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| The Index Sleep Monitor was Garmin's closest attempt at a smart band until now. |
January 27, 2026 — The wearable tech world is buzzing after a sharp-eyed Reddit user unearthed evidence of a secret new device from Garmin, poised to shake up the fitness tracker market. This comes amidst a flurry of recent launches from the navigation and fitness giant, including golf-focused watches like the Approach J1, the marine-ready Quatix 8 Pro, and an update to its popular Venu X1 smartwatch. Now, it appears Garmin is setting its sights on a new category: a dedicated health and recovery band to rival market leaders like Whoop.
The discovery was made on Garmin's own Canadian website, where brief product listings for the "Garmin Cirqa Smart Band" appeared before being swiftly taken down. Fortunately, Redditor u/CultureAdvanced captured the details, providing our first look at what Garmin has in the works.
What We Know About the Garmin Cirqa Smart Band
According to the captured listing, the Cirqa Smart Band is described as a "wrist-based smart band." This distinction is key, as it sets the device apart from Garmin's other non-watch wearable, the bicep-worn Index Sleep Monitor released last year. The Cirqa seems designed for all-day, everyday wear on the wrist, much like its presumed competitor, the Whoop Band.
Key Specifications from the Leak:
- Two Sizes: The band will come in two distinct sizes to ensure a snug, accurate fit. The Small/Medium size fits a minimum wrist circumference of 120mm, while the Large/Extra-Large is designed for wrists measuring 145mm to 240mm.
- Color Options: Both sizes will reportedly be available in Black or French Grey finishes.
- Placeholder Image: The listing initially used a generic placeholder image, meaning the actual design and form factor remain under wraps. You can see the now-removed placeholder page via this product link. A corresponding support page also briefly existed.
- Release Window: Perhaps the most concrete detail is the shipping estimate. The page stated the Cirqa Smart Band "will not ship until late May or June."
The Reddit community, especially on r/Garmin, has been actively dissecting the find. "This is a direct shot across Whoop's bow," commented one user. "Garmin's ecosystem with Body Battery, Sleep Score, and HRV Status is already powerful. A dedicated, screen-less band could be a game-changer."
Why a "Whoop Alternative" Makes Strategic Sense for Garmin
Industry analysts have long speculated about Garmin entering this space. Whoop has cultivated a dedicated following with its subscription model focused purely on recovery, strain, and sleep, without the distraction of a screen. Garmin's vast array of watches already includes these advanced metrics, but a dedicated band could appeal to a specific audience.
"A screen-less Garmin band makes perfect sense," says a tech analyst quoted in a detailed report by The 5k Runner. "It would allow them to compete for the user who loves Garmin's physiology-first analytics but doesn't want a full smartwatch, or who wants to wear a traditional watch alongside a health monitor. It also creates a lower-cost entry point into the Garmin health ecosystem."
What's Next for the Garmin Cirqa?
The fact that the listing appeared—even briefly—on an official Garmin regional website strongly suggests an imminent official announcement. Companies often prepare these backend pages well in advance of a launch. A late May or June shipping date typically correlates with a product unveiling in April or early May.
While we wait for Garmin to break its silence, enthusiasts can check out Garmin's current wearable lineup, including the latest Venu series, to see the foundation upon which the Cirqa's metrics will likely be built. For example, the advanced health tracking of the Garmin Venu X1 is currently featured on Amazon.
The Bottom Line: Garmin is clearly not done innovating in 2026. The leaked Cirqa Smart Band represents a strategic move to capture a growing segment of the fitness wearable market. If it successfully packages Garmin's renowned biometric tracking into a sleek, dedicated band, Whoop and others may have a serious new competitor on their hands. Stay tuned for what will likely be an official announcement in the coming weeks.