The importance of a good curling iron can’t be understated. Just imagine spending upwards of two hours washing your hair (two shampoos, a leave-in conditioner, the whole nine yards) and giving it a full blow-out, all for that hard work to be ruined because your curling iron wasn’t cutting it. That scenario is seriously the stuff of nightmares.
Choosing the right one is no easy feat, especially considering the factors that go into each tool: price, temperature options, durability and barrel length, to name a few. But at the end of the day, we all just want a bouncy curl or beach wave that will last. As the (self-proclaimed) resident hair tool specialist at Shop TODAY, I tested 11 of the most popular models on the market to determine which one is worth your money — and your styling time.
For most defined curls$47.99$79.99
Best tips for using a curling iron
If there’s one thing we know about curling irons it’s that they are called “hot tools” for a reason. Heat is the key factor here, and when applied correctly, it can help create your best style. Celebrity hairstylist Marcos Diaz says it best: “Let the heat do the work!”
The biggest user problem he has noticed is people moving the iron too quickly because they are afraid of the heat. By doing this, the hair never gets enough time to actually take and hold its shape.
“I want the section to heat through evenly, not just briefly touch the barrel. That does not mean using excessive heat or holding it there forever. It means using the right temperature for the hair and giving the iron enough contact time to create the shape you want,” he shares. “For me, the goal is controlled heat, not fear of heat. That is what gives you a curl that actually sets and lasts.”
How to get the most volume with a curling iron
Before you even place a finger on any tool, professional hairstylist Lindsey Esposito recommends breaking out a few products to make sure you get the best chance at getting voluminous curls. “You can produce the best volume by using a mousse at the root and mid-lengths of the hair,” she says. “A lighter option would be a root lifting spray or thickening spray.” She also adds that using rollers or pinning your curls while they cool can also help.
For Diaz, his goal is to achieve volume with movement. “I want the hair to feel full, but never overworked.” To do this, he has a specific approach for both thin and thick hair types. “For thin hair, I like to focus the heat at the roots and lift the hair away from the scalp as I curl. That elevation helps create more volume right where you need it, and I keep the product light so the hair does not get weighed down.”
For thicker tresses, he says section control is the best course of action. “If you take a section that is too large, you lose control and the heat cannot work through it as effectively. I would rather work in clean, manageable sections and build the shape gradually.”
Best overall curling iron, tested by an editor
Ease of use: 5/5 | Curl results: 4.8/5 | Temperature variation: 5/5 | Overall average score: 4.93/5
I’m not exaggerating when I say I put a lot of faith in the first try of this curling iron; I used it to style my hair for a first date. I won’t go into detail about that (but just so you know, the restaurant’s lack of air conditioning threatened to make my curls fall flat), but I can tell you that this tool didn’t let me down.
The long barrel is, by far, its best feature. At 6.5 inches, it made it so easy to get bigger chunks of hair into one pass without sacrificing even heat distribution. Plus, I’m on a journey to grow my hair out for fall, and now I’m confident this curler will be able to handle longer locks. And its lengthy design didn’t make it heavy or hard to handle; thankfully, my arms didn’t feel weak after curling my entire head.
Using the tool itself felt pretty intuitive. I didn’t have to read the directions to know that to adjust the temperature, you had to twist the dial at the bottom. (Twist left to cool the barrel down and right to heat it up.) The tool’s “ProGlide” clip design also made it easy to control and didn’t allow any hair strands to fall out while curling. I was impressed with the finished product, too — effortless curls that felt soft to the touch and looked incredibly sleek.
More curling irons to try, tested by the author
For the most defined curls:
Ease of use: 4.7/5 | Curl results: 4.6/5 | Temperature variation: 4.5/5 | Overall average score: 4.6/5
This wasn’t my first rodeo trying a Hot Tools curling iron. In fact, I was pretty excited to get my hands on this one because I’m pretty sure my mother “borrowed” my original tool and has yet to return it. (I guess if it’s worth stealing, it must be good, right?) If it was the other way around, I’d probably do the same thing, because using a Hot Tools curler is a guaranteed way to have a good hair day. The brand has been around since the ‘80s, making a name for itself as the golden standard in styling in salons — and its popularity and quality is still talked about today via TikTok get-ready-with-me skits and other social media videos.
And it’s all for good reason. The 6-inch barrel is designed with 24K Gold Technology, which helps with getting a faster heat up time, even heat distribution and creating a longer-lasting curl. When I use this tool, I always get a defined curl, without having to leave my hair on the heat for long. The curls are a little looser than they appear with other tools, but they have a perfectly coiled shape that’s easy to brush through with your fingers to create a tousled look.
I am a big fan of this tool’s design and how easy it is to catch and release sections of hair. I usually start my curls near the top of each section so that my spiral isn’t only focused on the bottom half. That means I need a clamp that can not only hold my hair steady, but can just as easily allow me to move through each section as fluidly as possible. With this, my hair always glides along the barrel and never gets stuck on the clamp. And the 8-foot cord functions perfectly, never getting in my way or making me move at different angles to reach new sections of hair. It also helps that the tool itself isn’t heavy at all and doesn’t feel like I’m lifting weights after five minutes of use.
Best splurge:
Ease of use: 5/5 | Curl results: 4.5/5 | Temperature variation: 4.25/5 | Overall average score: 4.58/5
I won’t lie — I felt like a professional hairstylist while using this curling iron. Something about its sleek look and high-end material makes it seem like it belongs in the hands of a professional. But you don’t need to be one to use it since it’s one of the simplest tools in my arsenal now.
The tool has one button, and that’s to turn it on and off. And if you’re wondering how you adjust the temperature, the answer is that you don’t. According to the brand, this model utilizes “curl-responsive technology” to maintain a consistent 365 degrees across the barrel to avoid heat damage and offer smoother results. However, that also means you can’t lower the heat at all, and even though the brand says a cooler temperature can compromise the longevity and bounce of the curl, I believe that determination should be left to the user and how comfortable they are with how much heat they allow on their hair.
I’m happy I brought this tool with me on a recent bachelorette trip (good news; it’s compact and light, making it travel friendly!), because this thing works fast. It only takes 25 seconds to heat up and I only need to leave my hair wrapped around the barrel for a few beats. The end results gave me a great style, and it followed through on its “50% shinier results” promise. However, it left my hair just a tad bit frizzy in places (but I don’t really mind the slightly messy look, I just needed to add some hair oil to fix it).
Best for bouncy curls:
Ease of use: 4.6/5 | Curl results: 4.7/5 | Temperature variation: 4.5/5 | Overall average score: 4.6/5
This may not have the sleekest or most modern look, but its design and functionality is quite reliable. For one, it feels sturdy and durable, most of which I feel when I maneuver the clamp. I know when I grip my hair with this tool, it’s not going anywhere until I release it. That may not be the most important factor you’re looking for in a curling iron, but come back to me after you choose one a little more flimsy and you have to re-do multiple sections because it can’t handle a little tension...
Speaking of tension, because I can create more of it as I wrap my hair around the barrel, the resulting curls are much bouncier and springy. I started pretty close to the root while trying this one, which helped give me a ton more volume near the crown of my head. I also noticed that the curls immediately tried to clump around each other, so I suggest running your fingers through to separate them after they cool down.
I was a little confused by the temperature options. The tool shows five specific degrees to choose from, however, the dial clicks into place in between each setting. For example, the tool shows 250 degrees and the next degree option jumps to 285, so all I have to do is turn the button until my chosen degree is placed underneath the arrow. But the dial clicks into place between those two numbers as well, so it looks like I can choose a temperature in between those specified degrees. Am I? No clue. I wish it was clearer, because right now, it seems like I actually have 13 heat settings available to me.
Best for long hair:
Ease of use: 4.4/5 | Curl results: 4.5/5 | Temperature variation: 4.5/5 | Overall average score: 4.47/5
This might be one of the fastest-working curling tools of the bunch. My first time trying it, I was running incredibly late for a surprise birthday party and had barely seven minutes to curl as much of my hair as possible. Shockingly, I think I was able to style at least 85% of my head in that short amount of time. The barrel emitted the perfect amount of heat and, because it’s so long (2 inches longer than average irons, per the brand), more hair was able to touch the ceramic at one time.
I can’t give this tool top marks for volume since my curls fell quite a bit from the time I styled them in the morning to when I finished my commute (two hours, give or take). However, I still liked what I saw, which were tousled, “piecey” beach waves. According to the brand, all their tools are infused with a Ion Generating Complex, which I think is the reason why my curls felt so smooth and avoided frizzing all day long. When my hair finally grows out, I know this will be the tool I reach for to create that trendy loose “mermaid hair” look.
The one thing that drove me up a wall was how many times I accidentally hit the temperature buttons while trying to curl each section. They are placed directly in the middle of the handle and there’s no avoiding them! I unintentionally reset the temperature either hotter or colder at least 10 to 15 times while styling, and each time, I had to stop what I was doing to correct it.
Most budget-friendly tool:
Ease of use: 4.1/5 | Curl results: 4.4/5 | Temperature variation: 4.4/5 | Overall average score: 4.3/5
This tool is proof that you don’t have to spend a ton of money to style your hair at home. Sure, this curler doesn’t have all the bells and whistles some of the more expensive devices have, but it doesn’t lack in the most important features. The barrel boasts a double ceramic iron which is meant to distribute heat evenly and reduce hot spots to prevent damage. It’s also designed with dual voltage and auto-off functionality, making it a great travel option. As for the end results, I was left with a bouncy head of curls with minimum frizz! It performed better than how I would assume any other $23 tool could, and I appreciate that it was able to heat up quickly and allow me to style my full head with relative ease.
One thing that confused me was this tool’s temperature dial, which shows “heat levels” instead of straight-forward temperatures. You have to refer to a guide to decide which level is best for your hair (i.e. 1-5 for fragile/fine hair, 6-10 for thin hair, 11-15 for medium hair, 16-20 for wavy/curly hair and 21-30 for coily/thick hair). The problem with that is that I don’t know how hot it gets for each one, only that it can reach up to 400 degrees at the highest level. I winged it and went with a number in the middle, which happened to work out fine, but I still think this creates more confusion. There’s also a “Turbo Heat” feature, but the brand does a poor job explaining what this actually does.
Best auto rotation curler:
Ease of use: 4/5 | Curl results: 4.7/5 | Temperature variation: 4.5/5 | Overall average score: 4.4/5
Full transparency: I prefer a traditional curling iron over auto-rotating options simply because I like the control the former offers. However, I’m fully aware of the privilege that comes with having fully functioning hands and know that tools like this one can make a world of difference to someone who may not have full hand dexterity or experiences physical pain while trying to maneuver a hair tool.
With that said, and preference aside, the Beachwaver actually works like a charm. My curls looked defined and smooth, but what really impressed me was how long they lasted (which was all day). They didn’t fall as drastically as they did with the other tools I tested, and all I used post-styling was a few spritzes of finishing spray.
Some of my favorite features include its super speedy heat-up time. The brand says it only takes 30 seconds to reach your selected temperature, but I could swear it’s even faster than that. (I like to sleep in, so having my tools ready in a snap is a huge benefit.) The 6.5-inch barrel is also useful for longer strands, and with more room to space out each section, the better chance I have of creating a tighter spiral or a looser “glam” curl.
In terms of how easy it was to use, the button placements really threw me off. The buttons that indicate the wrapping direction are right next to the “Go” button that starts the rotation. So, it was easy for me to accidentally press the “left” button instead of “Go” or the “right” button when I wanted “left.” It was a little frustrating at times, especially when this caused me to start over with a section.
Most lightweight and travel-friendly:
Ease of use: 4/5 | Curl results: 4.3/5 | Temperature variation: 5/5 | Overall average score: 4.43/5
I have always wanted a curling iron that could give me itty bitty tight curls; however, I didn’t know if I could pull off the look, so I couldn’t justify spending the money on one tool. With this three-barrel system, I don’t have to worry about that. With 1-inch, 3/4-inch and 3/8-inch options included, this curler allows me to have fun with my style. And while I don’t have naturally curly hair, it’s important to note that the brand says the smaller barrels are designed to enhance a natural curl pattern.
The absolute highlight of this tool is how insanely lightweight it is. It’s actually really important that it was designed this way, since using the smallest curling option involves less hair per curling pass and therefore, more time spent styling. If the tool was any heavier, I’d get an unwanted arm workout halfway through. The barrels can also completely disassemble, which makes the system much easier to pack in a suitcase or carry-on (while also not taking up precious weight).
I’m not sure why, but the clamp isn’t the most user friendly, especially compared to all the other tools I’ve tried. I found myself sometimes having to hold the ends of some sections to make sure they they didn’t come loose in the middle of rotating the iron. I believe it’s because the clamp doesn’t offer as much hold near the bottom of the tool as it does near the middle and top of the barrel, which gave my hair more opportunity to fall out. I think this is just something I’d have to adapt to over time and consistent use, but I do think if the brand ever upgraded, allowing the clamp to give equal tension all the way through would be a good idea.
Best for day-two style:
Ease of use: 4.3/5 | Curl results: 4.3/5 | Temperature variation: 4.3/5 | Overall average score: 4.3/5
This tool made the list of winners for reasons you won’t expect — I sure didn’t.
First things first, it’s not your typical curler or wand. The barrel is inside a tube with an auto-spin mechanism that wraps the hair inside until it auto releases after eight seconds. The how-to video had me scared that one wrong move would mean a tangled mess that, at best, would mean a tough knot to brush out and, at worst, would have me crying and reaching for the scissors.
Thankfully, this ended up being simple to learn and followed through on its anti-tangle technology. My only gripe was that you had to position your hair sections (literally) perfectly within the curler opening or the tool would miss strands, which wasn’t the biggest deal in the world, but does make it a poor choice for when you need to style your hair in a time crunch.
Back to the unexpected part. Because its design doesn’t offer users much control as a typical curling iron, I couldn’t create a curl “type” and didn’t have a choice when I was left with somewhat overly bouncy Shirley Temple-esque curls. However, the bounce and volume I was met with in the mirror the following day was unbelievably beautiful. The aggressive spirals from the night before just transformed into an accidental blow-out! If you’re someone who likes to shower and get your hair ready in the evening, this tool is a great time saver if you don’t want to have to take the time to do your hair in the A.M.
It took me a minute to figure this out, but there are, in fact, three temperature settings. After you long press the power button to turn it on, you just need to tap that same button to select one of the three heat levels (320-, 365- or 410-degrees Fahrenheit).
Frequently asked questions
If you want to experiment with different barrel sizes, you should know that each one can help create different looks. "The larger the iron, the softer the movement and bend; the smaller the iron, the tighter and more defined the curl," shares Diaz.
"I tend to reach for 1-inch and 1.25-inch irons most often because they give me the most versatility, especially for editorial and red carpet work," he adds. "From there, I choose the size based on the finished shape I want. If I want something softer and more relaxed, I go larger. If I want more definition and structure, I go smaller."
Esposito and Diaz are in agreement that a heat protectant should be your first step before using a hot tool. Esposito adds that as an even earlier step, she uses a heat styling cream before blow-drying.
"I have found that a simple routine works best: protect the hair first, then finish with a light hairspray and let the hair still move," shares Diaz. But the protectant is a non-negotiable: "That is especially important for the way I work, because I rely on controlled heat to create and set the shape while still protecting the integrity of the hair."
The short answer — yes. For the long answer, you might want to take a seat, because Diaz has step-by-step instructions for a few popular styles.
"For beach waves, I usually alternate the direction of the curl and leave the ends a little straighter, so the result feels less perfect," Diaz shares. "One of my favorite pro tricks, especially for red carpet and editorial work, is to twist each section with my fingers immediately after it comes off the iron and let it cool in that shape. It reinforces the curl while giving it a much more organic, lived-in finish."
For looser curls, Diaz focuses a larger barrel on larger sections of hair, which helps the movement feel softer. "For tighter curls, I work with smaller sections and usually a smaller barrel for more definition and longevity."
As for those high-glam Hollywood waves we all wish we could re-create in our own bathrooms, it's all about how you control the curl. "I curl the hair in a consistent direction, let it cool completely and then brush everything together so the curls form one continuous, sculpted wave."
After talking with a few experts, it was made clear how important it is to choose your temperature setting wisely. In fact, you may want to consider changing heat levels depending on which section of the head you're working on.
“In your crown area, you might have stronger hair that can take up to 375 degrees or 400 degrees. When you’re working around the hairline you want to maybe set it to 250 degrees or 275 degrees” hairstylist Davide Marinelli previously told us. New York City-based hairstylist Madison Sullivan recommends never going above 390 degrees, especially if you have colored hair as it can break it down and possibly lead to damage.
Esposito says you should also pay attention to your hair’s texture while choosing an appropriate temperature setting. “For example, someone with fine or thin hair should not go above 300-320 degrees, whereas someone with very thick, coarse hair could go up to 350 degrees or 375 degrees," she says.
As a professional, Diaz says he feels comfortable using a much high temperature, often around 450 degrees, in order to work quickly and efficiently. However, he wouldn't necessarily recommend anyone at home to try this. "The difference is in the contact time. On finer, more fragile or more vulnerable hair, I move much faster and do not leave the section on the iron as long. On stronger, more resistant hair, I can give it a little more time."
Diaz says a lasting curl is "about good technique first, product second." He shares three factors to consider for successfully getting longer-lasting curls:
Heat: "The biggest thing is making sure the hair actually gets enough heat to set the shape. If the section never gets hot enough, the curl is going to fall no matter how much hairspray you use afterward."
The cool down: Before touching anyone's hair or trying to manipulate fresh curls, Diaz says he lets it cool down to lock in its new shape. "Before I ever reach for a brush, I run my hands through the hair first. Your hands are the best tool you have because they let you feel how the curl is setting and break it up without immediately removing too much shape."
Controlled sections: "Smaller, controlled sections allow the heat to work more evenly and give you a curl with much better longevity."
While researching curling irons, you may have spotted a few designed with different barrel materials like tourmaline, ceramic and gold-plated. "I personally use all ceramic curling irons because they are safe and protect the hair from burning," says Esposito, who adds that they also offer even heat distribution and are the most gentle option she's worked with.
She also reveals that tourmaline is excellent for using on frizzy strands, boosting shine and reducing static. But a gold-plated barrel is "best for thick and coarse textured hair."
How I tested curling irons
We compiled a list of curling irons that were previously recommended by experts, previous Shop TODAY Award winners, editor-loved picks and some viral finds. From there, I tested 11 options to style my hair over the course of about five weeks. During that time, I rated each curling iron on a scale of 1-5 (1 being the worst, 5 being the best) based on the criteria below:
Ease of use: Was the tool easy to maneuver? Does it have an ergonomic design? Was the clamp strong enough to hold my hair? Did any of the buttons or features get in the way? Did hair get stuck around the barrel? Did it offer good control?
Curl results: Did the curl frizz? Did the tool give my hair volume? How did my hair feel post styling? Did the curls last?
Temperature variation: Did the tool offer enough temperature settings? Did it offer unnecessary settings (i.e. a dangerously high temperature)? How long did the tool take to reach my chosen temperature? Did the tool provide even heating?
Why trust Shop TODAY
Danielle Murphy is the audience development writer for Shop TODAY. She joined the team in 2021 and has covered everything from beauty trends to the hottest sales to shop. She has tested several other beauty-related products for Shop TODAY’s Ranked series, including concealers, foundations and blow-dry brushes.
Meet the experts
- Marcos Diaz is a celebrity hairstylist based in New York City.
- Lindsey Esposito is a professional hairstylist based in New Jersey, who specialized in balayage color, hair extensions, wedding and event styling and more.
- Davide Marinelli is a hairstylist and owner of Davide Hair Studio.
- Madison Sullivan is a New York City-based hairstylist.
