Oura Ring 4 Deal: Is $249 Worth It Compared to the Ring 5?

By the Osawalla Wearables Editorial Team | Last updated: November 13, 2026

The Oura Ring 4 is now on sale for $249 (regularly $349) at major US retailers, while the newer Oura Ring 5 starts at $399. If you mainly want reliable sleep, heart rate, and HRV tracking, the discounted Ring 4 remains the better value. If you want the thinnest hardware and the newest sensors, the Ring 5 justifies the extra $150. And if you want to skip the monthly subscription entirely, a subscription-free smart ring may cost you far less over three years.

This guide breaks down what the current deal actually includes, how the two generations compare, the subscription math most buyers miss, and what to check before buying any smart ring.

What the $249 Oura Ring 4 Deal Includes

As of November 13, 2026, selected Oura Ring 4 models are listed at $249 at retailers including Amazon, Best Buy, and Target — a $100 discount from the $349 starting price. Oura's own store has shown Ring 4 pricing as low as $244 on certain sizes in recent weeks, so it is worth comparing retailers before checkout.

Three practical caveats before you buy:

• Discounts apply to selected colors and sizes. Popular finishes and common ring sizes often sell out first.
• Some finishes stay at full price. A "from $249" price is a floor, not a guarantee for every variant.
• Membership is billed separately. Full app features require an active Oura Membership (more on the math below).

The Ring 4 itself remains a capable device: a screenless titanium ring with continuous sleep, heart rate, HRV, and blood oxygen tracking, delivered through a mature companion app.

Oura Ring 4 vs. Oura Ring 5: Where the Extra $150 Goes

The two generations look similar on a spec sheet but differ in hardware design. Here is how they compare:

Feature	Oura Ring 4	Oura Ring 5
Regular starting price	$349	$399
Current deal price	From $249	Check retailer
Exterior	Titanium	Titanium
Design	Smooth, rounded profile	Thinner and lighter body
Size and volume	Standard profile	Around 40% less volume than Ring 4 (per Oura)
Health tracking	Sleep, heart rate, HRV, SpO₂	Expanded sensing refinements and health tracking
Battery life	Up to 8 days	Up to 9 days
Subscription	Required for full features	Required for full features

Both rings unlock their full software experience through an Oura Membership, so the practical difference comes down to hardware: the Ring 5 is slimmer and carries sensing refinements, while the Ring 4 delivers the core tracking experience at a lower price.

A useful way to decide: if you can name one specific improvement — a thinner profile for daytime wear, slightly longer battery life — that you would genuinely use every day, the Ring 5 earns its premium. If your priority is sleep stages, recovery trends, and nightly heart rate data, the discounted Ring 4 does that job for $150 less.

The Subscription Math Most Buyers Miss

The checkout price is only the first payment. Oura Membership costs $5.99 per month or $69.99 per year, and without it, several headline features stay locked.

Over a typical ownership period, that recurring fee changes the picture considerably:

Cost	Oura Ring 4 (deal)	Oura Ring 5
Purchase price	$249	$399
Annual membership	$69.99	$69.99
Three-year membership	$209.97	$209.97
Three-year total	$458.97	$608.97
Approximate cost per day (3 years)	~$0.42	~$0.56

Illustrative calculation based on the Ring 4 promotional price, the Ring 5 starting price, and annual membership billing. Taxes, price changes, and future promotions are excluded.

This is why subscription-free smart rings keep gaining attention. A one-time purchase with no recurring app fee can cut the long-term cost dramatically — a point we come back to below.

How to Judge Any Smart Ring Before Buying

A smart ring earns its place on your finger through daily comfort and trustworthy data, not marketing specs. Before you buy any model — premium or budget — check these five things.

Sleep Tracking and Sleep Stages

Look for a ring that reports sleep duration, sleep stages, and night-to-night trends. Because a sleep tracker must be worn overnight, a comfortable, screenless design matters as much as the sensors inside.

Heart Rate and HRV Monitoring

Heart rate reflects daily activity and resting patterns; heart rate variability (HRV) adds context about recovery and physiological trends. Neither number is a medical diagnosis — the value comes from watching patterns over weeks, not reacting to a single reading.

Battery Life and Charging Routine

Frequent charging interrupts overnight data. Most smart rings run five to nine days per charge; anything at the shorter end means planning charging around your schedule. Real-world battery life varies with ring size, settings, and usage.

Water Resistance and Everyday Fit

Check the water-resistance rating, materials, weight, and sizing options. IP68 or 5ATM ratings handle hand washing, showers, and swimming for most models. A ring that sits too loose can also weaken sensor contact and distort readings.

Subscription Requirements

Read the fine print on the app: which features are free, which require a monthly or annual plan, and what happens to your historical data if you stop paying. A subscription-free model suits buyers who prefer one straightforward payment.

Subscription-Free Alternatives: Osawalla Signature Pro and Ceramic Pro

For readers who want everyday wellness tracking without a premium budget or a recurring fee, Osawalla's smart rings take a different approach: accessible pricing, essential tracking features, and an app experience with no monthly subscription.

Osawalla Signature Pro Smart Ring — $49.99

Designed as an affordable entry into smart ring tracking, the Signature Pro includes:

• 24/7 heart rate monitoring
• HRV and blood oxygen (SpO₂) tracking
• Sleep tracking with sleep-stage insights
• Stress and daily activity tracking
• 128+ sports modes
• Up to 5–7 days of battery life
• IP68 / 5ATM water resistance
• No monthly app subscription

Its stainless steel body comes in multiple colors for everyday wear. At $49.99, it is a low-commitment way to try smart ring tracking for the first time.

Explore the Osawalla Signature Pro Smart Ring.

Osawalla Ceramic Pro Smart Ring — $69.99

For a more jewelry-inspired look, the Ceramic Pro pairs the same wellness tracking with a ceramic exterior:

• Heart rate, HRV, and SpO₂ tracking
• Sleep monitoring and activity tracking
• Cycle and ovulation insights
• 128+ sports modes
• Gesture-based photo control
• Up to 5–7 days of battery life
• IP68 / 5ATM water resistance
• No monthly app subscription

The ceramic finish blends wearable technology into personal style, which matters for a device you wear all day and night.

Explore the Osawalla Ceramic Pro Smart Ring.

Note on accuracy: these models occupy a different price segment from Oura. They cover essential wellness tracking rather than Oura's full research-grade feature set, and buyers should compare the specific metrics they care about rather than treating the categories as identical.

Which Smart Ring Fits Your Situation

There is no single best smart ring — only the best fit for your budget, style, and tracking priorities:

Your priority	Best fit
Newest hardware and the thinnest design	Oura Ring 5
Premium features at a discounted price	Oura Ring 4 at $249
Lowest upfront cost, no monthly fee	Osawalla Signature Pro
Ceramic styling and everyday wellness tracking	Osawalla Ceramic Pro

If a premium ecosystem and a membership fee fit your budget, Oura remains a strong option. If you prefer one payment and long-term savings, a subscription-free ring is the more economical path.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Oura Ring 4 still worth buying in 2026?

Yes, for core tracking needs. The Ring 4 still delivers sleep, heart rate, HRV, and SpO₂ monitoring with up to 8 days of battery life, and at $249 it undercuts the Ring 5 by $150. Choose the Ring 5 only if the thinner design and newest sensors matter to you.

Does the Oura Ring 4 require a subscription?

An Oura Membership ($5.99/month or $69.99/year) is required to unlock the full app experience. Some basic data remains visible without it, but headline features depend on an active membership.

How much does a smart ring cost over three years?

It depends on the model. An Oura Ring 4 bought at the $249 deal price plus three years of membership totals roughly $459, or about $0.42 per day. A subscription-free ring such as the Osawalla Signature Pro costs $49.99 once — about $0.05 per day over the same period. Figures are illustrative and exclude taxes and price changes.

Are budget smart rings accurate?

Accuracy varies by device and metric. Consumer smart rings — at any price — are wellness devices, not medical devices. Look for published sensor details, consistent reviews, and realistic claims; treat all readings as trends rather than diagnoses.

How long do smart ring batteries last?

Most current smart rings run about five to nine days per charge. Oura's Ring 4 and Ring 5 claim up to 8 and 9 days respectively; budget models commonly advertise 5–7 days. Actual battery life depends on ring size, settings, and how intensively you track.

Final Thoughts: The Best Smart Ring Is Not Always the Newest One

The current Oura Ring 4 discount is a reminder that last year's flagship often beats this year's full price. At $249, the Ring 4 delivers the core premium smart ring experience for $150 less than the Ring 5 — provided you accept the ongoing membership cost.

But price is only one factor. Long-term subscription fees, comfort, battery life, and the features you will actually use should all shape the decision. For some buyers, the discounted Ring 4 is the clear pick. Others will prefer the slimmer Ring 5, or a subscription-free option like the Osawalla Signature Pro or Ceramic Pro.

A smart ring should fit your lifestyle — not just your budget.

Browse the full Osawalla Smart Ring Collection.