Stretch Hood vs Stretch Wrap: A Complete Comparison

Key Takeaway

• Stretch hood systems offer five-sided, weatherproof protection, higher speeds, and lower labor needs, making them ideal for high-volume, uniform pallet loads.

• Stretch wrap systems are more flexible, lower cost, and better suited for irregular loads, variable volumes, and operations with limited capital or infrastructure.

• The right choice depends primarily on pallet volume, load consistency, protection requirements, and long-term operating costs.

Choosing the right pallet packaging system shapes everything from your equipment budget to how well your products survive transit. As such, using stretch hood vs stretch wrap is the fundamental decision facing operations looking to optimize their end-of-line packaging, and each wrapping type brings distinct advantages worth understanding before committing capital. Both secure pallets for shipping, but the mechanics, costs, and ideal applications differ significantly.

Core System Differences

A stretch hood machine works like pulling a fitted cap over your load. The system stretches a tube of film to match the pallet dimensions, then draws it down over all five visible sides in one smooth motion. The pallet never moves during this process, which matters enormously if you're wrapping tall or unstable loads.

Stretch wrap takes the opposite approach. Your pallet rotates while pulling film from a roll, building up spiral layers that squeeze the load from the sides. The overlapping passes create strong lateral holding force, though the top stays exposed unless you add a separate cover sheet.

This fundamental difference is a critical one. A stretch hood machine is automated and needs to be fully integrated into your conveyor system from day one. Stretch wrap, meanwhile, meets you wherever your load is. A small operation can start with a $3,000 turntable and a worker walking film around pallets, then graduate to semi-automatic and eventually high-speed ring wrappers as volume grows.

Stretch Hood vs Stretch Wrap Performance Comparison

When it comes to keeping loads stable, each system has its sweet spot.

• Stretch hood works best with uniform, stackable products. Bagged cement, beverage cases, boxed goods - anything that palletizes into a neat cube gets the full benefit of five-sided coverage, distributing holding force evenly across the load. 

• Stretch wrap is better for irregular loads. When you're securing oddly shaped products or mixed SKUs that create uneven surfaces, the ability to adjust wrap patterns, vary tension zones, and add extra passes where needed gives operators control that hood systems simply can’t offer.

Weather protection tilts heavily toward stretch hood, as the sealed top surface blocks rain, dust, and UV damage. This makes hood-wrapped pallets genuinely weatherproof. If your products sit in outdoor yards or face weeks of transit through varying climates, this protection matters. Using standard stretch wrap leaves the top of the load exposed to whatever falls from the sky, and adding separate cover sheets means extra steps, extra materials, and extra cost.

When it comes to speed and efficiency, there is no debate. Hood systems can package 100-150 pallets per hour once they're running, while conventional automatic wrappers typically only handle 30-60. Further, a single hood film reel wraps approximately 800-1,000 pallets, compared to around 150-200 for stretch wrap. Fewer reel changes mean fewer interruptions, which compounds speed advantages over a full shift.

Cost Analysis

The investment gap between these systems is substantial, and it shapes which operations can realistically consider each option.

Stretch hood machines typically run $150,000-$500,000 depending on speed, features, and how much integration work your facility needs. Stretch wrap spans a much broader range, with basic turntables starting around $3,000-$5,000, semi-automatic machines with powered pre-stretch running  $5,000-$20,000, and fully automatic high-speed systems reaching $50,000-$100,000.

Material costs are a more complex consideration. Stretch hood machines use 30-50% less film per pallet because they apply a single fitted layer rather than building up multiple overlapping wraps. However, hood film costs more per kilogram. It's a specialized tubular product from a smaller pool of manufacturers. For high-volume operations, the per-pallet film cost often balances out or even favors hood systems despite the higher film price.

Then there is labor savings. Stretch hood runs fully automated once integrated, requiring no operator involvement during the wrapping cycle. Semi-automatic stretch wrap still needs someone to attach film, initiate cycles, and cut tails. Over thousands of pallets, those minutes add up to meaningful payroll dollars.

Best Applications for Each System

Stretch hood makes financial sense when you're consistently wrapping more than 50 pallets per hour, when products require outdoor storage or serious weather protection, and when your loads are uniform enough to minimize changeover complexity. Industries like building materials, beverages, and consumer packaged goods have embraced hood technology precisely because their high volumes and standardized pallets maximize its advantages.

Stretch wrap is a practical choice for operations with fluctuating daily volumes, diverse load types and sizes, tighter capital budgets, or facilities that lack the conveyor infrastructure that hood systems require. The ability to start small and scale up as your business grows makes stretch wrap accessible in ways hood technology simply isn't.

Plenty of large facilities run both systems strategically, using stretch hood for high-volume uniform product lines, stretch wrap for lower-volume SKUs or irregular loads that would require constant hood adjustments.

Making the Right Decision for Your Needs

When weighing stretch hood vs stretch wrap, volume usually settles the question. At below 30-40 pallets per hour, stretch wrap's lower capital cost wins almost every time. Above that threshold, hood efficiency gains start compounding in ways that justify the investment.

That said, keep in mind that protection requirements can override the volume math. If your products face outdoor exposure, extended transit times, or customers who expect pristine packaging on arrival, hood's five-sided seal handles conditions that would damage wrap-only loads.

MMP Corporation's Stretch Film Solutions

Whether your operation runs stretch hood systems or stretch wrap equipment, the film you feed through those machines determines how they operate. Consistent, high-quality film runs smoothly, maximizes material efficiency, and maintains load integrity, allowing your equipment to perform at its best

MMP Corporation manufactures premium stretch films engineered for the demands of industrial packaging. Contact us to discuss your requirements and explore how quality film can optimize your wrapping operations.

References:

1. Comparative between packaging systems: Stretch Hood vs. Stretch Wrapper. (February 28, 2022). Innova Maquinaria. Retrieved January 12, 2026, from https://en.innovamaquinaria.com/news/comparative-between-packaging-systems-stretch-hood-vs-wrapping-machine/

2. Why Does Stretch Hood Provide Greater Savings Compared to Other Packaging Systems? (December 11, 2024). Innova Maquinaria. Retrieved January 12, 2026, from https://en.innovamaquinaria.com/news/why-does-stretch-hood-provide-greater-savings-compared-to-other-packaging-systems/

3. How Much Does a Pallet/Stretch Wrapper Cost? (September 19, 2025). Handle It. Retrieved January 12, 2026, from https://www.handleitinc.com/news/how-much-does-a-pallet-stretch-wrapper-cost/

FAQs

Q1: What is the main difference between stretch hood and stretch wrap systems? 

Stretch hood pulls a tubular film down over the entire pallet for five-sided coverage, while stretch wrap spins the pallet and applies overlapping layers of film around the sides.

Q2: Which system provides better weather protection? 

Stretch hood provides superior weather protection because it seals the top of the pallet, blocking rain, dust, and UV exposure.

Q3: Is stretch hood faster than stretch wrap? 

Yes, stretch hood systems can wrap 100–150 pallets per hour, compared to 30–60 pallets per hour for most automatic stretch wrap machines.

Q4: Which option is more cost-effective for small operations? 

Stretch wrap is more cost-effective for small or growing operations due to its low initial investment and scalability.

Q5: Does stretch hood use less film than stretch wrap? 

Stretch hood typically uses 30–50% less film per pallet, though the film itself is more expensive per kilogram.

Q6: What types of loads work best with stretch wrap? 

Stretch wrap is better suited for irregular, mixed, or uneven loads where wrap tension and patterns need frequent adjustment.

Q7: At what volume does stretch hood usually make sense? 

Stretch hood becomes economically attractive when wrapping consistently above 30–50 pallets per hour, especially with uniform loads.

Q8: Can facilities use both stretch hood and stretch wrap systems?

Yes, many facilities use stretch hood for high-volume, uniform products and stretch wrap for lower-volume or irregular loads.