The Best Curling Irons for Creating and Holding Every Kind of Wave, According to Hairstylists

If our Beachwaver review is any indication, this rotating curling iron is just as good as social media claims it is. Its moving barrel makes it ideal for beginners, since you don’t need salon-level expertise to get started; just clamp in a section of hair and let it work its magic. Beachy waves have never been so effortless.

• Pros: Easy to use, curls hair quickly
• Cons: Might not be durable
• Heat settings: 290°F–410°F
• Barrel size: 1.75 inches
• Material: Ceramic
• Hair types: All hair types
• Best for styling: Controlled curls
• Tried, tested & the honest review: The TikTok-viral Beachwaver is worthy of the hype: It’s really the only curling iron I can actually use. The barrel rotates, meaning that it’s as easy as 1-2-3: One, clamp a section of dry hair at the end; two, press the arrow button facing away from the face; and three, allow your hair to wrap as it revolves, and release the wrapped hair after about 10 seconds. Et voilà: Your hair is curled! Plus, its user-friendliness doesn’t mean it's any less effective. My Beachwaver-styled curls stay put for days. —Danielle Sinay, associate beauty editor

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This slim wand heats up to 365°F in just 30 seconds, offering quick, lasting results. It’s just half an inch thick, a perfect size for tight ringlets. While it’ll work well with any hair type, it’s especially great for defining and smoothing already curly hair—and it’s long enough for nearly any length.

• Pros: Heats up quickly; great for tight curls; long swivel cord.
• Cons: Only one heat setting
• Heat setting: 1
• Barrel size: 0.5 inches
• Material: Ceramic
• Hair types: Straight, wavy, and curly
• Best for styling: Tight curls
• Tried, tested & the honest review: This is a versatile iron. I have fine, kinky, curly hair, and I loved that the lower temperature setting reduces my risk for breakage. My curls were long-lasting, and I was able to comb out the tight curls for a gorgeous wavy look that lasted almost two days. Since I’m a busy physician, the rapid heat-up time was a game changer for my schedule. —Michelle Henry, contributor

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Thick hair is no match for this titanium curling iron, which goes up to 430°F to tame even the most unruly manes. The secret is its marcel attachment, which (unlike a spring clamp) gives you complete manual control; it’s the style many professional hairstylists use. It’ll take a bit of a learning curve, but it’s worth the extra effort if nothing else has worked for you.

• Pros: Multiple heat settings, ergonomic handle
  Cons: Might not be durable.
• Heat settings: 6
• Barrel size: 1.25 inches
• Material: Titanium
• Hair types: Thick hair
• Best for styling: Shiny, long-lasting curls
• Tried, tested & the honest review: My hair is really thick and has a lot of volume, but because it’s also so straight, I have a hard time finding irons that’ll hold a curl—except for this. Thanks to the titanium barrel, which helps distribute heat evenly, it was the quickest, easiest experience I’ve had in doing my full head of hair. The iron has a second flexible handle, which made it easier to style one-handed. And no sizzling or excess steam came off my hair, even at 430°F, its highest heat setting. I was able to give myself the exact look that I would have gotten if I had paid a professional stylist: natural, loose curls. —Smriti Sinha, contributor

Whether you prefer tighter curls, have long hair, or fall into both categories, Mint’s skinny curling wand is about to become your best friend. While there are multiple barrel widths available, this one is especially great at creating tiny, defined ringlets that still manage to look completely natural.

• Pros: Great for long hair; included glove
• Cons: Only one heat setting
• Heat settings: 1
• Barrel size: 0.37 inches
• Material: Ceramic
• Hair types: Thin, medium, and thick
• Best for styling: Tight curls
• Tried, tested & the honest review: The number of times I’ve seen stylists whip this iron out on set is well into the dozens. That’s because nothing helps define tight spirals and coils like it. The ceramic barrel heats up quickly, the wand comes with a styling glove to prevent burns, and because the wand is extra long, it’s great for working with both cropped and longer lengths. —Lindsay Schallon, contributor

This crimper turns out beach-ready waves in mere seconds. Just add a section of hair, wait a moment, and slide the tool away to reveal perfectly low-key locks. It doesn’t do curls, but if waves are your preferred texture anyway, you’ll be pleased with the results

• Pros: Works quickly; great for beginners.
• Cons: Not ideal for wavy hair
• Heat settings: 120°F–390°F
• Barrel size: 0.7
• Material: Ceramic
• Hair types: Straight, wavy, curly, and coily
• Best for styling: Beachy waves
• Tried, tested & the honest review: As someone who came of age in the early aughts, I never in my life would think that I’d let something called a crimper near my head again. But this wand doesn’t leave you with the awkward zigzags you remember. Instead it creates the most effortless, boho, ’70s-style waves that look like you truly woke up with them. The trick is to start a few inches down from your roots—right at your ear line—so your waves look lived-in and not poufy. —L.S.

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This Drybar bestseller offers three attachments (waver, wand, and clamp iron) that you can easily swap to create everything from beach waves to classic curls. It’s simple and incredibly versatile, and using it might just be easier than making a hair appointment.

• Pros: Interchangeable barrels, auto shutoff, temperature control
• Cons: Reviewers say the device doesn't heat up properly and may break easily
• Heat settings: 15
• Barrel size: 1, 1.25 inches
• Material: Plastic
• Hair types: Straight, wavy, curly, and coily
• Best for styling: Classic curls, natural curls, and beach waves
• Tried, tested & the honest review: I always love options, and I’ve got plenty with this set from Drybar. I’m sometimes a little skeptical of hot-tool sets because the options often don’t work equally well, but that’s not the case here. Each one is easy to use and heats up to the perfect temperature to keep my waves set for an entire day. As long as I pair it with a good heat protectant, my bleached, highlighted hair stays in healthy shape. —Sarah Y. Wu, contributor

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While an oval barrel takes a bit of getting used to, it’s a great option for natural, undone waves, adding volume without sacrificing length. GHD’s pick has an optional spring clamp and a shutoff feature that kicks in after half an hour of nonuse—no more worrying that you left your curling iron plugged in. Just note that it’s preset to 365°F, which might be a touch hot for finer hair.

• Pros: Heats quickly; automatic shutoff; great for loose waves.
• Cons: Only one heat setting
• Heat settings: 1
• Barrel size: 1.5 inches
• Material: Ceramic
• Hair types: Straight, wavy, and curly
• Best for styling: Loose, textured waves
• Tried, tested & the honest review: I typically curl my hair with a straightener. My last attempt at using a curling iron (years ago) ended in burning out a huge chunk of hair and a lot of tears. But this iron, which comes at the recommendation of dozens of celebrity stylists, was a 10-out-of-10 experience for me. It’s straightforward to use, and it’s got even heat and a cool and touchable tip. On day one I attempted a “normal” curling iron experience by using the spring lever. My hair was shiny, and the curls were perfect; a girl stopped me on the subway to gush and ask whether I was genetically blessed. On day two I used the iron as a wand without the clamp to even greater results: There was a wonderful unfinished quality about the curls, and my hair was so voluminous. As great as that intense heat is, though, it’s tough on your hair. Invest in a heat protectant. —Meg Adams, contributor

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Like a crimper for laid-back waves, this three-barrel gem is one of the easiest ways to add texture and volume without frizz. There are multiple temperature settings to work with any hair texture, and the tool is so big that it might only take minutes for you to work through every single section.

• Pros: Heats quickly; automatic shutoff; easy to use.
• Cons: Bulky
• Heat settings: 300°F–450°F
• Barrel size: 1 inch
• Material: Titanium
• Hair types: Thick, coarse hair
• Best for styling: Natural waves
• Tried, tested & the honest review: I absolutely love this waver for second- and third-day hair. If I wake up with sections that need a little boost, I just give them a refresh with this tool. It’s like a crimper, but it gives you soft waves without the creasing. And it revives waves in seconds. —E.R.

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If you’re even somewhat interested in hair care, there’s a good chance Chi’s rotating curling iron has come across your TikTok For You page. It draws hair into a rotating chamber, timing each section for consistency. There’s also an auto-off feature and an 11-foot cord—plenty of length for any home user.

• Pros: Great for beginners; adjustable temperature; works quickly.
• Cons: Not ideal for thick hair
• Heat setting: 1
• Barrel size: 1 inch
• Material: Ceramic
• Hair types: All hair types
• Best for styling: Bouncy, shiny curls
• Tried, tested & the honest review: This thing looks intimidating as hell, but it’s surprisingly easy to use. All you do is section your hair into one-inch pieces (smaller sections are key), feed it into the chamber, press a button, and boom—curls. It’s a little heavy and clunky-looking, but the design is great if you’re someone who always burns yourself, since the outside chamber stays cool. The lasting results were what really sold me, though. I purposefully tested the iron right before bed to see how the curls would match up against a night of sleep. The next morning I woke up to see that my hair still had modern, thick waves. —Halie LeSavage, contributor

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Marcel irons are definitely not for the curling iron novice, since they require more coordination to use. But on the flip side, hairstylists love them because they give you more control to manipulate your hair exactly how you want it. If this isn’t your first rodeo, go with this three-piece tool that works as a wand, marcel, and curling iron all in one. Plus, you can adjust the heat between a gentle 190°F and a more intense 380°F, ensuring you’ll get the right temperature for your hair type.

• Pros: Multiple heat settings, versatile design, automatic shutoff; gives long-lasting curls
• Cons: Not ideal for beginners
• Heat setting: 190°F–380°F
• Barrel size: 1.25 inches
• Material: Ceramic
• Hair types: Fine hair
• Best for styling: Defined curls, beach waves, natural waves
• Tried, tested & the honest review: This iron, designed by Gisele Bündchen’s mane man, gives you the best of both worlds. The clip detaches easily from the barrel, making it easy to experiment with both to see which delivers your favorite curls and waves. Bonus: The longtime fave recently underwent a makeover and now delivers more even heat throughout, so your curls will hold longer. —S.Y.W.

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T3 and waves are pretty much synonymous at this point. The brand’s curling tools help all hair types achieve effortless waves and curls in minutes. This 1.25-inch barrel gets the job done with just a single pass—no touch-ups required. It's suitable for all hair types, whether fine and straight or coarse and coily—delivering consistent and defined curls every time.

• Pros: Works on all hair types; designed to be used in one pass.
• Cons: Expensive
• Heat settings: 5
• Barrel size: 1.25 inches
• Material: Ceramic
• Hair types: Straight, wavy, curly, and coily
• Best for styling: Voluminous curls
• Tried, tested & the honest review: This curling iron has the perfect 1.25-inch barrel to create the imperfect waves I’m looking for. And I love that it has multiple heat settings so I can use the middle temperature without frying my hair. —Elizabeth Denton, tester

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Get beach waves all year round with Mermade’s clamping hair curler. It has three barrels in one, and doesn’t require you to turn it or flip it to get results. You simply work your way down by clamping your hair in sections and watch the magic happen. This triple-barreled curling iron is a particularly good bet for those with long hair, since it styles quickly and with minimal effort.

• Pros: Auto shutoff, heat protection glove; beginner-friendly, crimp-free
• Cons: Not ideal for shorter hair
• Heat setting: 176°F–410°F
• Barrel size: 1.25 inches
• Material: Ceramic
• Hair types: Long hair
• Best for styling: Big, bouncy waves
• Tried, tested & the honest review: Before I had short hair, I had a thing for mermaid waves, especially in the summer. I had never tried one of these multi-barrel curlers, but I love that all I had to do was sandwich my hair between the clamp, instead of turning my hands like I would with a traditional curling iron. —Andrea Navarro, commerce writer

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Unlike most curling irons, this one does all the work for you. All you have to do is simply place each strand of hair through the barrel, and once turned on, it’ll spiral each piece to leave you with a bouncy, voluminous twirl. It's a great option for newbies, since the tool will deliver consistent curls without much effort on your part. We love that it's suitable for all hair types too.

• Pros: Easy to use, good for beginners, tangle-free; works on all hair types
• Cons: Bulky
• Heat settings: 5
• Barrel size: 1 inch
• Material: Ceramic
• Hair types: All hair types
• Best for styling: Defined, loose, and wavy curls
• Tried, tested & the honest review: It’s so much fun to play with this custom curler and I love that you can switch it up in different directions with just the press of a button. Because the barrel is clear, you can actually see the magic happen. —E.D.

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This 1.25-inch curling iron is known for heating up super quickly, which is great if you're in a hurry or need a quick touch-up. Even people with super-straight hair praise it for developing curls that don’t fall flat. It's great for people with color-treated or damaged strands too. Infared heating allows curls to set at a lower temp than your standard curling iron. Plus, ionic technology works to tame frizz for shinier, bouncier curls.

• Pros: Heats up quickly, styles waves and curls, minimizes frizz.
• Cons: Not beginner-friendly
• Heat settings: 4
• Barrel size: 1.25 inches
• Material: Unavailable
• Hair types: All hair types
• Best for styling: Shiny, frizz-free curls
• Tried, tested & the honest review: If I ever leave the salon with curled ends, they fall flat in a few hours. Since I often need touch-ups I like having this curler at home for a quick fix before heading out for the night. It heats up quickly and curls the ends of my bob easily. —A.N.