Quick Overview
Expert Rating
Pros
- Lightweight and comfortable for all-day wear
- Exceptional ECG capabilities
- Comprehensive activity tracking features
- No ongoing subscription fees
Cons
- Syncing data can be sluggish
- Companion app needs better usability
- Upcoming features may require virtual currency
Final Thoughts
The Ring 2 represents Circular’s most advanced smart ring to date. While improvements are needed in its software and the black variant remains the most budget-friendly, it is the first to integrate ECG functionality into a smart ring alongside many other features. This makes it a noteworthy alternative to the Oura Ring 4 without the subscription costs.
Price Upon Review
This will display geolocated pricing information for the product.
Current Best Pricing
Price Upon Review
Starting at $379
Current Best Prices: Circular Ring 2
The Circular Ring 2 is a smart ring that goes beyond being just an alternative to the Oura Ring 4 without a subscription. This ring is aiming to redefine what smart rings can achieve.
This is the pioneering smart ring equipped with an ECG sensor, and additional features like blood pressure monitoring and glucose tracking are on the horizon. This smart ring is not merely filling a gap.
Historically, Circular’s previous attempts haven’t made a significant impact. However, with several rivals facing uncertainty due to patent issues with Oura, could Circular seize the opportunity to become the leading smart ring alternative?
I’ve been testing the Ring 2 for a month to find out.
Design & Build
- Offered in four color options
- IP68 rated for water resistance
- Features a compact charging case
The Ring 2 comes in colors including obsidian black, rose gold, gold, and silver, and is available in US sizes ranging from 6 to 14.
There’s also a digital sizing tool to help you find the perfect fit – it should sit snugly on your finger to ensure accurate monitoring without excessive movement.
Mike Sawh
I tried the same size of the Ring 2 as the Ring, Smart Ring Slim, and several other smart rings, including the Oura Ring 4 and the Samsung Galaxy Ring. It’s certainly a more aesthetically pleasing option compared to the Circular Ring Slim and is less susceptible to scratches. The decision to eliminate the interchangeable shells from its predecessor was a wise one.
The ring features a titanium construction, aligning with the lightweight yet resilient materials preferred by many smart rings. Its exterior has a polished finish, complemented by a sensor bump that, while noticeable, doesn’t hinder comfort during wear.
A small circular logo indicates the proper orientation for wearing it. I’ve been wearing the Ring 2 on one hand and the Oura Ring 4 on the other, and both have a similar size and thickness. The Oura’s sensor bump is less noticeable, though.
Mike Sawh
Circular maintains a design that boasts an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. While this rating isn’t the highest level of protection for a smart ring, Circular assures users that it is “safe for swimming, showering, and daily activities.”
Circular has also revamped its charging method for this latest ring. Instead of the keychain-style charger with the Ring Slim, it now includes a charging case.
This case has a distinct look compared to offerings from Samsung and RingConn, effectively keeping the ring secure during charging and providing a built-in battery for charging on the go. More details on battery life will follow.
Health Features
- ECG functionality
- Heart rate and SpO2 tracking
- Medication reminders
<pOnce you delve into the Circular smartphone companion app (available for both iOS and Android), you'll quickly realize the extensive capabilities the Ring 2 offers.
As a smart ring, it includes the necessary sensors to track daily movements and monitor sleep patterns, alongside metrics like heart rate and SpO2. It has also added workout-specific features to enhance overall fitness tracking, with an increased focus on monitoring emotional states.
Mike Sawh
Let’s highlight the most significant achievement for both Circular and the smart ring industry: it is the first smart ring to feature an ECG sensor, complete with electrodes on the ring’s exterior for immediate measurements.
These readings assess heart rhythms and can identify any irregularities; the sensor and corresponding algorithm are FDA-approved to detect signs of atrial fibrillation.
Taking a reading is simple: place the index finger of your opposite hand on the electrodes for a 45-second measurement. The results will indicate whether the rhythm is normal or identify conditions such as bradycardia, tachycardia, or atrial fibrillation.
Fortunately, all of my tests showed a normal rhythm, but with confidence levels reported between 60-70%. It’s worth noting that Circular emphasizes this feature is not intended to diagnose but rather supports medical evaluations, despite its medical resemblance.
Mike Sawh
The device can also generate reports for healthcare professionals, potentially offering valuable insights into your health. In terms of accuracy, the readings appeared to be consistent with other ECG devices like the Apple Watch.
Beyond ECG features, there is an abundance of functionality available. You can receive live heart rate and SpO2 data, set alerts for abnormal levels, and schedule medication reminders.
However, I believe the app’s user interface could be redesigned for more streamlined navigation and comprehension.
Fitness & Wellness Monitoring
- Tracks steps, sleep, heart rate, and emotional well-being
- Offers specific sports modes
- Provides sleep and energy analysis
The Circular Ring 2 offers an array of features that have become essential for smart rings.
This device is ideally suited for sleep tracking, making it a more comfortable alternative to a smartwatch. It can be worn throughout the day while monitoring heart rate and movements seamlessly.
It performs these tasks quite competently. However, if data isn’t synced regularly, users may find syncing takes longer than expected.
Mike Sawh
For sleep tracking, the ring generates sleep scores, analyzes the various stages of sleep, and records total sleep duration. It presents data on sleep quality through graphical representations to observe changes or consistency over time.
Additionally, it provides graphs for heart rate variability (HRV), breathing rate, temperature, and SpO2 levels. I’ve worn it alongside various sleep trackers, and it provided sleep duration metrics similar to reliable trackers like Oura, accurately capturing sleep onset and wake times.
The sleep scores were consistent, with it effectively noting naps. The ring’s core sleep tracking capabilities are solid.
Mike Sawh
Daily activity performance is detailed in terms of steps, active minutes, and will also analyze metrics such as VO2 Max and heart rate maximum to generate overall energy scores. This score aims to provide a clearer perspective on daily energy levels.
The sleep score also plays a role in influencing this score, akin to Oura’s Readiness scores seen in various health and fitness devices.
When comparing isolated data, daily step counts closely aligned with other reputable fitness trackers.
A specific sports tracking mode allows you to choose from various activity profiles, especially those enhanced by connecting to your phone’s GPS for outdoor tracking.
I used it during outdoor runs and indoor activities like cycling and rowing, and the performance has been somewhat inconsistent. So far, I’ve yet to find a smart ring that can accurately track heart rates during workouts, and the Circular Ring 2 does not change that trend.
Mike Sawh
Apart from activity tracking, there are various wellness features included. A coherence mode tracks heart rate variability to assist in mindfulness, and the app offers a range of guided breathing exercises as well as a way to monitor stress levels and predict future stress based on historical data.
This ring is well-equipped with features, though it may not excel in presenting them.
Battery Performance & Charging
- Up to a week of battery life
- Includes a portable charging case
- Full charge in 30 minutes
The Circular Ring 2 takes a unique approach to battery management.
Users can select between two battery modes: Performance mode ensures precise tracking with high-frequency data sampling, while Power mode saves battery life by sampling less frequently and limits rich data capture.
Mike Sawh
The maximum battery life stretches up to seven days, which is one day shorter than the Oura, equal to that of the Samsung Galaxy Ring, and less than the generous 10-12 days provided by the RingConn Gen 2 models.
As seen in previous Circular rings, opting for Performance mode leads to noticeably faster battery depletion. In that mode, the battery lasted approximately 4-5 days. This is an improvement, but still lags behind top-performing models.
Moreover, there’s a Power Saving mode designed for when the ring won’t be used for an extended period, preserving battery until next charging.
Users will receive a notification alerting them when the battery runs low, and now there’s an enhanced charging solution. Similar to Samsung and RingConn, the new charging case powers up the ring within 30 minutes.
This is a significant upgrade from the cumbersome keyring USB used with the Circular Ring Slim, providing a user-friendly and portable solution that holds enough charge to recharge the Ring 2 up to three times.
Pricing & Availability
The Circular Ring 2 was launched in August 2025, with pricing starting at £280/$379 for the base model. Like its predecessors, there is no ongoing subscription required for full access to features and data.
However, some future features are expected to operate on a model where users must gather a certain amount of virtual Circular Coins. Users can also purchase these coins for expedited access, which includes upcoming features like blood pressure tracking.
The best value comes with the tested black model, but other variations are pricier. The silver model is priced at £360/$449, while the gold options start at £440/$549.
You can purchase the Circular Ring 2 from the official store.
Mike Sawh
How does it compare to its competitors? Notably, the Oura Ring 4 requires a monthly or annual subscription, with prices starting around £349/$349.
For those seeking a subscription-free option, the Samsung Galaxy Ring is priced at £399/$399, making both Samsung and Oura more expensive alternatives despite no subscription for the latter.
Additionally, the Ultrahuman Ring Air costs £329/$349, while the RingConn Gen 2 is available for $299. However, both Ultrahuman and RingConn rings face potential bans in the US due to an ongoing patent dispute with Oura.
This scenario positions Oura, Samsung, Amazfit, and Circular as the key players in the smart ring market. It’s also worth noting that Samsung has experienced recent issues concerning battery swelling’s> with the Galaxy Ring.
Is the Circular Ring 2 Worth Purchasing?
Having tested the original Circular smart ring, I faced numerous challenges that hindered my evaluation. While the Circular Ring Slim improved my experience slightly, it still struggled against the competition.
With the possibility of Ultrahuman and RingConn disappearing from the market, the competition for the Circular Ring 2 diminishes significantly. This puts it in direct rivalry with the Oura Ring 4, Samsung Galaxy Ring, and the Amazfit Helio Ring.
In my opinion, the Oura Ring 4 remains the standout smart ring based on my experiences. The Circular Ring 2 is clearly the best iteration of Circular’s product so far. While Samsung’s software may feel more refined, Circular’s platform is made specifically for a smart ring and may improve over time.
If you’re exploring a subscription-free smart ring, this device certainly stands out as one of the top contenders.
Specifications
- Up to 7 days of battery life
- ECG and optical heart rate sensor
- Monitors blood oxygen and skin temperature
- Tracks sleep patterns and steps
- Constructed from titanium
- Thickness of 2.55mm
- Weight between 2-3g (depending on size)
- Compatible with iOS and Android platforms
