Oura Ring Gen 3 vs Gen 2: Is It Worth Upgrading?
The Oura Ring Gen 3 launched in 2021 with several meaningful upgrades over Generation 2. If you still have a Gen 2 ring, or you're deciding which generation to buy, here's exactly what changed and whether the upgrade is worth it.
Key differences at a glance
| Feature | Gen 2 | Gen 3 |
|---|---|---|
| SpO2 (blood oxygen) | No | Yes |
| Skin temperature | Yes | Yes (improved) |
| Heart rate | Nighttime only | 24/7 continuous |
| Period prediction | No | Yes (Cycle Insights) |
| Sensors | 3 LEDs | 7 LEDs |
| Membership required | No | Yes (£5.99/month) |
| Battery life | 7 days | 4–7 days |
What Gen 3 adds
24/7 heart rate monitoring
The biggest practical upgrade. Gen 2 only tracked heart rate during sleep and tagged workouts. Gen 3 tracks your heart rate continuously throughout the day, giving much richer cardiovascular data and more accurate daytime recovery metrics.
SpO2 (blood oxygen monitoring)
Gen 3 added blood oxygen monitoring via two red and two infrared LEDs. This enables overnight blood oxygen tracking — useful for detecting sleep disturbances and signs of breathing irregularities.
More sensors — 7 LEDs instead of 3
Gen 3 packs 7 LEDs into the ring (vs 3 on Gen 2), along with two more temperature sensors. This is what enables more accurate 24/7 tracking and the improved skin temperature readings.
Cycle Insights
Gen 3 added a period and fertile window prediction feature for women, using temperature and heart rate data. This isn't available on Gen 2.
What stayed the same
- Same physical design and ring sizing
- Sleep stage tracking (light, deep, REM)
- HRV (heart rate variability) monitoring
- Readiness Score
- Activity and step tracking
- Waterproof rating (100m)
The subscription change
One important difference: Gen 3 requires an Oura membership (£5.99/month) to access most features. Gen 2 users can still access basic data without a subscription. If you're upgrading from Gen 2 and not paying for the membership, factor this ongoing cost into your decision.
Should you upgrade from Gen 2?
If you primarily use your Oura Ring for sleep tracking and readiness scores, and you're not interested in daytime heart rate or blood oxygen data, the Gen 2 still works well and the upgrade isn't urgent.
If you want continuous heart rate data, SpO2 tracking, or the Cycle Insights feature, Gen 3 is a meaningful upgrade worth the cost.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the Oura Ring Gen 3 compatible with Gen 2 chargers?
No. The Gen 3 ring uses a new magnetic charger that is not compatible with the Gen 2 charger. You'll need the charger that comes with the Gen 3 ring.
Can Gen 2 users upgrade to Gen 3?
Yes. You can purchase a Gen 3 ring separately. Your Oura account will automatically switch to the Gen 3 experience once you pair the new ring. Your historical data from Gen 2 is retained in your account.
Which Oura Ring finish is best?
The Silver and Black finishes are the most popular. Gold and Stealth are also available. The finish is purely aesthetic — all perform identically. Brushed titanium (Stealth) hides scratches better over time.