Oura Ring 5 vs Oura Ring 4: Is the Upgrade Worth It?

Disclosure: Some links on this page go to Oura. Better Vitals may earn a commission if you buy through some of them, at no extra cost to you. Right now our Oura links are plain links to ouraring.com with no affiliate tracking. That doesn't change our verdict, including when we tell you to keep the ring you have.

Health note: Oura rings are wellness devices. Oura itself says the ring "is not a medical device and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, monitor, or prevent medical conditions." In Canada, Oura's ring and app features aren't licensed by Health Canada as medical devices (no Oura listing in Health Canada's medical device licence database as of October 14, 2026). Nothing here is medical advice.

Short answer: Oura Ring 5 is a smaller, lighter, slightly longer-lasting version of Ring 4, not a different product. It costs $399 (Silver, Black) or $499 (other finishes), versus $349 for a Ring 4 in Silver. Both rings use the same $5.99/month membership, and Oura says its 2026 software features run on Gen3 and newer, so Ring 4 owners aren't missing new app features.

• Buying your first Oura? Get Ring 5 if your size is between 6 and 13 and $50 more is fine. Get Ring 4 if you want to save money or need a size 4, 5, 14 or 15.
• Already own a Ring 4 that fits and holds a charge? Keep it. The upgrade buys comfort and a day or so of battery, not new insights.
• On a Gen3 or older ring, or your Ring 4's battery has faded? Ring 5 is the sensible replacement.

Method: We compared Oura's published specs, prices and support documentation for both rings on ouraring.com on October 14, 2026. We haven't run our own side-by-side accuracy test, so we don't score one ring as "more accurate". Where Oura makes a claim, we say so.

Top pick: Oura Ring 5 (Silver or Black)

$399 (US) · CA$529 (Canada) · plus membership $5.99/mo or $69.99/yr The best Oura for new buyers in sizes 6–13: 6.09 mm wide, 2.28 mm thick, 6–9 days of battery, waterproof to 100 m (IP68), per Oura. Value pick: Oura Ring 4 Silver, $349 (CA$469). Check Oura Ring 5 price → · Check Ring 4 price →

Oura Ring 5 vs Ring 4: comparison table

Specs and prices from ouraring.com, October 14, 2026.

What's actually different

1. Size and comfort: the main reason Ring 5 exists

Ring 5 is 6.09 mm wide and 2.28 mm thick, versus 7.90 mm and 2.88 mm for Ring 4. That's about a quarter narrower and a fifth thinner on paper, and it weighs from 2 grams versus 3.3–5.2 grams. Oura's headline is that Ring 5 is "40% smaller" than Ring 4, and calls it the world's smallest smart ring. Oura says you can wear it on your index, middle or ring finger.

Why that matters: a smart ring only helps if you wear it every night. If Ring 4 felt chunky, caught on weights, or came off at night, a smaller ring is a real upgrade. If you never think about your Ring 4, it isn't.

2. Battery: a modest bump

Oura rates Ring 5 at 6–9 days per charge and Ring 4 at 5–8 days, both depending on size and settings. Oura says it rebuilt Ring 5's battery chemistry and firmware to keep about a week of battery despite the smaller body. Expect roughly a day more between charges, not a different routine.

The bigger battery story is age. If your Ring 4 (or Gen3) now needs charging every few days, a new ring of either generation will feel like an upgrade.

3. Water and dust rating

Oura describes Ring 5 as waterproof to 100 m with an IP68 rating for water and dust. Ring 4 is listed as water resistant to 100 m, with no IP rating on its product page. Oura gives the same guidance for both: showering, swimming and snorkeling are fine; scuba diving and more than 12 hours underwater aren't recommended.

4. Sizing: Ring 5 fits differently, and covers fewer sizes

This is the detail most upgraders miss. Oura says Ring 5's redesigned interior fits differently than Ring 4, so you need to re-size. Order the free Ring 5 sizing kit rather than reusing your Ring 4 size. Oura's advice for both rings: wear the sizer for at least 24 hours including sleep, there are no half sizes, and go with the smaller size if you're between two.

Ring 5 comes in sizes 6 to 13. Ring 4 runs 4 to 15. If you wear a 4, 5, 14 or 15, Ring 4 is the only one of the two that comes in your size.

5. Sensors and accuracy: same sensor types, redesigned layout

Oura lists the same sensor types on both rings: red and infrared LEDs for blood oxygen, green and infrared LEDs for heart rate, HRV and respiration rate, a temperature sensor, and an accelerometer. For Ring 5, Oura says it redesigned the sensing architecture with low-profile sensor domes and "12 signal pathways" for better contact across finger types and skin tones, and calls it its "most accurate generation yet."

Oura's Ring 5 page cites "99% heart rate accuracy" and "95% sleep staging accuracy." Both come from older Oura-run studies, not Ring 5 tests. The 99% is a correlation (r² 0.996) between Oura's nightly average resting heart rate and an ECG in 49 healthy adults (2020). The 95% is for telling sleep from wake: in Oura's 2021 sleep-lab study (106 people, 440 nights), sorting sleep into light, deep and REM stages matched the lab 79% of the time. An independent 2025 study found Ring 4's nighttime heart rate and HRV closely matched an ECG. We haven't seen independent, peer-reviewed validation of Ring 5 yet, so treat "more accurate than Ring 4" as Oura's claim, not a difference you'll notice in your scores.

6. Finishes and price

Ring 5 has six finishes: Silver and Black at $399, and Gold (in a redesigned, lighter tone), Deep Rose (new), Stealth and Brushed Silver at $499. All have the same hardware.

Ring 4 on ouraring.com is now listed in Silver ($349), Stealth ($349, shown reduced from $399), Gold ($399, shown reduced from $499) and the Ceramic Midnight and Cloud ($399, shown reduced from $499). So a Ring 4 in Gold or Ceramic currently costs the same as a base Ring 5. At $399, we'd pick Ring 5 unless you specifically want the Ceramic look or a size Ring 5 doesn't come in.

7. Charging and accessories

Both rings ship with a size-specific charger and a USB-C cable. Oura lists Ring 5 charging at about 80 minutes. Both optional charging cases are $99 and hold up to five charges; the Ring 5 case adds Qi wireless charging (including MagSafe). Chargers and cases aren't cross-compatible: a Ring 4 case or charger won't work with Ring 5, and both are size-specific. Budget $59 for a spare Ring 5 charger or $99 for a case if you rely on one now.

What's the same

• The membership. $5.99/month or $69.99/year in the US (CA$7.99 or CA$89.99 in Canada). Without it, you get only the three daily scores. Our Oura membership guide covers what's gated.
• The app and new features. Oura says Health Radar and GLP-1 Insights (launched in the US, UAE and India, and rolling out since October 6, 2026 to 30+ more markets including Canada, the UK, the EU and Australia), Live Activity Tracking, Locate and data deletion work on Gen3 and newer. Oura calls Health Radar a general-wellness feature; it doesn't show blood pressure numbers or diagnose conditions. GLP-1 Insights lets you log doses and side effects alongside your Oura data. Oura says it doesn't prescribe or recommend dose changes, so talk to your prescriber before changing anything. Ring 5 has no app feature that Ring 4 lacks in Oura's launch announcements.
• Core tracking. Sleep, Readiness and Activity scores, sleep stages, HRV, temperature trends, blood oxygen, Daytime Stress, Cardiovascular Age, Cardio Capacity, cycle insights. Oura lists the same tracking on both.
• HSA/FSA eligibility, warranty and returns. Both are labeled HSA/FSA eligible in the US, and both come with Oura's limited 1-year warranty and 30-day free returns.
• Phone support. Both work with iOS and Android.

Who should upgrade to Ring 5

• You'd wear Oura more if it were smaller. If Ring 4 felt bulky at night, at the gym or next to other rings, the slimmer ring is the whole point.
• Your current ring's battery has faded. A worn battery is the most practical reason to replace any smart ring.
• You're on Gen3 or older and ready to replace it. You're due for new hardware, and Ring 5 is only $50 more than Ring 4.
• You want the IP68 rating or the wireless charging case.
• You're buying new, wear a size 6–13, and would otherwise pick a Ring 4 in Gold or Ceramic. At $399 those cost the same as a base Ring 5.

Who should keep (or buy) Ring 4

• Your Ring 4 fits well and lasts most of a week. You get the same membership, the same new software and the same core tracking. The upgrade would be $399+ for comfort.
• You wear a size 4, 5, 14 or 15. Ring 5 doesn't come in those sizes.
• You're on a budget. Ring 4 Silver or Stealth is $349 on ouraring.com, the cheapest new Oura. Over three years that's about $559 versus about $609 for Ring 5.
• You love the Ceramic finish. It's only on Ring 4.
• You can wait for a holiday sale. For Black Friday 2025, Ring 4 dropped to $249 at Oura and major retailers, per The Verge. We don't know 2026 deal terms yet.

If you do upgrade: what to know

1. Your membership carries over. Oura says to add Ring 5 as a new device in the Oura app; no new membership is needed. Your history and baselines stay on your account.
2. No second free month. Oura's free first month is for new members. Adding a ring to an existing account doesn't restart it.
3. You can keep both. Oura says you can connect more than one ring and switch between them.
4. Re-size first. Use the free Ring 5 sizing kit; don't reuse your Ring 4 size.
5. Your old charger and case won't fit. Ring 5 needs its own.
6. Selling your Ring 4? Unpair it from your account first. Note that Oura's warranty doesn't cover secondhand purchases from unauthorized resellers, which can affect what a buyer will pay.

Black Friday and HSA/FSA, briefly

Black Friday 2026: as of October 14, 2026, ouraring.com doesn't list Black Friday terms, and Ring 5 shows its regular $399/$499 prices. Last year, Ring 4 fell to $249 (Silver/Black), $299 (Stealth/Brushed Silver) and $349 (Gold/Rose Gold), per The Verge and Tom's Guide. Oura says discounts don't stack. Separately, verified healthcare workers can get 30% off Ring 5 until November 18, 2026 through Oura's preferred pricing.

HSA/FSA (US): Oura says both rings, the membership, chargers, shipping and taxes are HSA/FSA eligible (not Extend protection plans). Check your plan's rules first, and remember FSA money usually has to be spent within the plan year. Details are in our Oura price guide.

What these rings can and can't tell you

Both rings estimate heart rate, HRV, temperature trends, blood oxygen and sleep stages from optical, thermal and motion sensors. Those estimates are useful for spotting trends against your own baseline. They aren't clinical measurements, and sleep staging from a ring approximates what a sleep lab measures rather than replacing it. Newer features like Blood Pressure Signals and Nighttime Breathing are wellness features. They show patterns that Oura says may be worth discussing with a healthcare professional. They don't show blood pressure readings, and they aren't FDA-cleared or Health Canada-licensed to diagnose high blood pressure or sleep apnea. High blood pressure usually has no symptoms, so no alert doesn't mean your blood pressure is normal. Check it with a validated cuff or at your doctor's office. See a doctor if you have palpitations, persistent fatigue, or signs of sleep apnea (loud snoring, pauses in breathing or gasping that someone notices, daytime sleepiness, morning headaches). Call 911 (US and Canada) for chest pain, fainting, severe shortness of breath, or a blood pressure reading above 180/120 with symptoms such as numbness, weakness, vision changes or trouble speaking.

Our verdict

• New buyer, size 6–13: Oura Ring 5 in Silver or Black at $399.
• New buyer on a budget, or size 4–5 / 14–15: Oura Ring 4 Silver at $349.
• Happy Ring 4 owner: keep it. Same software, same membership.
• Gen3 owner or worn-out battery: upgrade to Ring 5.

Check Oura Ring 5 price → · See Ring 4 and all Oura rings →

FAQs

Is Oura Ring 5 worth upgrading from Ring 4?

Only if size, comfort or battery bother you. Ring 5 is smaller and rated for about a day more battery, but Oura says its 2026 app features also work on Ring 4, and the membership is the same.

How much is Oura Ring 5 vs Ring 4?

On ouraring.com on October 14, 2026: Ring 5 is $399 (Silver, Black) or $499 (other finishes); Ring 4 is $349 (Silver, Stealth) or $399 (Gold, Ceramic). In Canada: Ring 5 CA$529/CA$649; Ring 4 CA$469/CA$529.

When did Oura Ring 5 come out?

Oura announced it on May 28, 2026, and it started shipping on June 4, 2026.

Is Oura Ring 5 the same size as Ring 4?

No. It's 6.09 mm wide and 2.28 mm thick versus 7.90 mm and 2.88 mm, and Oura says it fits differently. Order the Ring 5 sizing kit. Ring 5 comes in sizes 6–13; Ring 4 comes in 4–15.

Is Oura Ring 5 more accurate than Ring 4?

Oura says Ring 5 is its most accurate generation, with redesigned sensors. We haven't seen independent validation of Ring 5 specifically, so we wouldn't upgrade for accuracy alone. Ring 4 has been checked independently: a 2025 study found its nighttime heart rate and HRV closely matched an ECG.

Do I need a new membership for Ring 5?

No. Add Ring 5 as a new device in the Oura app and your membership carries over. You won't get another free month.

Does Ring 4 get the new Oura features?

Yes, per Oura. Health Radar, GLP-1 Insights, Live Activity Tracking and Locate roll out to Gen3 and newer rings. Availability varies by country; Oura added Canada, the UK, the EU and Australia in October 2026.

Will my Ring 4 charger or charging case work with Ring 5?

No. Ring 5 needs its own size-specific charger and case.

Is Ring 4 still sold?

Yes. Ouraring.com lists Ring 4 from $349 and Ring 4 Ceramic at $399 as of October 14, 2026.

Can I use HSA/FSA funds for either ring?

In the US, yes, per Oura. Both rings and the membership are HSA/FSA eligible. Check with your plan administrator first.

Related reading:

• Oura Ring price in 2026: every model and the real total cost
• Is the Oura Membership worth it in 2026?
• Oura Ring 4 review
• Best Oura Ring alternatives
• WHOOP 5.0 vs Oura Ring 4
• Best wearables for HRV

Prices and specs checked on ouraring.com on October 14, 2026 and subject to change.