We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Style Hair The 10 Best Curling Irons Of 2024, Tested And Reviewed Choosing the right tool can mean the difference between a good hair day and a hat day. By EnJanae' Taylor EnJanae' Taylor EnJanae’ Taylor is a contributing writer who has written for Basic Magazine, The Everygirl, and more. The New Orleans native is a long-time shopper and writer for over four years, specializing in all things fashion and beauty. Southern Living's editorial guidelines and Moriah Mason Moriah Mason Moriah is a commerce writer for Southern Living who specializes in reviewing cookware, kitchen gadgets, home decor, and more. Her work has appeared in Allrecipes, Alabama Political Reporter, and The Samford Crimson. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on May 16, 2024 In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews The Bottom Line Our Testing Process Tips for Choosing More to Consider Questions and Answers Why Trust Southern Living Southern Living / Jhett Thompson For everything from big, bouncy curls to tight ringlets, curling irons remain the preferred tool among many Southern women. But using the wrong curling iron can have disastrous results, as anyone who has experienced burnt, crimped hair can attest. Many factors play a role in choosing the right curling iron, including material, heat settings, and the clamp. But according to Anna Sullivan, “the most important thing to consider when you’re picking out a curling iron is the barrel size.” Choose the wrong barrel size, and you’ll get the wrong results. The bigger the barrel, the looser the curl or wave. How high the temperature is on the curling iron, the length of your hair, and how long your hair holds a curl will determine which size barrel you should choose based on the look you are wishing to achieve. For instance, if you use a 0.5-inch barrel on thin hair on medium heat, it will produce tight curls that will most likely hold for a long time. A 1-inch and 1.5-inch barrel are the most common and typically produce nice waves and a loose curl. Meet the Expert Anna Sullivan is an event and celebrity hair stylist located in Dallas. To determine the best curling irons for every hair type, we tested 14 models both in the lab and at home over a two-week period, evaluating each based on ease of use, heat settings, extra features, heat-up time, effectiveness, and more. Our Top Picks Best Overall Curling Iron: Hot Tools Pro Artist Digital Curling Iron at Amazon ($49) Jump to Review Best Budget Curling Iron: Conair Double Ceramic Curling Iron at Amazon ($16) Jump to Review Best Curling Iron for Fine Hair: InStyler Cerasilk Curling Iron at Instyler.com ($125) Jump to Review Best Curling Iron for Thick Hair: ghd 1-Inch Curling Iron at Amazon ($209) Jump to Review Best Curling Iron for Beach Waves: Harry Josh Ceramic Curling Wand at Anthropologie ($325) Jump to Review Best Curling Iron for Short Hair: BaBylissPro Nano Titanium Curling Iron at Amazon ($60) Jump to Review Best Curling Iron for Long Hair: Bio Ionic Long Barrel Curling Iron at Amazon ($149) Jump to Review Best Curling Iron for Beginners: Conair InfinitiPro Digital Curling Iron at Amazon ($23) Jump to Review Best Interchangeable Curling Iron: T3 Switch Kit Curl Trio at Amazon ($300) Jump to Review Best Curling Iron for Volume: Revlon One-Step Blowout Curls at Amazon ($43) Jump to Review Best Overall Curling Iron Hot Tools Pro Artist Digital Curling Iron Hot Tools View On Amazon $49 View On Walmart $67 View On Walmart $98 What’s Great About It Heats up in seconds Forms long-lasting curls Works great with all hair textures Easy-to-access temperature dial Large digital temperature screen What Could Be Better Hair sometimes slips through the clamp The curls from this iron lasted all day, which is especially impressive given its reasonable price point. It works great on different hair textures and heats up in just seconds, allowing you to create smooth curls in less time. This curling iron was easy to use and comfortably rested in the palm of our hands. Out of all the irons we tested, this one was the easiest to adjust, with a rotating temperature dial at the bottom of the barrel for easy access. You can change the temperature in 10-degree increments and lock in your setting using a button on the side of the barrel, and the iron makes a beeping noise to let you know when it’s at temperature. Plus, the large digital display makes it easy to read the temperature setting. The 9-foot swivel cord also made using it a breeze and kept us less tethered to our outlet. When it comes to the clamp tension, there was a bit of slipping, but curls were still easily formed. The “pulse technology” ensured that the iron stayed hot during use. It also comes with a power indicator light, two-hour automatic shut-off, and universal dual voltage for international travel. It comes in four different barrel sizes, so you can choose which is best for your hair type and desired results. Overall, the easy-to-adjust temperature settings and long-lasting curls make this mid-priced iron a salon-quality pick. Maximum Temperature: 455°F | Barrel Size(s): 0.75, 1, 1.25, 1.5 inches | Barrel Material: Ceramic-titanium finish Southern Living / Jhett Thompson Best Budget Curling Iron Conair Double Ceramic Curling Iron Amazon View On Amazon $16 View On Walmart $11 View On Target $18 What’s Great About It Heats up quickly Turbo mode for hard-to-curl areas Dual voltage What Could Be Better Curls didn’t last more than a couple of hours Heat settings take some trial and error Extra features like the cool tip, auto shut-off, and dual voltage make this curling iron user-friendly for almost anyone. The curls from this iron lasted a couple of hours, but not all day. Instead of exact temperatures, this curling iron comes with 30 heat settings—Conair provides recommendations based on different hair types, ranging from Low for fragile or fine hair all the way up to Maximum for coarse, thick hair. We found this system a little confusing, requiring some trial and error to find the right temperature. This curling iron also includes a turbo setting, where you can turn up the heat by up to 27 degrees for hard-to-curl spots. The iron didn’t take long to heat up, with a 30-second heat-up time, and the clamp didn’t snag hair either. It comes in five different barrel sizes, but we found the smaller barrels produced the best curls, with the 1.5-inch barrel barely curling the hair at all. Overall, it’s easy enough to use with a decent cord length (5 feet) and is perfect for someone on a budget. Maximum Temperature: 375°F | Barrel Size(s): 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.25, 1.5 inches | Barrel Material: Ceramic Southern Living / Jhett Thompson Best Curling Iron for Fine Hair InStyler Cerasilk Curling Iron InStyler View On Instyler.com $125 What’s Great About It Clamp-free design helps to avoid crimps Barrel is designed to reduce heat damage Curls last for a long time Auto shut-off function What Could Be Better Heat settings can be hard to read This curling iron is unique because it has silicone bristles instead of a clamp. Simply insert your hair and the end and roll up the barrel for one-handed, clamp-free curling—although this does take some practice to get the hang of. The curls created by this iron were soft and silky and stayed for days. It’s suitable for hair types 1-3, and the CeraSilk barrel is meant to reduce heat damage for fine, fragile hair. There are four heat settings, but they are only indicated by small lights, not by exact temperature (although the manufacturer specifies that the dots correlate to 300°F, 350°F, 375°F, and 400°F). It did heat up rather quickly, and the iron felt lightweight in hand. Plus, it comes with an auto shut-off function for peace of mind. Maximum Temperature: 400°F | Barrel Size(s): 1 inch | Barrel Material: Ceramic Southern Living / Jhett Thompson Best Curling Iron for Thick Hair ghd 1-Inch Curling Iron Amazon View On Amazon $209 View On Nordstrom $209 View On Walmart $142 What’s Great About It Creates long-lasting curls even on thick hair Hair does not slip out of clamp Feels lightweight Long cord What Could Be Better Cannot adjust the temperature Cooling tip needs to be larger It can be hard for thick hair to hold a curl, and it’s not easy to avoid heat damage when trying to get a nice hold. The ghd Curve Classic has a 365°F standard heat setting that works well on thick hair. According to the brand, this is the optimal temperature for heat styling, but some may still prefer to have options. The spring-activated hair clamp held hair without slippage, but we wish the cooling tip was bigger for safer use. With its current size, you can easily burn your fingers while curling your hair. The iron heated up extremely fast and was so lightweight it made using it a breeze. The cord is a good length, but the barrel was a bit on the shorter side for people with long hair. This tool gives nice bouncy curls that last all day, even for those with thick hair. Maximum Temperature: 365°F | Barrel Size(s): 1 inch | Barrel Material: Ceramic Southern Living / Jhett Thompson Best Curling Iron for Beach Waves Harry Josh Ceramic Curling Wand Harry Josh View On Anthropologie $325 View On Goop.com $325 View On Dermstore $325 What’s Great About It Makes defined, beachy waves on different hair types Cordless Beeps when desired temperature is reached What Could Be Better Battery life is somewhat limited Only three temperature settings Like the InStyler Cerasilk Curling Iron, this wand is meant to be used one-handed, with silicone bristles at the top that hold onto the hair—no clamp necessary. But unlike the other curling irons we tested, this one is completely cordless, so you can use it from anywhere. The barrel of this wand got nice and hot and produced a defined beachy wave on multiple hair types. It comes with three temperature settings, 320°F, 355°F, and 400°F, each of which is indicated with a small light. It also beeps to let you know when it’s at your desired temperature, which took less than a minute each time. The curls lasted a long time, but the battery not so much. A backup battery is sold separately if you’d like to extend your styling time. While we did enjoy this curling iron, we do wish that there were more temperature settings. Maximum Temperature: 400°F | Barrel Size(s): 1 inch | Barrel Material: Tourmaline ceramic Southern Living / Jhett Thompson Best Curling Iron for Short Hair BaBylissPro Nano Titanium Curling Iron Amazon View On Amazon $60 View On Walmart View On Target $60 What’s Great About It Four barrel sizes available Clamp holds hair in place without crimping Turbo heat button can be used for hard-to-curl areas Multiple heat settings Thumb rest prevents the curling iron from slipping out of your hand What Could Be Better Barrel is too short for long hair Adjusting the temperature dial involves some guesswork With four different barrel sizes, this model from Babyliss can achieve anything from tight curls to loose waves, depending on which size you purchase. The 0.75-inch size is ideal for short hair. We liked the clamp on this curling iron, which holds hair in place without being too tight and has a thumb rest with grooves to prevent slipping. It comes with multiple heat settings that you can adjust using the temperature dial, although it can be difficult to set it to a precise temperature. It also features a TurboHeat button that instantly increases the temperature for hard-to-curl sections. It lacks features like a temperature display and an automatic shut-off, but it’s a good starter curling iron for anyone who may not be as skilled with doing hair. The 8-foot fabric swivel cord is strong and wasn’t easily tangled. One downside is the barrel is on the shorter side, so it’s not great for long hair. And since the curling iron has a temperature dial, some guesswork is involved with adjusting it to the correct temperature. Maximum Temperature: 450°F | Barrel Size(s): 0.75, 1, 1.25, 1.5 inches | Barrel Material: Nano titanium with ceramic-coated barrel Southern Living / Jhett Thompson Best Curling Iron for Long Hair Bio Ionic Long Barrel Curling Iron Amazon View On Amazon $149 View On Nordstrom $149 View On Walmart $83 What’s Great About It Extended barrel makes quick work of styling long hair Creates long-lasting curls Doesn’t pull on hair Lengthy cord Easy to adjust the temperature What Could Be Better Pricey We wish it came with interchangeable barrels Curling long hair can take twice as long, but a longer barrel can go a long way in cutting down on styling time. The barrel on this iron is 2 inches longer than that of a typical curling iron, allowing you to curl long locks in less time. We found that it was able to hold long sections of hair securely without pulling them too tight and creating clamp marks. The cord is also long at 9 feet, so it doesn’t get in the way while you work. It will also help you to reach those hard-to-curl areas. The curls from this iron lasted for hours and stayed bouncy and beautiful. It comes with variable heat settings up to 430°F, which are easy to adjust by using the plus and minus buttons. Additional features include universal voltage and a one-hour automatic shut-off. Maximum Temperature: 430°F | Barrel Size(s): 1, 1.25, 1.5 inches | Barrel Material: Nanolonic mineral-infused ceramic Southern Living / Jhett Thompson Best Curling Iron for Beginners Conair InfinitiPro Digital Curling Iron Amazon View On Amazon $23 View On Target $23 View On Ulta $30 What’s Great About It Detachable clamp so you can use it as a curling iron or a wand Five different heat settings Easy-to-read temperature panel What Could Be Better Curls did not last all day Styling your hair isn’t the easiest thing in the world. That’s why we love this Conair curling iron for beginners. You can remove the clamp and use it as a wand, making it a great way to experiment with different curling methods. It comes with five heat settings to choose from with a maximum of 400°F and a digital LED display, so the temperature is easy to read. It heats up in just a few minutes, which is not the fastest of those tested but not the slowest either. The 1.25-inch barrel created soft, somewhat loose curls that lasted through most of the day (but not all). If you prefer a tighter curl, it’s also available in a 1-inch version. Maximum Temperature: 400°F | Barrel Size(s): 1, 1.25 inches | Barrel Material: Tourmaline ceramic Southern Living / Jhett Thompson Best Interchangeable Curling Iron T3 Switch Kit Curl Trio T3 View On Amazon $300 View On Nordstrom $225 View On Sephora $300 What’s Great About It Comes with three interchangeable barrels Heats up quickly Nine different temperatures Works well on thick hair Clamp doesn’t slip or tug What Could Be Better Adjusting the temperature settings is not very intuitive It is always nice to have options. This set kit comes with a 0.5-inch wand barrel, a 1.25-inch wand barrel, and a 1.5-inch clip barrel. Sullivan recommends a 1-inch barrel for curl-resistant hair, shorter hair, or beachy curls, while a 1.25-inch barrel is her go-to barrel size for big curls or waves. She uses a 1.5-inch barrel for a classic blow-out look. Changing the temperature on this tool is a bit tricky, but it does heat up rather quickly. Unlike some other clamps, this one doesn’t cause slippage or tugging. There are also a ton of features on this tool. There are nine temperatures to choose from, so no matter how thick your hair is, you’ll be able to get a defined curl. The tight twist feature allows you to lock the barrels in place. The rapid heat IQ feature allows for advanced heat precision and the ion generator prevents frizz. The curls lasted all day long and there was a nice variety with the types of curls that were produced. Maximum Temperature: Not listed | Barrel Size(s): 0.5, 1.25, 1.5 inch | Barrel Material: Ceramic Southern Living / Sidney Burds Best Curling Iron for Volume Revlon One-Step Blowout Curls Revlon View On Amazon $43 View On Walmart $43 View On Target $75 What’s Great About It Meant to be used one damp hair for one-step blow drying and curling Four temperature settings make it easy for beginners Clamp holds hair securely in place Adds volume What Could Be Better Curls aren’t super long-lasting without hairspray Specific temperatures aren’t disclosed This tool makes it easy to achieve big, Southern-style curls. It’s meant to be used on damp hair for one-step blow drying and curling. There is a 360-vented barrel, so you get a blowout as you curl your hair. The bottom has a wheel where you can adjust the settings and turn it on and off. There are four temperature options, which makes it simple for beginners. The curling iron heated up quickly and the cord was a nice length. The clamp holds hair nicely, and there was no slippage. If you love the look of a blowout but want to add curls, this product is for you. It gives you a ton of volume, but make sure to use a holding spray because on its own the curls don’t last too long. Just keep in mind that while there are low, medium, high, and cool settings, the exact temperatures aren’t disclosed. Maximum Temperature: Not listed | Barrel Size(s): 1.25 inches | Barrel Material: Tourmaline ceramic Southern Living / Bridget Annear The Bottom Line Our top pick, the Hot Tools Pro Artist Black Gold Digital Salon Curling Iron, gives you bouncy curls that last all day long. Plus, it heats up in seconds and allows for precise temperature control. For a more budget-friendly option, the Conair Double Ceramic Curling Iron is also quick to heat up, and it comes with a turbo mode that amps up the heat for hard-to-curl sections of hair. Our Testing Process We put 14 curling irons to the test in the lab and then again at home over a two-week period. For our lab tests, we used each curling iron to curl hair types 1-4, evaluating the lasting power of the curls by inspecting them after the one- and six-hour marks, and then overnight. Once our lab tests were complete, we sent each curling iron home with three different staffers who incorporated them into their regular styling routines over a two-week period. Each curling iron was evaluated based on ease of use, temperature settings, heat-up time, and the shape and longevity of the curls it created. Southern Living / Jhett Thompson Tips for Choosing the Right Curling Iron Material Most curling irons have ceramic barrels, which help prevent damage and frizz by distributing heat more equally across the barrel. If you have fine or fragile hair, a ceramic curling iron is one you’ll want to use. Titanium heats up very quickly, making it excellent for those with coarse, hard-to-curl hair. Tourmaline is a material also commonly used, often in conjunction with ceramic or titanium to produce smoother and shinier results. Clamp Some love it, some hate it, but the clamp on a curling iron can be helpful. More classic curling irons include clamps, while wands typically only have the barrel to wrap the hair around. A clamp can help hold your hair in place and produce a nice smooth curl. The InfinitiPRO by Conair Tourmaline Ceramic Curling Iron has a detachable clamp, so you can use it as a wand or a traditional curling iron. Heating Settings The thickness of your hair and how well it holds a curl will help determine what heat setting to use. Some curling irons have simple settings with three heat options, and more advanced tools like the T3 Switch Kit Curl Trio on our list, have nine heat options. People with fine hair will want to avoid using a very hot temperature so they don’t burn their hair. “For thin, fragile, damaged, or color-treated hair, start at 280°F,” says Sullivan. Thick and textured hair typically needs to use a higher setting for curls to stay. “Thick, coarse hair might need more heat for curls to hold and can handle higher temperatures like 380-400°F. If your hair is somewhere in-between thin and thick, 350°F is a good go-to temperature to use,” says Sullivan. Remember, it’s always important to use heat protectants before using heat on your hair. Features As you’re shopping for a curling iron, you’ll notice that there are lots of different features available. Some irons have interchangeable barrels, auto-shut-off, indicator lights, and digital temperature panels, while other curling irons might have a rotating barrel, thumb grips, or have attachments that allow you to blow dry and curl your hair with the same tool, such as the Revlon One-Step Blowout Curls. More Curling Irons to Consider Tymo Cues: This is a lower priced alternative to the T3 Switch Kit Curl Trio and comes with three interchangeable barrels. The 360-power cord and temperature control system makes it easy to use. However, the curls it created weren’t as long-lasting as those of the T3. Drybar The 3-Day Bender Digital Curling Iron: This curling works on all hair types and can produce everything from tight curls to loose waves. It comes with a rotating clamp, so you don’t have to turn your wrist as much as you curl. However, there was a bit of a learning curve involved in using this method, and it may not be everyone. Southern Living / Jhett Thompson Questions and Answers What is the difference between a curling iron and a curling wand? “A curling iron is a heated hair tool that has a clamp attached to the barrel. A curling iron is best for when you want a more polished and sleek curl. It’s also best for hair textures that you would like to smooth down as well as curl since the clamp of the curling iron allows you to defrizz the hair using tension,” says Sullivan. “A curling wand is a hair tool that is used by wrapping the hair around the barrel. A curling wand is perfect for getting undone, more voluminous curls or waves. Some people find this tool easier to use since wrapping the hair tends to be an easier technique vs. using a curling iron with a clamp.” At the end of the day, Sullivan still prefers a classic curling iron, “I always come back to the classic, tried-and-true curling iron with a clamp. Smooth, beautiful hair will always be in style, and I can always get those results with a classic curling iron.” How do you clean a curling iron? “I use a damp towel to remove any hair product from the tool first, and then I wipe the barrel and handle of the tool with rubbing alcohol to sanitize it. Make sure the tool is unplugged and cool to the touch before cleaning,” says Sullivan. How do you protect your hair while using a curling iron? “I use a heat protectant on my hair when using any hot tool. I love Incommon Beauty’s Magic Myst Universal Elixir spray because it’s lightweight, smells amazing, and it protects my hair from heat, frizz, and UV rays,” says Sullivan. “My favorite part about it is that I can use it on wet or dry hair when I just need to restyle.” How can you safely store your curling iron? Once you’re done using your curling iron, it’s important to find a safe area to store it. One option is to buy a heat-safe canister. Then, when you’re finished, simply place the iron in the canister. You can also install a rack on the wall of your bathroom to store hot hair tools. Some curling irons will come with heat-resistant storage cases. For those who frequently travel, Sullivan recommends storing your iron in heat-resistant pouches or even tucked into a black towel for safekeeping. Why Trust Southern Living This article was written by EnJanae’ Taylor, contributing commerce writer for Southern Living who has written shoppable content for various publications for over three years. We tested 14 curling irons in the lab and at home to determine the best curling irons on the market. EnJanae’ also spoke to event and celebrity hairstylist Anna Sullivan who weighed in with expert hair styling and care tips. Moriah Mason, a commerce writer for Southern Living, also contributed to this article. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit