The 15 Best Hair Extension Brands Money Can Buy

Sep 30, 2023

Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

If you've grown wary of frontal and closure wigs or need a beauty refresh, it might be time to return to the basics. Let's talk extensions, people!

Extensions give you the flowy, bouncy look of wigs but with a bit more versatility, especially if you opt for clip-ins for extra volume (which are placed in between your hair), ponytails for drama (affixed to your own smaller ponytail), or partial or full sew-ins for a complete switch-up. Of course, you can always go to a professional for guidance or take matters into your own hands to find the right texture, length, and color.

Whether looking for weft extensions, ponytails, clip-ins, or tape-ins, scroll down for the 15 best extension brands worth your hard-earned coins.

When it comes to True Indian Hair, the company name tells you all you need to know, The 100 percent cuticle hair is culled straight from India's finest donors to offer top-quality hair that is all placed in the same direction, so you don't have to worry about those pesky short strands disrupting the flow of your hair.

Kinkistry makes texture matching as easy as one, two, or three. With textures that run the gamut from tight coils to kinky straight, Kinkistry provides extensions for every step in your hair journey—natural or not.

The quality of Glam Seamless extensions will make you feel like a million bucks whether you get the hair installed professionally or DIY. Made of 100 percent Remy human hair, Glam Seamless textures are long-lasting, thick for root to ends, and fit all budget types. Celebrity stylist Priscilla Valles adds that Glam Seamless "also offers education for extensions to become experts themselves so we can see more beautiful heads of extensions and less damage."

With three lengths to choose from—16 inch, 20 inch, and 24 inch—Luxy Hair has an assortment of colors to seamlessly blend with your hair. If you don't see your color pictured, Luxy Hair offers a virtual color match to give you the most accurate results.

At SL Raw Virgin Hair, all hair types, lengths, and colors are welcomed. SL Raw Virgin Hair not only provides weft hair, but I-Tips (for those looking for more mobility), frontal/closure wigs, u-part wigs, clip-ins, and ponytails that stand the test of time.

Dyeing your bundles can sometimes shorten the life span of your hair, which is why it's important to invest in companies that specialize in "virgin" hair—which means unprocessed hair in its most state. True Glory's hair can be cut, dyed, and flat ironed at high temperatures without losing its luster.

Created with Black women in mind, Ruka's mission statement is simply "Because we get it." Ruka Hair knows the struggles Black women endure trying to morph, blend, and protect their hair, so they made it easier with texture ponytails, clip-ins, weft bundles, and wigs. Plus, they provide products to help enhance your look.

Looking to switch from wigs to something a bit more freeing? Boho Locs has just about any color loc combination you desire. The locs are lightweight, so you can pull them up in a bun or ponytail without the tension from traditional installs.

There's a reason beauty gurus to influencers to celebs alike love Bellami Hair. Remember Kylie Jenner's blue hair phase? All credit goes to Bellami Hair's exceptional quality. You can dye, cut, and heat-style your Bellami hair without worrying about it drying out or thinning—in moderation of course. The brand offers different weights, though we suggest going with 240 grams for a full head of hair.

Looking for something a bit more textured but still want to maintain the silky, flowy look? Indique created a line of sleek hair to match natural, silk pressed, and permed hair.

With Amazon being one of Darling's main retailers, you can have your hair delivered in a matter of days. Darling Hair is made with soft, premium synthetic fibers in a variety of colors and styles, including pre-stretched loose waves for knotless braids, soft crochet locs, ponytails, and more.

Yummy Extensions sources from the finest donors in Asia to provide quality hair textures (Cambodian, Laos, Myanmar, and more) that can last you years. The styles blend seamlessly with all textures so your hair remains undetectable.

The luscious body wave texture is a dream for those who prefer to wear their extensions in beach or barrel curls. The hair's wavy texture allows for curls to hold up longer than straight textures and blends seamlessly with relaxed hair.

Kendra's Boutique has built a massive following for its exceptional quality and bundle deals that don't break the bank. Plus, celebrities are loyal to the brand, from Cardi B to Jordyn Woods to Megan Thee Stallion.

The prices aren't displayed on Covet and Mane's website because the brand sells exclusively to licensed stylists to ensure a quality experience from purchase to installation. Stylists are asked to complete a questionnaire to help further educate them on hair types and find the hair that suits their respective clients.

Not only does Mayvenn have a wide range of textures, styles, and lengths, but the brand also provides a directory of licensed stylists who will install your hair for free. The only catch is that you have to purchase Mayvenn hair to get an install.

Meet the expert:

Priscilla Valles, Celebrity Extenstionist

Can you break down the different types of extensions out there?

Weft:

"Imagine a hula skirt of hair – that is what weft extensions are," Valles says. Weft extensions are typically installed by braiding the hair into cornrows and sewing the wefts to the braids. "Based on my experience and what I’ve seen over the years, wefts do much better with textured coarser hair than thin/fine hair because the weight of the weft can be too heavy (the anchors) and can cause damage to the scalp," she adds.

Keratin:

Keratin extensions are Valles' favorite and one of the bestsellers at Glam Seamless. "This is the Rolls Royce of extensions. You can build an entire head of hair with these and you can add as many colors as you want. The best part is that you can get really creative with the placement of the colors. This is the most natural-looking result because they are so lightweight and they move and flow as natural hair does," she explains.

Microlinks:

Microlinks is another way to achieve volume. With microlinks, the links are attached to small pieces of your natural hair and then secured using a plier tool.

Clip-ins:

"Every girl should have a pair of clip-ins in their vanity," Valles says. "They're an easy way to add length and volume and are typically used for weddings or special events."

Ponytails:

Clip-in ponytails are great for those looking for a quick way hairstyle and an even quicker removal process.

How do you decide what extensions are best for you?

Determining what extensions are right for you depends on what your hair goal is. Valles adds that you should keep in mind whether your hair is thick or thin, color-treated, and your lifestyle. "You always have to remember that you pay for what you get. If extensions are under $500, it can be too good.

What are some best practices for maintaining your extensions and ensuring longevity?

You should always wash your extensions, but Valles says it's good to go further and "give them a nice blowout" and store them properly. "You want to store them in a nice silk bag, brush them before you put them in the bag, and brush them after. Handle them with care," she adds.

Nerisha is the beauty commerce editor at ELLE.com, covering all things beauty (and fashion and music). She has a penchant for sneakers and nude lip glosses, and spends way too much time re-watching 90s sitcoms.

The Curly Girl Method for Beginners

The Best Sulfate-Free Shampoos for All Hair Types

11 Hair Masks to Give Your Hair Some TLC

All the Details on the New Dyson Airstrait

19 Best Bikini Trimmers You Need for Smooth Skin

How to Use Rice Water to Grow Long Hair

9 Best Rosemary Oil Products for Your Hair

The Best Bob Hairstyles for 2023

The 7 Best Hair Wavers of 2023

Big Hair Is Huge for Spring

Listen Up Blondes: You Need a Purple Shampoo

The 24 Best Hair Growth Oils