11 Curling Irons That Will Give You Everything from Bouncy Waves to Ringlets (2024)

Despite its name, a curling iron can do a whole lot more than curl. Actually, it's a versatile styling tool that can give you a variety of looks and works on all hair textures. If you have naturally straight hair, a curling iron can create tight ringlets, beachy waves, or a voluminous blowout-style look. Those with naturally curly hair textures can use a curling iron to give their hair more definition and bounce.

What to consider when looking for a curling iron

Choosing the right curling iron for you is key: First, "the barrel size will greatly affect your result," says Meredith Kirkland, national education manager at GHD. For big, voluminous curls, you'll want a medium to large barrel. For tighter, more defined curls that last, you'll want a small barrel.

Make sure your iron has adjustable heat settings, says hairstylist Glenn Ellis. Fine or highly processed hair should dial down the heat since hair is more fragile; if you have dense hair, you can go in with a higher heat. Now that you know what to look for, it's time to sift through your options. That's where we come into play. Here are the best curling irons, according to professional hairstylists.

The experts:

• Meredith Kirkland, national education manager at GHD
• Glenn Ellis, a celebrity hairstylist
• Jennifer Korab, a celebrity hairstylist at Renaissance Salon & Spa
• Kevin Kelly, a professional hairstylist

Kelly says that this ceramic barrel glides through the hair with ease and offers a smooth finish. One pass gives you the perfect curl, with no touch-ups necessary. It's available in multiple sizes, from 3/4-inch for tight curls to 1.5 inches for a looser wave. Temperature settings range from 260°F to 410°F.

You can achieve tight, coily curls that last with this 1/2-inch curling wand. "I can do tight curls in as little as three seconds, and they last for up to 24 hours," says Kirkland. It's great for defining or refreshing naturally curly hair or giving straight hair very tight curls that hold.

A great pick that's less than $100, this ceramic curling iron creates effortless beach waves, per Kelly. It automatically shuts off after 30 minutes, so you never have to worry about whether you unplugged your curling iron ever again. The thickness and shape of the barrel also offers versatility as you can create loose waves or curls.

Korab loves this affordable pick because it's great for all hair lengths, types, and styles. The barrel is available in 3/4, 1-1/2, 1, and 1-1/4 inches, which is great for shorter hair. The ceramic barrel is coated in titanium, which helps it heat up quickly and evenly.

The Dyson Airwrap—one of Korab's go-tos—is worth the hype. Its Coanda airflow technology allows you to curl your hair fast and without a high temperature, which limits damage. It has three precise airflow speeds and temperatures. In addition to the curling attachment, which comes in two sizes, it includes everything you need for the perfect hairstyle—a soft and firm smoothing brush, a smoothing dryer, and a round volumizing brush.

Heat styling can be tricky for color-treated hair, which tends to be fragile and delicate. Luckily, the temperature settings on this curling iron were made with color-treated hair types in mind, so it won't strip or fade hair. The one-inch iron is great for creating curls on all hair types, and the 1.5-inch is perfect for waves, says Korab.

If you've never quite mastered the "curl toward and away from your face" technique, this curling iron does the twirling work for you with its rotating one-inch barrel. Press the arrow buttons to curl your hair away or toward your face. It's lightweight and creates perfectly smooth and frizz-free curls.

If you dream of hair that bounces with every step you take, this styling wand is for you. It's a clamp-free wand, so you don't have to worry about frizz-causing tugging or snagging (instead, you'll wrap the hair around the barrel—but do mind your fingers). The titanium barrel heats up to 390 degrees quickly.

Packing hair tools is never easy. Luckily, this cordless option makes it possible and effortless. It runs on lithium batteries, so you can now curl your hair on the go with ease. It heats up to 400ºF in just 60 seconds. Plus, the one-inch barrel is versatile and suitable for all hair types and lengths.

This nifty tool is a blow dryer and curling iron in one. Heated air flows through vents in the barrel as you curl each section, so you can dry and curl your hair at the same time. The detachable barrel makes it convenient for travel, and it comes with a dryer head to dry and lift roots quickly.

If you want a variety of hair tools but don't want to spend the money or have the storage, opt for this space-saving option. The brand's power base is compatible with a variety of styling attachment heads (sold separately), such as a one-inch curling wand, a 1.25-inch wand, and a jumbo hair waver. While it might seem a little inconvenient to buy each styling attachment separately, you can essentially get three tools for the price of one luxury curling iron.

Our beauty team is dedicated to finding you the best of the best tools. We spoke with professional hairstylists to learn about what to look for in a curling iron and got their go-to recommendations. We also researched and tested top-rated and brand-new options that hit the market to help you find the best products out there.