Creating perfect ringlets or effortless beach waves requires the right heat-styling tools. We’ve rigorously tested a variety of popular curling irons and wands, as well as newer options on the market, to find the best ones for your hair styling needs.
These hair tools are great for adding waves to straight hair or achieving an elegant look with beautiful barrel curls.
Best Iron Curlers:
Key Points:
- Extra-long 2-inch barrel for faster styling and larger sections
- Volcanic mineral-infused barrel adds shine and reduces frizz
- Adjustable heat settings up to 430°F (221°C)
- Digital temperature control with auto shut-off for safety
- Lightweight ergonomic design with cool-touch tip
Professional-grade curling irons like the Bio Ionic Long Barrel Styler are made to style hair quickly and easily. It is perfect for longer hair because of its extra-long barrel, which distributes heat evenly and smoothly to curl longer parts. Hair is left lustrous and frizz-free because to the volcanic mineral infusion’s ability to retain moisture. It is both strong and comfortable to use, and users adore its lightweight design and simple temperature control. All things considered, it’s a superior tool that produces salon-quality results at home.
Beachwaver Pro is an innovative professional rotating curling iron invented by celebrity hairstylist Sarah Potempa. This curling iron rotates in both directions to give you glamorous, bombshell waves with the touch of a button!
Pros:
Rotating mechanism curls hair for you Pro
Creates well-defined, lasting curls Pro
GH Beauty Lab favorite
Cons:
Learning curve
Small clip may be tricky for short-haired users
The T3 CurlWrap features a long, 1.25″ auto-rotating barrel and 2 SmartCurl timer settings for fast, easy, flawless curls and waves. A two-way AutoTwist switch steers effortless barrel rotation, and Digital T3 SinglePass Technology powers 9 precise heat settings for lasting curls on all hair types.
Features:
- Long Barrel
- 2 Timer Settings
- 9 Heat Settings
- Auto-Rotating Ceramic Barrel and Ion Generator for Fast
- Easy Curls and Waves on All Hair Types
The GHD has a unique design, with a tapered barrel that starts off round and graduates to a flat oval at the top, tapering from 1-inch to 0.9-inch. Both of these traits keep the curls from molding into a strategically tapered curl, which can sometimes look too perfect and unnatural. The slight taper and the gritty finish of the barrel keeps the hair from sliding down as it can do with a barrel that has a super-glossy finish.
Features:
- Heats up quickly
- Well-placed kickstand
InfinitiPRO By Conair Curl Secret Auto Curler is the way to create curls that won’t quit. Select a temperature, a curl type, and a curl direction, then place a section of hair into the slot. Push START & watch hair gently wrap around the barrel.
Features:
Mix & Match: Switch up temperature, direction, and curl type to change your style
Heat for Every Hair Type: 5 heat settings for all hair types (300, 330, 355, 385 or 410 degree F)
Worry-Free Styling: Tangle-Free Technology and barrel cover protect hair while curling and prevent accidental scalding
No Stress: Low energy-efficient mode and auto-off
Dual Voltage: Designed for international travel technology
If you’re after curls that last, you might want to give the Ion curling iron with the highest temperature a shot. It really stood out in our tests, especially for those with thick or coarse hair. People loved how it excelled in so many areas, like how easy it was to grip and maneuver, the simple controls, its compact size, and most importantly, how well it kept those curls intact.
One thing users particularly liked was that the clamp is the same length as the barrel, which is great for folks with shorter hair. And the shorter handle? Well, that keeps your hand in just the right spot to reach the thumb grip easily. Just a heads up though, the handle can get a tad warm when you crank up the heat to the max.
Pros:
- Top scores across testing categories
- Works on many hair types
- Creates long-lasting curls
- Easy to use
Cons:
- Takes a while to heat up