The Whoop 5.0 medical-grade (MG) version, marks a significant evolution in the world of fitness trackers, moving beyond simple step counting to focus on a holistic view of health and longevity. It’s not a smartwatch, it’s a sleek, screen-less wristband that prioritizes continuous, high-fidelity data collection to provide a comprehensive look at your body’s needs. I recently tested the WHOOP 4 and there is several differences throughout here between the two and again no screen just put it on and leave it there and add info during the day.
Hardware and Design
The Whoop 5.0 is a refined version of its predecessor. It is about 7% smaller and noticeably sleeker, making it more comfortable for 24/7 wear, especially for sleep tracking. The minimalist design is a key selling point for those who don’t want a bulky watch on their wrist. However, be aware that existing Whoop 4.0 bands and chargers are not compatible with the new 5.0 model, which may be frustrating for long-time users with a collection of accessories. At times the bands do slip off the rails which can be annoying or catch in your jackets or sleeves but the same can be said for big watches.
The 5.0 boasts a two-week battery life, a huge leap from the four-day life of the 4.0. This change is a game-changer, reducing the friction of constant charging and ensuring more consistent data. The wireless on-wrist charging is a particularly convenient feature for those with the “Peak” or “Life” subscription tiers, allowing you to top up the battery without ever taking the band off.
Key Features and Data Insights
The core of the Whoop experience lies in its app and the actionable insights it provides. The device tracks three primary metrics: Strain, Recovery, and Sleep.
- Recovery: This is a daily score from 0-100% based on your Heart Rate Variability (HRV), Resting Heart Rate (RHR), and sleep performance. It tells you how prepared your body is for the day’s activities.
- Strain: This metric measures the cardiovascular load of your workouts and daily activities. The higher the strain, the more recovery your body needs.
- Sleep: The device provides a detailed breakdown of your sleep stages (REM, deep, light), a sleep performance score, and a recommendation for your optimal bedtime.
The Whoop 5.0 MG version introduces several new, potentially revolutionary features:
- Healthspan with WHOOP Age: This feature calculates your “physiological age” based on a number of metrics, providing insights into how your habits affect your long-term health.
- Heart Screener with ECG: A key medical-grade feature that allows for on-demand ECG readings from your wrist, capable of detecting signs of Atrial Fibrillation (AFib).
- Blood Pressure Insights: A new beta feature that uses the device’s sensors to provide daily estimates of your blood pressure.
- Hormonal Insights: This feature provides personalized, science-backed guidance for women on how hormonal shifts during their cycle impact recovery, sleep, and performance.
Accuracy and Performance
Whoop excels at providing a comprehensive overview of your health trends over time. The continuous data collection (every 19 milliseconds) is far more granular than many competitors, like the Apple Watch over my time testing this it seemed consistent overall with other watches offering the same features I tested alongside with the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Pixel Watch 3
Subscription
Whoop is a subscription service first, with the hardware included as part of the membership. This model can be a point of contention for many, especially when compared to smartwatches like Garmin, which have a one-time purchase price. While a 12-month subscription can feel expensive, it provides access to a powerful app ecosystem, AI-driven coaching, and continuous feature updates. For those who want to commit to a data-driven approach to wellness, the subscription may be worthwhile.
Conclusion
The Whoop 5.0 MG is an excellent tool for anyone serious about understanding their body’s health, sleep, and recovery on a deeper level especially folk at my age (51). The improvement in battery life and the introduction of medical-grade features like ECG and Healthspan make it a worthy device. While it may not replace a dedicated sports watch for detailed, real-time activity tracking, its focus on long-term wellness and personalized insights makes it a powerful “always-on” companion.
