Latest news with #Whoop5.0
Tom's Guide
30-05-2025
- Health
- Tom's Guide
Watch out Whoop — Garmin reportedly working on a screenless health band that'll track your sleep
Garmin could soon offer a new alternative for anyone who wants sleep and recovery data without strapping on a bulky smartwatch overnight. According to a new report, the brand behind some of the best fitness trackers on the market may be preparing to launch a minimalist health band, featuring no screen, a focus on sleep tracking, and key features like heart rate monitoring and smart alarms. The band would reportedly include Garmin's optical heart rate sensor and support smart alarms that detect lighter sleep phases — similar to features found in many of the current best Garmin watches. The blog the5krunner, which has a track record of reporting on unreleased Garmin products, claims to be '100% sure' the device exists, citing a 'source document' and a launch window as early as July or August 2025. The appeal of a screenless device is simple: comfort and discretion. Many users find Garmin's bulkier multisport watches uncomfortable to wear overnight, especially for sleep tracking. A compact wristband could offer similar insights without the larger presence and could be more desirable to wear consistently for some. It could also attract those who prefer wearing a traditional or luxury watch during the day but still want to track health metrics around the clock. If released, the Garmin Sleep Band would naturally draw comparisons to the Whoop Strap, which is a screenless health tracker that collects round-the-clock data on sleep, strain, and recovery. However, Whoop requires a paid membership, with the cheapest tier currently costing $199 per year to access core features. You can read our full Whoop 5.0 review to see how it works. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Garmin's business model, by contrast, typically doesn't lock health data behind a paywall. While some newer features are tied to its recent optional Connect+ subscription, core metrics like heart rate variability (HRV), sleep stages, and Body Battery remain free. If Garmin continues down that path, a subscription-free sleep band could appeal to those who want advanced health tracking without an ongoing cost. While the report provides some intriguing details, a lot remains unclear. There's no confirmed pricing, design, or indication of whether the device would support workout tracking independently or require pairing with a Garmin watch. It's also unclear if this band would use Garmin's latest Elevate v5 sensor, found in high-end devices like the Fenix 8 and Forerunner 970, which would enhance accuracy for sleep and recovery metrics.
Engadget
23-05-2025
- Engadget
One of Whoop's new wearables has a bug so bad the company is issuing replacements
Whoop's new screen-less, fitness-focused Whoop MG wearable might have a major bug that can leave the device unusable, according to reports from Android Police and TechIssuesToday . Whoop launched the Whoop MG and Whoop 5.0 at the beginning of May, the company's first major hardware release since it launched the Whoop 4.0 in 2021. According to complaints on Whoop's community forums and X, after setting up a Whoop MG, the wearable can mysteriously became unresponsive hours later, refusing to connect to a smartphone even when it should be charged. "I wore it for about 20 hours or so, but then it suddenly disappeared from the app, no sensor lights on, nothing appearing in the app," one new Whoop MG owner shared on Reddit. On the company's forums, Whoop suggests trying things like charging the MG, reconnecting it to your phone or resetting the wearable to see if that fixes things. Whoop owners have also been directed to contact Whoop's Support team, and multiple faulty Whoop MG owners report that they're being sent replacement wearables. Engadget has contacted Whoop to get a sense for how widespread this issue is and what the company is doing to address it. We'll update this article if we hear back. Unlike other companies, Whoop doesn't expect customers to buy a fitness tracker and then pay a subscription; Whoop's subscription fee is inclusive of its hardware. With the Whoop 5.0 and Whoop MG, the company is also hoping to expand the number of metrics it tracks beyond just activity and sleep tracking to things like real-time stress monitoring and, in the case of the MG, blood pressure and ECG readings. What features you're able to access ultimately depends on both the wearable you have and the subscription you're paying for, though. To access the Whoop MG in particular, you have to pay $359 annually, which starts to feel pretty egregious when the wearable might not work. Prior to this issue, Whoop was also caught denying free hardware upgrades to existing customers after previously suggesting it would send out new wearables to anyone who'd been a member for six months or more. Whoop reversed that decision a few days later.
Tom's Guide
23-05-2025
- Health
- Tom's Guide
Whoop 5.0 review — should you give a Whoop about this new tracker?
Should you give a Whoop about the two new Whoop devices on the block — the Whoop 5.0 and the Whoop MG — and should you upgrade from your Whoop 4.0? If you're new here, Whoop makes the discreet fitness trackers you've probably seen strapped to the wrist or upper arm of some of your favorite athletes. They look like a band of material and don't have a screen, but give you tons of health data. Size: 34.7 mm x 24 mm x 10.6 mmWeight: 26.5gWaterproof: Up to 10mBattery life: 14+ daysCharging time: 152 minutes (Basic), 110 minutes (PowerPack) Yet buying a Whoop is no longer a matter of deciding between the Whoop 5.0 or Whoop MG (MG stands for medical grade, as the tracker can give you medical-grade ECG readings). There are three different membership tiers to choose from, and the different tiers relate to the features loaded onto the device. After reviewing the Whoop MG, I'd say for most people, it's best to opt for the Whoop 5.0 with the mid-tier 'Peak' membership. Read my Whoop 5.0 review below to find out more, and see the key differences between the devices and membership tiers, and how it stacks up to the best fitness trackers. Confused by the new membership options? Let's dive into it. Whoop One ( $199/£169 per year) This is the most affordable option if you want to subscribe to Whoop. If you choose the Whoop One membership, you'll get the Whoop 5.0 tracker with the basic charger and CoreKnit band, as well as access to the foundational Whoop experience. This includes Sleep, Strain, Recovery, core activity tracking including steps, VO2 max data, and Women's Hormonal Insights. You won't get stress monitoring or the new Healthspan feature. Whoop Peak ($239/£229 per year) This is the mid-tier option, and the option we'd recommend to most people. You'll get the Whoop 5.0 tracker with the SuperKnit band, along with a wireless charger, and everything in the 'One' membership, but also Healthspan (this is Whoop's new feature with 'Whoop Age' and 'Pace of Aging'), the Health Monitor, and the Stress Monitor. Whoop Life ($359/£349) This top-tier plan comes with the Whoop MG device and SuperKnit Luxe band. You'll get all of the features from the 'Peak' membership, as well as blood pressure and ECG readings. The devices are available for order now. There's also a number of different strap options to choose from, including a SportFlex, fast-drying elastic band, a LeatherLuxe band (which isn't water or sweat resistant), and a CoreKnit Bicep band for those who prefer to wear their Whoop on the upper arm. Whoop 4.0 bands are not compatible. Both the Whoop 5.0 and Whoop MG are compatible with Whoop Body apparel. The Whoop 5.0 and Whoop MG are virtually identical, and look very similar to the Whoop 4.0, but they are both 7% smaller and thinner. For this review, I tested the Whoop MG and found the discreet tracker was comfortable to wear, and sat flush against my wrist. My only complaint, as with all fitness trackers with a material band, is that it felt soggy against my wrist when getting out the pool, but this isn't too much of an issue, and not one that can be directed at Whoop alone. The only difference between the Whoop 5.0 and Whoop MG in terms of design is that the latter has the ECG functionalities built into the clasp — to do an ECG reading, you place the fingers of your opposite hand against the indent. The Whoop 5.0 does not have these. I've been impressed with the Whoop MG battery life — Whoop promises two weeks of wear between charges and I'd say that's about right. I've been wearing my band for two weeks for this review, and am still on 27%. This is a huge upgrade from the Whoop 4.0, which lasted around five days between charges. When talking about battery life, it's worth highlighting that the different memberships affect which charger you receive — only the Peak and Life membership options come with Whoop's wireless charger, which in my opinion, is one of the best things Whoop has invented (seriously, Apple, take notes.) The wireless charger slots neatly over the Whoop clasp, allowing you to charge on the move (just note, it's not waterproof, so don't shower or do the washing up while wearing it.) Like most trackers, the Whoop is designed to be worn 24/7 for accurate health monitoring, and this clever device means you won't take your Whoop off to charge and forget to put it back on. If you're upgrading from a Whoop 4.0, unfortunately the Whoop 4.0 Battery Pack won't work with the Whoop 5.0 or Whoop MG as the charging capabilities are slightly different. A bit of a bummer if you were hoping to upgrade and go for the cheaper membership. Again, the health tracking features you recieve depend on the membership tier you opt for. Having tested the Whoop MG, I'd recommend most people go for the Whoop Peak tier, as I'd argue the most exciting features are reserved for the Peak and Life tiers. With all of the membership options, you're getting updated hardwear with the Whoop 5.0 and Whoop MG — both have a newer processor that is 60% faster than that in the Whoop 4.0. This means quicker syncing and a better app experience. I also found workout auto-detection was more precise. Both also have the new Sleep Performance Update, step tracking and Women's Hormonal Insights. I rely on my wearables to monitor my cycle, especially since giving birth to my son 15 months ago, and have been impressed by the Hormonal Insights feature. It's one of the most advanced I've ever tested, and shows, at a glance, which stage of my cycle I'm in, and the impact my hormones are having on my sleep, strain, recovery and well-being. The Whoop Peak and Life membership subscribers get a skin temperature sensor, but unlike the Oura ring, it can't be connected to third-party apps to be used as a form of contraception. That said, the insights are in-depth, and impressive. There's also pregnancy tracking available. Here's a reminder of the different health tracking features, based on membership: One Peak Life The big feature Whoop is shouting about when it comes to the Whoop 5.0 is Healthspan (more on that below). That said, during my testing I've been impressed with the Stress Monitor, which has showed me just how tense I can get when my toddler is emptying the kitchen cupboards. It's helped me realize the strain stress can have on my body, even when I'm not feeling particularly stressed, and helped me take five when I need. I also think health metrics like resting heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV) and skin temperature tell you a lot about your day to day heath — most of the best fitness trackers on the market have these sensors, and it's a little disappointing they aren't included in the One membership. Healthspan seems to be Whoop's flagship new feature, with the idea being it can offer deep insights into your long-term health. There's two different parts to it — Whoop Age, and Pace of Aging. Whoop Age updates gradually over time, whereas Pace of Aging is a score ranging from -1x to 3 based on the immediate impact of your lifestyle choices. Healthspan calculates these insights by analyzing nine key metrics across sleep, strain and fitness. It looks at total hours of sleep, sleep consistency, and time spent in heart rate zones, your VO2 max, among others. You need to wear your Whoop for 21 days before you get your first metric, so I'll be updating this review once I have more data. Another key metric on the Whoop MG is the ECG sensor, which gives medical-grade ECG readings. It's easy to use — you simply sit still, with your hands on a table, and hold the sensor with your thumb and forefinger. I was able to get an ECG reading in minutes. Most people won't need to take an ECG reading every day, but the monitor detects signs of Artial Fibrillation (AFib) and provides Irregular Heart Rhythm Notifications. It's a great feature, but I'd say it's not a deal breaker if you're on a budget. Whoop says the MG can also give you blood pressure insights, but you'll need a cuff to set up your baseline readings, so I've not been able to test this yet as I don't have one at home. There's no doubt about it, the new membership options make the Whoop an expensive tracker. While there's no initial outlay for the device, being hit with another $359/£349 a year in feels like a lot. If you're trying to decide between the Whoop 5.0 and the Whoop MG, I'd argue for most people, the Peak membership tier is the way to go. You're getting all of the detailed tracking we've come to expect from Whoop, without the ECG and blood pressure monitors you're unlikely to use an awful lot (unless, of course, you have a heart condition where regular ECG reading is beneficial.) The Whoop 5.0 itself is a massive upgrade on the Whoop 4.0 — it's lighter, smaller, and faster. Plus, the new features like Healthspan and Female Hormonal Insights with the Peak membership can help you make decision to optimize your fitness, recovery, and sleep, without medical grade sensors.
Stuff.tv
12-05-2025
- Stuff.tv
Whoop just fixed the biggest problem with its latest fitness tracker, and it's not even out yet
While there are plenty of top fitness trackers to choose from, Whoop is one of the most popular. The Whoop 5.0 was unveiled last week with some big upgrades. I'm most excited about the new blood pressure feature and am ready to swap out my Apple Watch Ultra. But there was one big problem, which Whoop has already fixed, despite the tracker not being available yet. Whoop managed to enrage its most loyal customers before shipping a single device. It took the decision to quietly bin a core part of its membership promise. But after a week of outrage and Reddit breakdowns, the fitness brand has reversed course. For those not immersed in the wearables cult, Whoop's business model is all about subscriptions. You don't buy the tracker outright. Rather, you pay monthly or annually and they chuck in the hardware as part of the deal. One of the big draws has always been that you'd get upgraded to the latest model at no extra cost, provided you'd stuck around for at least six months. When Whoop announced the 5.0, it suddenly asked members to either cough up a one-off upgrade fee or extend their membership by another 12 months. The move especially stung because people had screenshots of Whoop's site from late March saying you'd get a free upgrade after six months. As in, two weeks before the 5.0 was revealed. Whoop tried to claim that the six-month thing was a mistake, and that the real policy was 12 months all along. Which might be more believable if it weren't for the blog posts, press interviews, and previous upgrade paths all saying the exact opposite. The brand now says anyone with more than 12 months left on their subscription is eligible for a free upgrade to the 5.0. The rest will still need to either extend their plan or pay the $49 upgrade fee. Or a $79 fee if you want the fancier Whoop 5.0 MG with built-in EKG sensors. Some are cautiously pleased with the change. Others still feel burned, especially those with 11 months remaining who are being told that's somehow not good enough. Still, Whoop seems to have fixed the biggest problem with its tracker, before it's even out. The Whoop 5.0 fitness tracker will be available later this year. Prices remain tied to subscription status. Existing members with over 12 months left can now upgrade for free. For new customers, the Whoop 5.0 comes 'free' with either the Whoop One or Peak memberships, which start at $199/£169 per year. Or for the MG version, you'll need to cough up for Whoop Life at $359/£349 annually.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Fitness tracker Whoop faces unhappy customers over upgrade policy
Whoop has backed down, somewhat, from the controversial upgrade plans around its Whoop 5.0 fitness tracker. When the company first announced Whoop 5.0 this week, it said members who wanted the new device could either extend their subscriptions by 12 months or pay a one-time upgrade fee of $49 ($79 for the model with EKG sensors). This seemed inconsistent with Whoop's overall value proposition, where it charges higher subscription prices (ranging $199 to $359 a year) while allowing customers to upgrade their hardware for free. More specifically, it seemed to contradict a statement on the company's website promising users free hardware upgrades if they've been members for at least six months. After customers began complaining, the company responded with a Reddit post both announcing a more expansive upgrade policy and claiming to clarify its overall approach. Now, anyone with more than 12 months remaining on their subscription is eligible for a free upgrade to Whoop 5.0 (or a refund if they've already paid the fee). And customers with less than 12 months can extend their subscription to get the upgrade at no additional cost. While the company said it's making these changes because it 'heard your feedback,' it also suggested that its apparent stinginess was tied to its transition from a model focused on monthly or six-month subscription plans to one where it only offers 12- and 24-month subscriptions. 'We also want to acknowledge that a previous blog article incorrectly stated that anyone who had been a member for just 6 months would receive a free upgrade,' the company said. 'This was never our policy and should never have been posted.' There's been a mixed response to these changes on the Whoop subreddit, with one moderator describing it as a 'win for the community.' Other posters were more skeptical, with one writing, 'You don't publish a policy by accident and keep it up for years. Removing it after backlash doesn't erase the fact [that] it is real.' There were also a number of complaints from users who said they had 11 months left on their subscriptions, so they just missed the free upgrade cutoff.
