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The best curling wands and curling irons Credit: Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser

The Best Curling Irons and Curling Wands of 2025

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The best curling wands and curling irons Credit: Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser

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1
Editor's Choice Product image of GHD Curve Creative Curl Wand
Best Overall

GHD Curve Creative Curl Wand

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A unique design that keeps curls from looking too uniform and unnatural, with a crazy-fast preheat. Read More

Pros

  • Heats up quickly
  • Well-placed kickstand

Cons

  • None that we found
2
Product image of T3 Whirl Trio Interchangeable Styling Wand
Most Versatile

T3 Whirl Trio Interchangeable Styling Wand

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The wand includes three barrel sizes, one of which is tapered, to create your desired curl, but the results are note extraodinary. Read More

Pros

  • Sleek design
  • Includes three barrels for versatility

Cons

  • Heat settings are unclear
3
Product image of Bio Ionic NanoIonic MX Long Barrel Curling Iron (1.25")
Best for long hair

Bio Ionic NanoIonic MX Long Barrel Curling Iron (1.25")

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This extra-long curling iron makes it easy to wrap a lot of hair around the barrel at once without forfeiting your desired style. Read More

Pros

  • Long barrel is great for long hair
  • Good range of temperatures

Cons

  • Bulkier
4
Product image of Bed Head Curlipops (1")

Bed Head Curlipops (1")

Check Price at Bed Head

This curling wand only offers a single temperature of 400°F, which may be too hot for people with fine hair, but makes for a fuss-free experience. Read More

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Creates beautiful, shiny curls

Cons

  • Only one temperature
5
Product image of CHI Spin N Curl

CHI Spin N Curl

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If you’ve had negative experiences with traditional curling irons and wands, or if you have fine hair that curls easily without being held tightly to a ceramic barrel, I’d suggest giving this one a try. Read More

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Durable

Cons

  • Only creates loose waves
  • Best Overall GHD Curve Creative Curl Wand
  • Most Versatile T3 Whirl Trio Interchangeable Styling Wand
  • Best for long hair Bio Ionic NanoIonic MX Long Barrel Curling Iron (1.25")
  • Other Curling Irons And Wands We Tested
  • How We Test Curling Irons and Curling Wands
  • How to Choose the Best Curling Iron or Wand
  • What Kind of Curling Iron is Best for Your Hair?
  • More Articles You May Enjoy

When it comes to heat-styling your hair, if you’ve ever tried to achieve tight ringlets or the not-so-effortless beach waves, you know that it takes the right kinds of tools. We tested some of the most popular curling irons and wands, plus ones that are newer to the market.

Our verdict? The best curling wand is the GHD Curve Creative Curl Wand (available at Amazon for $209.00) , which creates pretty, soft waves without a fuss.

Some of our other favorites included the more traditional curling iron InfinitiPro by Conair for producing easy-to-execute spiral curls at a value price and the decidedly not traditional Dyson Airwrap Styler Complete for being a virtual hair stylist in a box.

All of these hair tools are perfect for tossing waves into a pin-straight style or for an elegant ‘do complete with cascading barrel curls.

Credit: Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser

The GHD Curve Creative Curl Wand impressed us the most out of all of the wands and irons.

Best Overall
GHD Curve Creative Curl Wand

When I think of my ideal curling wand, it grants me room for creativity. The perfect wand is also intuitive, heats up quickly, and makes the sometimes painstaking process of styling my hair all-around easier. In every way, the GHD Curve Creative Curl Wand is exactly that. Whether I want soft beach waves for an undone look or tight curls for a classic-yet-voluminous style, I can achieve that with the GHD.

The GHD has a unique design, with a tapered barrel that starts round and graduates to a flat oval at the top, tapering from 1-inch to 0.9-inch. Both of these traits prevent the curls from molding into a strategically tapered shape, which can sometimes appear too perfect and unnatural. The slight taper and gritty finish of the barrel prevent the hair from sliding down, unlike a barrel with a super-glossy finish.

The most impressive feature, though, is that it heats up in about six seconds—faster than any other iron I tested—and alerts you with a loud chime when it reaches 365ºF. The only downside is that the iron doesn’t have heat adjustability—it can only hold a steady 365ºF. That temperature is suitable for giving a great curl to pin-straight hair, but having an adjustable setting for other hair types would’ve been more ideal. Another (smaller) bummer: It only comes in one barrel size.

In terms of mechanics, the GHD has a single power button, which you have to hold down for a good two seconds, so you don’t have to worry about accidentally turning it off mid-style. The wand is lightweight and has a cool-tip end to keep you from burning your neck and forehead (we’ve all been there). It has a well-placed kickstand that prevents the hot iron from teetering or tipping onto your vanity. For safety purposes, the iron automatically shuts off after 30 minutes.

Heat adjustability or additional sizes could improve this iron, but it’s a clear winner.

Pros

  • Heats up quickly

  • Well-placed kickstand

Cons

  • None that we found

$209.00 from Amazon


$182.59 from Walmart

T3 Curling iron against a pink and orange background.
Credit: Reviewed / T3

The T3 Whirl Trio Interchangeable Styling Wand won our Most Versatile spot thanks to its three interchangeable barrels.

Most Versatile
T3 Whirl Trio Interchangeable Styling Wand

The T3 Whirl Trio Interchangeable Styling Wand comes with three interchangeable barrel sizes: a 1-inch, a 1.5-inch, and a 1 ¼-inch that tapers to ¾ inches. I used the “Undone 1 Barrel” because it’s the most similar to the other models on this list.

The wand features five lights, each corresponding to a heat setting. Still, I couldn’t determine the exact temperature range for each setting, as the instructions only mention the maximum temperature of 410°F. I chose the second setting closest to the top because I typically choose the second or third highest heat range, and watched the lights cascade upward until they reached my chosen (but unknown) temperature.

The wand was easy to wield and wrap my hair around, and the result was spiral curls that I finger-combed for my desired tousled, curly waves. I enjoyed the glossiness of the barrels, which are undeniably beautiful in white with rose gold trim.

I’d be happy to use this again, but it didn’t make it to the top of our list because there are less complex models that offer similar results.

Pros

  • Sleek design

  • Includes three barrels for versatility

Cons

  • Heat settings are unclear

Buy now at Amazon

Bio Ionic curling iron against a blue background.
Credit: Reviewed / Bio Ionic

The Bio Ionic NanoIonic MX Long Barrel Curling Iron earned our Best for Long Hair title due to its long, thick barrel.

Best for long hair
Bio Ionic NanoIonic MX Long Barrel Curling Iron (1.25")

The Bio Ionic curling iron offers six labeled heating settings ranging from 250°F to 430°F, increasing in increments of 30°F. I chose 360°F, which the brand recommends for “normal hair.” The longer, 1.25-inch thick barrel makes it easier to curl larger sections of hair at once without forfeiting your desired style. While clamps can sometimes leave kinks in the hair that force you to redo a lock of hair, this one didn’t.

I enjoyed using this iron, but some with short or medium-length hair may find it bulky or unnecessary for achieving their desired style. On the other hand, if you have long hair that makes it difficult to get an even, tight curl from root to tip, this extra-long curling iron could be your solution.

Pros

  • Long barrel is great for long hair

  • Good range of temperatures

Cons

  • Bulkier

$149.00 from Amazon


$126.65 from Walmart


Other Curling Irons And Wands We Tested

Product image of Bed Head Curlipops (1")
Bed Head Curlipops (1")

The Bed Head Curlipops wand is yet another head scratcher. The wand looks ordinary, but it offers a single on and off switch with zero heat settings or ways to adjust the temperature. You need to look at the instructions to learn that the temperature heats up to a high of 400°F. When I flipped the switch, it lit up green, but with no blinking or changing of colors that indicated it was ready to use.

Despite the puzzling setup, I enjoyed using this iron because it’s so simple. It left me with zero choices to make, and it’s a standard, easy-to-use wand. The hot barrel formed solid spiral curls that looked beautiful and shiny even after I combed through my hair.

If you have fine hair and are worried about heat damage, you may opt for a product that allows you to choose a lower temperature, but I liked the fuss-free nature of this and wouldn’t hesitate to use it again.

Pros

  • Easy to use

  • Creates beautiful, shiny curls

Cons

  • Only one temperature

Buy now at Bed Head


Buy now at Amazon

Product image of CHI Spin N Curl
Chi Spin N Curl Ceramic Rotating Hair Curler

The Chi Spin N Curl Ceramic Rotating Hair Curler is the oddest-looking curling tool I’ve ever seen. It makes you—dare I say—pull out the instruction manual. If it delivers impressive results, though, I don’t mind consulting the instruction manual before diving into a beauty or styling tool. The Chi is straightforward to use, especially after practicing with one or two strands of hair. It feels very durable, and the mechanism it uses keeps you from burning yourself.

Here’s how it works: Take a small section of hair and drape it over the open chamber, then press one of the arrow buttons (depending on whether you want to curl toward or away from your head), and the tulip-looking device pulls your hair in and twirls it around a ceramic barrel to form the curl.

When it’s done, the device beeps to let you know you can pull the iron away from your head, releasing your curl with it. Yes, you read that right: you’re curling your hair without any tugging, wrapping, or burning.

The downside of this device is that it only creates loose waves, unless you leave the same section of hair in the chamber for a second or third spin, or if you make good use of styling products.

You may also have better luck creating tight curls if you increase the temperature; this tool goes up to 450°F (the highest any of our curling tools went to), but I used it at 350°F, which was on par with the setting I used on most of the other irons and wands. The Chi heats up in about 40 seconds and automatically shuts off after an hour.

If you’ve had negative experiences with traditional curling irons and wands, or if you have fine hair that curls easily without being held tightly to a ceramic barrel, I’d suggest giving this one a try.

Pros

  • Easy to use

  • Durable

Cons

  • Only creates loose waves

$85.91 from Amazon

Product image of Hot Tools Pro Signature Salon Gold Curling Iron/Wand (1.25")
Hot Tools Pro Signature Salon Gold Curling Iron/Wand (1.25")

My experience with the Hot Tools curling iron was just so-so. The iron features a dial that can be set to 280°F, 330°F, 380°F, 410°F, or any temperature in between. I chose 380°F, which is the top of the range that the brand recommends for “normal” hair.

The dial lacks notches and does not produce clicking noises to indicate temperature changes. There was also no light or chime to indicate when the iron reached its temperature, though the instructions say to “allow the appliance 60 seconds of heating time.”

My hair curls came out looking smooth and shiny, but it took going over the same spots a few times to see these results. I started curling smaller sections of hair at a time and saw an immediate improvement. You could call this user error, but, for comparison, curling irons with larger barrels can handle more hair at once.

Ultimately, this gets the job done, but the ones listed above provided a better experience at a faster rate.

Pros

  • Pretty curls

  • Good temperature range

Cons

  • Needed to use small sections of hair

$30.99 from Amazon


$33.99 from Walmart


$30.99 from Target

Product image of BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium 1" Spring Curling Iron
BaBylissPro Nano Titanium 1" Spring Curling Iron

The BaBylissPro reminds me of the Conair iron that won our Best Value spot in both looks and feel—except it has a much heftier price.

It features a turnable wheel labeled with 250°F, 285°F, 330°F, 390°F, and 430°F, each representing the bottom or top of the heat range recommended by the brand for different hair types. I chose 360°F, as it was in the middle of the recommended temperature range for “normal hair,” but this was probably my first mistake, as my hair didn’t hold a curl with this iron as well as it did with other ones where I chose 380°F.

The same wheel that controls the heat settings doubles as a button with the instructions “push in for turbo heat” above it. However, the iron's included leaflet lacks additional information on what “turbo heat” actually means. There was no audible or visual notification when the iron reached its temperature. These two attributes prompted more questions than answers in the setup stage. In the end, the iron produced fine-enough curls, but they fell over 30 minutes.

With the right hairspray, this iron may work fine, but there are plenty of better options on this list.

Pros

  • Good temperature range

Cons

  • Curls fell right away

  • No notification of reaching temperature

$59.99 from Amazon


$69.99 from Walmart


$59.99 from Target

Product image of Tyme Iron Pro
Tyme Iron Pro

This device claims to give you voluminous curls or sleek straight hair, and all you have to do is change how you position the wand before running it through your hair from root to tip. Of course, we only factored in its curl efficacy for this list, but who doesn’t love a dual-purpose product?

Unfortunately, though, the Tyme Iron fell flat during our curling tests.

It has a clunky design that is difficult to maneuver, even on the front pieces of hair, let alone the back of the head. It heats up quickly and, like the T3, allows you to choose from five different heat settings, but there’s no way to tell exactly what the temperature is from looking at the wand. According to the pamphlet that accompanies the iron, the temperatures are 300°F, 325°F, 350°F, 375°F, and 400°F.

While using the iron, I was only able to create undone ringlets rather than voluminous curls. The worst part, though, was how bad the iron smelled of burning before I even put my hair in it. I had to go over the same pieces of hair to achieve a curl I liked, but I didn’t even want to do one pass through my hair because of the odor.

Pros

  • Heats up quickly

Cons

  • Iron smells bad after use

Buy now at Tyme


Buy now at Amazon

Product image of InStyler Airless
InStyler Airless Blowout Revolving Styler

Like the Tyme Iron, the InStyler Airless Blowout Revolving Styler can be used as a tool to straighten or curl hair. To achieve curly locks, wrap your hair around the barrel and then clamp down, ensuring the brush part keeps the hair in place. According to InStyler, the idea is to avoid “crushing hair between two scorching hot plates.”

The InStyler features a simple design with a single on/off button and four heat settings, though it does not specify the temperature for each setting. It worked fine as a curling iron, but only because you are wrapping your hair around a hot barrel, which you can do with any of the ones previously mentioned on this list.

Pros

  • Can be used on curly or straight hair

  • Straightforward design

Cons

  • Not memorable

Buy now at InStyler


Buy now at Amazon

How We Test Curling Irons and Curling Wands

Credit: Reviewed / Jessica Kasparian

I created loose, tousled curls using the Conair, pictured left, and GHD, pictured right.

The Tester

I’m Jessica Kasparian, Reviewed's former beauty editor, and I’ve tested everything from makeup to hair tools, including the best hair straighteners and hair dryers. I naturally have medium-length, wavy-curly hair that I either let air dry or blow-dry and straighten.

If I’m doing the latter, I sometimes add in curls using a basic 1-inch wand from Conair that I’ve had for approximately 10 years. I prefer a loose, tousled curl to a tight ringlet, and I attempted to create that look when I tested the irons and wands on this list.

The Tests

Given the vast number of curling irons and curling wands available, we narrowed them down to top-rated picks across all price points to identify the wands with the best features, usability, and, ultimately, the ones that allowed me to achieve my desired style.

Credit: Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser

We used each curling wand on a hair extension and, surprisingly, none of the curls fell in the following 24 hours.

I tested both curling irons and curling wands the same way you might: I curled my hair with each one and let the style breathe for the day. I then teamed up with Reviewed’s senior scientist to score and weight results on a scientifically calibrated rubric. To find which wand is best, I considered the different aspects of the process, including:

Setup: How sturdy does the wand feel? How long does it take for it to heat up? Is there a notification when it’s ready, so you're not sitting around waiting? Are there adjustable heat settings for varying hair types?

Usability: How comfortable is the wand to hold throughout styling? How easy are the buttons to understand and use? Are they well-placed so you don't accidentally change settings mid-style? Are there any safety features, like an auto shut-off, for peace of mind?

Style: How long did it take to achieve the desired style? How was the overall experience?

How to Choose the Best Curling Iron or Wand

Curling Wand vs. Curling Iron—Which Is Better?

Curling irons consist of a round heated barrel and a clamp that holds the hair in place. A curling wand is essentially a clipless curling iron. Instead of clamping hair with the hot iron, you use your hand to wrap sections of hair around the tool physically. The method creates a more natural-looking wave or curl than the coiffed Shirley Temple-esque ringlets that a traditional curling iron produces.

When it comes to staying power, there was no difference among all of the different wands and irons that we tested. Instead, the longevity of a curled style largely depends on your hair type and the products you use before and after styling.

With that in mind, you want to choose a tool based on objective facts, such as the adjustability of the heat settings, barrel size, and heat-up time. You’ll also want to factor in safety features, like the kickstands, barrel sleeves, or gloves that accompany the tool.

Barrel Size

Curling iron barrel sizes can range from three-eighths of an inch to two inches. The smaller the barrel size, the tighter the curl it will produce. If you’re looking for longer, looser waves, a 1.25 to 2-inch barrel will be your best bet. For ringlet style curls, 1-inch or less is a good starting point.

A 1-inch curling iron tends to be the most popular size as it’s versatile enough to create tighter curls, but it can also develop softer waves when using less heat.

Adjustable Temperatures

Most curling wands have temperature settings that can vary in range to adjust to different types of hair. For thicker locks, curling irons with higher temperatures often work better, while those with finer hair may want lower temperatures to avoid damaging their strands.

Heat adjustments can also be beneficial, depending on the style you’re going for. For instance, you can use higher temps to cement a defined curl, but lower heat settings can be beneficial to create loose, natural-looking waves.

Additional Features

Some curling irons may have additional perks to consider, especially when it comes to safety features. For instance, most curling irons have kickstands that ensure the iron isn’t in direct contact with your counter (or any other surface) to prevent scorch marks. Some irons may have the bonus of an automatic shut-off, which means you never have to worry if you remembered to turn off your curling iron before running out the door.

With curling wands, a heat protectant glove is always a helpful add-on. It makes the tool easier to use and prevents burns on your hand.

What Kind of Curling Iron is Best for Your Hair?

The curling wand or iron that’s best for you will depend on a few different factors, like the type of curl you wish to create, as well as your hair texture, length, and thickness.

If you have finer hair that struggles to hold a curl, then a tighter curl (a.k.a. a smaller barrel) might help to sustain the curl for a more extended period. Typically, thick hair may need higher temperatures to form a lasting curl, so it’s best to avoid a curling wand or iron that can’t get up to 350°F (or preferably higher).

Lastly, if you often curl your hair and like to switch between different styles, a set with varying barrels like the Dyson Airwrap Styler or the T3 Whirl Trio may be worth investing in.

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Meet the tester

Jessica Kasparian

Jessica Kasparian

Beauty Editor

@jkasparian_

Jessica writes and edits beauty content. She's spent years testing makeup, skincare, hair care, and body care products, and she has acted as Reviewed's beauty expert.

Jessica holds a Bachelor's degree in journalism from Emerson College, and she's written for Scary Mommy, 7News, Boston.com, Citizine, and Boston Common Magazine.

See all of Jessica Kasparian's reviews

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