Fitness trackers · Ranked #10 of 13 · Best for subscription-free tracking in a band

Garmin Cirqa

80
Well liked
Average of 8 professional reviews
5 of 8 recommend it · broad agreement
Where the 8 reviews landedRange 74–93
Score printed by the outlet Estimated from the verdict

Exact average 80.4 · 5 printed, 3 estimated · printed scores only: 81

Garmin CirqaImage: Garmin

8 professional reviewers tested the Garmin Cirqa, and 5 recommend it. Most praised: health tracking and battery life. Most common complaint: software.

Reviewed by Breaking Eighty, Tech Advisor, Expert Reviews and 5 more

The catch: The sensor module is bulky and battery falls short of the claim.

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What 8 critics said

Highest score first · all converted to 0–100
  1. 93
    Breaking EightyHands-on review · 2026

    The reviewer loves it as a way to get Garmin health data without wearing a full smartwatch, with solid battery and no subscription.

    Read Breaking Eighty review
  2. 80
    Tech AdvisorHands-on review · 2026

    A good-value, comfortable screenless tracker that gives a lot of Garmin data without a subscription.

    Read Tech Advisor review
  3. 80
    Expert ReviewsHands-on review · 2026

    An accurate and feature-rich screen-free tracker that is a genuinely solid run and hike logger with no mandatory subscription.

    Read Expert Reviews review
  4. 80
    Trusted ReviewsHands-on review · 2026

    An accurate, discreet screenless tracker with strong battery life and no required subscription, making it an easy recommendation for Garmin users.

    Read Trusted Reviews review
  5. 74
    EngadgetHands-on review · 2026

    Works fine but is hard to justify at its price, with thin software and limited functionality.

    Read Engadget review
  6. 85est.
    The Quantified ScientistNo printed score · Video review · 2026

    The Garmin Cirqa is a highly accurate heart rate tracker, especially when worn on the bicep, though its sleep stage tracking performance is more variable.

    Read The Quantified Scientist review
  7. 77est.
    WareableNo printed score · Hands-on review · 2026

    An accurate, comfortable, long-lasting screenless band with no required subscription, best for people already in Garmin's ecosystem.

    Read Wareable review
  8. 74est.
    DC RainmakerNo printed score · Video review · 2024

    The Garmin Cirqa is a capable health and fitness tracker that integrates well with the Garmin ecosystem, but it is currently hampered by numerous software bugs and inconsistent automatic activity detection.

    Read DC Rainmaker review

"Est." means the outlet printed no score, so we estimated one from its verdict and checked our estimates against ratings outlets print. How we check estimates

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What critics praise most

Health tracking6 of 8
Battery life4 of 8

What critics dislike most

Software4 of 8
Price4 of 8
Size and weight3 of 8

Other fitness trackers critics rate highly

Compare the Garmin Cirqa with another product →

Common questions

Is the Garmin Cirqa worth it?

Critics are divided: 5 of 8 recommend it. The sensor module is bulky and battery falls short of the claim.

Do critics agree about the Garmin Cirqa?

Broad agreement: scores range from 74 (Engadget) to 93 (Breaking Eighty), a spread of 19 points across 8 reviews. Most reviewers land fairly close together.

What do critics dislike about the Garmin Cirqa?

Software (4 of 8 reviews), Price (4 of 8 reviews), Size and weight (3 of 8 reviews).

What is the best alternative to the Garmin Cirqa?

The Huawei Watch Fit 5 Pro (critic score 91), top pick, narrowly.