I've always loved experimenting with my hair. In college, I went through a box dye phase, coloring my strands in every color imaginable, from fire engine red to jet black that revealed a blue tint in the sun. After that, I played around with cut techniques and even grew my hair long enough to donate it ... multiple times. Now, I'm obsessed with hair tools and seeing which ones (of many) are worth your dollar. The only downside to my current fixation is that many of the devices I try involve adding quite a lot of heat to my hair.
Even knowing how much heat protectant I use, sometimes I feel like my locks need a break. That's where another one of my experiments comes into play. During my nearly five-year tenure at Shop TODAY, I've discovered several heatless curling tools that bring heat damage down to zero, with several cutting my styling time in half. Since I'm no gatekeeper, I'm going to share some of my favorite products — and their individual pros and cons — that have helped me create waves, curls and sometimes salon-quality blowouts, without plugging in a single device.
Best for volume$undefined$17.99
Best heatless curlers, according to an editor
Easiest to use:
The Sleepy Tie is something I think everyone with medium-to-long hair should try at least once. I've used this tool multiple times and, after many trials and errors, have learned that it is most useful for me to prolong my blowouts or curled styles previously created with a hot hair tool.
The clever scrunchie is actually quite easy to use. The website offers a video of the creator and CEO explaining the process and showing how to use it step by step. All you have to do is brush your hair, gather it together as if about to tie a ponytail, but instead, you wrap it around the "arch" portion of the tool. Then, you hold it down with one hand and use the other to "tie" the scrunchie around the arch to secure the bun. While that may sound difficult, it really only took me two or three quick attempts to nail the process down. And once you perfect it, that bun isn't going anywhere, even while you sleep — which is more comfortable than you think.
When I first unwrapped my hair the morning after sleeping with the Sleepy Tie, truth be told, I wasn't pleased. My front roots were pulled back (instead of elegantly draping near the front of my forehead), and all of the hair in the middle of my scalp felt like it does when you leave your hair in a ponytail for too long. However, my panic ended up being unnecessary, because all my hair needed was time to "fall." By the time my 1.5-hour commute ended, my hair felt normal and my wavy style from the day before was still intact. Plus, it lasted all day without me having to add a drop of product.
Best for volume:
I was looking forward to trying these Flexi Rods the most. Is it just me, or has everyone else seen people wearing these all over the internet? I can't explain the envy I've experienced watching (mostly) women wrapping their locks up on airplanes, only to unroll them post-flight to reveal a perfect blowout. I couldn't wait to get my hands on these and quickly create a salon-worthy style — but let me tell you, I was quickly humbled.
Unfortunately, no one on any of the TikToks I watched warned me about how difficult these Flexi Rods would be to use. On paper, it's simple: section the hair; brush each section forward; wrap the hair; bend and snap the roller closed. Done! But in action, it's much harder. First, you need the right tension. If there's too much slack in your roll, the hair will immediately fall out. Second, the rods are "delicate," for lack of a better word. If you lean forward too far, they will fall. If you bend your head the wrong way, they will fall. I don't understand how people sleep with these in, because one wrong turn will have them coming loose (they're also not comfortable to lie on).
The only way I was able to test the rods was by wearing them in the evening when I could sit up and carefully move around. Before anything, I lightly sprayed my hair with water to make it damp and pliable. Then I left the rods in for about three hours. It's ironic that after all that struggling, my hair ended up looking a little ... incredible. My volume was off the charts and I ended up with the most intense waves, which I don't even think I can recreate with a hot hair tool. All it needed was a bit of hairspray or texture spray to keep it in place. If you take away the massive learning curve, these Flexi Rods will actually produce a great style (but only if you have the time to wait for your hair to set!).
Most comfortable:
I first heard of the RobeCurls Curling Headband more than four years ago, and I still remember how impressed I was each and every time I used it. It's one of the easier heatless tools I've tried throughout the years and one of the most comfortable.
The application is simple. First, you'll want to part your slightly damp hair down the middle and create two sections. Next, place the headband on top of your head with each end at equal lengths on either side. (I recommend using a claw clip to keep the headband in place while doing this.) Then, grab one section of hair and simply wrap it around one leg of the headband. Try to wrap it as tightly as possible to create some tension, because this will help to create a tighter curl. Lastly, tie the ends of your hair with the provided scrunchie. Then repeat on the other side! Once both sides are done, give each of them a good twist and then bend the ends of the headband and connect them together behind the head. As a result, you'll have a chic updo while you let your curls set!
You can leave the RobeCurl in place until your hair is fully dry or even wear it to sleep. Because the tool is made with satin charmeuse and lined with microfiber fleece, it's actually quite comfortable to wear overnight — you can't feel the wire hidden beneath. In the end, I was left with bouncy curls that kept their volume for hours. However, for best results, I recommend using some hairspray to guarantee the longest hold.
Best for tight curls:
This may look like the strangest hair tool you've ever seen ... and you'd be right. I've tested a lot of them, and few come as close on the weird scale (except for the last product mentioned in this article, but we'll get to that). With that said, I'd be remiss if I didn't say it's also, shockingly, one of the most effective.
The one thing you have to be prepared for with the Octocurl is that using it is going to take a little more time than the previous heatless curlers. However, the amount of time totally depends on you and your preferred style. If you desire a loose wave, you can wrap fewer sections of hair, which will take less time. But if you prefer tighter curls, you'll need smaller sections and can look forward to a lot more wrapping. Considering the results shown above, I can tell you it's absolutely worth it. And even though you'll need to take 15 to 20 minutes out of your evening to do it, the process is still relatively easy and straight forward. It even comes with a how-to booklet with simple step-by-step instructions and styling tips for different curling approaches.
My favorite part of this tool has to be how comfortable it is. Out of the three materials to choose from, I opted for the cotton poplin (the other two being satin and microfiber), which ended up feeling super soft and cushiony. In fact, it sort of felt like I was sleeping on an extra pillow. Pro tip: If you're trying this at night, make sure the Octocurl is the last part of your wind-down routine. It's not fun trying to brush your teeth and change your clothes with this funky tool on your head.
Most unique styling:
Remember that "weird scale" I was just talking about? These multicolored curling tubes actually top the list. They also top my list for "most fun I've ever had doing my hair." Give it a few years, and I'll be ordering these for my nieces to play with during future sleepovers.
In all seriousness, there are some pros and cons to these unconventional curlers. A few downsides: These take the most time to apply to your hair out of all the products previously mentioned. You also need to take into account the trial and error you inevitably go through while learning how to hook your hair through each tube. And by hook, I mean a literal hook. You use it to pull each section of hair through the curlers, and if you don't do it correctly, you'll end up with a ton of knots to comb through. (But, wow, does it feel satisfying when you do it successfully.)
The upsides: Other than enjoying a head full of rainbow curlers, these do a surprisingly good job at curling your hair. Are they the neatest or tightest curls you've ever seen? Not really. However, they're the type of curls that you can brush through and style, plus they last longer than you'd expect. I'd say these tools are designed more for the entertaining experience than the end results, and sometimes that might be exactly what you need.
Best overall:
For the best curl or wave longevity, the Sleepy Tie works best to ensure my style lasts for days without having to re-use a hot tool. It only takes a minute to use and can be worn to bed without any problems.
For achieving the best curls with hair not previously styled, the clear winner is the Octocurl. If you can look past its unconventional look and take the time to properly wrap your hair, the end result is undeniably beautiful.
How I tested heatless curlers
All of these heatless curlers were tested with slightly dampened hair and worn for at least eight hours overnight, if possible. (I attempted to wear the Flexi Rods overnight but ultimately determined it wasn't possible.) For all of the products, I looked for a range of factors: ease of use, comfort levels and curling results.
Why use heatless curlers?
Less heat damage
For me, this is the No. 1 reason to give any heatless curler a try. If you’re starting to notice split ends or breakage, that could be a sign to switch things up in your beauty routine. I understand how a hot tool can become a crutch of sorts when it comes to making us look our best and feel confident. And it’s great that modern-day tools have improved technology that can help you control the amount of heat that touches your hair. But if your instincts are telling you to give curling irons and straighteners a rest, then you might want to listen to them — and your hair health will benefit in the long run!
Less styling time
In addition to being a healthier way to style hair, a heatless curler can also be a true time-saving hack. There are some days that I cannot be bothered to run a brush through my locks, never mind curl individual sections of hair for 30-45 minutes. With the right tools, you only need a few minutes (sometimes, seconds) to set your hair up for success. Most of them really only require some time to set your hair, meaning you can go about your day doing anything else while your hair curls — and some you can even sleep in.
Do you need to buy a heatless curler?
Technically, you don't! If you're looking to save money and want to take a more creative, budget-friendly approach to heatless hair curling, there are a few ways to achieve a decent style that are currently trending on social media platforms. The best part? You only need a few items that you most likely already have lying around the house.
First, you can try the sock method, which is very similar to the hair wrapping process performed with the Octocurl and the RobeCurl — you just do it with a pair of long socks. You also need two clips to secure the socks to the top of your head, and then you create two sections of lightly damp hair and start wrapping. I've seen a few people play with their wrapping technique, including splitting one half section into another half and reversing the wrapping direction for each one to create a new type of wave. I think this method is great in theory. I just don't like having to clip the socks to my head; they're uncomfortable to sleep with and the tugging definitely caused some ripping.
Next is the clip method. You part your hair down the middle (or wherever you like to place your part) to create two sections. Then you tightly twist each section inwards towards your chin, and secure it with a clip when you can't twist any longer. Personally, I didn't find this effective at all. My hair fell out of these twists in minutes, and I didn't like the constant feeling of my hair against the sides of my face.
How we choose
The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources and use our own personal experiences with the product and brand to make shopping easier for our readers.
We chose heatless curlers based on the author's personal recommendations. She has tried each of the above-mentioned tools and can speak on their efficacy, curling power and ease of use.
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