STACK #247 May 2025

TECH FEATURE

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3 Slumber numbers

Oura has long been a leader in sleep tracking, but now it takes it up a notch.

It doesn’t just tell you how long you slept, it breaks down REM, deep, and light sleep, giving you a granular look at how well you’re resting. Utilising the data collected and some clever algorithms, a ‘Sleep Score’ is collated and worthwhile bedtime guidance dispensed based on more than just your hours logged. It factors in circadian rhythms, previous nights’ rest, and even recovery needs! 4 Cycle considerations For menstruating users, the Oura Ring 4 now includes improved cycle prediction powered by body temperature tracking and machine learning. It doesn’t rely solely on calendar-based guesswork either. Instead, it watches for temperature shifts and physiological patterns to

A celeb favourite, the Oura Ring 4 is not only stylish, it's feature-packed too! Words Paul Jones RING SMARTS

T here’s currently a lot of noise surrounding smart rings, and with good reason. Unobtrusive, accurate data reading and excellent sleep management, and wellbeing features are among some of the reasons for their increased popularity. However, Oura has been in the smart ring business for ten years now. The Finnish company began as a sleep tracker Kickstarter in 2015. Now on its fourth iteration, the Oura Ring 4, compatible with iOS and Android, is bristling with new features. Here are six things to know about it and why it’s a good fit for your finger... 1 Freedom of choice To get the best and most accurate data from a smart ring, you must get the right fit. Ordering a ring based on pre-existing sizes can be problematic. Your first step is getting hold of Oura’s sizing kit. Oura has identified that limiting sizing will

isolate potential buyers, so the Oura Ring 4 will come in, wait for it... 12 different sizes! The perfect fit is just a sizing kit away. But wait, there’s more! What’s as important as a good fit? Colour, and here you get the option of six. Colour preference is as personal as choosing your favourite child. With the Oura Ring 4, you can choose from six alluring colours: Black, Silver, Brushed Silver, Gold, Rose Gold and Stealth, with a matte black finish. 2 Sensor-tivity The Oura Ring has always been known for its accurate sleep-tracking accuracy, but Gen 4 has improved across the board. The upgrade includes updated green, red, and infrared LED sensors, plus a more sensitive temperature sensor array. What does that mean for you? Better sleep staging, accurate blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) readings, and improved readiness scores. The ring’s ability to detect subtle physiological changes - like illness - gives you a heads-up so you can adjust your routine and lifestyle accordingly.

give a heads-up before your cycle starts. This is particularly helpful for tracking fertility windows or managing menstrual health and symptoms. 5 Eight days a week Unlike most devices we rely on that need to be charged daily, the Oura Ring 4 offers up to a whopping eight days on a single charge. So, you can forget about being a slave to the charger. Great for those prone to forget. 6 Be a member While basic activity and sleep tracking will work without it, the Oura membership gives you access to an enviable suite of features. You get everything from detailed sleep analysis, 24/7 heart rate tracking, and blood oxygen sensing (SpO2) to informative cycle insights, stress detection and management, fertility and pregnancy insights, and dynamic activity goals. It also supports integrations with Apple Health, Strava, and many more apps. For users focused on optimising sleep, recovery, or stress, the insights gained through an Oura membership are invaluable.

Black

Silver

Brushed Silver

Gold

Rose Gold

Stealth

Material: Titanium exterior IP Rating: IPX8 (up to 100 metres water resistance) Compatibility: iOS and Android Battery Life: Up to eight days Charging: 20 to 80 minutes Sizes: 4 to 15 Colours: Black, Silver, Brushed Silver, Gold, Rose Gold and Stealth

All the deets

44 MAY 2025

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