Whoop vs. Fitbit Air: I compared Google's new fitness band to the industry favorite
Fitbit Air costs $100 with no mandatory subscription, Whoop starts at $199/year.
Google has entered the screenless fitness band arena with the Fitbit Air, a $100 device aimed at mainstream users who want health tracking without a recurring fee. Weighing just 12 grams and offering 7 days of battery life, the Air is significantly lighter than its primary competitor, the Whoop 5.0/MG (27g, 14 days). The Fitbit Air includes an optical heart rate monitor, 3-axis accelerometer, gyroscope, red/infrared SpO2 sensors, temperature sensor, and vibration motor, all housed in a 5 ATM water-resistant chassis. It syncs to a companion app that tracks activity, sleep, recovery, and stress, with an optional $100/year Google Health Premium subscription (first 3 months free) unlocking an AI Health Coach.
Whoop, by contrast, requires a mandatory subscription starting at $199/year (up to $359/year for the MG model with ECG). The Whoop 5.0 offers IP68 water resistance, a PPG optical sensor, skin temperature sensor, and ECG contact pads on the MG variant. While Whoop is designed for serious athletes seeking deeper readiness and strain metrics, the Fitbit Air is positioned as a more accessible entry point. The Fitbit Air also offers four color options (Fog, Obsidian, Lavender, Berry) versus Whoop’s standard black band. Battery life is a key differentiator: Whoop’s 14 days doubles the Air’s 7 days, potentially swaying users who dislike frequent charging. Ultimately, the choice hinges on budget and desired depth of analytics—pay once for a capable mainstream tracker, or subscribe for premium athletic insights.
- Fitbit Air costs $100 with no mandatory subscription; Whoop requires $199–$359/year.
- Fitbit Air weighs 12g with 7-day battery and 5 ATM water resistance; Whoop 5.0/MG weighs 27g with 14-day battery and IP68.
- Both are screenless, app-centric fitness bands, but Whoop offers ECG (MG model) and more advanced recovery metrics for athletes.
Why It Matters
Google democratizes fitness tracking at $100, challenging Whoop's subscription model for mainstream users.