Decoding Oura’s Ring Styles- Horizon vs. Heritage

So, you finally got influenced and decided to buy an Oura Ring, but don’t know which style to choose- Horizon or Heritage? Been there. But if you’ve gone down the depths of the internet and are still not sure which style is better for you or if there’s even a difference between the two variants apart from their look, look no further.

Being someone who is in possession of both these variants, the Horizon for me and the Heritage for my colleague, let me break it down for you. The colors, designs, sizing, everything.

The Difference#

Oura offers two variants of their widely sought-after smart rings– the Horizon and Heritage. The only difference between the two variants is the design and colors, which lead to variations in their prices.

Both variants possess the same Gen 3 features and technology.

Another difference my colleague and I found while using our rings was that the Horizon heats up while charging, but the Heritage doesn’t. She is able to put her ring on right after her ring is done charging; however, I have to give mine a couple of minutes before I can put it on, since it gets a little hot to wear.

Design and Colors#

Right off the bat, the design of the two variants has a distinction. The Heritage has a flat top with squared-off edges, giving it a more geometric appearance. The flat top indicates the ring’s front and how it’s supposed to be placed.

The Horizon variant is completely round, just like any other band, with rounded edges. The Horizon also has a small pill-shaped indent on the surface, indicating the same to be worn facing the palm of your hand.

In my opinion, it’s pretty useless since we know where the sensors are supposed to be. It makes sense for the Heritage because the design is supposed to be visible, but for the Horizon, it feels obsolete.

The Heritage is available in four colors– Silver, Gold, Black, and Stealth. In comparison, the Horizon has a broader spectrum with six colors– Gold, Silver, Black, Stealth, Brushed Titanium, and Rose Gold.

The Stealth has a matte finish, the Brushed Titanium has a satin finish, which is not as reflective, and the rest of the colors have a glossy finish. Personally, the Gold Horizon suits my style, but the $$$ made me choose the Silver.

Oura offers two similar coatings to achieve these finishes. The Gold, Silver, Brushed Titanium, and Rose Gold rings have a PVD (physical vapor deposition) coating, while the Black and Stealth rings have a DLC (diamond-like carbon) coating.

Despite the difference in the style of these rings, they come in the same sizes and, therefore, the same sizing kit, no matter which style of ring you choose. The chargers are size-specific, meaning different chargers fit different sizes, regardless of the ring’s style.

Dimensions and Comfort#

The two rings, albeit similar, have the slightest variations. The width remains the same, but the ever-so-slight variation in thickness is somewhat noticeable.

On further inspection, the thickness was also found not to be consistent throughout the circumference of both variants, which seemed a little off to me.

Both variants are extremely lightweight, weighing even less than 2 pennies. Maybe it’s just me looking through a magnifying glass to give you a full picture, but the variation in thickness might seem almost negligible on paper, but somehow is noticeable.

Maybe it’s a placebo, but even by being slightly thicker, the rounded edges make the Horizon slightly more comfortable to slip on and off. If you can get past the chunkier style like me, the choice solely depends on the style that matches your personality and the price tag, of course.

That being said, the Heritage is not uncomfortable by any means. If anything, it’s thinner and can be switched between fingers more easily since the thickness doesn’t make my fingers look webbed even when I close them.

The reason I chose the Horizon over the Heritage is the round shape that makes it look more aesthetically appealing, so the thickness was not much of a deal breaker. 

Price#

The Heritage rings are slightly cheaper than the Horizon rings. Starting at $299 for the Silver and Black, the Stealth can cost you $399, and the Gold, $449.

While I do prefer the clean design of the Horizon rings, they have a charge of $50, starting at $349 for the Silver and Black, $449 for Stealth and Brushed Titanium, $499 for Gold, and a whopping $549 for the Rose Gold.

Be mindful that apart from the cost of the ring, the added subscription to access all the features of the Oura Ring comes in at an additional $5.99/ month. They do, however, offer the first month of subscription free with the purchase of any of these variants.

While not necessary for the working of these rings, I highly recommend opting for a subscription for a detailed analysis of your health metrics.

Which Variant Should You Buy?#

Personally, I prefer the round shape and curved edges, but if the shape is not a deciding factor, Heritage has slightly cheaper options available that look almost identical to the Horizon.

If you want more color options, you will have to shell out a few more bucks for the Horizon variant. Since the tech used in both variants is the same, it all comes down to the style preference.

Oura also has the newest Ring 5 variant which is the slimmest smart ring on the market.

Frequently Asked Questions#