Wearable devices have become an essential tool for anyone looking to understand their body, improve performance, and optimize their schedule. But with so many options like the Oura Ring, Whoop, Garmin, Apple Watch, FitBit, it can be hard to decide which one is right for you.

At Lifestack, we work closely with many of these wearables, integrating their data to help you plan your day based on your energy and recovery, so we've picked up a few key considerations when choosing a device. Just keep in mind: no choice is wrong. Pick any up and you'll have a great experience tracking sleep and energy from any of these.

Apple Watch – Best All-Around Smartwatch (with a Catch)

The Apple Watch is often praised for being one of the most accurate smartwatches on the market, especially for heart rate tracking. And overall, the Apple Watch is a powerhouse of a standalone device, making it convenient with non-health features like checking notifications, taking calls, and listening to music.

Pros:

✅ Accurate heart rate tracking

✅ Fitness tracking with pace, GPS, and third-party apps

✅ Daily use convenience (Apple Pay, notifications, music, etc.)

Cons:

❌ Battery life is notoriously short

❌ Device can be distracting if you’re aiming for focus

Best for: People who want a health device and a smartwatch in one

WHOOP – For Recovery and Serious Athletes

WHOOP is designed for those who care more about recovery than steps or screens. It has no display and focuses on Heart Rate Variability (HRV), sleep, and strain metrics. Their ecosystem surrounds the philosophy of a sustainable lifestyle by maintaining balance between strain, sleep, and recovery.

Pros:

✅ Continuous data collection

✅ Light and screenless (perfect for minimizing distractions)

✅ Excellent recovery insights

Cons:

❌ No screen means no smartwatch features

❌ Subscription fee required

Best for: Athletes focused on recovery and minimizing distractions

Garmin – The Gold Standard for Runners and Outdoor Athletes

Garmin is known for its accurate GPS tracking and durability. Many runners and cyclists swear by it, especially because of Garmin’s unique Body Battery feature that helps you manage energy throughout the day.

Pros:

✅ Best-in-class GPS accuracy

✅ Body Battery helps visualize recovery and energy levels

✅ Long battery life

Cons:

❌ Interface and app experience can feel clunky compared to Apple

❌ More expensive models can get pricey

Best for: Runners, cyclists, and outdoor sports enthusiasts

Fitbit – Budget-Friendly But…

Fitbit is a good entry-level option if you’re new to wearables. It tracks steps, heart rate, and sleep without breaking the bank. Important to keep an eye out on the Google Pixelwatch ecosystem as well as FitBit was acquired by Google.

Pros:

✅ Affordable

✅ Simple and easy to use

Cons:

❌ Durability issues

❌ Limited advanced health metrics

Best for: Casual users looking for basic health tracking

Oura – Best for Sleep Tracking

Oura Ring is arguably the best wearable for sleep. It’s small, discreet, and provides detailed insights on your sleep stages, readiness, and even body temperature changes which is helpful for detecting early signs of illness.

Pros:

✅ Best-in-class sleep tracking

✅ Tracks body temperature and HRV

✅ Discreet and comfortable

Cons:

❌ Not great for daytime activity tracking

❌ Requires a monthly subscription

Best for: Sleep optimization and recovery-focused users

Ultrahuman – Oura’s Newest Challenger

Ultrahuman Ring is gaining attention as a direct Oura competitor offering sleep and recovery metrics without a subscription fee. While still developing, it’s an interesting alternative for those who want core insights without ongoing costs.

Pros:

✅ No subscription fee

✅ Similar sleep and recovery metrics to Oura

Cons:

❌ Still early stage and fewer features than Oura (for now)

Best for: Users looking for Oura-style insights without the monthly fee

🎯 How Lifestack Fits Into the Picture

No matter which wearable you use, the real challenge is turning that data into action. That’s where Lifestack comes in.

Our app pulls your energy, recovery, and sleep data from wearables like Oura, Apple Watch, WHOOP, and Garmin then helps you plan your day around it. Whether you’re low-energy after poor sleep or fully recovered and ready to tackle big tasks, Lifestack helps you schedule smarter.

📝 Final Thoughts – Which One Should You Choose?

Choosing a wearable comes down to what matters most to you:

And if you already have one (or more!) of these devices, try connecting it to Lifestack. We’ll help you get even more out of your data so you’re not just collecting numbers but actually improving how you plan your days.