I've tested dozens of smartwatches, but the Oura Ring 4 was first to show me I'm sick

I’m fortunate to have a strong immune system — and I often frustrate my wife by refusing to acknowledge any signs of illness. But the Oura Ring 4 no longer lets me deny reality. Named ZDNET’s 2024 Product of the Year, this wearable continues to prove its value every day.

With so many smartwatches to test, I always wear one on each wrist, along with a smart ring. Yesterday, I had an Apple Watch Ultra 2 on one wrist, a Garmin Fenix 8 on the other, and the Oura Ring 4 on my left ring finger. Of them all, only Oura’s smartphone app, with its Symptom Radar, clearly alerted me that something was off.  

Also: Why Oura Ring 4 is ZDNET’s product of the year – besting Samsung, Apple, and others in 2024

The symptom radar stated that there were major signs of something straining my body, with my biometrics under strain. My body temperature and respiratory rate were slightly elevated, and my heart rate variability decreased. It was obvious that something was going on as I went from no signs to major signs in one day. At this point, I only coughed about once every couple of hours and didn’t think there was anything serious going on.

That evening, all of my biometric indicators changed, and my resting heart rate was also elevated. I also started feeling sore all over and coughing more. The next morning, I went to the doctor and was prescribed Tamiflu to try to knock out the virus. One key element of Tamiflu is that it only works if you start taking it within two days of symptoms, so early detection with the Oura Ring 4 is important to resolving issues sooner rather than later.

Compared to the Apple Watch Ultra 2, which initially reported all vitals within the typical range, the second day revealed two outliers — elevated heart and respiratory rates. However, I was disappointed that wrist temperature didn’t flag an anomaly, as it’s often one of the earliest indicators of illness.  

Also: The best smart rings you can buy: Expert tested

Garmin’s data highlighted increased stress levels through its Body Battery and Stress metrics, yet it lacked a direct notification or warning about potential illness. While the watch measured skin temperature, the significant rise wasn’t detected until the second night, and the Garmin app provided no clear indication that anything was out of the ordinary.  

The Oura Ring 4 continues to prove its value with strong performance, complemented by a well-designed smartphone app. The app’s capabilities make it an essential tool for tracking health metrics, though deeper integration with smartwatch platforms like Garmin, Coros, Polar, or Suunto would provide a more comprehensive view of workout impact on overall health.

For now, the Oura app stands out in its ability to incorporate workout data effectively, making it my go-to resource for assessing health and fitness.