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The new Google Fitbit Air is almost available to the public, and our Senior Health Editor, Beth Skwarecki, is already impressed with it. It costs $99.99, but if you preorder by May 25, you can choose either a $35 Google Store credit after your order ships if you get it through Google;, or a free Active Band if you preorder through Amazon. The watch also comes with three months of Google Health Premium regardless of where you preorder from, which unlocks a wide range of Gemini-powered AI coaching features. Compared to Whoop, this is an especially appealing offer since Whoop’s premium plans start at $199 a year, depending on the region.
$99.99
at Google
$99.99
at Google
at Amazon
at Amazon
The Google Fitbit Air is essentially a Whoop alternative with its minimalist, screenless design, built to be worn discreetly while quietly tracking metrics like health, fitness, sleep, and recovery. The screenless design is also a perk if you’re not a fan of bulky wearables and want something you can wear during workouts, at work, or while sleeping without it being a distraction.
That said, it won’t automatically reduce screentime. Although having no display is the point, it means you’ll need your phone to check stats and progress. It doesn’t come with true smartwatch features like accessing calls, texts, apps, or maps on a watch face. Additionally, many of the best features rely on a paid subscription to Google Health Premium. Still, the three free months are a nice bonus, and with optional plans starting at $99 per year, it’s half the cost of a yearly mandatory Whoop subscription. (It’s worth noting that the Google credit comes after your order ships, so you’re still required to pay the $99.99 upfront.)
Still, this is a great choice for people who want screen-free tracking like that offered by Whoop but at a more budget-friendly price point (both upfront and over the long term with the subscription), and for those who want to track their daily activity and get insights without wearing a full smartwatch. However, if you want features like a built-in screen, music controls, and notifications available on your wrist, you’re better off with a more traditional smartwatch.
