Why Are Human Hair Wigs More Expensive? What Is the Average Cost?

If you’re a wig enthusiast or have your share of beautiful wigs, you must know that wigs are quite the investment. Even if you’re new to the world of wigs, you must have heard that good wigs cost a pretty penny, and human hair wigs, even more. 

Human hair wigs cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars, and many people have asked ‘why are human hair wigs more expensive?’

There are many factors to consider when answering this question, and we will be discussing these factors, beginning with what makes human hair wigs special in the first place.

Are Human Hair Wigs Better Than Synthetic?

Most people will be quick to say yes to this question because human hair wigs are more natural than synthetic wigs and can pass for real hair. However, the answer to this question will depend on several factors, including personal preference.

First, let’s highlight what’s great about human hair wigs. 

Human hair wigs look and feel like natural hair and it’s easy to understand that. Simply because they are made of real human hair. Human hair wigs are also easier to style and color, just like natural hair. In addition, human hair can be worn for a long time and last for a few years with adequate maintenance.

Beyond these advantages, some people see the price of human hair wigs as a downside, because not everyone can afford them. But, when you consider the fact that you get good quality, a natural wig, and an extended lifespan, it is often worth the investment.

However, to last longer, human hair wigs need more attention and maintenance, just as you need to manage your natural hair. Without proper management, natural hair can lose its shine and luster.

Now, as far as synthetic wig goes, the most obvious benefit of a synthetic wig is that they are already styled when they come in, and they can hold the style permanently.

However, you cannot restyle most synthetic wigs into other styles because they are fixed in one style.

Also, many synthetic wigs cannot undergo heat styling, although these days we see an influx of heat-resistant synthetic wigs in the market. Similarly, synthetic wigs cannot be colored differently from the color you buy them in.

While the relative affordability of a synthetic wig is a positive point, its short lifespan which is less than one year makes it unattractive to many people who want longer-lasting wigs.

So, what’s our conclusion?

Human hair wigs are better than their synthetic counterpart in areas like comfort, lifespan, hair and scalp protection, and appearance. However, that doesn’t invalidate the beauty of synthetic wigs, which we have discussed above

What Is the Average Cost Of A Human Hair Wig?

Human hair wigs are hard to peg at a fixed point in terms of price because many factors play out and influence the price of a human hair wig. For instance, the kind of wig cap used, the density of the hair, the nature of the material, and whether or not the wig will have a lace.

Human hair wigs cost anywhere from $100 to $3000.

It is important to note that lace front human hair wigs are often the most expensive ones.

It is also worthy of note that the price of a ready-to-wear wig is different from a custom wig. Making a custom wig with human hair can cost as much as $1,000 minus the cost of the hair. 

Why Are Human Hair Wigs Expensive?

You might have read the price on the previous and wondered ‘why are human hair wigs so expensive?’

Well, the obvious reason is that quality things cost more, and it is the same for wigs. Human hair wigs have the best quality, and so you’ll have to pay more for them.

So, why are human hair wigs expensive? Let’s discover several reasons why human hair wigs are ‘up there’ with regards to price.

1. High-Quality Human Hair

The hair used to construct human hair wigs is high-quality virgin human hair without any synthetic strands. These hair strands are gotten from donors who have long, healthy hair, and the hair is further chemically processed to clean it. 

Human hair strands can be restyled, they come in many textures, including curly, deep wave, straight, wavy hair, 613, and the like. 

2. Multiple Manufacturing process

Human hair strands go through several processes before they are sewn to caps to become wigs. 

First, they go through the disinfecting process where certain liquids are used to wash the strands to remove things like dandruff, lice, or other parasites and germs. This process is compulsory once the hair has been sourced. The smell of the natural hair is also removed, to avoid weird smells.

Next, the hair often goes through several processes, including grooming, highlighting, and coloring, which isn’t easy.

It often takes professionals to carry out these processes, and the companies that make these wigs have to pay the groomers who handle the process carefully to avoid any damage to the strands and ensure consistency with all the strands of a particular wig.

3. Wig Construction

The construction process for human hair wigs is complex and time-consuming, especially for lace or monofilament wigs.

Wig construction is sometimes the most expensive process when making human hair wigs; sometimes even costlier than the human hair, although it depends on who is handling the construction.

Wig designers are somewhat responsible for the increasing wig prices, but that’s because the design and construction of the wig cap determine how realistic the wig will look. 

The art of wig making doesn’t come easy to everyone, and it takes an expert to create a human hair wig that’s free of flaws and looks natural. These experts are expensive.

Some human hair wigs are created by knotting individual hair strands to the cap, and this process can take over 40 hours for a single good-quality human hair wig. Such efforts will definitely cost more than machine-sewn wigs.

Hair density also comes to play during the construction process, because the professional must pay attention to density when knotting the strands.

For full hair, they must work with a density that’s between 150% to 180%, but they can go higher towards 200% and 220% density. The chosen density also affects the wig cost.

4. Hair appearance, comfort, and texture 

Human hair wigs are more natural and comfortable than synthetic hair, and they feel good on the scalp without any negative reaction. 

Because people naturally have different hair textures, you’ll also find human hair wigs with different textures, which offers the variety that many artificial wigs cannot match. You can then choose a texture that suits your needs.

You can always find human hair wigs that match your hair color, texture, and even fullness. So, you can go about with human hair wigs while feeling like you don’t have anything on. 

Human hair wigs are generally more breathable, comfortable, and lighter than synthetic wigs.

5. Styling versatility

Human hair wigs are easily styled and restyled because they are made from natural hair and are versatile. You can easily change the highlight, color, cuts, and even length, either by yourself or with the help of a hairstylist. Many women love to explore looks and styles on a single wig, and human hair wigs afford that opportunity.

6. Long lifespan

Human hair wigs have a long lifespan that makes up for their cost. The strands contain protein and are less prone to damage, which ensures that they last longer and can withstand heat and chemical treatment.

Human hair wigs last for a few years, with the shortest lifespan being one year. A longer lifespan means more enjoyment of the beautiful wig.

These are a few reasons why human hair wigs are on the expensive end. However, it’s all good quality which the wearer gets to enjoy, so we dare say that it’s worth it!

What Type of Human Hair Wig Is the Most Expensive?

Human hair monofilament wigs are the most expensive wigs out there, and the reason behind the high cost is not far-fetched. The quality, construction, and comfort of a human hair monofilament wig are unrivaled.

They are, in fact, the most recommended wig types for people who want to replicate their natural hair in a wig, especially people suffering hair loss or those with sensitive scalp.

Each strand on a human hair monofilament wig is hand-knotted into the mesh material, and it takes a long time to complete the construction process.

Human hair monofilament wigs have a natural design that makes the hair strands look like they are growing out of the scalp.

The wig construction ensures that the wig moves smoothly and supports multidirectional styling with unlimited styling options. 

Human hair monofilament wigs are more expensive, and they are also longer-lasting than other human hair wigs. They could last up to 3 years or more with the right maintenance.

The average cost of human hair monofilament wigs ranges between $900 and $3000, with many wigs within the $2000 range.

Top 3 Low-Cost Human Hair Wigs

The fact that most human hair wigs are expensive doesn’t mean you cannot find affordable or low-cost human hair wigs that fit your budget. You can indeed find them, although they might not have all the qualities that the higher-end human hair wigs will have.

Let’s look at three great low-cost human hair wigs you can try.

1. Sdamey T-Part Lace Front Deep wave Brazilian Virgin Human Hair Wig 

This T-part human hair wig is made from unprocessed Brazilian hair (Grade 9A). The wig has a 4×1 lace closure and has varying lengths of hair ranging between 16 and 26 inches.

It is a 180% density full, thick wig with HD transparent lace that looks very natural. The wig also has a very full hairline.

It is easy to wear and adjust because the medium-sized wig cap has 4 combs to hold the wig firmly in place.

The hair is smooth and soft, tangle-free, and can be dyed, curled, straightened, and customized comfortably. 

2. ANNELBEL Body Wave Lace Front Human Hair Wigs Pre Plucked with Baby Hair 

ANNELBEL body wave lace front human hair wig is made from Unprocessed Brazilian Virgin Human Hair. It is a 150% Density wig with Natural Hairline, Invisible Lace, and a Breathable Cap.

It is an 18-30-inch body wave lace closure wig that comes in Medium Brown Lace or 4×4 Swiss Lace. It has a medium cap Size with adjustable Straps and 3 combs for firm hold and comfort.

The wig comes in natural Black Color and can be dyed, bleached, permed, straightened, or curled safely. It has a silky, soft, and bouncy texture.

3. Lzlefho Silky Brazilian Virgin Straight Human Hair with Bangs None Lace Front Wigs 

Lzlefho Non-lace front wig is a machine-made wig made from 100% Unprocessed Brazilian Virgin Straight and has bangs

It has a density of130% and comes in natural black color, with medium brown lace that is suitable for many skin tones and shades.

The hair length ranges between14 and 26 inches, depending on the wearer’s preference.

The wig is constructed on a medium-sized Cap (22-22.5 Inches) with a breathable net and four combs, alongside straps that can be intertwined to a fixed position and adjusted to fit different head sizes.

The hair is soft and silky and can be dyed, straightened, and restyled based on preference.

Final Words:

Now you have the gist about human hair wigs, how much they cost, and why they cost so much. It is now up to you to determine how much you’re willing to spend on a human hair wig.

We have also recommended some of the most affordable, good human hair wigs that you can buy if you’re on a budget. Feel free to explore different types of human hair wigs until you find the one that best suits your needs.

Remember, although it might seem like a more affordable alternative to opt for human hair wigs, it isn’t often the best decision.

It might look great for a few months, but it will fall apart quickly. Human hair wigs will last longer, give you the comfort and natural appearance you need, and look more beautiful than any other wig type.