Curling irons and I have a complicated history. It’s a scarring relationship, built on burns, breakage, and the faint smell of singed hair. If you grew up in the early 2000s, you remember the cheap, clampy contraptions that left you with burnt fingertips, regrettable hairstyles, and—if you weren’t careful—a neck hickey that wasn’t from your high school boyfriend. But despite the occasional battle scars, curling irons have been a rite of girlhood. Bouncy ringlets for middle school plays, romantic waves for senior prom, a tousled blowout for graduation.
The pursuit of the perfect curl is as old as civilization itself. The Romans wielded heated iron rods (calamistrum) to sculpt Venus-like spirals. Medieval wig wearers would bake their curls at the bakery, where they would wrap them inside a protective pastry cut and toss them into the oven. The Victorians, ever committed to aesthetic suffering, warmed their curling tongs over open flames for polished waves. A scorched strand here, a seared forehead there—beauty, they say, is pain.
Fortunately, today’s curlers—like our top pick, T3 Singlepass Curl X ($150)—are smarter and pain-free (for the most part). With ceramic coatings, adjustable heat settings, and automatic rotating wands, these aren’t the drugstore relics of yesteryear. I tested a pile of them—some brilliant, some confusing—to find the ones worth your locks and money. Here are the best curling irons on the market. No bakery trips required.
For more beauty guides, check out the Best Hair Dryers, Best Hair Straighteners, Best Heat Protectant Sprays, and Best LED Masks (and How They Work).
Updated April 2025: I added information about our testing process and updated our best picks, as well as prices and links.
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What Should I Look for in a Curling Iron?
Material girl. The barrel of your curling iron affects heat distribution, frizz control, and hair health. Ceramic is the most universal choice—ideal for fine, curly, or coily hair because it distributes heat evenly and helps lock in moisture. Ceramic irons also emit negative ions, which is science-speak for smoothing frizz and preventing crispy ends. Tourmaline takes it up a notch, firing off six times more negative ions for extra shine, making it a great option for thick or frizz-prone hair. If you have straight hair that struggles to hold a style, titanium might be your best bet. It heats up fast, holds high temperatures, and sets curls that last (at least until past lunch).
To clamp or not to clamp? Traditional curling irons with a clamp create more structured, long-lasting curls. Curling wands are clipless and better for natural-looking waves with no creases. Tapered wands are wider at the base and narrower at the tip, creating tousled curls that are looser at the roots and tighter at the ends. Wavers, designed with two or three barrels, deliver beachy S-shaped bends.
Size matters. The barrel size dictates the curl pattern.
- ¾-inch: Corkscrew curls and ringlets. Best for short hair.
- 1-inch: Classic curls. Suitable for all hair lengths. If in doubt, start here.
- 1¼-inch: Soft, tousled waves or for adding texture to updos. Best for medium to long hair.
- 1½-inch and up: Loose, voluminous waves. Suitable for long hair.
What’s your heat range? Not all hair types can handle the same level of heat. Fine or chemically treated hair should stay under 300 degrees Fahrenheit. For healthy and medium-textured hair, 300 to 380 degrees is the sweet spot. If you have coarse, curly, or thick hair, you’ll need 300 to 450 degrees. P.S. Don’t forget the heat protectant spray.
Any add-ons? Some curling irons have a cool-touch tip for safer handling. Some come with interchangeable barrels, which means you don’t have to pick just one curl type—Marilyn ringlets today, mermaid waves tomorrow. Cord length also matters. A professional-level curling iron has a 9-foot cord because anything shorter is difficult to maneuver when styling. (Bonus points for a swivel mechanism, so it doesn’t twist and tangle.)
To find the best curlers for every hair type, budget, and skill level, I first scoured the market for the latest and greatest tools, everything from traditional clamps to auto-curlers that do the work for you. Each hair tool was tested for at least two weeks. Here’s how I evaluated each tool:
- Ease of use. I assessed weight, grip comfort, clamp tension, and whether the cord behaved or ended up in a knotted mess.
- Heat settings. In addition to temperature ranges. I also monitored how fast each heated up, whether it maintained a consistent temp during styling, and if it fried my ends.
- Hairstyle longevity. I enlisted WIRED reviewers with straight, wavy, and curly hair to put these curlers to the real-world test. Did the curls last or deflate before noon?
- Price and value. I compared cost to performance and will continue to test for long-term durability.
- Features. Digital temperature control, automatic shutoff, dual voltage for travel … if it was advertised by the company, I made sure it delivered.
Photograph: Alanna Kilkeary T3 Singlepass Curl X If I could only keep one curling iron from my testing lineup, it would be the T3 Singlepass Curl X. It’s lightweight, effortless to maneuver, and comes with an extra-long barrel (6.5 inches) that accommodates my mid-back-length hair. True to its name, it does the job in a single pass. I appreciate the smooth clamp on this one because it didn’t leave me with any dents. The only miss here is the temperature display, which is a row of glowing dots at the base, so you don’t actually know how hot the iron is running. It’s a design choice that feels more aesthetic than functional. But the heat adjusts on command—turn the SmartTwist dial, and the temperature shifts instantly, with no lag. This iron creates glossy, voluminous curls that look even better brushed out. This is a must-have for anyone tired of subpar curlers that underdeliver.-Reviewer-Photo-SOURCE-Alanna-Kilkeary-(no-border).jpg)
Best Overall
Specs
Barrel material
Ceramic
Barrel size
1, 1.25, or 1.5 inches
Heat settings
9
Auto-shutoff?
1-hour auto shut-off
Weight
10.6, 13.2, or 15.1 ounces (without cord)
Cord length
8 feet with swivel
Photograph: Alanna Kilkeary GHD Curve Soft Curl Iron The GHD Soft Curl heats up in 25 seconds. The elongated barrel and metal clamp help hold the hair in place without much maneuvering. But the lack of a temperature dial is missed. Instead, the iron relies on color-coded indicators: blue (300-320 degrees Fahrenheit), white (340-360 degrees), and red (380-440 degrees). That’s a pretty wide range; I would’ve much preferred an LCD screen with exact temperature reads, as someone who worries about frying my hair. Still, if you can overlook the ambiguous settings, this iron delivers curls that go the distance..jpg)
Runner-Up
Specs
Barrel material
Ceramic
Barrel size
1.25 inch
Heat settings
8
Auto-shutoff?
30-minute auto shut-off
Weight
14.4 ounces
Cord length
9 feet with swivel
