5 screenless fitness bands that you can buy over Google Fitbit Air

HIGHLIGHTS

Noise REP and Pebble Qore Ultra offer budget-friendly fitness tracking with no recurring subscription fees.

Garmin CIRQA and Polar Loop Gen 2 provide detailed health and recovery metrics through their companion apps.

WHOOP 5.0 and WHOOP MG offer advanced recovery features, but require an annual membership.

Screenless fitness bands are becoming an option for people who want to track their health without dealing with a smartwatch display, constant notifications or distractions. Google’s Fitbit Air is one such device, but it is not the only option available. Brands such as Noise, Garmin, Whoop, Polar and Pebble offer fitness trackers that focus on sleep, recovery, heart rate and workout data. However, these devices differ in pricing, battery life, health features and how they charge users for access to their data. If you are considering alternatives to the Fitbit Air, here are five screenless fitness bands worth looking at.

Noise REP

The Noise REP is a relatively affordable alternative for buyers who want continuous health tracking without paying a recurring subscription fee. The device weighs 27g and the band combines a dual-tone twill strap with a stainless steel cradle. It has no screen or vibration alerts, keeping the experience focused on background health monitoring. The device is rated for 5 ATM water resistance and is claimed to last between eight and 14 days on a charge.

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Through the NoiseFit app, users get Sleep, Recovery and Effort scores based on more than 40 biomarkers. Tracking includes heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV), resting heart rate, skin temperature variations, blood oxygen levels, respiratory rate and estimated VO2 Max. The band can also automatically recognise more than 20 workout types and record naps.

Noise REP supports integrations with Strava, Apple Health and Google Fit or Health Connect. All its health metrics and AI-powered insights are included in the purchase price, with no additional subscription required.

Garmin CIRQA

The Garmin CIRQA is aimed at users who want more detailed fitness and recovery information without a screen on their wrist. Priced at Rs 25,990 in India, it is considerably more expensive than the Noise REP, but it offers a broader set of training features through Garmin Connect.

The band uses a fibre-reinforced polymer case and a fabric ComfortFit strap designed for round-the-clock wear. It includes a physical button for starting and stopping selected workouts, is rated for 5 ATM water resistance and offers up to 10 days of battery life. It also relies on a connected smartphone for GPS tracking rather than having built-in GPS.

Its features include continuous heart rate monitoring, stress tracking, respiration rate, blood oxygen levels, sleep stages, HRV status and nap detection. Garmin’s Body Battery feature estimates the body’s available energy using sleep, stress and activity data. Users also get Training Readiness, Training Status and VO2 Max estimates, along with support for more than 80 activity profiles.

Core tracking and health data are available through Garmin Connect without a paid membership. Garmin Connect+ is optional and adds features such as AI-powered insights, nutrition tracking, guided meditations and premium workouts.

Whoop 5.0 and Whoop MG

Whoop offers two screenless trackers for people who want to focus on recovery, sleep and training performance. The standard Whoop 5.0 is designed for everyday fitness tracking, while the Whoop MG adds features such as on-demand ECG screening and blood pressure insights.

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Both models offer more than 14 days of claimed battery life and use a slide-on PowerPack for charging. The standard Whoop 5.0 weighs approximately 26.5g, while the MG features a titanium build and additional sensors. Both can also be worn using compatible Whoop Body apparel, including bicep bands and other supported clothing.

Whoop tracks sleep, daily strain and recovery, with additional features varying by membership tier. The higher tiers include tools such as a stress monitor, Healthspan and Whoop Age, while Whoop MG’s Life membership adds ECG and blood pressure-related features.

Unlike the other options on this list, Whoop requires an ongoing membership to access its app-based analytics. The Whoop One plan is listed at Rs 21,990 per year, Peak at Rs 28,990 per year and Life at Rs 37,999 per year. The recurring cost is an important consideration for anyone comparing it with subscription-free trackers.

Polar Loop Gen 2

The Polar Loop Gen 2 is another option for buyers who prefer a screenless band without a recurring fee. The tracker weighs 29g and combines a stainless steel case with a fabric strap. It has no display, status LEDs, or vibration motor, keeping notifications and alerts out of the experience. Polar supplies two band sizes in the box, while its WR30 water-resistance rating makes it suitable for swimming and everyday water exposure. Battery life is rated at up to eight days.

Polar Loop Gen 2 uses Polar’s Precision Prime sensor technology for heart rate tracking. Its software includes Nightly Recharge, which assesses overnight recovery, and SleepWise, which estimates daily alertness. It also records sleep stages, steps, distance and activity intensity, with automatic training detection based on changes in physiological data.

The band does not have built-in GPS, so outdoor route tracking relies on a connected smartphone. All its health metrics, recovery features and historical data are available through the Polar Flow app and web platform without a subscription.

Pebble Qore Ultra

The Pebble Qore Ultra is the most affordable option on this list based on its stated sale price. Launched in India with an MRP of Rs 8,999, it is typically available for around Rs 5,999.

It features a rectangular, screenless design with a polycarbonate case and a 22mm nylon braided strap. Unlike completely silent trackers, it has an integrated buzzer for call and notification alerts. Its 3 ATM water-resistance rating offers protection against splashes, rain and sweat, while the company claims up to 15 days of battery life. Charging is handled through a magnetic connector.

The Qore Ultra tracks heart rate, HRV, SpO2, stress and respiratory rate. It combines sleep-stage data and other health measurements into readiness and body-energy insights, while its software also offers body-age estimates, temperature variations and menstrual-cycle tracking. Users can choose from more than 100 sports modes, alongside automatic activity detection.

Pebble also offers AI-generated health summaries and recommendations through its companion app. The device works with Android and iOS, and its health metrics and advanced insights are included without a monthly subscription.

Ashish Singh

Ashish Singh is the Chief Copy Editor at Digit. He's been wrangling tech jargon since 2020 (Times Internet, Jagran English '22). When not policing commas, he's likely fueling his gadget habit with coffee, strategising his next virtual race, or plotting a road trip to test the latest in-car tech. He speaks fluent Geek.

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