god band .

A person wearing the Oura Ring 3 and Oura Ring 4.

Oura Ring 3 (top) and Oura Ring 4Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The size 10 ring was too fuddled when my hand were raging on the day I used the sizing kit , and it still feels that way when I try the test ring today . As such , I chose size of it 11 , but in reality , I ’m probably somewhere in between sizes with the new purpose . After wearing it overnight and with warmer hands , the ring feels similar to my last Oura Ring ’s fit , but definitely not as tight . It ’s not belong to luxate off my finger , but it does mean I ’m go to say it ’s essential to employ the sizing kit in full before you buy .

Swapping from the third - multiplication Oura Ring to the new Oura Ring 4 take less than five minutes using the redesigned Oura app , with no significant break in data logging and no loss of historical data . Because the Oura Ring 4 has a unexampled sensor array , the app confirms it can study signals accurately and uses a waving gesture to show you how much movement it ’s capable of measuring . Even a firmware update was nail in import , making it a straightforward unconscious process to get going with the Oura Ring 4 .

The new design makes a big difference

I take the new Brushed Silver culture to exchange my silvern third - generation Oura Ring , and it has a very dissimilar look . The brushed conclusion is almost overshadow by the contemplative nature of the control surface , and it really glints when it catches the spark . The side are feather off compared to the last Oura Ring ’s curving sides and it definitely has a sharper boundary , plus it appears the alloy sandwich a dissimilar material , which is likely there to see to it there are no matter with the Bluetooth connection . It ’s punishing to see in the images as it can look like a reflection , but you ’ll notice it in person .

On my fingerbreadth , it does not feel dramatically different from the last Oura Ring , but I can sense it there more . That ’s down to two things . The Oura Ring 4 ’s all - alloy surface takes a while to warm up up on your digit , and is generally cooler than the rosin Oura Ring mannikin , plus I can “ sense ” it has recede the thin curve from before . It has n’t made the ring uncomfortable or forced me to take it off , but it ’s percipient this is a variety from the Oura Ring I ’ve had on my fingerbreadth for the last few years .

It has left me quite conflicted . It looks great and is suitably unlike from other smart rings and from the third - gen example . Plus , the materials and shape represent a considerable step forward in engineering and tone . But I ’m unsure about the shift away from the curved edges , as well as the entirely monotone metal bottom , and how they will affect ergonomics and comfort . The third - gen Oura Ring has a antic shape and intention and fits me perfectly while never induce any issue , and only time will assure if the Oura Ring 4 will surpass it .

The Oura Ring 4 with the third-generation Oura Ring, seen from the side.

Oura Ring 3 (left) and Oura Ring 4Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The other noticeable hardware variety is the charger . Like the last theoretical account , it ’s a plinth with a USB - C port on the back ( you also get a USB - vitamin C cable television in the box ) , but this time , it ’s a square made from a enceinte block of alloy than before , give it a higher - quality look and feel . It also nicely cope with the cultivation of the Brushed Metal Oura Ring 4 , and there ’s a orotund , obvious LED on the front to indicate the halo ’s status .

Is it love at first sight?

I roll in the hay the third - generation Oura Ring . It ’s the art object of wearable applied science I ’ve most consistently worn over the past few age , and the data point has shown everything fromhow stress affects my sleeptohow hard I turn when I cleanse the house . It ’s effortless to wear , and it does n’t take up blank on my wrist , so I can wear any watch I like and still track movement and sleep . I ’m fully on board with the Oura Ring and the fresh ring experience .

This level of familiarity mean I ’m move to be extra tender to any revision , and also aware of how any changes bear on its wonderful chasteness of habit and unlined integration with my casual life . The Oura Ring 4 needs to be everything the last variation is and more while also puddle the most of its new design , sensors , and app if it ’s to be even better .

I ’m suitably impressed with the app and its changes , which I ’ll come back to in another article . But a few hours into wearing the Oura Ring 4 , I ’m not absolutely sure it ’s a step frontward in terms of ironware and design . The form and sizing of theRingConn Gen 2are superior , and I already miss the curved sides of the third - propagation Oura Ring . However , everything may change as I wear it more and my finger adjust to the newfangled design . It ’s just the start of my journey with the Oura Ring 4 , but I am hoping it ’ll be as long - durable and insightful as it has been with the third - propagation ring .

The side of the Oura Ring 3 and Oura Ring 4.