I’ve tested all kinds of wearables and there’s one thing I demand from all the best sleep trackers: they can’t interfere with my rest. Sleek screenless trackers such as the Oura Ring 5 and Fitbit Air are from the next generation of sleep tech, offering detailed tracking without the bulk of a smartwatch.
If you’re looking for comfortable and accurate sleep tracking, this is the way to go. The Fitbit Air is a tracking band with a super slim profile while the Oura 5 is a smart ring that passes for ordinary jewelry. I’ve worn both, often at the same time, and I’d never go back to a larger wearable.
But which one is right for you? I’ve broken down price, design, sleep tracking and app to determine which one should become your new bedtime companion. Let’s get started.
Fitbit Air vs Oura Ring 5: Price and availability
The Fitbit Air is one of the most affordable sleep trackers I’ve come across. Prices start at just $99.99 for the Fitbit Air at Google and you don’t need a subscription — the free tier includes all your standard tracking metrics.
Of course, it wouldn’t be wellness tech if there wasn’t a paid tier and for $9.99 a month with the Google Health Premium subscription, you can access Google’s Health Coach. This is an AI powered coach who’ll answer your questions and develop fitness or sleep plans based on your metrics. You also gain a workout and mindfulness library.
The Oura Ring 5, on the other hand, is premium tech, with prices from $399 at Oura. And you do need a subscription, which is priced at $5.99 per month.
This puts the Ring 5 among the priciest sleep trackers, comparable to smart wearables such as the Apple Watch 12 (now $349.99 at Amazon) and the Ultrahuman Ring Pro (from $479 at Amazon.)
From testing both, I think the convenience, comfort and design of the Oura Ring 5 does justify the large price tag. But the Fitbit Air is astounding value, which is why it takes the win here.
The Fitbit Air is available on both Amazon and direct from the Google Store from just $99.99. That’s an excellent price for a wearable health tracker. And with no subscription required to access your metrics, the Fitbit Air is a sleep tracker that won’t break the bank.View Deal
The Oura Ring 5’s super sleek design comes at a chunky price, with models starting at $399. But you do get an ultra-wearable, high-powered wellness tracker that’s ideal for day-to-night use. You need a subscription to use the Oura app, which is priced at $5.99/month. Sales on Oura Ring 5 are rare but check Amazon for deals on the previous generation Oura Ring 4.View Deal
Fitbit Air vs Oura Ring 5: Design & Battery
The Fitbit Air and Oura Ring 5 are both screenless wearables but they approach design in two completely different ways.
The Fitbit Air is a wristband with an adjustable strap (available in a variety of designs) and a central sensor. The Air is the lightest, thinnest, least obstructive wearable offered by Fitbit. I’ve worn it to bed and for the most part, it’s comfortable. But there are the occasional nights I roll onto my arm and wake up with a Fitbit-shaped dent in my wrist.
When it comes to comfort, no wearable sleep tracker beats the Oura Ring 5. It’s the thinnest build from Oura and while chunkier than most everyday rings, it’s exceptionally small for a fitness tracker. I’ve been wearing it for months and never once woke up thinking ‘ow, my Oura Ring.’
To get the most out of your Oura Ring, it needs to be the right fit. For that, you need a sizing kit (available for free from Oura.) Be careful with this; my Ring was a perfect fit in summer (when my fingers swelled from the heat) but it’s a little loose as the weather’s cooled off. Despite this, the Oura Ring is still my winner when it comes to design.
The Fitbit Air has a battery of up to 7 days, while Oura says the Ring can last 6-9 days. Both designs should get you through a few days of consistent wear but the Oura Ring can potentially stay powered up for longer.
As screenless trackers (and based on my own scatterbrained approach to charging) I recommend a regular charging schedule. Without a screen, you’re relying on notifications and app checks to keep an eye on the battery. Accidentally let it drop too low and you can miss out on hours of data.
Fitbit Air vs Oura Ring 5: Sleep tracking
There are a few things I expect as standard from a sleep tracker. I need to know when I fell asleep, when I woke up, how long I spent in each sleep stage, and any nighttime disturbances.
You’ll get that with both the Fitbit Air and the Oura Ring 5. Both trackers collect data such as heart rate, movement and temperature. This data is then fed into an algorithm which develops a picture of your night’s sleep. Both Oura and Fitbit also award you an overall sleep score.
For sleep stages and duration, both trackers capture roughly similar data and you can see that they follow similar patterns (this is something I’ve observed across several weeks of tracking). The Oura Ring is particularly good at capturing brief wake ups, which is something trackers can often struggle with.
With the caveat that no at-home sleep tracker is ever 100% accurate, I’d trust both to deliver insight into my sleep routine.
However, the Oura Ring delivers more. When checking your sleep data in the app you can easily see your movement level, heart rate and HRV. This is info the Fitbit collects but you have to work harder to see it. By combining all the data into one easy viewable section, Oura gives you a better idea of your sleep health overall. It’s also easier to pinpoint the impact stress has on sleep.
Oura also offers sleep debt tracking (something my colleague Frances keeps close tabs on) as well as body clock insights— it will provide your optimal sleep window based on your chronotype and compare that to your current sleep patterns. This is actionable data that can have a genuine impact on your sleep wellbeing.
And, not to mention, the Oura Ring 5 is simply more comfortable to wear in the night. I have to crown it the sleep tracking winner.
Fitness tracking
The slim designs of the Oura Ring 5 and the Fitbit Air means they can be worn all day long, delivering detailed health data from day to night.
For step counting, our fitness editor Jane McGuire has put them to the test and found Fitbit Air to be the winner. For calorie tracking, it’s a tie and I agree with Jane that you should take the readings with a “pinch of salt”. However, I have found them both useful for a ballpark figure that allows me to make some educated guesses.
Both the Fitbit Air and the Oura Ring offer fitness goals to work towards, but it’s the Fitbit I’ve found most useful at tracking my activity. The Fitbit delivers clear percentages at the top of the app, making it clear where you’re at in your cardio for the week.
As a band, the Fitbit Air is also more comfortable for activities such as weightlifting — anything particularly ‘hands-on’. At $399 a pop, I’m a little paranoid about damaging my Oura Ring.
One area where the Oura Ring does come out on top, however, is women’s health. Both wearables have the option to track your menstrual cycle but Oura Ring’s dedicated tab breaks the data down into readable metrics.
Fitbit Air vs Oura Ring 5: The apps
Without a screen, you have to use the app to see your data from the both the Fitbit Air and the Oura Ring 5. (If you prefer immediately available sleep tracking, try a smartwatch.)
The Fitbit Air uses the Google Health app while Oura has its own smartphone app. Both come absolutely packed with data, so prepare for some overwhelm when you first start navigating.
Both apps have dedicated tabs for sleep and fitness. Google Health adds ‘health’ while Oura also throws in sections for stress, readiness, and cycle.
I appreciate how both apps deliver a mixture of straight data and detailed charts. Both are good for ‘at a glance’ info and for diving deeper into your stats. I’d give Fitbit the edge for quick checks (the stats at the top of the app are super clear and accessible) while Oura Ring stands out for breaking things down.
But this one is a tie. Both apps come with a learning curve but both also offer information in a clear and easy to understand manner.
Fitbit Air vs Oura Ring 5: Verdict
For detailed sleep and recovery tracking, the Oura Ring 5 remains top of the class. The sleep tracking data breakdowns are both detailed and easy to understand, offering a useful insight into your sleep.
Plus, metrics such as sleep debt tracking and body clock timings are actionable. After a busy few days last month I could see how sleep debt had left me feeling run down… and then took steps to get back on track.
And it’s perhaps the most comfortable fitness wearable on the market. Anyone who has ever woken up with a sore outline of a watch pressed into their skin will agree this is an important feature.
But don’t write the Fitbit off. For a start, it’s much cheaper. And you don’t need a subscription to access your data, making it a good choice for those after basic insight without the financial commitment.
