The Oura Ring: A Smart Wearable That’s Actually Worth It

The Oura Ring: A Smart Wearable That’s Actually Worth It

Smart fitness tech is a huge trend — one that I must confess I resisted as long as I could. When everyone was getting Fitbits, I just continued exercising as I always had, disconnected and without even bringing my phone. Personally, I felt I didn't need a device to tell me what my fitness goals were or how well I was doing.

But the Oura ring? This gadget seemed different. For starters, it was much smaller and less cumbersome than having to wear a wristwatch. As someone who doesn’t like wearing anything on my wrists, it seemed like a great alternative.

But what finally swayed me in Oura’s favor wasn’t its sleek design; it was the fact that the company teamed up with Natural Cycles, giving women a way to track their menstrual cycles without the tedious temperature-measuring every morning. This felt like a leap forward — finally, a piece of fitness tech that prioritized women's health in a real, thoughtful way.

Was the Oura a splurge? You bet. Do I regret the purchase? Not one bit. In fact, it’s one of the few gadgets I wear daily without feeling burdened by it.

Key Features
The Oura ring ushered in a whole new generation of wearable gadgets, promising much more than the devices that were already available at the time. Its main selling point is the three tiny sensors on the inside of the ring that, when correctly fitted on your index finger, can give remarkably accurate information on everything from your sleep quality to your daily stress levels and, more recently, your biological heart health.

So far, so good. But it gets better. Oura was the first wearable device that partnered up with the fertility tracking app Natural Cycles to offer a specific value to female users. Because its readings are so precise, the Oura can record very small fluctuations in body temperature as you wake up, which is how the natural method of tracking periods works.

At first, the temperature readings could only be used in conjunction with the Natural Cycles app (which is FDA-cleared as a natural form of birth control), but eventually, the Oura app expanded its functionality to allow women to track their periods. It shouldn’t be used to prevent pregnancy, but if you’re using the app to track your cycle and predict ovulation, it now has that feature.

Another standout is how the ring’s software evolves. With each app update, Oura keeps expanding the platform's insights — adding features like sleep chronotypes, resilience tracking, and day readiness scores — so the device keeps growing with your wellness needs.

Pros
From the moment I placed my order, I liked how well thought out the whole process was. The company sends you a kit of dummy rings to try out so you choose the correct size. The ring has to sit snug on your finger, or it won’t work as it should.

The customer service is great post-purchase, too. About two years into using my Oura ring, I had a battery issue. The app was able to diagnose a faulty battery, and I was sent a replacement ring by the day. The whole process was very smooth and effortless.

Finally, the app itself is pretty good and interesting to explore. The ring is remarkably good at detecting subtle changes in your well-being. It immediately alerted me to signs of sickness when I got Covid, even before I took a test to confirm that I was indeed sick.

Depending on what goal you set for yourself, the data and suggested improvements are all geared toward that goal. Mine is to reduce stress, and the app offers resources like recorded mindfulness sessions to help you unwind.

I also love that the ring doesn’t scream “tech.” It’s discreet, stylish, and blends in with any outfit — a rare quality in a world where most fitness gear feels aggressively sporty.

Cons
Although I am glad I got my Oura ring, I appreciate that it’s hugely expensive for what it is. Not only is the initial cost intimidating (mine cost over $200), but you have to keep paying for the app subscription. It’s not a huge amount (around $5 a month), but still feels exorbitant given the high initial cost. I understand that the company has to keep making money, but this is probably the most off-putting factor about this gadget.

The other big con, I would argue, is that the Oura might not be the best companion for people who are prone to anxiety, especially health anxiety. If you wear it all the time, it will alert you to things like high stress levels or sitting down too much. For some, this might be a source of additional stress. The same goes for having in-depth access to sleep data. I enjoy glancing at it, but I can see how someone with more anxiety might start obsessing over poor sleep quality and what long-term consequences that might have. For some of us, there is such a thing as knowing too much.

And although the app keeps improving, I occasionally wish it integrated more seamlessly with other health platforms — especially for users who are already tracking data in Apple Health or Google Fit.

Value for Money
Oura’s value for money very much depends on how — and how much — you use it. If you wear it all the time and have a very specific goal that the device addresses, it’s good value for you. If you just want a basic device that tracks your heart rate while you’re running, there are cheaper alternatives on the market.

Who Should Buy This Product?
Someone who has specific health goals and needs access to precise data; women who want access to body temperature data for period tracking purposes without using a thermometer daily. Also, anyone who values unobtrusive design and wants a wellness tool that doesn’t feel like a constant reminder to exercise.

Alternative Items to Consider
The only other ring device currently on the market comparable to the Oura's accuracy and features is the Samsung Galaxy ring.

It's also the only other wearable device that can be used with the Natural Cycles app. The Samsung Galaxy ring doesn't require a paid subscription, but the initial cost is higher than with the Oura.

There are many other smart rings out there these days that will suit different budgets. However, most don’t even come close to the Oura's accuracy. Given that the usefulness of these devices ultimately rests on how good they are at recording and interpreting your data, it makes sense to invest in the most accurate ones.

Conclusion
Even with the subscription model, I’d still recommend the Oura Ring. It’s comfortable to wear, easy to use, and gives me exactly what I need: accurate period and sleep tracking — plus a whole range of wellness features I can explore over time.

If it’s within your budget, go for it. In terms of performance and wearability, the Oura Ring is hard to beat. For me, it’s become more than just fitness tech — it’s a quiet, intelligent partner that helps me tune in to how my body really feels, day in and day out.

This article is not a paid sponsorship—these are personal opinions.