These numbers can seem confusing at first glance, but their explanation is rather simple. 6A, 7A, 8A, 9A, and 10A hair grades reveal the quality of human available for wigs, weaves, and extensions in the marketplace. As technology improves, the numbers only grow higher, but at the moment, 10A is currently the best and highest quality of human hair.
Hair grade is a relatively new term created within the last 10 years to help wholesalers and customers determine the strength and quality of the hair being sold and purchased.
Typically, the higher the grade, the higher the price because, as the numbers indicate, you are paying for quality.
Because formal regulation doesn’t exist, it can be hard to tell if the hair you are purchasing online has been marked correctly without being able to touch it.
This is where reviews and blog forums can come in handy. Going with a well-known brand will be your best bet when choosing between 6A-10A hair.
Choosing Your Ideal Hair Grade
We all desire the best of the best in terms of quality, but that may not always be necessary when choosing your ideal hair grade. Below is a full outline on what each grade has to offer so you can make the smartest, most informed decision.
When choosing your hair grade, it’s important to ask yourself whether you want to dye your hair. This can determine the correct grade for the coloring job that you desire.
6A Hair Grade
6A hair is 100% human hair which is the best budget choice that won’t sacrifice too much quality in the hair. When cared for properly, it will last anywhere from 6-8 months and just under a year if hair remains virgin.
While not super thick, 6A hair has a medium shaft and is perfect for regular hair extensions. Its relatively porous nature makes it ideal for coloring hair as bright as medium blonde. When dying this hair, it is best to consult a professional to get the most life out of your 6A hair.
6A is best for straight hair, so if you want a wavy or curly look, consider moving down this list to look for hair with a higher grade.
7A Hair Grade
Because of its quality, 7A human hair works if you’re looking to dye your hair a brunette to dark or honey blonde. Still, with this hair, the cuticle of the hair shaft is solid and all face in the same direction.
7A hair is single drawn, meaning that the hair is from a single donor but has hair of varying lengths inside of a single weft. Because this hair is still thick all the way to the tips, it can last up to a year and still maintain decent strength.
8A Hair Grade
This high-quality grade indicates 100% virgin hair, meaning the hair was never colored or processed before you receive it. 8A indicates that hair can last up to 2 years, given that you’ve taken care of it properly. Tangles are minimal with this hair quality.
8A hair can be dyed a light blonde color while maintaining a strong shaft that is thick all the way to the tips. This hair is also single drawn and is often the most popular type due to its price and quality.
9A Hair Grade
9A hair is very similar to 8A hair in terms of offering and ability to be colored to a white blonde hue. However, it can last a little longer than its lower-grade counterparts, with a lifetime of up to 2 years or slightly longer if perfectly cared for.
Coloring 9A hair will decrease its quality and mean that it may not last as long as other totally virgin hair with this grade.
9A hair also has a healthy shaft, indicating that the hair in the bundles you receive is all long and strong. Expect less tangles and easy maintenance with 9A hair.
10A Hair Grade
Regarding quality, 10A hair is the most expensive yet the highest quality virgin, unprocessed hair on the market. This hair is the thickest and fullest, with the healthiest shaft all the way to the ends of the hair. The hair in each packet is long and hand-selected, so all hair is the same length.
Without color processing, 10A hair can last up to 3 years. If you want to purchase 10A hair, expect minimal maintenance and hair that is difficult to mat or tangle up.
While the grade of hair certainly matters, all hair from 6A and beyond is of fairly decent quality and will ensure that your weave, wig, or extensions look fantastic. Think about the color you desire, the texture you crave, and the budget you’re working with before making your final decision.
Related: Difference Between Grade 10A and 12A Hair
FAQs
Here are some questions commonly asked about hair grading:
Grade 10A is currently the best hair on the market. It is the most expensive virgin hair with the thickest, healthiest hair shaft from root to tip. It is long-lasting and of high quality. As technology improves, sellers will begin putting even better grades of hair on the market, such as grade 11A and 12A hair.
Grade 10A hair is better quality than 8A hair. Grade 10A hair is longer, thicker, and healthier than in other grades. However, grade 8A hair is one of the most popular choices for wigs and weaves. This is because of the balance between price and quality. But if you are looking for the best of the best, 10A is the way to go.
Both grades 9A and 10A hair are of excellent quality and can make beautiful wigs, weaves, extensions, and other hairpieces. Both can be lifted to a light white blonde and have healthy, thick hair shafts. However, 10A-grade hair is better quality and can last up to a year longer than 9A-grade hair with proper care.
Grade 10A is currently the highest quality hair by industry standards. However, these industry standards do change as technology improves. For example, grade 5A hair used to be considered the highest quality but is now middle of the line.
Grade 12A hair is longer, thicker, and healthier than 10A hair. Grade 11A and 12A hair have started to hit the market in the past few years.
Grade 8A hair can definitely be dyed. It can be lifted to a beautiful light blonde color, toned to a cooler blonde, or dyed over to fashionable vivid hues. However, if you seek platinum blonde hair, grade 9A or higher can be better.
Grade 8A is typically virgin hair, meaning it was never colored or processed. Since it has never been chemically damaged, grade 8A hair can certainly be straightened, curled, or otherwise heat-styled.
Just be sure to use a heat protectant to keep your hair healthy and well-maintained. The more care you put into your hair, the longer it will last.
Some sellers are now selling what they call 11A hair. This is the fullest, healthiest, and highest quality of hair. Some sellers are still considering this 10A hair.
Remy hair means all of the hair in the bundle is collected from a single source donor. The hair cuticles are all intact and aligned in one direction, maintaining the hair’s natural texture. This eliminates the tangling issues often seen in non-Remy, synthetic, or otherwise lower-quality hair.
Remy hair is generally the highest quality and is more expensive than other options. However, it is low-maintenance and beautiful, making it a popular choice for consumers.
Brazilian hair can be of pretty much any grade. However, if you are looking for the best of the best, go for grade 10A hair or higher. You should also look for virgin Remy hair for the best results.