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Screenless Fitness Bands: Garmin vs. Qalo
9 Nov
Summary
- Both bands cost around $200 without subscriptions.
- Garmin boasts a deeper water rating and more metrics.
- Qalo claims longer battery life and a simpler app.
Two new screenless fitness bands, the Garmin Cirqa and Qalo SL-1, launched within weeks of each other, each costing around $200 and operating without a mandatory subscription. This pricing strategy differentiates them from services like Whoop. While both bands track core health metrics, their specifications differ significantly.
The Garmin Cirqa features a 5 ATM water rating, suitable for depths up to 50 meters, and supports over 80 activity types. It also offers an optional paid tier for advanced insights. In contrast, the Qalo SL-1 has a 10-meter water resistance rating and tracks 54 activities, advertising a longer battery life of over 12 days.
In testing, the Garmin Cirqa received a score of 7.4 out of 10, while the Qalo SL-1 scored 6.8. The Cirqa's automatic activity detection was noted as reliable, whereas the SL-1 struggled with this feature. Despite functional performance, the Cirqa's single button caused occasional usability issues, and its app was deemed data-heavy. The SL-1's magnetic clasp also presented minor concerns.
Ultimately, with comparable pricing, the Garmin Cirqa is recommended for its robust feature set and reliable performance, although the Qalo SL-1 could appeal as a simpler, fee-free option for new users if priced lower.
