If you are shopping for a recovery band, it helps to hear from someone who wore all three while training, so we asked our resident World Tour pro and Project Manager for his take. He has spent the year testing Whoop, the Amazfit Helio Strap, and Garmin's new CIRQA. Here's what he thinks of each.
One of our Project Managers spent four Grand Tours racing professionally with Team Dimension Data before joining The Feed, which means he’s been paying close attention to sleep, HRV, and recovery data longer than most people have owned a wearable at all. He’s worn a Whoop daily since March, and spent the last couple of months testing out the Amazfit Helio Strap as well as the new Garmin CIRQA.
His verdict: Garmin CIRQA is king. Amazfit is a great budget option. Whoop looks the best.
Amazfit: Accurate and great value
On data, the Amazfit held up. Its HRV and sleep numbers landed in the same range as his Whoop and Garmin, which is impressive at this price.
A couple of things to know going in:
The design is understated and sport-focused. It’s built to disappear under a sleeve while you train, rather than to be a style piece.
The Zepp app packs a lot into its scores. Metrics like Whoop’s Strain or Garmin’s Readiness are bundled into combined scores, so it takes a little time to learn what each one means.
Check out the Amazfit Helio Strap
Garmin CIRQA Smart Band: His favorite of the three
The CIRQA has been selling like crazy, and Garmin can’t keep it in stock. We have 3 colors available now (limited inventory) and expect more by the end of November.
No required subscription unlike Whoop, which starts at $199 a year. The CIRQA is the same price, with core metrics included.
Comfortable and light at about 21g. It’s easy to forget you’re wearing it.
Intuitive, easy-to-read data with Garmin Connect. HRV and sleep stages (light, deep, REM) matched his Whoop’s ranges. He already tracks and syncs all his workouts to Garmin Connect, so this feels like a convenient one-stop-shop app.
Readiness updates throughout the day. A relaxed morning and a hectic afternoon leave you in different states by your evening workout. A readiness score set once in the morning doesn’t reflect that. The CIRQA adapts. The Whoop doesn’t.
Whoop: Best looking
We don’t carry Whoop, but it’s the one he’s worn longest, so it’s his benchmark. It’s the slimmest of the three, and the range of band styles and colors makes it feel like an accessory instead of a sports tracker. It also has ECG and blood pressure features that Garmin doesn’t match yet. Just keep in mind it requires a membership.
What’s best for you?
Garmin CIRQA: Best overall, and no monthly fee
Amazfit Helio Strap: Great entry point if you’re not sure about wearables
