RingConn Gen 2 vs Oura Ring 4: Features, price, which one wins

RingConn has unveiled its Gen 2 ring a couple of months ago, which I recently reviewed. The company has already raised more than $4 million via the crowdfunded route, making it the most crowdfunded smart ring ever. I recently posted my full hands-on review of the gadget. Not to be left behind, Oura has just launched Ring 3. Both devices come with some iterative upgrades over their respective predecessors.

Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets

The competition in the smart ring space is heating up. Recently two big smartwatch brands have entered this arena, Samsung and Zepp Health. So RingConn and Oura need to keep upping their game.

So what exactly are the differences between RingConn Gen 2 and Oura Ring 4 and which device is right for you? Let’s find out.

Key takeaways

The RingConn Gen 2 is slimmer and has better battery life than Oura Ring 4, while matching its core health tracking features. Both excel at sleep tracking, with RingConn offering more raw data and Oura focusing on actionable insights. Neither is ideal for exercise tracking, but they’re great for daily health monitoring. RingConn is the better value, offering similar features without Oura’s subscription requirement.

View Oura Ring on Oura’s website. View RingConn Gen 2 on Kickstarter. For $10 off on RingConn Gen 1 on RingConn’s website, at checkout use discount code: BFD50EC113.

Jump to

Hardware
Technical specs
Features
Bottom line

RingConn Gen 2 vs Oura Ring 4: Hardware

Look & feel

Both the Oura Ring 4 and RingConn Gen 2 prioritize aesthetics and comfort, but they take distinct approaches. Oura Ring 4 opts for a classic, understated design reminiscent of a traditional wedding band, fully titanium design and recessed sensors on the interior. In contrast, RingConn Gen 2 boasts a more contemporary form factor.

Oura Ring 4 measures 7.9mm in width and 2.88mm in thickness, with a weight ranging from 3.3-5.2 grams depending on the ring size. RingConn Gen 2, on the other hand, is slightly slimmer and lighter, measuring 6.8mm in width and just 2mm in thickness. Its weight ranges from 2 to 3 grams, making it one of the lightest smart rings on the market. Having reviewed both RingConn Gen 2 and Gen 1, I can confirm that the difference in size is quite noticeable.

Both rings share a commitment to minimalism, ditching displays in favour of a sleek, uncluttered appearance. While the Oura Ring 4 offers a broader range of finishes, RingConn Gen 2’s focus on a premium, glossy finish makes it very scratch resistant. 

RingConn Gen 2 has also improved its water resistance, now matching Oura with protection up to 100 meters. This eliminates the previous advantage Oura held in this area. Although neither ring features a vibration motor or physical buttons, both excel in overall durability.

Sensor technology

Despite their distinct appearances, both rings share a similar core focus on health and wellness tracking. The duo features infrared, red, and green sensors for monitoring heart rate and blood oxygen levels, as well as temperature sensors for additional health insights. However, RingConn Gen 2 has made advancements in sensor technology with an upgraded PPG sensor for more accurate heart rate monitoring and a 3D accelerometer for improved motion tracking. This allows the RingConn Gen 2 to offer features like sleep apnea detection.

Oura has also improved accuracy of sensors. Users can expect 120% better SpO2 signal quality, translating to 30% more accurate overnight blood oxygen measurements. The breathing disturbance index accuracy sees a 15% boost, while gaps in heart rate data collection have been reduced by 7% during daytime and 31% at night.

The rings rely on Bluetooth connectivity for data synchronization, and neither supports Wi-Fi, GPS or music storage. Additionally, both devices prioritize data privacy with features like EMF-Safe technology and airplane mode.

In terms of data storage, both rings can store up to a week’s worth of data, allowing for offline tracking. However, regular synchronization with the respective smartphone app is recommended for optimal performance and access to detailed insights.

Battery life

As far as battery life, the Oura Ring 4 delivers a respectable performance, offering up to 8 days of continuous use on a single charge. Its charging dock, equipped with a USB-C connection, typically takes between 20 to 80 minutes to fully replenish the battery. While impressive, some users have reported fluctuations in battery life over time, a common issue among smart rings.

RingConn Gen 2 significantly elevates the battery performance. It delivers an exceptional 10-12 days of battery life on a single charge, a substantial improvement over its predecessor. This extended endurance is attributed to optimized hardware and software, resulting in a 259% reduction in power consumption. In practical terms, the RingConn Gen 2 typically loses around 10% of its battery charge per day, making it one of the longest-lasting smart rings available.

The portable charging case, a valuable asset in the previous generation, becomes even more essential with the RingConn Gen 2. The combination of extended battery life and the charging case allows for an impressive 150 days of use between full case charges, making it an ideal choice for frequent travelers or those seeking minimal device maintenance.

RingConn Gen 2 vs Oura Ring 4: Technical specs

Here’s a detailed tech specs comparison table for the Oura Ring 4 and RingConn Gen 2:

RingConn Gen 2 vs Oura Ring 4: Features

The Oura Ring 4 and RingConn Gen 2 position themselves as comprehensive health and wellness companions. Most of the focus is on recovery tracking rather than precise exercise insights. The quality and accuracy of this type of data on both devices is quite good. In fact the duo has improved the accuracy with the latest generations.

Sleep is a cornerstone of the rings’ offerings. Oura Ring 4 has long been praised for its detailed sleep analysis, breaking down sleep into various stages and providing insights into sleep quality, duration, and interruptions. RingConn Gen 2, while offering similar core sleep metrics, has introduced automatic Sleep Apnea detection with this latest generation. You can also use Oura for that sort of thing but the information will not be as detailed.

The rings track HRV, a key indicator of overall health and stress levels. This is also the case for blood oxygen level tracking and a breathing assessment along with skin temperature insights.

While both rings offer user-friendly interfaces, user feedback suggests RingConn generally has a smoother setup process. RingConn’s app also provides a more in-depth look at raw data, appealing to users who prefer granular analysis. Oura Ring 4 takes a more interpretive approach, focusing on providing actionable insights. It’s Android users gain access to Oura Labs, an experimental platform featuring capabilities like meal tracking. The company has also introduced Oura Advisor, an AI-powered tool for personalized health insights.

As mentioned, neither device is designed for intense athletic performance monitoring so struggle when it comes to the accuracy of heart rate tracking during intense exercise. Having said that, they are good in terms of basic activity metrics like step count and calorie burn.

RingConn Gen 2 vs Oura Ring 4: Price

The Oura Ring 4 and RingConn Gen 2 employ distinct pricing strategies. The first positions itself as a premium health and wellness device, commanding a higher price point. The ring typically retails between $350 and $500, depending on the chosen style and finish. Importantly, Oura Ring 4 necessitates a recurring monthly subscription fee of $5.99 to unlock the full range of features and data insights within the companion app.

In contrast, RingConn Gen 2 offers a more budget-conscious option, with pricing on Kickstarter starting at $299. A key differentiator is RingConn Gen 2’s subscription-free model, providing users with unrestricted access to all features without ongoing costs. 

RingConn Gen 2 vs Oura Ring 4: Final thoughts

If you’re trying to choose between these two smart rings, here’s the deal: both are solid health trackers, but the RingConn Gen 2 has a couple of neat advantages. As noted in my hands-on review, it’s sleeker and lighter on your finger, and its battery life is impressive – you can go almost two weeks between charges instead of just one. Plus, that portable charging case is very useful for travelers, letting you go months without hunting for a power outlet.

When it comes to what they can actually do, it’s pretty much a tie. Both rings are great at tracking your sleep and overall health, though neither will blow you away with exercise tracking. RingConn’s added sleep apnea detection is cool, and data geeks might prefer its app for the detailed numbers it provides. Oura takes a different approach, focusing more on telling you what to do with all that data it collects.

And don’t forget to take the price tag into consideration. RingConn Gen 2 is not only cheaper upfront, but it also doesn’t ask you to pay a monthly fee to use all its features. Oura, on the other hand, costs more to begin with and then hits you with a subscription fee. If you’re watching your wallet, RingConn gives you more bang for your buck while still keeping up with (and sometimes outpacing) Oura’s features.

View Oura Ring on Oura’s website. View RingConn Gen 2 on Kickstarter. For $10 off on RingConn Gen 1 on RingConn’s website, at checkout use discount code: BFD50EC113.

Like this article? Subscribe to our monthly newsletter and never miss out!