Apple Watch vs. Whoop: My honest experience

This is the question I get asked the most. Teammates, friends, subscribers—everyone wants to know whether they should go for a Whoop or an Apple Watch. I've been wearing the Apple Watch for years, but I've also put the Whoop through its paces.

There isn't a single right answer, but there is a right answer for *you*. I've been testing the new Apple Watch Series 10 alongside the Whoop MG (Medical Grade). They are completely different beasts. One is a tiny iPhone on your wrist, the other is a ghost that tracks everything. Let's break down the differences so you can stop guessing and pick the right one.

Active vs. Passive wearables

This is the biggest fundamental difference. I call the Apple Watch an "active" wearable and the Whoop a "passive" one. The Apple Watch has a display. It wants your attention. It gives you notifications, lets you set timers, and essentially acts like a smartwatch first, fitness tracker second.

The Whoop is the opposite. It has no screen. It's just a comfortable band with a sensor. It sits there, collects data, and stays out of your way. If you hate distractions and just want the data, Whoop is the clear winner here.

Working out: Screens vs. Smarts

When you're actually training, the experience is totally different. With the Apple Watch, you get real-time feedback. You can see your pace, your heart rate zone, and your time elapsed right on your wrist. It's fantastic for running or cycling where you want to adjust your effort in the moment.

You can't do that with Whoop because there's no screen. You have to check your phone later. However, Whoop's auto-detection is seriously impressive. I played a field hockey match—something I can't wear my Apple Watch for because it's too dangerous—and the Whoop recognized the sport automatically.

A deeper look at the data

Here is where they diverge on fitness insights:

Apple Watch gives you live metrics. It's great for tracking the "now."
Whoop is better for post-game analysis. It calculated my strain and recovery perfectly after my match.
Whoop Age is a unique metric that tells you how old your body "acts" compared to your real age. It's a fun (or scary) stat to track.

Battery life (The game changer)

If charging your watch every day drives you crazy, stop reading and get a Whoop. The battery life difference is massive. With the Apple Watch Series 10, I'm getting about a day and a half. It's fine, but it's another thing to manage.

The Whoop MG gets me between 12 and 14 days on a single charge. That is basically two weeks without thinking about a charger.

How charging works

Whoop: You slide a small battery pack onto the band while you're wearing it. You don't even have to take it off to charge.
Apple Watch: You have to take it off and put it on a magnetic puck. You can't track anything while it's charging.
Double tap trick: On the Whoop, you can double tap the top of the sensor to see a battery LED indicator (Green, Orange, or Red).

Safety features vs. Coaching

This is a big point for the Apple Watch. It has features that can actually save your life, like Crash Detection and Emergency SOS. If you're hiking or driving a lot, you can't really put a price on that. Whoop doesn't do any of that; it's strictly a health monitor.

However, Whoop wins on sleep coaching. It gives you very specific recommendations on when to go to bed and how to improve your recovery based on your daily journal entries. It feels much more tailored to athletes.

The price tag

Finally, we have to talk about how you pay for these things. This is usually the dealbreaker for people.

Apple Watch: You pay once (around $399+ depending on the model) and you own it forever. No monthly fees.
Whoop: It's a subscription model. You're looking at roughly $240 a year or $20/month. You never really stop paying for it.

Which one fits you?

If you want a smartwatch that integrates with your iPhone, gives you notifications, and has safety features, get the Apple Watch. It's the best all-rounder.

But if you are serious about athletics, want incredible battery life, and hate the idea of another screen in your life, the Whoop is the way to go. Personally? I wear both. But I know that's not for everyone!