Oura Ring 4 drops to $249 with same sensors as Ring 5

The Oura Ring 4 has dropped to a starting price of $249 at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target, delivering a $100 discount off its standard $349 retail price. While the subsequent Oura Ring 5 offers a lighter and thinner profile, it shares the exact same health sensors and software capabilities as the fourth-generation hardware. That balance makes this previous-generation model an ideal entry point for early adopters tracking sleep and recovery on a budget, though buyers must still factor in the mandatory subscription required to access their health metrics.

Flagship Tracking Without the Generation Tax

In comparative testing against six competing smart rings, Oura maintained a clear performance lead in health, activity, and recovery tracking. The fourth-generation hardware introduced upgraded, higher-accuracy sensors alongside a slimmer form factor than earlier revisions, supported by regular software and feature deployments through the companion app.

Because the newer Oura Ring 5 relies on the same sensor architecture and algorithm updates, everyday data gathering remains functionally identical across both generations. The primary real-world distinction comes down to slight physical refinements: the fifth-generation ring trims down overall thickness and weight, but the internal tracking capabilities do not leave the Ring 4 behind.

Stock Availability and the Subscription Factor

The $249 promotional price applies primarily to standard Silver and Black colorways in sizes ranging between 8 and 13. For alternative finishes, Best Buy carries an exclusive deep blue Ceramic Midnight variant priced at $279. Because finger sizes vary throughout the day and differ from standard jewelry measurements, prospective buyers can pick up an official sizing kit for $10 at Amazon or Target, which includes a $10 credit toward the purchase of the ring.

The crucial detail to keep in mind is the ongoing cost of ownership. While the upfront hardware cost drops significantly with this promotion, unlocking sleep stages, daily readiness scores, and ongoing trend analysis requires an active Oura Membership, priced at $5.99 each month or $69.99 per year.

If you already wear a smart ring or fitness band, does the slightly thicker profile of the Ring 4 bother you enough to justify the price hike for the Ring 5, or do identical sensors make this previous generation the smarter buy?