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Waves have long reigned as the quintessential summer hairstyle, and the best hair waver tools are key to achieving the look—especially if your strands don’t bend that way naturally. These stunning waves conjure images of sun-drenched days, breezes infused with the scent of sea salt, and a delightful mermaid aesthetic that harkens back to our nostalgic H20: Just Add Water loving days. Beachy waves embody the essence of effortless glamour, effortlessly merging chic with a touch of playful nonchalance.
“Hair wavers are a great heat styling tool option for creating volume, bounce, and movement with a slightly more relaxed feel than classic curls,” Pete Burkillh tells Vogue, the celebrity hair stylist whose star-studded clients include the Beckhams, Millie Bobbi Brown, and many more.
Vogue’s Favorite Hair Wavers
- Best Adjustable: Bed Head A Wave We Go, $45
- Best for Frizz: Drybar The Beach Bender Triple Barrel Waver, $139
- Best for Soft Waves: Mermade Hair Pro Hair 1.25-Inch Waver, $79
- Best Single Barrel: T3 BodyWaver 1.75-Inch, $179
- Best for a Tousled Look: Tymo Rovy Beach Waves Curling Wand, $70
- Best Classic: GHD Wave, $199
In This Story
- What is the difference between a hair waver and a curling iron?
- Which barrel materials are best for certain hair types?
- How To Use a Hair Waver
- How To Pick the Right Heat Setting for Your Hair Type
- Meet The Experts
Gone are the days of relying solely on 90s-era crimpers to achieve those sought-after waves (though let s be honest, that look is totally Brat-approved!). Unlike traditional straighteners and curling irons, hair wavers come in an array of shapes and sizes, each designed to create its own unique wave pattern.
Whether you seek soft, loose waves or defined, tousled curls, there s a hair wave out there to help you express your summer spirit through fabulous, flowing locks—keep scrolling to find your new summer hair styling essential.
Best for Soft Waves: Mermade Hair Pro Hair 1.25-Inch Waver
- Why We Love It: Even if you have naturally wavy hair, perhaps you’re also terrible at styling your natural hair (much like Vogue’s beauty commerce writer Conçetta Ciarlo). “Even with a bob (I opt for the mini size), this hair waver easily grips my hair and creates perfect waves in seconds—the three-barrel design makes using the tool seamless. Plus, there’s no crunchy feeling left behind,” says Ciarlo. Burkillh agrees, adding this pick is a solid go-to for creating soft, oversized waves.
- Heat Settings: Multiple (280°F to 430°F)
- Available Size: 1.25 in., 1 in.
- Material: 1.25 inch (three-barrels)
- Cord Length: 8.2 ft swivel cord
- Voltage: Universal
- More To Know: Auto-off after one hour
Best Adjustable: Bed Head A Wave We Go
- Why We Love It: With nearly 19k rave reviews on Amazon, needless to say, this hair waver from Bed Head is a beloved pick for many. What’s unique about this tool is its adjustable center wave barrel—with the turn of a dial, you can adjust the barrel for the exact type of wave you want, from tight crimp to loose and tousled. Meanwhile, the tourmaline ceramic design reduces overall frizz to leave behind that coveted healthy sheen.
- Heat Settings: Multiple (250°F to 400°F)
- Available Size:
- Material: Tourmaline
- Cord Length: 6 ft swivel cord
- Voltage: Dual Voltage
- More To Know: Auto-off; adjustable waver barrel
Best for a Tousled Look: Tymo Rovy Beach Waves Curling Wand
- Why We Love It: Consider this Tymo tool a revamped version of your classic crimper—rather than more sharply angled waves, this creates perfectly rounded, bouncy S-shaped lengths. “This pick is perfect for a slightly more tousled, undone look. Plus, it’s great for layering texture throughout the hair,” says Burkillh. Simply clamp down with the single barrel, using the tool itself to space each wave. Best of all, with negative ion technology at play, this waver boasts less heat damage overall.
- Heat Settings: Nine (Up to 430°F)
- Available Size: 1.25 in., 1 in.
- Material: Tourmaline ceramic
- Cord Length: 6 ft swivel cord
- Voltage: Dual
- More to Know: Single-barrel crimper for beginner-friendly use
Best for Fine Hair: Conair Double Ceramic 3 Barrel Curling Iron
- Why We Love It: Those with finer hair textures may fear singeing their hair when clamping down in pursuit of waves—in that case, you’ll need a tool with a delicate touch. “Conair’s waver is gentle and consistent, making it ideal for finer hair types,” says Burkillh. The triple barrel features two unique sizes within one tool—the outer barrels are a quarter of an inch larger than the inner barrel, creating a seamless wave pattern.
- Heat Settings: Multiple (up to 400°F)
- Available Size: One size (.75 in. outer barrels, .25 in. inner barrel)
- Material: Double ceramic
- Cord Length: 5 ft
- Voltage: Dual
- More to Know: Auto-off
Best Affordable: Alure Three Barrel Curling Iron Wand Hair Waver
- Why We Love It: For an affordable yet high-performing pick, Alure’s three-barrel waver is another Amazon-favorite pick with over 28k glowing reviews. “This pick heats up in just 60 seconds and works well across most hair types. It consistently delivers solid results at a good price point,” says Burkillh.
- Heat Settings: Multiple (Up to 410°F)
- Available Size: 1 inch
- Material: Ceramic tourmaline
- Cord Length: 6.5 ft
- Voltage: Dual
- More to Know: LED heat display
Best for Frizz: Drybar The Beach Bender Triple Barrel Waver
- Why We Love It: “Drybar’s waver delivers a really polished wave with great shine. It’s ideal for event styling or camera-ready looks,” says Burkillh, noting the added shine reflects back beautifully in photography. That added glossy look is thanks to the ceramic barrels with ionic technology—the combination smooths the hair’s cuticle, which has a host of highly sought-after benefits. The result? Less frizz, added shine, and better moisture retention.
- Heat Settings: Multiple (up to 450°F)
- Available Size: .75 inches
- Material: Ceramic
- Cord Length: 9 ft
- Voltage: Standard (US and Canada compatible only)
- More to Know: Ergonomic handle; auto-off.
Best Single Barrel: T3 BodyWaver 1.75-Inch
- Why We Love It: If the triple barrel and crimper styles are a bit too much for you, then look no further than T3’s waver. That’s right—you can, in fact, create waves with a single barrel styling tool. This was Ciarlo’s intro to hot tool styling for waves (just a big ol’ curling wand). The trick is in the width of the barrel itself—wider barrels (aka, bigger than your average curling iron) create a loose tousle rather than a tight ringlet. Additionally, the ergonomic handle ensures easy and comfortable styling, even for novice wave stylists.
- Heat Settings: Five (up to 410°F)
- Available Size: 1.75 in.
- Material: Tourmaline ceramic
- Cord Length: 9 ft swivel cord
- Voltage: Standard (US and Canada compatible only)
- More to Know: One-hour auto-off; hollow barrel for even heat dispense.
Best Classic: GHD Wave
- Why We Love It: When in doubt, Burkillh says GHD’s Wave Wand is a classic. “This is always great for super smooth and long-lasting, sculpted waves,” he says. This tool uses self-regulating heat tech to ensure temperature remains even across all three barrels—plus, they re oval-shaped rather than round to create a more natural wave pattern. Plus, the ceramic-coated material ensures added shine and reduced damage.
- Heat Settings: Multiple (up to 365°F)
- Available Size: 1.25 in.
- Material: Ceramic coated
- Cord Length: 9 ft swivel cord
- Voltage: Universal
- More to Know: Heats up in 50 seconds; cool tips for burn-free styling; auto-off.
Best for a Naughties Crimp: Hot Tools Pro Artist Nano Ceramic Deep Waver
- Why We Love It: Zillenials and Millenials alike will remember how oh-so-cool crimpers were during the naughties. Featuring a super deep, angular design, this is the closest thing you’ll get to a nostalgic crimper—of course, with a tech upgrade suitable for the 2020s. The ceramic material of this waver ensures reduced heat damage, safe for even finer hair types (goodbye, crunchy crimpers!).
- Heat Settings: Multiple (up to 430°F)
- Available Size: 1 in.
- Material: Ceramic
- Cord Length: 8 ft
- Voltage: Dual
- More to Know: Cool tips; lock closure
Everything You Need To Know
What is the difference between a hair waver and a curling iron?
“A curling iron typically creates more defined, rounded curls depending on the barrel size and technique, while a hair waver gives a uniform, S-shaped wave—more of that soft, beachy texture,” says Burkillh.
Which barrel materials are best for certain hair types?
Whether you opt for a barrel waver, or crimper, the material of the tool itself impacts not only how quickly the tool heats up, but also your hair’s texture—and understanding that can make all the difference in both performance and hair health. "Choosing the right material for your waver really depends on your hair type, hair health and how often you’re using heat tools,” says Burkillh. Celebrity hairstylist Gregg Lennon Jr. agrees, adding that hair texture and density should always compliment the material of the hair tool you use.
“Ceramic takes longer to heat up and they heat the hair from the inside, [while] titanium heat up immediately and heats the hair on the surface,” explains Parker, who emphasizes matching your heat tool’s material to your natural hair type. Plus, Burkillh adds that ceramic materials are also ideal choices for color-treated hair, as they re more prone to heat damage from repeated bleaching and dyeing.
What are the different types of hair wavers?
Hair wavers come in many styles and sizes. Below, Burkillhl breaks down the different types of wave-making tools, to help you pick your perfect match.
- Triple Barrel: By far the most popular offering, Burkillh explains these clamp the hair into that ripple-like texture associated with classic beach waves. “Personally, I prefer triple barrels for their versatility and softer finish—they’re great for creating editorial styles that still feel wearable and modern,” he says.
- Wavy Plates: Similar in application, wavy plates clamp down on hair, but offer a different result. “Similar to your classic crimper, these offer more of a crimped or zigzag effect to your wave,” says Burkillh.
- Single Barrel: What differentiates single barrel wavers from a classic curling iron is their size—the wider barrel width creates a loose tousled look rather than tight spiraled curl.
How To Use a Hair Waver
Start with dry hair and always prep with a lovely heat protectant - I personally love the Bumble Bumble one. Then begin by working in sections and clamp from the root downwards, holding for a few seconds each time. For a more natural result, alternate the direction slightly and don’t worry about making it too perfect as it’s that undone texture that makes it feel effortless and beachy. Finish with a light texture spray or dry oil for that extra separation and shine.
How To Pick the Right Heat Setting for Your Hair Type
You don’t have to sacrifice hair health when making waves. Lennon suggests figuring out your ideal heat setting by starting at a lower temperature and working your way up, slow and steady.
“The goal is to get your hair styled in as few passes as possible—first start with settings under 400 degrees, and only increase to higher temperatures if necessary,” he previously told Vogue. “Always make sure your hair is 110% dry before you start to iron, because damage often occurs from damp hair sizzling between the plates.” TLDR, don’t overdo it by going hard with heat right away.
Meet The Experts
- Pete Burkillh is a celebrity hairstylist based in London. His roster includes the Beckhams, Millie Bobbie Brown, Anna Kendrick, Kylie Minogue, Natasha Poonawalla, Bebe Rexha, and more.
- Gregg Lennon Jr. is an LA based celebrity hairstylist. His clients include Charli XCX, Rina Sawayama, Lisa Rinna, and more.
- Mideyah Parker is a celebrity and editorial hairstylist and ambassador for Pattern Beauty.
