14 Best Curling Irons and Wands to Achieve Photo-Ready, Slay-Ready Hair
When it comes to finding the best curling iron, size really does matter — and the same goes for shape. Different hair curlers do different things, so the kind of tool you need depends on what curl size or shape you want to achieve.
In terms of options, there are small barrels for tighter curls, large barrels for looser ones, and tapered, clipless, motorized, and interchangeable wands for just about any curl in between. There are even swirled barrels that will show you just what your curls will look like before you even push the release button.
Our Top Picks
- Best Overall: Dyson Airwrap, $600
- Best Interchangeable: T3 Switch Kit Curl Trio, $300
- Best Gold-Plated: Hot Tools 24K Gold Curling Iron, $70
- Best for Beginners: Trademark Beauty Babe Waves The Hair Waver, $59
- Best for Long Hair: The Beachwaver Co. Beachwaver Pro 1, $229
- Best Variety of Attachments: Shark FlexStyle, $300
- Best Quick-Heating: Drybar The Mixologist Interchangeable Styling Iron, $199
- Best for Fine Hair: GHD Curve Soft Curl Iron, $209
Trust us: We've looked thoroughly, and — lucky you — we've rounded up some of the best curling irons for all hair lengths and types at a range of price points. We included all the details, too, like temperature settings, interchangeable attachments, who each pick is best for, and more. So go ahead: Whether you splurge or save, your hair will look fabulous and be low on heat damage with one of these picks.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What to look for in a curling iron
- How to use a curling iron
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Best Overall: Dyson Airwrap
Why It's Worth It: The Dyson Airwrap did receive six of our most prestigious awards in just four years, including the 2022 Allure Readers' Choice Award, so is it any surprise that it landed on this list? This styler is one of the most versatile hair tools on the market and can create pin-straight hair, curly ringlets, sleek blowouts, and everything in between, thanks to its six different styling attachments that can be used in a myriad of ways.
Editor Tip: The multifunctional tool also serves as a hair-dryer brush, thanks to the Coanda effect airflow that wraps your hair around the tool — and uses less heat in the process. Former Allure editor Taylore Glynn loved using the Airwrap to achieve loose, low curls while keeping hair sleek and smooth up toward the roots.
Product Specs: 3 heat settings, 3 fan speed settings, 6 attachments | Who It's For: All hair types and textures
Best Interchangeable Curling Iron: T3 Switch Kit Curl Trio
Why It's Worth It: T3 is always coming up with new hair innovations, including this 2023 Best of Beauty-winning curling iron, which comes with three interchangeable barrels (0.5", 1.25", and 1.5") that lock into place, producing loose waves, tight spirals, and almost any other kind of curl you might want. "It creates sleek and healthy waves with a ceramic barrel, which is more gentle on the hair and works to smooth the ends for glam looks," hairstylist Leon Gorman tells Allure.
Editor Tip: If you already know you want waves rather than curls, opt for T3's Switch Kit Wave Trio, which looks like the same tool, but it comes with three larger barrel attachments to create a relaxed, wavy style.
Product Specs: 9 heat settings, 3 attachments | Who It's For: All hair types and textures
Other T3 Curling Irons We Like:
- For shorter hair: SinglePass Curl (comes in 0.5" and 0.75"), $170
- For longer hair that will benefit from longer barrels: T3 Singlepass Curl X (comes in 1", 1.25" and 1.5), $170
After a stylist used the new 1.5" iteration on her hair, associate beauty director Sarah Kinonen say that she's convinced she can style her hair herself. "It created smooth bends in just five large sections in less than five minutes — I was so impressed," she adds.
Best Gold-Plated: Hot Tools Pro Artist 24K Gold Curling Iron
Why It's Worth It: Whether you're looking for waves, curls, or tight spirals, this evenly heated curling iron will work magic without breaking the bank. "I always recommend Hot Tools for professional stylists looking to expand their collection because they are a little more old-fashioned-looking with the clip, and the barrel is gold-plated steel, allowing it to create a lot more heat, which means a lot more power," Gorman says.
Editor Tip: You can choose from seven different barrel sizes depending on what kind of curl you go for, ranging from ½-inch (tight, bouncy curls) to two inches (loose, beachy waves).
Product Specs: Multiple heat settings up to 450 degrees, 2-hour automatic shut-off | Who It's For: All hair types and textures
Other Curling Irons We Love:
- For Uniform Waves: Hot Tools Pro Artist 24K Gold 3 Barrel Hair Waver, $85
- For Crease-Free Curls: Hot Tools Professional Nano Ceramic 1-1/4" Flipperless Tapered Curling Wand, $65
Best Attachments: Shark FlexStyle
Why It's Worth It: The Shark FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System has a lot going for it. This 2023 Best of Beauty Award for Best Multi-Styler comes with two 1.25" curling barrels that use Coanda technology — if this sounds familiar, it's what the Dyson Airwrap uses — to attract, wrap, and curl hair without heat damage. The nozzle rotates into an ergonomic "L" shape, making your at-home blowout experience all the more comfortable. The oval brush is great for amping up volume and the dual-bristle brush easily smooths away flyaways.
Editor Tip: If you're going for a sleek look, the Shark SmoothStyle is an editor-approved pick, too.
Product Specs: Two 1.25" curlers, oval brush, paddle brush, concentrator, 4 heat settings, 3 airflow settings, cool shot button | Who It's For: People who want a tool that does it all
Best for Beginners: Trademark Beauty Babe Waves
Why It's Worth It: Another 2021 Best of Beauty winner, Trademark Beauty's Babe Waves looks way more intimidating than it is. (Though the pink really does make it quite inviting.) And as soon as you get the hang of its three-barrel design — which will happen faster than you think — you'll get skilled at clever ways to make waves.
Editor Tip: If you need some inspiration, we've got you. "When the clamp is opened up, you can wrap your hair around either of two individual barrels as you would with a traditional wand — especially if you want to zero in on the smaller coils framing your face," says commerce editor Sarah Han. There's a jumbo version, seen here, with 1.25-inch barrels, and the original version, which has one-inch barrels.
Product Specs: 16 heat settings, 1-inch barrels, dual-voltage | Who It's For: All hair types, especially straight hair
Best for Long Hair: The Beachwaver Co. Beachwaver Pro
Why It's Worth It: Enough with the manual winding and twisting; the Beachwaver Pro does all that annoying work for you thanks to its rotating wand. "I love the Beachwaver because it's consistent and super user-friendly for clients," Virginia-based stylist Nam Nguyen tells Allure.
Editor Tip: The push of a button spins the barrel toward your scalp with close to zero effort. Just make sure you release the clamp before you reach your scalp to avoid sausage curls — and second-degree burns.
Product Specs: Digital temperature control up to 450 degrees, swivel cord, 30-minute auto shut-off | Who It's For: All hair types, especially medium and long hair
Best for Short Hair: Chi Spin n Curl Ceramic Rotating Curler
Why It's Worth It: The Chi Spin n Curl Ceramic Rotating Curler looks kind of like a robot tulip, but unlike a robot tulip, it serves a useful purpose: making hair-curling effortless. Your hair is drawn into the heated chamber, then it twirls around as the barrel rotates, and then released after the ideal length of time.
Editor Tip: If this description is giving you war flashbacks to the Conair Quick Twist tool of the early aughts, fear not: The tangle-protection technology in this curling iron makes it foolproof instead of fearsome. Your hair will come out perfectly curled, with loads of shine to spare.
Product Specs: Digital temperature control up to 410 degrees, swivel cord, dual voltage, 1-hour automatic shut-off | Who It's For: All hair types and textures, especially shorter hair
Another Curling Iron We Love:
- Lava-Infused Barrels for Smooth Curls: Chi Lava Ceramic Curling Iron, $75
Best for Fine Hair: GHD Curve Soft Curl Iron
Why It's Worth It: Undoubtedly a splurge, the GHD Curve Soft Curl Iron will prove its worth the very first time you secure your hair under the spring-activated ergonomic lever. Ideal for anyone who knows classic curls and tight ringlets just aren't their thing, it's made to create flowy, loose curls — especially on longer hair — and you can count on it to maintain a perfect 365-degree temperature.
Editor Tip: The 1.25-inch curling iron is excellent for maximizing volume, so we recommend it for fine, limp hair. The technology also regulates the temperature 250 times per second, ensuring that you won't end up with crispy, damaged hair.
Product Specs: Single-button interface, 365-degree heat setting, swivel cord, 30-minute auto shut-off | Who It's For: All hair types, especially fine, thin hair
Another Curling Iron We Love:
- For Defining Natural Hair: GHD Thin Wand, $205
Best Quick-Heating: Drybar The Mixologist Interchangeable Styling Iron
Why It's Worth It: Another interchangeable pick, Drybar's curling iron is made with versatility in mind to create any type of curl. The barrels are supercharged with ions to nix frizz and leave your waves and curls perfectly smooth — no matter which attachment you choose. It also takes mere seconds to heat up, which is a great feature for those of us who tend to press the snooze button.
Editor Tip: The smaller barrel is great for tight curls, while the waver makes it seamless to look like you just stepped off the beach.
Product Specs: Digital temperature control up to 450 degrees, 3 attachments, 1-hour auto shut-off | Who It's For: All hair types and textures
Another Curling Iron We Love:
- A Multitasking Round Brushes: Drybar The Curl Party Heated Curling Round Brush, $149
Best for Thick Hair: Sultra Bombshell One-Inch Curling Rod
Why It's Worth It: With a single-button interface and clipless design, the Sultra Bombshell is a no-brainer for anyone who is looking for a simple tool. The ceramic iron technology of this curling wand gives curls more bounce and shine than traditional metal irons do. It has a swivel cord, too, which means as you work the wand around your hair, the cord won't turn into a tangled mess.
Editor Tip: All you have to do with the Sultra Bombshell Curling Rod is wrap random pieces of hair around it (switching directions with each section) to nail Gisele-style waves. Its long barrel makes it ideal for long, thick hair, too.
Product Specs: 1 heat setting (395 degrees), universal voltage, swivel cord, auto shut-off (time not specified) | Who It's For: Fine, thin, and wavy hair
Best for Straight Hair: Tigi by Bed Head Wave Artist Deep Waver
Why It's Worth It: If you're looking for an easy-to-use tool that doesn't cost you an entire paycheck, our tester (who has straight, limp hair) approves of the Tigi Bed Head Wave Artist Deep Waver. "Unlike a traditional curling iron, I don't have to pay close attention to the way each tendril wraps around the barrel — in fact, the messier you are with which sections you clamp, the better the results," Allure contributor AnaMaria Glavan says. She starts close to her roots, lifting her hair from the bottom to achieve a volumizing effect. Even after her waves start softening around the six-hour mark, it only takes 10 minutes tops to retouch.
Editor Tip: Use a texturizing spray or heat protectant, like the Best of Beauty-winning Authentic Beauty Concept Amplify Mousse or Living Proof Full Dry Volume & Texture Spray, to extend the life of your beachy waves.
Product Specs: 3 temperature settings, plate-locking switch, swivel cord, auto shut-off (time not specified), dual-voltage | Who It's For: People with hair that can't seem to hold a wave/curl
Best Curling and Straightening Iron: Bio Ionic 3-in-One Styling Iron
Why It's Worth It: Yet another genius design for accomplishing multiple heat-induced hairstyles, the Bio Ionic 3-in-One Styling Iron lets you curl or straighten your hair without a fuss. Like most flat irons, it has flat plates with which to sandwich your hair into sleek submission.
Editor Tip: To get gorgeous curls, wrap your hair around the iron, which is rounded to serve as a traditional curling-iron barrel. On top of going easy on hair with its ceramic surface, it's infused with a mineral complex to help maintain moisture.
Product Specs: Digital temperature control up to 430 degrees, 1-hour automatic shut-off, universal voltage | Who It's For: All hair types and textures
Other Curling Irons We Love:
- For Loose Waves: Bio Ionic Long Barrel Curling Iron, $149
- Rotating Design: Bio Ionic Stylewinder Rotating Styling Iron, $145
Best for Natural-Looking Waves/Curls: BaBylissPro Nano Titanium Reverse Taper Curling Wand
Why It's Worth It: The unique shape of the BaBylissPro Nano Titanium Reverse Taper Curling Wand makes it the perfect pick for anyone who prefers a more natural-looking, less perfectly polished wave or curl because every section looks a little different.
Editor Tip: What's consistent, however, is the heat distribution on the titanium barrel, so you can be sure that you're getting even temperature throughout — up to 430 degrees.
Product Specs: 5 heat settings, swivel power cord | Who It's For: All hair types and textures
Best Bathroom Eye Candy: Harry Josh Pro Tools 3-in-1 Ceramic Curling Iron
Why It's Worth It: Previously a two-in-one, the Harry Josh Pro Tools 3-in-1 Ceramic Curling Iron is an upgrade on a long-time favorite styling tool. In addition to its curling-wand base, it comes with a spring-clamp attachment and a marcel-clamp attachment, giving you everything you need for nuanced curled styles.
Editor Tip: Let's be real: That mint-green finish of the tourmaline ceramic coating makes this multitasker as cool as it is hot (which is up to 380 degrees, to be specific).
Product Specs: 10 heat settings, 9-foot swivel cord, universal voltage | Who It's For: All hair types and textures
What to look for in a curling iron
Size, size, and size. According to Ohio and New York City-based hairstylist Mia Santiago, "Smaller barrels create tighter curls whereas bigger barrels create looser, almost blowout-level curls." Another key component is being able to control and customize your heat settings. Santiago says that "safe" heat settings are 360 degrees Fahrenheit and below, so keep that in mind if you want to avoid unnecessary heat damage. (Don't we all?)
In terms of shapes and designs, curling irons come in quite a few options. Wands have no clamps and relay on the user's ability to wrap around and hold their hair in place — which is why most wands come packaged with a heat-resistant glove (to avoid close-contact injuries). Curling irons with clamps are probably the most common type and allow you to create a variety of curls depending on how you feed the hair, twist/roll the wand, open/close the clamp, and release.
Automatic curling irons are relatively user-friendly (but read the instructions, no matter what!) and have small springboard clamps that wrap the hair for you. Then, there's the Marcel iron, which Santiago says is mostly for professionals as it has a manual handle that's not as user-friendly to the masses. "However, it allows for a smoother transition while curling," she notes.
How to use a curling iron
No matter what kind of curling iron you choose, the pro advice for long-lasting curls remains the same: Curl from the roots, down. "The ends of your hair are more delicate and don't need nearly as much heat to curl," Dallas-based hairstylist Kirsten Patterson previously told Allure. If you're going for glam waves, you'll want to curl in the same direction all throughout, while you should curl sections in alternate directions for beachy waves.
Another smart top from Patterson: Never use hairspray before curling — only after. "Hairspray and heat from the curling iron can dry your hair out, so it's important to only use hairspray once you're finished styling," Patterson adds. Instead, use a heat-protectant spray before.
How we test and review products
We always enlist a range of testers for any review, but hair-care products and tools are another story. While some can be used across different hair textures, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, colors (natural and unnatural), and concerns, many are created with specific consumers and their needs in mind. When reviewing tools, we also take into account testers' experience levels. For instance, an innovative new blow-dryer may feature industry-leading technology, but if the only people who find it intuitive to use are professional hairstylists, we have to consider this when determining whether it is worthy of a recommendation.
For our review of the best curling irons, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and hairstylists — who all have different hair types and want an easy-to-use tool that achieves loose waves, tight curls, and everything in between without damaging hair. Testers considered performance across three primary categories: efficacy, safety and ease of use, value. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors — in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon — is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
Even more hair tools & styling products worth the hype:
- The 11 Best Hair Dryers to Make Blowouts a Breeze, Tested by Allure Editors
- 13 Best Hair Straighteners for Sleek and Shiny Strands
- 10 Best Heat-Protectant Sprays That'll Tone Down Damage
- 15 Best Blowout Products to Smooth and Protect Hair
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