The consumer wearable technology sector witnessed the launch of two smart fitness tracking devices without screens at an almost identical price of around 200 dollars, namely the Qalo SL-1 band and the Garmin Cirqa band. Both bands are characterized by the absence of traditional display screens and do not impose mandatory core subscriptions for use, making them a relatively economical alternative to other options in the market such as Whoop devices. However, specification sheets and practical tests reveal fundamental differences in performance, battery life, and optional subscriptions.
Pricing and Optional Subscriptions
The Qalo SL-1 band is sold at 199.95 dollars with a silicone band and a charging dock, providing a free app with no subscription fees required for the band to function. In contrast, the Garmin Cirqa band is priced at around 199.99 dollars and also comes without a basic subscription, but it offers an optional advanced software tier called Connect+ at 6.99 dollars per month or 69.99 dollars annually. This optional tier in the Garmin band is required to activate features such as AI-supported insights, nutrition logging, performance dashboard, and training workout guidance. Both devices are eligible for spending from HSA and FSA health spending accounts.
Design, Durability, and Operating Battery
The devices differ in weight and water resistance levels. The Qalo SL-1 band weighs about 18 grams with a thickness of 10.5 mm, while the Garmin Cirqa weighs about 14.8 grams without the band and 20.7 grams with the smaller wristband, with an option to wear it on the upper arm. Regarding durability, the Garmin band carries a 5 ATM water resistance rating up to a depth of 50 meters, while the Qalo band supports water resistance up to 10 meters with an IP68 rating and warnings against deep diving. As for power, Qalo announces a battery that lasts 12 days or more, while Garmin provides power of up to 10 days with charging via a dedicated cable that takes about 90 minutes.
Sensors and Activity Tracking
Both bands include an optical heart rate sensor, the ability to measure blood oxygen, skin temperature, heart rate variability, stress levels, sleep stages, in addition to menstrual cycle tracking. Both devices lack a built-in GPS system, though the Cirqa band can use the GPS system of the paired phone. The Garmin band supports more than 80 types of activity compared to 54 types for the Qalo band, with a variation in the accuracy of automatic workout tracking in favor of Garmin according to practical tests.
What Changes Practically for the User?
When evaluating the practical experience, the tradeoff clearly appears between reliability and cost simplicity. The Qalo SL-1 band features excellent battery life and a complete absence of subscription fees, but it sometimes suffers from the detachment of the magnetic clasp and modest capabilities of the companion app in data analysis. In contrast, the Garmin Cirqa band excels in comprehensive tracking accuracy and support for diverse sporting activities, but its single button may cause some occasional annoyance, and its reliance on additional paid features and a data-heavy application might prompt the user to question the value for money compared to other alternatives.