Whoop Releases 5.0 and MG Hardware (and Adds Pricing Tiers)
After teasing it on social media for over a week, Whoop has finally announced the release of its 5.0 device, as well as a version called “MG” (medical grade), which can measure ECG and estimate blood pressure. Members can upgrade their membership for a $49 fee or expand their membership to one of three new membership tiers: One ($199/year), Peak ($239/year, similar to current offerings), or Life ($359/year).
Whoop is a screen-less fitness tracker that received four stars in my review of the 4.0 model for its built-in fitness and recovery tracking and strength training management. It’s only available by subscription, and the equipment is sort of a bonus that comes with the membership. This means that hardware upgrades are handled a little differently than for a device you buy outright; more on this below.
What’s in Whoop 5.0
The 5.0 device is very similar to the 4.0, but Whoop estimates it’s 7% smaller. This change means that straps and other accessories from version 4.0 will not fit the new device. (Long-time members with more than 1,500 recoveries will receive a Milestone Collection box with additional bracelets.)
The 5.0 has a battery life of 14 days, more than double that of the 4.0, according to the company. There’s also a new power pack (a battery that you can insert to charge the device while you wear it). Only Peak and Life members will receive a wireless power supply; The lowest tier membership comes with a wired charger.
The rest of the 5.0 hardware is similar to the previous version, but with internal upgrades—a 60% faster processor, the company says, and “improved sensors.”
Difference between 5.0 and MG
The Whoop MG (“medical grade”) device adds the ability to take an ECG from your wrist, much like an Apple Watch or Fitbit (you’ll be touching the metal contacts with the fingers of your other hand while wearing it).
The MG device comes with a Whoop Life membership, the most expensive tier, costing $359 per year.
What do you get with each of the three membership levels?
Three new membership levels: One ($199/year), Peak ($239/year) and Life ($359/year). One is a stripped-down membership, Peak is what Whoop users currently have, and Life is a new offering with additional health features. Here’s the breakdown:
Whoop One ($199/year)
One of them is budget membership. You get a wired charger instead of a wireless power bank and a “CoreKnit” band, which appears to be a new material that isn’t as good as the SuperKnit bands offered at higher tiers.
If you downgrade to this level, you’ll lose a few features that all Whoop members currently have: the Health Monitor (with readings of HRV, breathing rate, resting heart rate, and skin temperature) or the Stress Monitor, which tells you in real time what level of stress you’re experiencing.
Whoop-Peak ($239 per year)
The Peak tier is most similar to the single subscription tier that was offered in version 4.0, both in price and features. If your subscription renews without selecting a tier, you will be stuck at the peak tier.
You’ll also get a new Healthspan feature (coming soon) that tells you your “fitness age” and “rate of aging” and gives you recommendations for improving these metrics.
Whoop Life ($359 per year)
Life is a top tier membership that comes with MG equipment, not 5.0. It includes everything Peak has, including the Healthspan feature.
With MG you’ll be able to take ECG readings, and Whoop is also introducing a feature (currently in beta) to estimate your blood pressure. To start using it, you need to calibrate it with your blood pressure cuff readings.
How updates to Whoop 5.0 or MG will work
If you’re a current Whoop member and would like to upgrade your hardware for free (as outlined in the Whoop FAQ ), here’s the fine print.
Wop tells me that members who pay for another 12 months of membership will receive the 5.0 (or MG) hardware for free. So, if you’re six months into your current membership, you can buy a 12-month extension, so you’ll have 18 months of your membership left, and get a new device.
If you do not wish to renew your membership, you can pay a $49 upgrade fee to receive the 5.0 device for use during your current membership term.
Whoop says that when you upgrade, you’ll be sent a “gift set” that you can use to give your old 4.0 device to a friend. Includes a disinfectant wipe and fresh SuperKnit tape.
What if I don’t update?
The Whoop membership will still work with the 4.0 device, and you’ll still get access to everything the Peak membership offers, including the new Healthspan feature when it comes out. If your membership renews without selecting a tier, you will be converted to a Peak membership.