In the rapidly evolving landscape of wearable biometric devices, users are faced with a ton of options, each promising to revolutionize how we monitor and manage our health. From bracelets and smartwatches to smart rings and bands, the market is teeming with choices. Sure, all devices offer a wide range of features, from tracking heart rate and sleep patterns to monitoring stress levels and physical activity.
Today, a smartwatch is essentially a fashion statement and many wearables focus on acting as a companion to mobile devices with many developers utilizing the technology to further lock the users in their ecosystem. For those of us who seek convenient and comprehensive solutions for health management, understanding the strengths and limitations of each device becomes paramount. Besides, it’s becoming way too easy to get lost in the bells and whistles instead of choosing your wearable based on the impact it can have on your health and well-being.
So let’s explore some of the most advanced wearables available on the market today and see how they stack up against each other in terms of accuracy, usability, and overall effectiveness in supporting a healthier lifestyle.
Apple Watch Ultra 2
Pushing the limits of current tech is something Apple always excels at. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is, without a doubt, the best smartwatch available today. Geared towards professional athletes, adventurers, divers, and other action sports aficionados, this device is definitely an overkill for those of us who simply seek to optimize our daily lives and health. While this doesn't make the Apple Watch Ultra 2 any less impressive, most of us don't need 24/7 access to a dive computer or topographic maps of our surroundings.
Fitbit Sense 2
A direct competitor to Apple Watch, Google’s Fitbit Sense 2 is the most advanced Fitbit wearable, designed to help its users manage stress & sleep better. It’s cheaper but less sophisticated, designed with a more casual user in mind. That said, a premium subscription can expand the device’s functionality and make it a better fit for those with a passion for health and fitness.
WHOOP Bracelet
Geared towards athletes with clear and specific fitness goals, this smart device doesn’t feature a screen or a ton of sensors. WHOOP is a one-trick pony, but it does its trick well. With a single photoplethysmography sensor for heart rate monitoring, WHOOP relies on a companion app with its advanced algorithms to do the heavy lifting. However, compared to the likes of the latest Apple Watch model, WHOOP charges a yearly premium without necessarily offering many premium features, sported by its competitors.
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Oura Ring Gen3 Horizon
Oura's Gen3 Horizon is a state-of-the-art smart ring with a clever design and a compact form factor. This device is the best smart ring available on the market today, hands down. According to many user reviews, this is one of those "love it or hate it" wearables that some users simply cannot get used to or find cumbersome to wear – after all, there's a lot of tech in that ring. Great for hardcore biohackers and tech lovers, it's definitely an impressive proof-of-concept.
Oxa Life
Oxa is a combination of a wearable sensor and a mobile app that is designed to improve sleep, build resilience to stress, and improve breathing. Made for those looking to address issues like chronic stress, anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, and even long COVID, Oxa offers a medication-free way to tackle these issues. No screens, no notifications, just state-of-the-art sensors powered by proprietary algorithms, Oxa provides a no-nonsense way to improve your health and well-being.
Compared to other biometric wearable devices, what makes Oxa truly stand out is its live biofeedback functionality. You can think of biofeedback as a supraphysiological feedback loop, a sixth sense, if you will. In the case of Oxa, the wearable sensor is designed to improve your awareness of your breathing and how it influences your mental state and physical well-being. This allows you to be in full control of your body and its breathing patterns that usually remain in the realm of unconsciousness.
Unlike other wearables that simply average historic data to estimate trends, Oxa provides you with immediate feedback, demonstrating how breathing exercises impact your heart rate, stress level, and other metrics in real time. This is made possible by medical-grade accuracy, with which the wearable sensor collects and processes your breathing data.
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Sensors for health data
Live breathing signal
Live biofeedback
Apps and integrations
Designed for
Subscription model
Price
Apple Watch Ultra 2
- Electrical & optical heart sensors
- Accelerometer
- Gyroscope
- Ambient light sensor
No
Averaged data + latency
Owned by Apple and works when paired with an iPhone. In theory, it can be paired with Android devices, but the functionality is limited.
Athletes and professionals who are in love with Apple’s ecosystem.
No subscription fees yet a cellular plan is needed to unlock all features.
$799
Fitbit Sense 2
- Optical heart sensors
- Accelerometer
- Gyroscope
- Skin conductance sensor
No
No
Owned by Google and works best with Android devices, but can be used with iPhones too.
Wider audience, those seeking digital convenience on the way to their fitness goal.
A premium subscription is required to unlock all features.
$249.95 + $9.99/mo
WHOOP
-Photoplethysmography sensor for heart rate monitoring
No
Averaged data + latency
iOS and Android but allegedly prioritizes iOS.
Athletes looking to optimize training and recovery
Annual or biannual payments
$239/year
Oura Ring Gen3 Horizon
- LED-powered heart rate sensors
- Negative temperature coefficient sensors
- Backup IR sensor
- Accelerometer
No
No live biofeedback, only post-session
iOS and Android but updates prioritize iOS.
Biohackers and tech enthusiasts
Monthly subscription fees
$349 to $599 depending on the finish + $5.99/mo
Oxa
- Gecko™ electrode technology sensor for ECG readings
- Respiratory Inductance Plethysmography sensor for live breathing depth monitoring
- Accelerometer
Yes
Yes (<200ms)
iOS and Android.
Anyone who is looking for immediate stress relief, increased focus, getting better sleep, or building resilience over time
No subscription fees
$249
When shopping for a biometric wellness device, keep in mind your purpose and end-goal. What do you value most in your smart wearable? Do you want an extra screen on your wrist to access your text and email notifications? Do you need a rugged smartwatch that doubles as a diving computer? Or are health and well-being your main priorities?
If you’re on a quest to optimize your physical and mental health, battle stress and anxiety, improve sleep, and take control over your breathing, Oxa, the breathing trainer, might well be your best bet for enhancing your life. After all, no other biometric device on the market today provides the same functionality.
