Oura Ring 5 vs Oura Ring 4: Is Slimmer Worth $50?

If you’re buying a smart ring today, the Oura Ring 5 is the default pick — it’s newer, lighter, and slimmer. But this is one of those rare generational jumps where the older model didn’t get worse, and in one area it’s actually better. The real question is whether the Ring 5’s comfort gains are worth $50 more and a day less battery.

Key Differences

• Weight: The Ring 5 is 2.3g versus the Ring 4’s 3.3g — roughly 30% lighter on your finger.
• Profile: The Ring 5 slims down to a 6.09mm band; the Ring 4 sits at 7.9mm.
• Battery: The Ring 4 wins here — 8 days versus 7 days for the Ring 5.
• Price: The Ring 5 launched at $399; the Ring 4 launched at $349 and now sells for less.
• Sensors: Effectively identical. Both track heart rate, SpO2, HRV, skin temperature, and movement.

Deep Dive Comparison

Design & Comfort

This is where the Ring 5 earns its keep. Dropping from 3.3g to 2.3g and shaving the band from 7.9mm down to 6.09mm makes a real difference if you wear the ring 24/7 for sleep tracking. People with smaller fingers or anyone who found the Ring 4 a little chunky will notice it immediately. Both rings use a titanium shell, so durability is a wash — the Ring 5 just wears more like jewelry and less like hardware.

Battery Life

Here’s the twist: the newer ring lasts less long. The Ring 4 delivers 192 hours (8 days) on a charge, while the slimmer Ring 5 comes in at 168 hours (7 days). That’s the trade-off Oura made to shrink the battery into a thinner band. It’s not a dealbreaker — a day either way still means you’re only charging once a week — but if squeezing out maximum runtime matters to you, the older model actually holds the edge.

Health & Fitness Features

Functionally, these two rings measure the same things. Both use optical heart rate, SpO2 (blood oxygen), HRV, a skin temperature sensor, and an accelerometer to build out sleep scores, readiness, and activity tracking. Neither has a display or onboard GPS — they lean on your phone for everything visual and location-based. If you’re upgrading a Ring 4 hoping for a new health metric, there isn’t one waiting for you. The data you get is the same.

Smart Features

Don’t expect smartwatch tricks from either. No music, no NFC payments, no screen, no notifications on your finger. Both connect over Bluetooth Low Energy and live inside the Oura app. This is a category defined by what it leaves out — you wear it to sleep and forget it’s there, which is exactly the point.

Price & Value

The Ring 5 launched at $399, a $50 bump over the Ring 4’s $349 launch price. Since the Ring 4 is now the outgoing model, you’ll routinely find it discounted below that figure. Both rings also require the same Oura Membership subscription, so that ongoing cost doesn’t change based on which one you pick. For a new buyer, the $50 premium buys comfort and a slimmer look. For anyone watching their wallet, the Ring 4 is the value play — same sensors, longer battery, lower price.

Technical Specs

Spec	Oura Ring 5	Oura Ring 4
Weight	2.3g	3.3g
Band Width	6.09mm	7.9mm
Case Material	Titanium	Titanium
Water Rating	IP68 (100m)	100 meters
Battery Life	168 hours (7 days)	192 hours (8 days)
Sensors	HR, SpO2, HRV, Skin Temperature, Accelerometer	HR, SpO2, HRV, Temperature, Accelerometer
Display	None (app-based)	None (app-based)
Launch Price	$399	$349

The Verdict

For new buyers, the Oura Ring 5 is the ring to get. The lighter 2.3g weight and slimmer band make it more comfortable for around-the-clock wear, and you get the same complete health-tracking suite. You’re paying $50 more and giving up a day of battery, but comfort is what you feel every night, and that’s worth the premium for most people starting fresh.

Buy the Ring 5 if you’re a first-time smart-ring buyer who wants the slimmest, lightest option and doesn’t mind charging weekly instead of every eight days.

Buy the Ring 4 if you want to save money — it’s the smarter value at its discounted price, and it quietly outlasts the newer model on battery. And if you already own a Ring 4, stay put. The Ring 5 is a comfort refinement, not a feature leap, and there’s no new health data waiting to justify the upgrade.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Oura Ring 5 worth upgrading to if I already own a Ring 4?

No. The Ring 5 is lighter and slimmer, but it tracks the exact same health metrics and actually has slightly shorter battery life. There’s no new sensor or feature that justifies buying a second ring — keep your Ring 4 until it wears out.

Which Oura Ring has better battery life?

The older Ring 4 does, at 8 days versus 7 days for the Ring 5. Oura traded a bit of runtime to make the Ring 5 thinner and lighter. Both still only need charging about once a week, so it’s a minor gap.

Is the Ring 5 worth the extra $50 for a new buyer?

For most people, yes. The Ring 5 costs $399 versus the Ring 4’s $349, and that premium buys a noticeably lighter, slimmer ring you’ll wear 24/7. If budget is tight, the discounted Ring 4 gives you identical health tracking for less.

Do both Oura rings work with iPhone and Android?

Yes. Both the Ring 5 and Ring 4 connect over Bluetooth Low Energy and run through the Oura app, which is available on both iPhone and Android. Neither ring has a display, so your phone handles all the data.

Do I still need the Oura Membership subscription with either ring?

Yes, both rings use the same paid Oura Membership to unlock full scores and insights. That ongoing cost is identical between generations, so it shouldn’t factor into which model you choose.