Polar markets this device simply as LOOP. This site labels it LOOP 2 to distinguish it from an unrelated, older Polar Loop fitness band from several years earlier.
| Manufacturer | Polar |
|---|---|
| Type | Screen-free health and recovery band |
| Series | LOOP |
| Released | September 2025 |
| Price at launch | GBP 149.50 / EUR 179.90 / USD 199.90 |
| Predecessor | None in this product line. An unrelated, older Polar Loop fitness band predates this device by several years and is not covered on this site. |
| Successor | Not yet announced. |
| Sizes | Two bands included: small and medium-large |
| Colours | Night Black, Greige Sand, Brown Copper |
Specifications and features as at launch, updated where the current official specification differs.
Jump to: Expert opinion | Specifications | Features | Comparisons | Software updates | Further reading
Expert opinion
LOOP is Polar’s screen-free, subscription-free recovery band, positioned directly against Whoop. It requires no monthly fee, the single biggest commercial difference from Whoop’s model, and covers 24/7 heart rate, sleep staging and Polar’s existing recovery suite (Nightly Recharge, Training Load Pro, SleepWise) with no feature held back by a paywall.
Accuracy on the biceps is solid across most training scenarios in the5krunner’s testing, with degradation in open-water swimming and upper-body strength work, where wrist and arm movement disrupts optical tracking. At launch, the Polar Flow app significantly trailed Whoop’s coaching depth and dashboard design. Polar has since described a phased rebuild of Flow with a more dynamic, modular interface, not yet shipped as of this page’s publication. In October 2025, Whoop filed a trade dress lawsuit against Polar over LOOP’s design, adding uncertainty to the product’s future in the US market.
Specifications
| Physical | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 27 x 42 x 9mm |
| Weight | 29g total, 19.5g without band |
| Case material | Stainless steel |
| Bezel material | Stainless steel |
| Water rating | WR30 |
| Sensors | |
| HR measurement method | Optical, Precision Prime Gen 3.5 |
| Accelerometer | Yes |
| HRV | Yes, nightly |
| Connectivity | |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth LE |
| Broadcast range | 50m |
| Charging | Proprietary / USB-C |
| © the5krunner. Link required. | |
| Battery | |
| Type | Rechargeable, 170mAh Li-Pol |
| Battery life | Up to 8 days |
Features
- 24/7 heart rate and activity tracking, fully automatic
- Nightly Recharge and HRV
- Sleep Plus Stages
- SleepWise daily alertness forecast
- Training Load Pro
- Automatic training detection, manual start via the Polar Flow app
- No subscription required for any feature
- No screen and no onboard GPS. Training and route data are recorded via the Polar Flow app on a paired phone.
Comparisons and upgrade guides
- Polar Loop vs Polar 360, how the two bands differ
Polar LOOP software updates
The current Polar LOOP software is version 6.2.26. Polar is still updating the LOOP, with 1 software release since May 2026. This section is updated when Polar releases a new version.
| Current version | 6.2.26, released 9 September 2026. |
| Public beta | No public beta. Polar does not run a public beta for this model. |
| Last update | 6.2.26 on 9 September 2026. |
Features added since May 2026
- 6.2.26, 9 September 2026.
- Optical heart rate improved for accuracy across diverse skin characteristics
Full version history, 1 release including betas and fixes
| Version | Type | Date | What changed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.2.26 | Stable | 9 September 2026 | Optical heart rate improved for accuracy across diverse skin characteristics. |
Version history is recorded from May 2026. See also known problems and fixes.
Further reading
- the5krunner Polar LOOP review
- CIRQA vs WHOOP vs LOOP vs Fitbit Air vs Helio Strap Pro comparison
- Polar watch specifications
Related sensors
- Polar H10 or Polar H9, chest straps for higher-accuracy heart rate during intense training that LOOP is not designed to match.
Small things I always use
- Garmin 90-degree charging adapter: Charges your Garmin from any USB-C cable. Essential when travelling. I use one.
- Body Glide: The blue anti-chafe stick swimmers and runners carry. I use it.
- Speedo earplugs: Fewer ear infections and no cold-water dizziness. I use them.
- Dryrobe Advance: My winter changing robe for open-water swims. I use one. A cheaper option is the AONYIYI changing robe.
- Maurten: Race fuel that stays easy on the stomach. I use them.
- Beet It Sport nitrate shots: Beetroot shots I take in the days before a race. I use them.
- Garmin charging puck: The quickest way to top up before a session. I use one.
- Injinji: Toe socks that stop rubbing, so you run more. I use them.
- Ultimate toe protectors: Stop black toenails on long runs. They work. I use them.
- Compressport R2 v2 calf sleeves: My calf sleeves of choice. I use them.
- Cellucor C4: My pre-workout before hard sessions.
- TPU tubes: Schwalbe Aerothan, Tubolito and Pirelli SmarTube. Light, tiny spares. I use all three.
- G8 insoles: Adjustable insoles that are good. I use them.
- Cycplus Cube: A 97g electric pump that gets a road tyre rideable in two minutes. I carry one. 5% off with code THE5KRUNNER.
Watches and sensors
- Polar H10: My daily driver for waking HRV.
- Polar Verity Sense: My backup arm-worn HR sensor.
- Nomad bedside charger: Charges my iPhone and Apple Watch overnight. I use it, and many of their bands.
- Train.Red: The best muscle oxygen sensor I’ve used.
- Tymewear: Accurate heart rate and reliable ventilatory zones. I use it to pace endurance rides over an hour.
- Garmin Forerunner 970: A pro-grade triathlon watch. I use this.
- Apple Watch Ultra 4: My daily smartwatch. No phone needed on rides.
- Garmin Fenix 9 Pro: I’ve just bought one.
On the bike
- Continental GP5000 for everyday riding, and Aero 111 on the front for special occasions.
- Helmets: Specialized S-Works Evade 3 for road riding, and Rudy Project Wing for TT-style races. I use both.
- Ravemen FR300: A front light that mounts under your Garmin or Wahoo. I use one.
- Wahoo TRACKR Radar: I use it on one bike and Varia on the other. They perform the same.
- Garmin Varia RTL515: Radar that warns you of cars from behind. I use this model.
- Wahoo ELEMNT Roam 3: The bike computer that’s easy to use. I use mine on most rides.
- Favero Assioma Pro RS2: Accurate power pedals that swap easily between bikes. I use this model.
Home and indoor training
- NPE Runn: Makes my basic treadmill smart, sending more accurate speed and distance to my watch and Zwift. I use it.
- Google Wifi: Keeps Zwift connected in my pain cave. I use it.
- Apple TV 4K: Zwift on the big screen. I use two.
- Google Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen): My video doorbell, running in both Google Home and Apple Home. I use it.
Health, recovery and sleep
- FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus: Shows how my blood sugar responds to diet.
- hDrop: Measures my sweat loss in summer and indoors.
- Fourth Frontier Zone: Checks my heart under load in hard sessions.
- Oura Ring 5: My partner’s recovery tracker of choice.
- Eight Sleep: A cooling mattress cover my partner and I use nightly.
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