Garmin launches subscription-free screen-free fitness band

Garmin has officially entered the growing market for screen-free fitness trackers with the launch of the Cirqa Smart Band, a device designed for continuous health monitoring without the distraction of a display. The company announced the product on July 21, 2026, with sales beginning immediately and shipments starting on July 24. Priced at $199.99, the band is positioned as a subscription-free alternative to competitors like the Whoop band and Google's Fitbit Air.

The Cirqa is built for around-the-clock health and fitness tracking, offering up to 10 days of battery life on a single charge. It monitors a wide array of metrics including heart rate, stress, sleep stages, skin temperature, blood oxygen levels, and Garmin's proprietary Body Battery energy monitoring. The device can automatically detect and manually log over 80 different activities, from running and walking to yoga, and utilizes a connected smartphone's GPS for location data during outdoor workouts.

A key differentiator highlighted by Garmin is the lack of a mandatory monthly subscription to access core tracking features, a model required by Whoop and offered as an optional upgrade for the Fitbit Air. Company...