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Of all the hair tools on the market, choosing the best curling iron is just as important as learning to use one properly. There’s a lot to know about curling wands; after all, they’ve been around for centuries (yes, you read that correctly!), and there’s so much variety. Whether you’re after subtle waves, tight coils, ringlets, big bouncy curls, or a voluminous blowout, there’s a perfect curling iron to help achieve your desired styling results.
Vogue’s Favorite Curling Irons
- Best Splurge: Dyson Airwrap Styler, $600
- Best for a Silky Smooth Finish: T3 SinglePass Curl x Curling Iron, $170
- Best Overall: Hot Tools Professional 24K Gold Marcel Iron, $50
- Best for Multiple Hair Styles: NuMe Octowand 8-in-1 Curling Wand, $200
- Best for Beginners: Beachwaver Co. Beachwaver PRO 1, $229
- Best for Tight Curls: BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Spring Curling Iron, $75
- TikTok’s Favorite Curling Iron: Shark FlexStyle, $299
- Best for Short Hair: Conair Instant Heat 3/4-Inch Curling Iron, $17
- Best Cordless: Harry Josh Pro Tools Cordless Curling Wand Bundle, $340
When picking the perfect curling wand for your lengths, materials, temperature settings, and included attachments are all important considerations when making a decision. Celebrity hairstylist Larry Sims also shares guidance on choosing the right model for you: “To sum it up, go for a ceramic curler if you have fine, thin hair that’s prone to damage or your hair tends to hold a curl easily. A titanium curling iron is better for coarse, thick, or curly hair.”
Of course, personal preference remains the guiding factor. Celebrity hairstylists Larry Sims and Erinn Courtney prefer traditional curling irons with clamps over wands or other blowout styling tools like blow dry brushes or straighteners. In fact, Courtney says that finding the most suitable curling tool is all about trial and error. To help inform your buy, we’ve tapped pro hairstylists to share the 11 best curling irons they’ve tested and use on the regular—plus a few reviewed and endorsed by Vogue editors.
In This Story
Best Overall: Hot Tools Professional 24K Gold Marcel Curling Iron
- Why We Love It: “This one is a go-to because it always gets the job done and lasts forever,” says Courtney. “I’m sure I still have one from more than 10 years ago, and it works better now than it did when I first bought it.” Sims prefers this Hot Tools model, too: “I love Marcel irons because they allow me to create curls and texture with an effortless flip of the wrist. The barrel rotates easily while creating your desired finish.” If that’s not enough, pro stylist Sal Salcedo describes this as his “undisputed go-to iron.” He tells Vogue, “through the years, this brand has proven to be consistently reliable, providing me with the right heat I need to curl or wave multiple hairstyles without issues,” as well as speed and flow for perfect waves and curls.
- Temperature Settings: This curling iron heats up to 430 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Available Barrel Sizes: 0.375”, 0.5”, 0.625”, 0.75”, 1”, 1.25”, 1.5”
- Material: Gold surface barrel
- Cord Length: 8ft, swivel cord
- Best For: Waves or curls on a variety of hair types
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| An affordable pick | Not the most user friendly for beginners—Marcel irons are recommended for stylists |
| Pro’s boast durability, and long lasting results |
Best for Tight Curls: BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Spring Curling Iron
- Why We Love It: Celebrity hairstylist Nikkia Nelson also likes the BaBylissPRO curling iron, calling the temperature settings “phenomenal” in delivering an amazing curl. She appreciates how the adjustable heat settings allows for customization based on hair type and desired style. Made with a titanium barrel, these curling irons heat the hair from within, ensuring minimal damage while providing a long-lasting hold. Whether you’re aiming for loose waves or tight curls, the versatility of this tool makes it a must-have in any beauty routine. Plus, titanium is the best material for taming thick hair as it heats up the fastest.
- Temperature Settings: This curling iron heats from 250 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Available Barrel Sizes: 0.75”, 1”, 1.25”, 1.5”
- Material: Nano-Titanium
- Cord Length: 8 ft
- Voltage: Single
- Best For: Everything from loose waves to tight curls
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Beginner friendly | Listed as a frequently returned item on amazon |
| Nano-titanium barrel reduces heat damage potential |
Best for a Silky Smooth Finish: T3 SinglePass Curl x Ceramic Extra-Long Barrel Curling Iron
- Why We Love It: “Lately, I’ve been really loving the T3 SinglePass Curl,” says celebrity hairstylist Ashley Stewart, who notes it forms beautiful, luxurious curls. “It’s such a sleek and functional tool. I like how it doesn’t have a typical on/off button but [rather] a knob on the bottom. This is very convenient because with other tools, the button is most likely located in a spot where you can accidentally shut it off without knowing.” Similarly, hairstylist Kahh Spence relied on this curling iron to recreate Beyoncé’s nostalgic B’Day album updo. For another T3 pick, celebrity hairstylist Nikkia Nelson opts for the Switch Trio, noting the convenience of it’s three interchangeable barrel sizes. Plus, Angie Perrantes, who specializes in natural hair, says that once she tried the T3, it was hard to use another curling iron brand because it heats up quickly and leaves hair silky smooth.
- Temperature Settings: This curling iron utilizes a ceramic barrel and smart microchip technology to style hair across five heat settings.
- Available Barrel Sizes: 0.5”, 0.75”, 1”, 1.25”, 1.5”
- Material: Ceramic
- Cord Length: 9 ft, swivel
- Voltage: Universal
- Best For: luxurious, silky curls
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Universal voltage makes it an ideal choice for travel | A pricier pick |
| Heats up extra fast | |
| Auto-shut off after one hour |
Best Splurge: Dyson Airwrap Styler
- Why We Love It: “I love the Dyson Airwrap Styler. It works like magic,” says Courtney. “It gives the bounciest curls and waves with so much body. I’ve never experienced heat damage using this iron.” The styler uses the brand’s airflow technology to attract and wrap the hair around the barrel to curl, wave, smooth, and dry without extreme heat—much like its coveted blow-dryer. New York City-based hairstylist Sky Kim also ranks the Dyson Airwrap as her favorite. “It’s just overall a great tool to shorten your time spent getting ready,” she previously told Vogue. “With all of the attachments, it also gives a variety of looks you can achieve.” If you’re looking for big, bouncy curls, then the barrels will give you that classic look. But if you’re seeking that sleek, straight hair blowout, then the firming brushes are for you.
- Temperature Settings: This tool uses Coanda airflow to style hair while keeping temperatures under 302 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Available Attachments: Three barrels for curls and waves, two round brushes, four paddle-like brushes, two drying attachments
- Material: Synthetic nylon bristles, aluminum, ceramic
- Cord Length: 8.5 ft
- Voltage: Single
- Best For: blow outs, smoothing hair, waves and drying hair
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Two-in-one drying and styling tool, making at-home blowouts a breeze | A pricier pick |
| Multiple attachments to create various styles | Single voltage is not compatible for travel outside the US and Canada |
| Airflow technology reduces heat damage |
Best Curling Iron for Long Hair: Bio Ionic Long Barrel Curling Iron
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- Why We Love It: Those with long hair should consider this Bio Ionic iron, which features a barrel two inches longer than traditional models. What’s more, this design can facilitate styling the back of your head, too. Either way, the ceramic mineral complex uses negative ions to seal the hair’s cuticle, locking in moisture while creating long-lasting curls. Plus, the added moisture keeps your newly style curls soft to the touch, with no dreaded crunch texture from heat damage.
- Temperature Settings: Heats up to temperatures from 250 to 430 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Available Sizes: 1”, 1.25”, 1.5”
- Material: Ceramic mineral complex
- Cord Length: 9 ft
- Voltage: Universal
- Best For: All types of long-lasting curls
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Longer barrel makes it easier to style longer hair, by curling more hair at once | Longer barrel may not be as convenient on shorter styles |
| Ceramic mineral complex barrel reduces frizz and locks in moisture | |
| Universal voltage makes traveling with your tool easy | |
| Auto shut-off after one hour of inactivity |
Best for Color-Treated Hair: GHD Curve Classic Curl Iron
- Why We Love It: Those with color-treated hair should look to the GHD Classic Curl—a model designed to intensify hair color and create curls that last. The ceramic iron uses the brand’s Tri-zone technology which celebrity hairstylist Graham Nation says “makes the hair easy to manipulate without overheating the hair” and maintains it across the entire barrel. (Plus, no extreme heat!) This was also pro hairstylist Clayton Hawkins’s pick to create romantic Botticelli-inspired waves on Maddie Ziegler in their installment of Hairdos.
- Temperature Settings: This iron offers a pre-set styling temperature of 365 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Available Barrel Sizes: 1”
- Material: Ceramic-coated iron
- Cord Length: 8.8 ft
- Voltage: Universal
- Best For: All types of curls and waves for dyed hair
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Maintains a consistent temperature | Only one heat setting |
| Universal voltage is optimal for travel |
TikTok’s Favorite Curling Iron: Shark FlexStyle
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- Why We Love It: This versatile hair dryer comes with five different attachments that can straighten, wave, dry, or curl hair, plus the base itself bends for easier styling. One round brush, one paddle brush, a concentrator nozzle, and two curling barrels are included in this kit; the curling barrel is the attachment most sought after and trending on TikTok as it uses a tried-and-true airflow technology that attracts individual hairs to the barrel wrapping around to curl hair in seconds. Pro tip: Hold the “cold shot” button for 10 seconds to set the curl and reduce frizz. It’s a solid pick for anyone keen to try its more expensive counterpart but hesitant on splurging on the technology.
- Temperature Settings: 4 heat settings and 3 airflow settings
- Available Barrel Sizes: 1.25”
- Cord Length: 8 ft
- Voltage: Single
- Best For: All hair styles—curls, volume, blowout, waves, hair drying and more
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| A more affordable price point than other multi-stylers | Single voltage isn’t suitable for travel outside of the US and Canada |
| Multiple attachments | |
| Two-in-one hair dryer and styler |
Best Cordless: Harry Josh Pro Tools Cordless Curling Wand Bundle
- Why We Love It: No outlet, no problem! Harry Josh’s cordless curling wand is powered by rechargeable lithium batteries (bye-bye, pesky tangled cords!) for seamless home or on-the-go use. Best of all, it heats up to its maximum temperature of 400 degrees Fahrenheit in just 60 seconds, with an even heat distribution powered by a tourmaline barrel.
- Temperature Settings: Curls hair at temperatures up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Available Barrel Sizes: 1”
- Material: Nano silver and tourmaline
- Cord Length: N/A
- Voltage: N/A—opperates on lithium batteries charged with a charging base
- Best For: Medium size curls or loose waves
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Cordless design allows for increased styling maneuverability | A pricier pick |
| Clamp-free design ensures snag-free styling | Wang and charging barrel can feel bulky when packing |
| Cord free design ensures no need to worry about different voltage when traveling |
Best for Beginners: Beachwaver Co. Beachwaver PRO 1
- Why We Love It: Invented by renowned celebrity hairstylist Sarah Potempa, the Beachwaver is a revolutionary rotating curling iron is designed to be surprisingly effortless—especially for those new to hair curling techniques. The tourmaline-infused, extra-long barrel, features the the ability to rotate to the left or right, making it user-friendly for even novices to achieve salon-quality results at home. Create glam waves, defined curls, and everything in between—without even a flick of the wrist (the tool does all the work for you).
- Temperature Settings: Reaches temperatures from 310 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Available Barrel Sizes: 1”
- Material: Tourmaline infused, ceramic barrel
- Cord Length: 8ft
- Voltage: Dual
- Best For: Everything from waves to defined curls
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Barrel material reduces frizz and adds shine | Extended barrel may not be suitable for shorter hair |
| Rotating barrel and ergonomic design for ease of styling | |
| 30 minute auto-shut off |
Best for Short Hair: Conair Instant Heat 3/4-Inch Curling Iron
- Why We Love It: It wasn’t until I chopped my waist-length hair to a slick bob that I realized my old curling iron wouldn’t do the trick anymore. I learned the hard way that the shorter the hair, the smaller the curling iron needs to be—it seems so obvious, yet I never considered it thanks to years of mermaid-length hair. After testing a few out, I’ve come to the conclusion that a 3/4-inch barrel is perfect to style the ends at the back of my bob for a bouncy blowout look.
- Temperature Settings: This curler features 25 heat settings, reaching up to 360 degrees Fahrenheit
- Material: Chromium, nickel, copper and steel
- Cord Length: 5 ft
- Voltage: Dual
- Best For: Short hair; tight curls for medium to long hair lengths
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| An affordable pick | Shorter cord length allows for less maneuverability when styling |
| Smaller curling iron barrel allows for ease of styling shorter strands |
Best for Multiple Hairstyles: NuMe Octowand 8-in-1 Curling Wand
- Why We Love It: Courtney is also a fan of the NuMe Octowand “because it comes with eight different wand heads to achieve so many different styles. This one is cool when you want to include different styles of curls in one sitting.” Each of the wand attachments is made of tourmaline ceramic to help heat the hair evenly and reduce heat damage. Plus, the wand-style attachments being clamp-free means no snagging while styling your lengths.
- Temperature Settings: Each of the included tourmaline barrels heat up to 170 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Available Barrel Sizes: This features eight barrel attachments: two cone wands (19mm and 25mm), one pearl-shaped wand, one reverse cone, and four traditional wands (13mm, 19mm, 25mm, and 32mm).
- Material: Tourmaline
- Cord Length: 7.8 ft
- Voltage: Dual
- Best For: Any type of curl or wave
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Eight different barrel attachments for versatile styling options | Some find changing out curling barrels requires a bit of elbow grease |
| Tourmaline barrels reduce frizz | |
| Digital temperature control allows for precise heat settings |
Everything You Need to Know
What To Look For in a Curling Iron
No curling iron is one-size-fits all—literally. When shopping for the best curling iron, experts agree on common categories to find the right fit for your hair: heat protecting technologies, barrel materials, barrel size, and temperature.
According to Rogerio Cavalcante, stylist and owner of The Second Floor Salon in New York, the distinction between various materials lies in their response to heat. “What makes a great curling iron is heat-protecting technology, so that the hair isn’t burned or damaged, [as well as] ergonomic control so that it’s comfortable and practical for the user,” explains celebrity hairstylist Erinn Courtney, adding that high enough temperatures are key too to curl thicker, coarser hair types. Depending on the material a curling iron barrel is made from, different barrel types boast their own set of benefits.
- Ceramic: Best known for distributing heat evenly, ceramic curling iron barrels are a safe and effective choice for most hair types. According to Courtney, a ceramic barrel takes longer to heat up and heats hair from within, so it’s gentler on thin or damaged hair.
- Titanium: Heats up the fastest , so finer hair textures should caution. “However, it is a suitable option for those with thicker or coarser hair, offering efficient heat distribution while minimizing the risk of damage,” Cavalcanta adds.
- Tourmaline: “Tourmaline, a semi-precious gemstone known for its unique properties, produces negative ions and infrared heat when incorporated into hair tools. This feature contributes to smoother, shinier, and less frizzy hair,” says Cavalcante, adding its best suited for frizzy and coarse hair textures thanks to efficient heat distribution.
Different barrel sizes work best for specific hair lengths and yield various styles, allowing you to choose based on the desired look. “While there isn’t a strict rule about which hair length pairs best with a specific barrel size, shorter hair, particularly above the neckline, tends to fare well with smaller wands. This is because there may not be enough length to wrap the hair around a larger curling iron,” Cavalcante says. Ideally, the curling iron you choose comes with interchangeable barrels (and an automatic shut-off feature) for maximum versatility, safety, and durability.
- Small: Ranging from ⅜ to ½ inch, thinner barrels create tight curls that, when brushed through, achieve a voluminous ’70s aesthetic, explains Cavalcante. Those with shorter hair may also consider a thinner barrel to achieve a flippy bob.
- Medium: Ranging between ¾ and 1 ½ inches, medium barrels are the most common curling irons, producing a bounce that’s reminiscent of the classic Victoria’s Secret bombshell look.
- Large: Any barrels larger than 1 ½ inches result in waves rather than curls, ideal for those who want loose curls or relaxed beachy waves.
Temperature plays a major role in both styling and maintaining the overall health of your hair. Tara Simich, founder of Mermade Hair, walks us through different heat settings and which hair types are best suited for which temperature range.
- Low heat: Individuals with fine hair are advised to use less heat when styling as they have fewer layers to protect their hair strands. As a result, each section of hair will shape much quicker, with temperatures ranging between 250 and 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Medium heat: Simich suggests a standard temperature of 350 degrees Fahrenheit for normal hair (think hair that isn’t fine but not thick or coarse either—a happy medium between either extreme).
- High heat: “The thicker the hair, the more heat is needed to penetrate and create shape and curl in the hair,” explains Simish. Thicker hair texture can handle higher heat due to its increased layers, with temperatures ranging from 375 degrees Fahrenheit to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
How To Best Use a Curling Iron
Regardless of your hair type, it’s always important to apply the best heat protectant spray to safeguard the cuticle. When it comes to whether your hair is wet or dry, it depends on the hair curler itself. “Always use hot electrical curling tongs on completely 100% dry hair, while heatless curls and air-styling tools should be used on damp or 90% dry hair,” warns Simich. She explains that hair generally curls better with hair tongs the next day, as the hair cuticle will be open and will have some natural oils that will add grit to help the curl hold. This is why sometimes your hair falls out after it s freshly washed. If you can’t wait until the next day to curl or wave your hair, use a texturizing spray. “If your hair is too clean or slippery, a texturizing spray can provide grip and help the curls hold.”
Meet The Experts
- Rogerio Cavalcante, stylist and owner of The Second Floor Salon in New York
- Erinn Courtney is a Los Angeles-based celebrity hairstylist whose clients include Eva Marcille and Trevor Noah.
- Sky Kim is a New York City-based hairstylist.
- Graham Nation is a celebrity hairstylist and educator who counts Venus Williams, Emma Chamberlain, and Maddie Ziegler as clients.
- Nikkia Nelson is a celebrity hairstylist and barber who has worked with Ruth E. Carter, Angela Simmons, and Brandy.
- Mideyah Parker is a celebrity hairstylist whose clients include Precious Lee, Tracee Ellis Ross, and Naomi Campbell.
- Angie Perrantes is a pro hairstylist and natural hair specialist whose clients include Paige Hurd and LisaRaye McCoy.
- Laura Polko is a celebrity hairstylist whose clients include Madelyn Cline, Alessandra Ambrosio, and Hailee Steinfeld.
- Sal Salcedo is a professional hairstylist and founder of Nova Arts Salon in Los Angeles
- Ashley Stewart is a celebrity hairstylist whose clients include Simone Biles and La La Anthony.
- Larry Sims is a celebrity hairstylist who counts Gabrielle Union, Regina King, and Kerry Washington as clients.
- Tara Simich, founder of Mermade Hair.