Top 10 Best Hair Curling Irons in 2021 (Conair, Chi, and More)

We've curated the following list of the best curling irons on Amazon and Sephora. We've included options for all hair types that utilize different technologies to achieve waves or curls. 

Choosing a particular curling iron can be a daunting task, especially when there's the risk of hair damage. The buying guide below should help ease the process of picking the best curling iron for your needs. 

There are two main types of hair curling irons. One has a clip for better control, and the other requires you to position and guide your hair manually. You'll have to decide which type of iron is more comfortable for you to operate! 

A clipless iron is called a curling wand. This type of iron gives you wrapping control. You manually position your hair around the heating tool, avoiding the tips prone to split ends. 

Furthermore, a wand's minimalistic design can get closer to your roots, giving you more volume. It also doesn't leave a crease, a common pitfall of a curling iron's clamp. 

However, it is extra challenging to create tighter curls that reach the tip using a curling wand. There is a learning curve to using a wand; otherwise, you risk getting non-uniform curls. On the other hand, wands are great for loose beachy curls. 

The most common types of curling wands are cone, bubble, and spiral wands. Cone wands have a tapered barrel for more precise curls. The tapered shape also lets you create both thinner and thicker coils with one tool. 

A bubble wand has a barrel segmented with round knobs, and it's a great tool for getting beachy waves. Experts use a spiral wand to get flawless classic curls.   

The most common type of curling iron is has a single barrel with a spring-loaded clamp or clip. The clip captures your hair, keeping it in place while you maneuver the iron. These curling irons are offered in various barrel sizes to achieve different types of curls. 

With the help of the clamp, you can curl more efficiently and conveniently. However, there is the possibility of getting a crease or kink in your hair if the iron stays in one area for too long with the clamp firmly in place. 

The most common types of curling irons are straight barrels or a waving iron with multiple barrels. The latter has two or three barrels with an enclosing clamp. A double-barrel creates perfect figure-eight or tight beach curls, while a triple barrel iron gives you loose or looping waves. 

Lastly, you can opt for a versatile curling iron with interchangeable barrels or heads. If you have long hair and want waves one day and tight curls the next, then interchangeable barrels will best suit your requirements. Some sets have seven or more barrels ranging from wands to those with clips. 

Given that people have varying hair types and desired styles, manufacturers often create curling irons that are a mix of a wand and clamp. For example, you can find a spiral wand with a built-in clamp for better control. This allows you to pair the best tool with your needs. 

Most curling iron barrels come in sizes ranging from three-fourths to two inches. The size is based on the width of the curls produced. For example, a three-fourth-inch barrel is recommended for short hair and yields tight, corkscrew type curls. This works best if you’re aiming for a more vintage look. 

One-inch barrels are recommended for all hair lengths as they produce classic curls or defined waves when you loosen the wrapping a bit. One and a half-inch barrels are best for long to medium hair as it yields more tousled curls. A two-inch barrel is advised if you have long hair, want beachy waves, or desire volume in your roots. 

As a rule of thumb, smaller barrels are for tighter curls and more volume, and bigger barrels are for looser curls on medium to long hair.  

When it comes to choosing a particular material for your curling iron, never go for cheap metals. Not only will it give you limp curls, but it could end up damaging your hair. With that in mind, here are the best materials to look for when picking out a curling iron.

Ceramic curling irons are the go-to irons of many because they heat up evenly and for a long time. Plus, they accommodate all hair types. The material heats up quickly and distributes the temperature uniformly throughout the barrel. You'll get a smooth glide with every section of hair.

We recommend one with a fully ceramic plate instead of just a ceramic coating. The latter has a tendency to chip and may damage your hair. 

Tourmaline is a crystalline mineral compound that produces negative ions and infrared rays capable of penetrating hair follicles while minimizing damage. Furthermore, the compound's contact with your hair gives off a bit of steam that adds some shine. The effect is smooth, frizz-free, shiny curls.

This material works best for those with fine hair due to its low temperature range and minimal damage. Besides being on the more expensive side, tourmaline irons are also less durable than ceramic ones and need more careful usage. 

Titanium is a lightweight and very durable material, so you get the same properties with a titanium curling iron. Its perks include fast and even heating. This material also reaches the highest temperatures for curling irons. 

Titanium is recommended for coarse hair that is stubborn to style with heat. Coarse hair doesn't heat well, so it's challenging to get the strands to curl and stay that way. Because titanium is lightweight and very sturdy, you can get a gorgeous style from an unruly hair type.

When choosing a titanium hair curler, we recommend reading past the product description and browsing through the reviews. Some manufacturers swap titanium for an inexpensive and ineffective coating of aluminum.

This plating is prone to chipping over time, exposing your hair to damaging heat. Reviewers should be able to confirm if a particular iron is truly made of titanium. 

If you have coarse or thick hair that needs more time to style, consider a gold-plated curling iron. This material is known to tolerate high heat for extended periods. These types of irons also emit quick and high heat, making them the go-to for those who have a lot of hair to work with.

 
The downside with this curling iron is that it requires a bit more skill to operate because it can have sections on the iron with less plating that get too hot. We recommend reading through the reviews to confirm if a particular model provides even heating. 

Heat settings are essential to any curling iron, and experts advise only using irons with fully-adjustable heat settings. Some curling irons may offer only one or two standard heat settings, which could lead to your hair burning, especially if you are new to using the device. 

An adjustable curling iron lets you control the temperature based on your hair type and desired curls, and there are fewer chances for mishaps. Of course, expert stylists know how long to hold a curl and the temperature they need. A universal heat setting will work just fine, in this case. 

Most curling irons have a heat range of 180 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. We recommend using one under 300 degrees if you have fine or chemically-treated hair. 

Meanwhile, those with normal, healthy, or medium-textured hair can work between 300 to 380 degrees. Lastly, coarse, curly, or thick hair usually responds better to a heat range of 350 to 450 degrees. 

In addition to the heat range, an automatic shut-off feature also ensures safety during use in case you forget to unplug the iron. Most curling irons have this feature and turn off after ten minutes of idle use or an hour of continuous use. You can also find certain models that turn off automatically when the heat passes safe levels. 

To make curling irons even more worthwhile, you can choose one that doesn't require a plug and can be used anywhere. Irons that rotate on their own or use steam to set the style are other examples of nifty features. 

If you are frequently on the go, you can ensure professional-level curls with a cordless iron. These irons don’t need to be plugged in; they use rechargeable or disposable batteries. They often come with a designated pouch or casing for convenient storage. 

Cordless irons often have clamps and vary in barrel sizes to fit your needs. You can find models with interchangeable barrels to achieve multiple styles while traveling. 

Understandably, using a curling iron for the first time can be tricky and downright scary. It takes time and practice to level up to more advanced irons, such as a triple-barrel waving iron or spiral wand. For beginners, we recommend a bubble wand, cone-shaped wand, or barrel with a clamp.

Still, you can find certain technologies that make curling more effortless and fail-proof. Examples include automatic curling irons or ones with steam technology. The first one does the hair wrapping for you using an auto-rolling barrel to achieve uniform curls, while the latter uses extra heat and steam to secure the curls with minimal effort. 

Rotating irons are great for beach waves, while steam irons are best for tight, ringlet, or spiral curls due to the amount of heat involved.  

Tools and products make it easier for you to pamper your hair. Get gorgeous hair with these essentials!

Say goodbye to dull, limp waves and coils with a curling iron suited for your hair type. Who knew there were so many types to choose from? Now, you too can achieve a gorgeous hairdo that looks like you got it done by a professional at the salon.

Author: Hana Otsuka

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If you're styling with any kind of heat, your hair needs some extra love! Try out this honey-infused hair oil recommended by beauty blogger Andrea Toma. Your hair will thank you.