Short answer: If you're new to cupping or treating yourself at home, choose the softer Intermediate 5560 cups — they squeeze easily and are forgiving to use. If you're an experienced therapist doing deep-tissue work, choose the firmer Deep Pro 6065 cups for stronger suction. When in doubt, start soft: you can always add firmer cups later.
What’s the difference between 5560 and 6065 cupping cups?
It really comes down to one thing — how soft the silicone is.
The Intermediate 5560 is our softer cup. It squeezes easily in your hand, so you get smooth, controllable suction without fighting the cup. That makes it forgiving for first-timers, gentle on sensitive or tight tissue, and easy to use for everyday self-care.
The Deep Pro 6065 is firmer. It pulls a stronger, deeper suction, which experienced hands love for deep-tissue work — but it takes more grip strength to squeeze and control, which is why we don’t recommend it as a first set.
Here’s a bit of history: we actually created the 5560 because the original 6065 was simply too firm for most people to enjoy. We had it re-tuned to a softer range and named it the 5560 — the cup we wished more beginners had started with.
Who should use the soft Intermediate 5560 cups?
Choose the 5560 if you are:
- New to cupping, or buying your first set
- Using cupping at home for self-care
- Working on sensitive skin or tight, tender tissue
- Doing superficial-to-intermediate work — gliding, relaxation, everyday tension
- Focused on circulation, muscle recovery, lymphatic massage, or body sculpting and cellulite areas
- A therapist who wants a comfortable, easy-to-control cup for lighter sessions
Who should use the firm Deep Pro 6065 cups?
Choose the 6065 if you are:
- An experienced therapist or seasoned home user
- Doing deep myofascial or trigger-point work
- Comfortable with strong suction and confident controlling it
- Someone with the hand strength to squeeze a firmer cup for a full session
If that doesn’t sound like you yet, start with the 5560. Reaching for the “strongest” cup first is the most common mistake we see — and the fastest way to give up on cupping before you’ve enjoyed it.
5560 vs. 6065: a quick comparison
| Intermediate 5560 (Soft) | Deep Pro 6065 (Firm) | |
|---|---|---|
| Firmness | Softer, easy to squeeze | Firmer, needs hand strength |
| Best for | Beginners & self-care | Experienced & deep-tissue |
| Suction | Light to medium, controllable | Strong and deep |
| Type of work | Superficial to intermediate, gliding, relaxation | Deep myofascial, trigger point |
| Learning curve | Gentle — easy first set | Steeper — not a first set |
How to choose in 30 seconds
Still deciding? Use this quick rule:
- New, sensitive, or self-care at home? → Intermediate 5560.
- Experienced, strong hands, deep-tissue work? → Deep Pro 6065.
- Genuinely not sure? → Start with the 5560. It covers the widest range of people and uses, and it’s the easier cup to love.
A quick note on Supreme vs. Grip styles
Both firmness levels come in two shapes. Supreme cups have a smooth mushroom/accordion body. Grip cups have a bell shape with finger nibs for extra hold, and come in a soft version or a firmer 6570. The firmness rule above still applies — softer for beginners, firmer for experienced hands — so pick your firmness first, then your shape.
Frequently asked questions
Are soft or firm cupping cups better for beginners?
Soft cups are better for beginners. The Intermediate 5560 squeezes easily and gives smooth, controllable suction, so you can learn the technique comfortably instead of wrestling a stiff cup.
Do the soft 5560 cups still give strong enough suction?
Yes. The 5560 offers light-to-medium suction that you control by how firmly you squeeze — more than enough for everyday tension, gliding massage, recovery, and body-sculpting work. The firmer 6065 exists for experienced users who specifically want a deeper draw.
Can I use the 5560 cups for cellulite and body sculpting?
Yes — the soft cups are a popular choice for gliding, body sculpting, and cellulite-area work, because they’re easy to move smoothly across the skin with a little oil.
What sizes come in the sets?
Our cups come in four sizes: Small (1.3″), Medium (1.6″), Large (2.1″), and X-Large (2.75″) — small for the neck and arms, up to X-Large for the back, glutes, and thighs. Not every set includes every size, so check the set details before you buy.
Will cupping leave marks?
Light circular marks are normal and typically fade within a few days. Clear cups (ours are always clear, never colored) let you watch how your skin responds in real time so you can keep sessions comfortable.
Can I switch to the firmer 6065 later?
Absolutely. Many people start with the soft 5560, get comfortable, and later add the firmer 6065 for deeper work. Starting soft simply gives you the gentlest learning curve.
Ready to start? Shop the soft Supreme 4 Intermediate 5560 (beginner set) or the firmer Supreme Deep Pro 6065, or browse all cupping sets.
Written by the founder of Cupping Warehouse, a nurse and massage therapist with 27 years of combined experience.