I break down the important thing variations, options, and hidden catches that will help you determine between Oura Ring Gen 4 and Gen 3. Make certain to learn the complete article to study which one is healthier.
So, when precisely did monitoring your well being begin feeling like a trend assertion?
Someplace between temperature sensors and readiness scores, the common-or-garden wellness ring turned the quiet standing image of each sleep-obsessed, data-driven, minimalist. And now, since we now have the Oura Ring Gen 4 wanting all good and tempting to purchase, the query on everybody’s lips is: ought to we get this or keep on with Oura Ring Gen 3. Is that this an actual improve—or simply one other model of “new iPhone.”
Let’s simply say… I’ve ideas. Many ideas. And for those who’ve ever checked out your finger and thought, “Ought to this tiny ring actually know extra about my stress ranges than my therapist?”—you’re in the fitting place.
Oura Ring Gen 3 vs Gen 4: The Verdict
Let’s not waste your time—we’re beginning with the decision as a result of that’s what most individuals scroll for anyway.
- Finest Total: Oura Ring Gen 4, however provided that you’re shopping for one now.
- Finest by Worth: Gen 3, particularly for those who can seize one secondhand or on a reduction.
- Finest for Lengthy-Time period Use: Gen 4, assuming Oura really delivers on all these whispered function rollouts.
- Finest for Practicality: Gen 3. No app drama, and you already know precisely what you’re getting.
- Most Prone to Be Future-Proof: Gen 4—as a result of Gen 3’s updates are formally finished. R.I.P.
So, sure, Gen 4 technically takes the crown. However the margin? Not as broad as Oura needs you to assume. Should you’re on Gen 3, you’re not lacking out on life-changing breakthroughs but. That stated, Gen 4 is the route they’re pouring all their love and innovation into, in order that’s the one which’ll preserve getting smarter, whereas Gen 3 simply… ages gracefully like your outdated iPhone SE.
Now let’s dissect these two like we’re on a trend overview panel and somebody simply walked the purple carpet in final season’s well being tech.
Oura Ring Gen 3 vs Gen 4: Detailed Comparability
Design & Consolation
Let’s begin with the half that everybody pretends they don’t care about however completely do. If it doesn’t look good in your finger, you’re not carrying it. Interval.
- Gen 3 is already a design icon. Smooth, minimal, and unassuming. You possibly can put on it to a marriage or the gymnasium and nobody bats an eye fixed. It is available in a number of finishes—silver, black, stealth, and gold—and until you’re consistently banging your palms on partitions like a cartoon character, it holds up effectively.
- Gen 4? The design didn’t do a full makeover, but it surely’s been refined. You get barely extra contours, extra polished finishes, and an elevated “Horizon” mannequin with no seen sensor bumps. It feels extra luxurious, extra intentional. Like Gen 3 went to remedy and got here again emotionally advanced.
Winner: Gen 4, however by a hair. Should you’ve received Gen 3, you’re not out right here wanting like a tech caveman.
Sensors & Monitoring Accuracy
Okay, now for the actual juice. Is Gen 4 really smarter, or simply shinier?
- Gen 3 has at all times been spectacular: 3 temperature sensors, a inexperienced/purple infrared coronary heart price sensor, an SpO2 sensor, and an accelerometer. It tracks your coronary heart price 24/7, provides you strong sleep knowledge, and nails resting coronary heart price and HRV in a single day.
- Gen 4 provides a number of issues: A brand new suite of sensors with upgraded photoplethysmography (PPG) for higher coronary heart price monitoring. There’s additionally an upgraded temperature sensor and extra correct detection for interval prediction (if that’s your jam). It’s additionally prepping for real-time stress detection and higher exercise coronary heart price zones.
However right here’s the kicker: A few of these upgrades are nonetheless “coming quickly.” So proper now, in April 2025, you’re shopping for potential. Gen 4 is extra of an funding in Oura’s future than a dramatically higher expertise proper now.
Winner: Gen 4, ultimately. However for those who want all of your options working proper this second, Gen 3 is extra dependable.
Sleep Monitoring
That is Oura’s bread and butter. If it couldn’t observe sleep effectively, they’d should shut the entire operation down.
- Gen 3 is already the gold commonplace. It nails your deep, REM, gentle sleep, and latency. It elements in your temperature deviations and coronary heart price to provide a readiness rating that individuals genuinely use to information their exercises and relaxation days.
- Gen 4 takes that very same method and provides it a lift. The temperature readings are extra granular, and the guts price variability throughout sleep appears extra exact (although that may be placebo—we’ll enable it). It additionally guarantees smarter sleep stage monitoring utilizing improved machine studying fashions.
Winner: Gen 4, barely. However Gen 3 continues to be a sleep ninja.
Exercise & Readiness
Let’s be sincere: Oura has at all times leaned extra “restoration coach” than “exercise tracker.” You don’t purchase this ring to log your deadlifts. However you do purchase it to know when your physique needs to die after a tough exercise.
- Gen 3 provides you an exercise rating and readiness rating based mostly on how arduous you’ve pushed your self, how effectively you slept, and what your resting vitals seem like.
- Gen 4 sharpens the entire system with higher coronary heart price zone estimation throughout exercises and a brand new “Stress Rating” that’s rolling out (allegedly). It’s edging nearer to full well being coach territory.
Winner: Gen 4, for those who’re somebody who listens to your physique earlier than it burns out.
Girls’s Well being Monitoring
Let’s not sugarcoat it: Gen 3 dipped a toe within the pool. Gen 4 is aiming to do a cannonball.
- Gen 3 tracks temperature adjustments and provides you interval predictions for those who manually enter some knowledge.
- Gen 4 introduces extra sturdy cycle monitoring utilizing a brand new algorithm that’s reportedly been validated towards conventional fertility tech. It’s aiming to be predictive relatively than reactive. No extra guesswork.
Winner: Gen 4, palms down.
Battery Life
This one’s easy.
- Gen 3 lasts 5-7 days on a single cost. Nonetheless spectacular.
- Gen 4 guarantees about the identical, however real-world utilization reveals it’s nearer to 4-6 days, particularly with all-day coronary heart price monitoring turned on.
Winner: Gen 3, by a nostril. That additional day issues if you’re touring or simply lazy.
App & Options
Now we’re coming into drama territory.
Oura launched a subscription mannequin with Gen 3, and other people misplaced their minds. $5.99/month for well being knowledge you’re already producing? Impolite. However obligatory. Oura clearly made the choice to shift towards recurring income, and guess what? That pattern is right here to stick with Gen 4 too.
- Gen 3: Steady, acquainted, and sort of boring—however in a great way. It’s constant.
- Gen 4: Flashier app expertise, new metrics like stress readiness, enhanced exercise tagging, and in-app guided meditations which can be… okay?
Winner: Gen 4, for those who’re already subscribed. If not, you’re simply carrying a very nice ring.
Worth
Now we discuss cash.
- Gen 3 was initially round $299–$399 relying on the end. Now you can discover it cheaper, particularly secondhand.
- Gen 4 begins at $349 and goes up from there. The Horizon model? That’ll price you $449 in order for you that clean, buttonless model. Add $5.99/month, and also you’re simply over $400 in yr one.
Winner: Gen 3, in order for you perform over future fluff.
So Ought to You Improve?
So right here’s the actual discuss: If you have already got Gen 3 and it’s working tremendous, preserve it. Wait somewhat longer. Let Gen 4 develop into itself. Oura’s future is certainly tied to this new ring, however that doesn’t imply you should throw your completely good Gen 3 into the void simply but.
Should you’re shopping for your first Oura Ring at this time, go Gen 4. It’s prettier, smarter, and future-proof. You’ll thank your self in six months when new options drop and Gen 3 is caught in 2022 like that one associates with their iPhone 8.