Cancellation service n°1 in United Kingdom
Oura is a Finnish health technology company that produces the Oura Ring, a sophisticated wearable device designed to track sleep, activity, and overall wellness. Unlike traditional fitness trackers worn on the wrist, the Oura Ring is a sleek titanium ring that monitors various physiological signals through your finger, including heart rate, heart rate variability, body temperature, and movement patterns. The company has gained significant popularity in the UK market, particularly among health-conscious individuals, athletes, and those looking to optimise their sleep quality.
What sets Oura apart from other wearables is its focus on recovery and readiness scores. Each morning, users receive personalised insights about how well they've recovered from previous activities and how prepared their body is for the day ahead. The ring syncs with a smartphone app that presents this data in an accessible, visually appealing format. The technology has been validated through numerous scientific studies and has attracted attention from professional sports teams, wellness experts, and even researchers studying COVID-19 symptoms.
The Oura Ring comes in two main versions: the Heritage model with a plateau design and the Horizon model with a circular design. Both are available in various finishes including silver, black, stealth, gold, and rose gold. The device is waterproof, has a battery life of approximately four to seven days, and charges wirelessly. To access the full range of features and insights, users must subscribe to the Oura Membership, which is where many UK customers encounter subscription management challenges.
Keep in mind that whilst the ring itself is a one-time hardware purchase, the ongoing membership fee is essential for accessing detailed health insights, trends, and personalised recommendations. This subscription model has been a point of contention for some users who purchased the ring expecting lifetime access to all features, only to discover that a monthly membership is required after an initial trial period.
Understanding Oura's pricing structure is crucial before committing to the service, as it involves both an upfront hardware cost and an ongoing subscription. The pricing model has evolved since the company's inception, and current UK customers face a different structure than early adopters did.
The Oura Ring itself ranges from £299 to £449 depending on the model and finish you select. The Heritage design starts at the lower end of this range, whilst premium finishes like gold can push the price higher. This is a one-time purchase, though you'll need to order a free sizing kit first to ensure you get the correct ring size, as an ill-fitting ring won't provide accurate readings.
The Oura Membership is where the ongoing costs come in, and this is what most people are looking to cancel when they contact the company. Here's the current pricing structure for UK customers:
| Membership type | Price | Features included |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly membership | £5.99 per month | Full access to all insights, trends, and recommendations |
| Annual membership | Approximately £59.99 per year | Same features with cost savings |
| Lifetime membership (legacy) | No ongoing cost | Only available to early adopters who purchased before November 2021 |
New ring purchases typically include a complimentary one-month or six-month membership trial, depending on current promotions. After this trial period expires, you'll automatically be charged unless you cancel. This is where many customers get caught out—they forget about the trial ending and suddenly see unexpected charges on their credit card statements.
The Oura Membership provides access to personalised daily health insights, including Sleep Score, Readiness Score, and Activity Score. You'll receive detailed analysis of your sleep stages, resting heart rate trends, body temperature variations, and activity levels. The membership also includes guided audio sessions for sleep and meditation, as well as personalised recommendations based on your data patterns.
Without an active membership, the ring still functions as a basic tracker, but you'll only see your three daily scores and limited data. You won't have access to detailed trends, long-term insights, or the educational content that makes the ring valuable for many users. This limitation is precisely why some customers feel frustrated and choose to cancel entirely rather than continue paying for features they believe should be included with the hardware purchase.
Before you proceed with cancellation, it's essential to understand Oura's terms of service and what you're entitled to under UK consumer law. This knowledge will help you navigate the cancellation process more effectively and avoid common pitfalls that can delay your termination.
Oura operates on an auto-renewal basis, which means your membership will automatically continue and charge your payment method unless you actively cancel. The company typically sends email reminders before renewal, but these can easily end up in spam folders or be overlooked during busy periods. Most importantly, Oura requires that you cancel before your next billing date to avoid being charged for another period.
If you're on a monthly subscription, you need to cancel at least 48 hours before your next billing date to ensure the cancellation processes in time. For annual subscriptions, the notice period is typically longer—often 30 days before renewal. This is a critical detail that many customers miss, resulting in unwanted charges that are difficult to reclaim.
Oura's refund policy is relatively strict. Generally speaking, membership fees are non-refundable once charged, though there may be exceptions for technical issues or billing errors. The hardware itself has a 30-day return window from delivery, but this doesn't extend to membership fees paid after that period. Under UK consumer law, you have additional protections through the Consumer Rights Act 2015, which may give you grounds for refunds if the service wasn't as described or is faulty.
Keep in mind that if you've received a promotional discount or extended trial period, there may be specific terms attached that affect your cancellation rights. Always review any promotional terms you agreed to when signing up, as these can sometimes include minimum commitment periods.
When you cancel your membership, Oura retains your account and historical data for a period of time, allowing you to reactivate if you change your mind. However, if you want your personal health data completely deleted, you'll need to make a separate request under GDPR regulations. This is particularly important for privacy-conscious individuals who want to ensure their biometric data isn't stored indefinitely.
Under UK law, specifically the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, you have the right to cancel certain types of contracts within 14 days of purchase without providing a reason. However, this cooling-off period typically applies to the initial purchase rather than ongoing subscriptions. Once you're past this initial period, you're subject to the company's cancellation policy, though you still have rights if the service is faulty or misrepresented.
Additionally, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 protects you if digital content or services aren't of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose, or as described. If you believe Oura's service doesn't meet these standards, you may have grounds for cancellation and refund beyond the standard policy. Document any issues you've experienced, as this evidence will strengthen your position if you need to dispute charges or request refunds.
Whilst Oura offers online cancellation methods through their app and website, sending a formal cancellation letter by post remains the most reliable approach, particularly if you've encountered difficulties with digital cancellation methods or want indisputable proof of your cancellation request. Having processed thousands of subscription cancellations, I can tell you that postal cancellation creates a paper trail that protects you legally and makes it much harder for companies to claim they never received your request.
First, let me explain why I always recommend postal cancellation for important subscriptions like Oura. Digital cancellation methods can fail for numerous reasons: website errors, account access issues, emails going to spam, or unclear confirmation processes. I've seen countless cases where customers believed they'd cancelled online, only to continue being charged months later because the digital process didn't complete properly or the confirmation email never arrived.
Postal cancellation, particularly via Recorded Delivery, provides physical proof that cannot be disputed. You'll have a tracking number, delivery confirmation, and a dated record of your cancellation request. This evidence is invaluable if you later need to dispute charges with your bank or credit card company. Most importantly, under UK law, a properly sent postal cancellation creates a legally binding notice of termination regardless of whether the company acknowledges it promptly.
Your cancellation letter needs to include specific information to be effective. Start with your full name exactly as it appears on your Oura account, your email address associated with the account, and your Oura account number or the email address you use to log in. Additionally, include your ring serial number if you have it, as this helps Oura identify your specific device and subscription.
Clearly state your intention to cancel your Oura Membership subscription immediately or from a specific date. Be explicit about this—vague language like \