Oura Ring 5 Review: Slimmer, Lighter, Superior

Opening the packaging for the Oura Ring 5, my initial reaction was, “It’s incredibly small.” That quickly gave way to the realization that this is the smart ring many consumers have been anticipating. Having grown accustomed to the Oura Ring 4 Ceramic, I was struck by just how much more compact and lightweight the new Ring 5 is. Marketed by Oura as the world’s smallest smart ring, the new model boasts dimensions that are 40% smaller than its predecessor. It measures 6.09 mm in width and 2.28 mm in thickness, a significant reduction from the Ring 4’s 7.90 mm width and 2.88 mm thickness. While the exact weight varies by size, the Ring 5 ranges from 2 to 2.69 grams, whereas the Ring 4 weighed between 3.3 and 5.2 grams.

These physical changes have dramatically enhanced comfort and aesthetics. The Ring 5 no longer announces itself as a piece of technology; instead, it integrates seamlessly with other jewelry. Oura designed the device to mimic the look and feel of traditional rings, a goal they appear to have successfully met. Priced starting at $399, the Ring 5 aims to bridge the gap between two distinct user groups. Historically, opinions on Oura’s devices have been polarized: some users claim the technology transformed their lives, while others rejected them as too bulky. The Ring 5 seeks to attract a broader audience, including those who previously avoided smart rings due to their size. Oura acknowledged this demand, noting that customers had explicitly requested a thinner, more compact design. Additionally, the update responds to competitive pressure from subscription-free alternatives like RingConn and Ultrahuman, which offer lighter options than the Ring 4.

While the Ring 4 was never uncomfortable, the Ring 5 offers a superior wearing experience. With the previous model, I was constantly aware of its presence, but the new design allows me to forget it is there—a significant benefit for those who do not regularly wear jewelry. The reduced profile also makes it ideal for sleep tracking, offering even less interference than a smartwatch during the night.

Battery performance has also seen an upgrade. The Ring 5 provides six to nine days of use, up from the Ring 4’s five to eight days. In my testing, the device arrived with a 50% charge. After roughly 30 minutes of charging post-setup, it reached 75%. After five days of continuous wear, the battery remained at approximately 25%, confirming the longevity claims. However, potential buyers should note that the Ring 5 is available in fewer sizes (6 to 13) compared to the Ring 4 (4 to 15). Oura explained that manufacturing constraints in the new form factor led them to prioritize the most popular sizes, though they are monitoring demand for the discontinued options.

The Ring 5 is available in six finishes: Silver, Brushed Silver, Black, Stealth, an updated Deep Rose with a copper-like appearance, and a redesigned Gold with a truer hue. I reviewed the Gold version and found it visually appealing. Unlike earlier gold models that had a yellow tint, this new finish has a subtler tone that resembles authentic gold jewelry. Notably, the Gold, Stealth, and Deep Rose finishes are priced at $499, which is $100 more than the standard options. Regarding durability, Oura states that a new finishing technique makes the Ring 5 more scratch-resistant than previous generations. However, since I have only used the device for five days, I cannot yet provide a long-term assessment of its resilience.

Source: TechCrunch Generated at: 2026-06-04 12:00:00 UTC