Short answer: WHOOP MG and WHOOP 5.0 share the same form factor and sensor platform, and both last 14+ days per charge. The MG adds an ECG-conductive clasp for on-demand ECG readings and AFib detection, and it only comes with WHOOP Life, which also adds blood pressure insights. Life costs $359 a year, against $199 for WHOOP One or $239 for WHOOP Peak on the 5.0. Buy the MG only if an on-demand ECG matters to you. For recovery, strain and sleep, the 5.0 on WHOOP One does the same core job for $160 a year less.
WHOOP sells both devices only as part of a membership, so choosing between the MG and the 5.0 really means choosing a membership tier. Prices below are WHOOP's US list prices from its membership page.
WHOOP MG vs WHOOP 5.0 at a Glance
| Feature | WHOOP 5.0 | WHOOP MG |
|---|---|---|
| Comes with | WHOOP One ($199/yr) or WHOOP Peak ($239/yr) | WHOOP Life only ($359/yr) |
| Battery | 14+ days | 14+ days |
| Sensor sampling | 26 times per second | 26 times per second |
| On-demand ECG (Heart Screener) | Not included | Yes, via the ECG-conductive clasp |
| On-demand AFib detection | Not included | Included |
| Blood pressure insights | Not included | Included (wellness feature, cuff calibration) |
| Healthspan, WHOOP Age, Stress Monitor | With WHOOP Peak | Included |
| Sleep, Strain and Recovery, coaching, VO2 max | Every tier | Included |
| Charger in the box | Wired Basic Charger (One) or Wireless PowerPack (Peak) | Wireless PowerPack |
| Band in the box | CoreKnit (One) or SuperKnit (Peak) | SuperKnit Luxe |
| Priority phone support | Not listed | Included with Life |
What Is the Same
The two devices are closer than the names suggest. WHOOP launched both on May 8, 2025 and described them together: a smaller body, sensors that capture data 26 times per second, a processor WHOOP says is 10 times more power efficient, and 14+ days of battery per charge. With the Wireless PowerPack, WHOOP says you get about a month of battery life between wall charges.
The core WHOOP experience does not depend on the MG either. Sleep, Strain and Recovery scores, personalized coaching, VO2 max, heart rate zones and Women's Hormonal Insights are all part of WHOOP One, the cheapest tier on the 5.0. If your question is which one tracks recovery or sleep better, the MG is not the upgrade that changes those scores.
What the MG Adds
- On-demand ECG. The MG has an ECG-conductive clasp. You place your thumb and index finger on it and take a reading in seconds, and WHOOP's Heart Screener checks it for signs of atrial fibrillation (AFib). WHOOP describes the ECG as FDA-cleared, and says it is not intended for people under 22 or for people with known arrhythmias other than AFib.
- Blood pressure insights. A daily morning estimate of systolic and diastolic blood pressure built from sensor data collected while you sleep. You unlock it by logging three readings from a traditional cuff, and WHOOP labels it a general wellness feature, not a medical device.
- Everything in WHOOP Peak. Because the MG only comes with Life, you also get Peak's Healthspan with WHOOP Age and Pace of Aging, Health Monitor alerts and the real-time Stress Monitor.
- Nicer kit and faster support. Life ships with the Wireless PowerPack and a SuperKnit Luxe band, and WHOOP lists priority phone support for Life members.
The Price Difference, Year by Year
| Membership | Device | 1 year | 2 years | 3 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WHOOP One | WHOOP 5.0 | $199 | $398 | $597 |
| WHOOP Peak | WHOOP 5.0 | $239 | $478 | $717 |
| WHOOP Life | WHOOP MG | $359 | $718 | $1,077 |
These totals assume you renew at today's list price. The MG on Life costs $160 a year more than the 5.0 on One, or $480 over three years. Against Peak, which already includes Healthspan and the Stress Monitor, the MG's ECG, AFib and blood pressure features cost $120 a year extra.
Blood Pressure Insights and the FDA
This feature has a regulatory history worth knowing before you pay for it. On July 14, 2025, the FDA sent WHOOP a warning letter about Blood Pressure Insights. The agency updated its general wellness guidance on January 6, 2026, and on June 17, 2026 it issued a closeout letter saying that, based on the changes WHOOP made to the feature and its labeling, it does not intend to enforce device requirements on the modified version.
A WHOOP spokesperson told Healthcare Dive the changes included adjusting the dial boundaries so the feature does not appear to classify blood pressure clinically. WHOOP's membership page now describes it as blood pressure insights for wellness, and WHOOP's own explainer says it cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage a condition. Treat it as a trend line, not a replacement for a cuff.
Upgrading From WHOOP 5.0 to MG
WHOOP says switching between One, Peak and Life generally does not require returning your device, but upgrading to Life sends you a new MG, because the MG hardware enables the ECG features. Downgrades take effect at your renewal date, and you can keep using an MG on a lower tier.
In its May 2025 upgrade policy update, WHOOP said members can move to Life either by starting a 12-month Life membership, which includes the MG at no extra cost, or by paying a one-time upgrade fee without extending their membership. Upgrade fees vary by region, so check the offer in your account before you commit.
Who Should Buy WHOOP 5.0
Most people. If you want WHOOP for recovery, strain, sleep and training guidance, WHOOP One at $199 a year covers it. Step up to Peak at $239 only if Healthspan, WHOOP Age or the Stress Monitor will change what you actually do.
Who Should Buy WHOOP MG
Buy the MG if you specifically want an ECG you can take from your wrist whenever something feels off, you are 22 or older, and you would rather pay WHOOP $120 to $160 a year more than own a separate ECG device. If blood pressure is your reason, remember that the insights are a calibrated wellness estimate, and WHOOP itself says they are not for diagnosis.
If You Are Not Sure WHOOP Is Worth It at All
The MG vs 5.0 question assumes you have already chosen WHOOP. If the membership itself is the sticking point, is WHOOP worth it breaks down the full cost and who should pay it, and the best WHOOP alternatives compares bands and rings that skip the subscription. If you already own an Apple Watch, Athlytic vs WHOOP covers the recovery app route.
Where Beacon Fits
Beacon is an app, not a band, so it does not replace the MG's ECG or either device's sensors. If you wear WHOOP, Beacon's direct WHOOP connection brings your recovery, strain, sleep and workouts in next to your meals and training plan. If you skip WHOOP, Beacon reads Apple Health, so the same coaching works with whichever tracker you choose. See Beacon and WHOOP for what connects today.
FAQ
What is the difference between WHOOP MG and WHOOP 5.0?
They share the same form factor, sensor platform and 14+ day battery. The MG adds an ECG-conductive clasp for on-demand ECG readings and AFib detection, and it comes only with WHOOP Life at $359 a year, which also adds blood pressure insights. The 5.0 comes with WHOOP One at $199 a year or WHOOP Peak at $239 a year.
Is WHOOP MG worth it?
Only if you want on-demand ECG readings from a band. Sleep, Strain and Recovery scores and coaching are in every tier, so for training and recovery the 5.0 on WHOOP One does the core job for $160 a year less.
Does WHOOP 5.0 have ECG?
No. WHOOP's launch announcement says medical-grade ECG is available exclusively on WHOOP MG, and the MG comes with a WHOOP Life membership.
Can I get WHOOP MG with WHOOP One or Peak?
Not new. WHOOP pairs the MG with Life, and moving from One or Peak to Life sends you a new MG. If you later downgrade, WHOOP says you can keep using the MG on the lower tier without the Life features.
Does WHOOP MG have shorter battery life than WHOOP 5.0?
No. WHOOP lists 14+ days per charge for both devices. The Wireless PowerPack included with Peak and Life extends that to about a month between wall charges, according to WHOOP.
Is WHOOP blood pressure a medical feature?
No. WHOOP labels Blood Pressure Insights a general wellness feature that needs three cuff readings to calibrate and cannot be used for diagnosis. The FDA closed its 2025 warning letter on June 17, 2026 after WHOOP changed the feature and its labeling.
What does WHOOP Life include that Peak does not?
WHOOP MG hardware, Heart Screener with ECG readings, on-demand AFib detection, blood pressure insights and priority phone support. Life costs $359 a year, against $239 for Peak.