Buzz
The two top players in the recovery tracking space, Whoop and Oura, recently released new versions of their hardware. The Whoop 4.0 strap and the Oura Gen3 ring have arrived, but with these updates comes a new pricing model: both now require a subscription. So, which one gives you more value?
Up until recently, Oura and Whoop followed different business strategies. Oura would sell you a $299 ring with no ongoing costs, while Whoop would provide you with the hardware for free, as long as you committed to a six-month subscription, priced at $30/month if you pay monthly. Now, Oura’s new ring still costs $299, but comes with a $5.99/month subscription fee.
What are the true costs of owning a Whoop or an Oura ring? Let's break it down.
Let's begin by examining a one-year period. (Both Oura and Whoop provide a one-year warranty on their latest devices.)
For Oura, the ring is priced at $299, with a monthly subscription fee of $5.99. After one year, you'd theoretically have spent $370.88. However, the company is currently offering a six-month 'free trial' for the subscription, meaning you'd only pay $334.94 in the first year.
If you decide to keep the ring for two years, your total would be $406.82 with the free trial, or $442.76 if the trial offer is no longer available.
With Whoop, you’re only paying for the subscription. You can opt for a monthly payment plan as long as you commit to at least six months upfront. That amounts to $360 for the year or $720 over two years.
If you're certain you'll use the strap for at least a year, you can pay for an annual membership at $288 ($576 for two years). The most affordable monthly rate comes from paying $324 upfront for 18 months, bringing the cost down to $18 per month. Two years of Whoop would cost $504 if you choose the 18-month plan and then pay month-to-month for the remaining six months. If you keep purchasing 18-month memberships, it will cost $216 annually (or $432 for two years).
What does your investment get you?
To start with, neither of these devices is a comprehensive smartwatch, and neither includes a display.
The two trackers are quite alike, particularly following their latest updates. Whoop has introduced skin temperature tracking, which Oura had implemented earlier, and Oura has now added one of Whoop's standout features: continuous heart rate monitoring throughout the day.
If you're looking for a device that tracks heart rate during physical activity, Whoop already offers that functionality, while Oura is preparing to add this feature in the near future.
Both devices provide insights into the duration and quality of your sleep. They also monitor resting heart rate and heart rate variability, as well as generate a 'recovery' or 'readiness' score, which they suggest can help you gauge how prepared you are for a workout. (Though I didn’t find these predictions to be entirely reliable, comparing them with your personal experiences adds to the enjoyment.)
Both devices offer battery life lasting several days, but not quite a full week. When the Oura ring's battery gets low, you need to place it on a charger. In contrast, the Whoop has a charging brick that slides over the unit while you're wearing it, eliminating the need to remove it. The Oura ring, Whoop strap, and the Whoop charging brick are all waterproof.
So, which one is the better option: the Whoop or the Oura ring?
Oura users may understandably be upset about having to pay for both the hardware and a subscription. However, if you're planning to use the gadget for more than a year, Oura is actually the more cost-effective choice. Here's a breakdown of the costs:
If you're only looking to try one with minimal commitment, Whoop costs $180 for a six-month membership, while Oura comes in at $299 for just the hardware plus a six-month free trial. Whoop takes the win here.
If you choose to commit for one year, Whoop will cost $288 for the first year, while Oura will total $334.94 (including the free trial). Whoop is still the cheaper option.
After two years, Oura comes out ahead, at $406.82 compared to Whoop’s $576 for two years of membership.
After three years, Oura leaves Whoop far behind: the Oura hardware and subscription will cost $478.70, compared to $648 for two 18-month Whoop memberships.
Another factor to consider, especially for short-term users, is that you can sell your Oura ring when you no longer need it. Currently, older gen2 Oura rings are being sold for $150 to $180 on eBay. While the future resale value of a gen3 ring is uncertain, it’s something worth factoring in, though it does carry some risk.
