Ultrahuman Ring Air vs. Oura Ring 4

Smart rings have emerged as popular alternatives to traditional fitness trackers, offering powerful health insights in a compact and stylish design. By using advanced sensors, smart rings like the Ultrahuman Ring Air and the Oura Ring 4 monitor metrics such as heart rate, sleep stages, activity levels, and body temperature directly from your finger. These sensors send data to a companion app on your smartphone, where it is analyzed to provide actionable insights about your overall health and wellness. Among the leading contenders, the Ultrahuman Ring Air and the Oura Ring 4 both provide a wealth of features for tracking your health, but they cater to slightly different audiences. Let’s dive into the details to help you decide which smart ring is right for you.

Design & Comfort

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Ultrahuman Ring Air:

• The Ultrahuman Ring Air is crafted from fighter jet-grade titanium, ensuring durability and a lightweight feel for all-day comfort. It is available in Titanium, Black, Grey, Gold, and Silver finishes, allowing users to select a style that suits their preferences. The ring is hypoallergenic and designed to be worn during all activities, including sleep and workouts.

Oura Ring 4:

• The Oura Ring 4 offers a sleek, all-titanium build with a range of finishes, including Gold, Rose Gold, Silver, Brushed Titanium, Black, and Stealth. With sizes ranging from 4 to 15, it caters to a wide variety of users and provides a comfortable fit for long-term wear.

Verdict:

While both rings prioritize comfort and durability, the Oura Ring 4 offers more finishes for those seeking a personalized look, whereas the Ultrahuman Ring Air balances style with its durable yet lightweight design.

Starting Price & Subscription

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• Ultrahuman Ring Air: $349, for all ring finish colors and with no additional subscription fees.
• Oura Ring 4: Starts at $349 for the silver model and goes up to $499 for the gold options. The Oura Ring 4 requires a 5.99 USD/month subscription fee or annual prepaid option for $69.99 to unlock advanced features. Additionally, integrating with Natural Cycles for advanced female health tracking necessitates a separate subscription fee of $14.99/month or $99.99/year. When purchased alongside the Oura Ring, users receive a $50 discount on the Natural Cycles subscription.

Verdict:

The Ultrahuman Ring Air is a clear winner for users who value budget-friendly options. The Oura Ring’s subscription costs, while adding functionality, increase the total investment over time.

Health Tracking Features

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Sleep Tracking

• Ultrahuman Ring Air: Tracks sleep stages, including deep, light, REM, and wakefulness cycles. The recent firmware update introduced a Smart Alarm feature, which wakes users during lighter sleep phases rather than disrupting REM or deep sleep. This promotes a refreshed wake-up experience and aligns with your body’s natural rhythms.
• Oura Ring 4: Known for industry-leading sleep tracking, the Oura Ring provides detailed insights into sleep stages, body temperature variations, and heart rate patterns. It uses AI-driven insights to help users optimize their sleep habits.

Activity Tracking

• Ultrahuman Ring Air: Focused on fitness enthusiasts, this ring tracks steps, calories burned, VO2 Max, and recovery metrics. It also incorporates circadian rhythm tracking, offering insights into the best times for exercise, eating, and light exposure based on your body’s natural cycles.
• Oura Ring 4: Provides comprehensive activity tracking, including step counts, workouts, and recovery metrics. It integrates seamlessly with popular apps like Apple Health and Google Fit.

Female Health Tracking

• Ultrahuman Ring Air: Offers basic menstrual health tracking features. Although considered basic compared to its competitor, user reviews highlight its accuracy and overall functionality, making it a reliable option for tracking cycles.
• Oura Ring 4: Integrates with Natural Cycles for advanced cycle and fertility tracking. To access this feature, users need both an Oura Membership ($5.99/month) and a Natural Cycles subscription (Monthly: $14.99 or Annual: $99.99, which includes a free basal thermometer). When purchasing the Oura Ring, users can get a $50 discount on the Natural Cycles subscription.

Verdict:

The Oura Ring 4 excels in advanced sleep and female health tracking, while the Ultrahuman Ring Air shines with fitness-focused features like circadian rhythm tracking and the Smart Alarm. The Ultrahuman’s cycle tracking, though simpler, has been praised for its accuracy.

Battery Life

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• Ultrahuman Ring Air: Offers up to 6 days of battery life on a single charge, making it convenient for extended use without frequent recharging.
• Oura Ring 4: Promises up to 8 days of battery life, but in real-world use, it typically lasts around 6 days.

Verdict:

Both rings perform similarly in terms of battery life, though the Oura Ring claims slightly longer theoretical performance.

Smartphone Compatibility

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• Ultrahuman Ring Air: Compatible with both Android and iOS, ensuring accessibility across major platforms.
• Oura Ring 4: Also compatible with Android and iOS, with additional support for third-party apps like Apple Health, Google Fit, and Natural Cycles.

Verdict:

Both rings provide excellent compatibility, but the Oura Ring’s broader integration with third-party apps may appeal to users seeking advanced ecosystem connectivity.

Final Verdict

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• Choose the Ultrahuman Ring Air if:
  You prioritize fitness tracking, want a subscription-free experience, and value features like circadian rhythm tracking and the Smart Alarm for waking up naturally during lighter sleep stages.
• Opt for the Oura Ring 4 if:
  You seek the most advanced sleep tracking, detailed female health insights through Natural Cycles, and a wide variety of stylish finishes to match your personal preferences. However, be mindful of the additional subscription fees.

Both smart rings are exceptional in their respective areas, offering unique features tailored to different health and lifestyle needs. Your choice should align with your specific goals and preferences for health monitoring.

FAQs

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What is the difference between the Oura Ring 3 and 4?

The Oura Ring 4 introduces several enhancements over the Oura Ring 3:

Better Battery Life: The Oura Ring 4 offers extended battery performance compared to its predecessor.

Improved Data Capture: Enhanced sensors provide more accurate tracking of metrics such as heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV), and respiration rate.

Enhanced Comfort and Design: The new design eliminates the sensor bumps found in the Oura Ring 3, resulting in a sleeker appearance and lighter overall weight.

For new buyers, the Oura Ring 4 is recommended for its advanced features. However, if you already own the Oura Ring 3, upgrading may not be necessary unless these enhancements are essential to you.

What does the Oura Ring do?

The Oura Ring is a smart wearable device designed to track health and wellness metrics such as:

• Sleep stages (light, deep, REM)
• Heart rate (day and night)
• Heart rate variability (HRV)
• Blood oxygen levels (SpO₂)
• Body temperature trends
• Physical activity and steps
• Recovery readiness score

What finger should you wear the Oura Ring on?

The Oura Ring is most effective when worn on your index or middle finger, as these fingers provide the most accurate data due to their alignment with the ring’s sensors. However, it can also be worn on other fingers if needed.

Is the Oura Ring waterproof?

Yes, the Oura Ring is waterproof up to 100 meters. This means you can wear it while swimming, showering, or doing other water-based activities without worrying about damage.

What does the Oura Ring track?

The Oura Ring tracks:

• Sleep quality and duration
• Heart rate and HRV
• SpO₂ during sleep
• Activity levels, steps, and calories
• Temperature trends for health insights (e.g., illness or ovulation)
• Recovery readiness score

What does the Ultrahuman Ring do?

The Ultrahuman Ring is a health and metabolic tracker that focuses on:

• Sleep stages (light, deep, REM)
• Resting heart rate and HRV
• Temperature trends
• Movement tracking via a 6-axis motion sensor
• “Metabolic Score” to provide insights into your activity, sleep, and recovery balance

Where can you buy the Ultrahuman Ring?

The Ultrahuman Ring is available for purchase directly from the Ultrahuman website and ships to multiple locations worldwide.

How do you wear the Ultrahuman Ring?

The Ultrahuman Ring can be worn on any finger where it fits comfortably, though the index and middle fingers are recommended for optimal sensor performance and data accuracy.

What does the Ultrahuman Ring track?

The Ultrahuman Ring tracks:

• Sleep stages and quality
• Heart rate and HRV
• Body temperature variations
• Steps and physical activity
• Recovery insights and metabolic health

What finger should you wear the Ultrahuman Ring on?

For the best accuracy, it is recommended to wear the Ultrahuman Ring on the index or middle finger. However, the ring is flexible enough to be worn on any finger as long as it fits snugly without restricting circulation.