Easycap EEG Recording Caps: An Overview (2025)

Our caps are hand-stitched and made of lightweight synthetic fabric for optimal breathability and comfort. The fabric is tested to be harmless to human health and certified according to the OEK-TEX® STANDARD 100. Ear slits prevent unnecessary pressure on the ears and obstruction of hearing, and an adjustable chin strap ensures the optimal fit of the cap, preventing unintentional displacement of the EEG positions (Fig. 1). The caps can also be equipped with an optional chest strap, which can further increase stability and take pressure off the neck of sensitive subjects.

To ensure that our caps fit as well as possible and optimally support the respective research application, there are several features that can be chosen from to achieve this goal. These features, namely the size, the cap fabric, its colour, the type of cap and the cap cut are explained in more detail below.

Easycap supplies two different types of cap: Subtemporal and Subinion, which can be seen in the leftmost image below. Subtemporal is the classic type, providing sufficient scalp coverage for most EEG researchers’ needs, covering an area roughly bounded by the outer canthi of the eyes to the inion. For researchers requiring additional coverage at lower rows of the 10% system, down as far as row 13/14, the Subinion type can be used. This is equal to the Subtemporal cap type in terms of comfort, and is our standard type for the actiCAP snap and actiCAP slim caps.

Both cap types are available in two cap cuts. As seen from above, head shapes can either be roughly round or oval. The C-Cut provides a better fit for more oval/rectangular head shapes, and is widely popular for many different research demographics. The A-Cut is suitable for rounder head shapes and typically provides a better fit for participants from countries such as Korea, China, Taiwan and Japan.

All caps can be made from two different types of fabric: we call these High Precision and High Comfort. High Precision fabric is a medium elasticity material with an obvious mesh-like structure. It is better for a precise reproduction of electrode positions between recording sessions, has generally a longer life span and a quicker drying time. High Comfort fabric is a higher elasticity material made with a very dense mesh. This fits more snugly and so works better with a wide-variety of head shapes, and as a softer material it is suitable for sensitive skin or long-term recordings such as in sleep laboratories.

As standard we use the High Precision fabric for adult and juvenile cap sizes, and the High Comfort fabric for baby cap sizes.

Choosing the right cap fabric also comes down to user preference, and is influenced by the intended recording protocol to some extent. We are always happy to consult on this topic.

The size of a cap is expressed in centimeter head circumference. All our caps are made in 2 cm increments, ranging from 20 cm (premature babies) up to 64 cm (very large adults). Table 1 summarises our complete range of head sizes and their rough correspondence with age groups. Average head circumferences for adult men and women are highlighted in blue.

The table also shows how many electrodes/channels for EEG data acquisition can be comfortably supported at each cap size, and the final column indicates the number of positions (marked and/or cut) for further high-density applications such as fNIRS.

Printed caps
A recent addition to the actiCAP range is the position labels at 64 electrode positions of the 10-10 system. These name labels help researchers to orient themselves when placing the cap on the participant, and crucially allow easier setup for caps with holders by cross-checking with the cap’s layout file.

To summarize: Our caps can be manufactured in up to 16 different combinations each with 23 different sizes! If you are unsure about which cap features to choose – we do have standard recommendations for most applications. Beyond this, please rest assured we are here to help. The Easycap Support Team team will be happy to assist in choosing the right cap for your application.

A distinguishing feature of EEG recording caps from Easycap is that researchers can choose between two different cap styles, namely integrated or modular caps.

Integrated: A cap with a fixed channel layout and its own complete set of electrodes, fully braided into the fabric and ending with a dedicated cable tree bundle, ready for connection to the amplifier directly or via an adapter (see “Connector Adapters” section at the end of this article). This means an integrated cap is always ready for use with minimal setup time, and cable management is provided by each cap’s cable tree.

Modular: A cap with electrode holders inserted in the fabric, and compatible loose electrodes or electrode bundles are supplied separately. Since only one set of electrodes is needed, researchers can benefit from a lower overall cost-of-entry by using many different caps, either in different sizes or for larger laboratories who might use various recording montages in different studies.

Below we illustrate a few examples of how these two different cap concepts can be combined with either passive electrodes from Easycap or active electrodes from Brain Products.

Furthermore, Easycap produces caps which belong to many different cap “families”. A cap family is a convenient way of referring to groups of caps that share some number of key design characteristics.

The following overview describes currently offered standard cap versions. Details about customized options can be found in the “Customizations” section at the end of this article.

Integrated Caps

BrainCaps are our classic fully braided caps with passive Ag/AgCl Multitrodes. These ring-shaped electrodes have a large central opening making impedance minimization easy and allowing for good contact area between the scalp and sensor via conductive gel. As well as standard variations with between 32 and 128 channels, BrainCaps allow for the largest variation when it comes to bespoke designs for multi-modal recordings, especially in recording environments where active electrodes cannot be used.

The current generation of Brain Products’ active electrodes are called actiCAP slim. Caps for actiCAP slim come with between 1 and 5 32-channel bundles of Brain Products active slim electrodes fixed directly into the cap fabric, plus a ground electrode and optional reference. Similar to BrainCaps, actiCAP slim caps can have either standard or customized layouts, and have cables attached permanently to the fabric, keeping preparation time low. Additionally, the height of the electrodes is only 5.5 mm, so they are comfortable when lying down or when close coil positioning is needed with TMS studies.

Modular Caps

with actiCAP slim electrodes (active)
Caps with electrode holders for actiCAP slim active electrodes (exclusively available through Brain Products’ distributor network). These caps can be designed with up to 160 channel configurations for use with actiCHamp and actiCHamp Plus. As a modular cap, one set of electrodes can be switched between many caps of different sizes or layouts. These come in standard or customized layouts on request.

with Easycap Snaptrodes (passive)
In 2025, Easycap released the Snaptrode bundle (Catalogue Number: B-AP-32) which are passive electrode bundles compatible with actiCAP snap caps. The passive ring electrodes contain the same Ag/AgCl pellet found in our classic Multitrodes used in BrainCaps, but with a modified housing to fit into the snap holders securely. These passive Snaptrode bundles are suitable for use with actiCHamp Plus amplifiers, and offer researchers a lower-cost but still reliable and high-quality option for use with the actiCAP snap caps, expanding the variety of electrode choice for users.

The flexible cap system which Easycap introduced to the market way back in 1996. Under the simple principle of modularity, already discussed, where one set of electrodes can be moved from cap to cap, the EasyCap won over the neuroscientific community. Offered in 24, 32 and 64 channel versions, each set comes with a sufficient number of holders and electrodes to choose your own layout. The first generation of ring electrodes (type B10) offer a sturdy and effective method for impedance minimization without compromising on signal quality. EasyCap Sets come with all the basic parts and consumables in one package, and since additional caps, electrodes and consumables can be ordered separately according to your needs, there is no simpler way to get started with high-throughput, high-quality EEG research with your amplifier of choice.

Further Cap Variations

In addition to the modular and integrated systems presented above, as the cap manufacturing experts Easycap also offers a wide range of caps for various other requirements. Some examples are detailed below.

Easycap offers bespoke solutions tailored to your specific requirements. Whether it is a customized layout, mounting solutions for special sensors or other third-party equipment, in most cases we will find a way to modify our caps to optimally fit your needs. We are more than happy to share our experience.

There are hundreds of neurophysiological devices on the market, but standardized connectors are rare and finding compatible devices can become a challenge. If you want to expand your current equipment but do not want to limit your options, we can offer you a wide range of connector adapters and cables so you can use exactly the combination of cap, amplifier, and trigger sources you want.

As robust and durable our caps might be, eventually they will be subject to wear and tear like any other equipment that is used regularly. The good news is that in most cases we can repair your cap and fully restore the original functionality, be it by replacing individual electrodes or even the whole cap fabric. For selected smaller repairs, we can also offer spare parts for self-repair to avoid the time-consuming return shipment

Finally, we would like to share some news with you: Easycap has a brand new logo! The updated head emblem includes a stylised electrode and a K-complex waveform, representing our dedication to EEG technology. The colour palette is inspired by the Bavarian flag, reflecting our company’s geographic roots in the south of Germany. The rollout will be gradual, so you’ll see both the original and the new logo in use for the coming months.

We hope this overview provides all the information required to find the best suited cap for your needs. Whether you want to try something new or replace and add to your existing inventory, we are here to help. Please contact us with any cap or electrode related plan, problem, or idea you might have.