Garmin CIRQA and the screenless alternatives
What CIRQA is
According to Garmin it is a fabric-band smart band with no display that records wrist heart rate, Body Battery, Pulse Ox, stress, skin temperature, sleep with stages and HRV. Data is read in the Garmin Connect app. It detects activities automatically and lets you start more than 80 activities manually with the single side button. GPS comes from the connected smartphone.1
The manual lists up to 10 days of battery and 5 ATM water resistance.2 Garmin says no subscription is needed. The US list price is 199.99 $.1 In Europe, 199.99 € appears on Garmin Greece and at Italian retailers; an official Garmin Italy list price was not verified.3
The comparison
Manufacturer-stated data, read on 30 October 2026. Battery: claimed maximum, not measured.
| Model | Price | Subscription | Claimed battery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garmin CIRQA | 199.99 € | No | Up to 10 days |
| Polar Loop | 179.90 € at launch (2025) | No | Up to about 8 days |
| Whoop 5.0 | Included in the membership: One 199 € a year | Yes, required | 14+ days |
| Fitbit Air | 99.99 € | Google Health Premium for the AI coach | Up to a week |
| Amazfit Helio Strap | 99.90 € | Not stated: free Zepp app | Up to 10 days |
What changes in practice
- Garmin CIRQA makes most sense if you already use a Garmin watch: data goes to Garmin Connect with the same metrics, including readiness, VO2 max and training status. It does not record your route on its own: it needs the phone.1
- Polar Loop is the closest in business model: no subscription, one-time purchase, free Polar Flow app. WR30 water resistance and about 8 days of battery.4
- Whoop 5.0 works only with the membership: One is 199 € a year, Peak 264, Life 399.5 Over time it costs more than the others. It has 14+ days of battery and, Whoop says, no display or built-in GPS.6
- Fitbit Air starts at 99.99 €, with a three-month Google Health Premium trial. The coach requires Premium.7
- Amazfit Helio Strap costs 99.90 €, with 5 ATM, up to 10 days and a free Zepp app.8
How to choose
Three questions are enough. Do you already have a Garmin watch? Then CIRQA fits in at no extra cost. Do you want to avoid any subscription? Rule out Whoop, and remember that the Fitbit Air coach requires Premium. Looking for the lowest price? Fitbit Air and Helio Strap cost about half. The rest, comfort, sensor accuracy and app quality, depends on use.
Limits
- Heart-rate and sleep accuracy and comfort are not assessed.
- Polar Loop and Fitbit Air prices come from launch releases (Polar: September 2025; Google: May 2026); the current price in Italy may differ.
- Whoop: the price is the membership with the sensor included, not a separate purchase; the figure comes from Whoop's release on retailers in Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium and from Italian press.
- GPS, water resistance and features of Polar, Fitbit Air and Amazfit are not all compared: we report only what the sources state.
- The starting point was a The Running Club review, used only as a tip: the data in this article comes from the manufacturers.
Sources
- Garmin, press release "Meet CIRQA Smart Band", 21 July 2026. garmin.com, press release. Read on 30 October 2026.
- Garmin, CIRQA owner's manual, specifications. garmin.com, manual. Read on 30 October 2026.
- Garmin Greece, CIRQA Smart Band page, 199.99 €. garmin.gr. Read on 30 October 2026.
- Polar, Loop page and launch press release, 3 September 2025. polar.com, Loop, polar.com, press release. Read on 30 October 2026.
- Whoop, press release on the Coolblue partnership, 5 June 2026, listing the One, Peak and Life memberships. whoop.com, press release. Read on 30 October 2026.
- Whoop, "How long does WHOOP battery last". whoop.com, battery. Read on 30 October 2026.
- Google, Fitbit Air announcement, 7 May 2026, and the Spanish version with the euro price. blog.google, Fitbit Air, blog.google, ES version. Read on 30 October 2026.
- Amazfit, Helio Strap page, euro price and specifications. de.amazfit.com, in.amazfit.com. Read on 30 October 2026.