The Easiest Way to Change Up Your Look: Clip-In Hair Extensions—We Tested and Found the Best (2024)

TL;DR

Our best overall pick is the Hidden Crown Hair Extensions Crown Clip-Ins thanks to how seamlessly they blend in, how flat they lay against the scalp, and how thick and voluminous they look. If you have natural hair, we love the ONYC Kinky 3B–3C Curl 7 Piece Clip In because it was designed specifically for curls and coils, comes in a variety of weft lengths, and feels incredibly high-quality.

Synthetic vs Human Hair

Although synthetic clip-ins are cheaper, they have limitations. They can’t withstand heat styling and tend to look less realistic than human hair options. If you do opt for a human hair clip-in, look for 100% Remy human hair, which means that the cuticle is intact and runs in the same direction for a natural, cascading effect.

Our Top Picks

Type: 100% Remy human hair | Shades: 27 | Number of Wefts: 3 original, 5 seamless

A favorite of celebrity hairstylist (and Kardashian glam squad team member) Justine Marjan, Hidden Crown’s extensions are thick, voluminous, and crafted from 100% Remy human hair. We were thrilled with how easily and seamlessly the clip-ins blended into our natural hair. Plus, the sturdy clips ensured a mess- and pain-free installation process.

Each piece is much thicker than average, so you can use fewer clips to get a full head of hair. (The pack includes one extra-thick piece for the back of the head, which you can wrap around the base of a ponytail or for added length and fullness.) Something to keep in mind: The longer wefts are harder to get flat because of the natural curvatures of the head, so it'll take some practice to get the perfect look.

There are 27 shades—including great options for redheads—available in the range, eight different length options, and either three-piece or five-piece seamless sets.

Shannon Bauer, associate editorial director: "These extensions look and feel great. They were easy to style—I curled pieces of the extensions with a piece of my natural hair to make it appear even more seamless. These seem to be well made and really good quality.”

Type: 100% Remy human hair | Shades: 2 | Number of Wefts: 7

For curly and coily hair (specifically 3C to 4A), ONYC’s Tight Kinky Curl Clip-Ins are great. Made from high-quality human hair and in two natural-looking shades, each set comes with seven pieces to add volume and thickness to your natural style. We were particularly impressed by the quality, which resembles healthy human hair. With a bunch of different weft lengths, the set is super customizable and allows you to achieve a number of different styles. Plus, you have the choice of wearing the wefts straight or curly; it’s just a matter of styling. Once installed, we found it easy to add definition to the curls—all you have to do is apply water and use a mousse for hold.

The only caveat is that each piece is measured in straight style, so be mindful when choosing your length—you will lose a few inches with the curl pattern intact.

Jasmine Phillips, social media editor: “This set resembles natural hair and can add to a protective hairstyle. I can definitely see myself creating different hairstyles with this hair as well as adding extra volume to my own hair."

Type: Synthetic | Shades: 21 | Number of Wefts: None, Comb base

Insert Name Here’s extensions come in 21 shades and one super-long length (26 inches, to be exact), taking out a lot of the guesswork that comes with choosing the best set. The installation process was quick and easy, thanks to the comb-like base (as opposed to wefts) that slots right into your existing up-do, making it simple to affix to a ponytail or braid. While it didn't feel as secure as some of the other options we tested, it still looked beautiful while adding fullness and length to our pony. Our only complaint: It’s a heavy piece. If you have breakage-prone or finer hair, be careful with installation to avoid damage from the extensions.

Type: 100% Remy human hair | Shades: 15 | Number of Wefts: 7

As far as volume and length are concerned, this set from RPZL is totally worth the splurge. Made from 100% Remy human hair, these heat-resistant extensions are tangle-free and comfortable to wear (thanks to seamless silicone clips). The extensions come in 15 shades and blend effortlessly into your own hair. Plus, unlike other options on the market, the RPZL Clip-Ins are 50% thinner at the top and sit undetected on the top of the scalp.

Though the snaps are easy to open and close, we struggled a bit with the application. A short bob style didn’t offer enough hair for the seven wefts to adhere to. However, with the help of an on-set stylist, we were able to create multiple layers and ended up with a secure, “natural-looking” result. That said, it was hard to blend the extensions in short hair and would be ideal for someone with longer hair.

Type: 100% Remy human hair | Shades: 37 | Number of Wefts: 10

If you struggle to find the perfect match, you might have success with a set from Luxy Hair. With 37 shades to choose from (including dark browns and warm caramels to bright blondes and cool reds), there’s bound to be one that suits you. We found the color match to be absolutely perfect, even on bleached hair, and loved that there was a shade that paired well with a not-so-natural hair color.

The set has seven pieces, which is good news if you have a bigger head and lots of hair to work with. If your head is on the smaller side or has finer hair density, you might not be able to use all of the wefts. Regardless, we were pleasantly surprised by the easy installation process and noted that the hardest part was sectioning off the hair to create even layers.

Type: 100% Remy human hair | Shades: 8 | Number of Wefts: 9

If you want to invest in some luxurious loose curls and realistic-looking human hair extensions, Bebonia’s Spiral Clip-In Extensions are our pick. Available in three lengths, two density options, and eight colors, finding your ideal match is easy. The voluminous curls are easy to install, which means a lot if you have zero experience with extensions. We liked that the wefts came in different sizes that could be placed as needed, and each piece blended well with natural hair, creating a seamless look. The only thing that gives the secret away are the wefts that sit closest to the top of the head. They appeared slightly bumpy, but we chalked that up to user error since it was our first time applying them.

Type: 100% Remy human hair | Shades: 7 | Number of Wefts: 9

Looking for a set of extensions that blend into your ringlets? This other pick from Bebonia could be a lovely choice for you. Available in seven shades, this set of 100% Remy human hair looks and feels totally convincing, not to mention the fact that it blends into hair seamlessly. They’re also very comfortable, despite having seven pieces. We didn’t experience any tangles and found the attachments easy to work with. When caring for these extensions, we treated them as we would natural curly hair, spritzing the pieces with water to refresh them and then applying a mousse before letting them air dry in order to reset the shape.

While we'd wear the extensions again for important events, our biggest gripe was that they’re advertised as a match for tighter curl textures (3C to 4A). In our opinion, this was misleading since we found the curls to be much looser.

Danielle, tester with curly hair: “Installing the clip-ins was easy. It was more cumbersome for me to neatly separate and part my hair to clip them in, but once that part was over, it took mere seconds to pop the extensions in. The teeth of the clasps unbuckled readily and I was able to line the extensions up with my scalp with ease.”

Type: Synthetic | Shades: 3 | Number of Wefts:1

Achieve the long pony of your dreams with the Barely Extensions Ponytail. At 22 inches long, this ponytail made of synthetic fibers takes your ‘do to the next level. All you have to do is wrap it around your pony for undetectable length, volume, and density. It comes in three shades (Platinum Ice, Dark Blonde Frost, and Dark Brown). The color matched the look of natural roots but was slightly darker than the ponytail, giving the effect of highlights. One thing to note: It doesn’t feel like real hair, but because the extension is made from synthetic fibers, that checks out.

Type: 100% Remy human hair | Shades: 7 | Number of Wefts: 9

Those with natural hair will love this Ponytail Fro from Kurly Klips. It’s 18 inches long curly (so 24 inches long straight) and is made from 100% human hair. It’s available in a soft black color but the extensions can be dyed to match the hue of your hair. As for the attachment process, it couldn’t have been easier. The extensions felt very secure all day long—even during a long commute. It is on the pricier side, so if you’re a first-timer or trying to save some money, this might not be for you. However, if you’re dedicated to your hair game and are looking for a high-quality clip-in to seamlessly blend into your natural hair, this is it.

Chantia, tester with coily hair: “This hair extension resembles and feels like real, healthy hair. It is a bit dry and brittle to work with, so I had to wet it and comb it out with my detangler brush to get it to look healthier and fluffier. But, it looks great styled in a bun and a ponytail.”

Testing Clip-In Hair Extensions for Hair Type, Color, and Length

FAQ

• What type of hair extensions are best?

  There are four types of hair extensions: tape-in, clip-in, bonded, and halo hair extensions. Clip-in hair extensions are the best because they are easy to install and remove and are the least damaging to hair. They're also easy to color and style and blend naturally with your hair.

• How do you apply clip-in hair extensions?

  For seamless extensions, Gahan suggests the following process: Prepare the section for an extension by teasing it with a fine-tooth comb and hair spray—this gives the clips an anchor to hold them in place. “Placement ultimately depends on your hair texture, but be sure to space them evenly around the sides and back of the head,” she says. “Around the crown, you'll want to do some slight backcombing at the roots to keep the hair from splitting and exposing the extensions, as well. Keep a soft bristle brush in your purse, so you can brush throughout the day/night and keep it blended with your natural hair.”

• How do you select the right shade of clip-in hair extensions?

  “When color matching, keep in mind what your hair color plan will be for the next 12 months,” suggests Gahan. “You want the investment to be able to last as long as possible.” If you’re testing in person, Gahan recommends taking a small piece of the extension and holding it side-by-side with your natural hair in a different light. If you’re shopping online, look for a shade that resembles yours in-depth as well as tone, whether that’s cool, ashy, golden, or neutral. Another great tip from Gahan is to use a tinted root mist or dry shampoo around the roots to camouflage any discrepancies. “This is especially useful if you have balayage or a root shadow.”

• How long should you wear clip-in hair extensions?

  We recommend you only wear your clip-ins for a day at a time. Sleeping or swimming in them could lead to unnecessary tangles and damage, so try and avoid it where you can.

• How many wefts do you need for clip-in extensions?

  Generally, you'll need between four and eight wefts. If you desire more volume, and if you have fine hair, you can expect to use up to 10 wefts. This might mean using up to two packs of hair for a fuller-volume look.

• How much should you expect to pay for clip-in hair extensions?

  The picks on our list range from $60 for a ponytail extension to over $300 for a full set designed to blend seamlessly with curly hair, The price you can expect to pay will depend on the quality (synthetic hair is much cheaper than extensions made from real human hair), length, thickness, and number of pieces in the set.