If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, we may receive an affiliate commission. Learn more about our policies and reviews.
When it comes to curling irons, there are a lot of factors to look for in order to ensure you find the right one for you. Curling irons come in all shapes and sizes with all different heat settings and it can sometimes feel overwhelming to choose the perfect tool for your hair. In order to help you find the right one, we rounded up all of our favorite picks below.
Included in our top picks are a curling iron with 25 heat settings, a ceramic wand with no clasp, a do-it-all iron that literally curls your hair for you with just one hand, and so many more. Plus, there’s even a curling iron that comes with a heat-resistant glove and two clips so you can separate your hair into sections while you curl.
No matter what type of curling iron you’re looking for, there’s something for everyone that works on all hair types, below. Here are the top curling irons of 2024!
Comparing the Top Curling Iron of 2024
L’ANGE Hair Le Duo 360° Airflow Styler — Best Overall
The L'ANGE Hair Le Duo 360° Airflow Styler is a highly versatile tool to suit all your favorite looks. This easy-to-use curling iron utilizes floating titanium plates with rounded edges, evenly distributing heat for styles without creases and snags. You’ll achieve smooth, silky strands and gorgeous curls and waves with ease. Plus, you can choose your preferred temperature between 280°F-430°F, and the fan and 360° vented airflow will immediately cool your hair once contact has been made.
You won’t sacrifice convenience either with this curling iron, as it features a built-in clip to secure hair quickly, and the lightweight, ergonomic design makes styling effortless. So if you’re looking for an all-in-one styler that offers true versatility and stunning results with long-lasting shine, this essential hair tool is the perfect choice and is also the best overall product on our list.
Pros
- Evenly distributes heat
- Vented airflow cools hair during use
- Has adjustable temperature control
Cons
- Button positioning may cause accidental shutoffs
MINT Professional Curling Iron — Long-Lasting Curls
The MINT Professional Curling Iron is designed to create long-lasting curls that stay in place throughout the day. Its dual-heater system ensures even heat distribution throughout the entire barrel, resulting in consistent curls and beach waves that don't lose their shape. With this curling iron, you can achieve beautiful curls, volume, and waves that last.
Featuring an EasyGlide clamp, this curling iron is effortless to use. The clamp is designed to provide the perfect balance, never being too tight or too loose. It smoothly glides through the hair, allowing for controlled and precise styling. The longer barrel of this curling iron helps speed up the styling process. By preventing the hair from overlapping and ensuring even heat distribution, you can achieve your desired style more quickly. This reduces the time your hair is exposed to heat, minimizing potential damage.
Pros
- Dual-heater system for consistent heat
- EasyGlide clamp for effortless and controlled styling
- Longer barrel for quicker styling and less heat damage
Cons
- Can pull on hair a little
Conair Instant Heat Curling Iron — Best Features
Perfect for everyday curls, this 1 ½ inch curling iron is great for soft waves that look effortless. The iron has 25 heat settings that work on all different hair types and it takes only 30 seconds to heat up to 400 degrees F. Plus, there’s a “Turbo Heat” option, which increases the temperature up to 36 degrees F. It has a non-slip grip handle and an auto-off feature which is convenient if you forget to turn it off when you leave the house!
Pros
- It has 25 heat settings
Cons
- It’s very long
INFINITIPRO BY CONAIR Tourmaline Ceramic Curling Wand — Runner Up
A wand is a bit different than the everyday curling iron because a wand doesn’t come with a clamp. All you have to do is wrap your hair around the barrel, which makes your hair less likely to get kinks or tangles. This wand comes with a barrel that ranges in sizes from 1-inch to 1/2-inch so you can move your hair around based on how tight you want your curls to be. It has 5 heat settings and an auto-off function, and it heats up to 400 degrees F in 30 seconds.
Pros
- It heats up to 400 degrees F in 30 seconds
Cons
- It doesn’t have a clamp
BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Spring Curling Iron — Honorable Mention
Formulated with Nano titanium technology, this curling iron gently gives off even far-infrared heat to your hair which heats it up the shaft from inside so that your hair doesn’t get damaged. The even heat distribution combined with negative ions leaves your hair looking and feeling silky smooth. You can create loose waves or tight curls with this barrel, depending on what look you’re going for.
Pros
- It’s made with Nano titanium technology
Cons
- It’s bulky
CHI Spin N Curl 1" in Ruby Red — Contender
Curling your hair has never been easier with this 1-inch curling iron made with far-infrared heat which works to smooth your hair. All you have to do is place a section of your hair in the chamber and choose which setting you want – 15 seconds, 17 seconds, or 19 seconds. The chamber wraps your hair around the barrel and beeps four times when your curl is ready. Simply remove the iron and your curl is ready to go!
Pros
- It curls your hair for you
Cons
- You don’t have full control of your curls
Bed Head Curlipops Curling Wand for Loose Curls — Also Consider
This curling iron does it all! It goes up to 400 degrees F for the highest heat setting, plus, it has a dual voltage (100V-240V) which can be used worldwide and makes this the best hair tool for traveling. It has a tangle-free 6-inch swivel cord and it comes with a heat-resistant glove that helps you hold your hair without burning your hands.
Pros
- It has dual voltage
Cons
- It doesn’t have a clamp
Buying Guide to Finding a Curling Iron
Curling irons are a godsend for people who like to get their hair done frequently. They’re easy to use and get your hair done in minutes. Who doesn't love full, bouncy curls? However, there are so many different curling irons out there that it's almost impossible to choose one.
Some offer different heating settings, while others offer a variety of curls. Some promise to protect your hair and others are just too cute to reject. So which one do you choose for yourself?
In this guide, we will walk you through all the important information you need before making the big decision of buying the best curling iron for your hair styling needs.
Do I Need a Curling Iron?
Whether you need a curling iron or not is a question of your habits and taste. Are you a frequent party-goer who likes to rock a new hairstyle at every event? Are you a professional hairstylist who wants to expand on their collection of hair irons? Or are you just someone who has just started to take an interest in hairdos and curling irons?
If you identify as one of these people, you definitely need a curling iron. If you're not, you can still make great use of a curling iron, whether it means experimenting on your hair or learning that you look better with curls.
Do Curling Irons Damage Hair?
Curling irons are a great tool for creating cool hairstyles. However, if you’re not careful, the heat of the iron can damage your hair and cause breakage. This does not mean you should wrap up your hairstyling irons and toss them in the trash. Instead, there are ways that you can take care of your hair so that curling irons and the heat do not cause much damage to them. Here’s how you can protect your hair from heat damage while styling:
- Only use your curling iron or hair straightener on dry hair. If your hair is damp, wait for it to get dry before using iron on them.
- Always set the temperature of the iron according to your hair texture. If you have thin hair, a lower temperature will work for you, whereas, for thick hair, you may have to turn the temperature up a bit. Using high temperatures on thin hair can cause breakage due to burning.
- Look for curling irons that come with high-quality heating plates. These plates help avoid damaging your hair.
- Take a break from styling. It is okay to curl your hair as long as you don't do it every other day. Let your hair go natural on some days, or use mousse or conditioners to tone them down.
Types of Curling Irons
There are three common types of curling irons mostly used by professional hairstylists or regular people who love to style their hair. These are:
Wands
Curling with wands requires expertise and practice. It's really hard to get the right curls when first trying out a curling wand. This is because a curling wand is just a hot stick, and you have to wrap your hair around it manually. There is no clamp to fix or hold your hair. However, this also means that there is no crease on your hair, and you get natural-looking curls. You will find either conical wands or elliptical wands. Conical wands give more natural waves and curls, whereas elliptical wands give uniform curls throughout your hair.
Tongs
Curling tongs come with a spring-loaded clamp that helps to hold the hair in place while you curl them. This makes them easier to use, but they give uniform curls throughout your hair that look less natural. When the tong is too hot, the clamp can also cause hair damage.
Triple barrel curler
A triple barrel curler is a great curling iron as it gives beautiful finger waves and comes with a sturdy clasp. The iron clasps your hair between three rods or barrels, and you need to curl each section of your hair one by one, which can get time-consuming. These curling irons look loaded, but they are really to use for anyone.
How to Choose the Right Curling Iron for Your Hair?
Here is everything you need to double-check before you pick your favorite curling iron.
Material of plates
The material of the curling iron plates plays a huge role in how your hair turns out and how damaged it gets. If you invest in good-quality plates, then you can save your hair from damage. However, low-quality plates accelerate hair damage. Different materials coordinate with different hair types. Ceramic is a really good option because it allows for uniform heating throughout the curling iron and is good for all hair types. It heats up fast and gives great results.
On the other hand, titanium is a lightweight material that heats up really fast and is good enough for curling even the most unruly hair. This makes it the perfect choice for thick and coarse hair.
Type of curling iron
If you have been using curling irons for a while now, you can easily handle curling wands and triple barrel irons to create the perfect curls for your hair. If you’re a newbie, you should go for curling irons that come with clamps, namely curling tongs. Curling tongs are good for practicing without damaging your hair or hurting yourself. If you have been using curling irons for a while now, you can easily handle curling wands and triple barrel irons to create the perfect curls for your hair.
Barrel size
The size of the barrel indicates the size of the curls and how your entire look will turn out. If you have short or medium-length hair with a fine or thin texture, you should be good to go with a smaller barrel (less than or up to 19mm), whereas for longer and thicker hair, a bigger barrel is recommended (over 19mm). You can use a bigger barrel to curl short hair, too, as it gives them a more voluminous look.
