The Oura Ring Generation 3 is best for users prioritizing sleep analysis, recovery insights, and a minimalist design, while the Garmin Forerunner 965 is better suited for athletes needing detailed workout metrics, GPS tracking, and a comprehensive smartwatch experience. The subscription cost of the Oura Ring should be considered.
| Attribute | Oura Ring Generation 3 | Garmin Forerunner 965 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Life | Up to 7 days, typically 4-7 days depending on usage | Up to 23 days in smartwatch mode (without always-on display), up to 31 hours in GPS mode. Around 7 days with always-on display. About 10.5 hours using GPS with music. |
| Water Resistance | 100m/328ft | 5 ATM (suitable for swimming, withstands pressures equivalent to 50 meters depth) |
| Heart Rate Monitoring Accuracy | Reliably accurate, samples 250 times per second, 99.9% reliable compared to ECG, may miss rapid spikes/dips during HIIT | +/-0.76 BPM compared to a chest strap. Accurate during various activities. |
| Sleep Tracking Accuracy | Generally accurate, sensitivity 76.0%-79.5%, precision 77.0%-79.5%, accurate in detecting sleep stages | Improved, more comparable to top trackers. Some users report inaccuracies. |
| GPS Accuracy | No built-in GPS, relies on tethered GPS from smartphone | Nearly dead accurate on trails and routes. Uses multi-band GPS for improved accuracy. |
| Display | No display screen, relies on companion app | 1.4-inch AMOLED, 454 x 454 pixels |
| Weight | 4-6 grams | 1.9oz (approximately 53g) |
| Material | Band: Titanium with PVD or DLC coating; Body: Non-allergenic, non-metallic seamless inner molding | Titanium bezel and a silicone band |
| Smartphone Compatibility | iOS (15+), Android (9+), Bluetooth 4.0, Google Play services | Compatible with both iOS and Android devices |
| Available Metrics | Detailed sleep analysis, 24/7 heart rate, Strava integration, temperature monitoring, SpO2, Cardiovascular Age, Cardio Capacity (VO2 Max), Cycle Insights, Daytime Stress, Dynamic activity goals with Automatic Activity Detection, Oura Labs, Pregnancy Insights, Resilience, reports | Resting heart rate, body battery, training readiness score, sleep insights, Pulse Ox, stress levels, daily step count, calorie expenditure, VO2 max, HRV, training load, wrist-based running dynamics, running power |
| Recovery Tracking | Readiness score based on sleep, activity, HRV, temperature; Resilience score from night-time recovery, daytime recovery, daytime stress load | Recovery time recommendations based on VO2 max, insights into overall effort using HRV status, exercise history and performance |
| Price | Silver and Black finish are discounted to $199.99 (originally $299), Stealth and brushed titanium are discounted to $229 (originally $349). A membership subscription is required for full access to the app features, costing $5.99 per month or $69.99 annually. | Around $600 |
| Subscription | Required for full app access ($5.99/month or $69.99/year) | Not required |