For those tracking their menstrual cycle, a simple morning temperature reading can be a powerful predictor of fertility. This ancient method, now powered by modern technology, is the core of the Natural Cycles app, which recently launched its own dedicated smart band to streamline this process.
What the New Band Offers
The Natural Cycles app, a subscription-based service ($149.99/year), uses basal body temperature (BBT) to estimate a user's position in their monthly cycle. While many apps use calendar-based predictions, the temperature data transforms it into a fertility awareness method. This approach is far more accurate than the old-fashioned "rhythm method," which was notoriously error-prone (Mayo Clinic, 2023).
Previously, the app relied on partnerships with devices like the Apple Watch or Oura Ring to automatically collect this data. Now, the company is introducing its own wearable. The new band is a simple, screenless device in a purple hue, priced at $129.99. Its sole purpose is to capture nighttime body temperature, making it a focused tool rather than a multi-purpose fitness tracker.
Pricing and Alternatives
While the standalone price is $129.99, most users will likely access the band through a bundle. The company is including the band for free with its annual subscription. For existing subscribers, the band is available at a 25% discount. It's important to note that, like the app itself, the band is part of a subscription model. After the first year, the device will remain, but a subscription renewal is required to continue using the Natural Cycles service.
For those seeking an all-in-one device, the cost of a dedicated band may seem high. Alternatives like the Apple Watch Series 8 or newer, or an Oura Ring, both include temperature sensors and work with the Natural Cycles app. However, these devices are significantly more expensive than the subscription alone, though they offer a broader range of fitness and health metrics (Harvard Health, 2024).
The Future of Fertility Tech
The launch of a dedicated band by Natural Cycles highlights a growing trend: specialized health wearables. Unlike general fitness trackers that monitor steps, heart rate, and sleep, devices like this are designed for a single, critical health metric. This mirrors the evolution of other health tech, such as continuous glucose monitors for diabetics or dedicated sleep trackers.
For example, some women still manually chart temperatures with a high-precision thermometer and a graph, a method that requires discipline but is highly effective. Others might use smart rings like the Oura for its temperature insights, but the data is part of a larger wellness picture. The new band from Natural Cycles simplifies this by offering one device for one job: accurate, overnight temperature tracking to inform fertility decisions.
