Garmin Cirqa vs Fitbit Air: Tom's Guide 7,000-Step Accuracy Test Reveals a Clear Winner

Tom's Guide has published the first head-to-head accuracy test between the Garmin Cirqa ($199) and Fitbit Air ($99) — the two screenless fitness trackers competing for budget-conscious health enthusiasts. The test covered 7,000 manually counted steps with both devices worn simultaneously.

Step-Counting Results

The Fitbit Air won the step-counting comparison by a narrow margin, though both devices performed reasonably well:

• Fitbit Air: Registered within 2–3% of the manually counted 7,000 steps
• Garmin Cirqa: Slightly less accurate for steps, particularly during slow walking

Heart Rate Accuracy

Where the Cirqa pulled ahead was in heart rate consistency. Tom's Guide found "a lack of consistency between the Fitbit Air and Cirqa for heart rate data," with the reviewer suspecting the Garmin is more accurate based on how it tracked intensity changes during different activities.

The Real Differentiators

Beyond raw accuracy, the two devices serve different audiences:

• Garmin Cirqa ($199): No subscription ever, 10-day battery, Body Battery, Training Readiness, HRV, advanced sleep staging, Garmin Connect ecosystem with TrainingPeaks integration
• Fitbit Air ($99): Lower price, simpler metrics, Fitbit Premium subscription optional ($9.99/month for advanced insights), Google/Pixel ecosystem

What This Means for Buyers

If you want the cheapest screenless tracker and don't need deep training metrics, the Fitbit Air at $99 is hard to beat. But if you're a runner, cyclist, or gym-goer who wants Garmin's ecosystem without a screen, the Cirqa at $199 with no subscription is the better long-term investment. The $100 premium pays for itself in 10 months vs. Fitbit Premium. Read our full screenless tracker comparison and check the Cirqa review roundup.