Not the Oura or Galaxy Ring replacement you need

With the upcoming release of the Samsung Galaxy Ring and the increasing popularity of the Oura Ring 3, it’s clear that the smart ring trend is here to stay. Whether you want to track stats more discreetly or don’t want to be distracted by a color AMOLED display, there are good reasons to consider this small form factor. But not all rings are created equal. I tested the Circular Smart Ring Slim to learn more about its features and delve into the user experience. While I’m glad to see more options on the market, this $264 smart ring needs some work to earn a permanent spot in my top ten.

Having never tested the original round ring, I was excited when I heard the ultra-thin version was initially going into production. Given my petite frame, I often carry oversized fitness trackers, especially smart rings, that are larger than my typical finger accessories. Unfortunately, the Slim didn’t live up to the hype for me.

Even though its walls are thin and I ordered the smallest size possible, it feels noticeably larger than my Oura Ring 3. Even just trying to make a fist, I could feel the ring digging into the bone of my adjacent finger. The bottom is extremely thick. It also has straight outer edges instead of rounded outer edges, which tend to catch things and often make squeaking noises on my glass tabletop. If you put the ring on while washing your face, the edges can be especially uncomfortable (sorry, brow bone).

Don’t get me wrong; I fully realize that it’s not easy to fit advanced sensors and internal hardware into a small space. But it’s a risky choice if users might get the wrong idea from your descriptive nickname. The Slim lacks key ergonomic design cues that would make a smart ring a viable all-day companion. Combined with the eye-catching logo on the top, the round shape makes it difficult for me to wear the device on a daily basis.

It also only comes in a single black color scheme, which makes it easy to scratch, especially when facing fitness equipment. Of course, I also had trouble using the Oura Ring 3 for pull-ups or weightlifting. I also don’t like playing tennis or playing with lacrosse sticks in the smart ring. For me, this is one of the biggest drawbacks of smart rings compared to smartwatches or wrist trackers, and I find round rings to be particularly uncomfortable in each case.

Unfortunately, my disappointment with the Circular Ring Slim doesn’t end with comfort or build quality. Shortly after testing it, I was dismayed to discover the ring’s relatively short battery life. In performance mode, which includes regular heart rate monitoring and sleep insights, the device only lasts about two days per charge. Users can choose Eco mode to get closer to five days of use, but that means sacrificing useful health data. When the Oura Ring 3 can easily last nearly a week between charges, two days is pretty bleak.

I also have a love-hate relationship with the device’s charger, which essentially looks like a makeshift thumb drive. I found this size to be very convenient for plugging directly into the USB-C slot on my standing desk. It’s also foldable and wire-free, eliminating the possibility of cable nesting.

On the other hand, if you don’t have a convenient USB-C slot and have to use a charging stand and outlet, you’ll now be bending over to plug in the ring every two days, and if you’re me, realize how dusty your baseboard is. The ring stays securely on the charger, too, so when your partner walks by and doesn’t realize he knocks the ring out of alignment, your ring will no longer charge. You can buy the power cord attachment separately from the Circular website for $14, but it’s something that really should be included in the box.

To test the fitness tracker’s full data-gathering capabilities, I left the ring in performance mode to see what stats I’d get. This is another obstacle I encountered. Throughout the review, syncing with the companion app rarely felt seamless. At one point, despite wearing the ring for many days, I suddenly had no data and had to reset the device by repeatedly adding and removing it from the charger, which I can only describe as trying magic.

This follows a 14-day onboarding process led by Kira, the company’s in-app AI assistant. I don’t want to speak ill of anyone, not even robots, but Kira asked a lot of questions to people I just met, and I never felt like the information I provided was being used particularly well. Ultimately, Kira provided insights and standard tips, but nothing groundbreaking, which left me feeling like the AI ​​didn’t significantly add to my user experience.

In theory, the ring can track a user’s heart rate, body temperature, sleep, breathing rate during sleep, SpO2, HRV, stress and general activity. It doesn’t track workouts, but it does provide energy monitoring and daily insights. The app also features guided breathing exercises and provides critical alerts for heart rate and SpO2, as well as on-demand on-site measurements for priority statistics including heart rate and SpO2.

Unfortunately, I rarely find these statistics to be true. The ring’s SpO2 measurements were generally consistent with my Apple Watch, but my heart rate was consistently lower during spot checks and in daily averages. Likewise, my footwork is generally underestimated. Compared to the Oura Ring 3, the Circular Ring overestimated my sleep (although admittedly, it was closer to accuracy than some other wearables). The ring can also track naps, and did so successfully on two occasions, but was a complete fabrication the other day.

Finally, the device also recorded my stress and tracked my relaxation throughout my review session, which is simply not true/realistic. I couldn’t find a place to get a green bagel on St. Patrick’s Day and was stressed out.

Overall, I feel like this device has a lot of potential, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see the company improve the experience in the future. The app can be frustrating at times, but it clearly shows a desire to provide users with depth and insight. Detailed information is organized in a way that’s easy to understand, highlights trends, and provides the option to dive deeper into menus and categories. Currently, the statistics are not consistent enough to be trusted or relied upon.

On the other hand, I was surprised that I really liked the alarm clock function of this ring. With built-in haptics, the device wakes you up during your lightest stage of sleep at a time around your designated alarm. I thought vibrating with just one finger would be disturbing, but I ended up really appreciating how effective and quiet the alarm clock is, and how it wakes me up while my partner is falling asleep easily.

Tactile and reactive buttons (see the prominent logo in the photo above) set the ring apart compared to the Oura Ring 3. Circular also leverages these features to implement timer functionality so that users can set a time in the app and stop the time on the device itself once the time is up. Expired. This is a small but useful tool, especially when traveling.

I’m really excited to see more brands embracing this alternative format for tracking health and fitness. A smart ring has significant advantages over a bracelet or watch, not least its discreet nature. The Circular Ring Slim checks major boxes because it’s a ring that tracks sleep and basic health stats. Unfortunately, however, it doesn’t offer enough reliability or functionality to warrant my recommendation.

The design of this ring lacks the sophistication required for a comfortable finger device. Its short battery life, inconsistent statistics, and finicky companion apps make for an unpleasant user experience. For now, it’s hard not to recommend the Oura Ring 3 ($299.99 at Oura) to anyone interested in a smart ring. Alternatively, if you’re keen on a ring but don’t need one right away, I’d also recommend waiting to see what Samsung has to offer later this year.