gen 5 Oura Ring Will Cost You More Than a Gym Membership—Here's What You Need to Know
You've been tracking your sleep with that old fitness band, but the gen 5 Oura Ring is coming for your wallet—and it's not just the $400 price tag that stings. Sources confirm the upcoming model will likely require a mandatory monthly subscription for advanced health insights, like stress scores and nap detection, adding up to $72 a year. That's on top of the ring's upfront cost—totaling over $500 in your first year. For the average consumer watching prices at the gas pump and grocery store, this is a new "luxury tax" on wellness. If you're already paying for a gym or a health app, the Oura Ring could replace them, but be warned: once you buy in, you're locked into a recurring fee that won't refund your missed sleep. Check if your insurance offers a wellness discount—some employers are starting to cover these devices to lower their own healthcare costs. Otherwise, the gen 5 Oura Ring is a want, not a need, and your budget may not have room for both.