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Whoop is currently the leading producer of screen-free fitness bands. The company took a new approach to wearables by designing a minimalist, subscription-based wristband that’s stylish and easy to wear 24/7. Whoop has reached $1.1 billion in annual revenue in 2025 and even boasts investments from star athletes like Cristiano Ronaldo, LeBron James and Rory McIlroy. Now, Google is also entering the arena by launching the screen-less Fitbit Air.
Weighing your options in the new Fitbit Air vs. Whoop debate isn’t easy. Fitbit is a foundational brand in the wearables market, but Whoop has earned a reputation for pleasing even the most die-hard fitness junkies. Both are gadgets that can improve your home gym and overall fitness lifestyle.
Ultimately, the decision comes down to how much you are willing to pay. The Fitbit Air is available for $99.99 and does not require a subscription to monitor your fitness metrics through the Google Health app, although advanced features are locked behind the Google Health Premium subscription. Purchasing a Whoop group requires signing up for an annual subscription at one of three tiers, starting at $199. But which one really gives you value for your money? Let’s see how these two screenless straps stack up.
What the Fitbit Air brings to the table
The Fitbit Air is the cheapest fitness tracker without a screen. Granted, a Google Health Premium subscription costs $100 per year, but opting for this premium service would bring the total upfront cost to match Whoop’s introductory price point. If you use your Fitbit Air for two years or more, the cost over time will be significantly lower than any Whoop subscription.
Even without Google Health Premium, the Fitbit Air tracks various fitness, sleep, and health metrics that you can view in the phone app. Google renamed the Fitbit app and now manages fitness tracking through the Google Health app. With Google Health Premium, you can access an AI-powered personal health coach built with Google Gemini. PCMag’s expert reviewers praised Google’s AI health coaching, but as helpful as that is, it’s just nice to have a screen-free group that won’t be inundated with pop-up notifications and unsolicited advice. With the low upfront cost of the Fitbit Air, the added price of a premium subscription may seem like a fair value proposition.
Overall, it’s a compelling product compared to traditional smartwatch-style fitness bands. There are some things you should try before replacing your old Fitbit, but if you’re firmly in the market for something new, the Fitbit Air has a light touch – both for your wallet and your wrist.
Why the Whoop is still an interesting laptop
The Whoop 5.0 is the company’s latest flagship release. This is a premium fitness band with 14 days of battery life, precision sensors, and the versatility to be worn on multiple locations on the body. Annual subscriptions start at $199 when you subscribe through the Whoop website or purchase the Whoop 5.0/MG Activity Tracker through Amazon. Higher membership levels are available for $239 or $359 per year. The most premium subscriptions come with advanced features like real-time stress monitoring, daily blood pressure information, and heart screening with ECG readings.
In other words, Whoop remains interesting for people who want to embark on a completely data-driven health journey. Compared to the Fitbit Air, it provides more usable data and can be worn for longer without recharging. And while the Fitbit brand brings nearly two decades of fitness tracking history to the screen-less wearable market, Whoop has been working since 2015 to prove that bulky screens aren’t a necessity for smart wearables.
In reality, Whoop’s subscription model locks you into an expensive payment plan to access even its most basic features. However, considering the level of lifestyle optimization that a Whoop subscription claims to facilitate, the price may be worth it if you’re truly committed to making positive changes.
