Is the Oura Ring Worth It?

The sleek health tracker is suddenly everywhere. Here's what you need to know.

- Andréanne Dion

I'VE WORN VARIOUS iterations of the Apple Watch to track my workouts and sleep over the years, but I have a love-hate relationship with its bulky face and rubber band. I often take it off (then forget to put it back on) when its sporty vibe clashes with my outfit. So my interest was piqued when one of my most stylish—and health-obsessed— friends introduced me to her new piece of hardware: the Oura Ring, a sleek tracker that's worn on your finger like jewellery. Once I knew what to look for, I started noticing Oura Rings everywhere—at my local coffee shop, on my commute to work, at glitzy industry events. But could it replace my Apple Watch?

WHAT MAKES THE OURA RING DIFFERENT?

Many health and fitness trackers emphasize activity levels and performance, but Oura takes a more comprehensive approach to well-being, focusing on sleep, recovery, stress management and cycle tracking. It also gives the option of hiding calorie information entirely. The tone of some fitness trackers is really aggressive, all about goals. The Oura is more gentle,” says Avery Swartz, the founder of Camp Tech, a Toronto-based company that teaches technology skills. Swartz has worn her ring every day for the past two years and tested countless other health trackers.