Oura Ring 5 First Reviews Are In: 'Thinner, Lighter, Better' — But the Subscription Still Stings

The Oura Ring 5 started shipping June 4, and the first full reviews from TechCrunch, Android Central, and Tech Advisor are unanimous: this is a meaningful leap in comfort and accuracy — but Oura's business model remains its biggest weakness.

What Reviewers Love

• 40% smaller design: At 6.09mm wide and 2.28mm thick, the Ring 5 is dramatically thinner than the Ring 4 (7.90mm wide, 2.88mm thick). Multiple reviewers said they "forgot they were wearing it"
• 24% better heart rate accuracy: Oura claims a 19% improvement in workout heart rate accuracy, and early testing confirms noticeably better readings during running and cycling
• Blood pressure trend monitoring: Overnight tracking of blood pressure patterns provides an early warning system for hypertension — a first for smart rings
• Nighttime Breathing with ResMed: A new 30-day rolling window for sleep-related breathing disturbances, powered by a partnership with sleep-tech giant ResMed
• Battery life: 6-9 days in real-world use, slightly better than Ring 4's 5-8 days

Where It Falls Short

• $5.99/month subscription: Full health insights still require Oura Membership — a persistent pain point when RingConn Gen 3 and Ultrahuman Ring Pro offer everything free
• $99 charging case sold separately: The new case is required for charging and adds to the already-premium $399-$499 price
• No haptic motor: Unlike the RingConn Gen 3, the Ring 5 cannot buzz your finger for alerts

What This Means for Buyers

At $399 + $5.99/month, the Oura Ring 5 is the most capable smart ring available — but also the most expensive to own long-term. If blood pressure monitoring and best-in-class sleep tracking justify the premium, it's the clear winner. If you'd rather skip subscriptions, the RingConn Gen 3 at $299 or Ultrahuman Ring Pro at $349 deliver excellent value. Compare all options in our smart ring guide.