ConsFirst / Fitness trackers / Compare
Fitbit (Google) Google Fitbit Air vs Garmin Cirqa Smart Band
Which one has the downsides you can live with?
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The short answer
Fitbit (Google) Google Fitbit Air ranks higher (#3 vs #4 of 8) and scores better on comfort & screen. Garmin Cirqa Smart Band wins on battery life, app & insights, no hidden costs.
The biggest complaint about the Fitbit (Google) Google Fitbit Air is automatic workout tracking is hit or miss; for the Garmin Cirqa Smart Band it's twice the price of the fitbit air. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.
Side by side
| Fitbit (Google) Google Fitbit Air | Garmin Cirqa Smart Band | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in fitness trackers | #3 | #4 |
| Price tier | $$ | $$$ |
| Type | Screenless band | Screenless band |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | 12% | — |
| Overall score | 3.9 | 4.1 |
| Tracking accuracy (as tested) | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Battery life | 3.5 | 4.5 |
| App & insights | 3.5 | 4.0 |
| Comfort & screen | 4.5 | 3.0 |
| No hidden costs | 3.5 | 4.5 |
Price tiers: $ under $60 · $$ $60–150 · $$$ over $150 (or subscription-priced). Highlighted = clearly better (a score gap of 0.3 or more, or a 1–2★ share at least 3 points lower). Scores are explained, with sources, on each product's page.
Top complaints
Fitbit (Google) Google Fitbit Air
- Automatic workout tracking is hit or miss
Wirecutter found auto-detection unreliable after weeks of use, especially for non-running exercise, and there's no button to start a workout. Tom's Guide says auto-tracking only starts after 15 minutes, and PCMag lists limited automatic workout tracking and fewer workout details as cons.
- No screen, no GPS: data lives in the app
Wirecutter notes you can't get real-time updates without your phone, and there's no built-in GPS. Tom's Guide also lists no onboard GPS as a con.
- Mixed sleep tracking, pairing and reliability reports
Amazon's review summary says sleep tracking and connectivity are mixed, with some owners reporting poor sleep tracking or trouble pairing with phones. It also notes doubts about step accuracy and some units working for only a week. Tom's Guide adds that advanced sleep tracking and the Gemini coach need the $10/month subscription.
Garmin Cirqa Smart Band
- 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.
Who should pick which
Pick the Fitbit (Google) Google Fitbit Air if
People who find screens and notifications distracting
Accurate steps and heart rate for $99
Wearing a tracker 24/7, including in bed
Skip it if: You want to see stats on your wrist during a workout; You rely on automatic workout detection; You don't want a Google account or a subscription upsell
Pick the Garmin Cirqa Smart Band if
Garmin users adding a 24/7 band
Detailed insights without a subscription
Starting workouts with a button instead of auto-detection
Skip it if: You want the smallest, lightest band; You're on a tight budget; You want GPS without carrying your phone
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