Oura Ring 2 vs 3: What has Changed?

Smart Tech
Updated On - February 6, 2024

Oura Ring has been the most popular smart ring for tracking sleep, activity, and overall health. Some of you may wonder what has changed between the version 2 and 3 of Oura Ring.

The Oura Ring 3 has many new features. For example…

…an improved set of green LED sensors for tracking heart rate throughout the day and improved sleep tracking capabilities. It also has longer battery life, lasting up to 7 days on a single charge.

Here we compare the two versions of Oura ring (3 vs 2) — side by side.

Oura Ring Generations: The Journey and Upgrades

Oura Ring is a wearable device that tracks various health metrics including sleep, activity, and heart rate. There are two generations of the Oura Ring. The second generation released in 2018 and the third generation released in 2020.

Let’s talk design. Oura Ring has done significant design changes from the second to the third generation.

The third generation is slimmer and has a more refined look than the second generation. The third generation also has a wider range of color options, including black, silver, and gold.

Now wondering what has changed in the hardware side. Oura Ring 3 has several hardware improvements over Oura Ring 2.

It has 7 temperature sensors compared to 2 in the second generation, which allows for more accurate temperature tracking. The third generation also has 32 times the memory of the second generation, which allows more data to be stored on the device.

The battery life of the third generation is also longer than the second generation, with up to 7 days of battery life compared to 3-4 days for the second generation.

The app has also improved from the second to the third generation.

Compared to the previous version, the third generation app is a lot more user-friendly and you can customize sleep and activity goals. Also, the third generation app predicts periods based on temperature.

Feature Comparison

When comparing Oura Ring version 2 and 3, there are some features that set them apart. But before jumping into the differences, let’s look at the similarities.

In Sleep Tracking

Both versions of Oura ring track sleep stages including deep, REM, and light sleep. Nevertheless, Oura 3 has a better sleep staging measurement, which is closer to the lab results. So more accurate than the previous version.

In Activity and Workout

Oura 2 and 3 do a great job measuring daily activities and workouts. The difference is the continuity of measurement. Oura 3 has the ability to track your heart rate 24/7, throughout the day and during sleep.

In Health and Fitness Metrics

Version 2 and 3 of Oura ring can track heart rate, body temperature, and respiratory rate. But what is different is Oura ring 3 has more sensors and can track blood oxygen levels and resting heart rate too.

With version 3, Oura now includes a temperature sensor to keep track of skin temperature. New variables for measuring overall health and wellness. If you are interested to see how Oura ring compares with Whoop band…Read our in-depth comparison.

Sensors and Accuracy: Temperature, HRV, SpO2

More sensors=better accuracy.

Oura increased the number of temperature sensors from 2 to 7 in the latest version. This makes it easier to detect a slight change in temperature throughout the day or night. These data are continuously fed into their software for finding patterns.

The Oura Ring 3 has improved heart rate variability (HRV) sensors than the Oura Ring 2. HRV is a measure of the time difference between heartbeats. It is a critical indicator of overall health and recovery. The Oura Ring 3’s HRV sensors are more accurate and provide more detailed data than the Oura Ring 2’s sensors.

The Oura Ring 3 has added a feature that measures blood oxygen saturation (SpO2). This is a crucial indicator of respiratory health. The Oura Ring 3’s SpO2 sensors use green LED sensors to measure blood oxygen levels. The Oura Ring 2 does not have this feature.

Battery Life and Charging

The Oura Ring 2 and 3 have similar battery performance. When all sensors and features are on, it’ll last about 3-4 days, despite the official claim of 5-6 days. However, the Oura Ring 3 offers better battery life than the Oura Ring 2. It can last up to 7 days on a single charge, which is a significant improvement.

The charging method for both Oura Ring 2 and 3 is the same. The ring can take 20-80 minutes to fully charge, depending on its current battery level. The charging dock is included in the package, and it can be plugged into any USB port. Placing the ring on the dock allows it to be charged wirelessly.

It is recommended that the ring is charged to at least 30% before going to bed. The ring can be charged while wearing it, but it is not recommended as it may affect the accuracy of the sensors. The charging dock isn’t waterproof, so keep it away from water.

Design and Comfort: Material, Size, Water Resistant

The Oura ring is made of durable and scratch-resistant titanium. It comes in two shapes: Heritage and Horizon. Oura 3 has become slimmer if you look closely. It is approximately 20% smaller and 11% lighter than before. Compared to its previous model, it’s more comfortable to wear for long periods.

Both versions are water resistant up to 100 meters. It is possible to wash your hands or swim with it.

Price and Value

The Oura Ring Generation 2 was priced at $299 when it was available on the Oura website. For the Heritage style of the Oura Ring Generation 3 (Gen3), it starts at $299, while the Horizon style starts at $349. Gen3 starts at about the same price as Gen2, but comes in a new, more expensive Horizon style.

Among the significant changes in version 3 is the introduction of a subscription model. After the initial free trial, the Oura Ring Gen3 requires a monthly subscription fee of $5.99 to access most of the data. The subscription model was not a requirement for the Gen2, where users could access all features for free.

Over time, the total cost of ownership for the Gen3 will be higher due to this subscription fee. There are some alternatives to Oura ring in the smart ring market, we have covered them here.