First-generation product — no historical cycle data to predict a successor
Full details →| Fitbit Air | Garmin Forerunner 170 | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting price | $99★ | $299 |
| Subscription | ℹ️ Optional — $99/yr | ℹ️ Optional — $70/yr |
| Hardware | ||
| Weight | 12g★ | 43g |
| Water resistance | 50m | 5ATM |
| Battery | 7 days | 10 days★ |
| Always-on display | ❌ | ❌ |
| GPS | ❌ | ✅★ |
| Cellular | ❌ | ❌ |
| Platform | iOS & Android | iOS & Android |
| Tier | Fitness Tracker | Sports GPS |
| Buy timing | ||
| Released | May 26, 2026 | May 15, 2026 |
| Cycle advice | good | good |
| Deals advice | neutral | neutral |
| Next model | — | — |
Unlike WHOOP, there is no mandatory membership — pay $99 once and use Fitbit Air with the free Google Health app. Google Health Premium ($9.99/month) is optional.
Continuous heart rate, SpO2, HRV, and skin temperature tracking plus background FDA-certified AFib detection, in a 12g pebble designed to be worn and forgotten.
A week between charges, with a 5-minute top-up delivering a full day of use — significantly less downtime than WHOOP's slide-on charging system.
Training Readiness, full Training Status, and wrist-based running power — analytics previously reserved for Garmin's mid-range — now on a $299.99 watch.
A bright 1.2" AMOLED touchscreen with a traditional 5-button design, up to 10 days of battery in smartwatch mode and around 17 hours of GPS.
Contactless payments arrive on the entry Forerunner for the first time, alongside 80+ built-in sports apps and Garmin Coach adaptive training plans.
The right pick depends on what you optimize for.
$396 vs $509 over 3 years.
10 days vs 7 days battery.
6 sensors.
12g.
Health-focused users who want passive, 24/7 biometric tracking without a screen on their wrist. Particularly strong for those drawn to WHOOP but put off by the subscription model — the Fitbit Air delivers comparable core health data for $99 outright. Works with both iOS and Android.
Full details →Beginner and intermediate runners who want real GPS accuracy and Garmin's analytics depth without the price of the 570 or 970. With Training Readiness and running power now included, it closes much of the gap to Garmin's mid-range — the default first serious GPS watch.
Full details →