OuravsGarmin
Oura Ring 4 vs Garmin Forerunner 965: comparison
Oura Ring 4 vs Garmin Forerunner 965 using the data from our reviews: score, who each one is for, and their strengths and weaknesses.
Summary of both reviews
| Oura Ring 4 | Garmin Forerunner 965 | |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 82/100 | 84/100 |
| Who it is for | Anyone who wants to track sleep, HRV and temperature without wearing anything on the wrist at night, accepts the monthly fee and doesn't need the Ring 5's slimmer design. | Runners and triathletes who want a watch with multi-band GPS, maps and HRV and readiness metrics for training, and who prefer weeks of battery to phone features. |
| Skip it if | You lift weights with barbells and dumbbells, play contact sports or don't want a monthly fee. | You want a watch with voice calls, ECG or the brightest display in the range, or you would rather use a ring or band for sleep with nothing bulky on your wrist. |
| Check price | Check price on Amazon | Check price on Amazon |
Each score comes from its full review, with its sources and criteria. The two scores are only comparable within the same type of product.
Oura Ring 4
Pros
- • Sleep tracking backed by studies against polysomnography, but carried out with earlier generations (Gen2 and Gen3): none of them validates the Ring 4 directly.
- • Titanium body 2.88 mm thick and 3.3 to 5.2 g depending on size, with no screen or vibrations: very unobtrusive for sleeping.
- • Typical battery life of 5 to 8 days according to the manufacturer, with 100 m water resistance.
Cons
- • The full app requires a membership: without it you only see three daily scores, the battery level and little else.
- • Titanium that scratches easily and a poor companion for strength training; according to specialist reviews, scratches are not covered by the warranty.
- • Workout tracking is less reliable than a sports watch, and some users report batteries that degrade over the months.
Garmin Forerunner 965
Pros
- • Battery of up to 23 days in watch mode and up to 31 hours of GPS, according to Garmin's manual, although the figure drops with multi-band GPS and the always-on display.
- • Multi-band GPS with SatIQ, which switches modes to save battery; in DC Rainmaker’s test the running and cycling tracks came out clean.
- • Overnight HRV and a daily training readiness score with no mandatory fee: existing Garmin Connect features remain free, according to Garmin.
Cons
- • It is the previous model: the Forerunner 970 adds a brighter sapphire display, flashlight, speaker and microphone, and ECG.
- • No ECG sensor, and in specialist tests the optical HR failed in very short intervals.
- • With the always-on display, battery life falls well below the advertised 23 days, and Garmin also offers an optional subscription (Connect+) that covers new features.
Oura Ring 4
Oura Ring 4: what it measures, what validation it has, battery life, what you lose without the subscription and whether it holds up against the new Ring 5.
Garmin Forerunner 965
What the Garmin Forerunner 965 measures, how long its battery really lasts, what remains free in Garmin Connect and whether it beats the Forerunner 970.