Types of Wig Caps - Everything You Need to Know

If you’re new to wigs and having trouble understanding wig caps, you’re one of many. There are two types of wig caps:

(1) The cap construction that makes up the base of a wig. Understanding the wig cap consturction can help you choose the best wig for you.

(2) A stretchy cap that you put on under a wig to keep your natural hair flat and in place.

These two are both called wig caps, but they are totally different. For the purposes of this article, we’ll be only referring to the first type of wig cap - Wig Cap Constructions.

Since there are many wig cap constructions on the market, it’s easy to get confused. But knowing their functions and characteristics can make it easier to choose the right cap for you. In this article, we’ll give you helpful information about all of the types of wig caps, including the most popular lace front wigs, full lace wigs, closure wigs, and more.

Lace Front Wigs

Lace front wigs are wigs with lace across the front of the wig. It's easy to make this type of wig cap look natural, which is why it’s very popular. The most common lace front wig size is 13x4 inches, though there are other sizes available.

Lace Front Wig Cap Types: 13x4 lace front wigs, 13x5 lace front wigs, 13x6 lace front wigs. *Note that there are both smaller and larger lace cap options available.

Pros:

They give you a more natural result than non-lace wigs.
Installing a lace front takes less time than other extension methods. Other hair extensions, like sew-ins, can take several hours to install.
Lace frontals are versatile: part it in the middle or on the side. You can also do half-up half-down styles.
You can prep, style, and maintain your lace front on your own. You don’t need to go to a professional to get your wig installed or maintained - unless you want to, of course!
The cap construction allows your hairline to breathe. This is especially important for people who wear lace frontals for a long period of time.

Cons:

Lace front wigs can cause damage to your hairline when you apply got2b glue or other adhesives to secure the wig.
If you choose a low quality lace front wig, you could have a tough time making it look natural. However, this won't be a problem if you choose a lace front that has Clear Lace and Clean Hairline technology. With this technology, you won’t have to pluck the wig’s hairline or bleach the knots.

Closure Wigs

Closure wigs are similar to lace front wigs but there is one key difference to know about. They have sheer lace in the front but it is much smaller than lace front wigs (usually 4 inches across and 4 inches back). Closure wigs are a popular choice for beginners, since they are easier to maintain than other wig cap types.

Closure Wig Cap Types: 4x4 lace closure wigs, 5x5 lace closure wigs, 6x6 lace closure wigs

Pros:

Closure wigs are much easier to install than lace front wigs and other extensions. They don’t require as much glue as lace frontals do.
When you want to remove your wig, all you need to do is take it off.
Closure wigs are more affordable than other wig cap types.

Cons:

A closure wig is not very flexible when it comes to styling. You’re limited to parting your hair only on the lace, which may only be about 4 to 6 inches wide. And there’s no lace on the sides of the wig in the front, so you can’t pull the hair back into a ponytail without the wefts being visible.

Full Lace Wigs

In full lace wigs, the entire wig cap is made of lace. Human hair is then knotted onto the lace. It is also called 100% hand-tied wigs. Because of its construction, it gives you a ton of styling options. Full lace wigs are the most expensive wig type on the market.

Pros

Since the entire cap is made of lace, full lace wigs are very breathable and comfortable to wear.
Lace covers the entire cap, so you get to style your hair however you want. If you want to part and braid your wig in cornrows, you can do that. If you want to wear your wig in a high ponytail or space buns, go for it! The options are unlimited.
Full lace wigs are easy to maintain and of higher quality than other types of wig caps.
Full lace wigs look natural and lay flatter to the scalp than other wigs since there are no bulky wefts.

Cons

Full lace wigs are expensive compared to lace front, 360, and closure wigs. You can expect to pay several hundreds of dollars for a high-quality full-lace wig.
Full lace wigs are not the best option for beginners, because they can be fragile and need more skills to install. Beginners can easily rip the lace and ruin the wig.

360 Lace Wigs

360 lace wigs have lace around the entire perimeter of the wig. They were created to allow wearers to pull their hair up into a high ponytail. The lace on 360 lace wigs is around 4.5 inches thick in the front and 2 inches thick in the back.

Pros

360 lace wigs offer more styling versatility than lace front and closure wigs, given that there’s lace all around the wig. You can wear your hair in a low ponytail, a high ponytail or even updos without worrying about your wefts or edges showing. Note: You cannot wear your 360 lace wig in space buns since you can’t part your wig straight down the middle.
360 lace wigs are often fuller at the crown, which is perfect for luxurious looks.
You can create baby hairs all around the wig, which can make it look very natural.
360 lace wigs allow your skin to breathe, making them more comfortable to wear than other options.

Cons

Since 360 lace wigs have more lace than lace fronts and closures, you should expect to pay much more for your 360 lace wig.

Headband Wigs

Headband wigs are wigs attached to a headband. They don’t have any lace. These wigs come in tons of different hair textures, so everyone can find one that fits their style.

Pros

Headband wigs are affordable on most budgets since they don’t have any lace. You can find a human hair headband wig online for less than 50 dollars.
It takes seconds to put on and take off a headband wig, making headband wigs great for beginners. People often reach for a headband wig for casual outings or when they need to get out of the house quickly. The convenience is a big plus.

Cons

You can’t part a headband wig. You can only wear the headband wig the way it is unless you blend it with your own hair in the back. In that case, you can pull the wig up into a ponytail.
Headband wigs are known to be uncomfortable, especially in the warmer months.

T Part Wigs

T Part lace wigs have lace in the front that’s shaped like a T. In most cases, you get about 4 inches of lace across the front and a one-inch wide piece of lace in the middle or on the side. However, T-part wigs come in a variety of sizes, like 13x6, for example.

Types: Middle Part, Side Part, 13x4 T Part Wigs, 13X5 T Part Wigs, 13x6 T Part Wigs

The Difference Between T Part Wigs and Lace Front Wigs: It can be difficult to understand the difference between T-Part wigs and lace front wigs. The main thing to know is that T-part wigs have less lace than lace front wigs.

Let’s consider, for example, a 13x6 T-Part wig and a 13x6 lace front wig. The lace front wig will have lace across the front (13 inches) and all the way back (6 inches).

But the T-part wig is a bit different - since it’s a T-shape, there isn’t much lace except for across the front of the wig (13 inches wide) and in the parting area (6 inches long). There won’t be much lace near the ears since the lace has a T-Shape.

Pros

Much more affordable than lace front and 360 lace wigs. Since a T-Part wig has less lace, the cost will be lower.
You get lace all around the front hairline and in the parting area, which allows you to create natural looks.

Cons

You cannot pull your hair up into a ponytail or even do a side braid. The lace placement doesn’t allow for that. Not being able to style your hair how you’d like can get annoying after a while.
You cannot change your part. If you purchased a middle part T-Part wig, you can’t part your hair on the side. And, vice versa, you can’t part your side-part T-Part wig in the middle.

U Part Wigs

U-Part wigs have a U-shaped section for your leave-out. Some U-Part wigs have lace, while some don’t. The U-Part wigs with lace offer a more natural look than U-Part wigs without lace. To wear the wig, you’ll have to cut off the excess lace (if there is any).

Pros

With U-Part wigs, your natural hair is left out, giving your wig a very natural finish. You’ll also be able to style your baby hair however you’d like.
U-part wigs are a great alternative to sew-ins, requiring less manipulation and installation time.
When your natural hair is blended in properly with the extensions, U-part wigs are often undetectable.
A U-Part wig is more affordable than many other types of wigs.

Cons

Though most of your natural hair will be protected under the wig, your leave-out will be at risk of damage from repeated styling and environmental exposure. If you regularly use heat to blend your natural hair with the wig, the risk of damage is very high.

Weft Wigs

Weft wigs are capless, made of sewn together wefts. The term “capless” can be confusing because weft wigs have a cap, but it’s an open cap. The thickness of the wig is determined by how closely the wefts are sewn together. Weft wigs are known for being very comfortable to wear.

Pros

Weft wigs are more lightweight than other wig types because the wefts aren’t sewn super close together.
Weft wigs are comfortable to wear because the space between the wefts lets air in. People who choose this type of wig enjoy wearing it more than any other type.
Weft wigs are great for beginners. There’s no lace to cut or blend, no closure to pluck, etc.
You can find weft wigs in a wide variety of styles and colors. Chances are you’ll have no problem finding the right weft wig for you.

Cons

Weft wigs do not look as natural as other wigs. When you go out and about, others may be able to tell that your wig is not your real hair.
Weft wigs don’t allow you to change up your style at all. You’re stuck with wearing the wig in its current style.
Weft wigs are mass-produced and machine-made.

How to Choose

With so many options available, choosing the right wig cap construction can be difficult. But there’s no need to worry. Here are some tips to help you choose.

Cost - The lowest cost wig cap options are weft wigs, headband wigs, and T-Part wigs. If you are short on money, consider buying one of these. Other wig types can cost a pretty penny. The most expensive wig type of all is full lace.
Application difficulty - The more lace a wig has, the more difficult it may be to install it. Also, low-quality wigs are more challenging to style. So, if you are a beginner, a weft wig, closure wig, lace front wig, T-Part wig, or U-Part wig would be a good fit for you. You could also go for a Clear Lace & Clean Hairline wig - those are ready to wear straight out of the box.
Styling options - The more lace a wig has, the more styling freedom you'll have. Choose a lace front wig, 360 lace wig, or full lace wig if you want the most styling freedom. A full lace wig allows you to style your wig however you want!
Natural Results - If you want the most natural results possible, choose a lace front wig, 360 lace wig, or full lace wig. Each of these options gives you the ability to melt the lace to your skin and create an undetectable and seamless hairline. You’ll have to put more work into low-quality lace units than high-quality units.