Oura Ring vs. Apple Watch (2025): Which One Should You Really Buy?
Affiliate Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I have purchased, personally used, or have researched.
Fitness wearables are not new, but they are perhaps the most promising products in personal wellness and health technology the average consumer can afford. Now more than ever, people want data about their well-being and show a deep emotional and physical investment in improving holistic wellness. But with so many options, how do you know what technology is right for you?
Oura Ring and Apple Watch: How do They Differ?
The Apple Watch has been on the market for over a decade, with each version getting new updates and capabilities to maximize health and fitness insights. As of right now, Apple Watch Series 10 is the latest model, offering a larger screen, faster processing speeds, and more accurate workout tracking.
The Oura Ring in comparison is relatively new – a small ring with undetectable sensors to measure holistic health. Compared to the Apple Watch, the Oura Ring is unobtrusive, sleek, and offers detailed insights without attaching a miniature iPhone to your wrist.
But to understand the true differences, we need to take a granular view.
| Feature | Oura Ring | Apple Watch (Series 10) | Best Performance |
| HRV Tracking | Yes | Yes | Tie |
| Sleep Trends | Yes | Yes | Oura |
| Exercise and Calorie Expenditure | Yes | Yes | Apple Watch |
| Menstruation | Yes | Yes | Oura |
| Daily Readiness | Yes | No | Oura |
Differences in Pricing
The two wearables vary in pricing. The Oura Ring Generation 4 ranges anywhere from $349 – $499 depending on the finish of your choosing. The good news is that you can use your FSA or HSA to buy the Oura Ring, but the bad news is, the Oura Ring comes with a subscription of $6 per month. You technically don’t have to pay a subscription, but if you want access to the Oura’s full features, be prepared to sign up for another subscription.
The Apple Watch has a wider price range, starting at $249 for the SE model and going all the way up to $799 for the Ultra 2 model. Because the Apple Watch’s main function is not to measure health or fitness, you cannot use an HSA or FSA to make your purchase. However, the Apple Watch doesn’t require a subscription to take advantage of its features.
Accuracy
It’s hard to directly compare the two devices when it comes to accuracy. It’s generally agreed that the Oura Ring is most accurate for all things other than fitness and calorie tracking – which I can personally attest to.
Why Should You Trust Me?
The short answer is – I use both. I am one of those crazy people that wears an Apple Watch and an Oura Ring. Ultimately, I wanted the accuracy of the Oura Ring for my overall health with the precision of the Apple Watch for my workouts. Below I’ve included snapshots of my Oura dashboard and Apple Watch stats to prove that I use these devices regularly and my opinions are not without standing.
As I’ve said before, even though this post contains affiliate links, I never recommend products that I haven’t purchased with my own money and do not use on a regular basis. That is my promise to you.
Which One Should You Buy?
A wearable technology like the Oura Ring and Apple Watch are luxuries, not necessities. While I am a huge supporter for understanding your body and being active about your own wellness, I never condone buying things that are out of your immediate budget. That said, the device you should buy depends on what your goals are. Are you looking for a device that will track workouts and keep you connected to your phone? The Apple Watch is the clear winner. Do you want something lower tech that gives you in-depth readings on sleep, daily readiness, and menstrual cycles? The Oura Ring may be a better fit for you.
Final Thoughts
As someone who has both an Apple Watch and an Oura Ring, I can tell you that they both provide valuable insights that help me be more proactive about my fitness. But if I only had to pick one, I would pick the Oura Ring. The Apple Watch, while great at monitoring my physical activity, is obtrusive and keeps me constantly connected to my cell phone. The Oura Ring, despite the additional subscription, is a clear winner for me.
Have you tried the Oura Ring or Apple Watch? Let me know what worked (or didn’t) for you!
