Oura Ring 4 Review: Hands-On with the Titanium Smart Ring

Airplane noise is hell when you’re trying to track sleep or recover between trips. I tested the Oura Ring 4 because I wanted something unobtrusive that actually records sleep and recovery without a wristband getting in the way.

I wore the silver Oura for several nights and during workouts to see how it handled day-to-day life. It felt lighter and less noticeable than a smartwatch, tracked sleep and readiness reliably, and the battery life meant I charged only once mid-week — though sizing took a minute to get right and the app subscription can feel like an extra step.

Bottom Line

If you want discreet, around-the-clock health tracking without a wrist device, the Oura Ring 4 is worth trying — size carefully and expect to use the app membership for fuller insights. You can check it out here.

Why I Tested This

I wanted a discreet tracker that actually feels normal to wear, since I avoid wrist devices. I tested the ring to see if it could deliver reliable sleep and recovery insights without being intrusive.

I focused on comfort, day-to-day wearability, and real-world accuracy. I wore the ring through workouts, sleep cycles, and desk days to judge battery life, fit, and how well the app translated data into useful guidance.

What stood out: the titanium build stayed comfortable, and the multi-day battery mostly matched real use. Downsides I noticed: sizing matters a lot, and the app’s advice sometimes felt generic rather than personalized.

Oura Ring 4: Overview

I wore the ring for several weeks and found it blends into daily life—light, low-profile, and tougher-feeling than earlier models. Sleep and recovery tracking stood out: the nightly summaries felt thoughtful and usually matched how I actually felt the next day.

Battery lasted multiple days between charges, so charging became a once-weekly task rather than a daily nuisance. The app’s deeper metrics can be useful, but they demand time to learn and sometimes felt more detailed than I needed.

Comfort and design are definite pluses; sizing matters a lot, so get the sizing kit first. If you want discreet, continuous health data and don’t need a screen or wrist-based exercise cues, this ring works well; if you prefer instant on-device feedback, it may feel limited.

Key Specifications

Key Features

I wore the ring for several weeks and focused on what actually mattered day-to-day. This section breaks down the features that stood out in real use — what helped, what annoyed, and why those things matter if you’re deciding whether to buy.

Smart Sensing for Health Tracking

The ring quietly collected sleep, recovery, activity, and cycle signals without needing constant interaction. It adjusted to my routines, so the sleep and readiness feedback felt tailored rather than generic. That said, some metrics felt more useful than others — deep sleep and readiness gave clear actionables, while a few niche health stats were obvious but less actionable in daily life.

The updated Smart Sensing technology uses a higher number of signal pathways compared to previous generations. This helps the ring maintain accuracy even when it rotates on your finger, which helped keep HRV and SpO₂ readings consistent overnight, even when the ring shifted.

Ultra-Comfort Titanium Design

Wearing it felt like wearing a slim metal band rather than a gadget; the titanium keeps it light and hard to notice. It stayed comfortable through workouts and showers, though I did notice minor skin sensitivity early on — likely personal rather than universal. The low-profile look made it easy to keep on for 24/7 tracking without feeling bulky.

Unlike the Gen 3 model, the Oura Ring 4 features a fully round interior with recessed sensors. This design change eliminates the three small bumps that used to press into the finger, making it significantly more comfortable for long-term wear.

Long Battery Life

I routinely got several days on a single charge, which meant I charged less often and didn’t have to plan around it. Not having a screen or vibrations helps extend uptime, but remember you’ll still need the charger every few days if you use continuous tracking. In practice, battery life made the ring feel more like a regular accessory and less like a device that demands attention.

App Compatibility & Multi-Ring Support

The app synced smoothly with major health platforms I already use, so data flowed into my existing health ecosystem without extra work. It also supports linking multiple rings to one account, handy if you share devices or upgrade later. A small friction point: initial sizing and setup required the separate sizing kit, so factor that into the onboarding time.

Real-World Experience

Living with the Oura Ring

I wore the ring for several weeks and found it easy to forget about once sized correctly. Charging was occasional enough that it didn’t interrupt my routine, and the minimal profile made it comfortable during sleep and desk work. The companion app made trends easy to spot, though some nights the sleep staging felt conservative compared with how I felt in the morning.

The addition of Daytime Stress and Resilience metrics helped contextualize my energy levels. Instead of just a sleep score, I could see how work stress impacted my physiological recovery, offering a more complete picture of my overall health than simple step counting.

Comfort and durability stood out most—metal finish stayed clean and the ring survived handwashing and daily wear without snagging. Overall, it integrates into daily life without demanding constant attention.

Who Will Love It Most

This ring suits anyone who dislikes wrist wear but still wants consistent sleep and recovery insights. Travelers and people with desk-heavy jobs will appreciate the low-profile design and overnight tracking that doesn’t interfere with comfort. If you need precise workout metrics or prefer visible notifications, this isn’t the best fit; it shines for passive, long-term recovery tracking rather than active fitness coaching.

Sizing and Fit Tips

I tried the ring for several weeks and focused on getting the fit right before tracking anything serious. Small fit changes made big differences in comfort and sleep data, so take the time to size carefully.

Using the Oura Sizing Kit

The sizing kit simplifies picking the right ring, but don’t treat it like exact science. Slide the trial rings on at different times of day — fingers swell in the evening and with heat — and pick the size that feels snug without pinching.
If the kit’s fit feels off, measure the ring finger at the base and midpoint; I compared both and went with the size that matched my comfort at night. Remember that a lithium-polymer battery and lightweight build mean the ring shouldn’t feel bulky, so prioritize a close fit for accurate sensors.

Getting the Best Wear

Wear the ring on the finger you can consistently tolerate for 24+ hours; I switched between hands once and saw inconsistent sleep scores. Keep the ring clean and dry; oils and grime made the sensors joggy during workouts.
If the ring spins or shifts during activity, try a slightly smaller size or move it closer to the knuckle — stability matters more than absolute tightness. For comfort during sleep, a snug but flexible fit prevented false movement readings without causing numbness.

Pros and Cons

Pros

I found the ring comfortable enough to wear all day and overnight; the updated titanium shape sits light on the finger and didn’t irritate my skin during multi-day use. The battery lasts several days between charges, so I rarely had to pause tracking for a power top-up. The app syncs smoothly with other health platforms I use, which made reviewing sleep and recovery data in one place straightforward. Tracking felt consistent for sleep and daily recovery metrics — useful when I wanted concrete guidance on when to push workouts or rest.

Cons

Sizing is awkward if you skip the official sizing kit; I needed the kit to get a reliable fit and that added time before actual use. The membership model means full access to trends requires a subscription, so long-term insight isn’t entirely free. Some skin sensitivity reports exist; while I didn’t react badly, others did and you should monitor for irritation if you have sensitive skin. Finally, the ring’s silent design means no haptic alerts, so it won’t replace a smartwatch for on-the-spot notifications.

Final Verdict

After wearing the ring for several weeks, I found it useful for tracking sleep and recovery without the bulk of a wrist device. It nails unobtrusive daily wear and gives clear guidance, though the fit and skin comfort can vary by user.

If you want reliable sleep insight and minimalist design, this ring performs well. If you’re sensitive to materials or need flawless step/activity logging, expect occasional trade-offs. Overall, I’d recommend it for sleepers and recovery-focused users who value subtlety over wrist-based features.

Frequently Asked Questions

I wore the ring daily for several weeks while testing, so these answers reflect hands-on use rather than specs lists.

Is the Oura Ring 4 comfortable for continuous wear, including while sleeping?

Yes. The updated titanium shell feels light and low-profile on my finger, and I slept with it every night without discomfort most nights. A few nights I noticed mild pressure when my finger swelled after long flights, so sizing with the kit matters — a slightly snug fit becomes noticeable during temperature or fluid shifts.

How accurate are the Oura Ring 4’s health tracking features compared to other fitness wearables?

In daily use, the ring’s sleep staging and heart-rate trends matched my phone-based HR readings closely enough for practical decisions. It won’t replace clinical devices for precise diagnostics, but its continuous, night-and-day measurements gave me reliable recovery and sleep cues that felt more consistent than many wrist trackers I’ve tried.

What are the battery life and charging capabilities of the Oura Ring 4?

Battery lasted between five and eight days during my testing, depending on active features and nightly measurements. The small puck charger is fiddly but portable; a short charge gets you a couple of days fast, which worked well for travel when I remembered to top it up between uses.

How does the Oura Ring 4 integrate with wellness apps, and what insights does it offer?

I synced it with Apple Health and Strava during testing; data flowed smoothly and the Oura app consolidated sleep, readiness, and activity into clear daily insights. The app’s guidance felt practical — it suggested lower-impact days after poor sleep — though deeper coaching requires the subscription after the initial month.

What’s new in the Oura Ring 4 compared to previous versions, and are the upgrades worth it?

The all-titanium body and Smart Sensing felt like meaningful refinements: the ring seems sturdier and sensors felt more consistent in my measurements. If you already own a recent Oura model and are happy with accuracy and comfort, the jump may not be essential. If you want better durability and slightly improved sensor behavior, it’s a worthwhile upgrade.

Can the Oura Ring 4 withstand regular activities like swimming or gym workouts?

Yes for most everyday activities. I wore it in the pool and during weight sessions without issue; its water resistance and titanium build held up. Heavy-contact sports or situations where rings can snag remain risky — take it off when you expect impact or rough handling.