Specs side by side
| Specification | Visionbody | Katalyst |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 8.8 / 10 | 6.7 / 10 |
| Built for | Home, personal trainers, studios (Pro line)[3] | Home[1] |
| Cables | None. PowerBox docks magnetically, Bluetooth 5.0 LE[1] | Wireless impulse pack, Bluetooth 4.2[2] |
| Electrodes | 24 dry electrodes, no wetting needed[1] | Wet: spray bottle and two base layers included[1] |
| Channels / muscle groups | 12 channels, including calves and inner thighs[10] | 13 output channels[2] |
| Frequency range | 4–100 Hz[1] | 1–105 Hz[2] |
| Pulse width | 150–500 µs[1] | 250–375 µs[2] |
| Control | App for iOS and Android[3] | iPhone or iPad only, iOS 16 or later[1] |
| Battery | About 6 hours per charge, user-replaceable[3] | “10+ workouts per charge”[1] |
| Suit care | Machine wash, cold gentle cycle, in laundry bag[3] | not published |
| Certification | FDA 510(k) K222386, Class II (2023)[2] | FDA 510(k) K190966, over the counter (2020)[3] |
| Price | $1,890 (one suit, one PowerBox)[4] | $2,999[1] |
| Ongoing fees | None, app included[10] | Membership required at purchase: $35–49 a month[1] |
| Warranty | PowerBox 3 years. Suit 6 months, max. 100 washes[5] | Impulse pack 3 years, suit parts 1 year[4] |
Numbers in brackets link to the source on each review page. “Not published” means we could not find the figure in the manufacturer’s public material, and we do not guess.
Score breakdown
| Criterion | Visionbody | Katalyst |
|---|---|---|
| Stimulation technology | 9.5 | 7.5 |
| Control and software | 9.0 | 8.0 |
| Comfort, hygiene and care | 9.5 | 4.0 |
| Safety and certification | 7.0 | 7.0 |
| Cost and ownership | 8.5 | 5.5 |
| Overall | 8.8 | 6.7 |
Preparation: dry vs wet
This is the difference you feel every session. Katalyst ships with a spray bottle and two base layers, and you wet the electrodes before training. Visionbody’s FDA summary states that no wetting is necessary, and the suit is worn on bare skin. Over a hundred sessions a year, those minutes add up. More in our wet vs dry guide.
Cost: one-off vs membership
Katalyst costs $2,999 and requires a membership at purchase, $35 to $49 a month. Visionbody costs $1,890 with the app included.
| Three-year cost | Visionbody | Katalyst |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase | $1,890 | $2,999 |
| Membership, 36 months | $0 | $1,260 to $1,764 |
| Total | $1,890 | $4,259 to $4,763 |
Technology on paper
Both clearances are public, and Katalyst’s K190966 was the predicate device for Visionbody’s K222386. Katalyst lists 13 channels and a pulse width of 250 to 375 microseconds. Visionbody lists 12 channels, 150 to 500 microseconds, and adjustable on and off times. Visionbody’s control unit weighs 155 g and docks magnetically with no cables.
App and platform
Katalyst’s guided classes are its best feature, and nothing in this comparison matches them. They require an iPhone or iPad. Visionbody’s app runs on iOS and Android and gives you direct control over each channel, with eight programmes on the home system. For guided content, Visionbody owners get the Voltroom platform: a library that starts with 10 free workout videos and keeps growing, an owner community of more than 1,000 members, and member prices. Visionbody also has a network of gyms where owners can train in their own suits, which Katalyst has no equivalent for.
Availability
When we checked on 20 September 2026, Katalyst’s Gen4 page still showed preorder wording with a delivery estimate that had passed. Confirm a delivery date before you pay.
Verdict
Choose Katalyst if you own an iPhone, want to be coached through every session and accept the membership. Choose Visionbody if you want dry electrodes, Android support and less than half the three-year cost.
Questions
Is Katalyst FDA approved?
Katalyst is FDA cleared, not approved: 510(k) K190966, for over-the-counter use. Visionbody is cleared under K222386. No EMS suit is FDA approved.
Does Katalyst work with Android?
No. Katalyst requires an iPhone or iPad running iOS 16 or later. Visionbody supports iOS and Android.
Sources for every figure are listed on the Visionbody and Katalyst review pages.