11 Best Curling Irons Allure Editors Use Daily

Tester feedback: Talia Gutierrez, Allure's former associate manager of special projects, loves using the Airwrap to achieve loose, low curls while keeping hair sleek and smooth up toward the roots, which is why it's a staple in her blowout-refreshing routine. "By day two [of my blowout], chances are the bouncy curls are still intact, but some touchups will be necessary," she said. “Before an event or dinner with girlfriends, I whip out my Dyson Airwrap. The curling barrels are strictly a touch-up tool for my thick hair—but I can always count on consistent results.”

• Barrel width: 1.2 inches
• Heat settings: 3 (and 3 fan speed settings)
• Attachments: 6
• Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Wattage: 1,300W
• Best for: all hair types and textures

Best Interchangeable Curling Iron: T3 Switch Kit Curl Trio

Why it's worth it: T3's Switch Kit Curl Trio, a 2023 Best of Beauty-winning curling iron, comes with three interchangeable barrels (0.5-, 1.25-, and 1.5-inch) that lock into place, producing loose waves, tight spirals, and almost any other kind of curl you might want. "It creates sleek and healthy waves with a ceramic barrel, which is more gentle on the hair and works to smooth the ends for glam looks," bicoastal hairstylist Leon Gorman tells Allure.

Psst: If you already know you want waves rather than curls, opt for T3's Switch Kit Wave Trio, It looks like the same tool but comes with three larger barrel attachments to create a relaxed, wavy style.

Tester feedback: "I love using the tiny 0.5-inch attachment to enhance my natural texture when it’s falling a little flat," says content director Kara McGrath. “I take small sections of hair and only wrap it around the barrel for about two seconds, then gently tug at the section while it’s still warm. This creates a more defined, less frizzy version of my natural waves, rather than tight ringlets.”

• Barrel width: 0.5, 1.25, and 1.5 inches
• Heat settings: 9
• Attachments: 3
• Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Wattage: 96W
• Best for: all hair types and textures

Other T3 curling irons we love:
- For shorter hair: T3 SinglePass Curl (comes in 0.5" and 0.75"), $170
- For longer hair that will benefit from longer barrels: T3 Singlepass Curl X (comes in 1", 1.25" and 1.5), $150

Best Self-Rotating Curling Iron: The Beachwaver Co. B1 Rotating Curling Iron

Why it's worth it: Enough with the manual winding and twisting; the Beachwaver Co. B1 Rotating Curling Iron does all that annoying work for you. This innovative, self-rotating tool is so easy to use, which is why so many TikTok beauty vloggers (and, now, Allure staffers) can't stop preaching about this goof-proof curling tool. "I love the Beachwaver because it's consistent and super user-friendly for clients," Fairfax, Virginia-based stylist Nam Nguyen tells Allure. The push of a button spins the ceramic barrel toward your scalp with close to zero effort. Just make sure you release the clamp before you reach your scalp to avoid sausage curls—and second-degree burns.

Tester feedback: "I rarely curl my hair, and I constantly get confused with which direction to twirl the barrel, so Beachwaver's viral curler takes all of the guesswork out for me," says commerce writer Jennifer Hussein. “I usually use the B1 (or any curler, for that matter) to style the front tendrils of hair that are too short to put in my updo, but I love that this curler has a long barrel for times when I feel like experimenting with my style. It also gets bonus points for its heat settings—usually, I need high heat for my hair to form a curl, but somehow this tool effortlessly creates them at its medium setting, which is 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep in mind that its 1-inch barrel creates tighter curls rather than loose beach waves, so if you prefer a more relaxed vibe to your curly hairstyles, you may want to try the larger, 1.25-inch version of this self-curling device.”

• Barrel width: 1 inch
• Heat settings: 3
• Attachments: none
• Weight: 1 pound
• Wattage: 50W
• Best for: all hair types, especially medium and long hair

Best for Long Hair: Bio Ionic Long Barrel Styler Curling Iron

Why it's worth it: The skyscraper-like length of Bio Ionic’s Long Barrel Styler Curling Iron, a 2024 Allure Best of Beauty Award winner, is ideal for anyone with hair grazing their mid-back (or beyond). This ultra-long, ceramic-coated curling iron is two inches longer than the average barrel curling iron and available in four different widths to suit your usual style. No matter which size you grab, the curler will gently heat-style your strands with Bio Ionic’s signature ionic technology, which promotes moisture retention to minimize post-styling frizz and flyaways.

Tester feedback: “I struggle to find irons that actually reach the end of my very long hair and the Bionic Long Barrel Iron is perfect,” says Lexi Herrick, senior director of audience development. “The grip at the end of the barrel is excellent for ease of use, and for a burn risk like myself. There is a wide range of heat settings as well, and the hold is quick and lasting.“

• Barrel width: 1, 1.25, 1.5, and 1.75 inches
• Heat settings: 4
• Attachments: none
• Weight: 10 ounces (1-inch barrel)
• Wattage: 73W
• Best for: long hair, thick hair

Best Hair Waver: Trademark Beauty Babe Waves

Why it's worth it: A 2021 Best of Beauty winner, Trademark Beauty's Babe Waves looks way more intimidating than it is. (Though the pink really does make it quite inviting.) And as soon as you get the hang of its three-barrel design—which will happen faster than you think — you'll get skilled at clever ways to make waves.

Tester feedback: If you need some inspiration, we've got you. "When the clamp is opened up, you can wrap your hair around either of two individual barrels as you would with a traditional wand — especially if you want to zero in on the smaller coils framing your face," suggests commerce editor Sarah Han. There's a jumbo version, seen here, with 1.25-inch barrels, and the original version, which has one-inch barrels.

• Barrel width: 1 and 1.25 inches
• Heat settings: 16
• Attachments: none
• Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Voltage: 110-240V
• Best for: long hair, straight-to-wavy hair types

More curling irons we love:

Best for Curls: Pattern Interchangeable Curling Iron

Why it's worth it: When your natural curls are falling flat, need definition, or won’t decide on a single curl pattern (it happens), whip out the Pattern Interchangeable Curling Iron, an Allure Best of Beauty Award winner. This interchangeable device comes with three different-sized tourmaline ceramic barrels—3/8-inch, 3/4-inch, and 1-inch—to effortlessly refresh your curls, waves, and coils no matter what your natural pattern may be.

Tester feedback: "I love the interchangeable parts," says Gutierrez. "It's easy to use, and it's great for those with a variety of curl patterns throughout their hair. For my thick, wavy hair, I use the medium and large barrels, while the small one works well for tendrils with an updo."

Product highlights: interchangeable barrels, auto shut-off after 60 minutes, comes with heat-protective storage bag and glove | Who it's for: curly hair

Best Barrel Size Options: Hot Tools Pro Artist 24K Gold Curling Iron

Why it's worth it: Whether you're looking for waves, curls, or tight spirals, this evenly heated curling iron will work magic without breaking the bank. "I always recommend Hot Tools for professional stylists looking to expand their collection because they are a little more old-fashioned-looking with the clip, and the barrel is gold-plated steel, allowing it to create a lot more heat, which means a lot more power," Gorman says.You can choose from seven different barrel sizes depending on what kind of curl you go for, ranging from 0.5-inch (tight, bouncy curls) to 2 inches (loose, beachy waves).

Product highlights: multiple heat settings up to 450 degrees, 2-hour automatic shut-off | Who it's for: all hair types and textures

Other Hot Tools curling irons we love:
- For Uniform Waves: Hot Tools Pro Artist 24K Gold 3 Barrel Hair Waver, $85
- For Crease-Free Curls: Hot Tools Professional Nano Ceramic 1-1/4" Flipperless Tapered Curling Wand, $60

Best Variety of Attachments: Shark FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System

Why it's worth it: Shark's FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System won a 2023 Best of Beauty Award for Best Multi-Styler, thanks to two 1.25-inch curling barrels that use Coanda technology. If this sounds familiar, the Dyson Airwrap uses the same tech to attract, wrap, and curl hair without heat damage. The nozzle rotates into an ergonomic "L" shape, making your at-home blowout experience all the more comfortable. The oval brush is great for amping up volume and the dual-bristle brush easily smooths away flyaways.

Product highlights: two 1.25-inch curlers, oval brush, paddle brush, concentrator, 4 heat settings, 3 airflow settings, cool shot button | Who it's for: people who want a tool that does it all

Best for Beginners: Chi Spin N Curl Ceramic Rotating Curler

Why it's worth it: Chi's Spin n Curl Ceramic Rotating Curler looks kind of like a robot tulip, but unlike a robot tulip, it serves a useful purpose: making hair-curling effortless. Once your hair enters the heated chamber, it twirls around as the barrel rotates and is released within an ideal time frame.If this description is giving you war flashbacks to the Conair Quick Twist tool of the early aughts, fear not: The tangle-protection technology in this curling iron makes it foolproof instead of fearsome.

Product highlights: digital temperature control up to 410 degrees, swivel cord, dual voltage, 1-hour automatic shut-off | Who it's for: all hair types and textures, especially shorter hair

Another Chi curling iron we love:
- Lava-Infused Barrels for Smooth Curls: Chi Lava Ceramic Curling Iron, $85

Best for Fine Hair: GHD Curve Soft Curl Iron

Why it's worth it: Undoubtedly a splurge, the GHD Curve Soft Curl Iron will prove its worth the very first time you secure your hair under the spring-activated ergonomic lever. Ideal for anyone who knows classic curls and tight ringlets just aren't their thing, it's made to create flowy, loose curls—especially on longer hair—and you can count on it to maintain a perfect 365-degree temperature. The 1.25-inch curling iron is excellent for maximizing volume, so we recommend it for fine, limp hair. The technology also regulates the temperature 250 times per second, ensuring that you won't end up with crispy, damaged hair.

Product highlights: single-button interface, 365-degree heat setting, swivel cord, 30-minute auto shut-off | Who it's for: all hair types, especially fine, thin hair

Another GHD curling iron we love:
- For Defining Natural Hair: GHD Thin Wand, $209

Best for Frizz-Prone Hair: Drybar The Mixologist Interchangeable Styling Iron

Why it's worth it: Another interchangeable pick, Drybar's curling iron is made with versatility in mind to create any type of curl. The barrels are supercharged with ions to nix frizz and leave your waves and curls perfectly smooth no matter which attachment you choose. It also takes mere seconds to heat up, which is a great feature for those of us who don’t have much time to style..: The smaller barrel is great for tight curls, while the waver makes it seamless to look like you just stepped off the beach.

Product highlights: digital temperature control up to 450 degrees, 3 attachments, 1-hour auto shut-off | Who it's for: all hair types and textures

Frequently Asked Questions

Size, size, and size. According to Columbus, OH-based hairstylist Mia Santiago, "Smaller barrels create tighter curls whereas bigger barrels create looser, almost blowout-level curls." Another key component is being able to control and customize your heat settings. Santiago says that "safe" heat settings are 360 degrees Fahrenheit and below, so keep that in mind if you want to avoid unnecessary heat damage. (Don't we all?)

In terms of shapes and designs, curling irons come in quite a few options. Wands have no clamps and relay on the user's ability to wrap around and hold their hair in place—which is why most wands come packaged with a heat-resistant glove (to avoid close-contact injuries). Curling irons with clamps are probably the most common type and allow you to create a variety of curls depending on how you feed the hair, twist/roll the wand, open/close the clamp, and release.

Automatic curling irons are relatively user-friendly (but read the instructions, no matter what!) and have small springboard clamps that wrap the hair for you. Then, there's the Marcel iron, which Santiago says is mostly for professionals as it has a manual handle that's not as user-friendly to the masses. "However, it allows for a smoother transition while curling," she notes.

No matter what kind of curling iron you choose, the pro advice for long-lasting curls remains the same: Curl from the roots, down. "The ends of your hair are more delicate and don't need nearly as much heat to curl," Dallas, TX-based hairstylist Kirsten Patterson previously told Allure. If you're going for glam waves, you'll want to curl in the same direction throughout, while you should curl sections in alternate directions for beachy waves.

Another smart top from Patterson: Never use hairspray before curling—only after. "Hairspray and heat from the curling iron can dry your hair out, so it's important to only use hairspray once you're finished styling," Patterson adds. Instead, use a heat-protectant spray before.

• Leon Gorman, a hairstylist based in New York and Los Angeles
• Nam Nguyen, a hairstylist based in Fairfax, Virginia
• Mia Santiago, A hairstylist based in Columbus, Ohio
• Kirsten Patterson, a hairstylist based in Dallas, Texas

We always enlist a range of testers for any review, but hair-care products and tools are another story. While some can be used across different hair textures, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, colors (natural and unnatural), and concerns, many are created with specific consumers and their needs in mind. When reviewing tools, we also take into account testers' experience levels. For instance, an innovative new blow-dryer may feature industry-leading technology, but if the only people who find it intuitive to use are professional hairstylists, we have to consider this when determining whether it is worthy of a recommendation.

For our review of the best curling irons, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and hairstylists—who all have different hair types and want an easy-to-use tool that achieves loose waves, tight curls, and everything in between without damaging hair. Testers considered performance across three primary categories: efficacy, safety and ease of use, value. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.

A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.

After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.

Even more hair tools & styling products worth the hype:

• The 11 Best Hair Dryers to Make Blowouts a Breeze, Tested by Allure Editors
• 12 Best Hair Straighteners for Sleek and Shiny Strands
• 10 Best Heat-Protectant Sprays That'll Tone Down Damage
• 15 Best Blowout Products to Smooth and Protect Hair

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