- Polar launches a Screenless Band, confirmed in a recent press release
- It is a distraction -free portable set for launch on September 3
- There are very few details available but it will definitely be subscription -free
I only learned about Polar when I searched for alternatives to the best Garmin watches, but Polar as a company has been around for a long time: Polar Electro actually developed the world’s first wireless heartbeat monitor, which archived the patent in 1980.
While the company may have slipped behind some of its competitors in Smartwatch popularity efforts since then, Polar Solid is producing reliable devices that regularly rank on our best running watches and best lists of heartbeat.
But now Polar is moving into a new category: eating Whoop’s lunch by releasing a screenless wrist tape.
However, what excites me is not just a new challenger in the screenless portable space; It is the fact that this is a whoop alternative that is completely subscription-free.
I have not yet published my review of Whoop MG, the latest high-end laptop to be released by Whoop, but to cut a long story short: There is a lot to love, especially the detailed analysis. While not ideal for runners, it is probably the most useful portable for hybrid athletes and gymnasiums that I have been testing for a very long time, thanks to its Oura-style meal system, training builder and advanced recovery tools.
However, it is not perfect: the locking system often comes apart when you take off the tape and the subscription costs are very steep: Whoop mg comes in on a staggering £ 349 / $ 359 / AU $ 629 per. year, With the cheapest level that comes in at £ 169 / $ 199 / AU $ 299 per Year. For these costs, you get the device along with an annual subscription to the Whoop app.
Polar has a premium subscription level in its app, but it is specifically for its fitness program feature, an adaptive training picking tool. The basic analyzes collected by polar devices are free, making its devices a pretty good value: When a device is purchased, it can be used without spending more money.
I’m really excited about the prospect of a budget -whoop alternative without the expensive annual subscription. Polar’s running watches, such as Polar Grit X2 Pro, and heartbeat screens, such as Polar H10, are usually very well-selected, which is good for the laptop.
Although a price point has not been released to the Screenless band – we don’t even know its name – we have a launch date for it: September 3, as mentioned in a polar press release.
The release says: “The upcoming polar laptop will not only be the brand’s first screen-free wrist device, but it will also be a subscription-free alternative to other health ties and fitness trackers on the market.
“By removing the need for a screen, this new category of wearables catches accurate insight and data in the background without penetrating the users’ daily lives and blending seamlessly into their routines as they walk around their day.
“Users can then check their statistics and progress when it suits them, staying connected to their sleep, activity, health and fitness – without it requiring their attention.”
It certainly sounds a lot like a cheaper whoop, but we know more with certainty closer to the launch date. Expect a detailed comparison when it coincides with my full Whoop MG review soon.
