If you are checking an Oura Ring 5 review here, you probably fit one of two groups: new users seeking a smartwatch substitute, or current Oura owners considering an update. For newcomers, this serves as a solid everyday health monitor and the top smart ring available, though it may not suit those focused on detailed fitness metrics. For existing users, skipping the upgrade makes sense.

The Oura Ring 4 arrived under two years ago, with the ceramic edition following less than a year later. Both brought notable sensor and software gains over the Gen 3 model. The Ring 5 focuses mainly on looks and offers a smaller, lighter take on the Ring 4. Sensors and battery performance stay comparable, while new software tools remain open to prior models. The compact build reflects clever engineering, yet it does not justify the minimum $399 cost for most owners whose current ring performs well, especially alongside the ongoing $6 monthly fee.

Verge Score

$399

The Good

Thinner, lightweight design
Metal finish is more durable
Lots of software updates
Case now supports wireless charging
Battery life is solid

The Bad

We are approaching data overload
The smallest and biggest sizes are not available
Really wish this came in ceramic
The charging case is sold separately

Still unsure? Additional points explain why an upgrade is unnecessary. Unless a larger ring feels awkward on smaller fingers, the size shift is not dramatic. If your current ring shows heavy wear, the ceramic Ring 4 remains a better pick. The Ring 5 holds up better than the standard Ring 4 but still picked up minor marks after roughly six weeks of use. If funds allow through FSA or HSA accounts, feel free to choose what suits you. With app support for multiple rings, switching between devices is simple and avoids turning older units into waste.

The Oura Ring 4 in ceramic (top), Oura Ring 5 (center) and the regular Oura Ring 4.

One hardware concern involves sizing options. The Ring 5 skips sizes 4, 5, 14, and 15. Oura cites ongoing demand checks after the Ring 4 expansion. This limits access for some users and reinforces that core functions overlap heavily with the prior model. The lack of a ceramic finish also stands out as a missed option.

Sizing smart rings can be tricky since fingers change with swelling or weight shifts. Testing the latest kit is still wise. After recent weight loss, a size 9 fits the Ring 5 well but sits looser on the Ring 4.

Another issue is the $99 charging case sold apart from the ring. Cases outperform basic docks, particularly with pets around, yet prior case owners must repurchase due to size changes across generations.

Software updates arrive with each new ring. This launch includes GLP-1 Insights, Health Radar that combines Symptom Radar with breathing and blood pressure signals, medical lab imports, options to remove data from set periods, better live activity tracking, and a medical AI chatbot linked to Counsel Health doctors. These tools work across models and stay optional, though they add to app clutter.

GLP-1 Insights
Health Radar, which bundles Symptom Radar with nighttime breathing patterns and blood pressure signals for a more holistic way to flag significant health changes
Medical lab imports
The ability to delete health data from a specific time period
Improved live activity tracking
A medical AI chatbot that can connect you with an actual doctor through Counsel Health

The app once focused on three core scores for activity, readiness, and sleep. New metrics like nighttime breathing now include 30-day patterns and related factors, yet navigation feels buried. Health Radar runs quietly and shows updates on the Today tab, which helps, though no major shifts appeared during testing.

GLP-1 Insights proved handy for dose reminders and symptom tracking, with AI summaries for context. Daily tagging works best for newer users, and unusual effects may lack tailored advice. The medical chatbot offers quick answers better than general searches, with paid doctor access available, yet a trusted primary physician remains ideal for serious needs.

Truly wish the charging case was not sold separately for $99.

Overall, less remains more with Oura. It stays the leading smart ring, especially in hardware. Users often choose rings for simplicity without notifications or excess data. New tools add value for subscribers but increase clutter. Oura once stood out for its focused approach, yet growing features now risk overwhelming the very users who sought relief from data overload.

Agree to Continue: Oura Ring 5

Every smart device now requires you to agree to a series of terms and conditions before you can use it, contracts that no one actually reads. It is impossible for us to read and analyze every single one of these agreements. But we started counting exactly how many times you have to hit agree to use devices when we review them since these are agreements most people do not read and definitely cannot negotiate.

To use an Oura Ring, you must pair it with an iOS or Android smartphone. That includes the phone terms of service, privacy policy, and any other permissions you grant. You may also be asked to share permissions for location data, Bluetooth, etc.

By using the Oura Ring 5, you are agreeing to these mandatory agreements:

There are several optional agreements for health sharing:

If you integrate with Apple Health or Google Fit or third-party apps like Strava, you agree to their terms.
You can select which metrics are shared to or read from Apple Health or Google Fit.
You can agree to import workouts from other apps. If you do, you agree to that app terms as well as Apple Health or Google Fit.
If you choose to use the Oura Ring for digital birth control with Natural Cycles, you will also have to agree to their terms, conditions, and privacy policies.
If you choose to import medical labs, or use the Counsel AI medical chatbot, you also agree to their terms, conditions, and privacy policies.
Choosing to partake in any research studies within the Oura Labs features also means you consent to share your data with Oura for further research.

Final tally: whatever your phone requires, three mandatory Oura policies, and at least four optional agreements for health sharing.

Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.

Victoria Song