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Monitoring health and tracking fitness progress has become something of a norm nowadays, but choosing the best tracker is no walk in the park. Besides, you’re not just choosing from a range of smartwatches but smart rings, too.
Two popular smart ring options, the Ultrahuman and Oura Ring, offer great features. But which of the two is best for you?
Ultrahuman Ring vs. Oura Ring Pricing
Neither of these wearable devices is cheap. The Oura Ring Generation 3 has two different variations that come at different prices.
The Oura Ring Heritage costs at least $299, while the Oura Ring Horizon comes in a little pricier, at $349 minimum. The only difference between these two models is the exterior design. The Horizon version is curved all the way around, while the Heritage version has a flat top.
If you want a snazzier finish on your Oura Ring Horizon, the base price will increase. Silver or black incurs no extra charge, but Stealth (a matte finish) will cost $100 more, and a gold finish will cost $150 more. The Heritage offers all the same finishes, along with a rose gold finish, that costs an extra $200.
The Ultrahuman ring also comes in two versions: the AIR, which AIR costs $349, and the older version, the M1. The M1 comes as part of a subscription package. But we’ll only be discussing the newer AIR device here.
Unlike the Oura Ring Generation 3, the Ultrahuman Ring AIR does not charge any subscription fees. Once you’ve bought the ring, its features are all accessible to you.
Features of Ultrahuman Ring vs. Oura Ring
TheOura Ring Gen 3and Ultrahuman Ring AIR aren’t designed to be incredibly feature-dense like smartwatches. Without any display, the rings' sole purpose is to monitor certain biological factors.
The Oura Ring Generation 3 monitors the following metrics:
The Oura Ring Gen 3 can also predict menstruating users' monthly cycles by keeping track of body temperature changes. If you struggle with sleep, Oura’ssleep tracking abilitiescan help you understand how you’re sleeping by showing you how much time you spend in each sleep phase.
To view your metrics, you’ll need to install the Oura app. This is free to download on both Android and iOS and lets you see how your body is changing from day to day, be it during your waking hours or while you’re asleep. The app also offersmeditative sessionsto help you relax or get to sleep. Further, it keeps a log of your “readiness,” a metric that determines how prepared you are for the day based on previous readings.
Additionally, you can connect with other Oura users via a feature known as Oura Circles. Here, you can share your metrics and react to others' statistics.
Download:Oura onAndroid|iOS(Free)
So, how does the Ultrahuman Ring AIR measure up?
The Ultrahuman Ring AIR monitors various health metrics, including the following:
What’s more, the Ultrahuman Ring AIR uses the Phase Response Curve (PRC) to show you the changes your body experiences throughout the day in response to stimuli. If you’re feeling a little stuck or sluggish, the Ultrahuman Ring AIR can also send you personalized motivational nudges to boost your morale.
As you may have guessed, you need an app to view your Ultrahuman Ring metrics. This is free to download on Android and iOS and has some useful features. For instance, you can accessfree workout routineswith professional trainers and listen to relaxing stories and meditative sessions when you want to wind down.
Download:Ultrahuman: Metabolic Fitness forAndroid|iOS(Free)
Ultrahuman also offers a free ring measurement app (available foriOS) that can help if you’re not sure which size to order. With a simple scan of your hand, the app can determine which ring size is best, so you don’t end up with an ill-fitting product.
Battery Life of Ultrahuman Ring vs. Oura Ring
Given that neither the Oura Ring Gen 3 nor the Ultrahuman Ring AIR have digital displays, it’s no surprise that they have long battery lives. While the latter can last up to four days on one charge, the former is even more impressive, lasting up to one week.
The Ultrahuman Ring AIR takes around two hours to charge fully, and the Oura Ring Gen 3 takes around 80 minutes. In terms of battery life and charging time, the Oura Ring takes the cake.
Design Details of the Ultrahuman Ring and Oura Ring
The Oura Ring Gen 3 and Ultrahuman Ring Air are very similar in their design. Both are slightly thicker-than-usual rings with sensors on the interior side to measure biological metrics. Each ring is meant to be sleek and fitting for any occasion, though the sensors do make it heftier than most of the rings you’ll find at a jewelry store.
The Ultrahuman Ring AIR weighs between 2.4 and 3.6 grams, depending on which size you order. The Oura Ring Gen 3 weighs between 4 and 6 grams, again depending on the size ordered. Depending on the exterior finish you choose for your ring, the design will differ slightly, but this won’t affect internal features.
Ultrahuman Ring vs. Oura Ring Durability
Because the Oura Ring Gen 3 is made of lightweight titanium, it has an incredibly hard surface that’s very tough to crack. Its lack of digital display also removes a vulnerability that many fitness watches suffer from, and its smaller size makes it less of a target for bumps and falls.
The Ultrahuman Ring AIR also benefits from no display and a smaller size than most other fitness trackers. According to theUltrahuman Ring website, the AIR is made from “fighter jet grade Titanium,” which is also “reinforced with Tungsten Carbide Carbon coating” for extra resistance.
Both rings are designed to withstand daily life, though you should get in touch with customer services if your ring suffers severe damage.
Should You Buy the Ultrahuman Ring or Oura Ring
The Oura Ring Gen 3 and Ultrahuman Ring AIR are very similar in their design and features, but there are a few key differences that separate the two.
If you’re very fitness-focused, you may prefer the Ultrahuman Ring AIR, as its app offers various workouts, such as yoga and cardio. you may also access all the relevant biological metrics offered by Oura with the Ultrahuman Ring AIR, and you don’t have to pay a monthly subscription fee to access all your recorded data.
However, you’re able to get the Oura Ring Gen 3 for less if you choose the Heritage version with a black or silver finish. But note that this difference of around $60 (compared to the standard version of the Ultrahuman Ring AIR) won’t mean much when you’re paying a $5/month fee to use all the Oura Ring’s features.
Many see the Ultrahuman Ring AIR as a great Oura Ring alternative, but the latter is still a fantastic product for helping you keep track of your health.
Make Sure Your Smart Ring Suits Your Needs
It may be easy to opt for whichever smart ring you see advertised or discussed most online, but it’s important to do a little research to determine which selection is best for you and your lifestyle. Before buying an Oura Ring Gen 3 or Ultrahuman Ring AIR, take note of the factors above to ensure you make the right purchasing decision.
