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If you do a quick scroll on Instagram, odds are you’ll notice that hair is getting bigger, bouncier, and more bodacious. Blame the Dyson Airwrap if you want, but facts are facts: it’s time to pack up your flat iron and invest in a curling wand.
These days, you can find curling irons that do so much more than just leave you with Shirley Temple-esque ringlets. You can find tools specifically meant to give you beachy waves, or large-barreled irons that are basically a ’90s blowout without the need for a round brush. If curling irons intimidate you, you’re not alone. Fortunately, we’ve enlisted the help of Justine Marjan–whose A-list clients include Khloe Kardashian and Nicola Peltz, to name just a couple–to answer all your curling iron questions. Here, find the 8 best curling irons for every hair type.
1
Best for Tight Curls
Conair Double Ceramic 3/4-Inch Curling Iron
Now 11% Off
Pros
Affordable
Cons
- Button placement gets in the way
The hunt for perfectly spiraled curls can be a long, treacherous journey, but this curling iron makes it easy. It’s affordable, easy to use, and works quickly, so you spend less time styling and more time feeling like Rapunzel.
Amazon rating: 4.4/5
An Amazon reviewer says: “I absolutely love this curling iron. It heats up quick and works just as good as the $100+ ones. I will definitely buy again.”
| Heat settings | 30 |
|---|---|
| Max heat | 400°F |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs. |
2
Best for Easy Mermaid Waves
Alure Three Barrel Curling Iron Wand
Now 33% Off
Pros
- Quick styling
Cons
- May not be suited for shorter hair
Those crimpers from the ’90s just got a massive makeover. This three-barreled curling iron makes it easy to get that beachy, wavy look we’re all searching for. Just put your hair between the barrels and the clamp, and you’re done.
Amazon rating: 4.3/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “I bought this after I saw this girl talking about it on TikTok. And it was one of the best curling irons that I’ve ever bought. Easy to use and I love the way it makes my hair look. Overall totally buy this because it’s very worth it!”
| Heat settings | N/A |
|---|---|
| Max heat | 410°F |
| Weight | 1 lbs. |
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3
Best for Beach Waves
ghd Curve Classic Wave Wand
Pros
- Easy waves
- Works well with long hair
Cons
- Pricey
Is there anything sexier than that bedhead, wavy hairstyle? Forget perfect curls; this oval-shaped barrel allows you to achieve loose, undone, cool-girl waves. Plus, gdh tools only come with one damage-proof heat setting, which makes it totally foolproof.
Ulta rating: 4.5/5 stars
An Ulta reviewer says: “I have been debating purchasing this wave wand for over a year trying to decide if it really made a different wave and worth the cost. I finally did and LOVE it. It makes the perfect ‘cool girl’ waves that I always try to get with a curling wand. The oval shape makes the difference.”
| Heat settings | 1 |
|---|---|
| Max heat | 365°F |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs. |
4
Best for ’90s Blowouts
Hot Tools Pro Artist 24K Gold Curling Iron
Now 44% Off
Pros
- Affordable
Cons
- Can cause heat damage
We’re all obsessed with the look of a bouncy blowout, but they can be so hard to achieve. If you can’t manage wrangling a round brush and dryer, opt for this large-barreled curling iron instead. It’ll give you the same bounce, with half the labor.
Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “Heats quickly and evenly and I have no damage or pulling of my hair.”
| Heat settings | 7 |
|---|---|
| Max heat | 430°F |
| Weight | 0.2 lbs. |
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5
Best Multi-Use Styler
Drybar The Mixologist Interchangeable Styling Iron
Pros
- Multi-use
Cons
- Pricey
With this tool, you get three products for the price of one. For classic curls, reach for the one-inch curling iron, for looser waves, grab the wand attachment, and for mermaid hair, opt for the three-barreled waver. It’s super easy to customize your style when you use this tool.
Reviewers say: “Heats up quickly, beautiful curls, attachments are easy to swap out. Worth every penny!”
Pros
- Combats frizz
Cons
- Handle can get hot
Using ion technology, with a sleek design and comfortable heat settings, this curling iron can eliminate frizz, leaving you with curled, sleek hair.
Reviewers say: “I’m in love with this curling iron. I usually don’t write reviews, but for this, I have to. I have tried so many different curling irons for my thick, coarse, frizzy hair and nothing works; it always ends up getting frizzy or falling. This one is amazing; it can give either a tight or loose curl, plus it holds without pulling or creasing.”
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7
Best for All Hair Textures
Paul Mitchell Express Ion Unclipped 3-In-1 Curling Iron
Pros
- Customizable
Cons
- Pricey
This tool has interchangeable wands to allow you to get different-sized curls and waves. The smallest, cone-shaped attachment accentuates natural curls, while the larger barrels can add bounce and texture to straight hair.
Ulta rating: 4.7/5 stars
Reviewers say: “Best curling iron I’ve used. For my fine, straight hair, it finally holds a curl that will last!”
| Heat settings | N/A |
|---|---|
| Max heat | 410°F |
| Weight | 2.4 lbs. |
8
Best for Damaged Hair
T3 Curl ID 1.25-inch Smart Curling Iron
Pros
- Customizable
Cons
- Pricey
Using this curling iron feels like talking to a haircare specialist. Using its digital interface, you input your hair length, texture, and coloring details, so it decides the perfect heat setting just for you. It's the best curling iron that won't damage your hair.
Nordstrom rating: 4/5 stars
Reviewers say: “Amazing, effortless curls. I never used a clamp iron before, always a wand. I have thick hair, but the curl ID allows me to curl my hair in just 20 mins. It used to take me a whole hour with the wand.”
| Heat settings | 9 |
|---|---|
| Max heat | 410°F |
| Weight | 0.89 lbs. |
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9
Best for Tiny Curls
BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Super-Slim Curling Wand
Pros
- Easy to use
- Great for short hair
Cons
- Can take time to curl the whole head
Who says bigger is better? This curling wand has a half-inch barrel, which is one of the tiniest you can find on the market. That makes it perfect for defining natural curls, or for giving yourself a full head of tiny spirals.
Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “It’s super lightweight. Heats up hot quick. It makes my hair routine painless and the finished results are flawless. I love this hair tool. It’s my new buddy.”
| Heat settings | 5 |
|---|---|
| Max heat | 430°F |
| Weight | 1.23 lbs. |
Pros
- Multiple heat settings
Cons
- Can stop working over time
Talk about customizable! This curling iron has 30 (!) heat settings to choose from, making this an ideal iron for all hair types and styling preferences. If you want to minimize heat damage, use your hair on the lower settings. But anyone needing a supercharged styler will love this iron, too.
Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars
An Amazon Reviewer says: “This one offers a wide range of heat settings. So if you’re like me and really want or need a LOW heat setting, this will to deliver that. The price is great too, especially for a good quality, ceramic coated iron.”
| Heat settings | 30 |
|---|---|
| Max heat | 400°F |
| Weight | 0.39 lbs. |
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11
Meet the Expert
Justine Marjan is a celebrity hair stylist and Ghd brand ambassador. Her clients include Khloe Kardashian and Ashley Graham.
Is titanium or ceramic better for curling irons?
The two most common materials used to create curling irons are ceramic and titanium. “Personally, I like ceramic curling irons better, as it heats up slowly and steadily and offers a very consistent and gentle heat distribution,” says Marjan.
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What are the different types of curling irons?
From wands, traditional clamp-style irons, and specialty waving irons, there are so many variations on this hot tool. “Ghd has a variety of curling irons and wands in different shapes and sizes depending on your desired end result,” says Marjan. This includes irons with various barrel sizes. Pro tip: the smaller the barrel, the tighter the curl.
What’s the best way to use a curling iron?
It’s all about the technique. “I love wrapping the hair around the iron and twisting the hair loosely once with each rotation for a really beautiful bouncy wavy curl,” says Marjan. But be careful to prep beforehand. “Make sure hair is thoroughly brushed through so there are no tangles before going in with any tools!”
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12
Why trust ELLE Beauty?
Tatjana Freund is ELLE's Beauty Commerce Writer. She has interviewed countless haircare professionals, and is always testing out new and trending hair treatments.
Tatjana Freund
Fashion & Luxury Commerce Editor
Tatjana Freund is Hearst's Fashion & Luxury Commerce Editor, covering beauty, fashion and more across multiple brands. Previously, she worked at ELLE.com and Marie Claire. She's a fan of whiskey neat, podcasts that give her nightmares, and one time Zoë Kravitz laughed at a joke she made.
