| Manufacturer | WHOOP |
|---|---|
| Type | Screenless health, fitness and recovery band |
| Released | May 2025 (WHOOP 5.0 and WHOOP MG launched together) |
| Predecessor | WHOOP 4.0 |
| Hardware variants | WHOOP 5.0, WHOOP MG |
| Membership tiers | One, Peak, Life |
| Colour | Black (pod and puck) |
| Dimensions | 34.7mm x 24mm x 10.6mm |
| Weight | Approximately 26.5g |
| Water resistance | IP68, submersible to 10 metres |
Specifications and features as at launch.
Expert opinion | What’s new versus WHOOP 4.0 | Specifications | Battery life | Membership tiers and pricing | Features by tier | Wear position and accuracy | Comparisons | Quick answers | Further reading
Expert opinion
WHOOP 5.0 strips out the screen entirely and relies on the phone app for every interaction, trading a display for a 14-day battery that outlasts any GPS watch on the market. The optical sensor holds up well on the biceps across endurance sport, this site’s own testing found, but accuracy drops on the wrist during high-movement activity such as HYROX and CrossFit. Heart rate alone still cannot measure the muscular load of a pure strength session, a limitation WHOOP’s velocity-based training layer only partly closes.
WHOOP MG adds a dedicated ECG module for on-demand AFib detection and an overnight blood pressure trend that needs a one-off cuff calibration, followed by monthly recalibration to stay accurate. Both features sit behind the Life membership tier and require WHOOP’s ECG-compatible band. The FDA has disputed WHOOP’s blood pressure marketing claims, and the algorithm may be modified as a result.
Deciding whether to buy? The WHOOP 5.0 and MG review has the verdict after testing.
What’s new versus WHOOP 4.0
Hardware
- 7% smaller than WHOOP 4.0, at 34.7mm x 24mm x 10.6mm and approximately 26.5g
- Battery life extended to 14+ days, nearly three times WHOOP 4.0’s rated life
- New Wireless PowerPack charges the band while worn, in around 110 minutes; the Basic Charger takes around 152 minutes off-wrist
- Processor 60% faster than WHOOP 4.0, WHOOP says, reducing app sync delays
- Redesigned buckle system: WHOOP 4.0 bands and chargers do not fit WHOOP 5.0 or MG. WHOOP 4.0 apparel, including the bicep sleeve, remains compatible via the Any-Wear Pod system
- WHOOP MG adds an ECG module not present in WHOOP 4.0 or WHOOP 5.0 hardware, and requires an ECG-compatible band
Software
- Healthspan and Pace of Ageing (WHOOP Age), developed with Dr Eric Verdin of the Buck Institute for Research on Ageing (Peak and Life tiers)
- Heart Screener with FDA-cleared on-demand ECG and Irregular Heart Rhythm Notifications (Life tier, MG hardware only)
- Daily Blood Pressure Insights, in beta, requiring cuff calibration (Life tier, MG hardware only)
- Stress Monitor (Peak and Life tiers)
- Step counter, added in response to member requests
- Women’s Hormonal Insights, available across all three membership tiers
- Advanced Labs, a paid add-on blood test covering 65 biomarkers, introduced October 2025
- Improved activity auto-detection and tighter Strength Trainer integration into the daily Strain breakdown
Specifications
| Physical | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 34.7mm x 24mm x 10.6mm |
| Weight | Approximately 26.5g |
| Colour | Black (pod and puck) |
| Water resistance | IP68, submersible to 10 metres |
| Display | None. Screenless, with haptic feedback for alarms and notifications |
| Sensors | |
| Heart rate | Optical PPG sensor |
| Blood oxygen | SpO2 |
| Skin temperature | Yes |
| Respiratory rate | Yes |
| Motion | Accelerometer and gyroscope |
| ECG | WHOOP MG only. Requires an ECG-compatible band. FDA-cleared for on-demand AFib detection |
| Blood pressure | WHOOP MG only. Optical trend estimate, requires cuff calibration. In beta and disputed by the FDA |
| Location | None on-device. The WHOOP phone app can record a GPS track separately |
| © the5krunner. Link required. | |
| Connectivity | |
| Wireless | Bluetooth Low Energy only. No ANT+ |
| Heart rate broadcast | Yes, to third-party watches, bike computers and gym equipment |
| GPS | None on-device |
| Charging | |
| Wireless PowerPack | On-wrist charging, approximately 110 minutes, holds a charge for up to 30 days |
| Basic Charger | Off-wrist, USB-C, approximately 152 minutes |
| Tier availability | PowerPack ships with Peak and Life. One ships with the Basic Charger |
Battery life
| Component | Battery life |
|---|---|
| Band (5.0 and MG) | 14+ days per charge |
| Wireless PowerPack | Holds a charge for up to 30 days between its own USB-C recharges |
| Charging while worn | Yes, using the Wireless PowerPack or the on-wrist charging cradle |
| © the5krunner. Link required. | |
Membership tiers and pricing
WHOOP has no one-off purchase option. The band ships free with any membership, and the device stops working if the subscription lapses.
| Tier | Currency | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| WHOOP One | USD | $25 | $199 |
| GBP | Not listed | £169 | |
| EUR | Not listed | €199 | |
| WHOOP Peak | USD | $30 | $239 |
| GBP | Not listed | £229 | |
| EUR | Not listed | €264 | |
| WHOOP Life (MG) | USD | $40 | $359 |
| GBP | Not listed | £349 | |
| EUR | Not listed | €399 |
Features by tier
- One: Strain, Recovery, Sleep, step counter, Women’s Hormonal Insights
- Peak: Everything in One, plus Healthspan and Pace of Ageing (WHOOP Age), Stress Monitor, live heart rate in the app, and advanced performance analytics
- Life (WHOOP MG hardware): Everything in Peak, plus the FDA-cleared on-demand ECG and Heart Screener, Irregular Heart Rhythm Notifications, and daily Blood Pressure Insights (beta, requires cuff calibration)
- All tiers: uploading your own blood test results to Advanced Labs is free worldwide. WHOOP’s own Advanced Labs testing is a separate US-only subscription, from $199 a year for one test to $899 for six, covering 75+ biomarkers per test
The ECG and Irregular Heart Rhythm Notification features are restricted to users 22 and over, are not intended for anyone with a diagnosed arrhythmia other than AFib, and are not recommended for pacemaker or ICD wearers. Healthspan is not available to users under 18. ECG and IHRN are medically regulated features and are not available in every region.
Wear position and accuracy
WHOOP ships as a wrist strap by default, with a bicep sleeve and wider Any-Wear apparel range sold separately for off-wrist placement. Across 19 tracked workouts on the biceps, this site recorded a 0.98 correlation against a reference heart rate source, covering HYROX simulations, running, open water swimming and cycling. Moving the band to the wrist produced a clear drop in accuracy during HYROX and CrossFit sessions specifically, where wrist movement from carries, pulls and wall balls disrupts the optical signal. Wrist wear away from sport remains accurate enough to feed the recovery and readiness scores.
Comparisons and upgrade guides
- Garmin CIRQA vs Whoop, the screenless bands compared
- Whoop 5.0 vs Whoop 4.0, the sensor changes
Quick answers
When was the WHOOP 5.0 released?
WHOOP launched the 5.0 and MG together in May 2025. There is no one-off purchase price, as the band ships free with a membership, which starts at USD 199 or GBP 169 a year for WHOOP One.
Is the WHOOP 5.0 waterproof?
WHOOP 5.0 is rated IP68 and is submersible to 10 metres.
What is the WHOOP 5.0 battery life?
The WHOOP 5.0 and MG band lasts 14+ days per charge. The Wireless PowerPack charges it while worn in around 110 minutes.
Does the WHOOP 5.0 need a subscription?
Yes, WHOOP has no one-off purchase option, and the device stops working if the subscription lapses. Membership tiers are One, Peak and Life.
Does the WHOOP MG have ECG?
Yes, WHOOP MG adds an FDA-cleared on-demand ECG for AFib detection. It requires the Life membership tier and an ECG-compatible band, and WHOOP 5.0 has no ECG.
Does the WHOOP 5.0 have GPS?
No, WHOOP 5.0 has no on-device GPS. The WHOOP phone app can record a GPS track separately.
Further reading
- WHOOP 5.0 and MG: full review, accuracy tests, and 10-year verdict
- WHOOP 5.0 and MG: everything you need to know
- WHOOP hub: coverage, accuracy tests and market position
- Recovery trackers and lifestyle bands guide
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.
- Ravemen FR1000: The light and the computer mount in one unit, so nothing else goes on the bars. Better than mine.
- Ravemen FR1500SE: 1,500 lumens hanging under your Garmin, for proper night rides.
- Ravemen FR1100SE: 1,100 lumens under your Garmin, and up to 46 hours on slow flash.
- Ravemen FR500: A brighter FR300 with the same mount.
- 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.
- Kineon MOVE+: Red and infrared light for sore knees, Achilles and other joints after hard training. I use it.
- 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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