Oura Ring 5 Review: I Upgraded From Gen 4, and Here’s My Honest Take

I wore the Oura Ring Gen 4 every single day and night for over a year, and I called it my quiet little coach. (You can read my full Oura Ring Gen 4 review for that whole story.) So when the Oura Ring 5 came out, I’ll admit I wondered: do I really need to upgrade something that’s already working?

Then I put it on.

The Oura Ring 5 is 40% smaller, thinner, and lighter than the Gen 4, and I mean this sincerely: I forget I’m wearing it. For someone who can’t sleep with anything tight or clunky on her fingers, that pretty much decided it for me.

Here’s my honest, real-life review as a trainer in my 60s who’s been wearing Oura rings around the clock for a long time now.

What Is the Oura Ring 5?

The Oura Ring 5 is the newest version of the Oura smart ring, which tracks your sleep, activity, recovery, stress, and heart health using heart rate, heart rate variability, movement, and body temperature. Same 50+ health metrics as before, now packed into what Oura calls the world’s smallest smart ring: a titanium band that starts at just 2 grams, waterproof to 100 meters.

The technology didn’t shrink in capability. Just in size.

Oura Ring 5 vs Gen 4: What Actually Changed

Oura Ring Gen 4Oura Ring 5Size and weightLight, but you always know it’s there40% smaller and thinner, from 2 gramsMaterialTitaniumTitanium, redesigned finishesBatteryUp to 8 daysUp to 6 to 9 days depending on sizeChargingRing chargerRing charger, about 80 minutes; optional charging case gives a full day in 10 minutesHealth metrics50+Same 50+, same appPriceOften on sale now$399 to $499 depending on finishMembership$5.99/month$5.99/month (your existing membership carries over!)

The short version: everything I loved about the Gen 4 is still here. What changed is how it feels on your hand, and that turns out to matter more than I expected.

What I Love About the Oura Ring 5

After a year on the Gen 4 and months in the Oura Ring 5, these are the upgrades I notice every single day (and the reasons I’d buy it again).

It Disappears on Your Finger

This is the headline for me. The Gen 4 was comfortable, but I always knew it was there. The Oura Ring 5 is so much smaller and lighter that I genuinely forget about it: sleeping, typing, carrying groceries, teaching class. If ring bulk was the thing holding you back from a smart ring, that objection is officially gone.

It looks more like jewelry now too, which this fashion-loving grandma appreciates. I’ve had people ask about my ring without any idea it was tracking my sleep. It fits right in with my favorite Amazon accessories that pass for designer, because looking expensive without the price tag is kind of my thing.

Battery Life That Doesn’t Nag Me

Oura rates the battery at up to 6 to 9 days depending on your ring size, and in my real life I’m going noticeably longer between charges than I did with my Gen 4. I still do my charge-while-I-shower routine, just less often. How convenient is that?

There’s also a new charging case (sold separately) that gives you a full day of battery in about 10 minutes, which I’d call travel insurance for forgetful packers like me.

Same Sleep and Recovery Insights I Rely On

Everything that made me love Oura in the first place is unchanged: my Sleep Score with REM, light, and deep sleep breakdowns, my Readiness Score, daytime stress, and 24/7 heart rate. As a woman 10 years post-menopause, sleep is where midlife bodies get noisy, and this data is what helped me clean mine up. If you want the full story on how I actually use those scores day to day, it’s all in my Gen 4 review, and nothing about how I use the app has changed.

I’m still chasing Triple Crown days (Readiness, Sleep, and Activity all at 85 or higher). Readiness is still the hardest crown to earn. Some things never change!

You might also enjoy my 15 science-backed tips to get better sleep, and the sleep gadgets for women in midlife that actually work (tested by me!).

Finding the Right Fit (Still Matters!)

Use the sizing kit. I said it in my Gen 4 review and I’ll say it again, because you’ll wear this ring to bed every night and comfort is non-negotiable.

One note if you’re upgrading: don’t assume your Gen 4 size carries over. The Ring 5 is a different shape, so re-size with the new kit. I still wear mine on my right forefinger, and I still recommend sizing with summer swelling in mind.

The Silicone Covers I Wear Over Mine

Here’s my favorite accessory hack, and it carried straight over from my Gen 4 days: silicone ring covers. I wear one over my Oura Ring 5 when I’m strength training so the titanium doesn’t get chewed up by dumbbells (and my dumbbells don’t get scratched either). They cost next to nothing, they slip on and off in two seconds, and they’ve kept my ring looking brand new.

I keep a couple in my gym bag and one by the kettlebells at home. If you lift, consider them a must.

And when I want the opposite effect (jewelry on purpose), I still stack mine with a thin decorative band, same trick I used with my Gen 4. The smaller profile makes it look even better.

Is the Oura Ring 5 Worth It for Women Over 40?

Everything I said about the Gen 4 goes double here. Perimenopause and menopause change your sleep and your recovery, and most of us are guessing at what’s going on. The ring replaces guessing with awareness.

It’s not a medical device, and I don’t always agree with my Readiness Score (some mornings I feel great and it politely disagrees). But it has taught me to listen to my body instead of pushing through, and at this stage of life, that’s the skill that matters most.

The smaller size makes the case even stronger for women. Many of us have smaller hands, wear other rings, and don’t want a fitness tracker that looks like tech. The Ring 5 solves all three.

Should You Upgrade From the Gen 4 (or Gen 3)?

My honest take:

If you have a Gen 3, yes. The jump in comfort and battery life alone is significant (Oura says the Ring 5 sensors are more accurate too), and your membership transfers right over in the app.

If you have a Gen 4 and it fits comfortably, you don’t need to upgrade. The app experience is the same. Upgrade if the size and weight bother you, if you’ve been leaving it off (an Oura ring in the drawer tracks nothing!), or if you just want the sleeker look. That comfort difference is exactly why I did.

And if you’re brand new to smart rings, start with the Ring 5. No reason to buy yesterday’s version of something you’ll wear for years.

Membership, Price, and the FSA/HSA Perk

The membership is still $5.99/month and still worth it in my opinion, because that’s where the trends and long-term data live, and that’s the part I’d actually miss. New members currently get their first month free. If you’re upgrading, your existing membership carries over, no new subscription needed.

The ring runs $399 to $499 depending on the finish (there are six now, including a pretty new Deep Rose). And yes, you can still use FSA or HSA dollars, which takes some sting out of the price.

What to Consider Before You Buy

Cost: still an investment, not a necessity

Usage: works best worn day and night, consistently

Sizing: order the free sizing kit, even if you’re upgrading

Learning curve: minimal, and identical to Gen 4 if you’re switching

Potential downsides: membership required for full insights, and the Readiness Score still won’t always match how you feel

My Final Take on the Oura Ring 5

With the Gen 4, I started as a skeptic and ended a believer. With the Ring 5, there was no skepticism left to overcome, just the question of whether the upgrade earned its keep.

It did. The best part? The ring finally matches the philosophy. Oura always won by being the tracker that stays out of your way, with no buzzing and no screen demanding your attention. Now it stays out of your way physically too. I put it on, I forget about it, and every morning it quietly tells me the truth about my sleep and recovery.

That’s my kind of coach.

PS. If you’re still deciding between generations, my Oura Ring Gen 4 review covers a full year of real-life wear, and the Gen 4 is often on sale now, which makes it a great budget pick.

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