Garmin Cirqa: a $199 screen-free tracker that beats Fitbit Air on insights but trails Whoop 5.0

The new Garmin Cirqa, a screen-free wearable, has emerged as one of the best fitness trackers of 2026. It goes head-to-head with the popular Fitbit Air and Whoop 5.0, offering a subscription-free alternative. After two weeks of wear, the review highlights five key differences that set it apart from its rivals.

On price, the Cirqa sits in the middle: it costs twice as much as the Fitbit Air — $199 versus $99 — but undercuts the Whoop 5.0, which is technically free but requires an annual subscription ranging from $199 to $359 depending on the tier. Most of the Cirqa's core features are available at no extra charge, just like the Air.

In terms of comfort, the Fitbit Air remains the lightest at just 5.2 g without the strap, while the Cirqa weighs 14.8 g. The Whoop 5.0 is the heaviest at 26.5 g, making the Garmin feel more comfortable, though its strap was initially the scratchiest of the three before softening with use. The Cirqa and Whoop are roughly the same size.

Battery life also lands between the competitors: the Fitbit Air lasts about a week per charge, the Whoop 5.0 roughly two weeks, and the Cirqa around ten days. That makes it a middle ground for those who don't want to charge too often but don't need record endurance.

The Cirqa's main edge is deeper analytics. The Garmin Connect app delivers extensive data on sleep, wellness, recovery, and training. While not as detailed or pro-athlete-focused as Whoop's reports, Garmin offers far more than the Google Health app used with the Fitbit Air. For most users, that level of insight is enough to monitor their health without paying for a subscription.