Whoop made the screen-free band popular, then made you rent it. On its US membership page the band comes with One at $199, Peak at $239 or Life at $359 a year. Whoop membership page (opens in a new tab) Since 2025, several brands have shipped bands you buy once.
This is a research page: we have not worn these yet. Everything below comes from the brands’ own announcements or from TechRadar, which tested the Helio Strap, Polar Loop and Whoop 5.0 side by side. TechRadar (Helio Strap vs Polar Loop vs Whoop 5.0) (opens in a new tab)
At a glance
| Band | Price (US) | Subscription |
|---|---|---|
| Whoop 5.0 / MG | Band included in membership | Required: $199 to $359 a year Whoop membership page (opens in a new tab) |
| Amazfit Helio Strap | $99.99 | None required; optional Zepp Aura Premium $11.99/month or $69.99/year |
| Google Fitbit Air | $99.99 ($129.99 special edition) | 3 months of Google Health Premium included, then $9.99/month; Health Coach needs Premium |
| Polar Loop | $199 | None required; optional Polar Fitness Program (€9.99) |
| Garmin Cirqa | $199.99 | None required; optional Connect+ $6.99/month or $69.99/year |
Prices as reported by the cited sources. TechRadar listed Whoop One at $149 in April 2026; Whoop’s page as we captured it lists $199.
Amazfit Helio Strap
$99.99. TechRadar’s overall pick of the three it tested: no subscription, solid heart-rate accuracy, a 20g almost all-plastic build, vibration alarms and heart-rate broadcasting. Its app is more workout-focused than Whoop’s. TechRadar (Helio Strap vs Polar Loop vs Whoop 5.0) (opens in a new tab)
Google Fitbit Air
$99.99 ($129.99 special edition). Google’s screenless pebble tracks heart rate, AFib alerts, SpO2, HRV and sleep stages, with up to a week of battery (company claims). We have not seen an independent review. Google blog (Fitbit Air) (opens in a new tab)
Polar Loop
$199. TechRadar measured peak heart rate within about 2 bpm of a Garmin Venu 4 and got a week per charge, but hit pairing, sync and Android app-crash problems, and the Loop has no skin-temperature sensor or vibration motor. Whoop has sued Polar over the design. TechRadar (Helio Strap vs Polar Loop vs Whoop 5.0) (opens in a new tab)
Garmin Cirqa
$199.99. Garmin’s first screen-free band. Garmin says all existing Connect features stay free; Connect+ adds AI insights and extras. Garmin (Cirqa press release) (opens in a new tab) Garmin (Connect+ announcement) (opens in a new tab)
Our research review: Garmin Cirqa, and the head-to-head Whoop vs Garmin Cirqa.
When Whoop is still the better buy
TechRadar gave Whoop the edge on features and performance because its app turns the same heart-rate data into clearer, more actionable advice, while noting the top Life tier is a lot to pay and its ECG readings sometimes failed to register. TechRadar (Helio Strap vs Polar Loop vs Whoop 5.0) (opens in a new tab) If coaching is the point, compare the three-year cost in our subscription guide before deciding.
Not a band person?
A ring is the other screen-free option. The Ultrahuman Ring Pro has no core subscription; see all no-subscription sleep trackers.
Questions
Is there a Whoop with no subscription?
No. Whoop sells its band only as part of a membership: $199, $239 or $359 a year on its US page. The screenless bands that need no subscription are from other brands: Amazfit Helio Strap, Polar Loop, Garmin Cirqa and, with caveats, Google Fitbit Air.
What is the cheapest Whoop alternative?
Amazfit Helio Strap and Google Fitbit Air are both $99.99. The Helio Strap needs no subscription for core stats; Google’s Health Coach needs Google Health Premium at $9.99 a month after three included months.
Are Whoop alternatives as accurate?
For workout heart rate, TechRadar found the Helio Strap and Polar Loop typically within 2 bpm of a Garmin Venu 4. It still rated Whoop best for turning data into advice. We have not tested any of them; for sleep, trackers agree far better on total sleep time than on stages.
What do I lose by leaving Whoop?
Whoop’s Strain and recovery coaching, which TechRadar calls its core appeal, and Life-tier extras such as ECG and blood-pressure insights on Whoop MG. Polar Loop also lacks a skin-temperature sensor, which rules out cycle tracking.