Southern Living

Hairstyles

The Best Hot Rollers, According To Our Testing

 

Achieve bouncy curls and major volume with these hot rollers.

Southerners have used hot rollers for decades to achieve bouncy, voluminous curls that last all day (even with the humidity). “Investing in hot rollers can offer a variety of benefits that other styling tools may not be able to provide,” says April Story. “Hot rollers are perfect for creating voluminous curls and waves that can last longer than those created with a curling iron or flat iron. Plus, they are gentle on the hair and can help to minimize heat damage.”

Meet the Expert

April Story is a multicultural hair stylist at Van Michael Salon in Buckhead, Georgia, and a Fekkai Global Master Stylist.

To come up with our list, we researched the best hot rollers and tested the top picks at home, evaluating them on variety, material, accessories, and heat time, just to name a few.

Best Overall Hot Rollers

T3 Hot Rollers

 

What’s Great About It

• Easy to use for beginners
• Dual temperature settings
• Cool-touch ends
• Auto-shutoff function
• Takes up very little counter space

What Could Be Better

• Difficult to tell when the rollers are ready for use

These curlers were easy to use as they heated up quickly, but didn’t get too hot and didn’t feel uncomfortable when we first placed them in our hair. We also appreciated their sleek design and how little counter space they took up when not in use. 

The T3 Volumizing Hot Rollers are recommended for all hair types by several professional hair stylists. “These rollers are made with tourmaline technology, which emits negative ions that seal the hair cuticle and eliminate frizz,” says Story. 

This pack of eight rollers comes with four 1.75-inch barrels and four 1.5-inch barrels to help you achieve voluminous, soft curls. They heat up in just two to three minutes and have velvet flocking which works to protect hair from damage and ensures it stays in place when styling. The only downside we noticed during testing was that the indicator light to let us know that the rollers were ready to be used never turned on. 

“With two heat settings, you can make adjustments for fine or damaged hair,” says Shelly Aguirre, stylist at Maxine Salon. “Its dual temperature setting helps create the volume,” adds Jennifer Korab, owner and hair stylist at Renaissance Salon & Spa. 

And, you won’t have to worry too much about burning your fingers when handling the rollers, as they are equipped with CoolGrip technology along the rims. If you plan on taking your hot rollers with you on any upcoming travels, this pack of hot rollers includes a travel case that allows for easy storage and mobility. And the auto-shutoff function will automatically turn the rollers off after an hour so you can have peace of mind when you leave for the day. 

Material: Velvet-flocked ceramic | Included Rollers: (4) 1.75-inch rollers, (4) 1.5-inch rollers

Best Budget Hot Rollers

Remington Ionic Conditioning Hair Setter

 

What’s Great About It

• Produces lasting curls
• Includes color-coded J-clips
• Variety of sizes
• Convenient carrying case

What Could Be Better

• Larger size doesn't work as well on short hair
• No storage for J-clips

For less than $25, this set of ceramic hot rollers comes with 20 rollers of varying sizes. There are six large rollers, 10 medium-size rollers, and four small rollers. The roller sizes are differentiated by color (pink = long, purple = medium, white = short), so it’s easy to grab the correct size when styling your hair. 

These rollers heated up in just 10 minutes. They were able to produce curls that lasted for four hours (after some hairspray) without tangles. But despite these roller’s ability to successfully curl long hair, we found the 1.25-inch size a bit too large for short hair.

As far as portability goes, we were able to easily carry these hot rollers from room-to-room thanks to its box with lid that makes for an easy carrying experience. 

The hot rollers are ready to be used when the ready dot lights up on the setter. What makes these rollers unique is that each one is iconically conditioned and therefore will reduce the amount of frizz that is created once the rollers touch your hair. They are also each made with a thermal wax core that retains heat for maximum styling. 

In addition to the 20 velvety rollers, this set also comes with color-coded J-clips to secure the rollers in your hair with minimal creasing, although we wished there was a more secure way to house them outside of the plastic bag they came in. And when it comes time to unravel them, the cool-touch ends will protect your fingers.

Material: Velvet-flocked ceramic | Included Rollers: (6) 1.25-inch rollers, (10) 1-inch rollers, (4) 0.75-inch rollers

Best Hot Rollers for Long Hair

Conair InfinitiPRO Luxe Volume Hair Setter

What’s Great About It

• Large, 2-inch rollers perfect for rolling longer hair
• Easy to clean
• Heats up quickly
• Has a heat-up light signal

What Could Be Better

• No variety of roller sizes

If you have long hair that needs some volume, be sure to check out this set of eight 2-inch hot rollers. “This set is great for long hair since the rollers are larger,” says Aguirre. You’ll be able to curl longer hair using fewer rollers—because we’re all about convenience. 

In 85 seconds, these flocked rollers can be heated up to 140°F to 230°F—you’ll know once they’re ready to be used when you see the heat-up signal light up. Each roller is equipped with a soft flocking layer and an aluminum heating core to evenly heat hair. 

Hair clips can sometimes be bothersome, but not the two-pronged clips that are included with the set (there are eight to correspond with the eight jumbo rollers). Keep in mind that it is recommended to wait until the rollers are cool to remove them from one’s hair—you wouldn’t want to burn your fingers. You can also use a cloth to clean the unit (and rollers) once it’s cool so it’s polished and ready for your next use.

Material: Velvet-flocked ceramic | Included Rollers: (8) 2-inch rollers

Best Hot Rollers for Short Hair

Chi Smart Magnify Ceramic Rollers

 

What’s Great About It

• 1-inch rollers suited for shorter hair
• Lightweight
• Has a thermal storage case
• Included clips prevent hair creasing

What Could Be Better

• May not be compatible with other kinds of clips

According to Agguire, “this set has smaller rollers suited best for shorter hair.” To heat these velvet-finished, ceramic rollers, simply press them down into the base and wait two to three minutes until the red light signals that they are ready to use (the platform base itself does not get hot). The rollers can stay hot for about 15 minutes, enough time to seal your curls. 

It’s important to note that the clips included are customized to fit these rollers, so using another kind may not work as well (and you may end up potentially burning yourself if a roller were to slip). However, these clips prevent hair creasing which you (and your hair) can appreciate. And, these rollers come with a thermal storage case if you need to store them or take them on the go.

Material: Velvet-flocked ceramic | Included Rollers: (9) 1-inch rollers

Most Versatile Hot Rollers

BaByliss Pro 20 Roller Hairsetter

 

What’s Great About It

• Come in three different sizes
• Heat up quickly
• Velvet exterior
• Creates lasting curls

What Could Be Better

• Doesn’t have an auto shut-off feature
• May cause creasing on thin hair

These hot rollers are a great option if you’re looking for a set that can be used on a variety of hair lengths, as the set consists of six 0.75-inch rollers, six 1-inch rollers, and eight 1.25-inch rollers . “The rollers are coated with a nano titanium and ceramic material that heats up quickly and distributes heat evenly, resulting in long-lasting curls,” says Story. 

When we tested these velvety hot rollers, they heated evenly in just about five minutes and left us with curls that lasted all day (with the addition of some hairspray). 

We can’t forget to mention that we did notice some creasing on the hair on top of the head and around the face when tested on thin hair. However, if you have thicker hair, this likely would not impact you.

In addition to the 20 hot rollers, this set also includes 20 butterfly clips and 20 color-coded metal clips. This set is easy to operate and comes with an on/off indicator light, although we wish it had an automatic-shutoff feature.

Material: Velvet-flocked nano titanium ceramic | Included Rollers: (8) 1.25-inch rollers, (6) 1-inch rollers, (6) 0.75-inch rollers

Best Hot Rollers for Traveling

Conair Travel Hairsetter with Jumbo Rollers

 

What’s Great About It

• Dual voltage for international travel
• Cooling end rings to prevent burns
• Rollers are easy to grip
• Zippered pouch for portability

What Could Be Better

• Rollers only come in one size

If you’re looking for a set of hot rollers to fit inside your suitcase, consider this set of 1.5-inch ceramic hot rollers from Conair. Since the rollers are fairly large, you’re able to style more hair using fewer rollers—all you have to do is wait 85 seconds for them to heat up (you’ll know when you see the light) and then you’re all good to go.

And, the set won’t take up too much room in your luggage. What’s more, the set features dual voltage, so you can use it on all your international travels as well. 

The flocked, velvety and easy-to-grip rollers are equipped with stay-cool rings on the outer edges, so your fingers are protected. The full set includes five jumbo rollers, five clips, a zippered pouch, and a 5-foot power cord. 

Material: Velvet-flocked ceramic | Included Rollers: (5) 1.5-inch rollers

The Bottom Line

Our Best Overall pick is the T3 Volumizing Hot Rollers, as they are suitable for styling a variety of hair types, have dual heat settings, and work to eliminate frizz thanks to their tourmaline technology. Another good and less expensive option is the Remington Ionic Conditioning Hair Setter, which features a variety of sizes for an affordable price point.

Tips for Choosing the Right Hot Rollers

Hair Type

Your hair length and density is going to have an impact on which hot rollers you choose and how you use them. If you have shorter hair, it’s not likely that you are going to need to buy the same size rollers as someone with longer hair. It is also important to note that, “quick-heated rollers are best for longer hair (use thick rollers),” says Fabian Lliguin, hair stylist and co-founder of Rahua. “For shorter hair use thin rollers, for fine hair use thick sections, and for thick hair use regular sections (1 roller should cover 1/8 of hair).”

Number of Rollers

When choosing the right hot rollers, it’s important to consider how many rollers you’re going to need. “The number of rollers you need will depend on your hair type, length, and the style you're trying to achieve,” says Story. “If you have thick, long hair, you may need more rollers to get the desired curl or wave. 

On the other hand, if you have shorter hair or thinner hair, you may be able to get away with fewer rollers.” The size of the rollers and the look you’re going for may also impact how many you need. For example, “larger rollers will give you softer, more voluminous curls, while smaller rollers will give you tighter, more defined curls,” says Story.

Material

When it comes to the material of hot rollers, what works best on one person’s hair may not be what works best on another person’s hair. However, there are some general guidelines you can follow regarding material to help prevent heat damage. 

“Ceramic and tourmaline are popular choices because they distribute heat evenly and reduce frizz,” says Story. “However, if you have thick or coarse hair, you may prefer titanium rollers for faster and hotter styling.” Both Story and Lliguin agree that velvet-flocked rollers are favorable, as the coating may help prevent additional hair damage.

Accessories

Hair rollers usually come with clips to keep them in place as they’re heating your hair. Safety is key when it comes to using hot rollers and “coverings such as heat-resistant gloves or thermal caps can be used to protect your hands and scalp from the heat,” explains Story. 

Although most hot rollers include clips, “some people prefer butterfly clips, while others prefer metal or plastic clips,” says Story. “Sectioning clips can also be useful, especially if you have thick hair.” Thus, you may choose to purchase speciality clips separately depending on your preferences.

Although hairspray isn’t a direct accessory for hot rollers, it can help you achieve big Southern-style curls. “Apply hairspray to the hair prior to rolling and you’ll notice a big difference,” says O’Jemah “OJ” Raiford, hair stylist at Robyn Michelle Salon in Windermere, Florida.

Questions and Answers

What is the easiest kind of hot roller to use?

This depends, as everyone’s hair is different. However, those with a clip or clamp system are typically easier to use as they “allow you to securely hold your hair in place without having to worry about it slipping out,” says Story. “Additionally, rollers with a ceramic or tourmaline coating tend to heat up evenly and maintain a consistent temperature, resulting in a more efficient styling process.” 

Regardless of the type of hair rollers you select, Raiford adds that many people opt to use hot rollers as opposed to other curling products for convenience. “Hot rollers are convenient and keep the hair in place until cool or removed,” says Raiford.

What is the best material for hot rollers? 

Ceramic and tourmaline are some of the best materials for hot rollers as they “distribute heat evenly and reduce frizz,” says Story. However, she notes that titanium rollers may be more effective on thicker hair. 

Do you need a heat protectant to use hot rollers?

According to Aguirre, “heat protectant is always recommended for any hot tool” including hot rollers. If a heat protectant is not used before applying hair rollers, the risk of developing split ends, dry, and brittle hair increases. 

Story says that heat protectant sprays and hair serums are the best heat protectant tools to use on your hair. They “will help keep your hair looking healthy and shiny while also extending the life of your hot rollers.”

How can you keep from damaging your hair while using hot rollers?

This may seem obvious, but not using hot rollers daily is one thing Aguirre recommends to keep from damaging your hair while using hot rollers. Additionally, you also should monitor the amount of time you keep the rollers in your hair and follow the instructions as each set of hot rollers is different. Make sure your hair is completely dry before using hot rollers. “Wet hair is more prone to damage and breakage, so it's important to use a blow dryer or air dry your hair before using hot rollers,” recommends Story. Raiford adds that hot rolling hair in small sections is a best practice to ensure hair safety and efficiency when using hot rollers.

Why Trust Southern Living

This article was written by Jenna Clark, contributing commerce writer for Southern Living. To develop this list of the best hot rollers, we researched the best hot rollers and tested the top picks at home, evaluating them on the number of rollers included, material, heat time, and accessories. 

To learn more about what to consider when shopping for the best hot rollers and for product recommendations, she consulted April Story, a multicultural hair stylist at Van Michael Salon in Buckhead, Georgia, and a Fekkai Global Master Stylist; Fabian Lliguin, hair stylist and co-founder of Rahua; Shelly Aguirre, stylist at Maxine Salon, Jennifer Korab, owner and hair stylist at Renaissance Salon & Spa, and O’Jemah “OJ” Raiford, hair stylist at Robyn Michelle Salon in Windermere, Florida.