Since pioneering the smart ring category in 2015, Oura has consistently led the market even as competitors like Ultrahuman, RingConn, and Samsung have emerged. The latest model, the Oura Ring 5, continues this tradition with a focus on refinement rather than radical redesign. It is smaller, more comfortable, and features enhanced software that leverages AI-driven health coaching. After three weeks of thorough testing, the Oura Ring 5 stands out as the best smart ring Oura has produced to date, though users of the previous Ring 4 model may find fewer reasons to upgrade immediately.
One of the most striking improvements is the ring's size and comfort. Measuring just 6.09 mm wide and 2.28 mm thick, the Oura Ring 5 is approximately 40 percent smaller than its predecessor, the Ring 4. Oura claims it is the smallest smart ring currently available on the market. Wearing it continuously-through sleep, workdays, and workouts-proved far more comfortable than earlier versions. The slimmer design is subtle enough that at times, the reviewer even forgot they were wearing it.
Despite its reduced size, the Ring 5 maintains impressive durability. It features a titanium exterior with a tougher physical vapor deposition coating, improving resistance to wear and tear. The ring also retains its IP68 water resistance rating and can be submerged up to 100 meters. After a full three weeks of daily use, the test unit showed only minimal signs of wear, with subtle hairline marks far less noticeable than the scratches that appeared on the Ring 4 within its first week.
Setting up the Oura Ring 5 is straightforward, with pairing taking just seconds. However, Oura has reduced the available size range from the Ring 4's sizes 4 through 15 to sizes 6 through 13 for the new model. Existing users are advised to order an updated sizing kit before purchasing. Although the reviewer stuck with their Ring 4 size, the Ring 5 felt more snug, and some users might need to size up for a comfortable fit.
In terms of data accuracy and tracking, the Ring 5 delivers incremental rather than dramatic improvements. Measurements of overnight resting heart rate, heart rate variability, and activity tracking closely matched those recorded by the Ring 4. This consistency is not a drawback, as the Ring 4 was already highly accurate. Oura attributes any gains in accuracy to more powerful LEDs-four times stronger than before-redesigned sensors that sit closer to the skin, and 12 independent signal pathways that improve readings across different finger shapes and skin tones.
Battery life saw a modest boost, averaging between six and nine days per charge, slightly exceeding the Ring 4's five- to eight-day range. Oura also introduced a new portable Charging Case priced at $99, which holds enough power for about five full charges. This case includes a physical button to check charging and pairing status and supports the new Locate feature in the Oura app, allowing users to find both the ring and the case. While a convenient travel accessory, this case is not essential for most users.
The most significant enhancements come through the software. Oura is clearly positioning the Ring 5 not just as a wearable but as a proactive health platform powered by artificial intelligence. Central to this approach is Oura Advisor, a large-language-model-powered assistant introduced the previous year. The Advisor offers predictive health features designed to alert users to changes in their bodies before symptoms become apparent.
Moreover, Oura expanded the Advisor's capabilities by partnering with Counsel Health, enabling users to ask health questions, receive personalized guidance based on their biometric data, and connect directly with licensed health care professionals-all within the app. This integration marks a notable step toward blending wellness coaching with accessible health care support.
Fitness tracking capabilities have also improved. The new Live Activity feature allows workouts to be started from the phone, displaying pace, distance, and heart rate on lock-screen widgets. This makes it easier to monitor exercise metrics at a glance, especially during runs, without unlocking the phone-a small but meaningful enhancement that helps the Oura ring feel more like a traditional fitness tracker.
Automatic Activity Detection has become more reliable as well. The Ring 5 consistently recognized walking workouts and even detected Pilates sessions that earlier models often missed. Additionally, the ring can now pair with third-party heart rate monitors via Bluetooth. This is particularly useful for activities like strength training, where wearing a ring may be uncomfortable. Users can leave the Oura ring aside while still capturing accurate heart rate data through another sensor, addressing a long-standing limitation of smart rings, though it does require purchasing an additional device.
Sleep tracking remains Oura's standout feature. Over three weeks, the Ring 5 consistently delivered highly credible data. It accurately reflected nights with late bedtimes or frequent awakenings in the Sleep and Readiness Scores, which also closely matched how the user actually felt upon waking. This strong alignment between data and subjective experience highlights the ring's value in monitoring sleep quality and recovery.
The Symptom Radar feature, designed to detect early signs of illness, is still not perfect. During testing, the reviewer contracted the flu, and while the Ring 5 eventually flagged subtle physiological changes, this occurred about a day after symptoms were already noticed. This performance is similar to the Ring 4, despite Oura's claims of improvements in this area.
The new Health Radar feature includes two important health-monitoring tools. Blood Pressure Signals analyzes biometric patterns that may indicate cardiovascular strain, and Nighttime Breathing offers a rolling 30-day assessment of breathing disturbances during sleep. The reviewer's Ring 5 did not detect any significant breathing issues, consistent with results from other sleep trackers tested over the past year. It is worth noting that Health Radar was still being rolled out during testing, so some users may need to update the app to access these features.
Oura has also added GLP-1 tracking, allowing members to log injections or oral medications, monitor side effects, and record weight changes. Users receive reminders for scheduled doses and progress recaps through the Today tab. Given the increasing use of GLP-1 drugs in long-term health management, this addition reflects Oura's effort to stay relevant in evolving health trends.
Privacy features have been enhanced as well. A new time-based Data Deletion option lets users erase data from specific periods without deleting their entire health history. There are also more granular controls over how data is shared and used by third parties, giving members better oversight and peace of mind.
Another practical update is the ability to support multiple rings on a single account. Users can pair both Ring 4 and Ring 5 devices and switch between them without paying for an additional membership. This flexibility allows users to alternate ring styles without losing health data continuity, a feature the reviewer found especially valuable. Despite appreciating the Ring 5's improvements, the reviewer was not ready to retire their Ring 4 Ceramic due to its aesthetic appeal. Now, they can wear whichever ring suits the occasion without sacrificing data tracking.
While the competition has intensified with offerings like Samsung's Galaxy Ring, which integrates seamlessly with Galaxy phones, Ultrahuman's no-subscription model, and RingConn's impressive battery life, Oura continues to deliver the strongest overall software experience. However, full access to Oura's features requires a $6-per-month subscription; without it, users can only view basic Readiness, Activity, and Sleep Scores.
Whether the Oura Ring 5 is worth purchasing depends largely on the user's starting point. For first-time smart ring buyers or those upgrading from the Ring 2 or Ring 3, the Ring 5 is a clear recommendation. Its smaller size, improved comfort, and increasingly sophisticated software platform make it the most refined Oura ring yet.
For current Ring 4 owners, the decision is less straightforward. Sensor accuracy improvements are modest, and most new software features are also being rolled out to older models. Unless the slimmer design and enhanced comfort justify the cost, it may be wise to wait for a future generation.
Overall, the Oura Ring 5 remains the smart ring the reviewer recommends to most people. While many wearables track health data, Oura excels at influencing users' behaviors around training, sleep, and recovery. This ability to impact lifestyle positively is what keeps the reviewer wearing the ring well beyond the initial novelty phase.
In summary, the Oura Ring 5 represents a thoughtful evolution of a market-leading device. It delivers meaningful improvements in comfort, durability, and software intelligence while maintaining the core strengths that have made Oura a standout in the growing smart ring category. With continued investment in AI-driven health coaching, expanded health monitoring, and privacy enhancements, Oura solidifies its position as a top choice for those seeking a discreet yet powerful wearable to support their wellbeing.