Handmade Wigs vs. Machine Made Wigs: Know The Differences

Are handmade wigs or machine-made wigs the better option?

Each has its plusses and minuses – good and maybe not as good qualities. And there has been a lot of talk about which one is better. 

The truth is that the argument over whether wigs made by hand vs. those made by machine are “better” will never be settled. Because at the end of the day, it all boils down to your personal preference.

That said, it is important to be aware of the benefits and potential downsides of each style of wig so that you can pick the one that works best for you.

Below, learn about each type of wig so you can decide which one is right for your style, budget and needs.

Handmade Wigs

A hand-knitted wig is one that, obviously, is made by a human being by hand. 

These wig makers typically use natural hair bundles to create hand-tied wigs. If the wig maker does a good job, these wigs will usually look very natural. 

They can also be customized to suit your specific needs. 

Because of the way these wigs are made and the softness of the base cap, handcrafted wigs are typically lightweight.

Creating a handcrafted wig from start to completion may take up to 100 hours or around five days. And that’s assuming the wig maker doesn’t get too distracted during that time by other tasks!

The wig maker will weave the hair roots of hand-tied wigs one by one onto the inner net. Because this replicates how our natural hair grows, these wigs look and feel very natural. This also makes it easy to care for and style these wigs. 

Because it only requires a single layer of the net for the base, a handmade wig will be quite comfortable to wear because of its lightweight, breathable and thin profile. 

Machine Made Wigs 

While humans may be involved in the process, machine-made wigs require much less hands-on attention to make than a handmade one. They are (as you can probably guess from the name!) made mainly by machines.

Many machine-made wigs contain little to no lace. This means you often don’t need any tape or glue to keep the wig on your head (assuming it’s a good fit!). This makes machine-made wigs an excellent choice for those who have an allergy to wig tapes or glue.

Machine-made wigs require much less time to make. So most of them are mass-produced by wig manufacturers. 

Machine-made wigs often have a net foundation. The machine then sews wefts of hair into this foundation. (Wefts are when a number of strands of hair are sewn together into a piece of fabric.) Each weft is sewn in by the machine a few centimeters apart from each other.

Biggest Differences Between Handmade Wigs And Machine Made Wigs 

Price is one of the main differences between handmade and machine-made wigs. As you might guess, handmade wigs are typically more expensive than machine-made ones.

(Though the type of hair (human hair vs. synthetic), the length of the hair and other factors go into the price of a wig.)

But, all else being equal, you’ll pay more for a handmade wig than one made by machines. 

Machine-made wigs tend to have thicker caps and are not as breathable as handmade ones. They also tend to have more hair volume and density. So, if comfort is a top concern for you, a handmade wig is usually the better option.

Handmade wigs are easier to style if you want to customize your look. This is due to the way they are made, with individual hairs being sewn into the base. It’s very similar to your natural hair. 

Because machine-made wigs use wefts, it’s more difficult to change the style of it to get the exact look you’re after.

So if the most comfortable, realistic look is what you want, handmade wigs are your best bet.

If you want a more budget-friendly option that has great volume, a machine-made wig is a great choice.