Garmin's $200 Cirqa is a screenless fitness tracker aimed at rivaling Whoop, but falls short on software and AI insights. The 2-inch by 1-inch plastic puck weighs just over an ounce and offers 10 days of battery life, plus an optical heart rate sensor and accelerometer. It lacks built-in GPS and uses a proprietary USB-C charging cable. Hardware-wise, it resembles a smaller Index sleep monitor or a halved Vivosmart 5.

In daily use, the Cirqa excels at core Garmin strengths: 24/7 heart rate, respiration, stress, activity, sleep, menstrual cycle, and temperature tracking. Automatic activity detection is outstanding, and sleep tracking provides a Sleep Score with recommended bedtimes. However, the single-button interface is frustrating — mistimed presses trigger accidental activity recordings instead of dismissing alarms.

The device is subscription-free, unlike Whoop, but costs significantly more than basic fitness trackers with screens. Reviewer Daniel Cooper argues screenless wearables serve more as psychological status symbols for "Serious Gym Goers" than practical tools. While accurate and well-built, the Cirqa's limited functionality makes it hard to justify at its price point.