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The Best Curling Irons for Every Style, from Bouncy Waves to Ringlets

Shop expert-approved picks available at every price point.

Headshot of Genesis RivasBy Genesis Rivas
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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

SinglePass Curl Professional Curling Iron
1
Best Overall

T3 Micro SinglePass Curl Professional Curling Iron

$170 at Amazon$170 at Ulta Beauty$170 at Nordstrom
Credit: t3
Pros
  • Offers smooth and shiny results
Cons
  • Not travel-friendly

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.

2
Best for Curly Hair

GHD Thin Curling Wand

Thin Curling Wand
2
Best for Curly Hair

GHD Thin Curling Wand

Credit: ghd
Pros
  • Defines naturally curly hair
  • Offers tight curls
Cons
  • Only offers one type of curl

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

On Sale
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

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Credit: Ulta
Pros
  • Budget-friendly
  • Auto shut-off feature
Cons
  • 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.

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4
Best for Short Hair

BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Spring Curling Iron

On Sale
Nano Titanium Spring Curling Iron
4
Best for Short Hair

BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Spring Curling Iron

Credit: Babyliss
Pros
  • Budget-friendly
  • Heats up quickly
Cons
  • It's bulky

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.

5
Best Luxury

dyson Airwrap Multi-Styler

Airwrap Multi-Styler
5
Best Luxury

dyson Airwrap Multi-Styler

Credit: Ulta
Pros
  • Styles with minimal heat damage
  • Has multiple attachments
Cons
  • It's expensive

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

Signature Series Professional Hair Curling Iron
6
Best for Colored-Treated Hair

Sam Villa Signature Series Professional Hair Curling Iron

Credit: Amazon
Pros
  • Safe for fragile and color-treated hair
Cons
  • Only available in two sizes

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.

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7
Best for Beginners

The Beachwaver Co. B1 Midnight Rose

B1 Midnight Rose
7
Best for Beginners

The Beachwaver Co. B1 Midnight Rose

Credit: Amazon
Pros
  • 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

After Hours Collection 1.5-Inch Titanium Styling Wand
8
Best Wand

Sultra After Hours Collection 1.5-Inch Titanium Styling Wand

Credit: Sultra
Pros
  • Smooth results
  • No tugging or snagging on the hair
Cons
  • No clamp

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

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

Credit: Dermstore
Pros
  • It's like multiple curling wands in one
Cons
  • It may take time to figure out how to assemble

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.

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10
Best for Wet to Dry Styles

Revlon One-Step Blowout Curls

One-Step Blowout Curls
10
Best for Wet to Dry Styles

Revlon One-Step Blowout Curls

Credit: Revlon
Pros
  • Blow dries and curls hair in one
  • Affordable
  • Detachable head makes it easy for travel
Cons
  • Doesn't come with a travel case

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.

11
Best for Loose Curls

Mane Addicts Triple Ripple Jumbo Hair Waver

Triple Ripple Jumbo Hair Waver
11
Best for Loose Curls

Mane Addicts Triple Ripple Jumbo Hair Waver

Credit: Mane Addicts
Pros
  • Gives an effortless wave
  • Offers quick and easy styling
Cons
  • Doesn't create a tight curl

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.

Headshot of Genesis Rivas
Genesis Rivas

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

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