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13 Best Curling Irons and Wands for Your Hair Texture, According to Stylists

 

Because they’re def not all the same.

Curling irons and wands have come a very, very long way since your mom’s Hot Tools—and even that one remains a cult classic. These days, we can create curly hairstyles like beach waves, ringlets, soft glamour, messy curls—the list goes on and on. Technology has rapidly changed and allowed for innovation like negative ion technology, multiple barrel systems, and automatic rotating features to assist you in achieving any type of curls or waves you want. And to help you figure out which product best suits your needs, we enlisted the help of six hair experts to tell us all about the curling iron—what to look for, what works best for your hair, and even what size barrel creates the hairstyle you want. Ahead, 13 of the best curling irons and wands you can buy for your hair type and texture.

Now keep scrolling for the full list, along with the info you really need to know about curling irons and wands, like whether or not titanium or ceramic is better for your hair, what curling wand professionals use, and more.

Meet the experts:

Amy Abramite is a creative director and hairstylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago, IL.

Tamika Gibson is a licensed cosmetologist, wig expert, and the founder of Bold Hold hair products.

Priscilla Valles is a celebrity extensionist who works with celebrities like Hailey Bieber and Kylie Jenner.

Joseph Maine is a celebrity hairstylist and cofounder of Trademark Beauty.
 

 

BEST FOR SMOOTH, SHINY HAIR

Amika The Autopilot 3-in-1 Rotating Curling Iron
 

PROS: COOL TIP PREVENTS BURNS

CONS: NOT SUPER EASY FOR BEGINNERS

I’m not going to sugarcoat it—I’ve burned a finger or two styling my hair before. So when I say my favorite feature about this curling iron is that it has a cool tip that keeps me safe and prevents burns, I mean it wholeheartedly. This product is so versatile, it has a rotation feature that you can use to your advantage and makes use of negative ion technology that seals your cuticle to combat frizz—add some curly hair products to really complete the look.

THE REVIEWS: “​​Beautiful curls, don’t have to leave it on for long to get a smooth curl, even at 355°, twisting feature is so helpful once you know how to manipulate it,” one reviewer writes. “Start by putting hair in the middle of the wand then start twisting. Do not start at ends. It doesn’t burn hair! Good metals and coating used.”

BEST FOR THICK HAIR

Bio Ionic Long Barrel Styler Pro Curling Iron 1"
 

PROS: CUTS DOWN ON FLYAWAYS, GREAT FOR LONG HAIR

CONS: NOT AS HELPFUL FOR WAVES

The only thing I love more than a great curling iron is one that makes my hair look hydrated, shiny, and bouncy. The technology in this wand uses NanoIonic™ MX technology and Bio Ionic’s Moisturizing Heat to seal in moisturize, prevent frizz, and keep your curls lasting all day. The long barrel is perfect if you have long hair—it’s extended so you can wrap the entirety of each strand around it.

THE REVIEWS: “​​My hair looks so, so good. I curl my hair in no time. I don't accidentally press buttons because it has a lock setting. It is a great iron,” one tester writes. “ get my hair curled in about 10 minutes and the curls stay all day. I'm so happy I bought it. Highly recommend!”

BEST FOR SAFE USE

Drybar The Wrap Party Styling Wand
 

PROS: ERGONOMIC HANDLE

CONS: PRICEY

I know what you’re thinking—the barrel on this curling wand gets bigger towards the end of the wand, instead of the opposite way around—but trust me, it actually works in your favor. The reverse-taper here actually prevents your hair from slipping, so that you don’t waste time re-curling (or accidentally burning) your hair. I love the ergonomic handle for its easy adjustment style and the pressure that’s taken off your wrist.

THE REVIEWS: “​​I love this. I have very fine hair and struggle to curl my hair any other way. The curl with this somehow stays without hairspray,” one tester writes.

BEST FOR CREATING BIG WAVES

Mermade 32mm Hair Pro Waver
 

PROS: QUICK AND EASY TO USE

CONS: NOT GOOD FOR BARREL CURLS

If you’re like me and you’ve seen this waver hair tool all over your TikTok hair trends ‘For You’ page, then welcome to the club. This curling iron was specifically made for those who have a little trouble perfecting the use of the wand shape. What you do here is pretty simple—open the 32mm clamp and insert a 1 to 2 inch strand inside, then hold for five to ten seconds and release. Finish off with a texturizing spray or strong hold hairspray and you’ve got boho beach waves that scream glam.

THE REVIEWS: “I have naturally straight hair that I've been curling and waving for several years. I've been wanting a more lived in, natural, and carefree look for a long time now and I am so happy that I came across this tool,” one reviewer writes.

BEST CURLING IRON FOR LONG, THICK HAIR

BaBylissPro Nano Titanium 1'' XL Spring Curling Iron
 

PROS: EXTRA-LONG BARREL FOR LONGER HAIR

CONS: NOT GOOD FOR SHORTER HAIR

If your hair is thick, coarse, and long, I'm gonna guess that you're used to your curls falling flat (if your hair even takes a curl at all). What you need is a titanium curling iron that reaches super-hot temps (but is still adjustable) and has an extra-long barrel with plenty of space to wrap the entire section from the end to the root. FYI, Gibson and Abramite are both big fans of this one for thick, long hair for those exact reasons.

THE REVIEWS: “I have long hair and this was perfect to use. I have a BaBylissPro straightener so I felt comfortable using this brand as my straightener is still going strong after like 6+ years,” one reviewer writes.

BEST CURLING IRON FOR VERSATILITY

T3 Micro Twirl Trio Interchangeable Curling Iron
 

PROS: DURABILITY, STYLIST FAVORITE

CONS: PRICEY

Just because a ceramic iron doesn't get as hot as quickly as a titanium iron doesn't mean it won't perform well. Both Gibson and celebrity extensionist Priscilla Valles swear by T3 curling irons for how well the curls last. “The next day when I wake up, my hair looks exactly the same,” Valles says. Both stylists highlight just how versatile this curling iron is, too. It has five heat settings and comes with a detachable barrel that you can switch out with two other sizes, whether you want tighter curls or loose, wavy hair.

THE REVIEWS: “The absolute best curling wand I’ve ever used. I’ve never seen my curls last this long and they don’t lose shape,” one tester writes.

BEST CURLING IRON, WAND, AND CRIMPER

Trademark Mood Starter Kit – 1 Inch
 

PROS: 3-IN-1 USAGE

CONS: CHALLENGING TO USE IF YOU HAVE SHORT HAIR

Another interchangeable option, and Maine's go-to device, this ceramic curling iron offers a spring-clamp barrel, a clampless wand barrel, and a triple barrel for perfect S-shaped beach waves. One small detail that might sound like NBD but makes the biggest difference: the temperature dial on the far end of the handle. Rather than right underneath the clamp (the usual spot for it), the dial is out of the way so you don't accidentally change the settings while you work. It's the little things, y'all.

THE REVIEWS: “This is a fabulous invention to include multiple barrels to avoid extra cords and devices. I love the pink and the feel of it. You have a storage bag which is perfect to keep them together. The beach waves look amazing!,” one tester writes.

BEST CURLING IRON FOR MINIMIZING DAMAGE

Dyson Airwrap Complete Styler
 

PROS: LONG-LASTING, DURABLE

CONS: ATTACHMENTS SOLD SEPARATELY

A favorite of yours truly (and hairstylist Jon Reyman, who gave me allll the tips when I reviewed the Dyson Airwrap), this hair-curling device goes against everything you know about curling irons. It's clamp-free, but not it's not exactly a curling wand, either. This tool blows out air that sucks and wraps your hair around it for you so you don't have to use your other hand at all. And it doesn't get super hot, either, which is better for your hair. Basically, this is the best curling iron for someone who's given up on all the others and wants something totally different.

THE REVIEWS: “I bought this and have used several times. I like mixing up curl sizes. I use the cold burst and my hair keeps the curl longer. I’m excited that with this set of tools, I can style my hair almost as good as the professionals,” one tester writes.

BEST CURLING IRON FOR VIRGIN HAIR

Ghd Classic Curl - 1" Curling Iron
 

PROS: HEATS QUICKLY

CONS: ONLY CREATES ONE TYPE OF CURL

A favorite among pros and ya girl right here, this ceramic-coated curling iron takes the guesswork out of choosing a temperature, thanks to the technology that always keeps it at an even 365 degrees. Not too cool and not too scorching hot, this temp is ideal for someone with medium texture hair that hasn't been color-treated or chemically treated and needs a little more heat to manipulate their hair but not too much to cause major damage.

THE REVIEWS: “This is a great curling iron. I have hair that is thick and naturally wavy and I love the curls it creates. I never like an overly curled look so the waves I get are perfect for me,” one tester writes.

BEST TAPERED CURLING WAND

Hot Tools Professional Nano Ceramic 1-1/4" Flipperless Tapered Curling Wand
 

PROS: HEATS UP TO 450° F

CONS: DOESN'T HAVE AN AUTOMATIC SHUTDOWN FEATURE

If you have a love-hate relationship with your curling iron's spring clamp (all those creases and ripped-out strands), try a clamp-free wand instead. “A wand is very easy to use as you are only wrapping your hair around the barrel,” Maine explains. Some wands have a diameter that's consistent from end to end, and others have more of a conical or tapered shape, like the ceramic one shown here that has 4.6 stars on Amazon. As Abramite explains it, these tapered wands are designed to give a looser curl toward the root and a tighter one toward the end, or vice versa, depending on the shape of the tool.

THE REVIEWS: “The wand heats fast and makes curls that will last all day! I can now wrap large portions of hair on top of not having to overlap the curl. This wand is fabulous and would buy again,” one reviewer writes.

BEST MARCEL IRON

Harry Josh Pro Tools 3-in-1 Ceramic Curling Iron 1.25 Inch (1 piece)
 

PROS: HAS AUTO SHUT-OFF FEATURE

CONS: SHORT-TERM RESULTS

Not sure what type of curling iron you want? This multipurpose ceramic styling tool from celeb hairstylist Harry Josh's line can easily transform from classic curling iron with a spring clamp, to clampless curling wand, to professional marcel iron, thanks to the removable attachments that come with it. “Some find winding their hair around a curling wand more intuitive than working with a classic spring clamp or professional marcel tongs, which require more hand agility,” Abramite explains. “It’s a personal choice, and I find people click with one type and excel with their results with practice.”

THE REVIEWS: “The wand heats fast and makes curls that will last all day! I can now wrap large portions of hair on top of not having to overlap the curl. This wand is fabulous and would buy again,” one reviewer writes.

BEST ROTATING WAND

Kim Kimble Celebrity Series Tourmaline Ceramic Multi-Barrel Auto-Rotating Curling Iron Wand
 

PROS: WAND PREVENTS CREASES AND BENDS

CONS: BARRELS ARE SMALLER SIZE

Let's be honest, we've all clamped down on a section, wound it up the wrong way, and were left with major creases and bends (and not the cool kind). This rotating ceramic curling iron from celebrity hairstylist Kim Kimble's line of styling products does all the twirling for you, so you don't make those mistakes again. Even better, it has a detachable barrel, so you can switch between the 3/4-inch barrel and the 1-inch for different sized curls.

THE REVIEWS: “I love this curling iron wand! It looks beautiful and it works perfectly in creating beautiful, bouncy curls. The rotation makes it easier and quick to create curls, less hassle than the clip-less curling iron that I was using. It heats up fast and very easy to use,” one tester writes.

BEST CLASSIC CURLING IRON

Kristin Ess Hair Nanoblack 1.25'' Curling Iron
 

PROS: LOWER PRICE

CONS: CLAMP CAN CAUSE CREASING

Get yourself a classic curling iron with a springy clamp, like this ceramic one from celeb hairstylist Kristin Ess's own line, if you love the look of big, brushed-out, glam waves (a style Ess is famous for). According to Maine, a clamp is also a good idea for anyone whose style falls out easily since it creates more of a “perfect” curl. This iron reaches a whopping 425 degrees and delivers negative ions to smooth flyaways and frizzies.

THE REVIEWS: “The curling iron heated to the desired heat very quickly and it's easy to change from one heating setting to the next with ease just pressing a button, just one button control the on/off and heating features which makes it so much easier to use than other curling irons,” one reviewer writes.

Is titanium or ceramic better for curling hair?

Much like flat irons, the best tool material depends on your hair type and styling needs. According to Amy Abramite, creative director and stylist at Maxine Salon, ceramic technology is best for fine, fragile, or dry hair to protect it from further damage. Titanium irons, on the other hand, will work best on coarse textures that require hotter temperatures to smooth or style the hair.

If you're looking for an at-home option that'll offer the least amount of heat damage, go with ceramic. “I prefer ceramic barrels, as they aren't as harsh on the hair and typically glide very nicely, so the hair doesn’t stick,” says Joseph Maine, celeb hairstylist and co-founder of Trademark Beauty.

What curling iron do professionals use?

Curling irons for professional hairstylists are like makeup brushes for makeup artists—they have and use all shapes and sizes to create different looks, but they also pick their faves. Maine says marcel irons (which requires some serious hand coordination not unlike using chopsticks) are typically more for professional use because they're difficult for someone to use on themselves, but it all comes down to preference.

How to choose the best curling iron

 

Consider the temperature

“You definitely should find a curling iron that has temperature control, so you can adjust it for your texture,” Maine says. “For fine hair or heavily color-treated, you want to keep the iron closer to 325 degrees. For coarser and more-resistant hair types, around 400 degrees is appropriate.”

For the most accurate temperature reading, find a curling iron or wand with a digital screen. Otherwise, a dial or toggle button works, too—it's just less precise. Just make sure you have the option to adjust the temperature as needed because Abramite says you always want to take into consideration the overall condition of your hair and adjust the heat for the safest, healthiest results. Start low and raise the temp in small increments until you've found the sweet-spot that styles without scorching.

Figure out the easiest tool for your skills

Next, you want to decide on a classic curling iron with a spring clamp, a marcel iron, or a curling wand. Not only does the type of curling iron change the way you hold and maneuver it, but it also affects the end results of your curls. “I love the wand for a beachy, messy look, and the iron for a perfect curl shape and hold.” says Tamika Gibson, hairstylist and wig expert. “The wand is great for looser curls but doesn't give the same hold or structure as the iron."

As for a curling iron, Gibson says "the iron allows for an exact and sturdier curl, and looser curls are a bit harder to achieve with it.” And if you're deciding between a spring iron vs. a marcel, Maine says they give pretty similar results, but the main difference is how you hold and clamp the curl. If you're a beginner, go for a spring clamp or wand.

Look at the barrel size

One of the most important features of a curling iron is the barrel size because, well, the diameter of the iron determines the size of the curl. “Creating a tight corkscrew curl needs a smaller diameter than a loose beach wave, which needs a bigger diameter,” Abramite explains. “On average, barrel sizes range from 0.5 inches to 2 inches with increments in between. This greatly affects the springiness or how relaxed a curl is.”