Is the Garmin CIRQA accurate for heart rate?

Yes, in most situations. Wrist-worn CIRQA matched independent references within about a beat in a HYROX gym simulation, a yoga session and an outdoor bike ride. It failed specifically in an open-water swim and during fast running intervals, both on the wrist. Moved to the biceps, it matched three references within half a beat in a repeat interval test.

Should I wear the Garmin CIRQA on the wrist or the biceps?

For steady-state activity, gym circuits, cycling, yoga, walking, wrist wear performed as well as any rival tested. For swimming or fast running intervals, move it to the biceps, where it matched three independent references within half a beat in this site’s testing.

Does the Garmin CIRQA need a Garmin Connect+ subscription?

No. Core health, sleep and training metrics are free. Connect+ gates guided breathwork, live heart rate graphs during a workout, manual lap, Garmin Coach strength plans and Garmin Active Intelligence. Garmin removed the original launch paywall on live heart rate within days of release.

How does the Garmin CIRQA compare to WHOOP MG?

CIRQA costs less upfront and has no subscription, compared with WHOOP’s $199/year. WHOOP has the more polished hardware, a longer 14-day battery life, an onboard ECG on the MG tier and a stronger app. CIRQA’s biceps heart rate accuracy matched WHOOP’s own wrist results in this site’s testing, and its physical button is an advantage no WHOOP model offers.

How big is the Garmin CIRQA module?

The module is 35% longer than a WHOOP 5.0/MG and covers 52% more skin, though it is 15% thinner and 22% lighter, complete with band. It sits flat on a 7-inch wrist. Below roughly a 6.5-inch wrist, it runs onto the curve of the wrist rather than sitting flat.

Does the Garmin CIRQA have GPS?

No onboard GPS. Distance and pace during outdoor activities come from connected GPS through a paired phone, the same approach used by every screenless band in this category.

Can the Garmin CIRQA track open water swimming?

It supports pool swimming only, despite its 5 ATM water rating. In this site’s own open-water swim test, wrist-worn CIRQA under-read heart rate by roughly 20 to 30bpm against three other devices, the single worst result recorded across every test in this review.