Check out our full Oura Ring 4 review.
Who it’s for:
Known for its sleep tracking features — including a negative temperature coefficient sensor that scans while you snooze — the Oura Ring 4 is a low-profile fitness tracker that gives users in-depth info about their sleep, workouts, recovery, mindfulness, and more. Former Mashable Tech Editor Kimberly Gedeon gave the Oura Ring a 4.5 out of 5 on the Mashable scale, reporting that it’s a fantastic alternative fitness tracker as long as you’re using an iOS-compatible device. “Although I adore the Oura Ring 4, my recommendation is dependent on which device you have. I’ve tested the Oura Ring 4 on both my Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra as well as the iPhone 16 Pro Max — and this beastly little wearable appears to be more compatible with one over the other,” she wrote. Come for the meaningful, accurate tracking metrics, and stay for that stunning metallic finish (which stood the test of time way better than the Oura Ring 3, which very quickly scratched up).
Why we picked this:
The Oura Ring 4 has plenty of style, but thankfully, it’s also got a lot of substance. Because it uses your finger’s pulse to track your heart rate rather than your wrist like most other fitness wearables, you end up getting much more direct and accurate metric tracking altogether — whether you’re crushing a workout or fast asleep. “My Oura Ring 4 is still ‘figuring me out,'” Gedeon wrote. “But based on what it knows of me so far, it’s done an impressive job. For example, it can pick up on my stress quite well — showing an uptick of anxiety during work hours and more relaxed readings after hours while I’m watching Love Island USA on Peacock with my fiance.”
Perhaps the most impressive feature of the Oura Ring 4, though, is the built-in AI advisor that can contextualize your tracking data for you and can give suggestions to help you become an overall healthier individual. “The AI advisor accurately pointed out that I have challenges with sleep, with a bad habit of going to sleep too late. Plus, it said that I have high activity levels, but being more consistent would be helpful,” Gedeon reported.
While we obviously loved our time with the Oura Ring 4, there is one caveat: It’s at its best when paired with an iPhone rather than an Android device. Gedeon tested the wearable using both types of smartphones, and said that the Oura experience was way more seamless and bug-free on iOS. Also, be aware that you’ll have to pay a $6 monthly fee once you get your Oura Ring 4 to use the device to its full potential. “Overall, the Oura Ring 4 is a wellness powerhouse with a sleek design and cutting-edge AI that takes personalized health tracking to the next level,” Gedeon concluded in her review.
Oura also claims it can tell users when they’re getting sick before symptoms even show up, and says it can predict menstrual cycles accurately based on temperature variability. Though Mashable staff hasn’t tested those last two features, Oura is definitely at the top of its game when it comes to wellness and prediction features.
