Garmin and Qalo entered the screenless fitness band market just ten weeks apart, pricing their respective devices within four cents of each other at roughly $200. Garmin announced the Cirqa on July 21, while Qalo followed with the SL-1 on September 29. Neither wearable includes a built-in display, differentiating them from subscription-heavy alternatives like Whoop. Both gadgets also qualify for HSA and FSA spending, making them accessible health investments for consumers looking to track metrics without a screen on their wrist.
Key takeaways
- Both the Qalo SL-1 and Garmin Cirqa retail for about $200 and operate without a mandatory subscription fee.
- The Garmin Cirqa earned a 7.4 out of 10 in testing, whereas the Qalo SL-1 scored a 6.8.
- Qalo claims a battery life of 12 or more days for the SL-1, while Garmin lists up to 10 days for the Cirqa.
- The Garmin Cirqa offers a deeper water rating of 5 ATM, compared to the SL-1's 10-meter water resistance.
Price models and software subscriptions
Qalo sells the SL-1 for $199.95, which includes a black silicone strap and a charging dock, with extra straps costing $34.95 each. The companion app is completely free, and no subscription is required to unlock the band's features. The Garmin Cirqa retails for $199.99 and tracks its core features without a mandatory fee, though Garmin offers an optional software tier called Connect+ for $6.99 per month or $69.99 per year.
Garmin's manual notes that the Connect+ tier covers AI-generated insights, nutrition logging, Live Activity Stats, training guidance, a performance dashboard, and specific guided workouts. Meanwhile, Qalo provides a single user profile that also integrates with the company's existing lineup of subscription-free smart rings.
Hardware, dimensions, and durability specs
Weight and design vary notably between the two fitness bands. Qalo lists the SL-1 at 18 grams and 10.5mm thick, though the exact inclusion of the strap in that weight measurement remains unspecified. The Garmin Cirqa weighs 14.8 grams without a strap and 20.7 total grams with its smaller wristband. The SL-1 sits on the wrist using a silicone strap with a woven alternative sold separately, whereas the Cirqa features a fabric hook-and-loop band available in four colors that can alternatively be worn on the upper arm with a long arm band.
Durability metrics show Garmin holding a distinct advantage in water pressure resistance. The Cirqa carries a 5 ATM rating, meaning it can withstand pressure equivalent to 50 meters and supports dedicated swim tracking. Qalo's product page rates the SL-1 as water-resistant to 10 meters with an IP68 rating, explicitly warning users against scuba diving and deep-water pressure. Operating temperature ranges also differ, as Garmin lists -4 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit and Qalo specifies 14 to 113 degrees Fahrenheit.
Sensors, tracking, and daily battery performance
Both wearables feature an optical heart rate sensor and track blood oxygen, skin temperature, heart rate variability, stress, sleep stages, and menstrual cycles. Neither band includes built-in GPS, though the Cirqa can leverage a paired smartphone for location data. Garmin's device supports more than 80 activity types and broadcasts heart rate to other equipment, while the SL-1 lists 54 activity modes. Testers found the Cirqa's automatic activity detection worked reliably, whereas the SL-1 struggled to register workouts automatically despite product claims.
Battery longevity favors Qalo on paper, with advertised estimates of 12 or more days compared to Garmin's maximum of 10 days. Real-world testing confirmed strong endurance for the SL-1, which retained over 50 percent charge after an entire week. Charging mechanisms differ as well, with the Cirqa utilizing a proprietary Garmin cable that takes up to 90 minutes, while the SL-1 uses a magnetic dock paired with a USB-C cable.
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