Garmin Sleep Monitor vs Whoop 5.0: Is There a New King?

Garmin just launched the Index Sleep Monitor, and naturally, people started comparing it to the Whoop 5.0.

At first glance, the two look similar — both are sleek, button-free bands with no screens and a strong focus on sleep and recovery.

However, after spending some real time with both, we can confidently say that this isn’t quite a fair match-up yet.

Here’s why — and what Garmin might need to do to close the gap.

Garmin Sleep Monitor vs Whoop 5.0 – Quick Comparison

Feature	Garmin Index Sleep Monitor	Whoop 5.0 / 5.0 MG
Release Date	June 2025	May 2025
Wear Type	Upper-arm (sleep-first)	24/7 fitness + recovery
Primary Device?	❌ No	✅ Yes
Sleep Tracking	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Workout Logging	❌ No	✅ Yes (Auto-detect)
Step Tracking	❌ No	✅ Yes
Recovery Score	Partial (if paired with watch)	✅ Full
Battery Life	7 days	14 days (on-wrist charging)
Water Resistance	5 ATM	IP68
ECG / Blood Pressure	❌ No	✅ (MG version only)
Subscription?	❌ No	✅ $199–$359/year
Price	$169.99 one-time	Free hardware + sub

Both Bands Have Some Solid Similarities

Let’s start with the good stuff — the things both devices do well.

• No screens, no distractions — just a clean, comfortable band that syncs your health data to an app.
• Great sleep tracking — including light, deep, and REM stages, plus heart rate, HRV, breathing rate, and skin temperature.
• Smart wake-up — they both use gentle vibration alarms to wake you at just the right time in your sleep cycle.

Surprisingly, Garmin’s Index band isn’t just for sleep. It also tracks heart rate, breathing, stress, and calories burned throughout the day.

It even updates your Body Battery, Garmin’s energy gauge, without needing a Garmin watch. That alone makes it feel like a decent all-day wellness band.

But the moment you try to use it for anything beyond wellness tracking… things start to fall apart.

Where Garmin Hits a Wall

The biggest downside? It doesn’t track workouts.

You could go on a sweaty five-mile run or power through a CrossFit session, and yes, your heart rate will be recorded. But…

• There’s no logged workout.
• No credit toward Training Load or Intensity Minutes.
• No boost to your Training Readiness score (unless you’re also wearing a Garmin watch).

Honestly, that’s a letdown. Even more confusing: it doesn’t even count your steps, despite technically having the sensors to do so.

If you were hoping the Index could replace your Garmin watch during the day, that’s a hard no for now.

Why Whoop 5.0 Still Wins (For Now)

If you’re serious about training, recovery, or want more from your wearable, Whoop still has the edge.

• Recovery & Strain scores that guide your day. You don’t just get numbers — you get real-time insights into whether your body’s ready to train or needs rest.
• Automatic workout detection. Go for a run, hit the weights, jump in the pool — Whoop logs it automatically.
• A better app experience. It’s not just data; it’s interactive. You get habit tracking, journaling, and their new Healthspan tool for a fuller picture of your health.
• Longer battery life. Whoop lasts up to 14 days and charges while you wear it. Garmin’s band needs to be taken off to charge, and you’ll do that every 7 days or so.
• Advanced health features (on the MG model), such as ECG and blood pressure, which Garmin’s band doesn’t offer yet.

What Garmin Got Right (And It’s Worth Noticing)

Even though the Index can’t compete with Whoop on performance metrics, it shines for what it’s built to do:

• Comfort is top-tier. The upper-arm design is barely noticeable at night. If you hate sleeping with a watch, this is a dream come true.
• Accurate sleep tracking. Garmin’s sensor tech is no joke — the data is spot on.
• No subscriptions. This one matters. The Index costs $169.99 one time, and that’s it. Meanwhile, Whoop requires a yearly subscription (up to $359 depending on the plan).

If you’re someone who primarily wants reliable sleep data without paying a monthly fee or wearing a bulky watch to bed, the Index is a great fit.

How Garmin Could Make This a True Rival

Here’s the exciting part: Garmin already has the hardware and software ecosystem — it just needs to unlock a few things.

If they did, the Index Sleep Monitor could seriously challenge Whoop.

Here’s what we’d love to see:

1. Let users set their Index as their primary device in Garmin Connect — currently, you still need a watch for most advanced features.
2. Add workout detection or support for connected GPS. At the very least, recognize when we’re exercising!
3. Turn on step tracking. This is basic information, and the sensors are already in place.
4. Make Training Readiness work without a watch. Let the band do it all.
5. Boost heart rate sampling during workouts. Especially during intense sessions.
6. Make it a dual-purpose band. It could easily become Garmin’s version of an upper-arm optical HR monitor — something they don’t offer yet.

Final Thoughts: A Great Start With Room to Grow

The Garmin Index Sleep Monitor isn’t trying to be Whoop — at least, not yet. And honestly? That’s okay.

If you’re focused on better sleep, daily wellness tracking, and want a simple, comfortable band with no ongoing costs, the Index is a great choice. It nails its core job, and for many people, that’s enough.

However, if you’re someone who lives for performance data, craves recovery insights, or wants hands-off workout tracking, Whoop remains the better tool, especially for athletes.

That said, Garmin’s known for playing the long game. If they decide to push this little band further, they already have everything they need to make it a real competitor.

And when they do? We’ll be ready.

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• WHOOP 5.0 Review: New Features, Pricing, & Health Insights – Is It Worth the Upgrade?
• WHOOP 5.0 & MG Bands Are Here: Discover the Exciting New Features.
• Want a Better Garmin Sleep Score? Here’s What Works.