My Year with the Oura Ring: Pros, Cons, and a Little Worry

For the entire year of 2024, I've been wearing the Oura Ring. Let's start with why I love it so much. It's incredibly convenient, slipping onto my finger and staying there unnoticed all day and night. The data it collects is impressive, giving me insights into my sleep, activity, and even health signals like temperature changes. I've witnessed firsthand how it can spot an oncoming illness, like when I had COVID in September. But, it's not all perfect. The Ring 4's finish isn't holding up as well as I'd hoped. I chose the Brushed Silver model, and in just a couple of months, it's already showing substantial scratches. It's a bit disappointing, though Oura says it's normal. Still, it makes me wonder about the longevity of the device. Despite the scratches, I'll likely keep wearing it in 2025. The competition is heating up with brands like RingConn and Samsung, but the Oura Ring knows me so well now. It provides personalized insights that would be hard to let go of. Plus, it's less obvious than smartwatches, which is a big plus.