Smart Rings Overrun the Fitness Market
Smart rings have quietly emerged as one of the most interesting developments in wearables, offering smooth and minimalist alternatives to much more sensational devices, such as smartwatches. For now, that, of course, is probably the exclusive preserve of the Apple Watch-it has already become the undisputed leader in the world of smartwatches. In other words, while competing with Apple Watch, the Oura Ring 4 supports it in terms of offering more passive, long-term monitoring in a more discreet size. Yet does that alone change your health tracking tools?
Oura’s Path: Kickstarter to Success Smart Ring Leader
Of course, Oura didn’t exactly invent the smart ring idea, but it most definitely made the category relevant. It was founded back in 2013, and their very first product that I made available to Kickstarter two years later took advantage of delivering a very passive fitness tracker that, ironically enough, in not having a display, turned the lack of one into an asset through embracing its minimalist design.
COVID-19 has marked the real success for the firm. The company got into the spotlight through the very high-profile partnerships with sports leagues like the NBA because their Oura Rings use was apt for monitoring athletes for early signs of sickness, which shows the gadget’s utility for health tracking in real-world, high-stakes environments.
Not a Competitor, But a Companion to Apple Watch
One of the best arguments in favor of the Oura Ring 4 is that it does not compete with more holistic fitness trackers, like the Apple Watch. Nearly two-thirds of all Oura users also own another wearable – a smartwatch, according to Oura CEO Tom Hale. The Oura Ring works in concert with those devices, providing health insights to complement more immediate feedback from the likes of the Apple Watch Series 10.
The Apple Watch keeps babbling and vibrating to remind you to be active through the course of the day, reminding you to stand and move in those sections in time to see notifications. It would be pretty cool during a workout or if you need that little boost to get those daily steps done. But sometimes it can be too much for you, which is where the Oura Ring separates itself by sending the user long-term health trends rather than constant updates. This makes it less obtrusive and better suited for monitoring sleep and well-being in general.
Design and Comfort: Unobtrusive yet Effective
On the face of things, the Oura Ring 3 and the Oura Ring 4 haven’t changed much at all. This is still a clean, minimalist metal band meant to disappear into the background, forgetting it’s there once you put it on your finger. But there have been subtle yet important changes inside, such as recessed sensors that make the ring even more comfortable to wear for long periods of time.
New design for the masses For those, like me, who avoided smart rings because of discomfort, this new design is a total game-changer. Now, Oura offers significantly more sizes, from 4 to 15 units, ensuring that there will be at least one perfect fit for any user. During testing of the Oura Ring 4, I was comfortable enough to wear it throughout the day and night-an imperative aspect for users who want to keep tabs on their sleep without having the hassle of a smartwatch in tow.
Battery Life: An Integral Advantage That Smartwatches Lack
Among the most frequent complaints about smartwatches in general, including the Apple Watch, is the need for constant recharging. Actually, Apple has developed its offerings from one year to the next, but even the latest models still require a daily charging ritual if you want to track both the daily activities and sleep. On the other hand, the Oura Ring 4 provides up to eight days of battery life on a single charge.
This is due in large part because the Oura Ring does not have a power-hungry display. When it comes to passive health monitoring, such as sleep tracking, that will give the Oura Ring an edge. During my time wearing the ring, I was able to eek out four full days of use before recharging it up, and that is still light years ahead in the convenience department compared to wearing the Apple Watch.
Compare the battery life on Oura Ring to that of other smartwatches, for instance, Apple Watch Series 10.
Sleep Tracking: The Secret weapon of Oura Ring
Perhaps the cornerstone of Oura Ring success has always been in its sleep tracking feature. Many people find wearing a smartwatch in bed interrupts their sleep, simply because of the bulk of the device or concern regarding battery life. With the Oura Ring, however, natural sleep tracking seems a little more intuitive to do. The slim, light design of the Oura Ring means you will hardly know that you are wearing it.
For example, Oura Ring does not track only the minimum stats: sleep time or phases. It allows readiness score, stress levels, and recovery. They report users’ overall health status to improve wellness over time.
Learn more about how Oura’s advanced sleep tracking features work.
Activity Tracking: Less Instant, More Comprehensive
The Oura Ring does feature some fitness tracking abilities, but such features are somewhat more passive compared to what a smartwatch can provide. It will remind you to stretch or stand when it is sensed that you have been inactive for longer periods and alert you whenever you’ve met various milestones in terms of the activity goals. However, this is lacking in the detailed, real-time stats and gamification that make fitness tracking on devices like the Apple Watch so interesting.
All that aside, though, Oura shines at offering a more holistic view of health. It compounds over time a baseline of your metrics, provides an edge on your readiness and stress levels, and is an excellent companion to a smartwatch-particularly when looking to optimize long-term health, rather than daily steps.
What’s Next for Oura?
Our tracking is not static. The company has just recently purchased Veri, a firm that specializes in monitoring blood sugar. That buy shows that Oura is on the path to making its health ecosystem significantly larger and probably far more insightful than any one smartwatch could possibly offer. It will depend on third-party integrations for glucose monitoring, but its Oura Ring’s core health device potential seems poised to grow.
Conclusion: The Perfect Pairing for the Apple Watch Users
The Oura Ring 4 is not a smartwatch and will never be able to replace your Apple Watch, but it’s a fantastic addition to one. Its passive tracking, long battery life, and sleek design make it perfect for monitoring long-term health trends like sleep, readiness, or stress without constant attention. Alone or in addition to a smartwatch, the Oura Ring 4 is a must-have device for anyone serious about tracking health.
For those who want healthy, easy integration of comfort, convenience, and holistic health monitoring, Oura Ring 4 is worth the investment.
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