13 Best Curling Irons in 2022 for Every Budget

Table Of Content

• Bed Head Curlipops Curling Wand for Loose Curls
• Best for Fine Hair: GHD Curve Soft Curl Iron
• Best for Long-Lasting CurlsGHD Curve Classic Curling IronRead more
• What is InStyle Picks?
• Best when you're in a time crunch: Trademark Beauty Babe Waves 3 Barrel Curling Iron
• What to Look for When Buying a Curling Iron for Fine Hair
• How do I choose a curling iron?

Catch up on Select's in-depth coverage of personal finance, tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date. From best-in-class concealer to the black pants you need for work, check out all of our InStyle Picks content. Ultimately, this gets the job done, but the ones listed above provided a better experience at a faster rate. The T3 Whirl Trio Interchangeable Styling Wand won our Most Versatile spot thanks to its three interchangeable barrels. Reviewed's mission is to help you buy the best stuff and get the most out of what you already own. Our team of product experts thoroughly vet every product we recommend to help you cut through the clutter and find what you need.

Bed Head Curlipops Curling Wand for Loose Curls

Most of the time, the end result looks nothing like it does after the salon. But, then we discovered rotating curling irons, which literally do the work for you. They're ideal for anyone who needs extra assistance when styling their hair. As the name suggests, rotating curling irons wind your hair up the barrel automatically, creating perfectly uniform, bouncy curls (or waves) with little to no effort. Titanium heats up faster than other options, which may pose a challenge for fine hair. “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.

Best for Fine Hair: GHD Curve Soft Curl Iron

At the time of publishing, we were not able to find any curling irons from a Black-owned and/or Black-founded business. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at and we will evaluate the product ASAP. It has a clunky design that is difficult to maneuver even on the front pieces of hair, let alone the back of the head. It heats up quickly and, like the T3, allows you to choose from five different heat settings, but there’s no way to tell exactly what the temperature is from looking at the wand.

Best for Long-Lasting CurlsGHD Curve Classic Curling IronRead more

Overall, we find that this device is easy and fast, and it creates long-lasting curls. We will note that you can’t actually see the temperature the tool is set to. To finish it all off, it heats up in under one minute and automatically shuts off after one hour. Master stylist Devon Rahal of Dev Does Hair in Brooklyn, New York tells Insider the NuMe Octowand offers the best bang for your buck, and based on personal experience, I can agree. The set includes 13mm, 19mm, 25mm, and 32mm interchangeable barrels, a pearl barrel, reverse barrel, 25mm cone, and 19mm cone barrel, plus the styler's base, as well as a heat-resistant glove for protection and a travel case. If you're looking to invest in a curling iron built to last for years to come, look no further than the Dyson Airwrap Complete Styler.

Plus, thanks to the 1¼ -inch barrel, you can achieve a variety of curl styles (like loose waves, ribbon curls, and more), no matter what length your hair is. On top of that, it has two different rotating speeds, so you can adjust it according to your preference. Although we love this tool, it’s worth noting that it’s not totally intuitive to use unless you read the manual. After sifting through the results, we uncovered the 14 best rotating curling irons. And instead of requiring you to count the seconds while you work on each section, this tool features a genius built-in digital timer that vibrates after 15 seconds to alert you that the section of hair is ready.

Amazon's Best-Selling Curling Wand That 'Delivers Salon-Quality' Blowouts at Home Is on Sale - Real Simple

Amazon's Best-Selling Curling Wand That 'Delivers Salon-Quality' Blowouts at Home Is on Sale.

Posted: Wed, 24 Apr 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

The 17 Best Curling Irons, According to Celebrity Hairstylists and Vogue Editors - Vogue

The 17 Best Curling Irons, According to Celebrity Hairstylists and Vogue Editors.

Posted: Fri, 02 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

If you're looking for something moveable that still provides a little bit of hold, go for a light or medium hairspray. If you don't want your hair to budge, a maximum hold hairspray is the way to go. "The Lyealion wand wrapped really well; giving me a tighter curl that started close to the root without burning my scalp. The clamp held hair tightly without tugging, too." The bottom of the handle twists to toggle between five heat settings (from 260 to 410 degrees ... [+] Farenheit), which are indicated by a series of lit-up dots. I decided to go with 1-inch barrels for all the irons so that we would be able to compare results.

CHI’s Spin & Curl is certainly one of the most unique tools you can use to curl your hair, especially for those who have trouble manipulating clip barrels or wands. The rotating curler effortlessly draws hair into a chamber, then uses ceramic heat technology to precisely curl the hair. According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands.

That said, we loved the results that we got from this tool, and the price is hard to beat. Each attachment securely fastened into the base, thanks to a twistable locking mechanism, which doubled as a stand so the hot surface didn’t scorch our countertop. We also liked that this tool features universal voltage, making it travel friendly.

Harry Josh Pro Tools are considered elite, and that includes the brand's three-in-one ceramic curling iron. "It has an incredible amount of versatility," NYC-based hairstylist Devin Toth with Salon SCK tells Insider. T3 curling irons are best known for their salon quality, but the T3 Curl ID is the first curling iron of its kind, says Nine Zero One stylist Sierra Kener. Through advanced HeatID technology, the tool intelligently adjusts to one of nine heat settings based on your hair profile. In other words, it "reads" your hair and customizes its settings based on details like your hair texture, color, and chemical treatments.

This type of iron also creates a looser, more natural curl without any worry of a “clamp crease,” according to our hair experts. A clipless wand takes a bit of getting used to, but it can quickly be mastered with a little bit of practice. When creating beach waves, we find it’s easiest to achieve that look when using a long-barreled curling wand without a clamp, and this tool from InStyler fits the bill. Thanks to the clamp-free design, we were able to loosely wrap our hair along the barrel, creating elongated curls that even a mermaid would envy. That said, the tip of this styling tool features a unique “feeder” grip tip that allows for easy one-handed styling, so if you prefer a clamp, you do have options.

Aside from the tool’s rotating abilities, this iron also has other impressive features, including its 1.2-inch ceramic barrel that helps to reduce frizz and add shine. Additionally, it has a nine-foot swivel cord, as well as a feature that shuts it down after one hour of use. “It has an on/off button that also serves as the toggle button to increase or lower the temperatures,” explains Nasya. Because of this, be sure you do not accidentally press the button when you are curling hair since this can cause the device to turn off. If you hate being tangled up in cords or are short on space, this cordless rotating curling iron from Conair was meant for you.

You can achieve tight, coily curls that last with this 1/2-inch curling wand. "I can do tight curls in as little as three seconds, and they last for up to 24 hours," says Kirkland. It's great for defining or refreshing naturally curly hair or giving straight hair very tight curls that hold. If you have finer hair that struggles to hold a curl, then a tighter curl (a.k.a. a smaller barrel) might help to sustain the curl for a longer period of time. Typically, thick hair may need higher temperatures to form a lasting curl, so it’s best to avoid a curling wand or iron that can’t get up to 350°F (or preferably higher). When it comes to staying power, there was no difference in all of the different wands and irons that we tested.

Perhaps the coolest thing about it is that it comes with a detachable clamp so that you can use it as a traditional curling iron or a wand. This feature is great if you’re a beginner because it allows you to experiment and see which way of styling is most comfortable for you. Like all dependable styling tools, the best curling irons get to work quickly and effectively. A really good one heats up in seconds; delivers shiny waves, curls or ringlets that last into day two; and comes with a host of built-in features that make your mornings infinitely easier. To determine the right model for various hair types, I put 10 curling irons to the test over the course of several weeks, taking into account factors such as performance, temperature range and ease of use.

I love to shop, and I'm obsessed with finding the highest-quality item at the best price. I want my products sustainably made with fair labor practices, and built to last, so I don't have to replace them every two years. That’s why it’s important to never use a curling iron in the bath or near water. Do not place or store your curling iron where it can fall or be pulled into a tub or a sink. If your iron does fall into water or any kind of liquid, unplug it immediately—do not touch the liquid.