I Just Received the Polar Loop Fitness Strap and so Far It Looks Great.
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The market for fitness trackers competing with the Whoop is starting to fill up, and the latest one I’ve gotten my hands on is the Polar Loop . ( I recently reviewed the Amazfit Helio Strap and a screenless tracker from Garmin, which, it turns out, is only designed for sleep .)
My full review of the Polar Loop will have to wait until I have more data, but I immediately noticed some significant physical differences between the Polar Loop and its competitors.
Below is a size comparison of the Whoop MG (left), Polar Loop (center), and Amazfit Helio Strap (right). The three devices are ranked by price and size: the Whoop is the smallest and costs between $199 and $359 per year, depending on the subscription level chosen. The Polar Loop costs $199.99 as a one-time purchase without a subscription, and the Amazfit Helio Strap costs $99.99, also without a subscription.
I’m not sure the Loop justifies twice the price of the Helio, at least in terms of features (but we’ll see how it feels when I try it out myself). In its defense, however, it seems the Polar team put a little more effort into the design than Amazfit, and in one respect, perhaps even more than the Whoop. The Whoop only comes in black, though it can be worn with any color band. The Polar Loop, on the other hand, is available in black with a black or brown band, and in pale gray with a beige band.
The shiny accent underneath the strap is a nice touch. Like the Whoop and Helio, the Polar Loop covers the device with a fabric strap. However, its design is easier to replicate: just thread a 21mm strap through the slots, and the Polar Loop strap is ready.
Meanwhile, the Whoop has its own unique strap and clasp design (and the current Whoop 5.0/MG generation uses a different strap than the 4.0 generation). The Helio fits any 22mm strap, but only if you’re comfortable with a smooth plastic case. The third-party strap market for the Loop, in my opinion, is more promising than for its competitors. And while Polar probably doesn’t like to think so, I think a wide selection of available straps is a plus for any wearable.