Garmin just filed a trademark for something called the Cirqa - and if the leaks are right, it could be the Whoop killer many fitness enthusiasts have been waiting for.

Here's everything we know so far.

What Is the Garmin Cirqa?

The Cirqa is a screenless health tracking band - think Whoop 5.0 form factor, but built by Garmin. No display, just sensors and a slim wristband designed to be worn 24/7.

Garmin filed the trademark on February 25, 2026, and the device briefly appeared on Garmin's own website before being pulled - a strong signal that launch is imminent.

Specs: What It Tracks

Based on leaks and FCC filings, the Cirqa is expected to track:

• Heart rate (continuous)
• HRV (Heart Rate Variability)
• Sleep stages and sleep quality
• SpO2 (blood oxygen)
• Skin temperature
• Sweat / hydration markers
• Stress score

It comes in two sizes (S/M and L/XL) and two colors: Black and French Grey.

The Big Deal: No Subscription Fee

This is where the Cirqa could seriously disrupt the market.

Whoop charges $169–$359 per year for its subscription, which is required to actually use the device. For many people, that's a dealbreaker.

Garmin has historically followed a buy-once model - you pay for the hardware, and the data is yours. If the Cirqa follows this pattern (which all signs suggest it will), you'd get the full health tracking experience with no recurring fees.

That's a fundamentally different value proposition.

How It Compares to Whoop

The Garmin Connect ecosystem integration is a major advantage for anyone already using a Garmin watch or bike computer. Your health data from the Cirqa would feed directly into the same platform.

Launch Date: When Is It Coming?

The original rumor pointed to a March 2026 launch, which came and went. As of April 2026, the device has not officially launched, but the trademark filing and website appearance suggest it's very close.

Most leakers are now pointing to a mid-2026 release window. German tech outlet Stadt Bremerhaven also reports the Cirqa appears to be close to launch.

What About Garmin Badges?

If you're hoping the Cirqa will unlock exclusive new badges - don't count on it. Garmin Connect already has sleep badges, step streaks, and activity challenges that work just fine with any Garmin watch. And since most Garmin watches are perfectly wearable 24/7, there's no real gap the Cirqa fills badge-wise.

Device-specific badges for the Cirqa seem unlikely - Garmin has never done that for other hardware releases, and there's no reason to expect it here.

Where the Cirqa makes sense is if you want more comfort at night than a watch offers, or if you're purely focused on recovery data without caring about a display during the day. But for badges specifically, your existing Garmin watch already covers everything.