Ouraring 3 Review: Is It Worth It?

Rethinking the Oura Ring: Beyond a Smartwatch Alternative

Initially, my perception of the Oura Ring was flawed. I viewed it as a competitor to my Apple Watch. While this isn’t entirely inaccurate – for many, it may serve as a viable alternative – it’s a simplification. Purchasing both an activity tracker and a smartwatch can be both financially burdensome and, frankly, unnecessary for the majority of users.

Subscription and Investment

Furthermore, with the Ring 3, Oura has introduced a $6 monthly subscription fee, applicable after an initial six-month period. This new service unlocks additional features, but also places previously free metrics behind a paywall. The Oura Ring 3 represents a significant investment, but it fundamentally differs from a traditional smartwatch.

A Return to the Fitness Band Concept

In essence, the Oura Ring is more akin to a modern iteration of the fitness band – a category that has diminished in prominence since Apple’s entry into the wearable market. While companies like Fitbit and Xiaomi continue to sell these devices, they’ve largely been overshadowed by more feature-rich smartwatches.

Reframing the Oura Ring as a health band, rather than a fitness tracker, clarifies its purpose and appeal.

Passive Monitoring and Design

The Ring distinguishes itself as a largely passive device. It doesn’t constantly buzz or demand attention, instead focusing on discreetly collecting data. Movement reminders are provided, but the core function is to gather sleep, health, and fitness information for later review on a connected mobile application.

A ring form factor inherently limits the inclusion of a display, reinforcing its focus on background data collection.

First Impressions and the Two-Week Baseline

Confession: I’m not a ring wearer. This personal preference initially influenced my perspective. However, I adhered to Oura’s recommendation and wore the Ring 3 for a full two weeks.

This extended testing period isn’t typical for hardware reviews, where maximizing time with the product is usually preferred. Oura insists on this timeframe to establish a baseline measurement, ensuring accurate and personalized data analysis. The device needs time to learn your habits, sleep patterns, and biometrics.

Comfort and Design

The Ring 3’s design is nearly identical to its predecessor: a single-color metal band with a rounded shape and a slightly flattened top. It’s remarkably comfortable, and its smaller size makes it less intrusive than a smartwatch, particularly during sleep.

Oura provides a sizing kit, similar to Warby Parker, to ensure a proper fit. Finger size can fluctuate throughout the day, so wearing a dummy ring for 24 hours is recommended.

New Features and Future Updates

The Ring 3 introduces several new features, including daytime heart rate monitoring, period prediction, and improved temperature sensing. However, these represent incremental improvements over the previous model.

Roadmap for Expansion

A more extensive list of features is planned for release throughout the coming year and beyond. These include meditation and breathing sessions, workout heart rate monitoring, enhanced sleep staging, and SpO2 blood oxygen sensing. The delayed implementation of some features isn’t due to FDA approval, but rather to the complexities of accurate implementation.

This roadmap raises the question of why Oura didn’t launch a more fully-featured product initially. It suggests a strategy of continuous improvement and feature rollout, fostering long-term engagement.

Research and Long-Term Vision

Oura’s participation in numerous research studies demonstrates its long-term ambitions. These studies explore connections between wearable data and various health conditions, from depression to the impact of technology on sleep. The research also validates the accuracy of heart rate measurement via the finger.

Actionable Insights and Recovery

While I still prefer a wrist-worn tracker like the Apple Watch for workout tracking, the Oura Ring excels at providing actionable insights. This is why Oura emphasizes the importance of establishing a baseline before evaluating its effectiveness.

The Ring focuses on often-overlooked metrics like recovery and readiness. Oura’s “Readiness” score assesses your overall recovery based on collected data. I consistently received low “Recovery Time” scores, indicating a need to prioritize rest between workouts.

Sleep Analysis and Mindfulness

The Oura Ring’s sleep analysis is particularly insightful. The app might suggest, “Your heart rate decreased late last night, so you might not be fully recovered. To help your body recharge, how about taking a moment to unwind today?”

These reminders encourage mindful habits, such as meditation or breathing exercises, promoting better sleep hygiene. Wearables serve as a technological reminder of our health goals, providing positive reinforcement in a world often dominated by distractions.