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Byrdie / Nick Kova
Curling irons have been around since the dawn of time, though they’ve certainly evolved with the latest style trends and technologies. This evolution, beneficial as it may be for us and our strands, can be overwhelming to navigate. “Curling irons, and all hot tools in general, are essential for manipulating the shape of our hair,” says celebrity hairstylist Nikki Providence. However, with repetitive use over time, these hot tools can also cause some damage, so finding an iron with the right heat setting for your hair type is of the utmost importance. There are also plenty of other factors to consider when selecting the right iron, such as its grip, safety, clamp, style retention, and more.
Byrdie Tested & Approved
Our testers are giving top honors to the Hot Tools Professional Gold Curling Iron, a straightforward hot tool that, while not the fanciest, is easy to use and yields reliable results. Another favorite is the BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Spring Curling Iron due to its quality design and surprisingly affordable price point.
Fortunately, Team Byrdie has put the best curling irons to the test at The Lab, located in Industry City, Brooklyn, to make your shopping selection easier. We tested curling irons on short, medium, and long hair, as well as on thin, thick, curly, relaxed, and straight hair. Using a scale of one to five, we rated each iron’s ease of use, styling ability, clamp tension, and curl hold to help you make a more well-rounded, informed decision.
Read on for the best curling irons on the market, as well as more information to help you select the right one for your needs and budget.
Best Overall
Hot Tools Professional 24K Gold Curling Iron
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Ulta
Quick to create a lasting curl
Convenient swivel cord
Built-in stand for safety
Easy to use
Doesn’t have an automatic shut-off
Clamp may cause creasing with stalled movements
There are a lot of new technologies in the curling irons available today, but sometimes keeping things straightforward (in terms of an iron’s design and performance) can offer the most reliable results. That’s what our testers found in the Hot Tools Professional Gold Curling Iron—simplicity at its best.
Despite the lack of automatic shut-off, digital temperature display, and other high-tech design features, “what you see is what you get,” says one of our testers—and we believe that’s exactly why the Hot Tools brand has remained a staple in hair tools for as long as it has. The iron, rated at an average of 4.6/5 for ease of use, will reach up to 450 degrees for thicker, more heat-resistant hair types while its lower temperatures on the manual dial are just as effective for finer strands.
All of our testers—with varying hair types, lengths, and densities—gave it a noteworthy 5/5 for its curl hold and each noted a smoother, frizz-free finish. With its ease of use, promising results, user-friendly design, and reasonable price point, it was easy to conclude that this iron was our best option overall.
Price at time of publish: $39.99
Auto Shut-Off: None | Heat-Up Time: 2:34 | Cord Length: 8 feet | Temperature Range: Up to 430 degrees F | Size: 1 inch
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Byrdie / Nick Kova
What Our Testers Say
“This iron works great on thin hair and produced a tight, defined curl. It was easy for a beginner like me to use and had a straightforward design/concept.” —Kelsey Lentz, Editorial Commerce Producer
Best Budget
BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Spring Curling Iron
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Comfortable grip
Extremely lightweight
Easy temperature control
Titanium barrel
Doesn’t smooth out frizz
Short-lived results
While there are other curling irons available at a similar price point, this Babyliss Pro Curling Iron was our best choice for budget, especially considering its titanium barrel. According to celebrity hairstylist Sally Hershberger, titanium is considered a quality material in a curling iron: “Titanium irons heat up fast and help retain moisture, preventing hair from becoming dry or brittle,” she said. The heat-up time on this iron wasn’t jaw-dropping (at just over two minutes), but its ease of use certainly was. “It was very easy to use and maneuver," noted one tester, who added that it was also "extremely lightweight and allowed for a lot of flexibility and different ways to curl the hair."
However, the resulting curls never lasted very long on our testers. Holding the iron in place for a few seconds helped each one find their desired results, but ultimately, this iron still gave a looser curl, with an average curl hold rating of 3.75/5. For roughly $60, that’s nothing the right temperature and a little hairspray can’t help with, though.
Price at time of publish: $59.99
Auto Shut-Off: None | Heat-Up Time: 2:05 | Cord Length: 8 feet | Temperature Range: Up to 450 degrees F | Size: 1 inch
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Byrdie / Nick Kova
Best for Long Hair
Bio Ionic Long Barrel 1.25" Curling Iron
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Good range of heat settings
Ergonomic design
Auto shut-off
Cool-touch finger tip
Can be tricky to maneuver
Short lifespan for curls
Pricey
One standout feature of this Bio Ionic iron is its length. The Long Barrel Styler is 2 inches longer than most of your average curling iron barrels, which is one of the key reasons why we’ve rated it the best option for longer strands. Not to rule it out for shorter to medium-length hair, but for our testers who didn’t have longer strands, they reported the barrel was a pretty big adjustment and that it felt tricky to maneuver, resulting in a 3.3/5 for styling ability.
Heating up this iron does take up to three minutes, but the auto shut-off, which goes into effect after one hour as the brand claims, is a saving grace for those of us who rush to get ready and have a tendency to forget whether we’ve turned off our hot tools.
Our testers also reported the clamp tension felt like the perfect balance between not too tight and not too loose, offering control for the section being curled without so much clamping that it left a crease in the hair. But a high rating of 4.7/5 for clamp tension didn’t make the difference when it came down to curl hold. Though bouncy, defined curls were an immediate result, one fine-haired tester said they, unfortunately, did not stay put very well. But for longer, thicker hair types, a little prep or finishing product will assist with curl hold and longevity.
Price at time of publish: $149
Auto Shut-Off: 1 hour | Heat-Up Time: 3:00 | Cord Length: 9 feet | Temperature Range: Up to 430 degrees F | Size: 1.25 inches
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Byrdie / Nick Kova
What Our Editors Say
“In terms of effectiveness and utility, this tool exceeds expectations.” —Erika Reals, Associate Fashion Editor
Best for Fine Hair
ghd Curve Classic Curl 1" Iron
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Sephora
Easy to use
Lasting hold
Quick to heat up
Auto shut-off
Only one temperature option
Clamp may be difficult for beginners
Pricey
Many hair types experience difficulty finding an iron that offers curls that last, though that wasn’t the case for our testers who tried the ghd Curve Curling Iron. “Most irons don't work on my thin hair,” said one tester. “But this one did a great job and created a natural-looking curl.” Between fine hair and curlier hair, the curl hold rating on this iron came back as one of the strongest at 4.5/5.
Also, if you’re looking for something high-tech that's still user-friendly, the ghd Curve’s features include a mere 22-second heat-up time and a proven 30 minutes to turn off automatically—which justifies the price tag, in our opinion. Aside from its ease of use (which came in with a rating of 4.75/5), the automatic temperature setting of a fixed 365 degrees can prevent all hair—including finer strands prone to more fragility—from incurring any damage, making it an obvious best choice for fine hair types.
Price at time of publish: $199
Auto Shut-Off: 30 minutes | Heat-Up Time: 22 seconds | Cord Length: 8 feet | Temperature Range: Up to 365 degrees F | Size: 1 inch
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Byrdie / Nick Kova
What Our Testers Say
“I was pleasantly surprised with how well that this curling iron worked on my natural, curly hair. The tension is just right and I like that the temperature is automatically set at 365 degrees—that way I'm not accidentally using too much heat. The curls came out very defined. I felt magazine-ready.” —Danielle Ransom, Editorial Commerce Producer
Best for Relaxed Hair
Kristin Ess NanoBlack 1.25'' Curling Iron
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Ulta
Perfect clamp tension
Sleek design
Silky, smooth finish
Digital temperature display
Results have short lifespan
Pricey
A fancy-looking, high-performance iron doesn’t need to come with an outrageous price tag—or worse, a major learning curve. Thanks to its sleek design and ease of use (which came in at an average rating of 4.7/5), one tester remarked that because it felt pretty high-end, she was "surprised" when she saw it was priced at about $60.
Additionally, with features like an easy-to-adjust digital temperature setting, a 9-foot swivel cord, and an automatic turn-off feature, this iron was extremely straightforward and user-friendly. The silky-smooth finish and easy glide through a nicely balanced clamp were some of the favorite takeaways that our testers noted. Though all three testers did claim that their curls fell out a bit not long after styling, they were still pleased with the results—our tester with natural hair, in particular, was impressed: "It was very effective," she said. "Because it wasn't complicated to use, I could get results very easily and quickly. My hair looked great."
Price at time of publish: $65
Auto Shut-Off: 30 minutes | Heat-Up Time: 1:07 | Cord Length: 9 feet | Temperature Range: Up to 425 degrees F | Size: 1.25 inch
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Byrdie / Nick Kova
What Our Editors Say
“For the price, this is definitely a great value. It felt more expensive than it was and I loved the all-black look and the soft-grip handle made it easy to maneuver around while curling.” —Erika Reals, Byrdie Associate Fashion Editor
Best for Beach Waves
T3 SinglePass Curl 1.25" Ceramic Curling Iron
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Ulta
Easy to hold
Sleek design
Smooth glide
Ceramic barrel
Curls fall or loosen with time
Pricey
If you’re looking for an iron that can help you achieve that perfectly imperfect beach wave, look no further than the T3 SinglePass Ceramic Curling Iron. The 1.25-inch barrel size offered our testers a less defined, more relaxed, and more elongated finish in their curls. However, the more loosely curled results didn’t alter the perfect tension in this iron’s clamp, which came in high with a rating of 5/5. “You can barely feel the clamp on the hair,” said one tester, who added that “the glide of this curling iron was smooth as butter.”
It's also worth noting that this ceramic barrel is a huge plus for hair types looking to reduce frizz and heat damage. Plus, this iron's modern design and lightweight grip were easy to work with, as was the rotating temperature setting at the bottom of the barrel, which helped it score a 4.3/5 rating for ease of use. According to one tester, this iron was perfect for achieving different types of waves, but overall, all testers agreed that if you’re looking for a tighter curl that will hold a defined shape over a long period, this isn’t the iron for you.
Price at time of publish: $169.99
Auto Shut-Off: 1 hour | Heat-Up Time: 1:22 | Cord Length: 8 feet | Temperature Range: From 260 to to 410 degrees F | Size: 1.25 inch
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Byrdie / Nick Kova
Final Verdict
The Hot Tools Professional Gold Curling Iron didn’t have a lot of fancy features, but its straightforward design, ease of use, and reliable results came in top-ranked by our testers. On the other hand, if you’re a curling iron newbie, the sleek design of the Kristin Ess Hair NanoBlack 1.25'' Curling Iron is a surprisingly affordable option with easy-to-use digital temperature settings that’ll give you a perfectly soft finish.
Meet the Expert
- Nikki Providence is a celebrity hairstylist whose clients include Jenny Slate, Tori Kelly, and Alison Brie among others.
How We Tested
We spent hours researching curling irons, interviewing experts, and reading product reviews to land on the product selection. Once we narrowed down the tools selected, we put each iron to the test. Each curling iron was rated on a scale of one to five for ease of use, styling ability, clamp tension, and curl hold. We tested these attributes on short, medium, and long hair that varied in texture (from thin and fine to thick and straight and from curly coils to relaxed).
The Byrdie Verified Team Tests Out Curling Irons
During the testing process, we took note of each iron’s temperature in the top, middle, and bottom of the iron barrel. We measured its heat-up time and auto shut-off time (when applicable) for accuracy and took note of its cord length. We also tested for durability by dropping each iron on the floor to see if any damage would occur. Thankfully, all the irons listed here passed with a 5/5 durability rating.
Once we collected our data, our editor compiled all the categorical information and finalized the best-of list. All of our testing took place at The Lab in Industry City, Brooklyn.
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Byrdie / Nick Kova
Other Options We Tested
Beachwaver Pro 1.25 Dual Voltage
Having a do-it-all tool can be advantageous at times, but when it comes to curling their hair, our testers found that they liked to have more control over the process. The automatic curl feature on the Beachwaver Pro 1.25 Dual Voltage may be unique, but our fine-haired testers found it difficult for the hair to glide through smoothly without getting tangled. The shorter clamp also made it difficult to grab sections on thicker hair types. Given the learning curve required on this iron, we decided it wasn’t a worthy top choice.
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Byrdie / Nick Kova
Moroccanoil Everlasting Curl Titanium Curling Iron
One of our fine-haired testers reported that Moroccanoil Everlasting Curl Titanium Curling Iron left a smokey result on her strands. Although there was no noticeable damage, another thicker-haired tester experienced some frizzing to her curls after using it, too. While the clamp had great tension and the curls from this iron offered good hold, it may be too tight for effortless-looking results. Overall, testers with both thick and fine hair types weren’t getting the desired curl they hoped for, regardless of how long it lasted. For $150, we didn’t think the results were worth the price.
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Byrdie / Nick Kova
Meet the Expert
Sally Hershberger is a celebrity hair stylist and owner of her namesake salon and product line.
What to Look For in a Curling Iron
Barrel size
When it comes to selecting the size of your curling iron barrel, your hair’s length and desired results should be your top considerations. If you desire looser curls or beachy waves, choose a larger barrel, says Hershberger. For tighter curls or shorter hair length, go for a smaller barrel size, which Hershberger notes can also help amp up your style’s volume.
Adjustable temperature settings
To avoid heat damage, you want to select a curling iron that has adjustable temperature settings. This customization tool will help you cater to your hair type’s specific needs. “Generally speaking, if you have fine or treated hair, keep the temperature below 300 degrees," says Hershberger. While normal or medium hair types can tolerate a bit more heat, Hershberger notes you’ll need a heat range of 350-450 degrees for coarser, thicker hair.
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Byrdie / Nick Kova
High-quality materials
The material your curling iron is made from will greatly impact the results you desire for your specific hair type and concerns, according to Hershberger. If frizz and/or heat damage are your main concerns, she suggests seeking out a ceramic or tourmaline iron. Thicker hair types that need high temperatures for effectiveness should turn to titanium irons. Not only will titanium heat up fast and help retain moisture, says Hershberger, but it will prevent the hair from becoming too dry or brittle with regular use.
Built-in safety stand
Having a bevel built-in to your curling iron for the ease of putting it down on your counter between sections is crucial. This small feature will prevent any accidental burns to your countertop and keep the hot barrel lifted above other items that could catch fire.
Swivel cord
A cord that swivels will allow your curling iron to move with ease as you style your strands and avoid getting tangled up or crowding your view as you go.
Clamp
Finding the right clamp is an important factor that considers your hair type. A clamp that’s too tight may pull on or even crease finer hair that’s quicker to react to heat and tension. Thicker hair types may need a clamp with more tension to keep the hair from slipping out of the iron. The right clamp tension can offer a smoother glide and curl finish.
Why Trust Byrdie
Byrdie contributing writer Ashley Rubell has more than a decade of experience as a professional hairstylist and seven years of experience as a beauty writer, focusing specifically on all aspects of hair styling, cutting, and coloring. She extensively tests tools, products, and remedies for hair woes daily. Rubell also interviewed fellow celebrity stylists in her network for a well-rounded analysis of each tool and additional expert-derived advice for our readers to consider.
For this story, we recruited four testers with varying hair types, lengths, and textures: Editorial Commerce Producer Kelsey Lentz, Associate Fashion Editor Erika Reals, Editorial Commerce Producer Danielle Ransom, and Senior Project Manager Yves-Berthe Saint-Louis. Every iron was tested on the same scale for ease of use, styling ability, clamp tension, and curl hold.
According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find any curling irons from a Black-owned and/or Black-founded business. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com and we will evaluate the product ASAP.
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