I've tested every smart ring on the market, and Oura's all-time low price ensures it remains the most enticing
No wearable tech products generate more debate than subscription-based ones like the Oura Ring 4—especially at this time of year, when Black Friday discounts are flying.
The core issue with Oura has always been the cost: even with this latest discount, it starts at $349 and still requires a monthly fee to keep accessing your data.
Understandably, it’s a tough sell for many. Ultimately, we’re all a little tired of seeing another monthly fee going out for services—and that especially applies when you’ve already paid an upfront cost.
Yet, with the ring plummeting to an all-time low on Amazon this Black Friday (in a deal that’s still available into Cyber Monday), the time has literally never been better to pick up the smart ring we still regard as the best overall.
For years, Oura has been our default recommendation for two reasons: accuracy and actionability.
The Wareable team has tested every premium ring on the market over the last decade, and Oura’s sleep analysis, stress insights, and overall data reliability remain exceptional—and backed by clinical trials.
The app—often overlooked in wearables, but never more important than on a screenless device like a smart ring—is also class-leading. Recently refreshed, it provides superb, clear, actionable guidance on your recovery, readiness, and everything in between. This is not just another stream of mind-melding graphs that tell you nothing; it’s genuinely useful coaching.
A deal that dulls the subscription dilemma
Ultimately, if you hate the idea of paying a subscription to see your own health data, you shouldn’t buy the Oura Ring—no matter the deal. That’s my firm advice. The monthly fee is unavoidable, and, for some, that principle is more important than the product itself.
However, if you can stomach a subscription model, the hardware discount is the most important factor in your decision. Again, the Oura Ring 4 is simply the best ring available right now—it has the best feature set, the most refined app, and the most consistent rollout of worthwhile new features for members.
Reducing the upfront cost by $150 softens the blow massively—effectively giving you over two years of subscription for ‘free’ compared to typical conditions.
The alternatives to consider this Black Friday/Cyber Monday
The equation with Oura may be more palatable during sales periods, but, ultimately, you’re forced to choose between the best-in-class features and freedom from subscriptions. So, it doesn’t hurt to consider the alternatives.
We’re also tracking excellent deals on the Ultrahuman Ring Air and the RingConn Gen 2, both great smart rings that, crucially, don’t charge a monthly fee.
If you’re a first-time smart ring user, I recommend the Ultrahuman Ring Air. On Amazon UK and across Europe right now, it’s available for a one-and-done £259/€259. It may be replaced next year by a new model, but you get superb insights presented in a clean app interface at a lower total cost and without a subscription fee.
If you’re in the US, where the Ultrahuman isn’t currently available, consider the RingConn Gen 2. We don’t love the app experience as much as Oura or Ultrahuman, but the ring is the smallest-feeling on the finger and is among the longest-lasting options we’ve tested.
On Amazon, it’s currently available for $209—I think that makes it the best cheap smart ring available this Black Friday.
Still, if you’re upgrading, or if sleep and recovery data is your primary focus, you need Oura. The Gen 4 features (improved comfort, superior battery) make the experience excellent, but the platform is the key.
In my view, if you’ve been holding out for a price that justifies Oura’s platform fee, this 30% reduction is the sign you have been waiting for.
