5 things I wish I would have known before I bought an Oura -ring

No one got down on one knee to present the Oura ring to me – I fell in love with the device on my own. A subtle, jewelry inspired Fitness Tracker Without a distracting screen and with fantastic battery life? Sold. But while I love my Oura Ring 4 For many reasons, there are a few things (good and bad) I wish I had known in advance.

When I first met the Oura ring in 2021, I was excited to dive in. After using the size set, then my new smart Finally, I came, I felt that Cinderella was trying on her glass. I couldn’t wait to start tracking my health data. However, I did not understand how long it would take to establish meaningful base lines.

Unlike most wrist -based wearables, many smart rings require several weeks to collect enough data to offer valuable insights. When it comes to Our Ring 4, this means waiting to access functions such as chronot type and guidance of bedtime. The possible analysis is worth waiting for, but the delay is something you need to consider when choosing a laptop. If you have a deadline and look for instant use from your laptop, our our ring will track the basics (sleepHeart rate, etc.) from Get-Go, but the true strength of the platform takes time to shine.

Without a screen or haptics, Oura Ring does not offer 4 feedback on devices. It is not as functional as wearables that show notifications or statistics in real time. You certainly do not get the instant satisfaction you will get from a Smartwatch with rings to close. As I knew this was going in, I didn’t realize how much I would miss checking my statistics without pulling out my phone. I constantly wish I could check the time at an instant (again, without taking out my phone).

For some, the lack of viewing may be appealing – another Oura user here at Android Authority Rarely check her statistics unless something feels like, which can be liberating. A smart ring is the ultimate “Set-and-Jem” well-being tracker. For me, however, it is cumbersome to trust the companion app.

Many wrist -based wearables focus strongly on activity data. From counting steps to tracking calories to grinding out training statistics, most of my devices are performance -driven. I am constantly trying to rage a pace or hit the Move Minutes goal. In the meantime, Oura takes a more comprehensive view of your general health. It captures quiet data related to everything from sleep quality and activity to heartbeat and temperature, and then digests the information behind the scenes to provide insight into how your body acts as a whole. It is both extensive and adaptable properties that made us dub the device the kindest smart ring we have tested.

For training enthusiasts that rely on detailed training data and sports-specific tracking, our our ring can fall short. It does not offer advanced training features such as heart rate zones or GPS data, which means that it is not the best choice for those seeking in-depth conditioning statistics. It automatically detects a few activities, but requires confirmation in the app in a short period of time, making it easy to lose activity.

Oura ring is elegant, lightweight and generally discreet but I have found myself removing it far more often than I expected. Activities such as weight lifting, tennis or rowing ask me to take it off because gripping handles are quite unpleasant. I also go well while swimming and surfing, as I don’t trust the $ 400 device to keep my finger in open water (and don’t want to search for it on the seabed).

In other words, while smart rings are exceptionally comfortable for sleep tracking and exercises such as running, the form factor is not always ideal. I was also really disappointed that Oura Ring 4 is not slimmer this generation. Similarly, Oura Ring 4 is durable, but it is still exposed to scratches and damage. Indeed patinas fairly quickly, and in my experience scratches easier than Samsung Galaxy Ring.

The our ring elaborated on my gratitude for my smart watch. I now want the screen -based features I once took for granted, from basic timers and alarms to a complex third -party app library. I knew that my smart ring would not offer a screen; I just didn’t understand how much can bother me.

Conversely, I wish I knew how hard it would be to go back to a smartwatch’s limited battery life. Oura Ring 4 boasts an 8-day battery life claim, and sets most smart watches to complete shame. Instead of recharging my watch every night before bed, I can walk days without thinking about my ring at all. And when I collect Z -er, the ring is significantly more comfortable.

Overall, the Oura ring offers a unique and subtle tracking experience focusing on holistic health instead of minute-by-minute statistics. I love Oura Ring 4, but it’s not for everyone. If you trust constant access to notifications, statistics or specific training tracking, it can feel limiting. However, subtlety, extended battery life and a comprehensive approach to health tracking, makes Oura call a powerful alternative for the right audience.