Curling Irons for Perfect—and Foolproof—Curls

With five different heat settings ranging from 260 degrees to 510 degrees, this curling iron allows you to pick the best temperature for your specific hair type and texture. That way, you’ll be able to achieve a long-lasting curl—in just one pass—without frying your ends. The brand’s tourmaline and ceramic composition also help prevent tugging and pulling; your hair will glide gently through the clamp and result in a smooth, shiny curl. The best part? It automatically shuts off after an hour. 

Pros: Different heat settings; Standard barrel size; Auto shut off

Cons: Might cause fine hair to slip 

Customer Review: I’m a huge fan of T3 products. I own the blow dryer so I was so excited to come this curling iron. It leaves my curls without frizz while the heat option allows my stick straight hair to hold a curl. I still have curls after 6 hours where as usually it is straight! Also the barrel is fairly long for longer hair." — Sephora

The AirWrap is shockingly in stock at the moment (can’t promise how long that’ll last), so don’t miss your chance to get the cult-favorite item. It comes with a handful of attachments that can do everything from rough dry sopping wet hair and tame flyaways to provide a sleek, smooth finish. The star of the show though is the curling barrel, which uses controlled airflow to create voluminous, bouncy curls. There’s no technique necessary, just hold the barrel up to a strand of hair and let the Airwrap do the rest. For more info, check out my full review of the AirWrap Multi-Styler. 

Pros: Multi-purpose; Easy to use 

Cons: Expensive 

Customer Review: "I have questioned whether this Dyson air wrap was for me for over a year now. I have very long curly hair and truly didn’t believe it could manage the amount of hair I have. This tool is quick, efficient, and leaves my hair frizz free. I love using it as a style extender on day three or after the gym. Don’t hesitate on this one!" — Sephora

The Shark looks a lot like the Dyson—and the results are going to be pretty similar, and available at a fraction of the price. You can give yourself a bouncy blow out or use the Auto-Wrap Curling attachment to achieve a bouncy blowout. The longer you hold the heat to a strand, the tighter your curl will be. It's going to take you a minute to figure out the best way to hold the tool, but once you're set, styling is a breeze.

Pros: More affordable than the Dyson; Multi-purpose

Cons: Falls out if your hair isn't good at holding a curl

Customer Review: Phenomenal hair dryer! If you're on the fence about this dryer/styler get off now and make your purchase! This product gives beautiful beach waves or straight and silky finishes according to the accessories you choose. It is a bit heavy but so worth it to get salon looking hair in your own home." — Nordstrom

“I am absolutely obsessed with the new Harry Josh Pro Tools Cordless Ceramic Curling Iron. Not only is it an incredible tool with a Nano Silver Tourmaline Barrel and powerful ceramic heating plates that allows for consistent heat application for the curls, but the interchangeable, rechargeable battery makes it the ultimate easy to use option. I can bring this iron everywhere and always ensure I can get incredible style.” — Harry Josh

Pros: Expert-recommended; Great for travel 

Cons: Shorter Barrel

Customer Review: "This is what I’ve been waiting for my entire life. A cordless wand that doesn’t use butane lol. I would love to see it in a larger barrel size though (1.5in) since my hair is down to my waist and I like a larger wave so that it looks natural. Good work!!" — Harry Josh

If you’re chasing a shiny finish, GHD is the way to go. This particular curling iron uses something called ultra-zone technology, which essentially means that the iron monitors its heat output 250 times per second (!!) to ensure the temperature is even and optimized across every strand of hair. The result? Smooth, silky hair that has an added reflective quality. It’s auto-set to 365 degrees and should be held on your hair for five to eight seconds, depending on your hair type. 

Pros: Provides shine; Sturdy clamp 

Cons: One temperature option 

Customer Review: "Obsessed is an understatement with this curling iron!! I’ve struggled for years to get my hair to hold a curl but with the ghd curling it actually holds!! It is easy to use and my favorite feature is the automatic shut off so I don’t need to worry if I accidentally forget to turn it off before I leave the house!" — Sephora

Don’t get me wrong: Any normal curling iron can double as a wand. All you have to do is wrap hair around the clamp—not under it. But if you’re seeking a true wand that won’t leave your hair with any unwanted creases, this Hot Tools one is the way to go. It has a tapered shape that gives your curl a tighter spiral as it graduates down the strand. There’s also a handy heat protectant glove to prevent any burns. 

Pros: Heat glove; Tapered design 

Cons: A little heavy 

Customer Review: "When I use the wand I am going for looser, beachy wave type curls with my hair. The tighter I wrapped of course the tighter the curl. The length isn't that much longer than a regular wand but it makes all the difference. The wand heats fast and makes curls that will last all day!!" — Ulta

Sure, this might be on the expensive side, but trust me: It’s worth every penny. The tool is basically three tools in one. The bottom component stays steady, but you can swap the top attachment for a curling iron with a clamp, a curling wand, or a three-barrel crimper. So whether you’re after a polished curl, a beachy wave, or a subtle bend from the waver, this multi-purpose device has you covered. And, it comes in a cute travel case for easy storage. 

Pros: Multipe attachments; Auto shut off
Cons: Bulky 

Customer Review: "This Drybar multi styler is a travel-friendly gem! It effortlessly fits into my bag, staying neatly organized in its case. The clip curling iron was a pleasant surprise, proving simpler and more effective than my old wand. What I adore most is the versatility." — Sephora

Curling long hair is an event. It can take a good hour to ensure every piece is swirled to perfection from top to bottom. To streamline your styling process though, you’re best off looking for an extra long barrel. The few additional inches give you enough space to get the entire chunk of hair in one fell swoop, effectively creating a uniform curl without kinks or ridges. That’s exactly what this Bio Ionic iron promises. You’ll be able to create loose waves and soft curls in just a single pass. 

Pros: Extra long; Locks in hair moisture 

Cons: Takes time to learn how to maneuver longer barrel 

Customer Review: "I have long thick hair and love this tool. I usually buy curlers use them once and then they collect dust. This one because of the long barrel is great and easy for my length, it also allows me to take bigger chunks of hair making it faster." — Sephora

This little guy is TikTok viral for a good reason—you don’t have to be a pro to use it. All you have do to is take a small section of hair, clamp the iron at the bottom, and press the power button. Then, the iron takes over, rotating up against the strand. Hold it at the top for a few seconds, release the clamp, and voilá, you have a perfect curl. You can leave it as is or brush it out for a more laid back vibe. 

Pros: Easy to use; Smoothing 

Cons: Doesn’t provide as much control as traditional curlers 

Customer Review: "The first time I used it I was able to curl my hair in 10 minutes! It used to take me at least half an hour with other curling irons. Not only could the barrel handle more of my hair at once, but my hair took less time to curl. I would say that on average I held my hair on the barrel for about 5 seconds, compared to 10-15 with other irons. That's a huge plus, as I'm trying to minimize heat damage." — Ulta

Flat iron waves have a very specific look: They’re effortless, easy, and resemble more of a slight bend than a true curl. Unfortunately, achieving that look can be difficult to master. Enter this Conair tool, which is designed with rounded, ribbed plates specifically designed to create a low maintenance curl. All you had to do is feed hair through both plates, twist, and pull through. I personally found that rotating the device up and down 180 degrees as I work down a chunk of hair gives the nicest result. 

Pros: Affordable; Lightweight; Less damaging than some competitors 

Cons: Takes some time to master the motion 

Customer Review: "I love the fact that this is better than using a hot curling iron! you can both straighten and curl your hair at the same time with no heat! this is an amazing product and i recommend to use it with 80/90 percent dry hair. It makes a huge difference!" — Ulta

There’s no need to straighten frizzy hair before grabbing this iron. It’ll quickly remove frizz and give a smooth, polished look to every spiral. It's made with a titanium, extra long rod to evenly distribute heat through the length and density of the hair, while simultaneously knocking out majority of frizz. The duration of time you need to keep each strand clamped will differ person to person, but it’s probably going to be a bit longer than normal. If you normally hold the curling iron for eight seconds, try 15 seconds with this guys. 

Pros: Customizable temperature; Controls frizz

Cons: Takes longer to smooth hair 

Customer Review: "The barrel heats up quickly and efficiently. The barrel is great for long hair and clamps on to hair nicely but not aggressively. Try it out with a lower heat than usual because I find that the metal distributes heat more evenly and makes curls better without the need for high heats. Easy adjustments!" — Sephora

If you have a lot of hair, you’re well aware that curling your whole head can double as an arm workout. That in mind, this ridiculously lightweight design is game changing. The slim curling iron feels like a feather (well, not really but you get the point) in your hand and the spring clamp makes it super easy to maneuver. Plus, with a barrel that’s two inches longer than standard options, this curling iron is ideal for those with a longer length.

Pros: Bio Ionic technology helps reduce frizz; Lightweight 

Cons: Doesn’t hold curls as well

Customer Review: "The multiple temperature settings which make it easy to use on my thick and dense hair. The curls come out perfectly every time and the iron heats up quickly and maintains a consistent temperature, preventing any heat damage to my hair. The curling iron is also very user-friendly and easy to use, with a comfortable grip and a long swivel cord that allows for flexibility while styling." — Ulta

Curling irons don’t have to costs hundreds of dollars to be considered effective. In fact, my trusty Revlon curling iron lasted me all through middle school—and high school. Current models have obviously received a few technological upgrades, making them even better quality. Take this one, for example. It has a triple-coated ceramic barrel (this helps with pulling and tugging) and is infused with coconut oil to give tight curls a little bit of extra shine and silkiness. 

Pros: Affordable; Reduces frizz; Adds shine 

Cons: Short barrel

Customer Review: "This curling iron really does increase the softness and shine of my hair. I absolutely love it! My only complaint is that I wish the barrel was a little bit longer. I have long hair and the way I do spiral curls in my hair it's hard to get that last inch of my hair to fit on the barrel. However, this would not stop me from buying it! The payout for softer shinier hair is worth the extra little step I have to take to get the type of curls I like."