This is not an Oura Ring 5 review. That’s coming later, once I’ve had enough time to really test the new durability and battery life claims, plus the new software updates that start rolling out today. In the meantime, I did want to provide an answer to a burning question that I’ve seen asked in many Oura Ring comment sections across the internet.
Yes, it is smaller and lighter than the Oura Ring 4. And for impatient folks considering upgrades, I come bearing photographic size comparisons to the Oura Ring 4 — regular and ceramic versions — plus the Oura Ring Gen 3.
A note: Sizing matters a lot with smart rings. Not only do smart ring makers not follow standard ring sizing, but a bad fit might mean inaccurate data or a lost ring. Because of the smaller design, Oura has updated its sizing kit yet again. Even if it’s a hassle, even if you think you already know your Oura Ring size, I highly recommend getting the sizing kit. For example, I went from a size 8 in the Gen 3 to a size 9 in the Oura Ring 4. And while a size 9 is still the best size for me in the Oura Ring 5, it’s a more snug fit. If your finger is generally a “between” size, you’ll want to see how a tester kit works for at least 24 to 48 hours, since fingers can swell and shrink with temperature changes. Take it from me: Measure your smart ring size twice, buy once.
If you have any more questions about the Oura Ring 5, feel free to leave them in the comments. I’ll keep them in mind as I continue working on my full review.
Photography by Victoria Song / The Verge