If you pay attention to wellness trends, you probably already know about the Oura Ring, a ring with sensors that provide insights into your sleep, fitness and overall health. The shiny band, often worn on the index finger, has been seen on celebrities including Prince Harry and Jennifer Anniston, and with more than 2.5 million sold worldwide you may have even spotted one in the wild.
I was keen to see if the Oura ring lived up to the hype so, I reached out to the company’s PR and was sent an Oura Ring Generation 3 to try. This was given to me as a press gift, but after six months of near-constant wear, I can genuinely say that I would happily spend my own money on it.
I've tried other wearables (including the Apple Watch which I think is, well, a bit boring) but this is the only one I can see myself sticking with. The Oura has impressed me in so many ways, but here are the highlights—and one minor complaint, because nothing's perfect.
+ The ring is comfortable to wear
It's impossible not to gush about the Oura ring's gorgeous design. The ring is a thick band made from titanium, with tiny sensors on the inside that pick up health data. When it's on your finger, you'd never know it was a piece of tech, it just looks like jewelry. The ring should be worn round the clock to get the most out of it, but it's extremely comfortable and doesn't interfere with your life. It's waterproof too, so you can keep it on to shower, while you wash up, or even swim.
+ It knows how ready you are to tackle the day
The ring is constantly collecting data and sending it to the Oura app. While the data is broken down into sections, it also gives you a "readiness score" out of 100. This is my favorite feature and I use it every day to help me work out when to be more active, and when to take it easy and rest.
+ It tells you a lot about your sleep patterns
The Oura ring is a highly accurate sleep tracker that tells you everything from how much deep sleep you're getting, to how a nap can recharge you. I've particularly enjoyed learning about my chronotype, in simple terms that's whether you're a night owl or early bird. The clever bit is that Oura works out your type and suggests the perfect sleep schedule for you.
+ It offers fantastic women's health features
Finally, let's talk about periods. I used to track my cycle using a paper diary, which seemed like a fine way to keep tabs on things, but Oura’s cycle tracking feature is a serious upgrade. The ring spots when your period is on the way by monitoring changes in your body temperature. It also tells you how your body reacts to different menstrual phases. For example, it reminds you to make the most of that magical time of the month—the follicular phase—when you feel unstoppable.
- The battery life
My only quibble with the Oura Ring is the battery life. Although Oura says my model should last seven days, I have to charge mine every three to four days. It's a bit of a faff, but certainly not a sticking point, especially when it only takes about 20 minutes to charge.
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