Garmin Cirqa vs Fitbit Air
Both are good picks with different strengths. The Garmin Cirqa lasts longer (10 days), while the Fitbit Air is lighter.
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Key differences
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Battery life
Garmin Cirqa wins
The Garmin Cirqa lasts up to 10 days against 7 days.
-
Health
Evenly matched
Much the same health sensors.
-
Weight
Fitbit Air wins
The Fitbit Air is lighter: 5.2 g against 14.8 g.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Garmin Cirqa if…
- You hate charging: it's rated for up to 10 days in smartwatch mode.
- You prefer its look and app: it covers the same essentials as the Fitbit Air.
Choose the Fitbit Air if…
- You wear it to bed or have small wrists: it weighs 5.2 g.
- You prefer its look and app: it covers the same essentials as the Garmin Cirqa.
Full spec comparison
The Garmin Cirqa leads on battery life, while the Fitbit Air leads on size and durability.
Green cells with a ✓ mark the better spec in that row. Tick "Show differences only" to hide the rows where they match.
Overview
| Spec | Garmin Cirqa | Fitbit Air |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Garmin | |
| Series | — | Fitbit |
| Versions | — | Special Edition Stephen Curry, Special Edition Pokémon Sleep |
| Colours | — | Obsidian, Berry, Lavender, Fog, Rye, Sleepy Blue |
Platform & apps
Both work with the same phones and software.
| Spec | Garmin Cirqa | Fitbit Air |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Garmin | Fitbit OS |
| Works with | iPhone and Android | iPhone and Android |
| Minimum iOS | — | iOS 16.4 |
| Minimum Android | — | Android 11 |
| Storage | 0.128 GB | — |
| Software support | — | 2 years |
| Subscription | Optional | — |
| Subscription name | Garmin Connect+ | — |
| Subscription features | Breathwork, Garmin Coach - Strength, Garmin fitness coach, Cardio workouts, Strength workouts, HIIT workouts, Yoga workouts, Pilates workouts, Workouts for wheelchair users, Manual lap | — |
Design & durability
The Fitbit Air is ahead on size and durability.
It is lighter, and the Garmin Cirqa doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Garmin Cirqa | Fitbit Air |
|---|---|---|
| Case sizes | 27 mm | — |
| Case shape | Band | Band |
| Dimensions | 27 x 47 x 9 mm | 34.9 x 17 x 8.3 mm |
| Thickness | 9 mm | 8.3 mm |
| Weight (case) | 14.8 g | 5.2 g |
| Weight with band | 21.2 g | 12 g |
| Case material | fiber-reinforced polymer | Recycled polycarbonate and PBT plastics |
| Band material | fabric | Textile with stainless steel buckle |
| Band width | 24 mm | — |
| Band fitting | 14 mm quick release pins | — |
| Fits wrists | 120-200 mm | 130-210 mm |
| Water resistance | 5 ATM | 5 ATM |
Battery
The Garmin Cirqa is ahead on battery life.
It lasts longer (10 days), and the Fitbit Air doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Garmin Cirqa | Fitbit Air |
|---|---|---|
| Battery (smartwatch mode) | 10 days | 7 days |
| All battery modes | Battery saver: 10 days | Battery saver: 7 days |
| Battery type | Lithium ion | Lithium-polymer |
| Charging | proprietary-plug | USB-C |
| Full charge time | — | 90 min |
| Fast charging | — | 1 day of battery life in 5 min |
GPS & navigation
Both handle location the same way.
| Spec | Garmin Cirqa | Fitbit Air |
|---|---|---|
| GPS | Uses phone GPS | — |
Health & sensors
Both track much the same health data.
Heart rate, sleep and the extra sensors line up closely.
| Spec | Garmin Cirqa | Fitbit Air |
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | optical HR, SpO2, skin temperature, accelerometer | optical HR, accelerometer, gyroscope, SpO2, skin temperature |
| Heart-rate tracking | 24/7 | 24/7 |
| High/low heart-rate alerts | Yes | — |
| Heart-rate variability | Yes | — |
| Blood oxygen (SpO2) | Yes | Yes |
| Skin temperature | Yes | Yes |
| Respiration rate | Yes | — |
| Sleep tracking | Sleep coaching | — |
| Stress tracking | Yes | — |
| Energy score | Body Battery | — |
| Readiness score | Training Readiness | — |
| Cycle tracking | Yes | — |
Training
Training features are evenly matched.
| Spec | Garmin Cirqa | Fitbit Air |
|---|---|---|
| Sport profiles | 78 | — |
| Auto activity detection | Yes | — |
| Underwater heart rate | Yes | — |
| Training metrics | VO2 max, training load, training effect, recovery time, HRV status | — |
| Strength rep counting | Yes | — |
| Heart-rate broadcast | Yes | — |
| External sensors | ANT+ | — |
Smart features
Both offer much the same smart features.
| Spec | Garmin Cirqa | Fitbit Air |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | — | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Find my watch | Yes | — |