Review of Oura Ring Generation 3: A Lasting Connection
Although the Gen 3 experienced a somewhat turbulent debut, a year of thorough testing reveals the genuine appeal behind this intriguing smart ring.
The Oura Ring was ubiquitous in 2020. It became a focal point of research into wearable devices’ potential to detect illnesses. Notably, the NBA joined the trend, procuring 2,000 Oura Rings to monitor its athletes’ health. Prince Harry has long endorsed the device, and even celebrities like Jennifer Aniston and Kim Kardashian West were seen sporting this sleep tracker. This substantial attention for a niche gadget is noteworthy. However, the third-generation Oura Ring, introduced in late 2021 and still the current iteration, introduces ambitious features such as period prediction and blood oxygen monitoring. The pressing question is whether investing in a $299 smart ring, now tied to a monthly subscription, is a worthwhile commitment.
Discreetly Concealing Its Smart Nature
Despite its popularity among fashion-conscious enthusiasts, the ring itself appears rather unassuming. My gold Heritage unit resembles something akin to what Frodo might have carried on his journey to Mordor. Variants are available in silver, black, and a “stealth” matte black version. Oura has even introduced a more luxurious Oura x Gucci version priced at a staggering $950, along with a fully rounded Horizon design costing $349. The latter is an impressive feat of engineering, incorporating a flexible battery to conform to the rounded shape (as opposed to the flat-topped battery housing in the Heritage design). Functionally, the Heritage and Horizon models are identical, and having experienced both, the distinctions in design are minimal.
Unless you’re sporting the Gucci edition, it’s unlikely that you’ll attract much attention. The ring effortlessly integrates into your daily life. It doesn’t snag on clothing, won’t interrupt your moments with buzzing notifications, and offers a comfort level surpassing that of wearing a smartwatch continuously. Most days, I even found myself forgetting that I was wearing a smart ring.
Achieving this kind of seamless integration is a formidable challenge. The latest Oura Ring is equipped with a total of seven temperature sensors, an upgrade from the previous iteration, along with a fresh green LED heart rate sensor and an SpO2 sensor for blood oxygen monitoring. These additions complement the existing battery and accelerometers. The inner mechanics of the ring offer a glimpse into the astonishing compactness of these sensors. While the ring might be slightly broader than ideal – especially for those with daintier fingers or smaller hands – this compromise is justifiable given the current state of technology.
Despite the impressive feat of packing so much technology into such a diminutive form, the ring does come with its idiosyncrasies. Unlike a conventional ring, accurate metric readings require you to ensure the sensors are properly aligned. This task is simpler with the Heritage version due to its flat top. In contrast, the Horizon version features a small indentation where the sensors are located, but I often failed to notice when the alignment was off. Since the ring remains on your finger day and night, maintaining clean sensors becomes essential. Additionally, the fit is crucial, and since the ring isn’t adjustable, acquiring the right size involves a unique process. Unlike smartwatches that rarely require wrist measurements prior to purchase, with the Oura Ring, you must await a free sizing kit for two to seven days. After that, Oura recommends testing a dummy ring for at least a day before placing an order.
Sleep and Recovery Tracking Expertise
The Oura Ring distinguishes itself as a premier sleep and recovery tracker, excelling in this domain. Its app revolves around three core scores: readiness, sleep, and activity. These metrics are derived from the heart rate, temperature, and activity data gathered by the ring. A higher score indicates better well-being, whereas a lower score suggests a need to take it easy or reassess habits. This forms the fundamental idea, and one could easily disregard the other data presented. However, if you’re eager for deeper insights, be prepared to engage in extensive reading.
Consider the sleep score. Oura computes this by considering variables like total sleep, REM sleep, and deep sleep – metrics that are also common among other wearable devices. Moreover, it introduces more unique metrics like “timing,” signifying when your sleep midpoint falls between midnight and 3AM. Similarly, the readiness score employs the “recovery index,” which measures the time required for your resting heart rate to stabilize during sleep. Fortunately, explanations accompany each metric, detailing their significance.
These three scores form the core of the Oura experience. Nevertheless, the third generation’s new sensors contribute even more data to the equation. Previously, the ring only monitored your sleeping heart rate. With the addition of the new green LED, you can now track your daytime heart rate. This introduces fresh terminology like “restorative time” and heart rate trend graphs. Restorative time identifies moments of relaxation when the ring detects your heart rate is low and your hands are oddly warm (according to Chris Becherer, Oura’s Chief of Product, this is due to an increase in skin temperature when relaxed). There’s a guide to help you interpret these patterns. For instance, a consistent low daytime heart rate pattern is dubbed an “Open Ocean,” signifying a relaxed day. Conversely, a hammock-shaped heart rate curve suggests strong overnight recovery. It’s undoubtedly a lot to digest, but Oura deserves credit for providing both concise and comprehensive explanations for added context.
In the year since the late 2021 launch of the third generation, Oura has continued to introduce new metrics. The most recent addition is Oura’s perspective on circadian rhythms, embodied in the app as your “chronotype” and “body clock.” Determined after about three months of data collection, your chronotype reveals whether you’re more inclined towards early mornings or late nights (albeit not precisely in those terms). The body clock feature visualizes whether your bedtime aligns with your chronotype’s ideal time. My personal chronotype, according to Oura, is an “early evening type,” somewhat resembling a mild night owl.
The question of accuracy arises. Daytime heart rate monitoring was consistent with other trackers. In sporadic checks, the readings were within five beats per minute of what my Apple Watch Series 7 displayed. Although discrepancies occasionally emerged, they usually resolved within a few seconds. Essentially, the Series 7 might offer more rapid real-time heart rate updates, but Oura presents its daily data in a more digestible manner. I’m also amused by the fact that the Oura Ring recognized my nightly Pokémon sessions as restorative time.
A Wearable Oriented Towards the Future
Upon initiating my review of the Oura Ring Gen 3 in late 2021, many of its features were still forthcoming. Given my role in covering this company, I am privy to the fact that numerous other features, some of which might not see the light of day for years, are currently in development. The launch of the new sleep stage algorithm’s readiness remains uncertain, and the timeline for the outcomes of Oura’s investigations into illness detection and pregnancy predictions remains unpredictable. I engaged in conversations with Becherer and former Oura CEO Harpreet Rai before the Gen 3’s launch, and they both highlighted that period predictions mark a small step towards more ambitious women’s health features and research. Evidently, Oura is envisioning the distant future of wearables, banking on customers being patient enough to find the anticipation worthwhile.
This approach also means that much of the ring’s innovative attributes might go unnoticed by the average user. Becherer affirmed that the new sleep algorithms constitute a backend update, resulting in no visible changes to the app’s user interface. The enhancement will be manifested solely in more accurate data. For optimal outcomes across all of Oura’s available features, consistent daily wear for several months is imperative. This demands a significant commitment, and anyone considering investment must be comfortable with such dedication.
Compounding the situation, with the Gen 3’s introduction, Oura transitioned to a subscription model. The rationale behind this shift is rooted in the company’s grand aspirations within this domain. The research undertaken by Oura (as well as Apple and Fitbit) is costly, and the reliance solely on one-time hardware sales is proving inadequate for sustaining the operations of smaller firms. This direction is indicative of the wearable industry’s trajectory. Fitbit has Fitbit Premium, Apple boasts Fitness Plus, and Whoop – another recovery tracker – mandates a $30 monthly subscription (although annual subscriptions are more economical).
In comparison, Oura’s membership fees are relatively budget-friendly. An initial free month is offered, followed by a monthly fee of $5.99. Those who purchased the Gen 3 before November 29th, 2021, while being owners of previous Oura rings, received a complimentary lifetime subscription, but this option is no longer available. Furthermore, according to Oura’s FAQ page, even if you cancel or opt not to subscribe, you’ll still be able to view your readiness, sleep, and activity scores.
