Wearable technology has come a long way, and the Oura Ring is unique in health and wellness. With its understated design and decent tracking features, the Oura Ring has made a place in fitness enthusiasts’, biohackers’, and health enthusiasts’ hearts. With so much hype about the new generation, everyone is asking: Oura Ring Gen 4 vs Gen 3—is it worth the upgrade?
Below is a point-by-point Oura Ring Gen 4 vs Gen 3 comparison so that we can head towards its main differences, upgrades, and features to help you make the perfect choice for your lifestyle.
Introduction to the Oura Ring
Before we go into Oura Ring Gen 4 vs Gen 3, let’s just quickly talk about what sets Oura apart. Oura Ring is a smart ring that provides comprehensive health tracking in a fashionable, portable package. It tracks:
- Sleep quality
- Heart rate
- Body temperature
- Blood oxygen saturation (SpO2)
- Activity tracking
- Recovery readiness
With its simple app integration, the Oura Ring provides daily recommendations to optimize performance, recovery, and overall well-being. You can learn more about these features on Oura’s official site.
Design & Build: What’s New?
Gen 3 Design Overview
The Oura Ring Gen 3 features a thin titanium case that comes in several finishes including silver, black, stealth, and gold. It’s not overly thick, waterproof up to 100 meters, and subtle—great for people who like the appearance and resilience of a smart ring.
Gen 4 Design Enhancements
Comparison of Oura Ring Gen 4 vs Gen 3 reveals the most significant area of evolution to be design. Oura Ring Gen 4 maintains the traditional minimalist approach but introduces a more ergonomic and comfortable form. The most significant change is the reduced inner lining thickness, which is more comfortable—especially with prolonged wear.
Verdict: Slight Advantage to Gen 4
In Oura Ring Gen 4 vs Gen 3 battle, Gen 4 is marginally better in design terms. If comfort and durability top your list, the Oura Ring Gen 4 is a marginally better overall wear experience without sacrificing on the timeless appearance.
Sensor Accuracy and Hardware Improvements
Oura Ring Gen 4 vs Gen 3 comparison is all about hardware improvements.
Oura Ring Gen 3 Sensors
- Infrared Photoplethysmography (PPG) for heart rate and SpO2
- NTC sensors for temperature measurement
- 3D accelerometer and gyroscope for activity tracking
Gen 4 Sensor Improvements
The Oura Ring Gen 4 is an upgrade over its previous version with:
- Enhanced PPG sensor array for increased heart rate variability (HRV)
- Enhanced SpO2 readings with dual-wavelength sensors
- Improved skin temperature tracking for enhanced menstrual and sickness monitoring
You can explore the full sensor specs on Oura’s product page.
Verdict: Gen 4 is More Advanced
Gen 4’s upgraded sensors deliver higher accuracy and actionable health information, especially for those concerned with biometric precision.
Sleep Monitoring: Is There Really a Difference?
Sleep tracking is where Oura Ring truly shines. But Oura Ring Gen 4 vs Gen 3 comparison, are there material differences in the ability to monitor sleep?
Gen 3 Sleep Performance
The Oura Ring Gen 3 already has compelling sleep tracking features. It monitors in-depth sleep stages (REM, deep, and light), nighttime heart rate trends by day, and provides a comprehensive sleep score each morning. It also precisely measures nocturnal movement, restlessness, total sleep time, and sleep latency—giving customers a strong sense of their nighttime sleep and recovery.
Gen 4 Sleep Tracking Enhancements
When put side by side, Oura Ring Gen 4 and Gen 3, the fourth generation is better when it comes to tracking sleep. Oura Ring Gen 4 has improved REM and NREM detection, real-time monitoring of breathing rate, and tracking of respiration patterns. These sensors even detect subtle micro-movements and temperature changes during sleep, allowing users to determine early warning signs of disease, stress, or fatigue.
Its sophisticated hardware enables the Gen 4 to deliver more detailed insights that are specifically helpful for those who want to optimize recovery, more effectively manage stress, or track sleep-related health conditions.
Verdict: Gen 4 Provides Deeper Insights
In Oura Ring Gen 4 vs Gen 3, Gen 4 evidently offers a richer, more actionable insight into your sleep quality. For those who put a high emphasis on sleep optimization and early detection of potential health issues, the Oura Ring Gen 4 is the better option.
Activity & Workout Tracking: Oura Ring Gen 4 vs Gen 3
When it comes to comparing activity tracking and working out, Oura Ring Gen 4 vs Gen 3 demonstrates a fairly large number of important differences.
Gen 3 Activity Features
The Oura Ring Gen 3 includes standard activity tracking like step counts, estimated caloric burn, and a readiness score according to your recovery data. It tracks daily activity and enables users to manually set their own activity goals. Suitable for general fitness tracking but does not provide real-time feedback while exercising.
Gen 4 Activity Upgrades
The Oura Ring Gen 4 makes significant strides here. It has real-time heart rate tracking in exercise, improved workout detection, and more precise readiness scoring from more dynamic HRV and effort metrics. These features make it more appealing to fitness-conscious users who desire specific performance insights.
Verdict: Gen 4 is Better for Fitness Enthusiasts
If Oura Ring Gen 4 vs Gen 3 specifically for fitness tracking is your concern, then Gen 4 has a clear advantage. Its real-time data, greater accuracy, and wiser activity analysis make it ideal for athletes, fitness trackers, or anyone simply who would prefer their recovery data after exercise to be more precise.
Oura Ring Gen 3 Activity Features
- Default step tracking
- Setting activity goals
- Readiness score based on recovery
Gen 4 Activity Upgrades
The Oura Ring Gen 4 introduces:
- Real-time heart rate during workouts
- Improved activity tagging and workout detection
- Enhanced readiness scoring based on HRV and exertion
Verdict: Gen 4 is Better for Active Users
If you’re regularly engaged in fitness activities and want more accurate feedback on your recovery and exertion, Gen 4 is the clear winner.
Battery Life and Charging
Gen 3 Battery Performance
The Oura Ring Gen 3 gives a decent battery life of up to 7 days with a full charge. The ring charges fully in 80 minutes.
Gen 4 Power Enhancements
Its more efficient sensors make the Oura Ring Gen 4 virtually the same battery performance with slightly better efficiency. It also has a new magnetic charger with faster and safer docking.
You can compare charging times on Oura’s FAQ.
Verdict: Virtually no difference
Both rings have excellent battery life, with Gen 4 offering an even more seamless charging process.
Software and Features
Gen 3 Software Support
Oura Ring Gen 3 is covered by Oura’s updated app on a regular basis with features like:
- Sleep and readiness scores
- Personalized insights
- Guided meditations and breathing exercises
Gen 4 Software Enhancements
Oura has optimized its Gen 4 software to feature more machine learning and AI-based predictions. Expect features like:
- Period prediction for women’s health
- Early illness detection
- Real-time heart rate graphing
- More detailed trend reports
Explore Oura’s app capabilities on the official app page.
Verdict: Gen 4 is Smarter
The Gen 4 version employs AI more frequently and offers a smarter, more personalized experience.
Subscription Model: A Shared Weakness
Both Oura Ring Gen 3 and Gen 4 come with a $5.99/month price for full features. The features include daily scores, deep sleep, and health insights. While some may not like the additional cost, Oura still provides value through regular app updates.
Price Comparison
- Oura Ring Gen 3: Starts at around $299
- Oura Ring Gen 4: Directed to drop around $349
While the price increase is modest, you’re paying for upgraded sensors and software.
Compatibility and App Experience
The Oura app works flawlessly on both Android and iOS operating systems across all smart ring generations. Be it the Oura Ring Gen 3 or Gen 4, you would be able to get access to the same basic but advanced interface displaying sleep scores, readiness data, activity tracking, and health trends.
However, when Oura Ring Gen 4 vs Gen 3 are compared, the main difference lies in long-term software support. Oura Ring Gen 4 has app updates optimized for its advanced sensor array, giving it more comprehensive and personalized health information. All of the features like better period predictions, live heart rate charts, and illness prediction are all the more accurate and reliable on Gen 4 due to its improved hardware compatibility.
Pros and Cons
Oura Ring Gen 3
Pros:
- Excellent value
- Reliable tracking
- Solid battery life
Cons:
- Lacks real-time heart rate
- Less advanced temperature and SpO2 tracking
Oura Ring Gen 4
Pros:
- Enhanced sensor accuracy
- Real-time HR tracking
- Wiser sleep and health insight
Cons:
- More costly
- Subscription required
Who Should Upgrade to Gen 4?
Still confused about Oura Ring Gen 4 vs Gen 3? Here’s who should switch to Gen 4:
- Athletes & Fitness Enthusiasts: Real-time HR and recovery features make Gen 4 a great companion.
- Health-Conscious Users: Enhanced sickness detection and more accurate biometrics.
- Sleep Optimization Enthusiasts: Improved insight into REM cycles and respiration.
If you’re a casual user happy with basic sleep and activity tracking, the Gen 3 still holds its value.
Final Verdict: Oura Ring Gen 4 vs Gen 3
Comparing Oura Ring Gen 4 and Gen 3, Gen 4 definitely wins the point with better sensors, enhanced real-time monitoring, and more sophisticated software. For users who are tight on their purse strings or already have a Gen 3 ring, though, the upgrade is worthwhile but not critical.
Ultimately, it is your health goals. If precision, real-time information, and future-proofing are critical to you, the Oura Ring Gen 4 is worth every penny.