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Oura Ring 5 Review: A Slimmer Smart Ring That Makes Health Tracking Surprisingly Addictive

April Ossington | 07 Jul 2026

The Oura Ring 5 feels like the kind of health device that quietly changes your habits without making a big fuss about it. It is noticeably smaller and slimmer than the previous generation, with Oura reportedly making the new design around 40 per cent thinner while still delivering up to nine days of battery life, depending on usage. My sister owns the previous Oura Ring and seeing them side by side really highlighted the difference. I was genuinely surprised by how much thicker the older model looked. The Oura Ring 5 is lighter, more refined and feels much more like a piece of jewellery than a piece of technology. Because it is less bulky, I often forget I’m even wearing it, making it comfortable enough to wear around the clock, whether I’m working, exercising or sleeping.

Setting it up was relatively easy. Once paired with the Oura app, the ring quickly became part of my daily routine, syncing with my iPhone and pulling in activity data from Apple Health. I also liked that it could track my strength training through my Health app, which is synced to my Gymverse app, making it easier to keep everything in one place.

I was initially nervous about seeing how much sleep I was getting, mostly because I knew it probably was not enough. But this ended up being one of the most useful parts of the Oura Ring 5. Instead of making me feel bad, the sleep data pushed me into a better routine. The app gives practical pointers on how to improve rest, showing patterns around bedtime, recovery and readiness in a way that feels easy to understand.

Oura Ring 5 [Size 11] (Gold)

The ring also tracks menstrual cycles, activity goals, readiness and general wellness trends. I found the activity reminders surprisingly motivating. When the app tells me I am close to reaching my goal, I am more likely to jump on the under-desk treadmill or go for a walk outside. It also prompts me to move if I have been sitting too long, which is genuinely useful when working at a computer for hours.

The automatic activity detection is handy, although not perfect. It detects activities well overall, but when I use my under-desk treadmill, I have noticed it doesn’t always capture the full amount of time. I wonder if that is because my arms are busy typing and working at my computer, so the ring may not be getting the same movement cues it would during a normal walk.

Where the Oura Ring 5 really succeeds is motivation. It makes you want to see positive results in the app. Better sleep, improved readiness, reaching activity targets and getting those little moments of praise become oddly satisfying. It does make you strive to be healthier because the feedback feels immediate and personal.

Close up of a person in brown pants holding a duffel bag, wearing an Oura Ring 5.

One point worth considering is the ongoing membership. The Oura Ring 5 requires an Oura Membership to unlock its full range of insights, costing $9.99 per month or $109.99 annually after the included trial period. That might be a sticking point for some buyers, especially after paying $649 or more for the ring itself. However, after using it for several weeks, I found the subscription easier to justify than I expected. The personalised sleep coaching, readiness insights, activity trends and health recommendations are what transform the ring from a simple fitness tracker into a genuine health companion. Without the subscription, you lose much of what makes the Oura experience so compelling. I have the gold version which is currently available at JB Hi-Fi for $799.

Compared with its biggest rivals, the Oura Ring 5 is still the most polished overall experience, but it is also the only major smart ring that requires an ongoing subscription. Competitors such as the Samsung Galaxy Ring, RingConn Gen 2 and Ultrahuman Ring Air provide their health insights without a monthly fee, making them attractive alternatives for buyers who prefer a one-off purchase. That said, Oura’s app remains one of the most comprehensive and user-friendly in the category, particularly for sleep, recovery and long-term wellness tracking, which is ultimately why it continues to set the benchmark for smart rings.

Is it expensive? Absolutely. Between the purchase price and the subscription, the Oura Ring 5 is a significant investment. For me, it’s become a daily motivator. Whether it’s encouraging me to hit my activity goals, reminding me to move after sitting too long, or giving me a little pat on the back for a great night’s sleep, it has quietly helped me build healthier habits. And as silly as it sounds, I genuinely enjoy earning that praise from the app. That’s probably the biggest compliment I can give it.