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As much as I love visiting new places—and I really do love it—nothing disrupts my healthy habits quite like travel. Going on a trip often means taking a red-eye or navigating a time zone change that disturbs my sleep schedule; a change in my typical diet; and a whole lot of pre-travel stress. This doesn't mean I'm going to cut back on travel or skip the gelato when I'm in Florence, but it does mean I'm eager to find ways to make staying on top of my health easier when I travel and when I return home, too. Enter: the popular Oura Ring.
You may have seen it worn by a friend who loves to run, or perhaps you've seen a screenshot on social media of someone bragging about their near-perfect Sleep Score. Maybe that sparked enough interest for you to look up the smart ring for yourself. If so, you've seen its hefty price tag. Yep, that high-tech ring is upwards of $400 (some colorways are slightly less). I, too, was curious—is the Oura Ring worth it? Could it actually help me stay on track of my goals both day to day and when I travel? After months of wearing the gold Oura Ring Gen 3 everywhere, from summer road trips and long walks in my neighborhood to workout classes and even at home cleaning my apartment, I can unfortunately tell you that yes, it really is worth it.
What is it?
The Oura Ring is a smart ring you can wear all day and night to collect data on over 20 biometrics that impact your overall wellbeing. All that data is available for you to view on the Oura app. It was designed in Finland, rooted in Nordic wellness principles that are all about balance. Oura helps wearers build a healthier, less stressed-out lifestyle in a way that's completely personalized. While wearing the Oura Ring and checking the app has become a part of my daily routine, I am most grateful for it when I'm traveling.
How does it work?
The tech-forward ring is best known for its ability to track your Sleep Score, but its capabilities go far beyond just that. There are a few key areas the Oura Ring monitors: sleep, activity, heart rate and stress, and readiness. While you're snoozing, the Oura Ring tracks metrics like your total sleep, time spent in bed, sleep efficiency, and resting heart rate, all of which factor into your overall Sleep Score. This is my favorite feature—I quickly became obsessed with checking my Sleep Score each morning and trying to improve my score each night. That meant getting into bed earlier, at around the same time each night, and reducing anything that could negatively impact my sleep, like alcohol, sugar, or stress. In the app, you can see more cool info about your sleep, too, like how long you were in a REM cycle and at what times you woke up during the night. Monitoring my Sleep Score has helped me form much healthier nighttime habits, and I like that I can check them every morning, whether I'm at home or abroad. It sort of gamifys your health (in a good way, for me), and if you're a bit of nerd with data and analytics, you'll very much enjoy checking these insights.
I also like tracking my Activity Score. The Oura Ring counts your steps, walking equivalency, and how many calories you've burned. I've found this to be the most accurate way to keep track of my steps during the day—especially when I'm wandering around a new city or going on a walking tour. After I run on the treadmill or do so much as blow dry my hair, the app recognizes the movement and asks me if I want to log my workout. The Oura Ring also tells you how active you are throughout the day and reminds you to get up and move—particularly useful for those working a desk job like me.
The Readiness tab on the app tracks things like your resting heart rate, body temperature, and respiratory rate. I will note that the ring, which comes with its own charging port, has a fairly generous battery life, but it does need to be regularly charged in order to track daily metrics. I typically have to power it up once every five days or so.
Who is this best for?
It's useful for nearly anyone, regardless of personal goals or age. The Oura Ring can be synced with over 40 other apps, like Apple Health, Google Health Connect, Flo, and Strava. Oura also connects with an app called Natural Cycles, which tracks menstrual cycles and ovulation. Whether you're training for your first marathon, aiming to get better sleep, or trying to start a family, the Oura Ring can help you reach those goals. Given all its unique magic, the Oura Ring also makes a thoughtful gift for anyone on your holiday list. Whether you're shopping for the tech-obsessed, the fitness guru, or the homebody, this smart ring will become a part of their everyday life—and they'll definitely be thanking you.
How about its looks?
It's a pretty thick ring, similar to a wedding band, so if you prefer dainty, more understated jewelry, it might not be your style. I actually don't mind the thickness of it—it feels very lightweight and I usually forget I'm wearing it. (For what it's worth, I have heard friends say it's easier to wear and more stylish than a smart watch.) It's otherwise pretty simple in design and looks quite sleek. The one complaint I often hear from my fellow Oura Ring wearers is that they don't love wearing it on their pointer finger. I think that makes it appear a little bigger than it actually is. I wear mine on my middle finger (the pointer finger is most recommended, followed by your middle finger), and think it actually helps slim my fingers that way. There are plenty of colorways to choose from, so it really is something anyone can wear every day. Beyond gold, it comes in silver, black, rose gold, brushed titanium, and stealth.
Another pro of the ring is that it's waterproof, so you can wear it in a pool or doing any kind of water activity without hesitation. I don't personally shower or swim with it, but I do wash my hands regularly while wearing it and have never had any problems. I'm also not the most gentle with it (whoops) and have definitely dropped it and banged it against things by mistake—and somehow, it still looks almost brand new, with only a few minor scratches, after six months. Each Oura Ring is made from aerospace-grade titanium, which helps it to be durable and long-lasting.
What about sizing?
It's important to have a well-fitting ring to get the most accurate metrics and the most comfort. If you're not sure what size you are, select that you'd like to receive a free sizing kit upon checking out. If you're purchasing on Amazon, you can buy a sizing kit there for $10, and receive a $10 Amazon credit toward your Oura Ring purchase. The sizing kit features several plastic ring sizers that you can help you determine what size is best for you. As previously mentioned, Oura recommends wearing the ring on your index finger, but it works on all fingers. The brand doesn't offer half sizes, but the plastic ring sizers will help you decide if you should order a smaller or larger one if you're in between sizes. Once you've tested it out and found the right size, log in to your account and confirm your size with Oura.
What's new about Oura Ring Gen 4?
The newest model of the Oura Ring, Gen 4, made its debut in October 2024. The upgraded version is available in more sizes (4–12) and in six colors: gold, rose gold, brushed silver, silver, stealth, and an updated black finish that features a glossy PVD coating for improved durability. As for the ring itself, the Oura Ring 4 is built with Smart Sensing technology, increasing the ring's sensors and ability to find the best signal path, which in turn also improves battery life.
The final verdict:
I love my Oura Ring. It has improved my daily habits and helped me become a more mindful traveler. I've accepted that my Sleep Score will probably never be as high when I'm in a different city as it is when I'm at home, but it has reminded me to prioritize rest always—even on a busy travel day. If I wake up to a less-than-ideal Sleep Score, I try to go easy on myself and make sure I add in time to recharge throughout the day. It's also been great to track my steps while I'm exploring a new place, so even when I'm not logging workouts at the gym, I can add all that walking toward my daily movement.
Given its price point, it's a perfect gift if you want to spoil someone on your list. And thanks to Cyber Week deals, the smart ring is currently on sale, making now a great time to snag it.
