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.
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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 3 | APPLE WATCH SERIES 8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Sleep tracking | ✅ | ✅ |
| Heart rate monitoring | ✅ | ✅ |
| Activity tracking | ✅ | ✅ |
| Recovery monitoring | ✅ | ✅ |
| Stress management | ✅ | ✅ |
| Blood oxygen monitoring | ✅ | ✅ |
| Period prediction | ✅ | ✅ |
| Blood sugar monitoring | ❌ | ❌ |
| Battery life | Up to 7 days | Up to 36 hours with regular use |
| Water protection | IP68 (Water-resistant up to 100 meters) | IP6X (Water-resistant up to 50 meters) |
| Monthly membership | n/a | n/a |
| Price | $349 | $329 |
| GET IT HERE | GET IT HERE |
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.
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).
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.
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