Oura Ring 3 vs. Oura Ring 4: I’ve tested both smart rings, and here’s the one to buy in 2026

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Contemplating shopping for an Oura Ring to trace your sleep, exercise, or stress? It’s possible you’ll be weighing between the ever-popular Oura Ring 3, and its successor, the Oura Ring 4.

Additionally: I in contrast this subscription-free sensible ring to my Oura and this is the way it fared

I examined each sensible rings over the previous two years, and might confidently say that the newest Oura Ring 4 is a powerful and well-designed sensible ring that blows its rivals (and even the Ring 3) out of the water.

However does that imply you should purchase the newer Ring 4 as an alternative of the inexpensive Ring 3 that is incessantly on sale? All of it depends upon what options you prioritize in a sensible ring. I break down the variations under. 

Specs

You should purchase the Oura Ring 4 if…

1. You prioritize consolation 

One of many highlights of the brand new Oura Ring 4 is its sensible sensors. Oura Ring 4’s sensible sensing expertise makes use of 18 sign pathways, in comparison with the Oura Ring 3’s eight, to seize extra correct information with fewer gaps. 

So, what does that must do with consolation? These sensible sensors permit the raised sensor domes that stick out on the Oura Ring 3’s inside to flatten and recede on the Oura Ring 4 for a extra snug and fewer constrictive put on. I wore the Oura Ring 3 for round eight months, and one of many few gripes I had with it was that the three domes would cling to the within of my finger, leading to dents that remained on my pores and skin for days after. 

Additionally: I examined the Oura Ring 4 for weeks. This is why it is one of the best well being tracker proper now

The Oura Ring 4 is way extra snug than the Oura Ring 3 because of the receded sensible sensing expertise. It is noticeably slimmer on the within and outdoors, leading to a lighter really feel. If you’re extra delicate to wrist- or finger-worn well being trackers and get simply irritated by jewellery, I might counsel the Oura Ring 4. 

2. You need a smaller or bigger ring measurement 

Expanded sizing is among the main {hardware} upgrades that got here with the Oura Ring 4. The place the Oura Ring 3 provides sizes six by way of 13, the Oura Ring 4 provides sizes 4 by way of 15. That is 4 extra sizes on the bigger and smaller ends of the spectrum. In the event you could not purchase the Oura Ring 3 as a result of the out there sizes did not suit your finger, the Oura Ring 4 would possibly fit your needs higher. 

3. You need a longer battery life 

The Oura Ring 3 boasts a battery lifetime of as much as seven days, although I usually get round 4. The newer Oura Ring 4 boasts a battery lifetime of as much as 8 days, however throughout my testing, I obtained round 5.5. 

In the event you incessantly overlook to cost your tech and need a sensible ring you could put on for a number of days with out worrying about, then I might suggest the Oura Ring 4. If you’re adamant about every day charging, nevertheless, I might suggest the Oura Ring 3.    

You should purchase the Oura Ring 3 if…

1. You are in it for the software program

Many of the software program updates that got here to the Oura Ring 4 additionally can be found on the Oura Ring 3. That features computerized coronary heart charge monitoring throughout exercises, the Oura app redesign, upgraded daytime stress options that assist contextualize your physiological stress, and plenty of new Oura Labs options you possibly can take a look at out, like meal logging. 

Automated coronary heart charge monitoring continues Oura’s mission of autonomously logging well being information with little help from the ring wearer. Which means, on prime of the automated exercise detection characteristic, the Oura Ring now can monitor and file your coronary heart charge throughout these actions with out you clicking on the File exercise HR button. 

Additionally: I examined the Oura Ring 3 — and it completely beat my Apple Watch

Oura upgraded its daytime stress characteristic by implementing the every day tags individuals use to doc their meals, exercises, sicknesses, and moods onto the daytime stress timeline. As an instance you simply had an argument with a coworker and discover that your coronary heart charge is elevated. In the event you log that within the app, it’s going to embrace that tag into the daytime stress timeline. 

Lastly, there are a number of experimental options Oura Ring 3 customers can reap the benefits of by way of Oura Labs, which can also be out there on each rings. One in every of my favourite options I examined was the meal-logging characteristic that makes use of your digital camera and AI to doc what you are consuming (and when). 

The AI was in a position to detect that I used to be consuming yogurt with berries and bananas one morning, regardless of the yogurt being absolutely picked over and blended with the opposite components. 

2. You do not need to spend more cash 

You possibly can typically discover the Oura Ring 3 on sale at varied retailers. The third-generation sensible ring has been on sale since Oura unveiled a more moderen era. If a beginning worth of $350 (plus that $6 month-to-month subscription to entry all of your information) is a bit an excessive amount of for you, the Oura Ring 3 is considerably cheaper. 

3. Consolation is not a priority

In the event you personal an Oura Ring 3 and are not bothered by the raised sensors or the chunkier construct, I do not see a have to improve to the Oura Ring 4. In the event you do not personal both ring and try to make a shopping for choice, I might suggest the Oura Ring 3 in case you are unbothered by a good and raised dome round your finger. 

Options to think about