First-generation product — no historical cycle data to predict a successor
Best for: 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 →Late in cycle — a new model is likely coming
Best for: Garmin users and health-focused individuals who want Body Battery, HRV, and advanced sleep analytics in a slim, discreet wristband rather than a sports watch. Compatible with both iPhone and Android via Garmin Connect.
Full details →| Fitbit Air | Garmin vivosmart 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Tier | Fitness Tracker | Fitness Tracker |
| Platform | iOS & Android | iOS & Android |
| Battery | 7 days | 7 days |
| Always-on display | ❌ | ❌ |
| GPS | ❌ | ❌ |
| Cellular | ❌ | ❌ |
| Released | May 7, 2026 | Apr 26, 2022 |
| Cycle length | — | 700 days |
| Cycle advice | good | bad |
| Deals advice | good | great |
| Next model | — | Garmin vivosmart 6 (Expected 2026) |
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.
Body Battery energy monitoring — the feature Garmin is known for — in a wristband that's thinner than most fitness trackers.
Continuous heart rate variability monitoring and all-day stress tracking give a more complete picture of recovery and readiness than step counts alone.
All data syncs to Garmin Connect, compatible with thousands of third-party apps, coaches, and integrations across the Garmin platform.