Latest news with #OuraRing3
Tom's Guide
7 days ago
- Health
- Tom's Guide
I'm a sleep tech writer — my 5 top picks from the final Memorial Day sales
As a sleep tech writer, I've tried my fair share of sleep gadgets over the last nine months — from sleep headbands to the best sunrise alarm clocks and sleep trackers, each of which can elevate your nighttime routine in its own way. One of this year's best mattresses for your sleep style and body type should be your first investment for better sleep, but there's also plenty of sleep tech tackling specific sleep needs, be that blocking out light pollution, tracking your overnight heart rate or being soothed to sleep by sound. The Memorial Day sleep sales are wrapping up, but there's still time to grab some lingering deals, like 38% off the Musicozy sleep headband at Amazon and $100 off the Oura Ring sleep tracker. Here's are the sleep Oura Ring Generation 3: was from $299 now from $199 at OuraSleek and reliable, the Oura Ring Gen 3 is currently my favorite sleep tracker. Although it's not the latest model from Oura it does everything you'd want a sleep tracker to do — it measures sleep latency, sleep duration, sleep stages to collate a nightly sleep score and daily energy 'readiness' rating — all while sitting comfortably on your finger. As Oura are trying to shift their Oura Ring 3 stock (I spy an upgrade on the horizon), they have knocked $100 off select colors and designs. This means you can bag a silver or black heritage design Oura Ring 3 for just $199 now. That beats the Black Friday price by $150, but you must grab it while stocks last. Apple Watch Series 10: was $399 now $299 at WalmartThe Apple Watch 10 is another leading, reliable sleep tracker that can help you keep tabs on your sleep metrics and day to day health. Impressively, the Apple Watch 10 also has an FDA-authorized sleep apnea detection feature alongside similar sleep tracking metrics, helping you get a handle on your sleep issues. This is the thinnest and lightest Apple watch yet. Our reviewer says: "It's the best smartwatch I've ever strapped to my wrist in terms of comfort," which is great news when you have to wear it overnight. There's up to $100 off select colors at Walmart now, reducing the Apple Watch 10 to $299 from $399. Musicozy Sleep Headband: was $25.99 now $15.99 at AmazonThe Musicozy sleep headband is a two-in-one sleep gadget. It has built-in headphones through which you can play relaxing sleep sounds and it sits comfortably over your eyes, acting as a light-blocking sleep mask. It is made from a soft velvet, stretchy cotton that fits around your head and covers your eyes, with extra cushioning to enhance comfort no matter your sleep position. Amazon are knocking 38% off the Musicozy headband in a limited time deal bringing this budget sleep gadget to just $15.99 (was $25.99). The Smart Cooling Mattress Topper: was from $1,399 now from $1,099 at Perfectly SnugLike the best smart beds and mattress covers you can buy right now, this smart mattress topper adds an active temperature-regulating layer to your mattress to help you beat the night sweats and sleep peacefully. This in-bed cooling system actively delivers cool air beneath you while you sleep to keep your body temperature down at the best temperature for sleeping. You can current;y save $300 with the code MEMORIAL25. At $1,599 for a queen size after this discount, it is the most expensive gadget here. But it is still much cheaper than other climate control mattress covers like the Eight Sleep Pod 4 at $2,649. Flikeze PhotonMask Quint: was $459 now $239.99 at FlikezePrimarily a beauty product, but surprisingly a sleep-enhancing product, an LED red-light face mask is a great addition to your bedtime routine. The red light helps you relax and feel sleepy by promoting melatonin production, ultimately prompting quicker sleep onset so you don't spend crucial sleep time tossing and turning. I tested the Flikeze LED mask to see how it could help me sleep back in January and it still remains a staple in my nighttime wind-down routine. You can save $219 on this LED face mask now cutting the price to $239.99, which is a great deal on a gadget that can improve your skin health and sleep.
Tom's Guide
26-05-2025
- Health
- Tom's Guide
Memorial Day sleep tracker sales just got real juicy —$100 off the Oura ring and budget rivals
The first step towards improving your sleep quality is understanding how your body acts overnight and what's getting in the way of your rest. Tracking your sleep with a smart ring provides these valuable insights. Right now, you can buy an Oura Generation 3 Ring for $199 at Oura in today's Memorial Day sales (was $299.) That brings the sleep tracker down to its lowest ever price. I've been wearing the Heritage Oura Ring 3 to bed for four months and its become my favorite sleep tracker within that time. Yes, it's not the newest model from the brand (that's the Oura Ring 4, our best smart ring of the year), but its features fall only marginally behind. With Oura slashing prices on its old inventory, it's a great time to bag a good deal. Looking for a new mattress too? Today's Memorial Day mattress sales are now live, with big discount across some of our favorite brands. But if it's just a wearable sleep tracker you're after, I've dropped the Oura Ring 3 deal below, plus I've scanned Amazon Memorial Day sales to find you cheaper alternatives... Oura Ring 3: was from $299 now from $199 at Oura The Oura Ring 3 tells me everything I need to know about my sleep health and how I can optimize my rest, all while looking sleek on my finger. It tracks how long I take to fall asleep, my overnight heart rate and how long I spend in each sleep stage. That gives me an indication of how efficiently I sleep each night and, therefore, how ready I am to take on the day ahead, enabling me to tailor my workload and activity levels to my energy levels. With $100 off now, the Oura Ring 3 Heritage Silver is at its lowest price ever ($199). But this sale is only live until stocks last, so you'll need to be quick. Also note, Oura requires a $6.99 monthly subscription fee to access all features. We've never seen the Oura Ring 3 price drop this low before. Around Black Friday, it's lowest price was $349 at Amazon. But Oura's clearance sale has knocked that deal out of the park, cutting an extra $150 off. $199 is outstanding value on a sleep tracker of this quality and we don't expect the Oura Ring 3 to drop any lower until it sells out. According to Oura's LinkedIn page, their manufacturing factory is based in Oulu, Finland. Therefore, changes in US tariffs could impact the price of the Oura Ring going forward. Amazfit Helio Ring: was $199.99 now $169.99 at AmazonAmazfit launched the Helio Ring last spring following the success of Oura. Hence, it tracks similar sleep metrics to help you understand how good you are at sleeping. The current 15% off knocks the price from $199.99 to $169.99, making it $30 cheaper than the Oura Ring 3. This seems to be a standard, regular discount on this ring that appears around major sale periods. The last time we saw it was around Presidents' Day in February and we expect it to return around Prime Day in July. The Amazfit Helio ring is a great alternative if you missed out on the Oura clearance deal. Milavan Smart Ring: was $100.99 now $65.99 at AmazonIf you're looking to trial tracking your sleep with a smart ring before you sign up for a subscription or spend over $100, this is the deal for you. After 35% off, the Milavan budget smart ring is down to $65.99 (was $100.99). It is available in gold, black or silver, records deep and light sleep duration and wakefulness to give you a clear picture of your sleep quality. Customers give it a 4.4 out of 5 star rating and say its sleep tracking metrics are accurate.
Buzz Feed
12-05-2025
- Health
- Buzz Feed
25 Must-Have Target Gifts For Father's Day
An Oura Ring 4 so they can track their sleep, stress, and steps without sporting a bulky wristband, because we all know the best tech is the kind you forget you're even wearing. Promising review: "I bought the Oura Ring 3, originally, and loved it so much that I upgraded as soon as the Oura Ring 4 came out. I spoke so highly about it that my husband ended up purchasing it as well. It's really nice that you can use HSA/FSA funds to purchase, as well. The membership fee is worth every penny. I've owned many other health tracking wearables and this gives the best health insights, by far, of any that I've used!" —LeeMPrice: $349 (available in six finishes and 12 sizes) A Dr. Squatch Coconut Castaway Bar Soap that transforms their daily scrub into a tropical escape — because who says you can't vacation in your own shower? Promising review: "I got this for my husband for Father's Day. He loves the commercials for this brand and now loves the product!" —fireflyfieldsPrice: $6.99 A daily moisturizing Moroccan mint and cedar shampoo that'll trick them into thinking they're the kind of person who regularly books massages and drinks cucumber water. Promising review: "I love the scent. My husband thinks it works well for his thick hair. I have repurchased several times and use it along with the conditioner. My husband uses the beard wash, too." —BrtileePrice: $5.99 A rechargeable electric shaver and trimmer so they can tame the beard, line up the edges, and still make it to brunch without a single nick or fuss. The set includes one handle, one 360 blade for face, one blade for body, one 5-in-1 comb for face, one skin guard for body, one body comb, one USB-A charging cord, and one protective review: "I really love to use my OneBlade on my face. I've struggled for years with shaving with both electric and blades. This has made shaving quick and painless. I love how smooth it glides across my face and the close shave. Amazing product!" —internexesPrice: $49.99 An Owala 32-ounce water bottle that keeps their drinks ice-cold for up to 24 hours, an excellent option for the parent who treats hydration like a competitive sport. Promising review: "This water bottle is truly one of the best purchases I have ever made. I used to only buy from Hydroflask because of the bottle's insulation feature. I was interested to see how this one would compare. It is really great for keeping my water cold for a super long time throughout the day! I also like that there is a regular opening and a straw. This water bottle also does not leak at all. Such a perfect water bottle and I would definitely buy it again." —ivhnsnPrice: $34.99 (available in nine colors) An 80-quart, rust- and fade-resistant portable rolling patio cooler with a built-in bottle opener and cap catcher — because hauling ice-cold beverages across the lawn in style is the kind of flex they deserve this summer. Holds up to 110 twelve-ounce cans with room for ice. Promising review: "I am so glad I found this unit! It's sturdy and well-designed. Assembly was straightforward too — even for someone with no experience like myself (I've never put together anything more complicated than a toy). The quality of the product is really impressive, especially when you consider how affordable it is compared to other brands out there." —DermasteelcPrice: $199.99 (available in eight colors) A copy of Dad Jokes for New Dads so they can start their pun-derful parenting journey early. It's never too soon to perfect the art of the cringeworthy joke. Price: $6.79 An AncestryDNA: genetic ethnicity kit that'll help them finally settle the family debate over whether they're more Viking or Venetian — and maybe even connect with that long-lost cousin who shares their love for dad jokes. Promising review: "I gifted one to my husband (who is in search of his bio dad's family), and bought another for myself just for fun! He loved the gift, and we are excitedly waiting for results. The tests were very easy to use; just spit or drool into a little tube to the fill line, twist on the cap, and ship it off in the pre-paid mailer. You do need to download an app on your phone for this, so that's worth noting, but it was an easy process!" —VjaPrice: $39.99 (originally $99) A Bird Buddy outdoor bird feeder here to transform their backyard into a live-streaming bird sanctuary, because who wouldn't want to receive surprise selfies from their feathered neighbors? Promising review: "I am not necessarily a bird person, but a friend was raving about their Bird Buddy, so I decided to get one. They are very cool — I love that the app identifies the bird, and it's always fun to get a notification that a bird has stopped by. The app is pretty user-friendly, though if you get this for your parents, you might want to help them set it up. 🙂 The instructions are very clear, but I know tech can be intimidating for some people. I didn't realize how many kinds of birds there are in my neighborhood. I highly recommend a gift for anyone with a backyard." —Lexi S. Price: $169.99 (originally $239.99) A 201-piece Star Wars R2-D2 model kit puzzle for the one who still gets misty-eyed when the binary sunset theme plays and secretly wishes their car had a droid co-pilot. Promising review: "This was a hit! Anyone who enjoys building models will enjoy these. It's less of a puzzle and more of a model, I would say. Too advanced for kids, but the adult Star Wars fans very much enjoyed putting it together. The amount of detail is impressive!" —Tall mamaPrice: $14.99 A stainless-steel interior Cuisinart clean-burning firepit here to turn their backyard into the ultimate hangout spot (minus the smoke-in-the-eyes drama). Nothing quite says ~relaxation~ like a firepit that brings the heat *without* the haze. Promising review: "Great. It is easy to start a fire, burns hot, and is mostly smokeless. Ash has a separate tray, which makes it super easy to clean. Buy!" —CoolMomPrice: $199.99 A portable LED Verilux HappyLight therapy lamp guaranteed to bring the sunshine indoors (because their mood shouldn't depend on the weather app). Read more about sunlamps and seasonal affective disorder (SAD) at Cleveland Clinic and Mayo Clinic. Promising review: "Works great for a morning jolt! I'm a night owl, but had to adjust to sleeping from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. for my work-from-home job in front of a computer. Even with a full eight hours of sleep, mornings sucked. A coworker recommended a $100+ light, but I figured I'd try a cheaper one first. I'm glad it seems to be working well. I feel much less groggy in the a.m. work hours now." —CarlessPrice: $39.99 A rechargeable Theragun percussive massager so their Sunday scaries include zero knots, tension, or 'I-slept-weird' shoulder pain. Promising review: "I bought this item for my spouse for Valentine's Day. He often complains that his back aches and has been able to use it on his own, but he will also use my shoulders. It's a win-win! I would recommend this product." —C. Rain Price: $129.99 (available in two colors) A pair of polarized, rust-resistant Ray-Ban square sunglasses that'll have dad channeling effortless-cool vibes like they just stepped off a yacht, even if they're just mowing the lawn or running errands. Price: $186 (available in four colors) A two-person quilted fabric hammock with spreader bars, because everyone deserves a nap spot that feels like a mini tropical beachside vacation. Promising review: "High-quality design and construction. I like the way one can easily take apart each bar for storage. The hammock with the bar is way better than a hammock without. I have purchased two hammocks prior without one. It keeps the ropes from tangling and the cloth spread out." —JLPrice: $82.95 (available in 10 patterns/colors) A brain-twisting Kanoodle game to keep their mind sharp, their hands busy, and their competitive streak deeply entertained on slow afternoons at their work-from-home desk. Promising review: "Brought this game with us on vacation, and it was a huge hit with family members from ages 8–54! Especially for those who love to keep their hands busy while listening or watching TV. Will be purchasing more for gifts for sure!" —MMCongerPrice: $9.99 A programmable, smart Google Nest thermostat to help dad master the art of indoor climate control. All-day comfort really should be as effortless as saying, 'Hey Google, make it cozy.' Promising review: "Purchased as a Christmas gift for my in-laws, whose eyesight and mobility are fading. They love just 'telling the house' what temperature to be." —KimPrice: $129.99 A Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Sound Bar they can use to build out the living-room-cinematic-soundscape experience they've been dreaming of forever. Now, every epic movie night can be as immersive as the plot twists. Promising review: "Sounds great, easy to set up and use. It makes watching TV and movies so much better! Well worth the purchase!" —SchellsbeerPrice: $499 (available in two colors) A deep tissue massage and muscle recovery foam roller for the active dad to turn their post-workout groans into satisfied sighs. Promising review: "IT WORKS!!! I had extreme leg pain, and nothing could get deep enough in my hamstring. This baby gets ALLLLLL the muscles you can put on it. Also, a bit of a workout using it, so win-win." —RBoz Price: $34.99 (available in four colors) A Keurig single-serve coffee maker so they can sip café-quality iced coffee without ever changing out of their robe, PJs, and slippers. Promising review: "Love everything about it, small footprint. Brews super quick. It's absolutely idiot-proof, too. It doesn't even have a power button; just put the lid down and press the size, and it turns itself off. Love this coffee maker and am so happy with it." —TinknockerPrice: $99.99 (available in four colors) A Wi-Fi-enabled digital photo frame so you can beam new pics straight to their desk — ideal if they text every day demanding updates on the grandkids, granddogs, or their beloved tomato plants. Promising reviews: "This frame is just the right size to display all of my pictures. It was very easy to set up as well!" —JackiePrice: $149.99 An Apple AirTag for the dads who need a lil' extra help keeping tabs on their keys, wallet, or even the remote that somehow always ends up between couch cushions. Playing hide-and-seek with everyday items gets old, fast. Promising review: "I love the AirTags! I hide them in/on my most valuable albums such as my purse, laptop, and in my car. If you have been robbed of personal items before, you know how scary, annoying, and violating it is. I love that I can track any item that might 'disappear' with a touch of a button. I do suggest hiding these as best as you can (like in your purse lining for instance) give a one-pack a shot and guaranteed you will be headed back to the store for a four-pack. Well worth the money." —KristalPrice: $29.99 each An eight-piece mixology kit so they can finally retire that old blender and shake up martinis like a pro while honing in on perfecting their signature house cocktail. Includes a 16.9-ounce bar shaker, one muddler, one mixing spoon with a fork, one ice strainer, one cocktail strainer, one jigger, two wine pourers, and one wooden review: "Great quality and good-looking. This bar kit is really handy and aesthetically pleasing. It has all the essentials needed to make your basic cocktails. I got this as a present to give my parents, and they love it." —RenePrice: $35.95 A cast-iron skillet to help the wannabe "Carmy-from-The-Bear" home chef start every great meal with a great pan. This one's ready for anything from searing steaks to baking cornbread. Promising review: "Love, Love, LOVE this cast iron skillet! The company's website has a lot of useful info about taking care of the skillet, and it's easier to clean than I had imagined it to be. Very content with this purchase." —A Price: $29.90 A Dopp kit so dad can finally retire that decades-old Ziploc bag and upgrade to something that says, 'I'm an adult who moisturizes.' Promising review: "I bought this as a birthday present for my dad to use when he travels for work. It seems like it is good quality and I love the way it looks!" —Amber MPrice: $29.99
Tom's Guide
07-05-2025
- Health
- Tom's Guide
Oura's latest update brings AI-powered meal tracking to the table — and I'm worried this could go very wrong
Oura just announced new AI-powered features to 'fuel your body for energy, performance and long-term health.' The two latest upgrades center around metabolic health and meal tracking, but right now, they're only available for US users. Oura says it's a 'major milestone' toward becoming a 'fully integrated health solution.' To date, Oura has undoubtedly been an industry-defining market leader and arguably remains the best smart ring you can buy. However, with stiff competition from the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Ring and Ultrahuman Ring Air, the smart ring market is becoming increasingly competitive. I'm concerned Oura might be doing too much with its latest branch out into metabolic health. You may like Could Oura become the jack of all trades, master of none? Here's what we know so far. (Image credit: Future) The two metabolic-focused AI-enabled tools are Meals and Glucose, and will roll out shortly to Oura Ring 3 and Oura Ring 4 users based in the US who use the app in English. Oura announced the Oura Labs feature in 2024, allowing members to test experimental features and provide feedback. If they're considered a hit with the audience, features can be rolled out into the app. Here's what made the cut. 1. Meals The latest Labs success is Meals, which, according to Oura, provides key insights into nutrition and meal timing using AI-powered feedback from Oura Advisor. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Simply snap a photo of your meal and Oura can help provide 'informed dietary decisions' about your food, including macronutrients — proteins, fats and carbs — and its quality, plus suggestions for long-term improvement. Yep, you read that correctly. Using images alone, Oura can tell you how nutritious your food is, right down to the fiber content. 2. Glucose tracking Paired with the Stelo Glucose Biosensor by Dexcom, a brand new in-app glucose monitoring feature means you can measure glucose levels day and night, with the app providing feedback directly while drawing from existing analysis like your sleep, stress and activity levels. Essentially, it's another way for Oura to provide a holistic view on the quality of your everyday health, alongside tools such as heart health, women's health and fitness, to assess long-term trends. If you want to know more about how to manage your metabolic health, now you can. What do we know? Your metabolic health can be impacted by the foods you eat, how your body processes them, lifestyle factors and genetics. That's why the rollout looks at data pulled from the existing features you use daily alongside your meals to inform the analysis. Shyamal Patel, PhD., and SVP of Science at Oura, describes their approach as 'unique.' Published through Oura's website, she explained: 'Meal-induced glucose spikes can vary significantly due to factors like sleep, stress, exercise and meal timing, which is why it's important to approach metabolic health holistically rather than focusing exclusively on diet.' The goal is to look for patterns and use experimentation to discover what works and what doesn't, hopefully helping to maintain improved balance over time based on your daily habits. Rather than avoiding specific foods, the aim is to encourage a healthy relationship that lasts, looking at what could be impacting your glucose from various angles, rather than focusing on the one spike you had, say, after eating chocolate on a Friday afternoon. Verdict I've been lucky enough to own both generations of the Oura Ring and have used the app for years. I'm worried Oura could be diluting their product by introducing too many new ingredients. For the average person, monitoring your glucose levels daily isn't really necessary. I wore a CGM monitor as a test for Tom's Guide, and I actually found it more stressful than informative, getting lost in the minefield that is your blood sugar. In fact, I could be found staring down every spike in my blood sugar with the scrutiny of VAR checking a dodgy penalty decision. (Image credit: Future owns: Sam Hopes) Your pancreas is designed to take care of blood sugar for you, releasing insulin (a hormone) to regulate blood glucose by moving it out of your bloodstream and into your cells. While a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) is a useful (and sometimes crucial) tool for people managing chronic health conditions such as diabetes and insulin resistance (a precursor to diabetes), not everyone needs to monitor their own glucose. I fear Oura is starting to steer away from what they're best at — tracking your sleep and stress hygiene — in a bid to keep on top of the competition with their innovation. Am I worried it'll encourage people to over-worry about another aspect of their health? Possibly. Do I need yet another app scrutinizing what I eat? No. And although Oura reassures members that the feature aims to keep things balanced, I fear people who don't already have a healthy relationship with their food could struggle. But to keep evolving in an ever-growing smart ring market, perhaps it's Oura's time to dare to diversify. And given the features that were all-clear from Oura Labs, it looks like people want it. For me, the jury is out. More from Tom's Guide
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
I Was Skeptical Of The Oura Ring At First. Now That I've Worn It For Months, I Completely Understand The Hype.
If you're anything like me, you've seen the Oura Ring device on social media in the last few months. The Oura Ring is a "smart ring" that, according to the company's website, is continually collecting data on over 20 biometrics that directly impact a person's well-being during both day and night. Jeremy Moeller / Getty Images, Lara Parker / BuzzFeed The Oura Ring is said to be capable of tracking your heart rate and heart rate variability (HRV), sleep, activity (steps, calories), body temperature, blood oxygen, menstrual cycle, and breathing. And it does all of this by using infrared and red and green LED light beams to measure your biometrics. The thing about this tech is that the more you wear the ring, the more personalized your insights become. The company started in Finland, which is famously renowned as the happiest country in the world. And their mission is relatively simple: Learn more about your body and your health with a small device you can comfortably wear every day. Sounds pretty great, right? But, again, if you're anything like me, you might have thought, "just another tech gadget that people will move on from in 12-16 months." I lived through the Apple Watch phase, the Fitbit, and even the Garmin smartwatches. While I recognize that the Oura Ring is, in fact, not a watch, the premise of having a pricey tech device that allegedly helps you be more in tune with your body and overall health is not new. And while many people love this tech, I never understood the hype. So I hope you understand why I approached the Oura Ring with a healthy dose of skepticism. And at $349+ for the Oura Ring 4 or $249+ for the Oura Ring 3 —depending on which finish you choose — plus a subscription cost of $5.99/monthly or $69.99/annually, skepticism is needed. So, because I work at BuzzFeed and thought you, our dear readers, might be curious too, I did what I do best: I got my hands on my own Oura Ring last year and have been wearing it and studying its capabilities ever since. I wanted to see for myself if this device lived up to the hype. And while I did receive this ring as a press sample, I was under no obligation to review it at all or review it positively. And, one more thing before we dive in: while I will do my best to review my entire experience with the Oura Ring, I do have to note that I chose not to explore any capabilities around my menstrual cycle due to complications with endometriosis and adenomyosis. So, while I will do my best to offer you a comprehensive review, I do apologize that I won't be speaking directly to the ring's capabilities when it comes to insights into my menstrual cycle. The Oura Ring 4 was released on October 15, 2024, and pledged a few upgrades from the previous models — like improved battery life and a sleeker design. For the purpose of this review, I received the most recent model and chose to go with a finish of Rose Gold in the Horizon style. As you can see, the different finishes have different price tags. Truthfully, I wasn't sure what finish to go with. I liked the idea of silver, but I had also seen one of my fave influencers — Morgan Riddle, shout out to tennis! — in the gold. Ultimately, it was a game-time decision to go with Rose Gold because I felt like it matched the vibe of my daily outfits and other jewelry, and the "gold" option looked a And while I am not unhappy with this choice, sometimes I do wonder about the Gold and Silver options and what could have been... After deciding on a finish, it was time to figure out sizing. This is one of my biggest complaints about my Oura Ring. As you can see in the photos below, when you order an Oura Ring, you receive a special Oura Ring sizing kit. I really wanted to wear my ring on my pointer finger, so I selected the size that seemed to fit that finger perfectly (which was a size 7.) This is my standard size across rings, and generally fits. Lara Parker A week or so later, when I received my ring, I was thrilled at first. I couldn't wait to get this ring on and start figuring out what it might be able to tell me about my body and lifestyle habits. But I was quickly left disappointed when I tried the ring on my pointer finger. It was way too tight and honestly super uncomfortable. I have since realized that wearing it on my pointer finger is not happening, so it's been on my middle finger from the start. And while it mostly fits my middle finger, if I get hot, it does swell and isn't what I would refer to as "easy" to remove. It's never gotten stuck! But I would say that this was one of the most disappointing experiences with the Oura Ring thus far; I followed the instructions for sizing, and yet it simply did not fit. And yeah I guess my hand is weird for the fact that my pointer finger is bigger than my middle, but I can't help how my hands are! More on this later, but SIZE UP. Anyway, after getting over my initial disappointment about the size, I opened the box and started my journey. Each Oura Ring comes with a little charger stand, a cord, and the ring (duh, lol). I actually love the little charging station; I find it relatively handy and easier than trying to plug a cord into the ring. And after several months of daily wear, I can tell you that the battery life of the Oura Ring 4 is incredible. When I first began wearing my Oura Ring daily, it was a transition for me. I am used to taking my jewelry off when I sleep, shower, wash my hands, etc. But it turns out that Oura Ring is actually water-resistant up to 100 meters (330 feet). It took me weeks of wearing it to realize that the Oura Ring app actually mentions the ring being water-resistant, but to this day, I still don't wear it in the just feels wrong. I generally charge my ring when I am showering, which takes about 10 minutes on average, and my ring is fully charged within that time frame. Granted, I generally shower once a day, so I charge my ring, on average, around 10 minutes a day. But the battery has yet to drop below 85%, even wearing it constantly throughout my day and night. The battery life is good. I will be curious to see how this lasts a year from now, but truly, if my iPhone battery were like that, life would be good. Now, for the things I really love about the Oura Ring. First, I found myself genuinely impressed by its capabilities when it comes to noticing symptoms of body strain before I even do. About three weeks ago, I got this notification in the Oura Ring app. And by that night, I was feeling off. The next day I woke up with a cold. Even though this is exactly what the ring is supposed to do, I still found it a bit surprising that it actually recognized symptoms in my body before they fully materialized into a cold. And I am not alone. On a recent TikTok scroll I came across two different people sharing their stories of how the Oura Ring knew they had medical issues before they did. I also posted on my Instagram story one day about getting the Oura Ring and noticing that it picked up on my cold before I did. And I received more than one message from random people sharing their own experiences with this tech. While I can't independently verify these stories, based on my own experience with this tech, I believe it. Another thing I love about the Oura Ring is the information accessible through the app. Honestly, I was annoyed at first upon realizing that I needed a subscription to go along with my ring. The ring itself is not cheap, but now you need a subscription, too?! Everything is a subscription these days... but in this case, this is one subscription I now happily pay each month. Being sick for as long as I have, I feel I am always seeking out more information about my body and how it works. And I truly feel like the Oura Ring has unlocked information about my body that I didn't have access to before. Their app is full of all kinds of metrics; but they don't just tell you "Hey, your resting heart hate is 61 bpm," they also offer information about what the hell that even means. And I honestly love that. When it comes to tracking sleep, I had no idea how into this I would be. I have never used anything to track my sleep in the past. I pretty much thought well, I will go to bed, and then I will wake up, and whatever happens in between that is none of my business. But now that I have more information about my sleep patterns — which, you guessed it, only improve the more you wear your ring — I am addicted. I check the app every single morning to get an idea of my sleep score, and adjust my day as needed. You might be reading this and thinking, "I simply would not be interested in that." And maybe that's true! But I also thought that once, and now I regularly pester my boyfriend in the morning with updates about my latency and REM sleep. Now, another thing I absolutely love about the Oura Ring is its adaptability and personalization. Each day, you have an activity goal. But the activity goal is not the same every day; it's catered specifically to your needs based on your own biometrics, your sleep score, your readiness, etc. Some days, you are going to wake up more tired than usual, and some days, you are going to deal with more stress. And in my experience, the Oura Ring not only picks up on this but automatically adjusts to fit your needs. Perhaps I am a bit dramatic, but I always found the idea of "activity goals" to be unhelpful in the past and, honestly, a bit stressful. I've been chronically ill with endometriosis since my early 20s. Just because I could walk two miles one day did not mean I could do this every day. And this was an adjustment that my ring made automatically. And if the adjustments made automatically don't fit your needs; you can adjust further in the app easily. Typing this out, it feels slightly unhinged to say that I have felt shamed by tech in the past for not moving enough, but I have. And I can truthfully say that I have not felt shame with my Oura Ring. It feels like a supportive piece of tech that just wants me to do my best. Am I losing my mind and adding a personality to a piece of tech and leaning into the movie Her territory??? Time will tell. Speaking of activity goals, I got to visit Saguaro National Park near Tucson, Arizona, earlier this year — around six months after I had major abdominal surgery. This trip entailed the most activity I'd had in a long time, and I was curious to see how my Oura Ring would respond. Along with the sizing issue mentioned before on my Oura Ring, my other complaint (thus far) would be that I am not sure the ring is always correct for measuring fitness activity, at least in my experience. On more than one occasion, I found that it didn't seem to accurately measure distance. Much of my activity is walking, not running, so it may just be that the natural pauses of walking confuse the data. Still, it was frustrating to feel as if my ring wasn't measuring my activity as well as it measured my rest. As you can see below, on this particular day, I had a big hike in Saguaro National Park. While I felt like it picked up on the fact that I was moving for most of the day, I couldn't believe that it calculated just around 2 miles. Did two miles of hiking really take me over two and a half hours?! But, when I compared the data from my Oura Ring to that of an Apple Watch, it was similar. On other walks just around my neighborhood in Los Angeles, it will track that I have walked for an hour but say that I only made it .9 miles. I'm admittedly not amazing at math or calculating distance, but it doesn't feel completely accurate to me just yet. However, I will say this has gotten more accurate with continued wear. Other than that, however, I have honestly been more than pleased with my experience wearing the Oura Ring so far. From getting insights into my daily stress... ...to being able to see my own progress with activity in my body after a major surgery, I feel satisfied with my experience in a way I didn't imagine. This tech may not be for everyone, but I can honestly say that it is for me. After months of wearing and getting to know my new Oura Ring, I feel confident that this is tech I will continue to use for the foreseeable future. While I did not purchase the ring, I pay for the membership every month and will continue to do so. As with any wearable tech, The Oura Ring isn't it's almost perfect for me. I wanted to learn more about my body, gain new insights, and have wearable tech that inspired me to be more in tune with my body and be more active without shame. And that's exactly what I found with Oura Ring. Do you have an Oura Ring? Do you prefer some other tech? Or perhaps you think I'm a big dummy who wastes my money on tech you would never use?! I look forward to finding out in the comments. And if you're interested in purchasing your own Oura Ring, you can do so here!
