# Qalo’s SL-1 lasts longer, while Garmin’s Cirqa tracks more activities

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/qalo-sl-1-vs-garmin-cirqa-how-these-minimalist-wearables-compare/
- Published: 2026-11-08T22:15:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-08T22:32:37+00:00
- Original publisher: Engadget
- Original article: https://www.engadget.com/2309634/qalo-sl-1-vs-garmin-cirqa-how-wearables-compare/
- Topics: Gadgets, Technology

## Key points

- Both screenless bands cost about $200 and work without a subscription.
- Qalo claims 12-plus days of battery life; Garmin claims up to 10.
- Garmin offers more activity modes and a deeper water rating.

## Summary

Garmin and Qalo have introduced screenless fitness bands priced at about $200, both usable without a subscription. Their different strengths may help buyers choose: Qalo advertises longer battery life, while Garmin offers broader activity tracking, more training metrics and stronger water resistance.

The Qalo SL-1 costs $199.95 and is rated for 12 or more days of battery life; Garmin’s $199.99 Cirqa is rated for up to 10 days. The Cirqa supports more than 80 activity types, compared with 54 on the SL-1, and is rated to 5 ATM, while Qalo says its band is water-resistant to 10 metres. Both track heart rate, blood oxygen, sleep and other health measures, but neither has built-in GPS; Garmin can use a paired phone’s GPS. Garmin also offers an optional Connect+ subscription for some features, while Qalo’s app is free.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.