Despite its name, a curling iron can do a whole lot more than curl. Actually, it's a versatile styling tool that can give you a variety of looks and works on all hair textures. If you have naturally straight hair, a curling iron can create tight ringlets, beachy waves, or a voluminous blowout-style look. Those with naturally curly hair textures can use a curling iron to give their hair more definition and bounce. But choosing the right curling iron for you is key: First, "the barrel size will great effect your result," says Meredith Kirkland, national education manager at GHD. For big, voluminous curls, you'll want a medium to large barrel. For tighter, more defined curls that last, you'll want a small barrel.
Make sure your iron has adjustable heat settings, says hairstylist Glenn Ellis. Fine or highly processed hair should dial down the heat since hair is more fragile; if you have dense hair, you can go in with a higher heat. Now that you know what to look for, it's time to sift through your options. That's where we come into play. Here are the best curling irons, according to professional hairstylists.
1
Best Overall
T3 Micro SinglePass Curl Professional Curling Iron
1
Best Overall
T3 Micro SinglePass Curl Professional Curling Iron
Hairstylist Kevin Kelly says that this ceramic barrel glides through the hair with ease and offers a smooth finish. One pass gives you the perfect curl, no touch-ups necessary. It's available in multiple sizes, from 3/4-inch for tight curls to 1.5 inches for a looser wave.
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. And this is great for defining or refreshing naturally curly hair.
3
Best for Medium-Length Hair
Kristin Ess Hair Nanoblack 1.25'' Ceramic Curling Iron for Waves + Curls
3
Best for Medium-Length Hair
Kristin Ess Hair Nanoblack 1.25'' Ceramic Curling Iron for Waves + Curls
Some reviewers say it's easy to burn your fingers because of the design of the tip
A great pick that's less than $100, this ceramic curling iron creates effortless beach waves, per Kelly. It automatically shuts off after 30 minutes, so you never have to worry about whether you unplugged your curling iron ever again.
Hairstylist Jennifer Korab loves this affordable pick because its 1 1/4-inch barrel size is great for all hair lengths, types, and styles. The ceramic barrel is coated in titanium, which helps it heats up quickly and evenly.
The Dyson Airwrap—one of Korab's go-tos—is worth the hype. Its Coanda airflow technology allows you to curl your hair fast and without a high temperature, which limits damage. It has three precise airflow speeds and temperatures. In addition to the curling attachment, which comes in two sizes, it includes everything you need for the perfect hairstyle—a soft and firm smoothing brush, a smoothing dryer, and a round volumizing brush.
6
Best for Colored-Treated Hair
Sam Villa Signature Series Professional Hair Curling Iron
6
Best for Colored-Treated Hair
Sam Villa Signature Series Professional Hair Curling Iron
Heat styling can be tricky for color-treated hair, which tends to be fragile and delicate. Luckily, the temperature settings on this curling iron were made with color-treated hair types in mind, so it won't strip or fade hair. The one-inch iron is great for creating curls on all hair types, and the 1.5-inch is perfect for waves, says Korab.
It creates expert-level waves without expert-level skills
Cons
You need to be a bit methodical, so it can take time to curl each section
This curling iron does the twirling work for you, thanks to its rotating one-inch barrel. Press the arrow buttons to curl your hair away or toward your face. It's lightweight and creates perfectly smooth and frizz-free curls.
8
Best Wand
Sultra After Hours Collection 1.5-Inch Titanium Styling Wand
8
Best Wand
Sultra After Hours Collection 1.5-Inch Titanium Styling Wand
If you dream of hair that bounces with every step you take, this styling wand is for you. It's a clam-free wand, so you don't have to worry about frizz-causing tugging or snagging (instead, you'll wrap the hair around the barrel—but do mind your fingers). The titanium barrel heats up to 390 degrees quickly.
9
Best for All Hair Types
Harry Josh Pro Tools 3-in-1 Ceramic Curling Iron 1.25-Inch
9
Best for All Hair Types
Harry Josh Pro Tools 3-in-1 Ceramic Curling Iron 1.25-Inch
Instead of buying an arsenal of differently sized curling irons, consider this 3-in-1. Use it as a wand or use one of the two detachable clamps to turn it into a classic iron or a marcel.
This nifty tool is a blow dryer and curling iron in one. Heated air flows through vents in the barrel as you curl each section, so you can dry and curl your hair at the same time. The detachable barrel makes it convenient for travel, and it comes with a dryer head to dry and lift roots quickly.
Thanks to this tool, it's never been easier to create laid-back waves; just clamp this down in the middle of each section, release after a few seconds, and you're left with truly effortless bends. The triple-barrel design allows you to style more hair at a time, offering quick and easy results.
Genesis Rivas is the Beauty Editor at Oprah Daily, where she covers hair, makeup, skin, nails, and more. Before joining the Oprah Daily team, she wrote for several publications, including InStyle, Real Simple, and Shape. When she’s not testing, researching, and writing fun and educational beauty content, you can find her dancing and eating her way through New York City. Follow her on Instagram or TikTok