Oura Ring 4 vs 5 sleep tracker: Is the upgrade worth it?

I've been tracking my sleep with the Oura Ring 5, now from $399 at Amazon, for four months and I have to say that it's the best sleep tracker of 2026. The ‘most accurate Oura Ring yet’, according to Oura, using the Ring 5 has even helped me chip away at my mega sleep debt.

However, the Oura Ring 5 shares a lot of similarities with its predecessor, the Oura Ring 4, which is now as low as $254.48 at Amazon. Before the launch of the 5, the 4 was our top-rated sleep tracker — but does the upgraded Oura Ring 5 deliver more accurate metrics? And is it worth the extra expense?

If you're looking to buy an Oura Ring to track your sleep in this month's mattress and sleep sales, or you're a proud owner of an Oura Ring 4 and debating whether to switch, I’m diving into the key differences between the Oura Ring 4 vs Oura Ring 5. For price, design and sleep tracking, I’ll help you decide if it’s worth the upgrade.

Price

Ever since the Oura Ring 5 dropped in May, I've been waiting for this premium sleep tracker to go on sale. However, from the Labor Day sleep sales through to two Prime Day sleep sales, I've yet to see an Oura Ring 5 price slash.

That means you're looking at spending either $399 (for Black or Silver finishes) or $499 luxurious finishes like Gold or Rose Gold. It's a high price tag, although I think it's worth it for the accurate sleep tracking and suite of features.

However, I'm not ruling out an Oura RIng 5 price drop in the upcoming Black Friday mattress and sleep deals (or the Cyber Monday mattress and sleep deals, for that matter).

Meanwhile, the Oura Ring 4 is usually discounted at Amazon, albeit a little haphazardly, depending on size and finish. Currently, the cheapest model is a size 15 Stealth finish at $254.48 at Amazon. The highest price you'll pay is a $399 MSRP for a Gold in certain sizes. And while I can't guarantee a Black Friday price drop, based on past sales it seems likely.

To access Oura's sleep tracking, you will need to become a member for $5.99 a month, regardless of whether you choose a 4th or 5th generation.

Oura Ring 4 vs Oura Ring 5 sleep tracking

Okay, so you're probably wondering whether the price difference boils down to better sleep tracking. After all, Oura has called the 5th generation "the most accurate Oura Ring yet". But let's unpack what that term means, especially in terms of sleep data.

The Oura Ring 5 uses different sensor technology to the Oura Ring 4. In short, it uses fewer sensors but the ones it has are higher quality and work better across different skin tones. The result? 12% more accurate overnight HRV than the Oura Ring 4.

HRV offers a clear window into how deeply your body is recovering from stress, giving you a largely accurate and consistent reading of your body's baseline resilience.

Along with the change in sensor tech, the upgraded physical design of the Oura Ring 5 aids its sleep tracking quality. The Oura Ring 4's interior surface (the part that touches your finger) has a smoother, flat surface, but the Oura Ring has small "bumps". These gently raised areas allow the sensors to make better contact with your skin, resulting in more accurate sleep tracking.

The Oura Ring 5 also has better battery life, lasting 6 to 9 days on a single charge (compared to the Oura Ring 4's 5 to 8 days). While this doesn't directly affect sleep tracking, it does mean the Oura Ring 5 is less likely to run out of juice while you're sleeping.

However, there are plenty of sleep-tracking similarities that show that the Oura Ring 4 is still worth investing in (or sticking with). For example, both models provide the same top-notch sleep metrics, including sleep stages (such as REM sleep and deep sleep), sleep latency) and a sleep score.

And the app displaying these sleep metrics is also the same for both generations. Plus, any software updates bring new features and metrics roll out to both the Oura Ring 4 and 5.

Design and comfort

In terms of aesthetics, the Oura Ring 5 and 4 share the same core finishes: Silver, Stealth, and Gold. However, both have their own exclusive finishes, like the Deep Rose of the Oura Ring 5 and the ceramic Cloud White of the 4 (although don't be surprised if ceramic options roll out for the 5).

According to Oura, the Oura Ring 5 is "40 percent smaller than Oura Ring 4" and has a "more elevated, comfortable design". In other words, the Oura Ring 5 is sleeker, lighter, and thinner, for less bulkiness and extra sleep comfort.

As someone who hates wearing an Apple Watch to bed due to its heaviness, I can confidently say that the Oura Ring 5 has a barely-there feel that shouldn't cause any comfort issues for most wearers. The 4 should also be relatively comfortable overnight, but without the 'barely there' feel of the 5.

Oura Ring 4 vs Oura Ring 5: Which sleep tracker should you buy?

Choose the Oura Ring 4 if...

✅ You want to save money: Not only is the Oura Ring 4 cheaper at MSRP than the Oura Ring 5, but it's also frequently subject to discounts, especially at Amazon.

✅ You already have an Oura Ring 4: If you're the owner of an Oura Ring 4, you aren't missing out on a lot of sleep-tracking features. So if your Ring 4 is working fine, stick with it — you can upgrade when the 6 comes along.

✅ You don't want to drill into the details of your sleep: The Oura Ring 5 promises better, more accurate sleep tracking but if all you want is an overview, save your money and opt for the 4. Plus, both have access to the same app, features, and software updates.

Upgrade to an Oura Ring 5 if...

✅ You want the most accurate data: While the Oura Ring 4 and 5 have the same sleep metrics and app features, the 5 has a different sensor technology and design that results in more accurate tracking.

✅ You want a smaller, slimmer design: The Oura Ring 5 is 40% smaller than its predecessor. It's lighter and less bulky build makes it more comfortable to wear overnight.

✅ You want a longer battery life: Both models boast impressively long lifespans on a single charge, but the Oura Ring 5's week-long battery life has the Oura Ring 4 beat by a couple of days.