I just reviewed the Garmin Cirqa — 5 things you need to know about Garmin’s subscription-free Whoop and Fitbit Air alternative

In my recent evaluation of the Garmin Cirqa, it emerges as one of the top fitness trackers for 2026, rivaling the popular Fitbit Air and Whoop 5.0. While these three devices share similarities such as the absence of a screen, built-in GPS, and notification capabilities, there are several distinct aspects that set the Garmin Cirqa apart from its competitors.

Drawing from two weeks of hands-on experience, here are the five most critical factors you should consider when comparing the Garmin Cirqa to the Fitbit Air and Whoop 5.0.

Firstly, the Garmin Cirqa is more expensive than the Fitbit Air but significantly cheaper than the Whoop 5.0. Both the Fitbit Air and Garmin Cirqa offer subscription-free access to most of their core features, with prices set at $99 and $199 respectively. In contrast, the Whoop 5.0 is free to purchase, but users are required to subscribe annually, with costs ranging from $199 to $359 based on the chosen tier.

Secondly, the Garmin Cirqa proves to be more comfortable than the Whoop 5.0 but bulkier compared to the Fitbit Air. The Fitbit Air is both slimmer and lighter, weighing only 5.2 grams, while the Garmin Cirqa weighs 14.8 grams. Meanwhile, the Whoop 5.0 weighs 26.5 grams, making it less comfortable to wear. However, the Cirqa's strap may have become slightly more comfortable with extended use, yet it remains the least pleasant option in this regard.

Thirdly, the Garmin Cirqa strikes a balance when it comes to battery life, falling between the Fitbit Air and Whoop 5.0. According to our tests, the Fitbit Air lasts about a week on a single charge, while the Whoop 5.0 can sustain approximately two weeks. Conversely, the Garmin Cirqa offers about ten days of battery life before requiring a recharge.

Fourthly, the Garmin Cirqa provides a more comprehensive range of holistic insights compared to the Fitbit Air. The Garmin Connect app features an extensive array of sleep, wellness, workout recovery, and training metrics, along with actionable advice. While not as in-depth as Whoop's specialized reports, the Garmin offers more features than the Fitbit, such as Fitness Age and recovery time recommendations.

Additionally, the Cirqa is compatible with the Natural Cycles app for women's health tracking, a feature absent in the Fitbit Air.

Lastly, the Garmin Cirqa stands out with its single physical button on the side, enabling users to start, stop, or customize any of the 80+ available workout types without needing to access the app. This design choice also eliminates any potential concerns regarding the effectiveness of auto-workout detection. Among these three screen-less trackers, the Garmin Cirqa offers the most streamlined and convenient user experience. Which of these three devices catches your interest? Please share your thoughts in the poll below.