Oura Ring Generation 3 Review: Don’t Sleep On This Sleek Sleep and Fitness Tracker

The products featured in this article have been independently reviewed. When you buy something through the retail links on this page, we may earn commission at no cost to you, the reader. Sports Illustrated editorial staff are not involved in the creation of this content. Learn more here.

Oura Ring Spec Overview:

• Weight: Four to six grams (depending on ring size)
• Width: 7.9 millimeters
• Thickness: 2.55 millimeters
• Colors: Silver, black, stealth, gold, rose gold
• Subscription: $5.99/month
• Sizes: 6 - 13

Fitness and sleep tracker wearables have introduced our world to new standards in understanding one's health and sleep quality outside of the doctor’s office. Generally, most of us think of an Apple Watch or Fitbit when we think of fitness or wellness wearables; wrist-worn devices tend to be the standard when it comes to fitness trackers. Gaining popularity, however, is an option that takes up significantly less space on your body: A tracker in the form of a ring. The Oura Ring Generation 3 is a comprehensive sleep, fitness and activity tracker that gathers much of the data you'd expect from a typical wellness wearable such as a smartwatch but is instead a discreet and sleek ring.

Despite its smaller size, the Oura Ring Generation 3 can outwork much of the competition. On various fronts, this ring wellness tracker can outpace many of the more expensive and bulkier smartwatches available today. From its charging time to durability to its easy-to-read and use but comprehensive app, the Oura Ring 3 might be the winner for those who aren’t sold on wearing a tracker on their wrist, or those who prefer a more traditional analog watch as their accessory. Whether you're looking to track steps or sleep quality, the Oura Ring is a more discreet way to keep tabs on your wellness. Read on to learn more about the Oura Ring 3 and whether or not it’s a good fit for your lifestyle.

How Does the Oura Ring Work?

The Oura Ring has 15 tiny sensors packed into it to measure and review your daily activity, readiness (recovery) and sleep quality. Green, red and infrared LEDs measure your daytime activity and workout heart rate while exercising. Negative temperature coefficient (NTC) sensors detect changes in your skin temperature to help detect potential illness or help provide period prediction for women. An additional infrared sensor helps determine if you are wearing the ring correctly. In doing so, the sensor helps ensure you get more accurate data reports by considering potential lapses in accurately reading your body's metrics due to incorrectly wearing the ring. Additionally, accelerometers are built into the ring to measure your movements during the day or while exercising, such as steps taken, calories burned or general workout reports from things such as cycling or running.

The sensors' readings are consolidated and presented via Bluetooth on the Oura mobile app. The app shows daily, weekly or monthly graphs, along with easy-to-read scores and metrics. The app begins with basic informational charts and scores, but allows users to dive deeper into the ring's readings with more in-depth analysis and insight options, such as comparing them to previous readings to find problematic patterns or areas to improve on.

Unlike many other fitness or wellness wearables available today that rely more heavily on tracking reps and movements, the Oura Ring 3 may be able to consolidate a more comprehensive report of your activity, recovery and sleep metrics (REM sleep or how much deep sleep you are getting each night) by using a more thorough reading of your body's various "messages" (resting heart rate, body temperature and heart rate variability) throughout the day and night.

Oura Ring Design

The Oura Ring 3 has a sleek, durable and lightweight design. Oura uses lightweight titanium with PVD coating, making the ring highly durable and water-resistant (you can shower and swim with it). The ring's design makes it practical and appealing for both the gym or a night out, though users participating in heavy weight lifting may find it slightly uncomfortable for some lifts.

The ring has two options for shape: Heritage and Horizon. The Heritage option has a classic flat-surfaced (plateaued) top, with the rest of the ring being circular. In contrast, the Horizon design has a simple, uninterrupted, fully circular design but is a bit more expensive. Oura also offers multiple coating/finish options: silver, black, stealth and gold are available in both design types. The Horizon model also offers a rose gold finish. Each finish/color is also priced differently, with stealth, gold, and rose gold being more expensive. Oura offers ring sizes ranging from six to 13, and the average width of the Oura ring is 7.9 millimeters (for reference the standard wedding band thickness is around 2.5 millimeters for women, and between six and eight millimeters for men). The ring weighs roughly four to six grams, but this depends on your size. The tech features remain the same on every ring regardless of your choice of style and size.

Using the Oura Ring

The Oura Ring, especially the app's readings, is designed for long-term use. This means that while you can calculate calorie burn, general sleep metrics or steps taken in the day from the get-go, the app becomes better at understanding your body with time, honing recommendations and illuminating problems as it learns more about you. When you get started, the Oura 3 is simple to use and has a straightforward setup, only requiring a compatible Android or Apple smartphone to use the app. We outlined the set-up process below:

1) Unbox your Oura, and ensure you have the ring of your size and choice, the charging port and a USB type-A cable.

2) Before anything else, plug the cable into the charger and place the ring on the charger. A light on the charger will start blinking while the ring is charging. When the light stops blinking, it means your ring is fully charged (80 minutes max charge time).

3) Download the Oura app on a Bluetooth-compatible phone via the iOS or Android app store. You can connect the two easily when your ring is charged and the phone's Bluetooth is enabled. The app will guide you through opening an account and ensure your ring is adequately charged and connected to get the most accurate readings.

4) Put the ring on and ensure the sensors cover the palm side of your finger, with the index finger being the best choice (the middle or ring fingers are the next best two), according to Oura.

5) After the first 24 hours that your ring is connected to your Oura app account, you can start accessing your rest and activity data, scores and personalized wellness recommendations. However, as noted above, the Oura app is best used over time. While you will immediately have standard tracking and baseline insights, more personalized suggestions or algorithms will develop as you use the ring over time, and the app learns more about your body's activities and patterns.

Oura Ring Technology and Standout Features

Oura's sleep-tracking abilities really stand out. Notably, one study in May 2020 found that the Oura performed on par with a medical-grade electrocardiogram (ECG) when determining heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) in sleepers. Oura's ability to factor fluctuations in temperature, heart rate and blood oxygen levels with real-time activity tracking (or lack thereof) may allow for more in-depth reports that shine a light on daily patterns or body issues other fitness trackers may overlook or not consider. (For example, Oura can distinguish between resting and sleeping.) Along with potentially more comprehensive tracking and data reports, the wider spectrum of how Oura conducts its body readings (and that it does so through your finger—a potentially more optimal way to read your body's pulse) may help to fine-tune Oura's personalized recommendations for your wellness with better precision than other wearables.

In addition to top-tier accuracy in reading your sleep and activity patterns, the Oura Ring itself may be more convenient to consistently wear than a smartwatch. For one, its smaller size and less flashy presence on your body make it easier to wear the ring regardless of the event or activity. This can lead to better readings and recommendations due to more consistent usage. Moreover, the Oura has a battery life that others will struggle to beat. While there may be exceptions, generally, Oura claims that a full charge ranges from only 20 to 80 minutes of charging, with one full charge potentially lasting up to seven days. Unlike some wearables (such as Apple Watches), not having to remove the device for nightly charging allows for more consistent wear and more accurate readings.

The Pros of the Oura Ring

• Comprehensive sleep tracking, proven comparable with medical-grade equipment
• Battery life can last nearly a week
• Easy to wear regardless of the occasion
• Extremely durable and waterproof
• Can function in extreme weather conditions
• Affordable subscription plan when compared to competitors
• Great for fitness tracking, especially for fans of cardio or HIIT exercise
• Provides personalized suggestions based on your data to improve your health and strategic activity goals to help you do so
• Can be synced with other health apps such as Apple Health, Health Connect, Google Fit, Natural Cycles and Strava
• Cheaper than many smartwatches
• Comes with a one-year warranty

The Cons of the Oura Ring

• Potentially easier to misplace or lose than a smartwatch
• Use without a subscription is very limited
• It may not be ideal for weight training when compared to other fitness gadgets
• While cheaper than some smartwatches, you can not use Oura to talk on the phone or read texts like many smartwatches
• Two- and three-year warranty plans come at an additional fee

Oura Ring Cost

The Oura Ring 3 starts out at $299 for the Heritage version (flat-topped design). In comparison, the Horizon version (full-circular design) costs $349. Both options are available at the same price in silver and black. However, a stealth finish will add $100 to the price tag of both models, while gold will add an additional $150 to each design's price tag. The rose gold finish is only available with the Horizon model for an additional $200 ($549 total). Moreover, the Oura app's subscription, which is highly recommended to get the most out of your ring, is $5.99 a month after the first free month.

Oura Ring Sizing

The Oura Ring is available in sizes starting from six (16.5 millimeters, the smallest) to 13 (22.2 millimeters, the largest). While some may already know their ring size, it's understandable that many of us may not. Considering this, Oura offers a free sizing kit with your purchase. This ring sizing kit is sent to you before your actual Oura Ring and contains a plastic replica of each Oura Ring size to help ensure the final perfect fit. You finalize your order upon deciding which size is best for you.

Oura Ring Customer Reviews

Best Buy is one of the few retail stores carrying the Oura Ring 3 (most customers purchase the Ring directly from Oura on their website). On Best Buy's site, the third-generation Oura Ring currently has a 4.4 out of 5-star rating from 160 verified customer reviews. Standing out was a near-perfect 4.7 out of 5 each for battery life, comfort and durability. A small percentage of verified buyers expressed frustration over connecting their ring to the app or understanding the setup process with their phone. Generally, most found the ring to be worth the money and quite practical, with one verified buyer writing, "It is definitely worth the investment! I’ve had it for about seven weeks now, and I’ve learned so much about my sleep, activity patterns, readiness for the day, heart rate variability, etc. It goes beyond what an Apple Watch can do in these areas."

Oura Ring vs Whoop

The Oura Ring is a ring, while the Whoop is a screenless wrist wearable. Both devices offer a variety of beneficial fitness and wellness tracking features. However, the Oura may exceed in tracking your sleep habits more precisely. This may be because the ring was initially created to specialize in sleep tracking (with its efficiency in sleep tracking being verified in studies), though the more recent versions have been updated to include high-level tracking of other metrics, too. These origins of the Oura device have made it so its sleep tracking only continues to improve as a stand-out feature as the device evolves, especially compared to other wellness wearables, including the Whoop.

Another difference between the two is the pricing model. The Oura Ring is available with a one-time purchase of the ring for $299 for its baseline model, with a monthly subscription fee of $5.99, while the Whoop band is free but requires a $30 monthly subscription to function. With both wearables being designed for long-term use, Oura's subscription fee may save you money compared to Whoop's over time.

Additionally, you can only use the Whoop band with a subscription. But with the Oura, despite being limited compared to using it with a subscription to its app, the ring still offers scores and general health tracking regardless of having one.

Lastly, the aesthetic and functionality preferences of the ring vs. bracelet style of the Whoop may mean a lot to some, especially those considering the Oura as an alternative to their smartwatch. The Whoop band may be out of place at a dressier function, where the Oura ring would not be. Because of this, I think the ring design may make it more possible to get more accurate, long-term and in-depth readings with the Oura over the Whoop due to its easier ability to wear regardless of the event.

Oura Ring FAQs

Is the Gen 3 Oura Ring worth it?

If you are looking for a practical wellness, fitness and sleep tracker that can provide insight into your well-being and ways to improve it, this ring can be a great tool. Furthermore, if you find smartwatches uncomfortable or too pricey, the Oura Ring 3 is a great alternative.

What can the Oura Ring 3 do?

The Oura Ring 3 offers daily sleep scores (amount of sleep, REM sleep and quality of your sleep stages), readiness scores (tracking relaxed times of the day) and activity scores (monitoring steps taken, calculating calories lost or training frequency). By following your heart rate, movements, sleep quality, blood oxygen saturation levels and more, the ring can compile comprehensive health data charts to help inform you about your body's current state and ways to improve your health.

Can I use the Oura Ring 3 without a subscription?

Yes, you can use the Oura Ring 3 without a subscription. However, this will limit what you can get out of it. You can still access your scores or data charts via download on a web browser, but you cannot access more in-depth analysis or personalized recommendations from the app. Subscribing to the Oura app is highly recommended to get the most out of your ring.

Can you shower with the Oura Ring 3?

Yes, you can shower and even swim with the Oura ring. Oura claims its ring is water-resistant up to 328 feet, meaning you can even snorkel with it.

Can the Oura Ring monitor blood pressure?

No, despite the variety of sensors in the ring, the Oura Ring 3 does not track blood pressure.

Final Thoughts:

The Oura Ring 3 is a practical and sleek-looking wearable that I'd consider a great alternative to other health-tracking gadgets such as smartwatches or bands. Admittedly, I spend a lot of time training, and as a fitness-obsessed person, I would want an additional fitness-focused tracker when training on top of the Oura Ring (especially for strength training). However, I still believe the Oura Ring to be less distracting when engaging in more cardio-focused training, such as running or biking, than a smartwatch or band around my wrist. Overall, I would consider the Oura Ring a permanent health-tracking wearable for more prolonged use inside and outside the gym to better understand one's body's health, well-being and the quality of restorative sleep they are getting.

It isn't only about sets, reps and gains, and if you're seeking a comprehensive and reliable health tracker that is really suitable to wear without insecurity in most settings and occasions, the Oura Ring 3 is a definite go-to.

Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.