The Qalo SL-1 and Garmin Cirqa are 2026 screenless fitness bands priced around $200, both requiring no subscription. Launched just 10 weeks apart, the Qalo SL-1 was released on September 29, while Garmin's Cirqa debuted on July 21. Both are minimalist, unbranded wearables that track heart rate, blood oxygen, and sleep without GPS.
The key differences lie in feature sets and battery life. Garmin Cirqa offers a deeper water rating (5 ATM, 50m), additional activity types, and more training metrics, plus an optional Connect+ subscription tier for AI insights and guided workouts. Qalo SL-1 emphasizes longer battery life (12+ days vs. up to 10 days for Cirqa) and simpler tracking with a proprietary "Q Score." Garmin provides water resistance up to 5 ATM and a 10-meter rating, while Qalo supports 10 meters. Pricing is nearly identical at $199.95 (Qalo) and $199.99 (Garmin), with no mandatory subscriptions for the basic Qalo model. This makes the Garmin Cirqa a more feature-rich option for advanced users, while Qalo targets those seeking extended battery life and straightforward functionality.
Source: Engadget · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing