Oura Ring 5 vs Ring 4: what changed, what it costs, who should upgrade

Oura Ring 5 changes the hardware much more than the software. Oura says it is 40% smaller than Ring 4 and rates its battery at six to nine days against five to eight. It starts at $399, and Ring 4 launched at $349. The features Oura launched with Ring 5 also reach Ring 4 with a membership, so the main reasons to upgrade are size, weight and a little more battery.

This comparison is based on Oura's product pages, help center and blog as of Oct. 26, 2026, plus the CNET and Wired reviews linked below, and we haven't tested either ring. Our Oura Ring guide covers the current model in full.

Ring 5 vs Ring 4 at a glance

Size, weight and sensors

Oura's announcement calls Ring 5 40% smaller than Ring 4. By Oura's published dimensions it is 1.81 mm narrower and 0.60 mm thinner, and its listed weight starts at 2 grams against 3.3 to 5.2 grams for Ring 4, depending on size.

Oura describes Ring 5 as re-engineered "from the ground up," with a "completely redesigned sensing architecture," low-profile sensor domes for better skin contact and what it calls 12 signal pathways, which it says give "greater accuracy across more finger types and skin tones." Ring 4's help page describes a platform called Smart Sensing, with recessed sensors on the inside of the ring, that adapts to the structure and skin tone of your finger. Both rings list the same sensor types: red and infrared LEDs for blood oxygen, green and infrared LEDs for heart rate, heart rate variability and respiration rate, a digital temperature sensor and an accelerometer.

Oura calls Ring 5 "our most accurate generation yet." That is Oura's claim, and we haven't tested it. Wired's reviewer saw no dramatic difference in the data between the two generations.

Battery and charging

Oura rates Ring 5 at six to nine days per charge, depending on ring size and use, and Ring 4 at five to eight. Oura says it rebuilt the battery system, with a "chemical and mechanical redesign" and new firmware, so that a ring 40% smaller can still last about a week. A full charge takes about 80 minutes on Ring 5 and typically 20 to 80 minutes on Ring 4, depending on the starting level.

Ring 5 also has an optional Charging Case, sold separately for $99, according to CNET and Wired. Oura says it keeps the ring going for up to a month away from an outlet and that 10 minutes in the case adds a full day of use. CNET reported that each case fits only one ring size.

Finishes and materials

Ring 5 comes in six finishes: Silver, Black, a Gold in a lighter shade than before, Brushed Silver, Stealth and a new copper-rose Deep Rose. Oura calls the titanium scratch-resistant, and every finish is rated waterproof to 100 meters and IP68. Ring 4 is titanium with a PVD or diamond-like carbon coating, depending on the finish, and Oura also made an Oura Ring 4 Ceramic in zirconia ceramic. Oura says Ring 4 is suitable for the sauna and water sports but not for diving, and Ring 5's water rating is the same 100 meters.

Software and membership

Oura launched Health Radar, AI-enabled medical guidance with Counsel Health, GLP-1 Insights and other software alongside Ring 5, and says these features are available to members with Gen3 and newer rings. The Health Radar help page, last updated Oct. 16, 2026, lists Gen3 or later with an active membership as the requirement, which includes Ring 4.

Membership costs the same on both rings, $5.99 a month or $69.99 a year in the US, and belongs to your account, not the ring. When you pair a new ring, it moves over, and Oura doesn't give a second free month to a ring added to an existing account. If you own both rings, multi-ring support lets one account switch between them, and Wired's reviewer alternated between a Ring 4 Ceramic and a Ring 5 on one membership. Our Oura membership guide covers prices, what the free tier shows and how canceling works.

Sizing: Ring 5 sizes vs Ring 4

Ring 5 comes in whole sizes 6 to 13, and Ring 4 in sizes 4 to 15. Oura says the sizing for each model differs slightly between generations and labels its kits by generation. The Ring 5 kit has sizers from 6 to 13 and the Ring 4 kit from 4 to 15, so a Ring 4 owner shouldn't assume the same number fits. Wired's reviewer kept her Ring 4 size and found the Ring 5 fit more snugly.

Oura's online store includes a free sizing kit if you choose Size Later at checkout, and our smart ring sizing guide explains how to use it. If your size falls below 6 or above 13, Ring 4 is the Oura that fits, subject to inventory.

Prices, and whether Ring 4 is still sold

Ring 5 starts at $399 for Silver and Black and $499 for the other four finishes, according to CNET. Ring 4 launched at $349, and CNET noted that Ring 5 starts $50 above the base Ring 4.

Oura's Ring 4 store page was still up on Oct. 26, 2026, with its full specifications. The help center says: "For the most up-to-date availability information on Oura Ring 4 or Oura Ring 4 Ceramic, check the Oura online store or an authorized retailer directly. Finish/color and size availability may vary by current inventory." We couldn't confirm a current US price for Ring 4, so check the store or a retailer before you compare.

At Ring 4's $349 launch price, the first year with the annual membership would come to $418.99 against $468.99 for a Silver or Black Ring 5, and two years to $488.98 against $538.98. Oura allows one return or one exchange per item, and an exchange covers only a different size of the same ring. If you order one model and want the other, you return the ring for a refund within 30 days and order again.

Who should upgrade

If you own Ring 4, the software is not a reason to switch, since Health Radar, GLP-1 Insights and the other launch features already reach your ring. Upgrade if the ring's size or weight bothers you, or if a day more of rated battery matters to you, and plan on a new sizing kit. If you own a Gen3, the same software reaches your ring with a membership. Gen2 owners are the exception: Health Radar isn't available on Gen2, and Oura says many newer features don't work on that hardware, so any newer ring would add them.

If you're buying your first Oura, Ring 5 is the current model, and it fits if your size is between 6 and 13 and the extra $50 at Ring 4's launch price isn't a stretch. Ring 4 makes sense if your size is outside Ring 5's range or a retailer's price makes the gap larger than $50. Confirm the price and stock first.

If you'd rather not pay a monthly fee, the Galaxy Ring and Ultrahuman Ring Pro don't charge one, and our Oura vs Galaxy Ring vs Ultrahuman comparison and best smart rings guide cover them. If you're weighing Oura against a band, see our Whoop vs Oura comparison.