13 Curling Irons That'll Help You Achieve the Voluminous Waves of Your Dreams (2024)

  • Beauty
  • Hair

By

Kyley Warren

13 Curling Irons That'll Help You Achieve the Voluminous Waves of Your Dreams (1)

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If you follow TikTok hair trends as closely as we do, you know there's so much variety to choose from while shopping for the best hot tools. It can be difficult to sift through pages filled with top-rated curling irons, curling wands, blow-dryer brushes, and everything in between. Plus, there are large, medium, and small barrels, clipped and unclipped wands, and fancy auto-powered devices. And on top of all of that, you also need to consider your natural hair type: Do you need a curling iron that works on thicker hair? One that won't damage fine hair? Where do you even begin?

Luckily, our team of shopping editors knows this struggle all too well. After trying dozens of different options on the market, we've rounded up a few of our favorite curling irons that'll help you to perfect a salon-like blowout at home — including everything from large-clip barrels that give you beachy waves to wand-and-glove combos that create tighter curls. Whether you want to spend $20 or $200, we found products at a wide range of prices, so you don't have to max out your budget while shopping for the perfect styling tool. Read ahead to shop our picks.

13 Curling Irons That'll Help You Achieve the Voluminous Waves of Your Dreams (2)

Best Rotating Curling Iron

Beachwaver B1 Rotating Curling Iron ($99)

If you struggle with curling your hair, you should consider investing in this rotating curling iron. With the press of a button, it does all the manual work to curl your hair. One editor even said the styling tool was "worth the splurge" in this Beachwaver Curling Iron product review.

Editor Quote: "Thanks to its built-in, self-rotating technology, users no longer have to worry about manually wrapping their hair around a curling iron in the hope of achieving the 'perfect curl.' The beauty tool does all of the physical work for you, so you can quickly work through your morning routine or throw yourself together for an event, without the same physical work that a traditional curling iron requires." — Kyley Warren, assistant editor, commerce

Beachwaver B1 Rotating Curling IronFrom$99
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Best Curling Iron For Beach Waves

Mermade Hair 1.25 OG Waver ($73)

The Mermade Hair 1.25 OG Waver can help cut your styling time in half. The hybrid beauty tool's flattened design creates an effortless crimped look, and it's recommended by TikTok users and POPSUGAR editors alike. Read our review of the Mermade Hair Curling Iron to learn more.

Editor Quote: "At first, I was afraid the waves would be reminiscent of my crimped hair days in elementary school, but I couldn't have been more wrong — my whole head was covered in bouncy, soft, mermaid waves. My fine hair was full of volume, and the result looked effortless and relaxed, not too polished like my curls typically looked. Considering I would have never been able to achieve this look with a normal curling iron, I'd say this hot tool has earned itself a permanent home in my collection." — Jessica Harrington, senior editor, beauty

Mermade Hair 1.25 OG WaverFrom$73
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Best Curling Iron For Thin Hair

Conair Instant Heat 1/2-Inch Curling Iron ($17)

While you're sure to find no shortage of high-end hair tools online, there are still plenty of more affordable curling irons worth shopping, too. Case in point: This Conair Instant Heat 1/2-Inch Curling Iron, which costs only $16 and has more than 15,000 near-perfect ratings on Amazon. Check out our product review on the Conair Wand to learn more.

Editor Quote: "At this point, I truly consider my Conair an extension of my being. After all, I've gotten ready for some of the best days of my life with that sucker. I went on my first date (to 'Twilight,' never forget) wearing Conair curls. I defended my college thesis with them. Heck, the Instant Heat even styled me for my interview at POPSUGAR — and held up surprisingly well while I commuted in a scary NYC torrential downpour." — Alaina Demopoulos, former staff Writer, beauty

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Best Curling Iron For Thick Hair

Dyson Airwrap Multistyler ($600)

There's no denying that the Dyson Airwrap Multistyler is pricey, but there's also no other styling tool that gives you this many curl options for so many different hair textures and styles. You can purchase the multi-styler upfront with the full set of attachments, or you can also buy each brush individually to ensure you get an attachment that's best for you and your individual hair needs. Plus, it's POPSUGAR editor-approved — read our Dyson Airwrap review to learn more.

Editor Quote: "Being able to avoid the double heat exposure of drying hair fully and then using a hot tool to style it into waves does seem like something that'd make a difference on the health of my hair over the long term. Dyson says the tool 'measures its temperature up to 40 times a second' to make sure it doesn't get too hot." — Alessandra Foresto, chief of staff, lifestyle

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Best Curling Iron For Travel

The Lunata 1.25" Cordless Curling Iron/Wand ($180)

Never worry about packing the right power outlet converter again. The Lunata 1.25" Cordless Curling Iron/Wand comes without the corded hassle, so all you need to do is charge the tool ahead of time for 45 minutes of uninterrupted styling — wherever you may be. One POPSUGAR editor argued that this is a great tool to work into your hair styling process (especially if you've never used a cordless curling iron before) in this cordless curling iron product review.

Editor Quote: "In case you haven't yet mastered the wand, ease into it with a convertible option. The Lunata Cordless Convertible Curling Iron and Wand is on the more expensive side, but it's worth it to have both a traditional iron and a wand on the go!" — Maggie Panos, former senior editor, voices

The Lunata 1.25" Cordless Curling Iron/WandFrom$180
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Best Curling Iron For Beginners

Ghd Classic Wave Oval Curling Wand ($205)

It's never been easier to achieve that Old Hollywood–glam look thanks to the Ghd Classic Wave Oval Curling Wand. The top-rated styling model features a one-and-a-quarter-inch, oval-shaped barrel wand that heats up fast and manages to create a curl so bold, your retro waves are sure to hold all day.

Ghd Classic Wave Oval Curling WandFrom$205
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Best Flat Curling Iron

L'ange Le Duo Dual Purpose Air Styler ($82)

OK, what can't the L'ange Le Duo Dual Purpose Air Styler do? This tool boasts a rectangle shape design, with curved edges that let you either curl or straighten your hair, depending on your mood. Plus, tiny air vents are thoughtfully placed throughout to ensure you're minimizing any further heat damage to your hair.

L'ange Le Duo Dual Purpose Air StylerFrom$82
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Best Clipped Curling Iron

Babyliss Nano Titanium Spring Curling Iron ($60)

This affordable Babyliss Nano Titanium Spring Curling Iron features a 1.5-inch barrel, which allows users to seamlessly craft softer, more ringlet-like curls that will hold their shape all day. Perhaps most impressive of all, the hot styling tool also features 50 different heat settings, so you can optimize the curling iron to better fit your hair needs and texture.

Babyliss Nano Titanium Spring Curling IronFrom$60
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Best Curling Iron For Long Hair

Bio Ionic Long Barrel Styler Pro Curling Iron 1" ($149)

Have extra-long hair that's a pain to curl? Or perhaps, even extra-long extensions that you've styled once and don't want to style again? Try the Bio Ionic Long Barrel Styler Pro Curling Iron 1", which comes equipped with an XL wand (that's one to two inches longer than your average iron) and helps to make the process of styling your hair a total breeze.

Bio Ionic Long Barrel Styler Pro Curling Iron 1"From$149
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Best Unclipped Curling Iron

Paul Mitchell Neuro Unclipped Styling Rod 1" Clipless ($99)

No, the Paul Mitchell Neuro Unclipped Styling Rod 1" Clipless ($99) might not be the most high-end or well-known curling iron on this list, but our beauty editors agree: it's perhaps the hands-down best unclipped curling iron . . . maybe ever. The titanium rod heats up in seconds (thanks to a "smart sense" microchip planted inside) and styles the hair in less time than any other tool. Plus, you can customize its auto-shut-off time up to 120 minutes after use.

Paul Mitchell Neuro Unclipped Styling Rod 1" CliplessFrom$99
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Best Automatic Curling Iron

T3 Curl ID 1.25 Smart Curling Iron with Interactive Touch Interface ($249)

If you want to invest in a high-quality curling iron that lasts for years — and curls hair quicker than just about anything else — this T3 Curl ID 1.25 Smart Curling Iron with Interactive Touch Interface is worth every penny. It comes equipped with nine (yep, nine) heat settings that you can customize according to your specific hair type. Just preprogram the device upon first use, and let it heat to your perfect temperature every time. The best part? It works great on all hair types and turns out automatically.

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Best Treatment Device Curling Iron Hybrid

Hairbeauron 7D Plus Curl ($650)

We know, this is probably the most pricey hair tool you've ever seen — but it's more than just a curling iron. It's actually touted as a treatment device that uses quantum physics to pull moisture from your body and infuse it into your hair. It might sound too good to be true, but trust us, editors and hairstylists alike love this device.

Hairbeauron 7D Plus CurlFrom$650
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Best Professional Curling Iron

Harry Josh Pro Tools 3-in-1 Ceramic Curling Iron 1" ($185)

You've probably seen the Harry Josh Pro Tools 3-in-1 Ceramic Curling Iron 1" on some of your favorite top models' Instagram posts (or at least your personal stylist's kit at the salon) at some point — and for good reason: the colors are bright and fun! You can also choose between clipped or unclipped, and the wands are interchangeable so you can create a variety of curls and waves.

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— Additional reporting by Renee Rodriguez

Kyley Warren is an award-winning writer, editor, and affiliate strategist with more than four years of experience in the publishing space. She currently works as an assistant editor on PS Shopping and is an expert on all things related to shopping and fashion. She previously worked with Entertainment Tonight as a style commerce writer, and her byline has appeared in publications globally.

Renee Rodriguez is a staff writer and social producer for PS. She writes across all verticals, but her main areas of expertise focus on fashion and beauty content with an emphasis on reviews and editor experiments. She also produces social content for the PS TikTok and Instagram accounts.

13 Curling Irons That'll Help You Achieve the Voluminous Waves of Your Dreams (2024)

FAQs

What type of curling iron is best? ›

“Ceramic creates an even heat distribution and is the best option for more fragile or chemically treated hair because it doesn't reach temperatures as high as the other materials do,” she says. For those with coarse or textured hair types, Reslan recommends using a tourmaline curling iron.

How do you make big waves with a curling iron? ›

Insert the hair into the iron (close to the root) at an angle and immediately begin curling away from the face. Release the curl in a spiral-like motion to create a beachy wave in one fluid motion. Continue this process around your head on every single layer.

Which curling iron technique creates volume and support at the base and a consistent curl pattern throughout the strand? ›

Explanation: The curling iron technique that creates volume and support at the base while maintaining a consistent curl pattern throughout the strand is called root lifting or root teasing.

What is the energy transformation of a curling iron? ›

Electrical energy is transformed to heat energy when the curling iron stays on. Heat energy is transferred to the hair that is being curled. Light energy from the sun is transformed to chemical energy as the plants grow.

What is the best tool for big waves? ›

During our extensive testing process, we found two of the best hair wavers: Hot Tools Pro Artist 24K Gold 3 Barrel Hair Waver (available at Walmart for $55.30) , which earned our Best Overall spot for its perfect scores across the board, and the Bed Head Wave Affair 3 Barrel Digital Jumbo Hair Waver (available on ...

What product is best for curling hair? ›

  • Best Overall : Hot Tools Pro Artist Digital Curling Iron at Amazon $45. ...
  • Best Budget : InfinitiPro by Conair Tourmaline Ceramic Curling Iron at Amazon $27. ...
  • Best Splurge: Dyson Airwrap at Nordstrom $600. ...
  • Best Rotating: ...
  • Best for Thick Hair: ...
  • Best Wand: ...
  • Best for Damaged Hair: ...
  • Best for Fine Hair:
Aug 21, 2024

What size curler for big waves? ›

1 ½-Inch Curling Iron

A 1 ½-inch iron creates a loose, voluminous curl. "This is my ideal iron choice for a body wave," says Siskovic.

Why is my hair not curly anymore male? ›

You might think, “My hair is naturally curly but won't curl anymore.” Age or genetics are the most common reasons for losing your natural curl pattern. As we age, our hair tends to lose its elasticity and become more brittle. It can cause the hair shafts to break, making them thinner and weaker over time.

What curling iron makes tight curls? ›

⅝″ Curling Iron

This little 5/8 inch iron will give chin-length hair a nice beach wave, but with longer hair, you can create tight curls that look like you were born with curly hair.

How does a curling iron work scientifically? ›

Hairdryers, curling irons, and straighteners work by using heat to break the chemical bonds in hair. In the process, keratin chains that make up hair's core structure are repositioned into straightened, curled, or blown-out shapes. When hair cools down, the broken bonds reform, staying in its new temporary shape.

What does a wave curling iron do? ›

A three-barrel curling iron is a hot tool that comprises a trio of side-by-side curling wands. When used on a section of hair, the tool will create a soft, wavy texture. “The way the hair is creased between the three barrels results in a shape that's like an elongated 'W,' ” Maine says.

What is the physics behind curling? ›

The theory goes like this: like a glass pushed across a table, a curling stone leans forward slightly. The extra pressure at the front of the stone partially melts the ice at the leading edge, creating a thin film of water that reduces the friction at the front of stone compared with the back.

Is titanium or ceramic better for curling hair? ›

He explains that titanium barrels are usually lighter than ceramic and can hold high temperatures longer, while ceramic barrels distribute heat more evenly and are less likely to damage hair, so they are more suitable for at-home consumers with different hair textures.

What type of curling iron is the least damaging? ›

Ceramic Curling Iron

Collins recommends a curling iron with a full ceramic plate, rather than one that just has a ceramic coating. "The infrared heat goes deep into the hair quickly, so it locks in the moisture to create less damage," he explains. "Heat will be even and create a smooth, shiny surface."

Is ceramic or gold plated curling iron better? ›

Though stylists often recommend ceramic models, tourmaline, titanium, gold, and metal models can all give you beautiful curls. Some are also better for specific hair types and budgets. Use a titanium curling iron if you have coarse, thick hair that doesn't curl easily.

Is curling with a flat iron better than a curling wand? ›

They both feature a heated rod that hair is wrapped around to form the curl. But the most obvious difference between the two is that a curling iron has a clamp, while a wand doesn't. Curling wands are generally harder to master compared to curling irons and have higher burn risks.

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