11 Best Curling Irons for Creating and Holding Every Kind of Wave
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There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to finding the best curling iron. Like a good straightener, the size and shape make a world of difference in achieving the type of curl you’re looking for—and so do factors like your hair type, hair length, the products you use (don’t forget the heat protectant!), how hot the barrels get, and even how you hold the tool. To make your journey easier, we asked hair experts for tips on how to get the perfect curl (or wave, depending on your preference) and to share the ones they use every day. We also tapped our team of editors, contributors, and our network of testers to find out what they love. After evaluating close to two dozen of the most highly rated options for attributes like material, heat settings, ease of use, and final results, we narrowed the list down to 11 curling wands you can rely on.
The best curling irons, at a glance
- Best Overall: T3 Aire 360 Ceramic Air Styler Blowout Kit, $300
- Best Value: Conair Double Ceramic 1-Inch Curling Iron, $19
- Best for Thick Hair: GHD Classic Wave Oval Curling Wand, $209
- Best for Fine Hair: The Beachwaver Co. S1 Dual Voltage, $149
- Best for Long Hair: Chi Volcanic Lava Ceramic Pro Spin ’N Curl, $130
- Best for Short Hair: Mermade PRO Hair Waver, $79
- Best for Beachy Waves: Drybar The Mixologist Interchangeable Styling Iron, $199
- Best for Less Heat Damage: Shark FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System, $287
- Best for Beginners: BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Spring Curling Iron, $60
- Easiest to Use: Hot Tools Pro Artist 24K Gold Long Curling Iron, $48
- Best Splurge: Dyson Airwrap Multi-Styler Complete Long, $599
Your commonly asked questions
Best Overall: T3 Aire 360 Ceramic Air Styler Blowout Kit
If you love the Dyson Airwrap but cringe at the price tag, T3 is the answer. The brand’s new Aire 360 is a fantastic dupe, created by a brand that focuses solely on hair products. Although it’s about half the price of the Dyson, we found that the Aire 360 works just as well—if not better. When you turn it on, the air-powered tool picks the hair up and wraps it around the wand to create blowout-style curls without the heat damage. In evaluations, curls were sleek and shiny, which the brand says is thanks to the CeraGloss ceramic surface of the curling wands.
Testers told Glamour that using this hair tool felt like a luxury experience from start to finish. “Everything from the unboxing to the end style is supersophisticated,” says Glamour contributor Brigitt Earley. It comes in this beautiful hexagonal box that opens to reveal a pouch rather than a bulky, hard-to-store box that other similar tools come in. The curling wand itself is lightweight and easy to use too. “It was super intuitive—you simply use the wand head with the proper arrow, so you can curl both sides away from your face without struggle,” says Earley. “I couldn’t believe that I was able to get such a sleek style on my very long hair in less than 15 minutes.” Glamour’s commerce editor Jennifer Calle is also a fan and says she likes to use it when she has to rush out the door. “I have thick, coarse hair, so curling it takes forever, which is why this styler is perfect for quick and easy styling. And it lasts, too. The next day I wake up with wavy strands.”
- What we love: Less heat damage; lightweight and easy to use; comes in an easy-to-store thermal pouch; works quickly
- What could improve: Our testers fingers kept accidentally changing the heat setting
- Barrel size: 1.35 inches
- Material: Ceramic
- Heat settings: 3
- Hair types: All hair types
- Best for styling: Smooth waves with limited heat
Best Splurge: Dyson Airwrap Multi-Styler Complete Long
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Like the Supersonic—Dyson’s best-selling hair dryer—the Dyson Airwrap is expensive. But if you’re looking to invest in a tool that’s truly luxe and lives up to the hype, it’s a worthy pick. The Airwrap, the first of its kind, dries and styles simultaneously without burning your hair to a crisp. To curl, you simply attach one of two included curling wands and dangle your hair over it. The tool sucks it all up, expertly wrapping your hair around the wand—no need to move your hand. If you want a smoother, sleeker style, opt for the smoothing dryer of one of the three other included brush attachments.
Yes, it has an eye-popping price tag, but our editors have been big fans of the product since its launch in 2018, and say it’s worth the splurge. “Not to be dramatic, but my life changed when I tried the first-generation Dyson Airwrap,” says Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour’s senior beauty editor. “At the time I had just gotten curtain bangs, and the interchangeable attachments made it so easy to switch according to my styling needs, delivering salon-level smoothness and blowouts in less than half the time.”
- What we love: Six attachments, two-year warranty; dries and styles at the same time
- What could improve: Extremely expensive
- Barrel size: 1.2 inches; 1.6 inches
- Material: Ceramic, steel
- Heat settings: Three
- Hair types: All hair types
- Best for styling: Voluminous, smooth curls with limited heat
Best for Thick Hair: GHD Classic Wave Oval Curling Wand
While an oval barrel takes a bit of getting used to, it’s a great option for natural, undone waves, adding volume without sacrificing length. We love that GHD’s pick has an optional spring clamp and a shut-off feature that kicks in after half an hour of nonuse—no more worrying that you left your curling iron plugged in. Just note that it’s preset to 365°F, which might be a touch hot for finer hair.
“This iron, which comes at the recommendation of dozens of celebrity stylists, was a 10-out-of-10 experience for me,” says Glamour contributor Meg Adams. “It’s straightforward to use, delivers even heat, and has a cool and touchable tip so you’re less likely to burn your fingers.” In evaluations, the results were some of the more impressive, too. “After I styled with the spring clamp, my hair was so shiny and the so perfect that a girl stopped me on the subway to ask about my style,” says Adams. “When I used the iron as a wand without the clamp the results were—unbelievably—even greater. I loved the unfinished quality about the voluminous curls.”
- What we love: Heats quickly; automatic shut-off after 30 minutes; two ways to style
- What could improve: Only one heat setting
- Barrel size: 1.5 inches
- Material: Ceramic
- Heat settings: 1
- Hair types: Thick and medium hair types
- Best for styling: Waves and tight ringlets
Best for Fine Hair: The Beachwaver Co. S1 Dual Voltage
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If our Beachwaver review is any indication, this rotating curling iron is just as good as social media claims it is. Its moving barrel makes it another great pick for beginners, since you don’t need salon-level expertise to get started—just clamp in a section of hair, push the button, and let the iron work its magic.
“It’s really the only traditional curling iron I can actually use, because it’s as easy as 1-2-3,” says Danielle Sinay, Glamour associate beauty editor. “One, clamp a section of dry hair at the end; two, press the arrow button facing away from the face; and three, allow your hair to wrap as it revolves.” Et voilà: Your hair is perfectly curled and bouncy, says Sinay, who tells Glamour her Beachwaver-styled curls stay put for days.
- What we love: Easy to use; curls hair quickly; curls last a long time
- What could improve: Doesn’t feel as durable as some others we tested
- Barrel size: 1.75 inches
- Material: Ceramic
- Heat settings: 290°F–410°F
- Hair types: Most hair types
- Best for styling: Beachy waves or controlled curls
Best for Long Hair: Chi Spin ’N Curl
If you’re even somewhat interested in hair care, there’s a good chance Chi’s rotating curling iron has come across your TikTok For You page. The thing may look intimidating, but once you get the hang of it, it couldn’t be easier to use. The tool automatically draws hair into a rotating chamber, timing each section for consistency. “It’s a little heavy and clunky-looking, but the design is great if you’re someone who always burns yourself, since the outside chamber stays cool,” says Glamour contributor Halie LeSavage. “The lasting results were what really sold me, though,” she says. “I purposefully tested the iron right before bed to see how the curls would match up against a night of sleep. The next morning, my hair still had modern, thick waves.”
There’s more to love than the do-it-for-you design of this curling iron, though. Testers appreciated the auto-off feature, which turns the device off after an hour, and said the 11-foot cord offers plenty of length for any home user.
- What we love: Great for beginners; adjustable temperature; works quickly
- What could improve: The curling iron has a tendency to jam with thicker hair
- Barrel size: 1 inch
- Material: Ceramic
- Heat settings: 3
- Hair types: Most hair types
- Best for styling: Loose, beachy waves or bouncy curls
Best Value: Conair Double Ceramic 1-Inch Curling Iron
Would you believe us if we told you it’s not necessary to shell out more than $20 for a curling iron that can get the job done? This classic may not have all the bells and whistles of the more expensive options, but we found it delivered pretty envious curls, making it a great pick for newbies or those who don’t regularly reach for a curling iron but like the option.
Our tester, Glamour editorial assistant Ana Escalante, says she likes this curling wand because of the value it offers. “I love beautiful, beachy waves, but never quite mastered the art of curling my hair, so I don’t want to invest in anything too pricey,” she says. “This inexpensive and beginner-friendly 1-inch barrel is perfect for my short hair.” We love that it has an impressive 30 heat settings to tailor your style to your hair type, plus has a cool tip and comes with an insulated thermal glove to protect beginner’s fingers. The slim wand is also dual-voltage—great for travel.
- What we love: Affordable; 30 heat settings; comes with an insulated glove; dual-voltage
- What could improve: Short cord
- Barrel size: 1 inch
- Material: Ceramic
- Heat settings: 30
- Hair types: Medium or fine hair types
- Best for styling: Spiral curls, bouncy curls, and wavy hair
Easiest to Use: Hot Tools Pro Artist 24K Gold Long Curling Iron
Hot Tools just launched an update to its award-winning Pro Artist 24K Gold Curling Iron Collection, and it’s so good that it’s worth swapping yours out if you already own one. The new iteration has a longer barrel, so it’s suitable for a wider range of hair lengths—including those who have nearly waist-length hair. It also heats up faster to more precise temperatures, so you can better customize your styling session to suit your hair type, whether fine or coarse.
“This curling wand feels a little heavy in hand, but it’s an OG for good reason,” says Earley. “The clamp is easy to use, and the new extended barrel allows me to wrap more of my very long hair around the wand, so it curls on the first pass.” We also like the expanded heat settings, which range from 250°F to 480°F, and the 8-inch swivel cord, which gives you plenty of room to maneuver.
- What we love: Long barrel; five temperature settings; long power cord
- What could improve: Heavier than some others we tested
- Barrel size: 1.25 inches
- Material: Ceramic
- Heat settings: 5
- Hair types: Most hair types
- Best for styling: Wider, voluminous waves
Best for Beginners: BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Spring Curling Iron
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The BaBylissPRO is another long-standing favorite because of the excellent value it offers. The budget-friendly tool comes in four different barrel sizes, from .75 to 1.5 inches, to suit a range of hair lengths. Our tester used the 1.25-inch curling wand and said it delivered loose, beachy waves with plenty of volume—exactly the look she was hoping for. And, because it’s so lightweight, it was easy to nail the style without fatigue. We like that this curling wand has an impressive 50 heat settings, too. You can set at various increments from 250°F to 450°F, and the brand includes a helpful guide to help determine which level of heat is most appropriate for various hair types to help with damage control. Also nice: an 8-foot tangle-free swiveling power cord.
- What we love: Four barrel sizes available; 50 heat settings; long power cord
- What could improve: Some users say the barrel is too short
- Barrel size: .75 inches; 1 inch; 1.25 inches; 1.5 inches
- Material: Ceramic
- Heat settings: 50
- Hair types: All hair types
- Best for styling: Loose or textured curls or wavy hair
Best for Beachy Waves: Drybar The Mixologist Interchangeable Styling Iron
This Drybar bestseller offers three attachments (waver, wand, and clamp iron) that you can easily swap to create everything from classic curls to beach waves. It’s simple and incredibly versatile—just pop the attachment you want to use onto the tool’s base.
“I’m sometimes a little skeptical of hot-tool sets, because the options often don’t work equally well, but that’s not the case here,” says Glamour contributor Sarah Y. Wu. No matter which attachment you’re using, the tool has an easy-to-read digital display that heats up to 450°F, so you can customize your styling experience. “They’re all so easy to use and keep my waves set for an entire day,” says Wu.
- What we love: Interchangeable barrels; auto shutoff after one hour; digital temperature display
- What could improve: Reviewers say the device doesn’t heat up properly and may break easily
- Barrel size: 1 inch; 1.25 inches
- Material: Ceramic
- Heat settings: 15
- Hair types: Most hair types
- Best for styling: Classic curls, beachy waves, or “mermaid” hair
Best for Short Hair: Mermade PRO Hair Waver 1.25"
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Get beach waves all year round with Mermade’s clamping hair curler. It has three barrels in one, and doesn’t require you to turn it or flip it to get results. You simply work your way down by clamping your hair in sections and watch the magic happen–like the crimpers of yesteryear but more elevated.
This triple-barreled curling iron is a particularly good bet for those with long hair, since it styles quickly and with minimal effort. “When I had long hair, I loved that all I had to do was sandwich my hair between the clamp, instead of turning my hands like I would with a traditional curling iron,” says Glamour contributor Andrea Navarro, who says the process cut down significantly on styling time without sacrificing those big, bouncy waves that look so natural and effortless.
- What we love: Auto shut-off after 60 minutes; comes with a heat protection glove; beginner-friendly
- What could improve: Not ideal for shorter hair
- Barrel size: 1.25 inches
- Material: Ceramic
- Heat settings: 176°F–410°F
- Hair types: Shorter hair types
- Best for styling: Bouncy waves or “mermaid” hair
Best for Less Heat Damage: Shark FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System
Though it’s known as another dupe for the Dyson Airwrap, Shark’s FlexStyle is quickly gaining its own very dedicated fan base. The air-powered styler comes at a fraction of the price—more comparable to our top overall pick—but delivers beautiful curls or a sleek blowout, depending on which attachment you choose. It comes with five: a drying concentrator, two 1.25-inch curlers (one for each side of the head), and two brush attachments. No matter which attachment you use, you’ll have your choice of four heat and three airflow settings to personalize your styling session. There’s also a cool shot button to help curls go the distance. “This is a really solid styling tool that gave me enviable curls,” our tester said. “My hair is very long, though, so I do wish the barrel was a little bit longer.”
- What we love: Very versatile styling tool; four heat settings; works quickly
- What could improve: Barrel is shorter than other options
- Barrel size: 1.25 inches
- Material: Metal
- Heat settings: 4
- Hair types: All hair types
- Best for styling: Voluminous waves and smooth blowouts
1/3How to use a curling iron
Like flatirons, a curling iron is a relatively basic heat-styling tool, but a few tips can help ensure best results. First, your hair should be dry before curling, celebrity hairstylist Joseph Maine tells Glamour. He also suggests using a heat protectant both while the hair is wet and once it’s dry.
Techniques and barrel sizes differ depending on the look you’re after—again, smaller barrels mean tighter curls. “To style while using any size curling iron, place the hair in the middle of the clamp and curl away from your face to achieve a standard formal curl,” says Maxine Salon stylist Raven Hurtado. For triple-barrel options, you simply clamp down in the same way, but you don’t have to rotate the wand—more like a crimper. For automatic options, it’s even easier: Clamp down on the hair and press a button to send hair whirring through, revealing the perfect curl.
2/3What to look for in a curling iron
Material: The most common curling irons have ceramic barrels that tend to spread heat evenly to ensure smooth, shiny results. They’re a great pick for people with finer hair, Maine says. Those tend to be less damaging on hair, while the adjustable temperature allows you to tailor the heat to your hair type’s needs for long-lasting curls. Professional stylists, however, tend to gravitate toward titanium irons, especially for thicker hair, since the material is more durable and able to style curls at higher temps for longer. Tourmaline ceramic is another material that’s a solid pick for people with frizzy or damaged hair; it emits negative ions that react with the positive ones in your hair to minimize dullness and frizz.
Heat: Thin or fine hair requires less heat than thick hair, Maine says. The ideal temperature for thin hair is no more than 300°F, while thicker or coarser, curly hair textures can handle high heat, from 350°F to 450°F.
Size: “For those with long hair, find a long barrel length,” Maine recommends. Barrel width also makes a difference, says Hurtado.
Attachments: Slimmer attachments (0.5- to 0.75-inch) mean tighter curls, while thicker ones (1.5- to 2-inch) lead to looser curls or waves. These days you’re not limited to one choice, though. There are plenty of curling tools with interchangeable barrels, so you can wear your curls in various sizes and hairstyles (think bouncy curls, tight ringlets, beachy waves).
3/3Meet the experts
- Joseph Maine, a celebrity hairstylist in Los Angeles
- Raven Hurtado, a hairstylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago
