Whoop 4.0 vs Fitbit Sense 2: understanding the differences, pros & cons of each
In this article we explore the difference between Whoop 4.0 and the latest crop of Fitbits, with a particular focus on Sense 2. Read on for a comparison of features, accuracy, design, price, and more to find the best fit for your health and fitness goals.
Whoop is a wearable fitness tracker that provides personalized insights and metrics for sleep, recovery, and strain. It’s particularly popular amongst professional athletes. The device features a 24/7 heart rate monitor with a high-sampling rate, sleep tracking, and advanced metrics such as Strain Coach, which measures the physical demand of a user’s daily activities and provides a score. The latest iteration in the range is Whoop 4.0.
Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets
Fitbit, on the other hand, is one of the best known brands in the wearable fitness market. Fitbit devices are designed to track activity, heart rate, sleep, and more. The company offers a range of products including smartwatches, fitness trackers, and smart scales, which are aimed at providing a comprehensive health and fitness tracking solution. Fitbit devices also provide personalized insights, reminders, and challenges to encourage a healthier lifestyle. The highest spec devices in the company’s range are Fitbit Sense 2 and Charge 5. The first is a smartwatch, the second an activity band.
Deciding between Whoop 4.0 vs Sense 2, along with Fitbit devices in general? This comparison will look at their design and comfort, features and functions, price and value, and provide a conclusion with final thoughts and recommendations for the reader.
If you like, have a read through our full Whoop review on this link. The price of the wearable typically comes in at $20 per month, $25 per month or $30 per month depending on the membership option you choose. You can check out the current prices on the WHOOP website. Sense 2 and other Fitbit wearables can be purchased on Amazon.
Look & feel: Whoop 4.0 vs Fitbit Sense 2
Whoop: a minimalistic look
In terms of design, Whoop has a minimalist look that is lightweight and sporty. There is no display. Don’t look for it – it’s not there.
The idea is to have something quietly sitting on your wrist that requires no interaction from you. The Whoop app, which is used access metrics, is user-friendly and intuitive, and serves as a comprehensive portal for users to track their health and fitness data.
Whoop is designed with comfort and functionality in mind. It features a sleek and lightweight strap that is worn on the wrist, making it comfortable for all-day wear. The strap is made from a breathable material that allows for a comfortable fit even during intense physical activity. The strap is available in several color and design options, allowing users to choose the one that best fits their style.
The device is small and compact, making it easy to wear and discreet enough to blend in with any outfit. In fact you can wear Whoop on one wrist and a smartwatch on the other, if you choose to do so. The device is water-resistant, making it suitable for use during activities such as swimming or showering.
Fitbit: choice of designs
Fitbit, on the other hand, offers a range of devices which are known for their durable construction, making them a reliable choice for long-term use. In terms of design, Fitbit devices feature interchangeable bands, allowing users to customize the look of their device to match their style.
The smartwatches, such as Sense 2 and Versa 4, have large displays. This makes it easier for users to view and interact with the device. Fitbit’s fitness trackers, on the other hand, are small and compact making them easy to wear and discreet enough to blend in with any outfit.
Conclusion
When comparing the design of Whoop 4.0 and Fitbit devices, the advantages of the first include the sleek and lightweight strap made of breatheable material. Little danger that the band will cause a rash on your wrist. Whoop 4.0 packs a minimalistic sporty look with no display or physical buttons. That may appeal to some while others may prefer an option with a screen.
Fitbits look and feel caters to this side of the market. You can choose from a variety of form factors, including activity trackers in the Inspire or Charge range, and smartwatches in the the Versa and Sense range. Fitbits come with interchangeable bands, allowing users to customize the look of their device to match their style and most have on-device controls in addition to a touch display.
Battery life: Whoop 4.0 vs Fitbit Sense 2
Fitbit and Whoop are both wearable fitness trackers that have different approaches to battery life and charging. The first offers longer battery life as compared to Whoop, with its devices lasting anywhere from 4 to 7 and more days depending on the model. Fitbit devices are also equipped with a charging cable that can be used to charge the device in under 2 hours.
On the other hand, Whoop has a shorter battery life of around 4-5 days, but it offers a unique charging experience. Instead of using a traditional charging cable, Whoop has a small battery pack that slots onto the wristband. This means that you can continue to wear your Whoop device while it charges, making it a convenient option for those who don’t want to take their fitness tracker off for long periods of time. Additionally, Whoop’s charging process takes just over an hour to complete, which is faster than the charging time for Fitbit devices.
In terms of battery life and charging, both Fitbit and Whoop have their own strengths and weaknesses. While Fitbit offers longer battery life, Whoop offers a more convenient charging experience.
Features & functions: Whoop 4.0 vs Fitbit Sense 2
Whoop: Description of features
Whoop is a wearable fitness tracker that provides in-depth insights into your health and fitness. It features advanced sensors and algorithms to track sleep, physical activity, and recovery. The company’s tracker samples user data at a higher frequency than most other wearables which contributes to the accuracy of its metrics. Whoop also offers personalized recommendations based on the data it collects, helping you make informed decisions about your health and fitness.
One of the key features of Whoop are its sleep tracking capabilities. Whoop uses its sensors to monitor your sleep patterns, including the amount of time you spend in each stage of sleep and your sleep efficiency. The device also spits out a Sleep Performance Score, which is an overall measure of the quality of your sleep.
Whoop’s sleep tracker can let you know when exactly you should go to bed and how long you need to sleep in order to be able to train tomorrow. Or set an alarm to wake you up in the morning when you have recovered enough to perform.
In addition to sleep tracking, Whoop also offers advanced tracking for physical activity and recovery. The device monitors your heart rate, heart rate variability, blood oxygen and skin temperature to provide insights into your body’s response to physical activity. This information can be used to make informed decisions about when to push yourself and when to rest, helping you avoid injury and improve performance.
Fitbit: Description of features
As mentioned, Fitbit offers a wide range of smartwatches and fitness trackers that provide comprehensive health and fitness tracking. These devices are designed to be comfortable and durable, making them a reliable choice for long-term use. The company is one of the pioneers in the wearables market so has a lot of experience in this area.
One of the key features of Fitbit smartwatches and fitness trackers is their ability to track physical activity. The devices use sensors to monitor steps taken, calories burned and distance traveled. This is in addition to blood oxygen levels, skin temperature, resting heart rate, respiratory rate, HRV and other health metrics. They also provide personalized coaching and guidance to help you reach your fitness goals. The high end devices, such as Sense 2 and Charge 5, can even monitor ECG and alert to abnormalities, as well as electrodermal activity for more detailed stress tracking.
Another key feature of Fitbit devices is their sleep tracking capabilities. The devices use sensors to monitor your sleep patterns, including the amount of time you spend in each stage of sleep and your sleep efficiency. This information is used to provide a Sleep Score, which is an overall measure of the quality of your sleep. Fitbit devices also provide sleep insights and recommendations to help you optimize your sleep for better recovery and overall health.
Finally, Fitbits are also excellent sports trackers. The high-end ones come with built-in GPS. Others are like Whoop and need to rely on your smartphone’s sattelite signal for that.
In essence, Fitbit smartwatches and fitness trackers are designed to provide comprehensive health and fitness tracking. With features such as physical activity and sleep tracking, individual sports tracking, and personalized coaching, Fitbit devices are a popular choice for the majority of people, simply looking to improve their health and fitness.
Conclusion
Whoop and Fitbit differ quite a bit in terms of features and capabilities. They cater to users with slightly different needs.
Whoop primarily focuses primarily on advanced recovery stats, offering sleep tracking and recovery metrics that go beyond what Fitbit devices offer. Whoop also provides personalized recommendations based on its data to help users optimize their rest time.
How much sleep do you need overnight in order to be able to train hard tomorrow? Whoop will let you know. Check out your daily Recovery Score to see how hard you should push on the day. Devices such as Garmin and Polar are trying to emulate Whoop recovery data, but they are still behind in terms of the depth of such insights.
Whoop also has a strain feature that tells you how hard you’ve exercised on a particular day. But you won’t, for example, find a step count.
If that’s what you are interested in, you’ll need to opt for a Fitbit. Its trackers offer a wider range of health and fitness tracking features, including physical activity tracking, heart rate monitoring, in addition to sleep tracking. Unlike Whoop, some Fitbits also have built-in GPS which makes them more conducive for tracking individual activities such as running and cycling.
A few Fitbit devices also offer smartwatch capabilities such as music control, contactless payments, and smartphone notifications. Whoop does not offer any such features.
You could say that in terms of functionality, Fitbit devices are designed to be more comprehensive health and fitness trackers. Whoop is designed to be a more specialized sleep and recovery tracker.
Tech specs comparison: Whoop 4.0 vs Fitbit Sense 2
The table below shows how Whoop 4.0 compares to Fitbit Sense 2. We also included Charge 5 as the highest spec Fitbit activity band.
Whoop 4.0 | Fitbit Sense 2 | Fitbit Charge 5 | |
|---|---|---|---|
Display size | None | 1.58 inches | 1.04 inches |
Display resolution | None | 336 x 336 pixels | 260 x 170 pixels |
Display type | None | AMOLED | AMOLED |
Weight | 15 grams | 40 grams | 15 grams |
Water-resistance | IP68 | 5 ATM | 5 ATM |
Sensors | Accelerometer, gyroscope, barometric altimeter, galvanic skin response, optical heart rate, electrical heart rate, heart rate variability, skin temperature, blood oxygen, EDA sensor | Accelerometer, gyroscope, galvanic skin response, optical heart rate, electrical heart rate, heart rate variability, skin temperature, blood oxygen, EDA sensor | |
Sattelite connectivity | via Smartphone | built-in | built-in |
Battery life | 4-5 days | up to 7 days, or up to 5 hours with GPS | 6+ days. |
Vibration motor | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Microphone | No | Yes | No |
Speakers | No | Yes | No |
Connected Pay | No | Yes | Yes |
Design options | Arctic Gold, Ivy Rhodium, Onyx Rose Gold and many others. | Carbon/Graphite Stainless Steel, Lunar White/Soft Gold Stainless Steel | Black / Graphite Stainless Steel, Lunar White / Soft Gold Stainless Steel, Steel Blue / Platinum Stainless Steel |
Price and value: Whoop 4.0 vs Sense 2
The price model of Whoop differs to that of Fitbit devices. That’s because you get the hardware and access to the iOS and Android Whoop app for free, but only with a monthly subscription. At the time of writing, the monthly membership runs at $30 for a minimum period of 12 months. This falls to $20 per month for a period of two years. So if you subscribe for two years, it will cost you $480.
On the other hand, Fitbit smartwatches and fitness trackers can vary depending on the specific model and features They typically range in price from $70 for the Fitbit Inspire 3 to $300 for the Fitbit Sense 2. It all depends on the model that you choose.
Essential reading: Is a Fitbit premium subscription worth it?
It is important to note that the monthly subscription cost of Whoop adds up over time, making it a more expensive option in the long term. This makes Fitbit devices more affordable for those looking for a general health and fitness device. But you will be missing out on the detailed recovery data. Fitbits come with a one-time purchase cost, making them a more upfront investment, while Whoop is more of a recurring cost.
Having said that, it is also worth noting that there’s also an optional Fitbit premium monthly subscription. This runs at around $10 per month. Do you really need to opt in? Not particularly. The only things you will miss out on are some advanced insights and long term health trends.
Whoop 4.0 vs Fitbit Sense 2: Final thoughts
One could say that both Whoop and Fitbit offer unique features and capabilities for health and fitness tracking. Whoop is a specialized sleep and recovery tracker that provides in-depth insights into these areas, while Fitbit devices offer a wider range of health and fitness tracking features.
Essential reading: Whoop 4.0 hands-on review – train like the pros
The choice between the two will largely depend on your individual needs and goals. If you’re looking for a general health and fitness tracker, Fitbit may be the better choice for you. As far as which Fitbit to go for? Sense 2 and Charge 5 are the most high-spec options. Versa 4 and Inspire 3 skim on some features but offer good value for money.
However, if you’re looking for a specialized sleep and recovery tracker, Whoop is the better, albeit more expensive option. It is the one to go for if you tend to exercise hard and need accurate and detailed insights into your recovery stats.
Some people even opt to wear a smartwatch on one wrist and Whoop on the other! Present company included.
If you’re trying to decide – Whoop 4.0 vs Fitbit Sense 2 or Charge 5, before making a decision, it is important to consider your budget. Also decide on the specific features and capabilities you’re looking for in a health and fitness tracker.
Ultimately, both Whoop and Fitbit are great options for those looking to improve their health and reach their fitness goals. You will not go wrong with either.
Have a read through our full Whoop review on this link. The price of the wearable typically comes in at $20 per month, $25 per month or $30 per month depending on the membership option you choose. You can check out the current prices on the WHOOP website. Sense 2 and other Fitbit wearables can be picked up on Amazon.
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