(Credit: Polar)
Finnish wearable maker Polar has launched its first-ever screen-free fitness tracker. The Polar Loop can measure activity, sleep, and overall health data 24/7 and offer helpful insights through its companion app, Polar Flow.
At first glance, the Loop looks a lot like a Whoop band. The key difference is how Polar sells it. Unlike Whoop, you don't need a subscription to buy the device or unlock its features. A one-time payment gets you the tracker and everything it offers.
(Credit: Polar)The Polar Loop can track your activity in multiple ways. You can initiate a workout from Polar Flow or let the tracker automatically detect your workout and start measuring data. On the companion app, you can also choose from advanced training options that come with voice guidance, ready-made targets, route recording, and more.
Additionally, the tracker measures heart rate and comes with advanced sleep tracking. It provides insights into sleep quality and duration, and how they affect readiness and recovery. All the information is automatically synced to the Polar Flow app, where your metrics are presented in an easy-to-understand manner.
Even when you're not working out, the Polar Loop logs your steps and active moments to encourage you and to show "how every active choice matters and contributes to long-term energy and overall health," Polar says.
(Credit: Polar)On the design front, the Loop has a soft textile band and a slim buckle that houses the Polar Precision Prime sensor. The interchangeable bands are available in orange, blue, beige, green, and brown, while the buckle is available in Greige Sand, Night Black, and Brown Copper.
The entire product was designed in Finland by the same team that worked on the Polar Grit X2 and Polar Vantage V3. As such, Polar notes that user data is protected by EU safeguards. "Information stays inside the Polar ecosystem, is never sold to third parties, and is erased if you close your account," it says. "Your activity, sleep, and recovery data stay yours, and you can view, export, or permanently delete it whenever you choose."
The Polar Loop is now available for a one-time payment of $199.99, the same as the cheapest annual Whoop 5 subscription. Additional wristbands are $29.99 each. The tracker is available for preorder now and launches on Sept. 10.