The 17 Best Curling Irons, Tested and Expert-Approved

Best Overall

T3 SinglePass Curl

$170 at Amazon $106 at Walmart $150 at Ulta

Editor's Note: While our experts recommended the T3 Single Pass Curl model, the brand's newest iteration is the T3 Singlepass Curl X. It has a longer barrel and a more enhanced clip design for better user control.

“The T3 Single Pass Curl 1.25 Ceramic Curling Iron is one of my favorite curling iron options because it's three irons in one that offers five different heat settings for ultimate versatility,” says Nick Stenson, senior vice president, store, and service owner of Ulta Beauty. The specially designed ceramic barrel will help transform your hair, offering the ultimate smoothness and style. The ceramic heaters work to streamline the styling process using microchip technology so you can curl your hair with one pass of the iron in each section. 

With a heat range of up to 430ºF, this curling iron can help smooth the curliest of curls, creating a frizz-free finish. But it also has lower temperature settings that work well for fine hair. This curling iron is ideal for medium to long hair, especially if you have naturally curly hair, but we think the price, features, and backing by experts make this curling iron an excellent choice for best overall. 

Temperature: Up to 430ºF | Barrel Size: 1.25 inches | Material: Ceramic

Best Budget

Conair Double Ceramic Curling Iron

$20 $15 at Amazon $18 at Target $20 $15 at Walmart

This ceramic curling iron from Conair creates beautiful curls without a steep price tag. Available in 1, 1.25, and 1.5-inch sizes, this curling iron can work on different hair lengths and form several types of curls. The temperatures go up to 400ºF, so be cautious when clamping the ceramic plate over your hair so you don’t burn your finger (though the tip stays cool as a safe touch point). 

While it does get hot, there are 30 unique heat settings on this curling iron, so it’s versatile for different hair types and textures. For instance, if you have fine hair and want to use a lower heat setting, you could set it to 250ºF; if you have super thick hair, you might want to use higher settings like 375ºF or even 400ºF. It only takes 30 seconds to heat up (with dual voltage settings), so this hot tool can also save some time in your morning beauty routine. And if you get nervous about accidentally leaving your curling iron on, this one has an automatic shut-off function.

Temperature: Up to 400ºF | Barrel Size: 1, 1.25, and 1.5 inches | Material: Ceramic

Best Investment

Dyson Airwrap

$600 at Amazon $600 at Nordstrom $600 at Ulta

If there's a tool to splurge on, it's the famous Dyson Airwrap — deemed the "holy grail of hot air brushes." The hot tool comes with several attachments for different types of curls as well as blow drying and styling your hair, essentially simulating the same experience as a rotating curling iron. Using Coanda airflow instead of extreme heat, the Dyson Airwrap collects your hair and wraps it around the barrel — effectively curling it using air pressure.

“The Dyson Airwrap is very interesting to me, and I recommend it to clients for at-home use,” celebrity hairstylist Mara Roszak tells PEOPLE. “It seems like a game-changer for clients with finer hair that want an easy blowout with some waves,” says the stylist. The set comes with a dryer, two Airwrap barrels, two smoothing brushes, and one volume brush. And while this tool is designed for medium to long hair lengths, there’s also a sister product designed for short hair.

Temperature: Up to 302ºF | Barrel Size: 1.2 and 1.6 inches | Material: Steel

Best Rotating

CHI Air Spin N Curl Hair Curler

$120 $67 at Amazon $110 at Target $120 at QVC

This rotating curling iron from CHI creates beautiful curls without fear of heat damage or burning your hand from having to wrap the hair around the physical iron. It uses a chamber that (gently) sucks hair in, wraps it around the barrel, and is heated and timed so your hair isn’t resting on a hot surface for too long. Because of its mechanism, it’s better suited for shoulder-length hair.

There are three heat settings for different types of hair: 370ºF for fine hair, 390ºF for medium hair, and 410ºF for coarse hair, which helps take some of the guesswork out of your beauty routine. This rotating curling iron is easy to use all around (you literally just push a button), and it even tells you when it’s time to release the hair. And for added safety, it shuts off after an hour to prevent being accidentally left on. 

Temperature: Up to 410ºF | Barrel Size: 1 inch | Material: Ceramic

Best Interchangeable Base

Mane Power Bottom Base

$50 at Sephora

Hair tools can take up a lot of room in your beauty stash — especially if you have more than one curler with different barrel sizes. The Mane Power Base is a great option for shoppers who need to maximize their space, as it works with three interchangeable curler and waver attachment heads. Each of the tools (including a 1-inch curling barrel for tighter spirals, a 1.25-inch barrel for looser curls, and a 1.25-inch waver) is made from nano-coated ceramic, which helps make your curls smooth rather than frizzy. Plus, you can customize even more with four different heat settings that work with all hair types.

We liked that at nine feet this cord was long enough to plug in across the room and still comfortably use and that it was easy to twist each attachment head on and off when it was time for a style change. However, we wish that the attachments were included, as purchasing the individual heads cost an extra $50 each. But in the end, buying two attachments that work with the same base ends up being a space- and money-saver.

Temperature: 365ºF | Barrel Size: 1, 1.25 inches | Material: Ceramic

Best Triple Barrel

Alure Curling Iron

$25 $19 at Amazon

For those who want beachy waves and an easier hack to get them, let us introduce this triple-barrel curling iron from Alure. With three barrels instead of one, this iron works as a hot clamp, crimping the hair in sections as you move from root to end (leaving about two inches of space between your head and where you start with the iron). 

Considering it heats up in seconds (jumping to 410ºF), and you don’t have to feed a strand of hair around an iron and turn it for every curl, it takes less time to use, which is great for a morning routine. The ceramic plate contains negatively charged ions which also work to smooth out hair while you’re styling it for a more polished finish. It saves time, creates fun beachy waves, and comes in under $40 — this triple-barrel iron is a must. 

Temperature: Up to 410ºF | Barrel Size: 1 inch | Material: Ceramic

Best Curling Wand

Drybar The Wrap

$169 $144 at Amazon $169 at Nordstrom $169 at Sephora

The main difference between a traditional curling iron and a wand is the metal plate that clamps down to hold the hair in place so you don’t have to manually hold it. This styling wand from Drybar is just the barrel (sans clamp) which means you wrap the individual strands around the wand yourself. Be sure to wear a protective glove and be extra cautious when styling.

With two barrel sizes at 1 and 1.25 inches, this wand can create loose or tight curls depending on how closely together you wrap the strands of hair. The barrel is also ceramic which helps smooth out hair due to negatively charged ions. All things considered, this is a good pick for someone who curls their hair frequently and prefers the style of a wand to a traditional iron.

Temperature: Up to 450ªF | Barrel Size: 1 and 1.25 inches | Material: Ceramic

Best for Beginners

Beachwaver Co. Beachwaver Pro 1

$299 at Amazon $229 at Ulta View on Beachwaver.com

The Beachwaver has long been a popular curling iron, with celebrities like Lea Michele singing its praises, but it’s perfect for beginners, too. To use, you place the very end of a section of hair under the small clamp at the base of the barrel and then press on one of the two buttons at the base. Alternating directions will create a more natural look while keeping the same direction on each side will create a more uniform look. Once you press the button, the curling iron rotates and curls. After a few seconds, you release and pull the iron straight down to reveal a perfect wavy curl.

The Pro model is specifically designed for medium to extra-long hair. Invented by celebrity hairstylist Sarah Potempa, the Beachwaver is designed for all users, hair types, and curls — defined, glamorous, and beachy. It shuts off after 30 minutes for safety and has universal voltage so you can take it on any trip.

Temperature: Up to 450ºF | Barrel Size: 1 inch | Material: Tourmaline ceramic

Best for Natural Hair

BaBylissPro Nano Titanium Curling Iron

$60 at Amazon $80 at Sephora $54 at Target

This curling iron from BaByliss works on all hair types and uses a special turbo heat feature to create curls quickly and that last. The titanium and ceramic barrel have negative ions that help smooth your hair while styling it. With 50 unique heat settings, this hot tool goes all the way up to 450ºF but uses infrared heat to protect the hair from damage.

This heat paired with the nanotechnology on the titanium coating can create long, loose curls and beachy waves for any occasion. This is a highly functional and popular curling iron, especially for natural hair. Hairstylist Jamika Wilson even styled Viola Davis’ hair with the BaByliss curling iron for her PEOPLE cover shoot in 2022, so this curling iron is literally cover-worthy, making it a fabulous option for wherever the day takes you.

Temperature: Up to 450ºF | Barrel Size: 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.25, and 1.5 inches | Material: Titanium

Best for Thick Hair

NuMe Magic Curling Wand

$109 at Amazon View on Numehair.com

If you have a thick head of hair, you know it takes a while to curl it all. That’s where the Nume magic curling wand comes in handy. It's easy to use (and fast!). Just wrap each section of hair around the barrel, hold for 15 seconds or so, and then release. It’s easy to work around different sections of hair with this wand, just be cautious to not burn your hands if you are styling in a hurry.

Additionally, this curling iron uses infrared heat (up to 450°F) to create voluminous curls that last and lessen the risk of heat damage. Available in several sizes, this wand can form different types of curls, including tighter or looser curls depending on your styling preference. The titanium base also has negative ions that create a smooth finish on your hair. 

Temperature: Up to 450ºF | Barrel Size: 19 mm, 25mm, and 32 mm | Material: Titanium

Best for Fine Hair

ghd 1-Inch Curling Iron

$209 at Amazon $209 at Sephora $209 at Dermstore

If you have fine hair, you’ll want a curling iron that’s not too hot because it doesn’t take as much heat to curl thinner hair, and you can avoid unnecessary heat damage. This option from GHD has a pre-set temperature of 365ºF which the brand claims is the optimum styling temperature to minimize hair damage. Plus it heats up in 25 seconds which is ideal when you need to style your hair in a hurry. “I love using the GHD 1-inch Classic curling iron because of its gentle yet firm grip on the hair as well as the built-in temperature control it offers that makes it safe for all hair types,” says Stenson. 

“I also love my GHD classic curl wand,” says Roszak. “It is temperature-controlled which makes it easy to use and eliminates any confusion around how hot it should be. I also love the auto-turn off, so no stress of ‘did I leave my irons on?’” This curling iron has universal voltage (so it's travel-friendly).

Temperature: Pre-set at 365ºF | Barrel Size: 1 inch | Material: Ceramic

Best for Color-Treated Hair

Sultra After Hours Collection Titanium Styling Wand

$149 $105 at Amazon $139 at Walmart $40 at QVC

If you color-treat your hair, then you already know there’s a lot of upkeep that happens behind the scenes — the need for leave-in conditioner, color-enhancing hair products, and hot tools that will help heal and not further damage your hair. With a titanium barrel, this curling iron has special ions built in that work to repair damage and smooth out your hair during the styling process.

It also has a temperature cap of 390ºF. The 1.5-inch barrel is the perfect size for big bouncy curls, so if you’re looking to boost the volume of your hair (which can sometimes be lessened by frequent coloring), this curling wand is the perfect tool.

Temperature: Up to 390ºF | Barrel Size: 1.5 inches | Material: Titanium

Best for Long Hair

Bio Ionic Long Barrel Curling Iron

$149 at Amazon $149 at Nordstrom $149 at Sephora

A favorite of Southern Charm’s Madison LeCroy, the Bio Ionic Long-Barrel Styler is an incredible curling iron for long hair. This hot tool uses a special technology called Nanoionic MX and Bio Ionic Moisturizing Heat to help lock in moisture when styling and seal the hair cuticle so the curls last longer. 

With an extra two inches of length, this curling iron is longer than most standard barrels which is ideal for long hair and extensions. Plus, it has an angled tip that stays cool so you can comfortably hold it when styling your hair. The infrared heat should help reduce the risk of heat damage. And for added measure, this hot tool turns itself off after an hour of use, just in case you leave home and forget to turn it off. 

Temperature: Up to 430ºF | Barrel Size: 1.25 inches | Material: Ceramic

Best for Short Hair

Paul Mitchell Neuro Angle Bendable Titanium Curling Iron

$147 at Amazon View on Paulmitchell.com

If you have shoulder-length or shorter hair, this is a good curling iron to add definition without so much volume that it overwhelms your face. The angled barrel is perfect for creating loose curls or beachy waves, and you can change the angle from 180º to 90º for a more ergonomic design that makes it easier to style your hair. 

You can set the temperature up to 450ºF manually, but the smart tech also self-regulates its temperature 50 times per second for maximum efficiency. The barrel sizes (1 inch and 1.25 inches) create beautiful voluminous curls. Combined with safety features like two-hour auto shut off and universal voltage, we think this is a great choice.

Temperature: Up to 450ºF | Barrel Size: 1 and 1.25 inches | Material: Titanium

Best for Curly Hair

Hot Tools Pro 24K Gold Curling Iron

$26 $24 at Amazon $31 at Target $40 at Walmart

This curling iron comes in a variety of barrel sizes making it a great pick for different types of curls and hair. The thinner barrel (0.75 inch) is ideal for shorter hair, tight curls, or for building soft beachy waves for a more casual look. As the barrels grow in size, so do the curls, so the 1-, 1.25-, and 1.5-inch barrels would work well for a range of looser curls and waves.

This gold-plated hot tool heats quickly and distributes heat evenly, making it ideal for curly and thick hair. It’s a classic model at a reasonable price, with heat settings up to 430ºF to tackle even the thickest and curliest hair. Plus, the iron stays hot throughout use, so you can get through all of your hair without it losing its temp.

Temperature: Up to 430ºF | Barrel Size: 0.75, 1, 1.25, and 1.5 inches | Material: Gold-plated

Best for Beach Waves

Kristin Ess Ceramic Curling Iron 1.25”

$37 $35 at Amazon $28 at Walmart View on Kristinesshair.com

If you want to look like you just stepped off the beach, this Kristin Ess curling iron replicates the look of casual care-free waves. With a 1.25-inch ceramic barrel, this hot tool creates a looser curl or wave, and at the same time, closes the hair cuticle to lock in moisture. The ceramic material also contains negative ions which helps reduce frizz and smooth the hair for a sleek final result. 

It has four temperature settings (up to 425ºF), with specific temps designated for various hair types — so no guesswork of which temperature to set your tool at. And for safety, the curling iron shuts off after 30 minutes. 

Temperature: Up to 425ºF | Barrel Size: 1.25 inches | Material: Ceramic

Best for Tight Curls

GHD Curl Thin Wand

$209 at Amazon $209 at Sephora $165 $140 at Walmart

With a 0.5-inch barrel, this wand creates ultra-tight and defined curls. It doesn't use extreme heat (it's set at 365ºF) and it heats up in about three seconds for maximum efficiency. The ceramic barrel also helps smooth hair and reduce frizz using negative ions.

For safety, this curling wand shuts off after 60 minutes, has a cool tip to hold when styling your hair, and comes with a protective glove for your styling hand. It’s highly versatile and can work with long or short hair types, plus since it doesn’t have the standard clip of a curling iron, it should be easier and more efficient to use. 

Temperature: 365ºF | Barrel Size: 0.5 inch | Material: Ceramic