Techgeeks reports that Google has taken a significant step into the wearable fitness market with the launch of the Fitbit Air. This new health band, priced at $99.99, features no screen and competes directly with Whoop by offering essential health tracking features without requiring a subscription.
The device is currently available for pre-order and will begin shipping to 21 countries on May 26, 2026. Buyers can select from four Pixel-inspired color options—Obsidian, Lavender, Fog, and Berry—and choose between three strap types: Performance Loop, Active Band, and Elevated Modern Band.
What capabilities does the Fitbit Air offer?
Weighing only 12 grams with the strap (5 grams without), the Fitbit Air includes a robust set of sensors designed for dedicated fitness enthusiasts.
GoogleIt provides continuous heart rate monitoring with AFib irregular rhythm notifications, heart rate variability (HRV), blood oxygen (SpO2), skin temperature, and standard step and calorie tracking. Additionally, it monitors sleep stages and duration, and features automatic activity detection.
The absence of a display is a deliberate design choice, aiming to minimize distractions during workouts while the device quietly records data in the background and syncs it to your smartphone via Bluetooth.
With water resistance up to 50 meters, it is suitable for swimming. A full charge takes approximately 90 minutes using the magnetic charger and provides up to seven days of battery life.
Fitbit Air Stephen Curry limited edition is worth $129.99 TechgeeksFitbit Air vs. Whoop: Key Differences
In contrast to Whoop, the Fitbit Air provides its fundamental health tracking capabilities without requiring a monthly subscription fee.
Fitbit Air Stephen Curry limited edition is worth $129.99 GoogleHowever, accessing advanced tools like the Google Health Coach, a Gemini-driven AI assistant for fitness data analysis, along with long-term insights, requires a Google Health Premium subscription ($9.99/month).
Fortunately, buyers receive a complimentary three-month trial of Health Premium with the Fitbit Air purchase. Google has also confirmed compatibility with both Android and iOS, and for the first time, users can sync both a Pixel Watch 4 and a Fitbit Air to a single Google Health account.
The Fitbit Air represents Google’s strategic effort to capture Whoop’s large user base. By offering core health features for free and positioning its premium subscription at a lower cost than Whoop’s annual fee, Google aims to attract fitness-focused consumers to the Fitbit Air.