Swipe the table sideways to see every column →
| Method | How it attaches | Heat or glue | Typical wear before refit | Reusable | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clip-in | Silicone-lined clips on wefts, fitted by the wearer | Neither | Daily; removed before sleep | Yes, with careful storage | Retail, ecommerce, first-time wearers |
| Tape-in | Thin PU tabs sandwiched around natural hair | Neither; adhesive tabs | Roughly 6-8 weeks | Yes, re-tab and refit | Salon services, fine to medium hair |
| Micro-ring / loop | Small silicone-lined rings clamp a pre-tipped strand | Neither | Roughly 8-12 weeks with move-ups | Yes, rings replaced at refit | Salons avoiding heat and glue |
| Pre-bonded I/U/V tip | Keratin tip fused or seated at the strand end | Heat for fusion tips | Roughly 10-14 weeks | Usually re-tipped before reuse | Long-wear clients, denser hair |
| Weft / weave | Weft sewn or beaded onto a track | Neither for beaded tracks | Roughly 6-8 weeks | Yes, weft can be re-installed | High volume, curly textures, salon installs |
How to read this comparison
The table is a sourcing aid, not a fitting manual. Wear cycles are planning ranges, and the refit schedule a salon uses matters more than the number printed here. We deliberately do not list prices: wholesale pricing depends on gram weight, length, hair grade, shade complexity and order quantity. Ask for a quote with your specification and we will price the actual configuration.
Match the method to your business model
If you sell online or retail to walk-in clients, clip-in sets have the lowest barrier: no fitting appointment, no training, and returns are easier to assess. If you run a salon, tape-in and micro-ring create a recurring refit appointment, which is where service revenue comes from. Clients who want the longest continuous wear are usually steered toward pre-bonded keratin tips, while high-volume and curly work is normally built on wefts.
For a structured way to plan a first assortment, see our ecommerce SKU planning guide and the MOQ and pricing guide.
Five specifications to confirm before you order
Whatever the format, lock these down in the purchase order: gram weight per set or per strand, length distribution, shade and root shadow, cuticle alignment and double-drawn ratio, and packaging or private-label requirements. Our buyer glossary defines each term, the shade chart guide explains colour matching, and the quality testing guide lists the documents to request before a shipment leaves the factory.
Where to go next
Use the focused comparisons when the decision is down to two formats: tape-in vs clip-in, micro-ring vs pre-bonded, or weft vs tape-in. When you have a shortlist, send us the specification and we will confirm what can be produced, sampled and shipped.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which method is easiest for a new wholesale buyer to start with?
Clip-in sets. They need no fitting training, ship as a complete retail unit, and let a new buyer learn shade and gram-weight demand before committing to salon-only formats. Many distributors add tape-in as a second line once they have a salon customer base.
Can one factory cover all five methods?
Yes. The five formats use the same underlying hair preparation, colour and grading processes, then diverge at the tipping, taping or wefting stage. Ordering them together also means one shade reference and one quality standard across the range.
Why are there no prices on this page?
We are a wholesale manufacturer, so prices depend on gram weight, length, hair grade, shade complexity, packaging and quantity. Publishing a single number would be misleading. Send the specification through the quote form and we will price the exact configuration.
Which format has the lowest return risk for online sellers?
Clip-in, mainly because the buyer can see and try the set without a fitting appointment and a mismatched shade is easy to return unaltered. Clear shade charts and realistic indoor photos reduce returns further, which is why colour matching is worth doing before a large first order.