12 Best Curling Irons and Wands of 2025, Tested on All Hair Types

If you want a more traditional curling wand that can do it all, this interchangeable option from Paul Mitchell is a smart investment. It comes with three ceramic barrels—a 1-inch rod for loose waves, a 1.25-inch cone for natural-looking curls, and a 0.75-inch cone for tighter ringlets—so you can easily switch up your look depending on the day. The clamp-free, wrap-and-release design speeds up the styling process and helps minimize damage, while the brand’s far-infrared technology and super-charged negative ions help deliver shiny, frizz-free results. It’s also dual voltage for travel and has a one-hour auto shutoff for safety.

Testing notes from Glamour commerce writer Kilkeary

“I have to say, this tapered curling iron is one of the best I’ve ever tried for shorter hair. I used the superthin barrel to create corkscrew-like curls that completely changed the look and texture of my hair. It added so much volume and stayed put for hours throughout the night. I’d recommend this one if you have hard-to-curl hair like mine—it’s truly a game changer. You can see it clearly in my before-and-after,” says Glamour’s Kilkeary.

Best on Amazon: L’ANGE Hair Le Curl 25 MM Titanium Curling WandL’ANGE Hair Le Curl 25 MM Titanium Curling Wand

Original video of Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing the L’ANGE Hair Le Curl 25 MM Titanium Curling Wand

What we love: Lightweight; easy to maneuver; heats up quicklyWhat could improve: May not be ideal for thin or fine hairThis titanium wand has a lightweight design that makes it easy to maneuver, and its 25mm barrel creates loose, glamorous waves. Just be mindful: Our tester found it heats up fast and runs hot, so it’s best suited for medium, thicker hair that can handle higher temps.

Testing notes from Glamour commerce writer Kilkeary

“The iron itself is light and easy to maneuver around your head, but I didn’t love that it was hard to see what temperature it got up to. I’d use this again at a lower temp, but did enjoy the looser, Hollywood-esque curls it gave me,” says Glamour’s Kilkeary.

Best Interchangeable: Drybar The Mixologist Interchangeable Styling IronDrybar The Mixologist Interchangeable Styling Iron

Original video of Brigitt Earley testing the Drybar The Mixologist Interchangeable Styling Iron

What we love: Highly versatile; heats up quickly; long power cordWhat could improve: On the bulkier sideThis multifaceted tool comes with three snap-in attachments, making it easy to switch between a 1-inch wand, a 1.25-inch curling iron, and a triple-barrel iron. Use it for sleek curls or beachy waves, depending on your mood. Either way, the digital temperature control and a 9-foot cord make styling a little bit easier.

Testing notes from Glamour contributor Earley

Testing notes: “I’ve tried many of Drybar’s signature tools, and this one is especially versatile, which frees up space in a jammed vanity drawer,” says Earley. “Their tools do tend to be on the heavier and bulkier side, but heat up quickly to deliver a style that lasts.”

How we chose the best curling ironsWhat to look for in a curling iron

When shopping for the best curling wand, consider:

Material: Ceramic barrels distribute heat evenly for smooth, shiny curls with less damage, which is great for fine hair. Titanium heats faster and stays hotter, making it ideal for thick or coarse hair. Tourmaline ceramic helps reduce frizz and boost shine—perfect for damaged or frizz-prone strands.

Heat Settings: Match the heat to your hair type. To prevent damage in fine hair, try to stay under 300°F. Thick, coarse, or curly hair can handle higher temps between 350°F and 450°F.

Barrel Size: The smaller the barrel, the tighter the curl. Sizes from 0.5 to 0.75 inches create ringlets, while 1.5 to 2 inches give loose, beachy waves. Long hair benefits from an extra-large barrel for faster styling.

Attachments: Interchangeable barrels offer versatility and allow you to swap sizes to switch from tight curls to soft waves using a single tool.

To find the best curling irons, we tapped Glamour editors and contributors with a wide range of hair types and lengths to test more than two dozen top-rated tools. We evaluated each one based on key factors like barrel material (ceramic, titanium, or tourmaline), temperature range, ease of use, and overall performance. We paid close attention to how each tool handled different hair types, how hot it got, how long the curls lasted (we wanted at least a full day’s wear), and how the hair looked and felt afterward.

We also continually monitor the market for new and notable tools. In the last two months, we’ve tested five additional curling irons and wands, ultimately selecting two standouts. We also asked our testers to reevaluate each curling iron. How well did each product hold up throughout continued use? Did our testers still stand behind their picks—why or why not?

Note: Although we might receive gifted products, our recommendations come from months of testing and evaluating the very best products. We maintain complete editorial independence in the products we choose to feature meaning we do not benefit financially from including any of the products, except from purchases of products through our links.

Frequently asked questions

What size barrel should I use on my hair?

The size barrel you should use depends on your hair length and the type of curl you want:

0.5″ to 0.75″: Creates tight ringlets or corkscrew curls that are best for short to medium hair.1″: The most versatile size for most lengths, since it can make everything from bouncy curls to soft waves.1.25″: Great for medium to long hair and loose, glam curls.1.5″ to 1.75″: Ideal for long hair and big, voluminous waves that mimic a blowout.What temperature should you set your curling iron to?

The ideal temperature depends on your hair type, says celebrity hairstylist Dimitris Giannetos. Here’s what he recommends:

Fine or thin hair: 250°F to 325°FMedium to thick hair: 300°F to 375°FVery thick or coarse hair: 325°F to 400°FWhatever your setting, always use a heat protectant to help prevent damage.

What kind of curling irons do salons use?

Professional stylists in salons often use metal curling irons, because they heat up quickly and reach higher temperatures, which is ideal for efficient styling, says celebrity hairstylist Giannetos. Since pros know how to manage heat safely, they can use these tools without causing damage. For at-home use, however, Giannetos recommends ceramic barrels, which are more forgiving and evenly distribute heat to protect your hair.

How do you get beachy waves?

To create beachy waves, Giannetos recommends using a large curling iron (around 2 inches) to form loose bends through the mid-lengths of your hair, leaving the ends mostly straight. After curling, scrunch your hair and finish with a texturizing spray for volume and that tousled, undone look. Try Bumble and Bumble Surf Sea Salt Spray for soft, natural texture without the crunch.

How do you make curls last?

Can you use a flatiron for curls?

Yes—you can curl your hair with a flatiron, though the results are typically looser and more relaxed than with a curling iron. To style your hair this way, clamp a section of hair between the plates of your straightener and twist the iron while gliding it down the sectioned hair. The angle determines your curl type—hold the iron horizontal for tighter curls or diagonal for softer waves. Plate size matters, too. Wider plates create larger curls, while narrower ones make smaller curls.

Are ceramic or titanium curling irons better?

It depends on your hair type. Ceramic curling irons distribute heat evenly for smooth, shiny curls and are gentler on fine or fragile hair, says celebrity hairstylist Joseph Maine. Titanium irons are more durable, heat up faster, and hold higher temperatures, which is ideal for thick or coarse hair that needs more power to style. If you’re prone to frizz or damage, tourmaline ceramic is another great option, since it emits negative ions that help boost shine and reduce static.

Are gold curling irons better?

Gold curling irons aren’t necessarily better than other options, but they can handle higher heat, making them a solid choice for thick or coarse hair. That said, they don’t distribute heat as evenly as ceramic models.

How can you protect your hair from heat damage?

What’s the best way to avoid burning yourself with a curling iron?

To avoid burning yourself, practice proper technique: section your hair, clamp mid-shaft, twist away from your face, move steadily, and let curls cool before touching. It’s also important to stay aware of where the barrel is and use tools with a cool tip for safer handling.

What does Glamour do with the products after testing them?

After testing heat tools, including the curling irons we evaluated for this story, our editors and contributors usually donate, gift, or keep them for long-term use. Most of the tools we’ve tried still have a spot in our beauty closets today.

Other curling irons we testedEight stand out curling irons worth considering

BondiBoost Clever Curler Curling Iron: This wand is extremely light, so it’s easy to move around your head, and it comes with a heat-styling glove to ensure that no fingertips are burned throughout the process. Glamour’s Kilkeary likes that it’s not heavy (a huge plus if you have a lot of hair that takes time to curl) and has a 360-degree swivel cord that makes it easy to use all around her head. “Some curlers are just too heavy, but this one is extremely light and easy to work with, and it doesn’t tire out my arms when it sometimes can take 40 minutes to curl my entire head!” She also loves that the curls are loose and wavy, and this barrel won’t give you a scrunched ringlet style.Hairitage Wand It Need It Curling Iron: If your hair is hard to curl, hear us out: This hot tool gives you tight curls that brush out to soft, bouncy waves. The extra-long barrel (6.3 inches) plus gentle tourmaline coating is great for all different lengths and types of hair, especially if your hair is prone to breakage and frizz. Glamour’s Kilkeary loves that she can curl the hardest-to-reach areas like the back of her head. “The heat is consistent, the wand is light, and the results are long-lasting curls—a godsend for very-hard-to-curl or thin hair types.”Conair Double Ceramic 1-Inch Curling Iron: This no-nonsense curler is great for beginners and anyone who wants to invest in a curler without breaking the bank. “I love this one because it never gets overly hot, is easy to use, and costs literally under $20, which is amazing,” says Glamour’s Kilkeary.Remington Pro 1″ Curling Wand: If you have fine or thin hair and are looking for an easy-to-use iron, we love this pick. Amazon users do too—it’s one of the retailer’s bestsellers. It has 10 heat settings and doesn’t get overly hot, plus its smooth barrel is gentle on hair and helps improve flyaways. “I really liked this curling wand after testing it out a couple times, and it gave me loose curls that lasted throughout a humid afternoon up in the Adirondacks. I also liked that this one didn’t get too hot and didn’t singe my hair upon contact. I did have to touch up my curls before dinner, but I was impressed at how my hair looked overall, especially since it’s only $30,” says Glamour’s Kilkeary.Chi Vibes XL Colossal Curling Wand: We appreciate that this curler heats up quickly, is dual-voltage for international travel, and has an auto shutoff for peace of mind, plus it comes with a protective glove. That said, it maxes out at 410°F, so it may not get hot enough for very coarse textures, and the tool itself is a bit heavier than others we tested.“I love how long the barrel is,” says Earley. “It’s perfect for my hair, which goes past my mid-back, and makes curling way more efficient. The clamp-free design is also a win for me. I always end up with weird creases and damaged ends when there’s a clamp, and this completely eliminates that.”Wavytalk 5-in-1 Curling Iron: This curling iron is clamp-free, which helps prevent creases and protects hair ends. It comes with five attachments—standard, bubble, two tapered barrels, and a blow-dry brush—making it very versatile. Ultimately, though, we found the two heat settings limited, plus found the wands to be so smooth that hair tended to slip during styling.Conair Infinitipro Rose Gold Titanium 1-Inch Curling Iron: At just about $30, this Conair curling iron is an affordable option that’s widely available at drugstores. In tests, it delivered well-defined ringlets that were neither too tight or too loose and held up well throughout the day. We also appreciated the wide temperature range with 30 heat settings, but ultimately felt it gets a little too hot.Shark FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System: As an affordable alternative to the Dyson Airwrap, Shark’s FlexStyle has quickly built its own fan base. It delivers beautiful curls or a sleek blowout with five versatile attachments, including two 1.25-inch curlers and two brushes. You can customize your style with four heat and three airflow settings, plus a cool-shot button to lock in curls. While it’s easy to use and works well on curly or wavy hair, the barrels are a bit short for very long hair. We love this tool, but the shorter barrels keep it from being our top multistyler for curling.Curling iron comparison chart