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ROTATING CURLING IRONS ARE THE GENIUS HAIR TOOL EVERYONE NEEDS ASAP

 

Creating bouncy curls and romantic waves just got a whole lot easier.

Confession time: I'm a beauty editor who's never quite nailed styling my hair with traditional curling irons. However, there's a relatively new innovation that has slowly taken over TikTok and finally helped me (and will help beginners and experts alike) achieve salon-worthy curls at home: rotating curling irons. These game-changing hot tools are ideal for anyone who could use some assistance when styling their hair. As the name implies, these rotating curling irons wind hair up the barrel to create the perfect bouncy curls and waves with minimal effort.

What to Consider

TECHNOLOGIES

Through my research, I've found that most rotating curling irons at reader favorite shops — like Amazon, Sephora, Ulta, and Walmart, to name a few — boast an automatic rotation. It's an incredible feature because with a push of a button the barrel will seamlessly curl the hair for users.

There are also curling irons with a manual rotation, which is just as effective as automatic. However, it may take a few tries before users get used to twirling these irons.

BARREL SIZE

Before ordering a rotating curling iron, consider the size of the barrel. This will be determined by hair length and the desired hairstyle.

• Use barrels that are 1 inch or less for someone who has shorter hair or wants tighter curls.
• Opt for barrels that are 1.25 inches or more for someone who has longer hair or prefers loose curls.

NUMBER OF BARRELS

Speaking of barrels, Beachwaver, a brand at the forefront of the rotating curling iron game, recently launched its next generation of rotating curling irons: the Multi Barrel Beachwaver. It includes three interchangeable barrels in different sizes and silhouettes, which I'll touch on in a bit.

MATERIAL

According to hairstylist Raven Hurtado of Maxine Salon in Chicago, it’s good to know about the material of the barrel. Here's a quick guide to the different materials that are best suited for various hair textures and densities.

• Ceramic rotating curling irons are ideal for fine or thin hair.
• Titanium rotating curling irons are best for thick, curly, or coarse hair.
• Tourmaline rotating curling irons are compatible with both thin and thick hair.

TEMPERATURE

Some heat tools only have an off and on button, so Hurtado advises opting for a rotating curling iron that has adjustable heat, so users can have ultimate control of the heat.

• 340 degrees to 370 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal for fine or color-treated hair.
• 350 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit is beneficial for medium to coarse hair.

How We Chose

I have experience using several of these hot tools, while some earned snaps from Hurtado. As for the others, I considered the key specs mentioned earlier, including the number of barrels, material, and temperature of each rotating curling iron. Since I’m obsessed with the simplicity of automatic rotating curling irons, most items on this list boast that capability for the most effortless styling.

With a better understanding of how rotating curling irons can seriously upgrade someone’s hairstyling game, here are 10 impressive options that sport enticing features across various price points and boast hundreds of glowing reviews.

BEST OVERALL

Beachwaver Co. S1.25 Rotating Curling Iron

 

PROS

• Easy to use buttons
• Shuts off after 30 minutes of non-use
• Adjustable temperatures
• Ergonomic handle
• Multiple speed settings

CONS

• Sells out quickly

The Beachwaver was my initial introduction to rotating curling irons, and after using it for 3 years, I can safely say it's the best overall option on the market today.

For starters, it has adjustable temperature settings — 290 to 410 degrees Fahrenheit — which is incredibly important to avoid heat damage.

I find the original Beachwaver to be incredibly easy to use! I just push the left or right arrow button to curl away from my face. There's also a home button to reset the iron back to its original position, which prevents my hair from getting tangled.

Rotating this ceramic barrel away from the face creates a natural texture and opens up the face: This highlights the cheekbones and jawline.

Key Specs

Barrel size 1.25 inches
Barrel type Ceramic
Swivel cord 9 feet

FOR A 3-IN-1 DEVICE

Beachwaver Multi Barrel Beachwaver in Pink Rosegold

PROS

• Interchangeable barrels
• Ergonomic handle

CONS

• It's so new that there are no online reviews yet

Beachwaver does it again with their latest (and most stylish) innovation: the Multi Barrel Beachwaver rotating curling iron. Like the OG Beachwaver, this model features arrow buttons for easy rotation control and an ergonomic handle for comfort.

But what really justifies the added cost of this rotating curling iron is that it comes with three interchangeable ceramic barrels, so it's like having multiple hair tools for the price of one. There's the classic 1-inch barrel for waves and curls, a tapered 1-inch barrel for defined curls with volume, and the 1.5-inch tapered barrel for a stunning bombshell blowout.

I'm obsessed with my new Multi Barrel Beachwaver, and have been using it more often than my original no-fail Beachwaver. It's easy to swap out the barrels, and the 8-foot-long swivel cord is perfect because it doesn't get tangled up like others I've tried. Since it has multiple preset temperatures for all hair textures and comes with a hard-sided carrying case, it is a fantastic beauty gift.

Key Specs

Barrel sizes 1- and 1.5-inch
Barrel type Ceramic
Swivel cord 8 feet

BEST FOR $90 AND UNDER

Prizm Wavy Professional Rotating Curling Iron

PROS

• Includes a protective glove and 2 sectioning clips
• The most temperature settings (11)

CONS

• Some reviewers say it rotates relatively slowly

Hurtado highlights this popular rotating curling iron because it works with most hair types. “What’s great about it is it heats up within 35 seconds and has [11] adjustable heat temperature [settings] that you can control, and after 1 hour, it shuts off automatically,” she says.

With a 4.5-star average from more than 1,020 Amazon reviews, it's safe to say this is a solid option for anyone looking to curl their tresses for less than $90. It sports a black anti-scald tip that's ideal for preventing accidental burns.

Many online reviewers say this rotating curling iron helps prevent their hair from tangling, which is always a win. The use words like, “changed the game for me” and “excellent curling iron” to describe this tool. “It creates beautiful, long-lasting curls that stay put all day long. I also appreciate how easy it is to use, even for someone like me who is not a professional stylist,” says one Amazon reviewer.

Key Specs

Barrel size 1 inch
Barrel type Titanium
Swivel cord 6 feet

FOR HEALTHY CURLS

BIO IONIC Stylewinder Rotating Styling Iron

PROS

• Adjustable temperatre
• 1-hour automatic shutoff

CONS

• Most expensive option

Heat damage is the worst, but BIO IONIC wants to minimize that risk when using its rotating curling iron. The Stylewinder combines a mineral-infused ceramic barrel with infrared heat to help protect hair health while styling. It also breaks down water molecules in the hair to help moisturize the strands.

Shoppers can choose from four barrel sizes — .75 to 1.5 inches — but be aware this isn't an interchangeable feature like other irons on this list. So, choose the barrel carefully before checking out online to avoid an unnecessary return.

One Amazon reviewer has used their 1-inch BIO IONIC Stylewinder for years and loves using it to style their tresses. They're so into this tool, they recently ordered the .75-inch model to create smaller curls. "I love them both. So easy to use and they make perfect curls," says their 5-star review.

Key Specs

Barrel sizes .75, 1, 1.25, and 1.5 inches
Barrel type Ceramic
Swivel cord 9 feet

TIKTOK MADE ME BUY IT

CHI Spin N Curl Rotating Curler

 

PROS

• 1-hour automatic shutoff
• Temperature lock
• Most colors available (6)

CONS

• Ideal for shoulder-length hair

I'm a sucker for TikTok beauty trends, and CHI's rotating curling iron is worth ordering, stat. Why? The brand makes one of the best flat irons for natural hair, and I'm inclined to believe that the Spin N Curl's specs are equally noteworthy.

Plus, given its impressive rating — a 4.4-star average from nearly 29,717 reviews on Amazon – users likely can’t go wrong employing this hot tool. To quote a 5-star Amazon review, “I LOVE this CHI curler! I’m selling the Dyson.”

CHI's popular rotating curling iron heats up in as little as 15 seconds — a record among its competition on this list. The iron features multiple preset temperatures targeting fine (270 degrees Fahrenheit), medium (370 degrees Fahrenheit), and coarse hair (410 degrees Fahrenheit), too.

Key Specs

Barrel size 1 inch
Barrel type Ceramic
Swivel cord 9 feet

FOR TANGLE-FREE CURLS

Kiss Instawave Automatic Curling Iron

PROS

Price

• Shiny, frizz-free curls
• Automatic shutoff after 90 minutes

CONS

• Limited heat settings
• Relatively short cord

The Instawave rotating curling iron is the most affordable option on our list, and it’s easy to see why it earned rave reviews on Amazon.

Notably, it’s the only iron in this guide that detangles and curls the hair, ensuring the finished look is polished. It also sports ionic technology, so the frizz-free curls are glossy.

Its simplistic design makes this rotating curling iron a worthy option. In addition to a temperature display, just push the left or right arrow button, and the barrel will automatically rotate in that direction.

Plus, it sports a timer letting users know it’s time to release the curl. Talk about goofproof!

Need further proof it’s on point? According to a 5-star Amazon review, “The curl ends up uniform and PERFECT each time. Because of the device and winding in the same mechanical and controlled way, there is never [a] reason to re-do anything.”

Key Specs

Barrel size 1 inch
Barrel type Ceramic
Swivel cord 6 feet

FOR UNDER $100

Salon Tech Spinstyle PRO Automatic Rotating Curling Iron

PROS

• Diamond-coated ceramic barrel
• Far-Infrared technology
• Multiple heat settings

CONS

• Too large for short hair

The Spinstyle is the sole option on this list boasting a diamond-coated ceramic barrel that promises to increase the durability of this relatively affordable hair tool.

Spinstyle takes 60 seconds to heat up to anywhere between 250 and 450 degrees Fahrenheit. It also utilizes far-infrared tech, which allows heat to easily penetrate the strands. Meaning users can achieve the style they want using a lower temperature. Reviewers add that once it powers down, the rotating curling iron cools down fast.

Speaking of reviewers, several called this a user-friendly product that’s very beginner-friendly. “Great product. Quickly creates lovely curls. The alert signal when the curl is finished heating takes the guesswork out of how long should this take,” says one 5-star review.

Key Specs

Barrel size 1.25 inches
Barrel type Diamond-coated ceramic
Swivel cord 9 feet

FOR A ONE-CLICK WONDER

Fezax Cordless Auto Hair Curler

PROS

• 1 hour of cordless use
• USB charger
• Price
• Ergonomic handle

CONS

• Long charge time
• Too tiny for long hair

The only thing more convenient than owning a rotating curling iron is using this pocket-sized version. After selecting one of the 11 timers and a temperature of up to 390 degrees Fahrenheit, place a section of hair into the barrel, and click the button to curl the hair quickly.

Given its compact size, standout rating, and features like a ceramic barrel and USB charging capabilities, it's safe to say this rotating curling iron is great for traveling.

Although it can take up to 4 hours to fully charge, users get up to 60 minutes of cordless use.

Key Specs

Barrel size N/A
Barrel type Ceramic
Swivel cord N/A

BEST NEW RELEASE

NuME Automatic Curling Wand

PROS

• Interchangeable barrels
• Multiple technologies
• Impressive temperature range

CONS

• Limited retailers

NuMe's rotating curling iron comes with three interchangeable barrel sizes, allowing users to customize their hairstyle ... no matter their hair length.

It utilizes negative ionic and far-infrared heat technologies to help seal the hair cuticle, improving shine and minimizing frizz. The hybrid tourmaline and ceramic barrel is also safe for all hair textures and lengths, so users can't go wrong with this option.

Like the Beachwaver, it features left and right arrow buttons to automatically twist the hair up the barrel and help users achieve a gorgeous style.

The biggest downside with this curling iron is that reviewers say it takes 2 minute to heat up, which is longer than other options on this list. So as long as that's not a dealbreaker, it's a solid option that thousands of online reviewers adore.

Key Specs

Barrel size 19 millimeters (.75 inches), 25 millimeters (1 inch), and 32 millimeters (1.25 inches)
Barrel type Tourmaline and ceramic
Swivel cord 7.75 feet