Choosing the Best Alternative to Oura

Before diving into the list, we looked into a few things to help us justify what makes a wearable device a great alternative to the Oura Ring. This list is not limited to smart rings. We took into consideration smartwatches and fitness bands to keep your options wide open. Hence, health monitoring features are at the center of this list.

Purpose

The Oura Ring has a few different functionalities. Knowing what you want to use the ring for is critical for your decision. Is it for tracking sleep? Is it for monitoring the menstrual cycle? Is it for tracking blood oxygen levels?

Integrations

What type of third-party support does the smart ring have? In most health rings, third-party apps like Natural Cycles, Google Fit, and MyFitnessPal, among others. If you are looking for a particular app to use, make sure to check with the ring maker whether they support the app you’re looking for.

Budget

At $299, the Oura Ring is expensive for a tiny wearable, so it does not come as a surprise why many people would look for an alternative. We have a bunch of them on this list, or you can also check out the best Oura Ring dupes.

Here are the best Oura Ring alternatives that you can choose from:

1. Ultrahuman Ring Air

The Ultrahuman Ring Air works pretty much the same as the Oura Ring. Released in 2023, this health smart ring is capable of tracking sleep, heart rates, activities, recovery, stress, and blood oxygen. It also has a period prediction feature for women to plan or avoid pregnancy. If you’re wondering what makes one different from another, check out our Ultrahuman Ring Air vs. Oura Ring Review!

GET ULTRAHUMAN RING AIR!

2. Whoop

Whoop is a health and fitness band that provides personalized insights into your sleep, strain, and recovery. This wearable uses ambient temperature and electrodermal activity (EDA) to track your strain and recovery for stress management. Whoop monitors heart rate as well. Its activity tracking is pretty good, which Whoop approaches in a holistic way, covering intensity both physically and mentally. Whoop 4.0 works on a subscription basis, starting at $20 per month for 24 months. If you want to know how each device stacks up against each other, read our Whoop vs. Oura Ring Review!

GET WHOOP 4.0!

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3. Apple Watch Series 8

As one of the most equipped Apple Watches, the 2022 Apple Watch Series is an exceptional Oura Ring alternative. The Apple Watch Series 8 can track sleep, heart rate, and activities. It has an all-new body temperature-sensing ability to bolster women’s health. The Apple Watch 8 can track blood oxygen levels on command or continuously. It has a crash detection functionality that automatically connects to emergency responders in case of an emergency, plus fall detection and emergency SOS features. The Apple Watch 8 is crack, dust, and water-resistant. If you’re wondering what makes the watch different, check out our Oura Ring vs. Apple Watch Series 8 Review!

GET APPLE WATCH SERIES 8!

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4. Circular

Circular is a promising health and wellness smart ring that looks and functions a lot like the new generation of Oura, making it one of the best Oura Ring alternatives. Circular tracks sleep, activities, continuous heart rate, and blood oxygen level, and gives recovery insights. Even the actual minimalistic look and feather-light feel of the ring is essentially Oura. One major difference between Circular and Oura at this point is the price. Circular costs $277 or €278, while Oura costs $349 or €350. Check out our Oura vs. Circular Review to find which is better!

GET CIRCULAR!

5. Garmin Venu 3

The Venu 3 is one of the best Garmin smartwatches ever released and makes for a great alternative to the Oura Ring with all its similar set of health and fitness features. This Garmin watch tracks sleep, heart rate, respiration, hydration, and stress. And it also gives you recovery insights. The incident detection functionality is a useful emergency tool, especially for outdoor enthusiasts. The Venu 3 gives you over 25 indoor and GPS sports apps and preloaded workouts. Venu 3 starts at $450 or €448. If you’re curious about which one is better, read our Oura vs. Garmin Venu 3 Review!

GET GARMIN VENU 3!

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6.Fitbit Versa 4

Fitbit smartwatches and fitness trackers are some of the most advanced in terms of health and fitness. The Fitbit Versa 4 is a phenomenal Oura alternative, allowing you to manage stress and sleep better. The stress management functionality identifies patterns of stress and provides recommendations on what to do. It can also track blood oxygen levels, heart rate, and activities. The Fitbit Versa 4 costs $199. Wanna know the difference? Check out our Oura Ring vs. Fitbit Versa 4 Review!

GET FITBIT VERSA 4!

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7.Circul

Circul is a pulse oximeter ring designed to track blood oxygen (Sp02) level and heart rate continuously unlike the common finger pulse oximeter that only records at a time. Among all Oura Ring alternatives on this list, Circul works a little differently because you can only use it one mode at a time. In Sleep Mode, Circul tracks your blood oxygen, heart rate, oxygen desaturation index (ODI), and sleep stages. In Exercise Mode, the ring monitors your heart rate, steps, and calorie burn during workouts. Use Daytime Mode to keep tabs on your heart rate and blood oxygenation regularly. Cicul costs $199 or €197. If you want to see the two side by side, read our Oura vs. Circul Review!

GET CIRCUL!

BodiMetrics CIRCUL Waterproof Sleep & Fitness Ring

Buy on Amazon

8.Polar Ignite 3

Polar Ignite 3 is one of the best Oura alternatives with the same functionality profile as Oura, including sleep, activity, and recovery monitoring. The watch also has accurate heart rate tracking features. Activity tracking is where Polar shines the most as it has over 150 sports and activities, plus some workouts for you to choose from. The Polar Ignite 3 costs $330 or €329. If you’re curious which device is better, check out our Oura vs. Polar comparison!

GET POLAR IGNITE 3!

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9. RingConn

Released in January 2023, RingConn is one of the brand-new smart rings joining the health and wellness market. Developed by a Chinese health technology firm with headquarters in Delaware, RingConn is a fantastic Oura alternative able to track sleep, heart rates, blood oxygen, and activities. However, it does have a recovery monitoring mechanism like the Oura Ring.

GET RINGCONN HERE!

Remember to consider your utmost health and fitness needs when choosing the right wearable for you. Do you want one that can be a good remote extension of your smartphone? I highly recommend looking into the smartwatches mentioned. If you want to try out another ring, Circul is a great option. Or, you can wait for Circular or Evie Ring, the first smart ring designed to give women a better track of their health. And that’s it for our list of the Best Oura Ring Alternatives! Got questions? Drop them in the comments!

The post 9 Best Oura Ring Alternatives You Can Buy in 2024 first appeared on Smart Ring News.

Wondering which health and fitness wearable is better for you? In this Apple Watch SE 2 vs. Ultrahuman Ring Air review, we shed light on the differences between the two on the health and fitness front.

Several brands of smartwatches are on the market, but perhaps one of the most popular would be Apple’s. Their midrange smartwatch lineup—the Apple Watch SE—is an impressive device with all the basic health-tracking functionalities you need.

On the other hand, the Ultrahuman Ring Air is one of the leading health smart rings available. In general, it does the same things as the Apple Watch SE 2 in terms of its health-related features, except it is a ring. It comes from Ultrahuman, a health-tech company headquartered in India.

In this review, let’s take a closer look at the Apple Watch SE 2 and place it side by side with the Ultrahuman Ring Air. We’re comparing these two smart devices mainly in terms of sleep tracking, fitness tracking, heart rate monitoring, and blood oxygen monitoring, as well as regarding their design, battery life, water protection, and prices. Let’s get to it.

Apple Watch SE 2 vs. Ultrahuman Ring Air Quick Comparison

Before exploring the features and functionalities of the smart rings further, here’s a side-by-side comparison of the Apple Watch Series 2 and Ultrahuman Ring Air:

Apple Watch SE 2 vs. Ultrahuman: Features and Functionalities

Sleep Tracking

On the sleep tracking front, the Apple Watch SE 2 and Ultrahuman Ring Air are neck and neck.

Apple’s smartwatch offers advanced sleep tracking, allowing you to view the sleep data it has collected through your iPhone’s Health app. These sleep data include your total sleep time, awake time, and how long you have spent in the different stages of your sleep. It also tracks your breathing rate while you’re asleep, and allows you to set your sleep goals.

How about the Ultrahuman Ring Air? Well, Ultrahuman brands its device as “the world’s lightest sleep tracking wearable.” One of its highly lauded features is its sleep tracking. It tracks the sleep stages—awake, REM, light, and deep—and presents your data including other important sleep metrics such as heart rate variability (HRV) and skin temperature. 

Although skin temperature does not always represent your body temperature, which is a really useful metric for telling the state of your body’s recovery and stress, it is close to a medical-grade body temperature sensor.

In addition, Ultrahuman Ring Air makes recommendations based on your circadian rhythm or your 24-hour internal clock and the time of day. For instance, it advises you whether you should get more sunlight in the morning, stop drinking coffee beyond a certain time, and more. This is something that the Apple Watch SE 2 may not provide.

ALSO READ: GARMIN VIVOACTIVE 5 VS. OURA: WHICH IS THE BEST HEALTH TRACKING WEARABLE?

Fitness Tracking

One of the functionalities that Apple’s smartwatches have nailed right on the head is in the fitness tracking department. Using the Workout app, you can toggle on with this smartwatch highlights the workouts you do often. The watch also shows you your heart rate, active calorie burn, and time elapsed. If you need music for your workout, it’s just a swipe away. Also, GPS connects in the background without having you wait, all for a seamless walk, run, or cycle. 

Meanwhile, the Ultrahuman Ring Air also allows you to log your workout. But this smart ring goes above and beyond by doing things that are not present with the smartwatch.

For instance, it presents your Recovery Score to help you plan your next physical activity. A lower score means you must take it easier with your workouts, and a higher score means you can freely try for your personal best, such as whether you’re at the gym or running outdoors.

Also, it presents a Movement Index that tracks how sedentary your lifestyle is. Low scores mean your life is sedentary—like sitting by your desk all day—and high scores mean you’re doing good.

ALSO READ: AMAZFIT GTS 4 VS. OURA: WHICH IS THE BEST SLEEP TRACKER?

Heart Rate Monitoring

The Apple Watch’s SE 2’s heart rate sensor, unfortunately, does not have an electrocardiogram feature. But don’t fret because this smartwatch still provides notifications for abnormally high or low heart rates, and its data is very accurate.

On the other hand, the Ultrahuman Ring Air has been impressing its users as it is equipped with a PPG sensor. This empowers you to stay ahead of your body’s vitals, specifically your heart rate and heart rate variability. PPG, or photoplethysmography, is a simple optical technique that detects volumetric changes in the person’s blood in the peripheral circulation. It is a non-invasive method that does measurements at your skin’s surface.

ALSO READ: OURA RING VS. APPLE WATCH SE 2: WHICH IS THE BEST SLEEP TRACKER?

Blood Oxygen Monitoring

Sadly, the Apple Watch SE 2 does not feature blood oxygen monitoring. How about the Ultrahuman Ring Air? Yes, it does. It utilizes the same PPG sensor for heart rate monitoring to provide the wearer information about their blood oxygen saturation.

ALSO READ: OURA RING VS. FITBIT VERSA 4: WHICH IS THE BEST HEALTH WEARABLE DEVICE? 

Apple Watch SE 2 vs. Ultrahuman: Specs and Design

Design

When it comes to design, choosing between the Apple Watch SE 2 and Ultrahuman Ring Air boils down to preference. If you want a dedicated health-tracking companion, the smart ring could be the perfect choice here as it’s more comfortable to wear, especially at night during sleep. However, if you value a more versatile wearable, the Apple Watch SE 2 is clearly the winner in this category.

The Apple Watch SE 2 is made from aluminum and follows the shapes and sizes of other smartwatches by Apple, such as the first-generation Watch SE, Series 4, Series 5, and Series 6.

On the other hand, the Ultrahuman Ring Air is simplistic. As a smart ring, it is 11 times lighter than the smartwatch. So, if you don’t mind ditching the display screen, choose a smart ring.

Battery Life

Apple Watch SE 2’s battery life is up to 18 hours after a single full charge, while the Ultrahuman Ring AIR’s battery life is up to a whopping six days.

Water Protection

The Apple Watch SE 2 is water-resistant at up to 50 meters of depth. It is safe to shower or swim with, provided that the water is not exceptionally hot or mixed with strong detergents. 

Meanwhile, the Ultrahuman Ring Air has a water resistance of up to 100 meters. You can wear it during activities like showering, swimming, scuba diving, and more.

ALSO READ: RINGCONN VS. APPLE WATCH SERIES 9: WHICH IS THE BEST HEALTH MONITORING WEARABLE?

Apple Watch SE 2 vs. Ultrahuman: Pricing and Availability

The Apple Watch SE 2 starts at around $287 up to around $815. Several color options to choose from: Midnight, Starlight, or Silver.

GET APPLE WATCH SE 2 HERE!

The Ultrahuman Ring Air currently sells at $349. Choose from the following colors: Aster Black, Matte Grey, Bionic Gold, and Space Silver.

GET ULTRAHUMAN RING AIR HERE!

The Verdict: Which Is the Best Device for Health and Fitness Tracking?

Choosing between the Apple Watch SE 2 and Ultrahuman Ring Air should be largely based on what you need.

Do you need a dedicated sleep tracker that has other basic health and fitness functionalities? Do you need blood sugar monitoring capabilities? The Ultrahuman Ring Air could be the right choice for you.

Do you want a robust fitness tracking device that can also be sleep tracking and everyday use? The Apple Watch SE 2 could be what you’re looking for.

Ultimately, put your needs first before anything else. Nevertheless, either way, you have an impressive health companion.

For the latest wearable tech news and updates, follow Smart Ring News on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.

The post Apple Watch SE 2 vs. Ultrahuman Ring Air: Which Is the Best Health and Fitness Device? first appeared on Smart Ring News.

Apple has not been vocal about its forthcoming smart ring, but based on the latest patent that came out on November 28, 2023, the tech giant has been working on a technology that incorporates near-field communication into its rumored smart ring. But what will it do? Here’s what you need to know about these reported capabilities:

The latest patent granted to Apple by the US Patent and Trademark Office pertains to NFC circuitry used to collect tag information and serve as a controller for Vision Pro, Apple’s mixed-reality headset due for release in early 2024.

As described, the electronic system has a finger-ring housing surrounding a finger-shaped opening. This device may have a coil made from metal stuck on a printed circuit. The NFC circuitry is reportedly using the coil to transmit signals.

ALSO READ: WHAT IS NFC SMART RING? HOW DO YOU USE NFC RING?

One of the possibilities these NFC signals could be used for includes gathering tag information to get a detailed view of the tagged item right through the MR headset and potentially allowing for a video and audio experience.

We may be used to seeing NFC rings for mobile payment, contactless access, and car keys. Having this functionality to support an MR headset is a bit different from what the market is currently offering. With Apple leading the way for this kind of functionality for smart rings, most VR headsets could follow suit.

Another NFC functionality this could be used for includes the exchange of information with paired devices, and the ability to upload information to the web via Wi-Fi or other wireless network.

ALSO READ: 5 BEST SMART RINGS FOR PAYMENT

We could see more NFC-powered functionalities later down the road as Apple progresses, but so far, these are the best use cases possible these patents have pointed to.

If you want to explore more smart rings, check out these guides:

• Best Smart Rings You Can Buy Now
• Best Smart Rings for Payment
• Best Sleep Tracking Rings

Got questions about smart rings? Drop them in the comments. We will get back to you!

For the latest wearable tech news and updates, follow Smart Ring News on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

The post Apple’s Smart Ring Could Get NFC Capabilities first appeared on Smart Ring News.

RingConn and Apple Watch Series 9 may be two very different wearable devices, but they do have several functionalities in common. If you are looking for a health monitoring wearable device, these two are great options. But how do they stack up against each other? In this RingConn vs. Apple Watch Series 9 review, we compare and contrast these two to help you decide.

RingConn is a health smart ring that started as a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo in 2019 and first came out in January 2023. It tracks sleep, activities, heart rates, blood oxygen saturation, and periods.

The Apple Watch Series 9 is the tech giant’s 2023 flagship smartwatch that boasts a slew of health functionalities, including tracking sleep, activities, and heart rates. And with the help of third-party apps, it can also track periods, stress, and blood oxygen saturation.

ALSO READ: RINGCONN VS. OURA VS. ULTRAHUMAN: WHICH IS THE BEST HEALTH SMART RING?

Disclaimer: Smart Ring News is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you.

RingConn vs. Apple Watch Series 9 Quick Comparison

Before exploring the features and functionalities of the smart rings, here’s a side-by-side comparison:

RingConn vs. Apple Watch Series 9: Features and Functionalities

Sleep Tracking

First off, sleep tracking is something you would want to have from a wearable device. The good news is that both the Apple Watch Series 9 and RingConn have solid sleep tracking capabilities.

RingConn can automatically track your sleep—from the moment you turn in until you wake up. Sleep metrics RingConn records include sleep duration, sleep stages (light, REM, and deep sleep), resting heart rate, body temperature, and sleep time ratio. At the end of your sleep, you get a sleep score based on how well you slept the night before. Aside from the mentioned sleep metrics, RingConn takes note of your activities the previous day to give you an idea of how your body has recovered.

With the Apple Watch Series 9, it can automatically track your sleep or switch it to sleep focus in order to activate sleep tracking. It does keep tabs on your sleep stages (REM, core, and deep sleep) and breathing rate during sleep. In addition, the smartwatch allows you to create sleep schedules and sleep goals. Do note that the Apple Watch Series 9 only records sleep when it’s at least 4 hours each night. 

Nevertheless, both wearables allow you to see your sleep trends.

ALSO READ: ULTRAHUMAN VS. APPLE WATCH SERIES 9 REVIEW: WHICH IS BETTER FOR HEALTH AND FITNESS TRACKING?

Activity Tracking

A robust activity tracking functionality is a must for fitness enthusiasts. Both RingConn and the Apple Watch Series 9 can automatically track your steps, walking distance, and calorie burn. 

The Apple Watch Series 9 can also record flights climbed. And it has several activity tracking features you will love. The fitness rings feature is one I adore in particular, giving you a complete picture of how much you move, exercise, and stand. You also get activity trends.

Meanwhile, despite its small form factor, RingConn’s 3-axis accelerometer is accurate enough to automatically detect activities, whether you are cycling, skiing, running, or swimming. It also uses your basal metabolic rate (BMR) or resting metabolism rate (RMR), which is the number of calories you burn as your body does basic activities like lying in bed or driving, on top of your active metabolic rate.

ALSO READ: FITBIT CHARGE 5 VS. OURA RING 3: WHICH IS MORE ADVANCED HEALTH AND FITNESS TRACKER?

Heart Rate Monitoring

Tracking heart rates has a lot of uses for health devices. Heart rates are pivotal for monitoring and managing sleep, activities, recovery, and even stress, and that’s why it has to be done right.

RingConn uses heart rate variability (HRV) for stress management, giving users a clear picture of their day-to-day stressors and physical and mental well-being. It also uses HRV and resting heart rate (RHR) for your sleep, allowing you to see the quality of your nightly rests. It also uses continuous heart rate tracking for your daily activities.

With the Apple Watch Series 9, your heart rate monitoring is made possible with the heart rate app, which gives you metrics like resting, walking, breathing, workout, and recovery heart rates. The thing that edges RingConn out, or any smart ring for that matter, is the ability to notify users when their heart rate drops or goes beyond normal (irregular heart rhythm). For active people or users with heart problems, this is very useful and cannot be underestimated.

ALSO READ: RINGCONN VS. ULTRAHUMAN RING AIR: WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?

The Outliers

There are lovely features we would like to have from wearable devices. One of them is recovery monitoring. Unfortunately, both RingConn and the Apple Watch Series 9 don’t have anything that particularly helps you keep track of your recovery.

Despite having all the necessary sensors and tracking recovery-based metrics like resting heart rate, heart rate variability, and skin/body temperature, these devices lack the recovery management functionality that most smart rings have, including the Ultrahuman Ring Air and Oura Ring.

ALSO READ: ULTRAHUMAN RING AIR VS. OURA RING REVIEW: WHICH IS BETTER?

RingConn vs. Apple Watch Series 9: Specs and Design

RingConn is made of titanium—a material known to be very durable—and coated with PVD. The inner molding is made of epoxy resin, which is non-allergenic. The smart ring weighs 3-5 grams, depending on the size. It looks bigger than regular rings.

RingConn can survive up to 7 days and up to 150 days with the help of the charging case, and each charge takes 2 hours. In terms of protection, RingConn has not been certified for ingress protection but the company claims it can withstand water up to 50 meters.

The Apple Watch Series has a 1.9-inch Retina OLED touchscreen display with 484 x 396 resolution. The screen is brighter up to 2000 nits, perfect for people who are always out in the sun. The battery life can last up to 18 hours with regular use. It’s certified to IP6X standards and can be used up to 50 meters underwater.

ALSO READ: RINGCONN VS. OURA RING 3 REVIEW: BATTLE OF HEALTH MONITORING SMART RINGS

RingConn vs. Apple Watch Series 9: Pricing and Availability

RingConn costs $279 and is available in 6-14 mm sizes in colors moonlit black, midnight black, and pale gold. 

GET RINGCONN HERE!

The base model of the Apple Watch Series 9 costs $399. It’s available in 41mm and 45mm variants and aluminum and stainless steel casings. The aluminum case is available in starlight, midnight, silver, red, and pink. The stainless steel is available in silver, gold, and graphite.

GET APPLE WATCH SERIES 9 HERE!

ALSO READ: OURA RING VS. APPLE WATCH SERIES 9: WHICH IS BEST FOR SLEEP TRACKING?

The Verdict: Which Is the Best Health Monitoring Wearable?

We’ve reached the end of this RingConn vs. Apple Watch Series 9 review and all I can say is that we have an evenly matched comparison here on the health monitoring front. But which should you choose?

If you can’t get both, here’s how I’m going to look at it. Get RingConn if you want an unobtrusive wearable device that lets you focus on your sleep and workouts. If you want a more versatile wearable that you can also use outside of health tracking, the Apple Watch Series 9 is the no-brainer option.

For the latest wearable tech news and updates, follow Smart Ring News on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.

The post RingConn vs. Apple Watch Series 9: Which Is the Best Health Monitoring Wearable? first appeared on Smart Ring News.

On the fence about getting the Ultrahuman Ring Air or Apple Watch Series 9? A smart ring versus a smartwatch might be an unlikely comparison, but you have a lot of reasons to consider these devices, most importantly on the health monitoring front. In this Ultrahuman vs. Apple Watch Series 9 review, we break all the differences between these two wearables and which one should you get.

Ultrahuman is an Indian health tech company based in Bangalore. In September 2023, they released the Ultrahuman Ring Air smart ring as an additional device to their range of health wearables. Ultrahuman Ring Air is one of the best smart rings you can get right now.

Apple is a big tech company based in Cupertino. Their current generation Watch Series 9 received a mixed review for having no major upgrades from the Watch Series 8. But it’s still a robust device worth considering.

Disclaimer: Smart Ring News is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you.

Ultrahuman Ring Air vs. Apple Watch Series 9 Comparison

Here’s a side-by-side comparison of the specs and features of Ultrahuman Ring Air and Apple Watch Series 9 to make it easier for you:

Ultrahuman vs. Apple Watch Series 9 Review: Features and Functionalities

Sleep Monitoring

Ultrahuman Ring Air automatically tracks your sleep as long as you’re wearing it. With the Apple Watch Series 9, you need to enable sleep mode for your watch to start monitoring it. Nevertheless, both devices keep tabs on your sleep stages (light, REM, and deep sleep), how long you slept, your resting heart rate (an indicator of how well-rested you are), and blood oxygen. Ultrahuman Ring Air comes up with a sleep score to let you know how good you’re sleep is and gives you insights and suggestions on what to do if you did not get enough or good sleep. Apple, on the other hand, does not have this kind of mechanism.

ALSO READ: ULTRAHUMAN RING AIR VS. OURA RING REVIEW: WHICH IS BETTER?

Activity Tracking

For tracking activities and workouts, you need a reliable device to keep you up to speed. Both Ultrahuman Ring Air and Apple Watch Series 9 are great fitness trackers, giving you metrics like steps, distance covered, flights taken, and calorie burn. Ultrahuman Ring Air uses a 6-axis accelerometer, which makes it more accurate than most wearables that use a 3-axis accelerometer.

Nevertheless, both devices are impressive when it comes to tracking your activities. Your decision should come down to which form factor fits you best.

ALSO READ: RINGCONN VS. ULTRAHUMAN RING AIR: WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?

Heart Rate Monitoring

When it comes to fitness tracking, one significant feature a wearable has to have is heart rate monitoring. Both Ultrahuman Ring Air and Apple Watch Series 9 use PPG and LED sensors for tracking various heart metrics, but apparently, they differ in where they get their data. Ultrahuman Ring Air uses blood vessels on the fingers, while the Apple Watch Series 9 uses capillaries on the wrist. Heart rate data culled from the fingers are more advantageous compared to the wrist.

ALSO READ: RINGCONN VS. OURA VS. ULTRAHUMAN: WHICH IS THE BEST HEALTH SMART RING?

The Outliers

On top of sleep tracking, heart rate monitoring, and activity tracking, Ultrahuman Ring Air also keeps tabs on blood oxygen, recovery, and women’s health. The Apple Watch Series 9 has all these. The Apple Watch Series 9’s blood oxygen monitoring and stress management functionalities are possible using watchOS apps. Do note that Ultrahuman Ring Air does not have a dedicated feature for stress management unlike Whoop 4.0.

It’s also important to take note of Ultrahuman Ring Air’s continuous glucose monitoring capability for keeping tabs on your blood sugar. No other wearable on the market has a blood sugar monitoring feature. If you are a diabetic or come from a family of one, this is a nifty functionality.

ALSO READ: OURA RING VS. APPLE WATCH SERIES 9: WHICH IS BEST FOR SLEEP TRACKING?

Ultrahuman vs. Apple Watch Series 9 Review: Specs and Design

Ultrahuman Ring Air is made of titanium coated in tungsten carbide carbon. The inner shell is made of nonallergenic epoxy resin. The ring weighs 2.4-3.6 grams, depending on the ring size. Its battery can last up to 6 days and each full charge can take about 2 hours to complete. It’s certified to IP68 standards and it’s water-resistant up to 100 meters.

The Apple Watch Series has a 1.9-inch Retina OLED touchscreen display with 484 x 396 resolution. The screen is brighter up to 2000 nits, perfect for people who are always out in the sun. The battery life can last up to 18 hours with regular use. It’s certified to IP6X standards and can be used up to 50 meters underwater.

ALSO READ: FITBIT CHARGE 5 VS. OURA RING 3: WHICH IS MORE ADVANCED HEALTH AND FITNESS TRACKER?

Ultrahuman vs. Apple Watch Series 9: Pricing and Availability

Ultrahuman Ring Air costs $349. You can choose between aster black, matte black, bionic gold, and space silver finishes.

GET ULTRAHUMAN RING AIR HERE!

The base model of the Apple Watch Series 9 costs $399. It’s available in 41mm and 45mm variants and aluminum and stainless steel casings. The aluminum case is available in starlight, midnight, silver, red, and pink. The stainless steel is available in silver, gold, and graphite.

GET APPLE WATCH SERIES 9 HERE!

The Verdict: Which Is the Best Health and Fitness Tracker?

In a perfect world, it’s best to get both Ultrahuman Ring Air and the Apple Watch Series 9. You get the best of both worlds and are able to compare important health data. But if you really have to choose, you need to consider your needs first.

Do you value a more comfortable sleep tracker that has blood sugar monitoring capabilities? Ultrahuman Ring Air is the no-brainer choice. Do you want a versatile fitness tracker that you can use for other purposes as well? By all means, go get the Apple Watch Series 9!

For the latest wearable tech news and updates, follow Smart Ring News on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.

The post Ultrahuman vs. Apple Watch Series 9 Review: Which Is Better for Health and Fitness Tracking? first appeared on Smart Ring News.

The Oura Ring and the Apple Watch Series 8 are two completely different devices…well, at least on paper. But if you consider how they function as well as how they benefit users on the health and wellness front, they are very similar. In this Oura Ring vs. Apple Watch 8 review, we drill down into the differences between the most popular smart ring and Apple’s 2022 flagship smartwatch.

Oura is a health wearable company based in Oulu, Finland. It is the maker of the bestseller smart ring on the market, gathering a cult following from international athletes and celebrities. Its third-generation Oura Ring was released in November 2021 with the Oura Ring 4 slated to be out in 2024.

Apple, on the other hand, needs no introduction. This Cupertino-based American tech giant has been in the business of making smartwatches since 2015, releasing the first-ever Apple Watch. The Apple Watch Series is the bestselling smartwatch of all time.

ALSO READ: OURA RING VS. APPLE WATCH SERIES 9: WHICH IS BEST FOR SLEEP TRACKING?

Disclaimer: Smart Ring News is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you.

Oura Ring vs. Apple Watch 8 Quick Comparison

Before drilling down into the Oura Ring and Apple Watch 8 comparison, take a quick look at their specs and functionalities:

Oura Ring vs. Apple Watch 8: Features and Functionalities

Sleep Monitoring

Both the Oura Ring and Apple Watch 8 have a robust set of functionalities for sleep monitoring, from the time you go to sleep to the moment you wake up. Oura Ring is more popular for its sleep tracking, giving you a complete picture of your sleep habits and patterns over time.

You cannot count out the Apple Watch 8, though, as it is also a pretty impressive output, although not as detailed as the Oura Ring. If you want to be able to drill down on your data, the Oura Ring can help you get a better understanding of your sleep.

ALSO READ: RINGCONN VS. OURA VS. ULTRAHUMAN: WHICH IS THE BEST HEALTH SMART RING?

Activity Tracking

In terms of tracking activities, this is skewed towards the Apple Watch 8. The Oura Ring has not been the most consistent when it comes to automatic detection of activities, which is fair though considering its tiny sensors that have to fit a small form factor. The Apple Watch 8 has all the necessary facilities to accommodate the right sensors, making it more accurate when tracking steps, distance, and calorie burn, among others.

ALSO READ: FITBIT CHARGE 5 VS. OURA RING 3: WHICH IS MORE ADVANCED HEALTH AND FITNESS TRACKER?

Recovery Monitoring

Apple and Oura have different approaches to monitoring your recovery. Oura uses a recovery score, which it calls a Readiness Score, to let you know how prepared your body is to take on new tasks or do a workout for the day.

The Apple Watch 8 does not have the same mechanism to tell you how you’re doing, but it does have accurate sensors to tell you that your body needs rest. Nevertheless, you can a third-party recovery app to help you wrap your head around your daily stressors and workouts.

ALSO READ: RINGCONN VS. ULTRAHUMAN RING AIR: WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?

Oura Ring vs. Apple Watch 8: Specs and Design

Apparently, the Oura Ring and Apple Watch 8 are very different when it comes to form factor. If you are confused about which fits you best, you can look at it this way: a smart ring is more useful for sleep tracking as it’s less intrusive and bulky in bed. With a smartwatch, you might have to forego these things. Nevertheless, the Apple Watch 8 is pretty versatile, giving you more functionalities beyond health tracking.

The Oura Ring is made from titanium material, which is known to be very durable. The inner molding is made of epoxy resin. In terms of ingress protection, the Oura Ring is certified to IP68 standards, which means it’s dust-proof and water-resistant up to 100 meters.

Meanwhile, the Apple Watch 8 has an always-on Retina OLED display that you can use for various functionalities. It has a lightning-fast S8 chip, 32-gigabyte memory, and 

It’s certified to IP6X standards, so it’s dust-resistant. It’s also water-resistant up to 50 meters. The smartwatch can survive up to 18 hours with regular use.

ALSO READ: RINGCONN VS. OURA RING 3 REVIEW: BATTLE OF HEALTH MONITORING SMART RINGS

Oura Ring vs. Apple Watch 8: Pricing and Availability

Oura Ring Gen 3 is available in two styles: Heritage (price starts at $299) and Horizon (price starts at $349). Colors available include silver, black, stealth, gold, and rose gold. It comes with a free 1-month premium membership, which costs $6 per month after.

GET OURA RING HERE!

The Apple Watch 8 is available in GPS + Cellular and GPS-only variants, in 41mm and 45mm sizes. The GPS + Cellular variant is available in an aluminum finish (midnight, starlight, silver, and red) and stainless steel finish (graphite PVD, silver, and gold PVD). The GPS variant is available in aluminum finish (midnight, starlight, silver, and red).

GET APPLE WATCH 8 HERE!

ALSO READ: ULTRAHUMAN RING AIR VS. OURA RING REVIEW: WHICH IS BETTER?

The Verdict: Which Is the Best Fitness Tracker?

Overall, choosing between the Oura Ring and the Apple Watch 8 should be about taste and budget. But ultimately, it’s also about understanding what you need.

If you are looking for a reliable sleep tracker, the Oura Ring is a great wearable to have. If you are looking for a versatile wearable that goes beyond health monitoring functionalities, the Apple Watch 8 is an outstanding choice.

For the latest wearable tech news and updates, follow Smart Ring News on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.

The post Oura Ring vs. Apple Watch 8: Which Is the Best Health and Fitness Device? first appeared on Smart Ring News.

Which smartwatch is the best for activity tracking? In this guide, we selected the 5 Best Fitness Tracker Watches you can take into consideration based on your style, budget, and needs.

When it comes to activity tracking, smartwatches are the best wearable you can have to keep track of your activity progress. They have the facility to carry the most advanced sensors as well as a screen display for real-time activity tracking.

Fitness tracker watches measure metrics such as the number of steps, calorie burn, distance equivalency, flights taken, active heart rate, and more. These smartwatches usually come with other sensors for sleep and blood oxygen saturation as well as other health metrics like recovery monitoring and stress management.

Whether it’s Apple, Samsung, Fitbit, or Garmin, the fitness-tracking smartwatch segment has tons of options for you. Here are our topic picks for the best fitness tracker watches!

1. Garmin Venu 3 – Best Overall Fitness Tracker Watch

For people who want a laser-focused smartwatch for fitness, the Garmin Venu 3 is close to being perfect. This fitness-tracking smartwatch tracks steps, calorie burn, floors climbed, and more.

Its heart rate metrics include continuous heart rate, resting heart rate, and 24/7 heart rate. The ECG app detects signs of an irregular heart rhythm. The Garmin Venu 2 is also capable of tracking your VO2 max to measure your current fitness level and monitor changes over time.

Garmin Venu 3 lets you know how each workout impacts your body and how much your body needs to overcome them. The watch also records your rate of perceived exertion after every workout and tracks how long moderate and vigorous activities last.

To help you improve your fitness, the Garmin app comes with a variety of animated workouts for yoga, strength training, HIIT, and more as well as free access to Garmin Coach for adaptive 5K, 10K, and half-marathon training plans from experts. The Garmin Connect app enables you to create step-by-step workouts from more than 1,600 exercises and access them right on your smartwatch.

In addition, the ability to create your own interval workout and listen to guided audio prompts from your watch comes in handy for your walking or running sessions. You can also take advantage of Garmin’s integration with more than 30 sports apps to augment your fitness tracking goals.

For wheelchair users, Garmin’s unique ‘Wheelchair Mode’ functionality detects pushes, plus gives workouts designed for them.

Garmin Venu 3 Specs and Features

• 24/7 heart rate
• Resting heart rate
• Workout heart rate
• VO2 max
• Steps
• Calorie burn
• Flights climbed
• Sleep tracking
• Blood oxygen monitoring
• Cycle tracking
• Up to 14 days with regular use
• Water-resistant up to 50 meters

GET GARMIN VENU 3 HERE!

2. Fitbit Versa 4 – Best Fitness Tracker Watch for Lifestyle

If you are looking for a light, slim, and fashionable everyday smartwatch that has all the fitness tracking bells and whistles, look for the Fitbit Versa 4. This versatile smartwatch is popular for its heart monitoring feature that gives medical-grade heart monitors a run for their money. It tracks your 24/7 heart rate, resting heart rate, heart rate variability, workout heart rate, breathing rate, respiration rate, and more.

Fitbit Versa 4 has more than 40 exercise modes—from strength training to kayaking—and allows you to see your real-time stats directly on your watch. In addition, you get a daily readiness score to let you know if your body has recovered from your previous activities, ultimately helping you decide whether or not it’s a good day to work out or pause for a little bit.

If you subscribe to their premium membership, you get access to resources to help you become better at your workouts, whether it’s yoga, strength training, pilates, or HIIT. With it, you also get deeper insights into your sleep and access to a stress management score.

Fitbit Versa 4 Specs and Features

• 24/7 heart rate
• Resting heart rate
• Workout heart rate
• VO2 max
• Steps
• Calorie burn
• Flights climbed
• Sleep tracking
• Stress management
• Blood oxygen monitoring
• Menstrual cycle tracking
• Up to 6 days with regular use
• Water-resistant up to 50 meters

GET FITBIT VERSA 4 HERE!

3. Amazfit GTR 4 – Best Value Smartwatch for Activity Tracking

You don’t really have to choose the most expensive smartwatch to get all activity tracking functionalities. The Amazfit GTR 4 is living proof. It can track activities and different heart rate metrics, plus you get more than 150 sports modes. It can automatically detect 8 sports.

In addition, the Amazfit GTR 4 boasts a double-band positioning, which is a particularly practical feature for people who are into cycling, marathon, triathlon, hiking, and anything that requires accurate location tracking.

ALSO READ: FITBIT CHARGE 5 VS. OURA RING 3: WHICH IS MORE ADVANCED HEALTH AND FITNESS TRACKER?

Amazfit GTR 4 Specs and Features

• 24/7 heart rate
• Resting heart rate
• Workout heart rate
• VO2 max
• Steps
• Calorie burn
• Flights climbed
• Recovery monitoring
• Sleep monitoring
• Blood oxygen monitoring
• Up to 14 days with regular use
• Water-resistant up to 50 meters

GET AMAZFIT GTR 4 HERE!

4. Apple Watch Series 9

If you want to stay within Apple’s ecosystem, the Apple Watch Series 9 is a good device to have. It has all the basic functionalities you need for activity tracking, plus you get a seamless experience with your Apple devices.

With Workout Mode, you can see your workout metrics right on your watch and customize them accordingly. These metrics include heart rate zones and customized intervals in a single view. Turning the digital crown revealed other metrics like segments and splits, elevation, and activity rings.

One of the things I love about the Apple Watch Series 9 is the Live Activity feature, which lets you see your current activity on your iPhone. And of course, the Apple Watch Series 9 comes with nifty emergency features for people who go hard, including fall detection, crash detection, and emergency SOS.

ALSO READ: OURA RING 3 VS. APPLE WATCH SERIES 9: WHICH IS BEST FOR SLEEP TRACKING?

Apple Watch Series 9 Specs and Features

• 24/7 heart rate
• Resting heart rate
• Workout heart rate
• VO2 max
• Steps
• Calorie burn
• Flights climbed
• Sleep tracking
• Blood oxygen monitoring
• Cycle tracking
• Up to 18 hours with regular use
• IP6x (Water-resistant up to 100m/Swim and dive-proof up to 50m)

GET APPLE WATCH SERIES 9 HERE!

5. Amazfit Cheetah Pro

If you are looking for a high-performance fitness tracker watch but don’t mind the technical air of classic watches, look for the Amazfit Cheetah Pro. Although it’s marketed as a running smartwatch, you can definitely take advantage of its robust specifications and sensors for your overall fitness. Like the Amazfit GTR 4, this smartwatch features a double-band positioning on top of the basic health monitoring functionalities.

ALSO READ: FITBIT CHARGE 5 VS. OURA RING 3: WHICH IS MORE ADVANCED HEALTH AND FITNESS TRACKER?

Amazfit GTR 4 Specs and Features

• 24/7 heart rate
• Resting heart rate
• Workout heart rate
• VO2 max
• Steps
• Calorie burn
• Flights climbed
• Sleep tracking
• Recovery monitoring
• Sleep monitoring
• Blood oxygen monitoring
• Up to 14 days with regular use
• Water-resistant up to 50 meters

GET AMAZFIT GTR 4 HERE!

That ends our list of the best fitness tracker watches! You have so many options available on the market. Nevertheless, choosing the best smartwatch for activity tracking should be based on your style, budget, and needs.

If you want to explore more smartwatches and fitness trackers, check out these guides:

• Best Heart Monitor Watches
• Best Smartwatches for Sleep Tracking
• Best Apple Watches
• Best Garmin Smartwatches
• Best Garmin Fitness Trackers
• Best Amazfit Smartwatches
• Best Fitbit Smartwatches and Fitness Trackers

For the latest wearable tech news and updates, follow Smart Ring News on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

The post Best Fitness Tracker Watches: What Is the Best Smartwatch to Track Activity? first appeared on Smart Ring News.

Smartwatches are the best way to keep track of your heart rate. Whether you want to monitor your workout heart rate or irregular heartbeat, smartwatches got you covered. In this guide, we selected our top picks for the Best Heart Monitor Watches in 2023!

Heart rate tracking is one of the first health metrics used in smartwatches, which is still the best wearable for this purpose. Smartwatches use a photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor, green LED, or red LED or a combination of all to get a precise of one’s heart rate. With its screen display, smartwatches are more convenient compared to other form factors when it comes to monitoring your heart rates since you get to see your heart rate, whether it gets below or above your normal range.

There are dozens of smartwatches on the market. However, not all brands are able to hit the nail right on the head when it comes to heart rate tracking. To give you an idea of which one you should consider, here’s our list of the best smartwatches for heart rate tracking:

1. Apple Watch Series 9 – Best Overall Heart Monitor Watch

If you want a reliable heart rate monitor watch and at the same time stay within the Apple ecosystem, the Apple Watch Series 9 is the best smartwatch for you. Apple’s latest flagship smartwatch uses a third-generation optical heart rate sensor that supports a range of 30 to 120 beats per minute. Its LED lights flash hundreds of times per second, allowing the smartwatch to count the number of times the heart beats each minute with accuracy.

Using the ECG app, you can get an ECG like that of a single-lead electrocardiogram. In addition, the Apple Watch Series 9 also sends irregular rhythm notifications when your heart rate goes abnormally low or high through the Heart Rate app. And, of course, you get basic metrics like resting heart rate (during sleep) and heart rate variability (for recovery monitoring).

ALSO READ: OURA RING 3 VS. APPLE WATCH SERIES 9: WHICH IS BEST FOR SLEEP TRACKING?

Apple Watch Series 9 Specs and Features

• Heart rate tracking
• Sleep tracking
• Activity tracking
• Blood oxygen monitoring
• Menstrual cycle tracking
• Up to 18 hours with regular use
• IP6x (Water-resistant up to 100m/Swim and dive-proof up to 50m)

GET APPLE WATCH SERIES 9 HERE!

2. Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 – Best Heart Monitor Watch for Workouts

For workout enthusiasts, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 is a godsend. On top of the basic metrics such as resting heart rate and heart rate variability, this smartwatch allows you to create a personalized heart rate zone based on your activities, which comes in handy when monitoring whether you go below or above what is normal.

Through its optical heart rate and electrical heart signal, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 also allows you to record your heart rate during workouts and measure it every 10 minutes when you are at rest. Compared to other smartwatches and heart monitors, Samsung’s smartwatch returns pretty accurate data. And best of all, the Galaxy Watch 6 can continuously monitor your heart rhythm.

ALSO READ: OURA RING 3 VS. SAMSUNG GALAXY WATCH 6: IS OURA BETTER THAN SAMSUNG GALAXY WATCH?

Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Specs and Features

• Heart rate tracking
• Sleep tracking
• Activity tracking
• Blood oxygen monitoring
• Menstrual cycle tracking
• Up to 30 hours with regular use
• IP68 and 5 ATM (water-resistant up to 50 meters)

GET SAMSUNG GALAXY WATCH 6 HERE!

3. Fitbit Versa 4

One of the most reliable heart monitor watches is the Fitbit Versa 4. Although it’s a very versatile wearable, its heart monitoring ability is close to medical-grade standards. It lets you track your heart rate during workouts and provides continuous heart rate monitoring. It also measures your resting heart rate, heart rate variability, breathing rate, respiration rate, and more. You have the option to personalize your heart rate zone too.

ALSO READ: FITBIT CHARGE 5 VS. OURA RING 3: WHICH IS MORE ADVANCED HEALTH AND FITNESS TRACKER?

Fitbit Versa 4 Specs and Features

• Heart rate tracking
• Sleep tracking
• Activity tracking
• Blood oxygen monitoring
• Menstrual cycle tracking
• Up to 6 days with regular use
• 5 ATM (water-resistant up to 50 meters)

GET FITBIT VERSA 4 HERE!

4. Google Pixel Watch 2

The Google Pixel Watch 2 is one of the most well-designed smartwatches available. Outside its stunning design, this smartwatch also has one of the most advanced smartwatches released in 2023. It boasts the multi-path heart rate sensor, replacing Google’s old heart rate sensor. This in particular is useful for tracking your heart rate during rigorous activities.

Using the continuous electrodermal activity (cEDA) sensor in combination with heart rates, the Pixel Watch 2 is capable of detecting the user’s stress levels through sweat. For detected stressors, the user will be asked to record their current mood so the Google Pixel Watch app can give recommendations on what to do, whether to go for a walk or do breathing exercises.

ALSO READ: OURA RING VS. GARMIN FENIX 7: WHICH MULTISPORTS WEARABLE WINS?

Google Pixel Watch 2 Specs and Features

• Heart rate tracking
• Sleep tracking
• Activity tracking
• Blood oxygen monitoring
• Menstrual cycle tracking
• Up to 6 days with regular use
• IP68 and 5 ATM (water-resistant up to 50 meters)

GET GOOGLE PIXEL WATCH 2 HERE!

That wraps up our list of the best smartwatches for heart rate monitoring. The smartwatch market is packed with options, but these are some of the best you can take into consideration. hope this list has helped you find the one that you need.

If you want to explore the more smartwatches and fitness trackers, check out these guides:

• Best Smartwatches for Sleep Tracking
• Best Apple Watches
• Best Garmin Smartwatches
• Best Garmin Fitness Trackers
• Best Amazfit Smartwatches
• Best Fitbit Smartwatches and Fitness Trackers

For the latest wearable tech news and updates, follow Smart Ring News on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

The post Best Heart Monitor Watches: Which Smartwatch Is Best for Heart Rate Tracking? first appeared on Smart Ring News.

Is the Oura Ring more accurate than the Apple Watch Series 9? Is the Oura Ring worth it if I have an Apple Watch Series 9? Can the Apple Watch Series 9 do what an Oura Ring does? These are just some questions you might be wondering—that’s why you’re reading this right now.

In this Oura Ring vs. Apple Watch Series 9 Review, we compare two of the most popular wearables for sleep tracking. Sure, these two are very different in form factor. They do share a lot in common in terms of features. In this review, we zero in on the sleep-tracking front. Nevertheless, I will also discuss in passing other health-tracking functionalities these devices do for heart rate, activities, blood oxygen, and even recovery.

Oura is a Finland-based health tech company that became widely popular among athletes and Hollywood celebrities during the 2019 pandemic. In November 2021, Oura released its third-generation smart ring, the Oura Ring Gen 3, but its first-generation smart ring came out in 2015.

Health and wellness is the biggest focus of Oura, monitoring metrics like sleep, activities, and readiness based on a bunch of factors. Oura also has a scoring system for these metrics and provides insights into these metrics.

Meanwhile, Apple needs no introduction. As the biggest tech company in the world, chances are you are using at least one of their range of devices. Apple started releasing the first-generation Apple Watch in 2015. More than 8 years later, we’ve seen one of the most advanced smartwatches ever released—the Apple Watch Series 9.

ALSO READ: 7 BEST OURA RING ALTERNATIVES YOU CAN BUY NOW

Oura Ring vs. Apple Watch Series 9 Comparison

Before diving deeper into the core features of these wearables, here’s a quick side-by-side table comparing their functionalities:

Oura Ring vs. Apple Watch Series 9: Features and Functionalities

Let’s see how the Oura Ring Gen 3 and Apple Watch Series 9 stack up against each other in terms of sleep tracking.

Oura gives a sleep score on a scale of 1 to 100, 100 being the highest, based on the quality of your sleep. The smart ring takes into account factors like sleep duration, restfulness, REM sleep, deep sleep, timing, and resting heart rate to come up with a score.

One of the best things about Oura is that it gives you detailed data on your sleep that is very easy to understand through its graphs and trends. When you get a sleep score that’s on the low end, Oura will suggest exercises you can do to improve your sleep, whether it’s reducing your caffeine intake or avoiding workouts closer to bedtime.

ALSO READ: APPLE WATCH SERIES 9 VS. 8 REVIEW: IS THE WORTH THE UPGRADE?

In addition, Oura has some basic meditation and mindfulness content to help you improve your overall wellness goals. If you need more, the monthly membership gives you more in-depth content and sleep exercises. Overall, Oura’s sleep tracking is the most useful feature for people with sleep apnea, chronic insomnia, and other sleep-related problems.

On the other hand, the Apple Watch Series 9 is a versatile smartwatch that is capable of tracking sleep. Unlike the Oura Ring, Apple’s 2023 flagship smartwatch provides minimal sleep data, such as duration, timing, wake-up time, and sleep stages (core sleep, deep sleep, and REM). Through the Sleep app on your smartwatch, the Apple Watch Series 9 can show trends too but for up to 14 days only unlike Oura that gives you trends as long as you are using it.

ALSO READ: APPLE WATCH SERIES 9 REVIEW: IS IT REALLY WORTH IT?

To track sleep, you need to create a sleep schedule, and each sleep has to be at least 4 hours long each night. The good thing about the Apple Watch Series 9 is that it can alert you when you have to wake up based on your set sleep schedule. Turn on Sleep Focus to limit distractions such as notifications and calls. Apple’s sleep-tracking ability is not as detailed as Oura’s, but it does give you insightful data.

Both devices can track activities, heart rates, blood oxygen saturation (Sp02), and body temperature. Oura, however, has recovery monitoring capabilities.

ALSO READ: OURA RING GEN 3 VS. SAMSUNG GALAXY WATCH 6: IS OURA BETTER THAN SAMSUNG GALAXY WATCH?

Oura Ring vs. Apple Watch Series 9: Specs and Design

The Oura Ring Gen 3 is made of titanium and coated with PVD, while the inner shell is made of non-allergenic molding. It weighs 4-6 grams, depending on the size. Battery-wise, the Oura Ring Gen 3 can last up to 7 days, and each full charge takes about 20 to 80 minutes. When it comes to water resistance, the smart ring is certified to 10 ATM standards and can survive underwater for up to 100 meters.

Meanwhile, the Apple Watch Series 9 has a 1.9-inch Retina OLED display. Its battery can last up to 18 hours for all-day use and up to 36 hours in low-power mode. In terms of water protection, the Apple Watch Series 9 is certified to IP6x standards, so it’s dust-proof, water-resistant up to 100 meters, and swim-proof up to 50 meters.

ALSO READ: ULTRAHUMAN RING AIR VS. OURA RING: WHICH IS BETTER?

Oura Ring vs. Apple Watch Series 9: Pricing and Availability

The Oura Ring Gen 3 is available in two styles: Heritage (price starts at $299) and Horizon (price starts at $349). Colors available include silver, black, stealth, gold, and rose gold. It comes with a free 1-month premium membership, which costs $6 per month after.

Get Oura Ring Gen 3 here!

The 41mm Apple Watch Series 9 starts at $399, while the 45mm variant starts at $529. The aluminum model is available in starlight, midnight, silver, (PRODUCT)RED, and pink finishes, while the stainless steel model is available in silver, gold, and graphite finishes.

Get Apple Watch Series 9 here!

The Verdict: Which Wearable Is Best for Sleep Tracking?

Which wearable should you get for tracking sleep? If you worry about improving sleep alone, the Oura Ring Gen 3 is the best option. It also has impressive recovery monitoring and decent activity tracking. However, if you are looking for a well-rounded wearable that can do sleep tracking without hiccups, the Apple Watch Series 9 is more than enough to get you started on your sleep-tracking journey. Not to mention, it has so many other features you can use on a day-to-day basis.

For the latest wearable tech news and updates, follow Smart Ring News on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.

The post Oura Ring vs. Apple Watch Series 9: Which Is Best for Sleep Tracking? first appeared on Smart Ring News.

When I started covering the smart ring market in early 2017, the market barely had names that had sensible models. Oura and McLear were probably the two brands that did well and saw significant success. There are some brands I can think of that were up there but had not seen the same level of patronage these smart rings had back then.

Fast forward to date, Oura Ring has come out victorious, developing a cult following that includes celebrities and athletes. Thanks also in large part to the pandemic, this smart ring became instrumental for detecting symptoms of COVID-19.

There’s a lot to be thankful for the Finnish health tech company as this success has proven that smart rings are viable wearables for different use cases. In fact, this has spurred new smart ring makers to join the market, including Ringconn, Ultrahuman, Taspter, Boat, and more.

More smart rings are expected to come out in the following years, including big tech firms like Apple and Samsung. But there are other notable contenders, too. Here’s a list of smart rings to watch out for in the next months and years:

1. Circular Ring

First on our list is the smart ring whose release has long been overdue—the Circular Ring. The French health tech firm has been marketing the smart ring and its promising features for the past 2 years. One that stood out is the smart alarm feature that vibrates to wake you up at what it deems the right time based on your sleep patterns. This is a first among wearables, a bold claim that honestly scares me if it does not work. Into the bargain is a range of health and fitness capabilities like sleep tracking, activity tracking, heart rate monitoring, and recovery management.

Circular also aims to deliver unique features to the smart ring, including alert notifications for calendars, reminders, social media, and more through vibrations. There will also be a smart control functionality to manage your devices straight from your finger.

The Circular Ring costs $229 and will be available in 6-13mm sizes, in black, gold, rose gold, and silver outer shells. Shipping starts in November 2023.

Also Read: Apple Watch Series 9 Review: Is It Really Worth It?

2. Evie Ring

Developed by health tech firm Movano, the Evie Ring is mainly designed for women. Menstrual cycle tracking is the main women’s health feature of the ring, allowing you to understand the timing of your period and ovulation windows, whether you are in your reproductive years, post-menopause, or anywhere in between. And like most smart rings on the market, the Evie Ring also comes with sleep tracking, heart rate monitoring, and activity tracking capabilities.

Movano has not officially announced the price yet, but the Evie Ring is expected to cost around $250 to $270. It will be available in silver, gold, and rose gold finishes.

Also Read: Apple Watch Ultra 2 Review: Is This $799 Worth It?

3. Oura Ring Gen 4

Oura has not yet announced the Oura Ring Gen 4, but it’s expected to release the next-generation Oura Ring very soon. The current model was first released in November 2021, so it’s been 2 years. While details are scarce, the fourth-generation Oura Ring is expected to include contactless payments. If this is the case, Oura Ring Gen 4 will be the most versatile smart ring, something that might change the minds of naysayers. Oura Ring Gen 4 is expected to cost around $350 based on its set of features.

Also Read: 5 Best Smart Rings for Payment

4. Apple Smart Ring

Apple has long been reported to be working on a potential smart ring with its various patent applications in the past several years. Despite that, we have not yet seen anything concrete from Apple, but we are hoping that this product will come to life soon. Its latest patent application, discovered in August 2023, suggests that the Apple smart ring might have haptic notifications, the same feature on Apple Watches. Other than that, there are no reports suggesting the design and what the future smart ring could do.

Also Read: Apple Watch Series 9 vs. 8 Review: Should You Upgrade?

5. Samsung Galaxy Ring

Unlike Apple, there are many pieces of evidence pointing to Samsung’s efforts to release what’s called the Galaxy Ring. There is no official communication revealing the details of the forthcoming smart ring, but based on the patent applications and trademarks, Samsung could release a remote control smart ring to work with smart TVs, smartphones, and home automation systems.

Also Read: 5 Best Smartwatches for Sleep Tracking

At the moment, only Circular Ring and Evie Ring have official dates of release. Meanwhile, we can expect Oura to start hinting at the release of its fourth-generation smart ring. As for Apple and Samsung, we can only hope for the best that big tech firms will finally join the smart ring competition.

For the latest wearable tech news and updates, follow Smart Ring News on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.

The post 5 Upcoming Smart Rings We Can’t Wait to Launch Soon first appeared on Smart Ring News.