Whoop 4.0

The Whoop 4.0 is an interesting piece of kit if you're serious about tracking your fitness and recovery. It’s a screenless fitness tracker, which might raise a few eyebrows, but it’s designed for continuous monitoring and focuses heavily on recovery and strain metrics. For £239, you’re getting a device that’s lightweight at just 27 grams and boasts a decent battery life of about five days.

One of the standout features is its sleep tracking, which is pretty accurate. If you’re looking to optimise your rest and recovery, this is where the Whoop shines. The algorithms behind the scenes are proprietary, so you're getting insights that are tailored to your specific data, which is a nice touch. It's also water-resistant up to 10 meters, so you can wear it while swimming without worrying.

Now, onto the subscription model. You’ll need to fork out a monthly fee after the initial purchase, which means your investment keeps on growing over time. This might not sit well with everyone, especially if you’re used to one-off payments for fitness trackers. If you’re committed to following the data closely and making the most of the insights provided, it could be worth it. But if you’re just after basic tracking, there are more affordable options on the market.

On the downside, the lack of a screen means you have to rely on your phone for most features. Some might find that a bit annoying, especially if you're used to glancing at your wrist for quick updates. And while the insights can be helpful, not everyone will need the level of detail provided.

Overall, I’d give the Whoop 4.0 a score of 70 out of 100. It’s a solid choice for those who are deeply invested in their fitness journey and want to focus on recovery, but it’s not for everyone. If you prefer a more traditional fitness tracker with a screen and no ongoing costs, you might want to look elsewhere.