Not All Cups Are Created Equal!
Why silicone quality varies between cupping brands
Not all silicone cups are made equal, even when they look identical. Different manufacturers use different silicone compounds and different curing processes, so a set from one company won't necessarily perform the same as a set from another, regardless of price.
Global Cupping works directly with our manufacturer, which is how we control for this rather than sourcing through an added layer of distribution. Every product we sell is made from either medical-grade or food-grade, platinum-cured silicone: no fillers, no byproducts, and the high optical clarity that comes with platinum curing specifically.
Food-grade vs. medical-grade silicone: what's the difference?
| Food-grade silicone | Medical-grade silicone | |
|---|---|---|
| Common uses | Baking molds, ice cube trays, kitchen utensil grips | Pharmaceutical products, implantable medical devices |
| Standard | Non-toxic, free of chemical fillers or byproducts, safe for food contact | Long history of successful implantation in humans and animals, manufactured under pharmaceutical-grade conditions, quality-controlled for medical use |
Both grades are non-toxic and free of harmful fillers; the difference is the level of manufacturing control and testing each one is held to, not a safety gap between them for cupping purposes specifically.
Platinum-cured vs. peroxide-cured silicone: what's the difference?
The curing process, not just the silicone grade, affects how a cup performs and holds up over time.
| Platinum-cured | Peroxide-cured | |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Transparent, high optical clarity | More translucent than fully transparent |
| Byproducts | None | Organic acid byproducts (can be partially reduced with high-heat post-curing) |
| Durability | Higher tensile and tear strength | Generally less durable |
| Typical use case | Preferred for medical applications and repeated sterilization | Lower manufacturing cost, less common in medical-grade products |
Platinum curing is why our cups stay clear rather than clouding over with repeated sanitizing, and it's part of why platinum-cured silicone tends to be the standard for anything requiring frequent sterilization.
What does "hardness" mean on a cupping set?
Hardness, measured on the durometer scale, describes how much a material resists being indented. A higher durometer number means a firmer material that's harder to compress; a lower number means something softer and easier to compress.
Our cupping sets are calibrated specifically within the 55 to 65 range, the band that works best for suction-based technique rather than the full range silicone gets used for generally.
Most silicone products in general fall somewhere between 40 and 70 durometer, though cupping sets specifically tend to cluster in a narrower band within that range, which is exactly why a difference of only five points, 55 to 60, can feel more noticeable in your hand than the numbers suggest.
Which hardness should you use?
Static or stationary technique calls for a firmer cup, generally in the 60 to 65 range. A firmer cup returns to its original shape faster once compressed, which translates into stronger, more stable suction, exactly what you want when a cup needs to hold its position without being reseated.
Dynamic or massage technique, where the cup moves across the skin with the help of lotion or oil, calls for a softer cup, generally in the 55 to 60 range. Softer cups compress more easily and glide more smoothly, though the suction will feel correspondingly lighter. It's normal for a softer cup to lose suction or "pop" off mid-glide; that's expected behavior, not a defect.
For the full comparison across all three hardness levels with real-world guidance on matching hardness to technique, see our complete guide to cupping hardness levels.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between food-grade and medical-grade silicone? Both are non-toxic and free of harmful fillers. Medical-grade silicone is held to a higher standard of manufacturing control and testing; food-grade silicone is tested and approved for food contact.
Is platinum-cured silicone better than peroxide-cured silicone? For cupping specifically, yes, generally. Platinum curing produces no byproducts, gives the cup better clarity and durability, and is the standard for products requiring frequent cleaning and disinfection.
What hardness cupping set should I buy first? 60 hardness is the most versatile starting point, firm enough for static work while still manageable for gliding techniques. See our hardness guide for the full breakdown by technique.
Why does my cup lose suction during a gliding technique? This is normal and expected with softer cups (55-60 hardness) used for dynamic technique; it isn't a sign of a defective product.
