I tested the Oura Ring 5 and loved it — but I can’t bring myself to recommend it over this record low Ring 4 deal

The recently launched Oura Ring 5 is smaller and smarter than its predecessor, making it a significant upgrade that I don’t doubt most will make, but it’s hard to argue with the Ring 4 when its price has hit a record low for Amazon Prime Day.

• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale

You can now get the Oura Ring 4 at Amazon for $226 (was $399) in the US and for £232 (was £349) in the UK, which is a bargain when you consider that it was the best premium smart ring you can buy just two weeks ago.

My Oura Ring 5 review is out, but if you don’t have time to dig into it, here’s the long and short of it: it’s a big upgrade over the Ring 4 when it comes to design and performance, but the price jump does hold it back from being an easy recommendation.

Costing an extra $50 / £50 / AU$80 than the standard Oura Ring 4 at launch, the Ring 5 is already priced a bit more. That of course is justifiable when you consider the improved accuracy and a 40% reduction in size, which is very noticeable when comparing the two side-by-side. But if you want the same core Oura Ring experience for less, this Ring 4 deal is the one to go for.

Against other wearables, the Ring 4 holds its own as a premium wellness tracker. It’s not the right choice if you’re after a fitness tracker, but for sleep and stress monitoring it’s excellent — with an easy-to-use companion app and only one fewer day of battery life than the Ring 5, which is a minor trade-off given it can fully recharge in under an hour.

When comparing it to other wearables, the Ring 4 stands out as a luxury item for wellness tracking. It’s not the right choice if you’re after a fitness tracker, but for sleep and stress monitoring it’s ideal. It has an easy to use companion app, and only has one day less of battery life, which is a minor trade-off given it can fully recharge in under an hour.

Considering it has most of the same features as the Oura Ring 5, the Ring 4 at this record low price is a genuinely hard deal to pass up, especially when the Ring 5 is unlikely to see a discount anytime soon. If you’re new to smart rings and want the best value price for an Oura Ring, the Ring 4 is the deal to buy.

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