The 17 Best Curling Irons of All Damn Time (Yep, Really) (2024)

There are certain relics of the past that you refuse to part ways with, no matter how far you get in life. For me, regardless of how many expensive tools graze my desk, I can't let go of the Conair curling wand I purchased in college. It’s inexpensive, for starters, but it is also so easy to use, especially since I don’t have to deal with any clamps. I just section my hair, put on the included gloves, then wrap one-inch pieces around the tool for 10 seconds, and leave them in my palm for another 10 seconds to cool and set. It takes me about 30 minutes to do my entire head of fine-yet-dense hair, and violá—bouncy, voluminous curls.

• Temperature settings: Adjustable heat up to 400 degrees
• Barrel size: Available in 1” and 1.25-1.75”
• Material: Ceramic

Glowing Customer Review: “At first I wasn't sure if the 1 in. iron was going to give me the curls I was looking for, but boy was I wrong. I love the curls I get when using this wand! Obsessed! I have never been one to curl my hair, but I decided to finally give it a try. Very easy to use for beginners.”

All it took was one targeted TikTok and watching The Little Mermaid for me to add this waver hair tool to my shopping cart. The waves look so natural and mermaid-y for the perfect “I just woke up like this” vibe. I'm also obsessed with how easy it is to use—I just open the 32mm clamp, insert a 1 to 2-inch strand, then hold for five to ten seconds and release. I finish off my look with a texturizing spray or a strong-hold hairspray to keep it rough and matte. FYI: If you have curly hair, you will most likely need to straighten or blow it out beforehand to get your hair sleek.

• Temperature settings: Adjustable heat from 180-410 degrees Fahrenheit
• Barrel size: Available in 1” or 1.25”
• Material: Ceramic

Glowing Customer Review: “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.”

If I'm being real, I've clamped down on my hair many times and twirled it the wrong way—despite the fact that I've been curling my hair since, well, forever. This rotating ceramic curling iron from Conair (a brand so good, we had to include it twice!) does all the hard work for you by automatically curling your hair, so there will be no more mistakes. Even better, it has tangle-free technology, so you don't have to worry about it getting all caught up in there.

• Temperature settings: Adjustable heat up to 410 degrees
• Barrel size: 1.25"
• Material: Ceramic

Glowing Customer Review: "I have so much hair that it takes forever to curl my whole head, but the results are worth it. I get the most compliments on my hair using this tool. I can get through my whole head quicker with the larger barrel and it creates nice beachy waves I’ve never been able to achieve with any other tool!"

Some people are really skilled and can use their hair straightener to also create curls, but I am not one of those people. Instead, I opt for the BondiBoost Airburst Styler, which is a hair straightener and curler in one. Simply keep the tool closed to use it as a wand, use the clamp and curl like a regular curling iron, or open the clamp and run it over your hair like a traditional straightener. Oh, and FYI, the tool emits a shot of cool air to reduce the heat on your hair and lock in your style. Please and thanks.

• Temperature settings: Adjustable heat up to 430 degrees
• Barrel size: 1.25"
• Material: Ceramic

Glowing Customer Review: "If you want your hair straight with no frizz or curly with lots of volume this is the hair product for you! It's so versatile and works so amazing…I have never been so obsessed with a hair tool in my entire life!!!!"

A curling iron without a cord you say, eh? Yup, this is not a drill. Harry Josh debuted this bb that—despite being cordless—creates any style curl depending on what look you choose. Oh, and the smart-battery-powered rechargeable curler gives you up to an hour of style time. The cordless feature also makes it key for international travel (or travel in general) as there are no voltage conversions to worry about.

• Temperature settings: Adjustable heat up to 400 degrees
• Barrel size: 1"
• Material: Ceramic

Hi, hello, qq—are you a TikTok beauty qween? Yes? Then you've def heard of the Amika Blowout Babe Thermal Brush, which testers everywhere have been claiming is the newest best curling brush. Here's the gist: The thermal brush emits far-infrared heat that heats the hair cuticle from the inside out. Translation: your hair is heated evenly and quicker, which, in turn, reduces heat damage. Just a quick tip, though: If you find it in stock, purchase it ASAP because it's super hard to find.

• Temperature settings: 356 degrees
• Barrel size: 1.5"
• Material: Ceramic with nylon bristles

Glowing Customer Review: "I had such high hopes for this and it exceeded all of them! I have medium-length fine hair with lots of layers - this does an amazing job creating volume, enhancing shine + adding style, whether it’s curling ends in/out or full curls."

My favorite thing about this rotating curling iron is that it does all of the work for me. It did take a few uses to fully grasp the technique (you have to hold down the arrow button to start the rotation, then release it to stop), but now that I’ve mastered it, it’s one of my go-to tools for creating large, bouncy curls and beach waves. Also, it comes with a 30-minute auto shut-off feature, a lifesaver for someone like me whose biggest fear is burning the apartment down.

• Temperature settings: Adjustable heat from 290-410 degrees
• Barrel size: 1.25”
• Material: Ceramic

Glowing Customer Review: “Beach waver has changed my hair, I swear. I was told my hair could never and would never hold a curl and it did after I used this! I have REALLY thick hair, and it only took me 20 or so minutes to do my whole head. Would 1000% recommend.”

No, this isn’t your traditional curling iron. But the coveted, $$$ Dyson Airwrap is the GOAT for getting big waves and curls with as minimal damage as possible. Because instead of using ultra-high heat, it blows out warm air that sucks and wraps your hair around it for you, sans clamp, to give your hair a super bouncy wave. Think: Less work and no arm strain. There's also a round-brush attachment available if you want to achieve a more ringlet-style look or like to add some extra volume at your roots. But, IMO, the best part? It doesn't burn your hair to a crisp, which definitely makes your hair less susceptible to damage and breakage over time, especially if you heat style daily.

• Temperature settings: Three heat settings and a cool shot setting
• Barrel size: 1.2-inch and 1.6-inch barrels (included)
• Material: Ceramic

Glowing Customer Review: "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.”

If you want a curling iron that will get you through a “bus, club, another club, another club, plane, next place” kind of night, look no further than this ceramic curling iron set. No, seriously, it's gotten me through at least six bachelorette parties because it comes with three different barrels (0.5 in., 1.25 in., and 1.5 in.) depending on the ~vibe~ I’m going for that day/night. It has five heat settings and comes with a detachable barrel that you can switch out with two other sizes, whether you want tighter ringlets or loose, tousled waves. Don’t just take my word for it: 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.

• Temperature settings: Adjustable heat from 260-410 degrees
• Barrel size: .05” wand, 1.25” wand, 1.5” clip
• Material: Ceramic

Glowing Customer Review: “The absolute best curling wand I’ve ever used. I’ve never seen my curls last this long and they don’t lose shape."

I love curls but despise how long it takes to curl every piece of my long hair. Enter: This Bio Ionic iron, which has an extra-long length (it’s two inches longer than nearly every other iron on this list, fyi) to help me wrap the entirety of each strand around the iron, giving me back so much time during curling. And to make things even quicker, I can choose my go-to temperature (I go for 375 degrees for my thick hair, but def go for under 330 if you have fine or damaged hair) and lock it into place, so every time I turn the iron on, it automatically heats up to my preferred setting.

• Temperature settings: Adjustable heat up to 430 degrees
• Barrel size: 1” and 1.25”
• Material: Ceramic

Glowing Customer Review: “​​If you have long hair, this is the best curling iron I’ve ever used. My curls last literally three days, and they actually stay—usually, my hair is stick straight, and I couldn’t find anything to keep my curls in. Definitely a great purchase.”

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 on the iron, so that you don’t waste time re-curling (or accidentally burning) your hair. I love the ergonomic handle too for its easy adjustment style and the pressure that’s taken off your wrist.

• Temperature settings: Adjustable temperature from 200-450 degrees
• Barrel size: 1”
• Material: Ceramic

Glowing Customer Review: “​​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.”

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.

• Temperature settings: Adjustable heat up to 430 degrees
• Barrel size: 1”
• Material: Titanium

Glowing Customer Review: “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.”

Instead of purchasing a bajillion different tools to create all your lewks (or filling your suitcase), just grab this interchangeable ceramic-coated curling iron set. It includes a spring-clamp barrel, a clampless wand barrel, and a triple barrel for perfect S-shaped beach waves, and was actually created by hairstylist Joseph Maine. One small detail that might sound like NBD but makes the biggest difference, IMO: The temperature dial is on the far end of the handle, rather than right underneath the clamp (the usual spot for it), so it’s out of the way and won’t accidentally get bumped and change your settings. It's the little things, y'all.

• Temperature settings: Adjustable heat up to 450 degrees
• Barrel size: 1” clamp iron, 1” wand, three-barrel waver
• Material: Ceramic

Glowing Customer Review: “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!”

Can we quickly chat about the decision fatigue that comes with deciding the temperature of your curling iron? Like, I’m exhausted, just do the work for me, pls. Which is where this ceramic-coated curling iron comes in: It exclusively heats up to 365 degrees, basically the perfect middle-ground temperature for a long-lasting curl without fully frying my medium-to-thick hair. But it also somehow heats up to that temperature in a whopping two seconds, meaning I don’t have to wait around for my iron to be able to do my thing.

• Temperature settings: 365 degrees
• Barrel size: 1”
• Material: Ceramic

Glowing Customer Review: “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.”

If you have a love-hate relationship with your curling iron's spring clamp (all those creases and ripped-out strands), try this 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 4,000+ five-star reviews 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.

• Temperature settings: Adjustable temperature from 280-430 degrees
• Barrel size: 1”-1.4”
• Material: Ceramic

Glowing Customer Review: “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.”

If you love the look of big, brushed-out, glam waves (á la celeb hairstylist Kristin Ess’s specialty), get yourself this classic curling iron with a springy clamp. According to hairstylist Joseph Maine, a clamp is a good idea for anyone whose style falls out easily since it creates more of a “perfect” ringlet-style curl, rather than a bendy wave. I particularly loved this iron because it heats up in about 30 seconds to 425 degrees, plus makes my hair look super shiny and soft, especially if I smooth a shine serum through my ends.

• Temperature settings: Adjustable heat up to 425 degrees
• Barrel size: 1.25”
• Material: Ceramic

Glowing Customer Review: “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 by just pressing a button.”

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 a classic curling iron with a spring clamp to a clampless curling wand, to a 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.”

• Temperature settings: Adjustable temperature from 190-380 degrees
• Barrel size: 1.25”
• Material: Ceramic

Glowing Customer Review: “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.”

The difference between a curling iron and a curling wand lies in the presence of a clamp. Curling irons come with clamps that are used to pin the hair in place or even straighten parts of the hair. However, if not used properly, these clamps can potentially leave a crease in your hair. Which is why many prefer curling wands, which are clamp-free and require you to use your hands to hold your hair in place on the iron.

Curling wands tend to be easier for many people, but because they don’t have a clamp, they also increase the risk of burning your hand if you're not careful.Thankfully, many curling wands come with a heat-resistant glove, which may look a bit dorky but can save you from panic-googling whether or not you have a third-degree burn.

Titanium nor ceramic is “better” for curling hair; the best tool material depends on your hair type and styling needs. Ceramic irons are best for fine, fragile, or dry hair because they heat up to lower temperatures more evenly and slowly, which can help prevent some damage, says hairstylist Amy Abramite. Titanium irons, on the other hand, will work best on coarse textures that require hotter temperatures to smooth or style your 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 hairstylist Joseph Maine.