Polar has unveiled the Polar Loop, a new screenless wristband fitness tracker that feels like a direct shot at Whoop—only without the ongoing subscription fee. Priced at $179.90, the Loop is a one-time purchase, positioning itself as a more affordable, set-and-forget alternative to subscription-heavy wearables like the Whoop 5.0 or Oura Ring 4.
Designed for 24/7 wear, the Polar Loop tracks fitness, recovery, and sleep automatically using the company’s familiar algorithms and Precision Prime heart rate sensor. Like Whoop, it emphasizes passive data collection rather than direct interaction, but instead of a subscription-based platform, all insights are funneled into Polar Flow—the same app that powers Polar’s running watches and heart rate monitors. Workouts can be logged manually through the app if you prefer more control, but otherwise, the band handles detection automatically.
The lack of a screen keeps the Loop minimalist—users won’t be swiping through menus or checking wrist-based stats. All analysis happens inside the app, which longtime Polar users will recognize as comprehensive but occasionally dense to navigate. This setup puts it in the same category as smart rings or Whoop’s display-free trackers: wear it, forget it, and check your data later.
Where Polar is clearly angling for attention is on cost. With Whoop One memberships running $199 / £169 / AU$299 annually, even the entry-level subscription eventually costs more than the Loop itself. For fitness enthusiasts who like the concept of all-day recovery tracking but dislike paying indefinitely, the Loop could be a compelling tradeoff—even if it proves less feature-rich in some areas.
Pre-orders are live now, with shipping starting September 10. The band will be offered in Greige Sand, Night Black, and Brown Copper, with additional wristbands priced at $19.90.
