For cupping at home, soft silicone cups are the best choice for most people: you control the suction with your hand, they work both statically and dynamically, they are easy to clean and they carry the lowest risk of marks. Glass cups with a pump and electric devices have their place, mainly with practitioners who want strong, precise, stationary suction. Here are the differences, what to look for and how Curam's cups compare with each other.
Start with the purpose
- Face (glow, puffiness, jaw): small cups with very light suction. Body cups are out.
- Neck and shoulders: small cups that stay in place, i.e. static cupping.
- Thighs, glutes, back, calves (circulation, cellulite, soreness): a larger cup you can glide over oiled skin, i.e. dynamic cupping.
- Lymphatic flow and heavy legs: dynamic cupping with light suction.
- Treating others (massage therapist): usually a mix, with demands on hygiene and precise suction.
Material comparison
| Silicone | Glass with pump/flame | Plastic with gun | Electric | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| How suction is created | You squeeze the cup | Hand pump or heated air | Pump gun with valve | Motor, often with heat and modes |
| Control over suction | Stepless, by hand, adjustable during the session | Precise via pump, hard to change once on | In steps via the gun | Preset levels |
| Dynamic cupping (gliding) | Very good | Works with oil, needs practice | Poor, the valve gets in the way | Limited, the device is heavy |
| Static cupping (stationary) | Good, moderate suction | Very good, strong suction | Good | Good |
| Face | Yes, with small face cups | Small sizes exist, needs practice | No | Some models |
| Hygiene and cleaning | Soap and water, can be boiled | Easy, but breakable | Valve is hard to clean | Usually cannot be rinsed |
| Risk of marks | Low dynamic, moderate static | High, strong stationary suction | High | Moderate to high |
| Price | Low to medium | Low to medium | Low | High |
| Best for | Self-care at home, whole body and face | Practitioners, deep static work | Simple static cupping on a budget | Those who want heat and automation |
When is glass or electric better? When you want strong, precise, stationary suction for a long time, for example as a therapist treating a trigger point. Electric cups with heat can feel good on a stiff lower back. For self-care at home, where you want to glide the cup, adjust suction as you go and treat both body and face, silicone is more versatile and safer.
Static or dynamic cup?
A static cup is made to stay put: often smaller, with firmer walls and a grip that keeps it in place on neck and shoulders. A dynamic cup is larger, softer and shaped to glide over oiled skin. You can use a dynamic cup statically, but not the other way round as well. If you only want one cup, choose a dynamic one. If your main issue is neck and shoulders, choose static cups.
Size and firmness
- Large cup (about 7 cm diameter): thighs, glutes, back. More area per stroke, more suction.
- Medium cup (about 5 cm): calves, arms, neck, knees. Easier to grip, softer feel.
- Small cup (about 4 cm): static cupping of points.
- Face cup (4 cm) and mini face cup (1.5 cm): face, neck, eye area.
- Firmness: a firmer cup gives stronger suction and suits experienced users and large muscles. A softer cup is easier to squeeze and kinder to the skin. Silicone also softens slightly with use.
What does cupping at home cost?
A single good-quality silicone cup costs a few hundred Swedish kronor (roughly 25–35 euros); a complete kit with several cups and oil between one and two thousand kronor. Glass cups with a pump are often sold in sets of ten to twenty for similar money, but you rarely use more than two to four. Electric cups start at around a hundred euros. Count the lifespan: a silicone cup lasts at least five years, so the cost per use is low either way.
Checklist before you buy
- Material: 100 % medical- or food-grade silicone, free from BPA and phthalates. Cheap "silicone cups" are sometimes PVC.
- The right sizes for your purpose, not the most cups.
- Instructions in your language: video or a programme showing where, how hard and how long. This is where most people go wrong.
- Oil included or recommended for dynamic cupping.
- Can it be cleaned with soap and water?
- Warranty and who designed it. Ask whether therapists were involved.
- Reviews from people who cup at home, not just stars.
"Best cupping set" lists are almost always written by retailers or affiliate sites that rarely test anything. Read what was actually compared before trusting a ranking.
Curam's cups compared
| Cup | Size | Static/dynamic | Area | For you if you |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dynamic Cup | 7 × 7 cm | Dynamic (also static) | Thighs, glutes, back, calves | only want one cup |
| Dynamic Mini Cup | 7 × 5 cm | Dynamic (also static) | Arms, neck, knees, ankles | have sensitive skin or weak hands |
| Static Cups (set of 2) | 4 × 7.5 cm | Static | Neck, shoulders, trigger points | sit a lot or have tight shoulders |
| Face Cup | 4 × 7 cm | Dynamic, light suction | Cheeks, jaw, forehead, neck | want glow and a softer jaw |
| Face Cup Mini (set of 2) | 5 × 1.5 cm | Dynamic, very light suction | Eyes, lips, nose | have sensitive skin |
All are 100 % premium silicone without BPA, PVC or toxins, designed in Sweden together with massage therapists, and come with a video guide and the Curam Start programme. If you would rather not choose, see the kits: Body Kit Small (all three body cups and oil), Face Kit (both face cups and oil) and Complete Kit (everything). New to cupping altogether? Start with What is cupping? The complete guide.
Frequently asked questions
Which cupping cup is best for beginners?
A medium-sized dynamic silicone cup, or a kit with a dynamic cup, a mini cup and static cups plus oil. The most important factor is clear instructions.
Is electric cupping better than regular cupping?
Not in general. Electric cups give even suction and often heat, which can feel nice statically, but they are more expensive, heavier, harder to clean and worse for dynamic cupping. For home use, silicone is more versatile.
How many cups do I need?
One dynamic cup is enough to start. Two static cups make neck and shoulders easier. Four static cups if you want to treat the whole back at once. Most people need no more.
Can I use body cups on my face?
No. The suction is too strong for thin facial skin. Use face cups.
How long do silicone cups last?
At least five years with normal use. Avoid direct sunlight and very high temperatures, which can fade the colour.
Written by Curam. Last updated 16 October 2026. This is general self-care information and does not replace medical advice. Talk to your doctor before cupping if you are pregnant, take blood thinners or have a condition affecting skin, blood vessels or blood.
