Both rings track your health with the same core intelligence. But they are not the same ring. The Ring 4 is a proven, brilliant smart ring that has earned its reputation as the gold standard of health tracking. The Ring 5 is everything the Ring 4 is — then 40% smaller, more accurate, longer-lasting, and built for a future where your ring should feel like jewelry, not a gadget.
Let’s make the long story short: I recommend the Oura Ring 5 — Both rings share sleep tracking, readiness scores, heart rate, SpO2, HRV, body temperature, and the same powerful Oura app.
But the Ring 5 adds 40% smaller form factor, redesigned sensor architecture for 12–24% better signal accuracy, 6–9 days of battery life, IP68 waterproofing to 100m, blood pressure trend signals, an optional 1-month wireless charging case, and a Locate feature. If you want the most accurate, most comfortable, most future-ready smart ring available today — the Ring 5 is the one you’ll still be happy wearing in five years.
⏱ Limited Time Offer — Check Oura Ring 5 Best Deal Here
Why Do I Recommend the Oura Ring 5?
- 40% Smaller — Feels Like a Real Ring: The Ring 5 measures just 6.09mm wide and 2.28mm thick, down from 7.99mm and 2.88mm on the Ring 4. It weighs as little as 2 grams. That’s not a minor tweak — it’s the difference between something you consciously wear and something you forget is there. For 24/7 tracking to work, you have to keep it on. The Ring 5 makes that effortless.
- More Powerful Sensors, Greater Accuracy: The Ring 5 doesn’t just have smaller sensors — it has better ones. Precision-engineered sensor domes sit closer to the skin, eliminating data gaps during movement. Twelve redesigned signal pathways with LEDs up to four times more powerful deliver 12% better overnight HRV accuracy and up to 19–24% better signal quality during activity. You don’t just get data. You get data you can trust.
- 6–9 Days Battery Life — Despite Being Smaller: Fitting a longer-lasting battery into a 40% smaller body is an engineering achievement most companies don’t pull off. The Ring 4 lasted 5–8 days in real-world use. The Ring 5 pushes that to 6–9 days. More tracking, less charging anxiety.
- Blood Pressure Trend Signals: The Ring 5 introduces Blood Pressure Signals — a passive, nighttime blood pressure trend monitor that can flag early warning patterns without a cuff. This is the kind of feature that can genuinely change health outcomes, not just fitness scores.
- IP68 Rated Waterproof to 100 Meters + Tougher Build: Both rings handle water, but the Ring 5 carries a certified IP68 rating and a Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) scratch-resistant coating that keeps it looking newer for longer. Pools, saunas, ocean swims — no hesitation.
- Optional 1-Month Wireless Charging Case + Locate Feature: The new $99 charging case holds a full month of battery power and charges wirelessly. The Ring 5 also includes a Locate feature to find a misplaced ring or case via the app. Small details that make daily life measurably easier.
Detailed Comparison & Recommendation
| Feature | Oura Ring 4 | Oura Ring 5 | Which Is Best & Why? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 7.99mm wide, 2.88mm thick | 6.09mm wide, 2.28mm thick | Ring 5 — 40% smaller, feels like real jewelry |
| Weight | 3.3–5.2g | From 2g | Ring 5 — significantly lighter |
| Sensor Accuracy | 18 signal pathways | 12 stronger pathways + powerful LEDs | Ring 5 — 12–24% better signal quality |
| Battery Life | 5–8 days (real-world) | 6–9 days | Ring 5 — longer, despite smaller body |
| Waterproofing | Water resistant, 100m | IP68 certified, 100m | Ring 5 — formally certified |
| Blood Pressure Signals | ✗ | ✓ (nighttime trend monitoring) | Ring 5 — meaningful health upgrade |
| Scratch Resistance | Standard titanium | PVD-coated titanium | Ring 5 — stays looking new longer |
| Wireless Charging Case | ✗ (puck charger only) | Optional $99 (1-month battery) | Ring 5 — game-changer for travel |
| Locate Feature | ✗ | ✓ | Ring 5 — never lose your ring again |
| Sleep / HRV / SpO2 Tracking | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| App & Readiness Score | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Subscription Required | $5.99/mo | $5.99/mo | Tie |
| Starting Price | $349 | $399 | Ring 4 — more affordable entry point |
| Recommended Best Seller | Check Ring 4 Price | Check Ring 5 Price | Best Seller Ring 5 Deal |
What Is the Major Difference Between Oura Ring 4 and Ring 5?
- Size Is the Story: The Ring 4 was already slim. The Ring 5 is 40% smaller — which sounds like a number until you put it on your finger and realize it feels like a wedding band, not a wearable. For something you’re supposed to wear every hour of every day, that distinction is everything.
- Sensors That Work Harder: The Ring 4 used 18 signal pathways. The Ring 5 uses 12 — but each one is stronger, better positioned, and makes more consistent contact with your skin. Fewer pathways, more powerful signals, better results. Oura claims 12% better HRV accuracy overnight and up to 24% better signal quality during movement. That’s not marketing — it’s what more accurate data looks like in practice.
- Blood Pressure Signals: The Ring 4 doesn’t have it. The Ring 5 does. Passive, overnight blood pressure trend monitoring that could catch patterns a cuff would miss. For anyone with cardiovascular concerns or who simply wants a more complete health picture, this alone moves the needle.
⏱ Check Oura Ring 5 Limited Time Deal Here
What Users Are Saying About Oura Ring 4 vs Ring 5
| Aspect | Oura Ring 4 Feedback | Oura Ring 5 Feedback |
|---|---|---|
| Comfort | “Barely notice it during sleep” | “Forgot I was even wearing it — feels like a normal ring” |
| Accuracy | “Sleep tracking changed how I approach recovery” | “HRV data feels more consistent, especially on active days” |
| Battery Life | “Lasts close to a week with normal use” | “5 days in and still at 25% — impressive given the size” |
| Design | “Looks professional enough to wear anywhere” | “Finally looks like actual jewelry — not a tech gadget” |
| Water Use | “Worn it swimming without issues” | “Wore it diving — not a second of worry” |
| Health Insights | “Readiness score genuinely helps me train smarter” | “Blood pressure signals added something I wasn’t expecting to care about — but now I do” |
| Overall Value | “Best wearable I’ve owned” | “Worth the $50 premium — the size difference alone justifies it” |
| Recommended Best Seller | Check Ring 4 Price | Check Ring 5 Price |
Fair Advice to Consider
- Choose Oura Ring 4 if you already own it and are satisfied — most major software features (Health Radar, live activity, GLP-1 insights) are rolling out to Ring 4 as free updates, so you’re not missing much unless you want the hardware upgrades. Also a strong choice if budget matters and you’re new to Oura at $349.
- Choose Oura Ring 5 if you’re buying new, upgrading from an older Oura, or simply want the most capable, comfortable, and future-proof smart ring available. The size reduction, sensor improvements, blood pressure signals, and tougher build are hardware-only advantages the Ring 4 will never receive via software.
Quick Comparison
| Highlight | Oura Ring 4 | Oura Ring 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | 7.99mm wide | 6.09mm wide — 40% smaller |
| Sensor System | 18 pathways | 12 stronger pathways + powerful LEDs |
| Battery Life | 5–8 days | 6–9 days |
| Waterproofing | Water resistant | IP68 certified, 100m |
| Blood Pressure | ✗ | ✓ Nighttime trend signals |
| Scratch Resistance | Standard titanium | PVD-coated titanium |
| Wireless Charging Case | ✗ | Optional ($99) |
| Locate Feature | ✗ | ✓ |
| Starting Price | $349 | $399 |
| Best For | Budget-conscious buyers / current Ring 4 owners | New buyers wanting the best hardware available |
| Price | Check Ring 4 Lowest Price | Check Ring 5 Lowest Price |
Quick Summary
Both the Oura Ring 4 and Ring 5 track sleep, recovery, HRV, heart rate, SpO2, body temperature, and activity with the same intelligent Oura platform behind them. The Ring 4 remains one of the best smart rings ever made — and Ring 4 owners will receive most of the new software features for free. But the Ring 5 is a different physical object: 40% smaller, meaningfully more accurate during movement, longer-lasting on a single charge, IP68 certified, blood-pressure-aware, and built to look like actual jewelry. If you’re buying new — start here. The Ring 5 isn’t just a better tracker. It’s a better experience.
FAQs
Do both rings track sleep, HRV, and readiness? Yes — both use the full Oura platform for sleep staging, heart rate variability, readiness scores, SpO2, body temperature, and activity tracking. The core tracking experience is the same on both.
Will Ring 4 owners get the new software features? Yes — Health Radar, live activity tracking, nighttime breathing trends, and GLP-1 insights are rolling out to Ring 4 and Gen 3 via software update. Hardware upgrades (size, sensors, battery, blood pressure signals) are exclusive to the Ring 5.
Is the Ring 5 waterproof? The Ring 5 is IP68 certified and waterproof to 100 meters — pools, oceans, saunas, showers, all covered without hesitation.
Is the $50 price difference worth it? For a new buyer: yes. The size reduction alone — which determines how consistently you actually wear it — justifies the gap. Add better sensors, longer battery, blood pressure signals, and tougher build, and the Ring 5 is simply the better long-term investment.
What’s the Oura membership cost? Both rings require an Oura Membership for full functionality: $5.99/month or $69.99/year. The ring, case, and membership are all HSA/FSA eligible.
Final Verdict
The Oura Ring 4 set the benchmark. The Ring 5 moves it. You get the same platform, the same intelligent insights, the same seamless daily tracking. But the Ring 5 delivers all of that in a form factor that genuinely looks and feels like a ring — not a tracker in disguise. The engineering alone is impressive: 40% smaller body, longer battery, stronger sensors, tougher coating, blood pressure signals, and a wireless charging case option that makes travel effortless.
If you already own a Ring 4 and it fits well and you’re happy — keep it. The software update brings most of what’s new to you for free. But if you’re starting fresh, upgrading from a Gen 3, or simply want the hardware that Oura built its entire next chapter around — the Ring 5 is the one worth choosing. It’s the ring you’ll still be reaching for years from now.
Check Oura Ring 5 Best Deal Here →