WHOOP launched two new devices in September 2024: the WHOOP 5.0 and the WHOOP MG. The naming implies a meaningful hardware distinction -- "MG" stands for medical grade -- but the physical differences are subtler than the names suggest. Both devices are identical in size and almost identical in weight. The real gap is in what the MG's extra hardware enables: ECG readings, AFib detection, and blood pressure insights.

The choice between them is not really a hardware choice. It is a membership choice. WHOOP 5.0 comes with One and Peak tiers ($199-$239/year). WHOOP MG comes only with the Life tier ($359/year). You cannot buy the MG device separately or with a lower-tier subscription.

This comparison breaks down the actual differences between the two devices, what the membership tiers include, and who each configuration is designed for. We also cover the full WHOOP membership pricing breakdown if you want more detail on the tier structure.

Key Takeaways

• WHOOP 5.0 and WHOOP MG are identical in size; the MG is 0.8g heavier due to ECG-conductive hardware in the clasp.

• The MG's exclusive features (ECG, AFib detection, blood pressure insights) are not yet FDA-cleared -- they are health insights, not clinical diagnostics.

• For most athletes and fitness users, WHOOP Peak with the 5.0 delivers all the recovery and performance tracking they need at $120/year less than WHOOP Life.

Quick Verdict

• Choose WHOOP 5.0 (One or Peak) if your primary goal is recovery, sleep, strain, and HRV tracking. Peak adds healthspan and stress monitoring. Both tiers deliver the full WHOOP experience at a more accessible price point.

• Choose WHOOP MG (Life) if you specifically want ECG-based heart screening, AFib detection alerts, or daily blood pressure trend data -- and you understand that these features are not FDA-cleared diagnostic tools.

WHOOP 5.0 Overview

The WHOOP 5.0 is the standard generation device included with One and Peak memberships. It is 7% smaller than the WHOOP 4.0 and weighs 26.5g, making it the most wearable and comfortable WHOOP device to date. Battery life is 14+ days with the standard charging cable, or longer with the wireless PowerPack charger included in Peak and Life tiers.

On the sensor side, WHOOP 5.0 tracks heart rate, HRV, blood oxygen (SpO2), skin temperature, respiratory rate, and movement. These inputs feed the core WHOOP metrics: Recovery score, Strain, and Sleep Performance. VO2 Max estimation, step tracking, and women's hormonal insights are also included across all tiers using the 5.0.

The WHOOP 5.0 doesn't have ECG hardware -- it is not designed for heart rhythm screening. If that's a feature you want, the MG is the only option within the WHOOP ecosystem.

• Pros: Smaller and lighter than MG; available at $199/year (One) or $239/year (Peak); full WHOOP core experience; 14+ day battery

• Cons: No ECG; no blood pressure insights; no AFib detection

Available with: WHOOP One ($199/year), WHOOP Peak ($239/year)

WHOOP MG Overview

WHOOP MG (Medical Grade) is the premium variant of the WHOOP 5.0, exclusive to the Life membership tier. It is physically identical in dimensions to the 5.0, with the only size difference being 0.8g of additional weight from the ECG-conductive contacts built into the band clasp. To take an ECG reading, you place two fingers from your opposite hand on the clasp contacts, which the app uses to generate a 30-second electrocardiogram.

The MG includes all the same core sensors as the 5.0, plus the hardware needed for its three exclusive features: on-demand ECG, AFib detection, and daily blood pressure insights. The blood pressure measurement is wrist-based optical estimation, not a traditional cuff measurement -- it shows trends rather than precise systolic/diastolic numbers.

A critical note: WHOOP is explicit that the ECG, AFib detection, and blood pressure features are not yet FDA-cleared. They are described as health insights designed to prompt conversations with healthcare providers, not as diagnostic replacements for medical-grade testing. See the full WHOOP Life review for a detailed assessment of these features.

• Pros: All WHOOP 5.0 features plus ECG, AFib detection, and blood pressure trends; useful cardiac awareness tool for high-risk users

• Cons: Only available with Life tier ($359/year); medical features not FDA-cleared; blood pressure is estimated, not cuff-measured; 0.8g heavier than 5.0

Available with: WHOOP Life ($359/year only)

Head-to-Head Comparison

• Size: Identical -- both 7% smaller than WHOOP 4.0

• Weight: 5.0 = 26.5g, MG = 27.3g

• Battery: Both 14+ days

• ECG: MG only (on-demand, via clasp contacts)

• AFib Detection: MG only (via ECG reading)

• Blood Pressure: MG only (estimated, not cuff-measured)

• Recovery Score: Both

• Sleep Tracking: Both (same sleep score methodology)

• HRV: Both

• Strain: Both

• VO2 Max: Both

• Healthspan / Biological Age: Peak and Life (not One)

• Real-time Stress Monitor: Peak and Life (not One)

• Wireless PowerPack: Peak and Life (not One)

• SuperKnit Luxe Band: Life only

• Price: 5.0 from $199/year; MG at $359/year

Which Should You Choose?

The answer comes down to whether you need the medical-grade features.

Choose WHOOP 5.0 with Peak ($239/year) if: You want the full WHOOP experience -- recovery, sleep, strain, HRV, VO2 Max -- with healthspan tracking and real-time stress monitoring. Peak is the best value configuration for athletes and performance-focused users who don't have specific cardiovascular health concerns that require cardiac monitoring.

Choose WHOOP MG with Life ($359/year) if: You have a family or personal history of atrial fibrillation, you've been asked by a doctor to monitor your heart rhythm or blood pressure, you're over 50 and want a proactive cardiac monitoring tool alongside your fitness tracking, or you want to consolidate several health tracking subscriptions into one device.

If WHOOP's subscription model isn't appealing, alternatives like Garmin and Apple Watch deliver comparable recovery tracking without ongoing membership fees.

One note: if your priority is turning your recovery data into a smarter daily schedule, Lifestack works alongside either WHOOP configuration to help you schedule your tasks around your actual energy and recovery level, not just a fixed calendar template.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I upgrade from WHOOP 5.0 to WHOOP MG?

You cannot swap hardware mid-membership. To get the WHOOP MG, you need to be on the WHOOP Life membership tier. If you are currently on One or Peak, you would need to cancel and re-subscribe to Life to receive the MG device. Check WHOOP's current policies for any transition options, as these details can change.

Is WHOOP MG better for sleep tracking?

Marginally. Both devices use the same sleep tracking methodology, but the MG's sensors are slightly more accurate. For most users, the difference in sleep data quality between the 5.0 and MG is not significant enough to justify the upgrade by itself -- the main reason to choose MG is the ECG and blood pressure features, not improved sleep data.

Does WHOOP 5.0 track blood pressure?

No. Blood pressure tracking is exclusive to the WHOOP MG device on the Life membership tier. The 5.0 on One and Peak memberships does not include blood pressure measurement or insights.

Is WHOOP MG FDA-cleared?

No. WHOOP explicitly states that the ECG, AFib detection, and blood pressure features on the WHOOP MG are not yet FDA-cleared. They are classified as health insights. The Apple Watch ECG is FDA-cleared by comparison; WHOOP's equivalent is not yet at that regulatory threshold.

What band does WHOOP MG come with?

WHOOP MG includes the SuperKnit Luxe band, which is the premium material version of the SuperKnit band. The ECG functionality requires the MG band specifically -- the conductive contacts that enable ECG readings are built into the clasp of MG-compatible bands, not standard WHOOP bands.