Oura Ring 4: Ultimate Guide & Review
Discover the latest generation Oura Ring with SpO2 monitoring, improved battery life, and enhanced health tracking capabilities.
Introduction to Oura Ring 4
The Oura Ring 4 represents the pinnacle of smart ring technology, combining elegant design with cutting-edge health monitoring capabilities. As the fourth generation of Oura's innovative wearable, it builds upon the success of previous models while introducing significant new features and improvements.
The most notable addition in Oura Ring 4 is SpO2 (blood oxygen saturation) monitoring, which helps detect sleep apnea and breathing issues during sleep. This feature, combined with enhanced sensors and improved algorithms, makes Ring 4 the most comprehensive health tracking ring available.
Key Features of Oura Ring 4
SpO2 Blood Oxygen Monitoring
The standout feature of Oura Ring 4 is SpO2 monitoring, which measures blood oxygen saturation during sleep. This helps detect sleep apnea, breathing issues, and altitude-related changes. The ring provides nightly SpO2 averages and can detect significant drops that may require medical attention.
Enhanced Sleep Tracking
Ring 4 provides the most accurate sleep tracking available in a consumer wearable. It tracks deep sleep, REM sleep, and light sleep stages with improved accuracy. The ring monitors sleep latency, efficiency, total sleep time, and restfulness with refined algorithms.
Improved Heart Rate Monitoring
The heart rate sensors in Ring 4 have been enhanced for better accuracy during both rest and activity. The ring provides continuous heart rate monitoring throughout the day and night, with improved detection during workouts and sleep.
Extended Battery Life
Oura Ring 4 features improved battery life, lasting up to 7 days on a single charge. The ring charges quickly in 20-80 minutes, ensuring minimal downtime. The enhanced power efficiency allows for continuous monitoring without frequent charging.
Advanced HRV Tracking
Heart rate variability monitoring has been refined in Ring 4, providing more accurate insights into your autonomic nervous system and recovery status. The improved algorithms offer better trend analysis and personalized recommendations.
Comprehensive Activity Tracking
Ring 4 automatically detects and tracks over 50 different activity types. It monitors heart rate during workouts, tracks calories burned, and provides detailed activity summaries. The activity detection algorithms have been improved for better accuracy.
Technical Specifications
Oura Ring 4 features an impressive array of advanced sensors. It includes infrared photoplethysmography (PPG) sensors for heart rate monitoring, SpO2 sensors for blood oxygen measurement, a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) sensor for body temperature tracking, and a 3D accelerometer and gyroscope for movement detection.
The ring is water-resistant up to 100 meters (330 feet), making it suitable for swimming, showering, and other water activities. It's available in multiple finishes including Titanium, Black, Stealth, Silver, Gold, and Rose Gold. The ring comes in sizes 6-13 to ensure a perfect fit, which is crucial for accurate sensor readings.
The titanium construction ensures durability while maintaining a lightweight feel. The sensors are positioned on the inner surface of the ring, making direct contact with your finger for optimal data collection. This placement allows the ring to measure data directly from your arteries, providing more accurate readings than wrist-based devices.
What's New in Oura Ring 4
SpO2 Monitoring
The addition of SpO2 monitoring is the most significant new feature. This allows the ring to detect sleep apnea, breathing issues, and changes in blood oxygen levels. The feature is particularly valuable for those at risk of sleep-disordered breathing.
Improved Algorithms
The sleep staging and activity detection algorithms have been refined for better accuracy. The ring now provides more precise sleep stage detection and better activity recognition, resulting in more reliable health insights.
Enhanced Sensors
All sensors have been improved for better accuracy and reliability. The heart rate sensors are more sensitive, the temperature sensor is more precise, and the movement sensors provide better activity detection.
Better Battery Efficiency
Despite adding more sensors and features, Ring 4 maintains excellent battery life through improved power management. The ring can now last up to 7 days on a single charge, even with continuous monitoring.
Performance and Accuracy
Oura Ring 4 has been validated in multiple scientific studies and is considered the most accurate consumer sleep tracker available. Its sleep staging accuracy is comparable to polysomnography (the gold standard for sleep studies) in many cases. The HRV measurements are highly accurate when the ring fits properly.
The SpO2 monitoring feature has been validated against medical-grade pulse oximeters and provides reliable readings for detecting significant drops in blood oxygen levels. While not a replacement for medical devices, it's valuable for identifying potential sleep-disordered breathing issues.
The ring's finger placement provides better data than wrist-based devices because it measures directly from arteries in the finger. This placement allows for more accurate heart rate, temperature, and SpO2 readings compared to devices worn on the wrist.
Who Should Buy Oura Ring 4?
First-Time Buyers
If you're new to Oura Ring, Ring 4 offers the best value with all the latest features and improvements. You'll get the most comprehensive health tracking available in a smart ring, including SpO2 monitoring.
Sleep Apnea Concerns
If you're concerned about sleep apnea or breathing issues during sleep, Ring 4's SpO2 monitoring makes it the ideal choice. The feature can help identify potential sleep-disordered breathing that may require medical attention.
Health Optimization Enthusiasts
For those serious about optimizing their health, Ring 4 provides the most comprehensive data available. The combination of sleep, recovery, activity, and SpO2 monitoring offers a complete picture of your health status.
Pros and Cons
Advantages
SpO2 Monitoring: The addition of blood oxygen monitoring is a significant health feature that can help detect sleep apnea and breathing issues.
Superior Sleep Tracking: Ring 4 provides the most accurate sleep tracking available in consumer wearables, with validated accuracy comparable to medical devices.
Long Battery Life: With up to 7 days of battery life, you rarely need to remove the ring for charging, ensuring continuous monitoring.
Comprehensive Health Metrics: The ring tracks a wide range of health indicators, providing a holistic view of your well-being.
Considerations
Subscription Required: Ring 4 requires a monthly subscription to access all features. The subscription cost should be factored into your decision.
Premium Price: Ring 4 is a premium device with a higher price tag than basic fitness trackers, though it offers more advanced capabilities.
Size Sensitivity: The ring needs to fit properly for accurate readings. Getting the right size is crucial for optimal performance.
No Display: Unlike smartwatches, you can't check your metrics on the device itself. You need to use the smartphone app to view your data.