I Bought an Oura Ring- Here’s My Honest Take, One Month In

By Miranda

Let me get the most important part out of the way first: this isn’t sponsored. I bought my Oura Ring with my own money, nobody asked me to write about it, and I’m not earning anything if you buy one.

I’m telling you that up front because you’re used to hearing from me and Courtney in pharmacist mode, breaking down the evidence and calling out wellness industry nonsense. This post is a bit different. It’s more personal. It’s about why I bought a piece of tech I didn’t technically need, and whether it’s been worth it.

Why I finally bought one

The Oura Ring had been on my radar for a while. I’ll be honest, it was firmly in the “want” category, not the “need” category. But a few things happened at once that tipped me over the edge.

For months, I’d been feeling really fatigued- you can refer to my “why am I so tired” reel for some background. I wanted better information about what was actually going on with my sleep and my stress levels, rather than just guessing.

I’m also heading into perimenopause. The Oura’s cycle tracking and menopause symptom tracker really appealed to me, because this is a stage of life where so many women feel like they’re piecing things together on their own.

Over the past 12 months I felt like I’d dropped the ball on my own health and fitness. Running two businesses and being a mum means my own movement is usually the first thing to go. I wanted something that would keep me accountable. It turns out there’s nothing quite like seeing your inactivity in black and white to remind you that you’ve been sitting at your desk far too long.

What about my Apple Watch?

Here’s my confession: I already own an Apple Watch. It lives in a drawer and theres a few reasons for that. It’s quite bulky, and it doesn’t go with most of my outfits. I also didn’t love the notifications. Having my wrist buzz all day made me feel like I was always “online”, and that’s the opposite of what I want from something meant to support my wellbeing.

The main thing I wanted it for was sleep tracking, and that’s where it let me down. The battery usually only lasted until the end of the day, so I’d have to charge it overnight, which defeats the purpose. It also just wasn’t comfortable to sleep in.

What I love about the Oura Ring

It looks good- and this one matters to me more than I’d like to admit. The newer ring is noticeably smaller than the previous version, and it genuinely looks like a piece of jewellery rather than a gadget.

It’s also really comfortable- more comfortable than my wedding rings! I wear it all day and all night and forget it’s there, which is exactly what you want from something that’s meant to collect data constantly.

The battery life is great- I charge it once a week, on Sundays and its really fast.

No screen, no distractions- I love that it doesn’t have a screen. Nothing pings me during the day. I check in with my data when I want to, not when a notification decides I should.

The data- My favourite features are the readiness score, the sleep tracking, the heart health insights and the stress management tools. The readiness score in particular has changed how I think about my week. On days it’s higher, I push a bit harder. On days it’s lower, I give myself permission to take it easier, without the guilt. I was also humbled to know that my heart health was only 0.5 years younger than my actually age- I don’t know why I was expecting more, clearly my expectations of my fitness are unrealistic!

What I’m less sold on aka the “cons”.

First, it doesn’t connect with as many external devices as I’d like. For example, I can’t link it directly to my Peloton tread or the bike, so I can’t monitor my heart rate in real time during workouts.

Second, the app can be hard to navigate. It sometimes takes me a while to find what I’m looking for. I’m getting used to it, but it isn’t the most intuitive experience.

Third, there’s an annual membership on top of the cost of the ring itself. It’s worth knowing that before you buy, because it’s an ongoing cost.

My pharmacist hat, briefly.

I can’t help myself, so here’s a quick reality check. A wearable like this is great for spotting trends, such as how your sleep changes after a late night, a stressful week or a glass of wine. What it can’t do is diagnose anything or replace a conversation with your GP.

If you’re dealing with ongoing fatigue like I was, or perimenopause symptoms that are affecting your life, please don’t rely on a ring to sort it out. The data can be a really useful starting point, and it might even help you describe what’s been going on when you see your doctor.

So, is it worth it? For me, yes.

It’s a nice-to-have, not a must-have, and I’d never tell anyone they need one to be healthy. But I’m really enjoying it, and one month in, it’s doing exactly what I hoped it would.

Price-wise, it’s not cheap. That said, if you’re in the market for a wearable, it’s still cheaper than most Garmins or an Apple Watch.

A few ways to save:

Choose a colour like silver, which costs less than some of the other finishes. Ask a friend who already owns one for a referral, which can get you 10% off. And it’s worth trying to negotiate the price at your local appliance store because theres savings to be had.

The longer I wear it, the more data it collects and the more useful it becomes. More than anything, it’s helping me stay consistent: moving more on the good days, and resting when my body is clearly asking for it. For someone trying to get her energy back, that’s been worth it.

Do you have an Oura Ring, or are you thinking about getting one? I’d love to hear what you think. Send us a question through Ask Us Anything, or come and chat with us on Instagram.

Informed. Assured. Empowered.

Miranda x