Can you shower with Oura Ring? Everyone is asking this. After all, your Oura Ring is designed to be worn 24/7 to track your sleep, activity, and health.
However, showering does expose it to more chemicals like soap, shampoo, and others.
Yes, you can shower with your Oura Ring on, as it’s rated to be water-resistant for up to 5 feet. However, you want to avoid exposing it to harsh soaps and shampoos, which can damage the sensors.
Let’s take a deep dive!
Can You Shower With Oura Ring – We Explain It All
Before we get into the weeds here, let’s get a quick overview of the main points you need to know to understand this fully.
Note that your ring is water-resistant, but you’ll still have to take good care of it.
Oura Ring’s Water Resistance Rating
We must first tackle the question: is the Oura Ring waterproof? We know that it’s water-resistant, but is there a difference between these two terms?
Well, sort of, let me explain. There is a significant difference between these two since waterproof means no water can enter the device.
On the other hand, water resistance blocks water from entering, but not completely.
So, if you leave your Oura Ring in the water for long enough, water will seep through and damage the internal electronics.
Here’s your Oura Ring’s water-resistance capabilities:
- Your Oura Ring has a water resistance rating of IP68.
- You can put it underwater up to 1.5 meters or 5 feet deep.
- You can leave it underwater within the depth range for up to 30 minutes.
Tip: Your ring’s water resistance rating only applies to static pressure, so any jets or sprays are not considered and will compromise its seals at a lower depth and quicker time.
Manufacturer’s Official Recommendation
Oura Ring’s website says: “You can safely wear your ring in the shower, hot tubs, saunas, ice baths, and cryotherapy tanks.”
It’s safe to say that you should be able to wear it in the shower without any issues.
Here are some of the things you need to remember when showering with your ring:
- Avoid exposure to extremely high or low temperatures to prevent battery damage.
- Showering may affect the accuracy of the sensors, so make sure you dry it completely.
- Be careful not to bump your ring against hard surfaces while showering.
Note: Exposing your ring to water for extended periods will affect its coating and water-resistance capabilities.
Showering with Oura Ring – What Happens
Can you shower with an Oura Ring? Showering with your Oura Ring is considered generally safe.
It’s also easy since you don’t have to worry about taking extra care of it. It can handle water, soap, shampoo, and other substances in your shower.
While you’re showering, your ring’s sensors will continue to work and measure your health metrics, such as your body temperature, heart rate variability, and more.
However, there are some things you need to consider whenever you’re showering with your Oura Ring:
- Your ring will use more power than normal as the sensors work harder.
- Showering can cause skin irritation or reactions for those with sensitive skin.
- Your readings will be temporarily affected during the time you’re showering.
Tips for Showering with Oura Ring
Since you’re able to bring your Oura Ring with you whenever you shower, some tips will help you make the most out of it.
Here are some you want to remember to prolong the life of your ring:
- Dry your ring thoroughly afterward by wiping it with a soft cloth or towel.
- Do not leave it wet or damp, as it will increase the chance of skin irritation.
- Clean your Oura Ring at least once a week with a mild soap and water solution.
- Use a soft brush or cloth and gently scrub any dirt or residue on the sensors.
- Inspect your ring periodically for signs of damage, like cracks, scratches, and dents.
Pro Tip: It’s important that you do not use harsh chemicals or abrasives to clean your ring as it will damage the ring or its coating, compromising its water resistance.
Potential Risks of Showering With the Oura Ring
Since we have determined that showering with your Oura Ring is generally safe and harmless, there are still some potential risks you need to be aware of.
Let’s figure out what these risks are:
- One of the biggest risks of showering with your Oura Ring is losing it.
- You might hit your ring on a hard object in the shower, such as a faucet or shower head.
- Voiding the warranty, especially if you expose it to extreme temperatures.
Cleaning and Maintaining Your Oura Ring
Whether or not you shower with your Oura Ring, you must always keep it in tip-top shape.
One of the most effective ways to do this is to properly clean and maintain it as you continue to use it.
Doing this will help extend its lifespan and keep its performance to when it was new.
On top of that, it also prevents any health issues like skin irritations and allergic reactions that may arise from wearing a dirty device.
Here are some steps you need to take to clean your ring:
- Charge it properly: Only charge your ring when it’s low on power at around 20%. Do not overcharge it above 80% or leave it plugged in too long.
- Use the original charger: It’s best to use the charger your Oura Ring came with the box. If you lost it, we recommend using a compatible charger.
- Store it safely: When you’re not wearing your ring, store it in a safe place where you won’t lose it. Don’t expose it to extreme temperatures, humidity, and sunlight.
- Update it regularly: Keep your ring’s software up to date and enjoy new features and improvements.
Note: Following these steps will ensure that you’ll be able to get the most out of your Oura ring for a long time.
Other Water Activities You Can Do With Your Oura Ring
Showering is not the only water activity you can do with your Oura Ring.
Since it’s rated to be water-resistant, you can do many things with it.
Activities like swimming, surfing, kayaking, and other water sports are generally deemed safe to use with your device.
Admittedly, some of these water activities will be more risky than others.
However, as long as you take good care of your ring properly, especially after, you won’t have any issues with it.
Swimming
You should be able to swim with your Oura Ring in freshwater pools or lakes as long as you don’t go deeper than 1.5 meters or 30 feet for longer than 30 minutes.
However, minimizing swimming in salt water is best to avoid corrosion.
Note: Using your ring in hot tubs or spas is also not recommended, as temperatures can surpass its optimum operating window.
Surfing
You should be able to surf with your Oura Ring without any issues.
Ensure it’s not loose so it doesn’t get knocked off whenever you encounter a strong wave.
Kayaking
Like surfing, the one thing to watch out for here are strong rapids and waterfalls, as the water can knock it off your finger, especially if it’s a bit loose.
However, you should be fine to wear it whenever you’re kayaking.
Diving
If there’s an activity that you will want to leave your Oura Ring in your bag, it’s diving.
Scuba diving, in particular, is a big no-no with your ring, as you’ll easily go to depths beyond 1.5 meters or 15 feet.
Note: If you’re looking for a device that continues to track your health and fitness stats while diving, consider using a more specialized watch.
Alternatives to Showering With Oura Ring
If you’re uncomfortable showering with your Oura Ring or doing any other water activity, here are some alternatives you must consider.
These will allow you to keep your ring safe without risking damaging or losing it.
- Consider taking your ring off before showering.
- Wear a waterproof case or pouch before going kayaking or into the water.
- Use a different device to track your health while showering without risking your ring.
Conclusion
Can you shower with Oura Ring, and is it safe? Yes, you can.
Showering should not pose much of an issue with your ring as it’s water-resistant for up to 5 feet deep for around 30 minutes.
Showering won’t get you close to these, so it’s safe to use it. To learn more about your Oura Ring, visit our blog!
Finn Wheatley holds a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from UCL, London. He helped small data science consultancy firms, helping large corporations to grow their data capabilities, deploy advanced machine learning-based analytics and troubleshoot tech-related issues. Check out more about him here.