Garmin finally launches its screen-free Whoop rival, and there’s no subscription fee
The Cirqa Smart Band offers advanced training, recovery and sleep insights with up to 10 days of battery life
After months of leaks and speculation, Garmin has officially unveiled the Cirqa Smart Band, its first screen-free fitness and health tracker.
The new wearable combines Garmin’s familiar health, sleep and training tools with a low-profile fabric band designed to be worn around the clock.
There is no display, with all recorded data presented through the Garmin Connect app.
It is an increasingly popular formula already used by the Whoop MG, Polar Loop and Amazfit Helio Strap, but unlike some of its rivals, Garmin has opted for a non-subscription model.
(I should add that it's an increasingly unusual model even from Garmin not to attach at least some ongoing cost to its wearable.)
Familiar intelligence
Despite its relatively discreet appearance, Cirqa supports many of the advanced metrics usually associated with Garmin watches.
It continuously monitors heart rate, stress, Body Battery, Pulse Ox and skin temperature, while its sleep tools cover sleep stages, naps, respiration, HRV and personalised guidance on how much rest you need.
Training readiness, training status, VO2 max, workout benefit and recovery time are also included, making Cirqa much more than a basic fitness tracker.
More than 80 activity profiles are available on the band, and you can start your favourite activity by using the single button on the side.
Garmin says the Cirqa band can also automatically detect and classify various activities without any input.
The brand also added that the Cirqa will learn from the activities you confirm or correct inside Garmin Connect, allowing its automatic classification to become more accurate over time.
Made for the Garmin ecosystem
There is no built-in GPS, although Cirqa can use a connected phone to map outdoor runs, walks and rides.
LiveTrack location sharing is supported through the Garmin Connect app, too.
Cyclists can pair the band with a compatible Garmin Edge computer to display live heart-rate data during a ride.
Garmin will also sell a separate armband, providing an alternative fit beneath a cycling jersey or during sleep.
Perhaps most importantly for existing Garmin users, health and training data can be synchronised across devices.
That means you could wear a Garmin watch for workouts and navigation before switching to the less conspicuous Cirqa for sleep or everyday tracking.
the Cirqa Smart Band worn with the optional armband
The band costs £180 / $200 / €200 / AU$300, comes in two strap sizes and promises up to 10 days of battery life.
The Cirqa is hardly inexpensive, especially when several screen-free rivals are now available.
However, access to Garmin’s extensive training ecosystem without a mandatory monthly or annual fee could make it one of the strongest Whoop alternatives yet.
It will be available directly from Garmin UK, Garmin US, Garmin EU and Garmin AU from 24 July in seven colours, including Citron Grey, Mauve, French Grey, Dark Olive, Captain Blue, French Blue and Black.
