Polar Loop vs Whoop – is this finally a worthy rival?

Polar jumped into the subscription-free band space in September with the Loop. It’s a direct play at Whoop’s long-standing dominance in the recovery wearable niche, skipping the screen and focusing fully on training load and recovery. The idea is the same: wear it 24/7, forget about it, and let the insights come to you through the app.

At a glance, the Loop and Whoop look and feel quite similar. But differences start to appear once you start wearing them, especially when it comes to data accuracy, software depth and how each brand approaches feedback.

Both are clearly built for users who care about performance and recovery, without needing smartwatch distractions or flashy features. And both are trying to own that always-on, background tracking experience.

But neither one is perfect. Whoop still holds the edge in software polish and interpretation. Polar, on the other hand, offers better optical tracking and no monthly fees. Whether that’s enough to count as a worthy alternative depends on what you value most.

You can check out Loop on Polar’s website. Whoop can be ordered via its official website.

Design keeps things simple

Neither of these wearables tries to look like a watch. The Loop and Whoop 5.0 share the same stripped-down aesthetic. No buttons or a display. Just a slim rectangular module housed in a band that’s meant to disappear into your daily life.

Polar’s Loop comes in at 29 grams and is built from stainless steel and polymer. The fit is snug but comfortable, and the build quality feels slightly more premium than Whoop’s mix of plastic and metal. It also ships in multiple colorways out the gate, whereas Whoop’s standard options are more limited unless you customise the band separately. And that is not cheap unless you opt for third-party alternatives.

Battery life on the Loop is rated for up to eight days. That’s not bad, but short of Whoop’s 14-day estimate. And Polar uses a regular charger, so you’ll need to take the Loop off to top it up. That’s a disadvantage for those who want to track continuously. Whoop solves this with a clever on-wrist charging puck, so your data flow is never interrupted.

Waterproofing is solid on both. Loop is rated for 30 meters and Whoop handles up to 10 meters with its IP68 rating. So daily wear, including showers and swims, is a non-issue.

The hardware is close, but not the same

There’s no onboard GPS on either device. Both rely on your phone for positioning data when logging an activity like a run or cycle. So don’t expect route tracking unless you fire up the app.

Sensor-wise, Whoop claims more sampling depth. It captures data at 26Hz, which means it’s grabbing new info 26 times per second. That can help smooth out noise and catch transient spikes. Polar doesn’t publicise its sampling rate, but the Loop features Gen 3.5 of its Precision Prime optical heart rate system. A bit dated, but it is the same engine found in its more serious wearables. It tracks well, especially during workouts.

Essential reading: Polar Loop vs Amazfit Helip Strap: Two Whoop alternatives compared

Where Polar falls short is in breadth. You get heart rate, HRV, ANS, and general recovery stats, but no blood oxygen, no visible skin temperature data and no stress tracking. Skin temperature is technically there as a hidden developer feature, but you can’t access it in the Flow app. Whoop does include these extras. And if you go for the pricier MG model, you get ECG and cuffless blood pressure tracking, which pushes it into medical territory.

Software is where Whoop still leads

Another important difference is to do with the smartphone app. This is where the gap starts to widen.

Whoop has refined its app experience over years. Its Recovery score is backed by extensive data correlations. It offers deep sleep tracking, journaling, behavioural logging, and recently features like Healthspan for long-term wellness prediction. And it has AI features which are actually useful.

Polar Flow is solid but leaves a lot to be desired. It gives you Nightly Recharge, SleepWise, along with cardio load insights. You also get Training Load Pro and fitness tests if you want more structure. But the interface feels dated and occasionally unintuitive. There’s no journaling, no Healthspan, and less contextual interpretation. Polar says a major app overhaul is on the way. That can’t come soon enough.

Workout detection is also patchy. You’ll often need to start sessions manually. That’s something Whoop handles better, using accelerometer patterns to auto-log activities more reliably. Also, Whoop allows broadcasting of heart rate – something you do not get on the Polar.

A big difference in how you pay

But some things are not in Whoop’s favour. The big one is price.

The Polar Loop costs $199 upfront and that’s it. No monthly fees or subscriptions. You buy it and you’re done.

Whoop, on the other hand, is all about the subscription. The band itself is technically free, but you’ll need to pay at least $239 for a yearly plan. Go for the MG version and you’re looking at $359 per year. That adds up fast.

You’re paying for better software and more nuanced feedback. But for many people, that’s not worth the price. Especially if Polar gets its promised app revamp right. But for now that is a promise and we don’t know when the app update will land.

So which one should you go for?

If you’re looking for Whoop-style recovery and training insights without the recurring charges, the Loop might be a viable alternative. It doesn’t offer as much breadth in its tracking, and the app still feels a step behind. But the basics are solid, and Polar’s training load algorithms are respected in the sports science community.

It also makes sense if you’re already in the Polar ecosystem. Your data stays in one place, and you can use the Loop alongside other Polar gear for a more complete picture.

Whoop is expensive, but it still is the gold standard for continuous recovery wearables. The most polished device in the screen-less wearable space. Having said that, the gap is narrower now. If Polar nails its smartphone app update, this could be the tipping point.

For now Polar Loop can only be purchased on the company’s website. Whoop 5.0 and MG can be ordered via its official website, with multiple band options and subscription tiers. Also don’t forget to check out my full hands-on Whoop review.

Finally, another option you might want to consider is the Amazfit Helio Strap. That is the third important player in the screen-less wearable space. Just like Loop, it packs solid hardware and a Whoop-like design.

Polar Loop – buy if:

• You want deeper recovery tools like Nightly Recharge, SleepWise, HRV and ANS tracking.
• You’re already using Polar Flow or own other Polar gear.
• You value accurate heart rate and recovery data more than broader wellness features.
• You want a one-time purchase and no monthly subscription fees
• You’re willing to wait for Polar’s upcoming Flow app revamp.

Whoop 5.0 or MG – buy if:

• You want the most refined software and recovery insights currently available.
• You’re interested in long-term wellness tracking, including Healthspan and journaling.
• You prefer a band that never leaves your wrist, even during charging.
• You want optional ECG and blood pressure tracking (with the MG version).
• You don’t mind paying an ongoing subscription for premium features and polish.

Polar Loop vs Whoop 5.0: Tech specs comparison

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