WHOOP MG vs 5.0: What Is the Difference?

The WHOOP MG vs 5.0 question comes down to one thing: the MG adds ECG and blood pressure insights, and the 5.0 does not. The two devices are otherwise very close. For most South African buyers, the 5.0 with the Peak plan is the sensible choice, because WHOOP does not list South Africa for ECG at the time of writing.

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This is a short comparison. For the full picture of every plan, read my hub guide, The Complete Guide to the WHOOP 5.0 and MG: A South African Review. I have worn a WHOOP daily for over two years, so I focus on what changes in daily use.

In short: what separates the MG from the 5.0

The MG is the 5.0 with extra heart sensing hardware and the Life plan. The sensor pods are nearly identical in size, and both are rated for 14 or more days of battery, according to Wareable.

Point	WHOOP 5.0	WHOOP MG
Plans	One or Peak	Life
Annual price	US$199 or US$239	US$359
Battery	14+ days	14+ days
ECG contacts in clasp	No	Yes
Blood pressure insights	No	Yes (beta)
Healthspan and Stress Monitor	Peak only	Yes

Plan details are from WHOOP's membership page, which I checked on 26 October 2026.

What does the MG add over the 5.0?

The MG adds a Heart Screener with ECG, on-demand AFib detection and blood pressure insights. Wareable notes the MG clasp carries the ECG contacts, while the 5.0 clasp does not.

Everything else in Peak is included in Life as well, such as Healthspan with WHOOP Age, the Stress Monitor and the Health Monitor. If you want the full effect of those features, you do not need the MG to get them. Peak on the 5.0 already has them.

WHOOP states that blood pressure insights are not a medical device. They are not intended for pregnant users or anyone on blood pressure medication. None of these features diagnose, treat or prevent a condition. If you have any concern about your heart or blood pressure, speak to a doctor.

Are the MG features available in South Africa?

ECG and irregular heart rhythm notifications do not appear to be available in South Africa. WHOOP's feature availability page says these features depend on regulatory approval in each country. When I checked on 26 October 2026, South Africa was not in the ECG list or the irregular heart rhythm list.

That does not mean they will never arrive. It means you should not pay for Life on the assumption that ECG will work here. That page did not mention blood pressure insights, so I cannot tell you their status in South Africa. Confirm in the app or at checkout if that feature drives your decision.

How much does the difference cost in rand?

Life costs US$120 more per year than Peak. At an exchange rate of 16.574 on 23 October 2026, that is approximately R1,989 a year.

Plan	Annual price (US$)	Approx. rand
One (5.0)	199	R3,298
Peak (5.0)	239	R3,961
Life (MG)	359	R5,950

The dollar prices come from WHOOP's membership page. The exchange rate is the most recent one I could find on exchange-rates.org. Prices and exchange rates change, and shipping and import VAT are not included. For a way to work out your own total, see my post on the WHOOP price in rands.

Do the bands and charging differ?

Yes, slightly. Both devices use the new clasp system, so old WHOOP 4.0 bands no longer fit either one. That matters if you were hoping to reuse accessories from an older device.

The plan decides what comes in the box. One includes a wired charger and a CoreKnit band. Peak and Life include the Wireless PowerPack, which Wareable says can extend use for up to a month. The membership page lists a SuperKnit band with Peak and a Luxe style band with Life, although the page words the Life band inconsistently, so check the box contents at checkout.

In daily use I would expect the comfort and battery to feel the same on both. The difference you notice is in the app, where Life unlocks the heart screening sections.

Who should choose the MG?

The MG suits someone who wants the extra sensors and accepts that some may not work where they live. Wareable suggests it for people who want regular ECG checks or early access to blood pressure estimates, which are in beta.

Tom's Guide reaches a similar view for the 5.0. It recommends the 5.0 with Peak for most people, because few buyers will use the MG's extra heart features.

Who should choose the 5.0 with Peak?

Choose Peak if you want sleep, recovery, strain and long-term trends. I used the Healthspan feature to guide lifestyle changes, and my WHOOP Age came down significantly. That is my own experience, not a promise of results.

Who should choose One?

One suits you if you mainly want daily sleep, strain and recovery scores at the lowest price. It leaves out Healthspan and the stress features.

Honest buying notes for South Africa

Buying direct from WHOOP has trade-offs worth weighing against a local retailer.

Delivery time and tracking: international orders are trackable but slower than a local order.
Import VAT: where it applies, it is paid at checkout. I could not confirm an official figure, so rely on your checkout total.
Membership is required: the device does not work without an active plan.
Returns and warranty: WHOOP says you can return a device within 30 days for a full refund minus shipping. Its lifetime warranty applies if you bought directly and have an active membership. A local retailer offers a shop to visit but has its own policy.

WHOOP's membership page advertises a one month free trial of Peak with a certified pre-owned 5.0. I could not confirm that the offer applies to every plan, so read the terms at checkout. My step-by-step guide to buying WHOOP in South Africa covers the ordering process.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between WHOOP MG and 5.0?

The MG has ECG contacts and blood pressure insights and comes with the Life plan. The 5.0 comes with One or Peak and does not have those sensors.

Is the WHOOP MG worth it?

It is worth it only if you will use the ECG or blood pressure features. In South Africa, ECG is not listed as available, so Peak on the 5.0 is the safer value.

Can I upgrade from the 5.0 to the MG later?

I could not confirm an official upgrade path for South African buyers, so check with WHOOP before assuming one exists.

Ready to compare the plans?

You can review the plans, the checkout total and any free month terms on the WHOOP join page before you pay.