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Welcome to Skimm Tested, where we put products to the test and then give 'em a report card. (Check out all of our tried-and-tested faves here.)
The assignment…
To wear the Oura Ring Gen3 Horizon ($349+) around the clock to test its accuracy and wearability. Is it the most subtle health and fitness tracker, and does it live up to the hype?
Straight A’s in…
Breadth of stats. There is literally so much information to process once you start wearing an Oura Ring. You get a sleep score based on a variety of factors, blood oxygen sensing, key biometric signals, insight into how you rest and recover, stats on when you nap, your heart rate, activity levels (step count, calories burned, training frequency), and so much more. Seriously, we couldn’t even keep track of all the data that’s supplied.
Battery life. Oura Ring has a great battery life, and our editors only needed to charge theirs one to two times a week. When you are getting low, just pop it directly onto the charger.
Style and size. The Horizon model is sleek, so it really does look like a standard ring. It’s a tad thicker than other rings our editors normally wear, but overall it can blend in quite well. Plus it’s very lightweight. Something to note: It does have to be worn 24/7 if you want full, accurate stats — meaning while you shower, work out, and sleep. If you’re not used to wearing a ring that often, it may take you a few days to adjust. And since it’s in a rather high-traffic spot (aka your hands), it will get scratched.
Room for growth…
Phone app user experience. With so much interesting data provided, we found the app to be a bit overwhelming to navigate. You can click in and out of so many features, you almost get lost. We also noticed that while a ton of info is available, explanations on what that data actually means for your health is limited and requires some extra research on your own. For example, one editor was experiencing low REM sleep, but beyond a general explanation of what that is, there wasn’t a ton of insight for her to gain into why she may be struggling to get more, and how this could affect her long-term sleep health.
Optional membership. When you purchase an Oura Ring, you get one month free to explore the available stats and get insight into how the ring functions. From there, it’s $5.99/month. With the membership, you receive sleep, readiness, and activity scores, plus in-depth sleep analysis, personalized health insights and recommendations, live heart rate monitoring, and skin temperature readings. If you choose to not continue the membership, you’ll get the basics (sleep, readiness, and activity scores).
Price. We commend Oura for being a trailblazer in the fitness-device scene, since there are very few fitness-tracking rings out there. However, we have to admit the price tag isn’t small — the cheapest option is the silver, coming in at $349.
Plays well with…
Anyone who loves tracking their health stats and really appreciates an in-depth view of their sleep cycle, daily activity, heart rate variability, and more.
Those who are struggling with sleep or have a particular ailment they want further insight into.
Gets extra credit for…
Language availability. The iOS and Android apps are available in seven languages, with both metric and imperial units.
Guided audio sessions. Guided meditations are available, along with sessions for sleep, focus, and recovery.
Period prediction. You can track symptoms you experience throughout your cycle to then predict your next period up to 30 days in advance.
How we did our homework…
We had two Skimm HQ’rs wear the Oura Ring over the course of six weeks (both used the free version of the app). They tracked battery life, comfort, and how long it took for their rings to fully charge (typically under an hour). They explored the phone app, browsing its many stats, taking note of how easy it was to navigate and utilize.
Footnotes…
Available in five finishes and two styles
Water-resistant up to 100 meters
Made from durable titanium
Charger included
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