Wherever I go, whatever I do, people point at my finger and ask, “Is that an Oura Ring?” Lots of people find they like the design, and they tell me why they’re thinking about switching to a smart ring from a smartwatch. But the people who scrunch up their noses? They usually say something along the lines of, “Hm. Maybe when it’s lighter or smaller.”
Good news. The newly announced $399 Oura Ring 5 is both. It’s 40 percent smaller than the Oura Ring 4, measuring 6.09mm wide (down from 7.9mm) and 2.29mm thick (down from 2.88mm). Depending on the size, it weighs from 2 to 2.69g. You’d think it might be hard to notice much a difference between the Oura Ring 4 and 5 — two very small wearables. But slipping the Oura Ring 5 off a ring stand and into my palm? It’s immediately noticeable. On my finger, it’s slimmer, too.
The design doesn’t look that different, though Oura told me in a press briefing that it was reengineered to include stronger LEDs and optimized battery life that can last for six to nine days. (Alas, petite-fingered friends: Larger rings always have longer battery life.) The ring itself is titanium and IP68 weather resistant, and the coating is reportedly less scratch-prone than previous models. (Though I will be the judge of that in testing. I will never forget how deeply I was burned by the rose gold Oura Ring Gen 3.) The optional charging case now also holds five full charges and works with wireless chargers. There’s also a new “deep rose” color, which is more of a coppery rose gold than pink.
The Oura Ring 5's internal components have been redesigned to accommodate stronger LEDs without increasing the overall footprint. This reengineering allows for more accurate readings, particularly in challenging conditions such as during sleep or while moving. The battery life improvement is notable, as previous generations often required charging every four to five days. Now, users can expect six to nine days of use, depending on size and activity level. The charging case itself has been upgraded to hold five full charges, a significant improvement over the previous case that held three. Additionally, the case now supports Qi wireless charging, making it easier to top up without cables.
There are a few disappointments. As with the Oura Ring 4, the company is recommending that people seeking to upgrade double-check their size with a new sizing kit. Because of the redesigned components, people can get stuck with an “in-between” ring size, which may require going larger or smaller to be more comfortable. Also, while the Oura Ring 4 was available in sizes 4 to 15, the Oura Ring 5 will only come in sizes 6 to 13. At my briefing, I was told that’s because the Oura Ring 4 isn’t that old yet (it launched at the end of 2024) and the company is still figuring out how much demand there is for the newer sizes. Another bummer: There’s no ceramic option yet.
Alongside the hardware, Oura is also announcing a ton of new software updates today. Building on Symptom Radar, which detects early health changes, the company is launching something called Health Radar. This suite of features includes nighttime blood pressure and nighttime breathing trends, the ability to import medical records, and a partnership with Council AI for a medical chatbot. (The latter two features require you to participate in the experimental Oura Labs beta testing feature.) The idea is that Health Radar will flag when a significant change happens in your health without having you look at each metric separately every day.
Health Radar represents a major shift in how Oura conceptualizes health tracking. Instead of requiring users to manually interpret individual metrics like heart rate variability, body temperature, and sleep stages, the system uses machine learning to correlate changes across multiple data points. For example, if your resting heart rate increases, sleep quality declines, and respiratory rate rises, Health Radar might flag a potential illness before symptoms appear. This proactive approach is similar to what some smartwatches offer, but Oura aims to do it with less data input and less daily friction.
For folks interested in metabolic health, Oura is also adding GLP-1 insights and lab uploads. At my briefing, I was told the GLP-1 insights are meant to help users keep track of their dosages, monitor changes and side effects, and get a sense of what’s normal regarding how the medication may affect their metrics. For example, GLP-1s can cause a mild increase in resting heart rate. Lab uploads will allow Oura users to directly import test results into the app and chat with Oura’s AI chatbot about the findings. (As always, an obligatory reminder that most AI health features are capable of hallucinations and poor advice, so it’s a bad idea to think this can replace your doctor.)
The GLP-1 feature arrives at a time when demand for these medications is skyrocketing. Many users of weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy report changes in their biometrics that they don't fully understand. Oura's tool aims to provide a framework for understanding these changes, offering visualizations and educational content. The lab upload integration goes a step further, allowing users to compare their blood work with their daily trends. For instance, if your cholesterol panel shows an increase, the app might correlate that with changes in diet or activity patterns recorded by the ring. Council AI's medical chatbot is designed to answer questions based on the user's data, but Oura explicitly warns that it is not a diagnostic tool.
Fitness-wise, live activity tracking is also improving in the Oura app. You’ll now be able to pair a third-party heart rate monitor to the Oura app, as well as view various real-time metrics. And similar to other big-name health tech companies, Oura is launching a new research study called the Brain Health Study. Users can opt in to share their data as Oura studies how metrics correlate to cognitive performance.
The ability to pair a chest strap or armband heart rate monitor is a welcome addition, as the optical sensor on the ring is not as accurate during intense exercise as dedicated sensors. This feature opens up the Oura app to athletes who want more precise data for their workouts. Real-time metrics during an activity will include heart rate zone information, pace, and estimated calorie burn. The Brain Health Study is a long-term initiative that will collect data from thousands of participants to understand how sleep, activity, and stress impact mental clarity and memory. This research could lead to future features like cognitive load alerts or personalized schedules for peak mental performance.
All of this is pretty sensitive information, and given Oura’s controversy last year over its Palantir partnership, the company says it’ll now give users expanded options for deleting their data. A new feature called Time-based Data Deletion will allow users to erase their information from a specific window of time should they wish.
The Palantir controversy erupted when it was revealed that Oura had shared anonymized data with the data analytics firm known for working with government agencies. Oura later clarified that the partnership was limited and that users could opt out, but the damage to trust was done. With Time-based Data Deletion, Oura is hoping to rebuild that trust by giving users granular control over their information. For example, a user could choose to delete all data from a specific vacation without affecting their long-term trends. This feature is part of a broader privacy overhaul that includes clearer consent menus and a dedicated privacy dashboard.
The Oura Ring 5 is available for preorder from Oura, Amazon, Walmart, and other retailers today, starting at $399 for the black and silver colors and $499 for the rest of the colors. It’s expected to ship June 4th. The Brain Health Study is live starting today. The rest of the software updates will roll out in June.
Pricing for the Oura Ring 5 remains competitive with its predecessor, though the new per-color pricing model means non-standard finishes cost an extra $100. The black and silver options, which are the most popular, hold at $399. The deep rose, brushed titanium, and stealth finishes cost $499. The charging case is sold separately for $99, but it's included with the ring in a bundle at launch. Early adopters should note that the ring requires a subscription to Oura's premium service, which costs $5.99 per month after a six-month trial. This subscription unlocks the majority of the software features, including Health Radar and GLP-1 insights. Without it, users get basic sleep and activity tracking.
Oura has come a long way since its first generation launched in 2015. The original ring was bulky, had limited battery life, and tracked only sleep. Over the years, the company has added activity tracking, heart rate monitoring, blood oxygen sensing, and menstruation tracking. The Oura Ring 4, released in late 2024, introduced a ceramic option and improved sensors. With the Oura Ring 5, the focus is on refinement and software intelligence rather than radical hardware changes. The new form factor addresses the most common complaint from potential buyers: that the ring was too large and heavy for everyday wear. By making it smaller and lighter, Oura is removing a barrier that kept many people from trying a smart ring.
In the broader wearable market, smart rings are gaining traction as alternatives to smartwatches. Companies like Samsung, Ultrahuman, and RingConn have entered the space, but Oura remains the most well-known brand. The company has a strong partnership with the NFL and other sports organizations, which provides credibility for its health claims. The addition of Health Radar and GLP-1 insights positions Oura as a device for both general wellness and specific medical management. However, it's important to note that the ring is not a medical device and should not replace professional care. Oura's marketing materials consistently include disclaimers, but the line between wellness and medical advice can blur.
Ultimately, the Oura Ring 5 is a compelling update for existing users who have been waiting for a smaller design, and for newcomers who want a discreet health tracker. The software features, especially Health Radar and the ability to import lab results, add significant value. The time-based data deletion shows that Oura is listening to privacy concerns. Whether the ring can maintain its lead over competitors will depend on how well these new features work in real-world use. I'll be testing the Oura Ring 5 in the coming weeks to see if the promises hold up.
Photography by Victoria Song / The Verge
Source: The Verge News