Why the Oura Ring 4 Is Almost Perfect

Four years ago, a heart attack at just 33 profoundly changed my approach to health. Since then, the Oura Ring has been a vital companion in tracking and managing my well-being. I started with the Oura Ring 2 before upgrading to the Oura Ring 3, which quickly became my daily go-to.

This year, however, the landscape for smart rings has shifted dramatically. With numerous new players launching first- and second-generation devices, competition has heated up. In response, Oura introduced the Oura Ring 4, a product I eagerly anticipated.

While it’s undeniably an improvement and arguably the best smart ring on the market right now, one glaring omission keeps it from being truly exceptional. Let me break it down.

What Makes the Oura Ring 4 Shine One of my biggest complaints about the Oura Ring 3 was its dome-like interior sensor housings. For someone like me, who deals with occasional finger swelling due to post-heart-attack health complications, this design made the ring uncomfortable—sometimes even unwearable.

That’s where the Oura Ring 4 impresses. Oura ditched the domes for a sleeker, embedded sensor design, significantly improving comfort. The ring is now one of the most wearable options in the smart ring category.

I’ve tested several top contenders this year, and this design upgrade is a standout. The new form factor feels unobtrusive, solving a long-standing issue that plagued its predecessor.

But One Big Problem Remains Despite the thoughtful improvements, one area remains frustratingly inadequate: charging.

To Oura’s credit, they’ve made incremental changes. The charging plinth for the Oura Ring 4 has been redesigned—it’s now square, made of titanium, and still offers wireless charging. The ring itself is lighter and thinner, with a battery that lasts more than a full day longer than the Oura Ring 3.

And yet, in an era where convenience is king, these updates fall short. Enter the competition—most notably, Samsung. The Samsung Galaxy Ring didn’t just improve the comfort of its device with smaller sensor domes; it also introduced a portable charging case.

This might seem like a minor innovation, but it’s a game-changer. Much like Apple’s introduction of capacitive touchscreens redefined expectations for smartphones, Samsung’s charging case redefines what smart ring users should expect in portability and ease of use.

Final Thoughts The Oura Ring 4 is, without a doubt, an excellent smart ring. Its improved design and extended battery life make it one of the most compelling options available. But when I leave my charger behind—like today, as I write this from Washington, D.C.—I can’t help but wish Oura had taken a cue from its competitors and prioritized a more user-friendly charging solution.

It’s a missed opportunity that keeps the Oura Ring 4 from being not just a great smart ring, but the perfect one.