Is the Oura Ring Worth it? My Oura Ring Review
Is the Oura Ring Worth It? My Honest Pros & Cons Review
Over the past few months, I’ve been wearing the Oura Ring daily, tracking my sleep, activity, and overall wellness. If you’re anything like me, you love a good wellness gadget, but you also don’t want to waste your money on something that ends up collecting dust in a drawer. So, is the Oura Ring actually worth it? Let’s dive into my honest thoughts; the good, the bad, and whether I’d recommend it!
The Pros: What I Love About the Oura Ring
1. Accurate Step Tracking
One of the first things I noticed was how well the Oura Ring tracks my daily steps. I aim for 10,000 steps a day (see my tips for achieving that here), and unlike some bulkier fitness trackers, this little ring does a solid job of keeping up without feeling intrusive. I wear mine literally 24/7 and usually only take it off to charge when I’m working on my computer.
2. Sleek, Minimalist Design
Let’s be real, some fitness trackers are just plain ugly. I love that the Oura Ring is subtle and stylish. It’s a piece of tech that actually looks good, which means I never feel the need to take it off. It goes with all my other jewellery so I don’t feel the need to leave it at home during more fancier events like I did when I wore a wrist fitness tracker. I also loved that I could order a sizing kit before buying so that I knew exactly which size was best for me. That being said I am between sizes, ended up getting an 8 which is great in the day but my fingers do swell up at night/in the morning so I swap the ring to my middle finger when I sleep.
3. Readiness Score: A Game Changer
I’m obsessed with the Readiness Score feature. Each morning, it gives me an overview of how well my body has recovered overnight. It factors in my sleep, heart rate variability, and other biometrics to tell me whether I should push myself or take it easy. It’s been especially helpful in understanding how my energy levels fluctuate throughout my cycle. Just recently, it gave me warning (although I didn’t see it until that night) to take it easy after it assessed my heart rate, body temp and how much sleep I’d had. Sure enough, I was quite tired and sick that evening because I had pushed it too much. It does an incredible job at monitoring all the biometrics especially after you’ve been wearing it for a while and it starts to understand your specific body.
4. Body Temperature Monitoring
The Oura Ring also tracks body temperature, which can be useful for monitoring overall health. I haven’t personally used it for this, but I know some women sync it with the Natural Cycles app as a natural contraceptive alternative. If you prefer a non-hormonal option, this could be a big plus!
The Cons: What I Don’t Love About the Oura Ring
1. The Price
This thing is not cheap. Not only is there an upfront cost for the ring itself, but there’s also a monthly subscription fee if you want full access to all the data and insights. If you’re on a budget, this is definitely something to consider, especially now that new options are coming out into the market. I’m also based in Australia so the AUD to USD exchange wasn’t super helpful when purchasing. That being said, there are Oura Ring discount codes or offers floating around online from time to time.
2. Tarnishing Issues
I bought the gold-colored Oura Ring, and unfortunately, it’s tarnished quite quickly - especially since I wear it while renovating and cleaning. If you’re rough with your hands, you might want to go for a different colour or be prepared for some wear and tear. Coming back to the price, I wouldn’t have expected it to tarnish so quickly at that price point.
3. No Screen for Instant Feedback
Unlike a smartwatch, the Oura Ring doesn’t have a screen, which means you need to check the app for your stats. Not a dealbreaker, but if you’re someone who likes to see their progress at a glance, this might be a bit annoying. I usually carry my phone on my walks so a quick refresh isn’t too much of a big deal.
So, Is the Oura Ring Worth It?
Overall, I really like the Oura Ring. It’s sleek, packed with useful health insights, and helps me stay in tune with my body. But, it’s definitely an investment, and if you’re someone who prefers instant feedback from a smartwatch, it may not be the best fit.
Would I recommend it? If you love tracking data, want an elegant alternative to bulky fitness wearables, and don’t mind the price, then yes, I think it’s worth it! Just be mindful of the tarnishing if you’re choosing a gold finish.
Have you tried the Oura Ring? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
