Google's Fitbit Air is a $99 competitor to Whoop that lacks a screen, and its main features do not require a subscription.
Google has made a significant entry into the fitness tracker market with the introduction of the Fitbit Air, a screenless health band that costs $99.99. Unlike Whoop, which restricts its fitness data behind a paywall, the essential health-tracking features of the Fitbit Air will be available for free.
Currently available for pre-order, the device is set to ship to 21 countries beginning May 26, 2026. It can be purchased in four colors reminiscent of the Pixel lineup: Obsidian, Lavender, Fog, and Berry, and offers three strap options: Performance Loop, Active Band, and Elevated Modern Band.
What can the Fitbit Air track?
Weighing only 12 grams with the strap (5 grams without), the Fitbit Air includes a substantial array of sensors for those who take health and fitness tracking seriously.
It provides continuous heart rate monitoring with AFib irregular rhythm notifications, heart rate variability (HRV), blood oxygen (SpO2) levels, skin temperature, and the standard counts for steps and calories. It also tracks sleep stages and durations, and features automatic activity detection.
Designed without a built-in display, this feature allows users to engage in activities without distractions while the device quietly gathers data in the background and syncs it to a phone via Bluetooth.
The device is water-resistant up to 50 meters, making it suitable for swimming. A full charge lasts up to seven days and takes approximately 90 minutes to go from empty to full with the magnetic charger.
The limited edition Fitbit Air featuring Stephen Curry is priced at $129.99.
How does the Fitbit Air stack up against Whoop?
In contrast to Whoop, the core tracking functions of the Fitbit Air are available without a subscription from the start.
However, to access enhanced features such as the Google Health Coach, an AI assistant powered by Gemini for fitness data analysis, as well as long-term insights and statistics, users will need a Google Health Premium subscription, which costs $9.99 per month.
Notably, a three-month trial of the Health Premium subscription is included at no extra charge with the purchase of the Fitbit Air. Google has also confirmed that the device is compatible with both Android and iOS platforms. For the first time, users can link both a Pixel Watch 4 and a Fitbit Air to the same Google Health account.
The Fitbit Air represents Google's strategic effort to attract Whoop's substantial user base. By offering core health features for free and pricing the Health Premium membership below Whoop's annual fee, Google aims to appeal to health-focused consumers considering the Fitbit Air.
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Google's Fitbit Air is a $99 competitor to Whoop that lacks a screen, and its main features do not require a subscription.
The Fitbit Air has a weight of 5 grams without the strap, monitors heart rate, blood oxygen levels, skin temperature, and step count continuously, has a battery life of seven days on a single charge, and is priced at $99.99.
