Google has unveiled the Fitbit Air, an £85 screen-free fitness tracker that directly challenges Whoop's dominance in the wearable market. Unlike Whoop, the Fitbit Air does not require a subscription to function, making it an accessible option for health-conscious consumers.
Design and Comfort
The Fitbit Air is the smallest Fitbit ever made, measuring 25 per cent smaller than the Fitbit Luxe. It weighs just 5.2g (12g with the band) and is only 8.3mm thick. The minimalist design features no buttons and a pebble-like shape. Google's general manager of health and home, Rishi Chandra, emphasised that many people find wearables too complicated, bulky, or expensive. The Fitbit Air aims to remove these barriers. It comes with interchangeable bands, including a textile performance loop, a sweatproof silicone band, and a premium bracelet-style band. Colour options include obsidian, fog, lavender, and berry.
Tracking Features
The Fitbit Air monitors a wide range of health metrics 24/7, including heart rate, sleep stages, heart rate variability, blood oxygen, skin temperature, respiratory rate, and VO2 max. It also provides irregular heart rhythm notifications to flag potential signs of atrial fibrillation. Users can view their cardio load and daily readiness score in the app, helping them decide when to rest or push harder. The tracker automatically detects workouts and tracks steps, distance, and activity. Sleep tracking includes a smart wake alarm that vibrates gently at the optimal time in the sleep cycle—a feature not available on Whoop.
Google Health App and AI Coach
The Fitbit Air is powered by the newly rebranded Google Health app, which replaces the old Fitbit app. The centrepiece is a Gemini-powered Health Coach that provides personalised guidance based on the user's metrics. The coach can suggest workouts, highlight trends, and help with recovery. It integrates data from the Fitbit Air, other devices, other apps, and, in the US, medical records. Google plans to expand the medical records feature to more countries, including the UK. The app also allows users to log meals and track menstrual cycles. While AI coaches are available on other wearables, Chandra claims the Google Health coach offers a distinctly different experience.
Subscription Model
The Fitbit Air does not require a subscription to access basic metrics like sleep, heart rate variability, and activity tracking. However, the AI coaching experience is locked behind Google Health Premium. Buyers receive three months of Premium free with their purchase. Pricing for Google Health Premium in the UK has not been confirmed, but it is expected to be similar to Fitbit Premium, which costs £7.99 per month or £79.99 per year.
Battery and Charging
The Fitbit Air has a 7-day battery life and charges magnetically, going from 0 to 100 per cent in 90 minutes.
Release Date and Price
The Fitbit Air is available for pre-order now at £84.99 and will launch on 26 May. For more options, check out the best smartwatches of 2026.
