Toupee vs Wig: What Is the Difference?

A toupee vs wig, which one should I pick? That’s a question many men ask at some point in their life.

Imagine looking in the mirror and noticing your hairline retreat—years before you ever expected it. You’re not alone. In the U.S., two-thirds of men face noticeable hair loss by age 35.

For many, it’s more than just a change in appearance—it’s a hit to their confidence. That’s why more and more young men are turning to male wigs and toupees, not just to restore their hair, but to reclaim their sense of self.

Now, a toupee vs wig, what are they? Called by different names, surely there should be some difference in functionality between the two. Here let’s discover what a toupee is, and take a look at the pros and cons of both toupees and wigs.

What Is a Toupee?

Familiar with a balding crown or a receding hairline? Yup, these are the areas where male pattern hair loss happens most often. A men’s toupee is a small hair piece for men to wear at the top of the scalp and covers exactly these key hair loss zones.

Toupees are known to most as hair replacement systems (or simply men’s hair systems). They are crafted with either synthetic or human hair.

Originally, the word“Toupée” comes from the French word, toupet, meaning tuft of hair, at the top of the crown, not necessarily relating to covering baldness.

Professional hair artisans attach the hair to a piece of material known as the base. The process of attaching the hair to the base is called ventilation.

The base is usually made of lace, monofilament, polyurethane, or a combination of any two or three of these. When applying a toupee, the stylist needs to cut the base to the right size and stick it to the client’s scalp using either tape or adhesive. The hair density and color also need to blend well with your natural hair. You can wash your hair, go swimming, and sleep with it on.

A trained hairstylist can help you make sure your toupee is perfectly fitted and styled. When you wear a high-quality toupee, others won’t even guess and realize it isn’t your natural hair.

Read related: Toupee Haircuts

What is a Wig?

Similar to the toupee, and both belong to the hairpiece family, wigs, however, date back to ancient Egyptian times and were worn by Egyptian nobles.

Wigs are mainly worn by women for a makeover. Some women without hair also wear medical wigs due to alopecia. There are also full-cap wigs for men to wear as a type of hair replacement system to cover their entire head if they barely have any hair.

Wigs are usually ready to wear right out of the box and secured to the head by elastic velcros or anti-slipping silicone strips without needing tape or adhesive, or the assistance of a stylist for installation.

You don’t usually have to style or trim a wig, which makes them easier and faster to put on and take off. Natural hair wigs give men the look and feel of their bio hair.

A Toupee vs Wig: What Are the Differences?

Though both are used as a type of hair replacement system, toupees and wigs are not the same.

Often we are asked, ‘what is a toupee?’. Similar to a female hair topper, a toupee offers coverage over a smaller section of the scalp, predominantly at the crown. When deciding on a toupee, you should choose a colour, style and texture that matches your existing hair and will blend in seamlessly.

We are frequently asked by our clients, ‘What is a toupee?‘ A toupee covers only a small section of the scalp, usually the crown. the crown, similar to a female hair topper.

Also read: What Is a Hair Topper?

The toupee hair needs to blend with your remaining natural hair around your head. So, when choosing a toupee, you need to consider choosing toupees with a hair density or color similar to your natural hair. Many also call a toupee a partial wig.

To decide whether you need a toupee or wig, you may refer to the chart below. It shows you all stages and types of hair loss. You will see clearly whether a toupee or a wig will suit you.

A Toupee vs Wig: Which one Look More Natural?

Generally speaking, toupees are typically more natural than wigs, given that they are installed securely.

Most toupees, like those made by Newtimes Hair, are made with ethically sourced real human hair, which best imitates the wearer’s hair texture. With the help of professional adhesives, the toupee can blend in with the wearer’s natural hair and create a seamless look without full commitment to a wig.

Click to find out the 7 most natural hair systems at Newtimes Hair.

Wigs can look unnatural compared to toupees. To cover the full scalp of baldness, full cap wigs are usually ventilated using longer hair throughout, and thus may lack the sense of gradient.

However, wigs offer total coverage over the whole head, so your client won’t worry too much about blending issues. For example, if a toupee isn’t installed properly, it will appear obvious to others. If your hair loss has invaded the temples and the back of your head, then a wig will be a great option.

Toupee vs Wig: Which One is Better?

Now that you know the differences between toupees and wigs, let’s list their pros and cons so you will be able to decide clearly which one to choose and for for purpose.

Pros of Toupees

1. They are perfect for covering thinning or balding areas at the very top of your head.
2. They come in a wide range of hair densities, textures, colors, and sizes to naturally and comfortably blend with your natural hair.
3. When secured with the right adhesives, toupees can remain in place for long periods.
4. They are often more affordable than wigs since they don’t have to cover as much of your head and get the job done efficiently.
5. Toupees can be styled and cut with your natural hair to create a seamless appearance and better blending.
6. Toupees have different base designs serving different purposes, such as Swiss lace, thin skin, monofilament, and hybrid hair systems for breathability, comfort, realism, durability, etc., including partial hair systems to cover specific areas with hair loss.
7. Toupees can be easily attached using toupee glue or tape and easily removed with remover, such as C-22 Solvent.
8. As toupees are designed to blend with your natural hair, they offer you a stronger feel of gradience, unlike wigs, with which, people can easily notice your sudden change of hair color, style, density, etc.

Cons of Toupees

1. To some people, finding the right toupee to match the hair color, density, texture, etc., of their existing hair, can take a long time, and the result could be a disaster if wrong decisions are made.
2. A bad toupee, which is one that’s poorly made may appear obvious.
3. You’ll need to maintain or replace your toupee fairly frequently, especially if you wear it every day.
4. Although the toupee itself is inexpensive, the care products can quickly add up in price.
5. If your toupee isn’t secured correctly, it may look obvious and unnatural.
6. Toupees only cover a single area, and if your hair loss progresses throughout the head, they may have to be replaced by a wig.

Many men like toupees because they aren’t as disruptive to daily routines. You can sleep, shower, swim, and work out while wearing a toupee. You don’t have to worry about a toupee falling off your head because the adhesives will hold it in place, even after you’ve worn it for a few days.

Pros of Wigs

1. They cover a larger portion of your head, making the wearer rest assured that all bald spots are covered.
2. You don’t need to have your wig cut or styled to match your natural hair since the only hair showing will be on the wig.
3. Lace front wigs are some of the most popular hairpieces and look both natural and stay firmly in place.
4. Wigs are usually more comfortable since they don’t require glue or tape to keep them in place.
5. You have the freedom to choose a wig with different density, color, and texture, as it doesn’t have to blend with your own hair.
6. Synthetic wigs usually don’t need to be styled, which can save you time.

Cons of Wigs

1. If a wig looks too perfect, people might know it isn’t your real hair.
2. You’ll have to invest in supplies to maintain and clean your wig, as wigs react to weather conditions.
3. Wigs have more hair which will cost more especially human hair wigs, and most hair loss sufferers only have partial hair loss.
4. Synthetic hair wigs require special care since they are prone to heat damage.
5. Most wigs are made with synthetic hair, which has a natural shine that doesn’t look natural.
6. Unlike toupees, wigs don’t have many options for hair densities, and usually can’t give a perfectly age-appropriate look like toupees do.

Bottom line: Wigs are a good choice if you need to cover larger portions of your head. They’re also good if you want to try a new style. Since none of your natural hair will be showing, you don’t have to worry about matching them to your natural hair color.

Some men choose wigs, even if a toupee would fit their needs. Toupees work best for men who are balding at the highest point on the head. However, some men opt for a wig instead to bypass some of the drawbacks associated with toupees.

Ultimately, you must decide for yourself which option is best for you. If your needs can be covered by either a toupee or a wig, it comes down to personal preference to determine which one to purchase.

Conclusion

We hope you now know pretty well about the differences between toupees and wigs. In the end, it’s up to your needs and preferences to determine whether you should get a toupee or a wig. They are both non-surgical hair replacement options that can help you feel more confident about your appearance by giving you the look you want.

Why Newtimes Hair?

For over 12 years, salons worldwide have leaned on Newtimes Hair for one simple reason: we make their jobs easier. Imagine offering clients every base (mono, skin, lace, hybrid) and 50+ shades—including natural-looking grays for every age—all crafted from 100% ethical human hair. No more “Sorry, we don’t have that.” Just seamless customization that turns stylists into heroes.

With hubs in Europe and the U.S., we deliver fast, keep inventory local, and back you with expertise from serving 2,000+ studios and salons. We’re not just suppliers; we’re your behind-the-scenes partners in creating hair that’s as bold, authentic, and unforgettable as your clients.

Contact us today or simply email us at info@newtimeshair.com

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