We’re taking a second look at the Oura Ring, a fitness tracker packed into a discreet piece of jewelry, to see how the third generation compares to its predecessors.
Oura Ring
We’re taking a second look at the Oura Ring, a fitness tracker packed into a discreet piece of jewelry, to see how the third generation compares to its predecessors.
Like many people, I got the Apple Watch because I was excited to use it to track and record health-related data. And, when it comes to collecting health data, the Apple Watch is king — with a caveat.
As much as I love the idea of the Apple Watch, it isn’t an excellent fit for me. For one, adding a screen that is physically attached to me can be a huge distraction. I feel compelled to check it obsessively, even if I’ve turned off all notifications.
There’s also the comfort issue. I write for a living, meaning my wrists spend a fair amount of time on the desk under my keyboard. For whatever reason, this leads to nearly any Apple Watch band pinching the skin of my wrist almost constantly.
Then, the pinching leads to an eventual bruise that grows until I take a break from the Apple Watch. So, between the bruising and the constant distractions, I wound up trading in my Apple Watch for store credit.
Still, I wanted another way to track my health data. I wanted something I could constantly wear to get as much data about my health as possible.
Enter the Oura Ring.
You may have remembered that we’ve talked about the Oura Ring before. However, Oura Ring has undergone a few iterations since our first review.
It’s equipped with new sensors, comes in a new style, and has a completely revamped app. So we decided to revisit Oura Ring, now in its third generation.
Design, sizing, and comfort
Whenever you order an Oura Ring, you’ll have the option first to receive a sizing kit that allows you to find the perfect size ring for you. I highly suggest you take them up on this offer, as the Oura Ring fits slightly differently than a typical ring.
The sizing kit contains eight different-sized plastic Oura Ring stand-ins. Unfortunately, they are available in whole sizes only, so it may take some trial and error to find out what finger Oura Ring works best on.
Oura suggests using your index finger for best results but says using your middle or ring fingers is okay.
It’s also essential to wear your plastic sizing ring for a while, as your fingers will change sizes throughout the day.
When it comes time to choose your Oura Ring, you can pick from two styles: Horizon or Heritage.
Heritage is the classic Oura Ring design, which features a flattened design at the top of the ring, which helps you ensure the sensors are in the correct area. Heritage is available in Silver, Black, Stealth, and Gold, and pricing starts at $299.
Horizon is more traditional with a uniform design, with a small pill-shaped dimple on the underside of the ring. The dimple ensures that you’ve got the sensors properly aligned to your finger.
Horizon is available in Silver, Black, Stealth, Gold, and Rose Gold, and pricing starts at $349.
The Oura Ring is made of titanium, making it both durable and incredibly light. In addition, it’s water resistant up to 100 meters, so you can wear it in the shower or pool if you so choose.
Oura does warn against wearing the ring while doing anything that would repeatedly knock it around — such as handling heavy pots and pans. — or you could lead to some surface scratching.
