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Garmin's $199 screenless band sits between the Fitbit Air and Whoop: it excelled in Wirecutter's distance tests, has a physical button to start workouts, lasts about nine to ten days and gives you all of Garmin Connect's data free. It costs twice as much as the Air, and Tom's Guide found it bulky and slow to dry.
Subscription: Optional: Garmin Connect+ $6.99/mo or $69.99/yr adds nutrition and coaching plans; all health and fitness data is free (Tom's Guide)
Top complaints
- Twice the price of the Fitbit Air
Tom's Guide says $199 is a lot, $100 more than the Air, and its tester would rather spend $50 more on a Garmin Forerunner 70 with a screen and GPS.
- Bulky, scratchy band that stays wet
Tom's Guide's petite-wristed tester found it bulky and not that comfortable, and took it off to shower because the band stays wet. Another Tom's Guide tester found the strap the scratchiest of the bunch. Wirecutter says the Air dried quicker.
- No onboard GPS; app has a learning curve
You must connect the Cirqa to the Garmin app to use GPS (Wirecutter) and carry your phone for maps (Tom's Guide). Tom's Guide finds Garmin Connect less beginner-friendly and says it hides a lot under the 'more' tab.
What owners love
- Accurate distance and heart rate
Wirecutter says it excelled in distance tracking and reliably auto-detects runs. A Tom's Guide heart-rate tester found it came close to a chest strap.
- Physical workout button
Wirecutter and Tom's Guide praise the side button for starting and stopping any of 80+ workout types without relying on auto-detection.
- Deep insights, no subscription
Tom's Guide says Garmin Connect offers more metrics and advice than Google Health for free, including Fitness Age, recovery time and Natural Cycles support. It also lasts about 10 days (Wirecutter: closer to nine).
- You want the smallest, lightest band
- You're on a tight budget
- You want GPS without carrying your phone
- Garmin users adding a 24/7 band
- Detailed insights without a subscription
- Starting workouts with a button instead of auto-detection
Scores (tap for why)
What experts say
- Wirecutter (NYT): 'Other fitness trackers worth considering' for Garmin users: excellent distance tracking and 80+ activities, about 9 days of battery, and no required subscription.
- Tom's Guide (Cirqa: 5 things to know): One of the best fitness trackers of 2026: comfier than Whoop but bulkier than the Air, about 10 days of battery, and deeper free insights than Fitbit.
- Tom's Guide (Cirqa after 3 weeks): Likes Garmin Connect, the button and HR accuracy. Dislikes the bulky, slow-drying strap, the $199 price and the lack of onboard GPS.