Oura Ring 4 vs Ultrahuman comparison

In a world where screens dominate our lives, many are looking for a straightforward way to track their health without the constant buzz of notifications. Enter smart rings – sleek, lightweight, and designed to blend seamlessly into your daily routine without you even noticing.

These tiny wearables pack powerful sensors to monitor everything from sleep quality to stress levels and activity, all while looking like jewelry.

Two standout options leading the charge are Oura Ring 4 and Ultrahuman Ring AIR. While the latter company doesn’t have the experience of the Oura, it stands its ground, offering a quality smart ring.

The Cybernews team and I have researched, analyzed, and compared these rings so you can find your perfect fit. I’ve come up with this Ultrahuman Ring AIR vs Oura Ring 4 comparison guide to help you make the best possible decision.

Oura Ring 4 vs Ultrahuman overview

Key features	Oura Ring 4	Ultrahuman Ring AIR
Rating	4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★	4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Dimensions	3mm thick, 12 sizes (4-15)	2.5mm thick, 10 sizes
Weight	3.3g-5.2g	2.4g-3.6g
Colors	Black, Silver, Brushed Silver, Stealth, Gold, Rose Gold	Raw Titanium, Aster Black, Matte Grey, Bionic Gold, Space Silver
Health tracking features	Heart rate, HRV, SpO2, sleep stages, temperature, activity, stress, women’s health	Heart rate, HRV, SpO2, sleep stages, temperature, stress, PowerPlugs
Compatibility	iOS, Android, Apple Health, Google Fit, Strava	iOS, Android, Apple Health, Google Fit, Strava
Battery life	Up to 7 days (5-6 days real-world)	Up to 6 days (3-4 days real-world)
Price	$349 (basic finishes), $399-$499 (premium finishes), $5.99/month subscription	$349 (all finishes), no subscription required

What is a smart ring?

A smart ring is a compact, wearable device designed to track your health and fitness discreetly; think of it as a health guide without the bulk of a smartwatch or fitness band.

At its heart, a smart ring is designed to make health tracking effortless. It keeps tabs on essentials like heart rate, sleep quality, and daily activity, but the best models go beyond the basics. For instance, rings like the Oura 4 can measure blood oxygen levels, track body temperature changes, and analyze your stress levels using heart rate variability (HRV).

Some even offer niche features like women’s health tracking and metabolic insights, such as optimizing caffeine intake and Vitamin D absorption. It’s like having a personal health coach who quietly and discreetly works in the background.

While this is roughly what you get with a smartwatch, these rings don’t have screens. Instead, they display data via an app. They are also incredibly lightweight, making them ideal for 24/7 wear.

Also, thanks to the multiple finishes, you can wear them to bed, a workout, or even a formal event without feeling like you’re wearing a gadget. Plus, they offer longer battery life and are just generally better for people like me who enjoy tracking health and fitness metrics without the distraction of a screen.

How we test smart rings (methodology)

At Cybernews, we take testing seriously to ensure our recommendations are accurate, and helpful. We have a comprehensive methodology that the team and I used during this Oura Ring 4 vs Ultrahuman comparison. Here’s how we did it:

1. Comfort and wearability (25%). A smart ring is meant to be worn 24/7, so comfort is key. We looked at design, weight, and user feedback to ensure the ring feels natural on your finger, whether you’re sleeping, working out, or just going about your daily activities.
2. Battery life (25%). No one wants to keep removing their ring to charge it every second, so we prioritized battery life to minimize interruptions.
3. Sensor accuracy (20%). Accurate tracking is the backbone of any smart wearable device, including rings. Since only lab tests can paint the full picture, we relied on user reviews and tests to ascertain how well each device measures sleep stages, heart rates, and other metrics.
4. App and ecosystem integration (20%). Smart rings don’t have screens, so a great app is non-negotiable. We assessed how user-friendly and feature-rich each companion app is, along with its compatibility on iOS, Android, and third-party platforms like Google Fit, Apple Health, and Strava.
5. Durability and water resistance (10%). A smart ring will likely see more action than your watch or other wearables, so the rings must be tough enough to handle daily wear, water exposure, and active lifestyles.

Oura Ring 4 vs Ultrahuman Ring AIR: price and availability

When it comes to smart rings, the price-to-value ratio is a critical factor, and both the Oura Ring 4 and Ultrahuman Ring AIR offer unique propositions.

The Oura Ring 4 starts at $349 for basic finishes like Black and Silver, but premium options like Gold and Rose Gold can cost up to $499. While the upfront cost might seem reasonable, Oura requires a $5.99/month subscription to unlock advanced features like detailed sleep analysis, heart rate variability (HRV), and personalized insights.

Without the subscription, users are limited to basic daily metrics, which can feel restrictive for those seeking comprehensive health tracking.

On the other hand, the Ultrahuman Ring AIR is priced at a flat $349 across all finishes, including Raw Titanium, Aster Black, and Bionic Gold. However, what sets Ultrahuman apart is its subscription-free model, as all features, including sleep tracking, stress monitoring, and recovery insights, are available upfront.

Both rings are widely available in North America, Europe, and parts of Asia, with shipping options to most major markets. Also, Ultrahuman runs a trade-in program where you can exchange older Ultrahuman or Oura models for credit. At the same time, Oura’s Refer a Friend program rewards a 10% discount on any Oura Ring 4 purchase.

The Ultrahuman Ring AIR wins in this category as its lack of membership fees offers complete access to all features without additional costs, making it a more budget-friendly choice in the long run.

Oura Ring 4 vs Ultrahuman Ring AIR: design and fit

A comfortable and snug fit is essential since you’re meant to wear your smart ring consistently for proper tracking. You want something that fits naturally on your finger and won’t bother you throughout the day. While both rings aim to balance style and functionality, they take slightly different approaches.

The Oura Ring 4 is crafted from titanium, giving it a sleek, premium feel. Depending on the size, it weighs between 3.3g and 5.2g, basically a couple of US pennies. The ring is 2.88mm thick, so it is slightly bulkier than a traditional wedding band but still unobtrusive.

Oura has also eliminated the sensor bumps found in previous models, opting for a smooth interior with recessed sensors. This design improvement makes it more comfortable to wear, especially during sleep or workouts. The Oura Ring 4 comes in six finishes: Black, Silver, Brushed Silver, Stealth, Gold, and Rose Gold.

For comparison, the Ultrahuman Ring AIR is even lighter, weighing just 2.4g-3.6g, depending on the size. It’s also thinner at 2.5mm, making it one of the thinnest and lightest smart rings on the market. The ring is made from titanium reinforced with tungsten carbide coating, ensuring durability while maintaining a sleek, minimalist look.

The interior also features hypoallergenic epoxy resin, which feels smooth against the skin and reduces irritation during extended wear. Ultrahuman offers five color options: Raw Titanium, Aster Black, Matte Grey, Bionic Gold, and Space Silver, providing a range of choices to match personal style.

Both rings offer a variety of sizing options to ensure a perfect fit. The Oura Ring 4 is available in 12 sizes (4-15), while the Ultrahuman Ring AIR comes in 10 sizes. Both brands provide free sizing kits containing plastic rings you wear for 24 hours to help you find the right fit.

Once again, the Ultrahuman Ring AIR wins this category for its ultra-lightweight design and slim profile, which make it more comfortable for long-term wear. While the Oura Ring 4 offers a premium feel and a wider range of finishes, the Ultrahuman Ring AIR’s combination of durability, comfort, and sleek aesthetics gives it the edge in design and fit.

Oura Ring 4 vs Ultrahuman Ring AIR: health and fitness tracking

One of the most important factors to consider in any Oura Ring 4 vs Ultrahuman Ring AIR debate is the health and fitness tracking features because, well, you're buying a smart ring, after all.

The Oura Ring 4 excels in heart rate tracking and HRV (heart rate variability), providing continuous monitoring throughout the day and night. Its upgraded sensors and Smart Sensing algorithm that adapts to your finger’s position, claiming to ensure accurate readings even if the ring shifts.

Users report that the Oura Ring 4 automatically detects activities like walking and running, though it struggles with more complex workouts like yoga or strength training.

It also provides a calorie burn estimation and step counting but does rely heavily on manual input for detailed workout tracking. Plus, with its temperature tracking feature, you can detect early signs of illness or hormonal changes.

Meanwhile, the Ultrahuman Ring AIR also delivers heart rate and HRV tracking with continuous monitoring that adapts to your daily rhythm. However, it really shines in its movement tracking, encouraging frequent activity throughout the day and giving you a Movement Index Score that resets daily. The ring also supports 40+ workout modes for fitness gurus.

The Ultrahuman, like most wearables, may overcount steps owing to hand movements. Also, while its calorie burn estimates show consistent patterns, studies indicate that all consumer devices have significant margins of error(typically 15-30%) for energy expenditure measurements, so you might want to take the calorie burn data with a pinch of salt.

The Oura Ring 4 includes women’s health tracking features designed to provide cycle predictions and pregnancy insights, complemented by its AI-powered Oura Advisor. On the other hand, the Ultrahuma Ring Air offers its PowerPlugs system with unique capabilities like caffeine timing guidance and circadian rhythm alignment.

A feature most users seem to like in the Oura Ring 4 is its women’s health tracking, which includes cycle predictions, pregnancy insights, and an AI-powered Oura Advisor. You also get some standouts with Ultrahuman Ring AIR, including PowerPlugs with features like caffeine window, a suggested optimal time frame for caffeine consumption based on your circadian rhythm. While this is an interesting concept, it currently lacks clear scientific backing and may rely on general biometrics that are also used for other insights like stress.

The Oura Ring 4 wins this category for its comprehensive health tracking and advanced sleep analysis, which are backed by years of refinement. While the Ultrahuman Ring AIR offers innovative features like metabolic tracking and PowerPlugs, the Oura Ring 4’s claimed superior accuracy in heart rate (r² = 0.996) and HRV (r² = 0.980) monitoring makes it the better choice for those needing detailed health insights.

Oura Ring 4 vs Ultrahuman Ring AIR: apps

Since smart rings lack the screens of their smartwatch cousins, the apps play a crucial role in delivering insights and tracking progress. The Oura app has been significantly redesigned and now offers a clean and intuitive interface. It organizes data into three primary tabs: Today, Vitals, and My Health.

The Today tab provides a dynamic overview of your daily metrics, while the Vitals tab dives deeper into specific health markers like heart rate, HRV, and sleep stages. The My Health tab focuses on long-term trends, such as stress resilience and cardiovascular age.

The app also features an AI-powered Oura Advisor, which offers personalized recommendations based on your data. However, access to advanced features like detailed sleep analysis and guided meditations requires a $5.99/month subscription, which does feel a bit restrictive.

The Ultrahuman app is subscription-free, but it doesn’t boast the simplicity and functionality of the paid Oura app. You get a modern interface and features that break data down into Movement, Stress Rhythm, Dynamic Recovery, and Sleep, making it easy to track key metrics at a glance. While the app is user-friendly, I have seen complaints about the sheer amount of data and language/phrasing, with some initially finding it overwhelming.

There’s also the Discover section of the app where you can find health podcasts, workout tutorial videos, amazing sleep stories, plus lots of other helpful material from popular fitness experts.

Both apps excel in syncing with third-party platforms, but Oura’s app integration feels slightly more polished, especially for users who are already used to Apple or Google ecosystems. Add that to the cleaner interface and more advanced insights, and you get a superior app.

Oura Ring 4 vs Ultrahuman Ring AIR: sleep tracking

Both rings offer exceptional sleep-tracking features, but the Oura 4 has a slight advantage in terms of how easy it is to read the data.

While the only way to fully settle on the accuracy of both devices is through lab experiments, user tests have shown that the Oura Ring 4 excels in sleep stage detection, breaking down your sleep into light, deep, and REM stages, as well as awake periods. [user test]

The ring features advanced sensors that track heart rate variability (HRV), resting heart rate, and body temperature deviations, providing a comprehensive Sleep Score that reflects overall sleep quality. Oura also offers sleep regularity insights, helping users track patterns and improve their sleep habits. Multiple users have commended the sleep data interface that features simple graphs and tabs.

Ultrahuman Ring AIR also delivers strong sleep-tracking capabilities but focuses more on sleep efficiency and restoration. It tracks sleep stages and provides a sleep index and recovery score based on factors like restfulness, restoration time, and heart rate drop.

The ring’s skin temperature monitoring is said to be medical grade and capable of identifying sleep disruptions caused by environmental factors. Ultrahuman also offers stress tracking, which ties sleep quality to your circadian rhythm and daily stress levels.

While its sleep tracking is generally accurate, multiple users have complained about discrepancies and inaccuracies in sleep duration and quality.

Both rings provide actionable insights to improve sleep, but Oura Ring 4’s AI-powered advisor offers personalized recommendations, such as optimal bedtime and wind-down routines. It also wins this category thanks to how easy it is to read and understand the sleep data.

Oura Ring 4 vs Ultrahuman Ring AIR: battery life

Oura Ring 4 boasts as much as 7 days of battery life on a single charge, depending on usage. However, most users report getting 5-6 days with continuous heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and activity tracking enabled. With the Ultrahuman Ring AIR, you get up to 6 days of battery life, though most report 3-4 days, with comparable tracking features enabled.

The Oura Ring charges via a magnetic charging dock, taking about 80 minutes for a full recharge. The Ultrahuman ring is in the same ballpark, with its USB-C charging dock also needing about 80 minutes to charge the device fully.

Both rings have power-saving modes to prolong battery life, though you’ll need to charge your battery up to 50% and be connected to the internet to use this feature on the Oura Ring 4. Ultimately, the Oura Ring 4 takes the cake here for its slightly longer battery life.

Oura Ring 4 vs Ultrahuman: final verdict

When it comes to both smart rings, the Oura Ring 4 stands tall as the clear winner. It’s not just a wearable but a health and wellness powerhouse.

With its unmatched sleep tracking, heart rate monitoring, and advanced temperature sensing, the Oura Ring 4 delivers insights that feel almost futuristic. Yes, the $5.99/month subscription does feel like an extra hurdle, but the depth and accuracy of its data make it a worthwhile investment.

The Ultrahuman Ring AIR is a strong contender, especially for fitness-focused users who value special features like caffeine optimization and stress tracking. However, it doesn’t quite match Oura’s precision in sleep stage detection or overall health insights.

So, if you’re looking for the best, Oura Ring 4 is the ring to beat and, frankly, the wise choice.

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