We Tested Dozens of Curling Irons—These Are the 9 Best for Smooth, Bouncy Curls (2024)

TL;DR

Our favorite curling iron is the Hot Tools Pro Artist Digital Curling Iron. It comes in four barrel sizes, has multiple heat settings, and creates gorgeous, long-lasting curls. If you're looking for a tool that offers curling capabilities and other styling options, we highly recommend the Dyson Airwrap.

Our Top Picks

Material: Ceramic-titanium-finish | Temperature Range: 265-455 degrees | Barrel Size: 0.75, 1, 1.25, 1.5 inches

The best curling irons are easy to use, ergonomic, and create beautiful results—and this one checks each box and more. It comes in four versions with different barrel sizes that each offer a different curled effect, and it works to create smooth, long-lasting curls. The clamp is neither too loose nor too tight, meaning it’s easy to work with, and we found that the tool is compatible with all hair types, though it works particularly well to smooth and style hair types 3 and 4. It even performed better than our previous Best Overall, the Hot Tools Professional 24K Gold Curling Iron.

As for features that add to the value, we were really impressed with the digital temperature dial. It’s simple to use and makes seeing what temperature you have the iron on easy. The barrel is pretty long which is great for those with long hair, plus, the tool is lightweight and has a soft-touch finish that prevents it from slipping out of your hands. Lastly, it has an automatic shutoff, so you’ll never have to panic if you think you left it on. Considering the relatively affordable price, the sleek and functional design, how user-friendly is, and the beautiful results it creates, this curling iron is Byrdie-approved.

Who It’s For

This curling iron can be used on all hair types but we found it worked particularly well on types 3 and 4. The long barrel is also ideal for longer lengths.

Material: Tourmaline ceramic | Temperature Range: 310-400 degrees | Barrel Size: 1, 1.25, 1.75 inches

Hairstyling tools can be expensive, but good ones don’t have to be. This pick is affordable and accessible at most drugstores, and we were really impressed by it during our testing process. It comes in multiple sizes, has a digital temperature display with five heat settings, and has an automatic shutoff feature. Perhaps the coolest thing about it is that it comes with a detachable clamp so you can use it as a traditional curling iron or a wand. This feature is great if you’re a beginner because it allows you to experiment and see which styling method is most comfortable for you.

In terms of the results, we found that this tool worked for most hair types except type four hair. Because it only goes up to 400 degrees, it wasn’t hot enough to properly style this type of hair. As for thinner and medium hair types, it worked to create smooth curls, though the definition faded pretty quickly, leaving behind more loose waves than true curls. So while this curling iron isn’t ideal for everyone, it is a great option for a lot of people who are looking for a versatile tool at a really affordable price.

Who It’s For

This curling iron can be used on most hair types but we didn’t love it for type 4 hair.

Material: Nylon | Temperature Range: Up to 302 degrees | Barrel Size: 1.2, 1.6 inches

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: the Dyson Airwrap is a fantastic tool—that is if you have the proper expectations. While not a traditional curling iron that can give you tight or ultra-defined curls, this versatile tool is excellent if you want to create a wide range of styles, loose curls or waves included. It comes with multiple attachments, two of them being curling barrels that use heat and powerful airflow to create curls. As a rotating curling iron, it winds your hair up the barrels. We love how intuitive and easy this tool is—it practically works for you. It also features multiple heat and airflow settings and a cool shot, ensuring you can find the right temperature and pressure for your hair type.

Throughout our extensive testing of this tool, we’ve found that the initially defined curls it creates almost always fall significantly within a couple of hours, but what you’re left with is anything from a loose curl to a bouncy blowout look. If you’re looking for a do-it-all tool that helps you achieve a wide range of styles, we definitely recommend checking out this game-changing tool from Dyson.

Who It’s For

This luxury hair tool can be used on all hair types but works best on longer lengths.

Material: Ceramic | Temperature Range: 260-410 degrees | Barrel Size: 0.5, 1.25, 1.5 inches

If you’re looking to create a variety of curls, this tool with three different-sized barrels is perfect for you. Two of the barrels are actually clamp-less wands, and the 1.5-inch barrel has a clamp that’s easy to use. The smallest barrel creates tight curls, the medium one creates looser but still-defined curls, and the largest barrel creates loose waves. Each barrel is made with a super smooth ceramic that allows the hair to glide effortlessly without creasing or getting stuck, and we love that they all create long-lasting curls. There are nine different heat settings, allowing you to find the ideal temperature for your unique hair. It also heats up quickly and features an automatic shutoff, nice features to have that elevate the user experience. If you’re looking for a truly high-quality tool that offers versatility, this one is worth the investment.

Who It’s For

Due to the different barrel sizes and heat settings, this curling iron can be used on all hair types.

Material: Ceramic coating | Temperature Range: 280-430 | Barrel Size: 0.5, 1, 1.5 inches

Not every hair tool works the same for every hair type, so it’s important to find one that fits you. To put it simply, we much prefer this one for fine hair than thick or coily hair—we didn’t find that it created lasting curls on the latter hair textures. However, when we tested it on fine and thin hair, we got much better results. The curls looked smooth and defined, and they lasted nicely for almost two full days.

We love that this relatively affordable tool comes with three barrels of different sizes, providing versatility and the option to customize your curls. It also features five heat settings, an automatic shutoff, and a wide range of temperatures. If you havefine hair and you’re looking for a curling ironthat gives you options—at a fair price point—we recommend this one.

Who It’s For

While this can be used on all hair types, testing showed us that you’ll get best results with this curling iron if you have fine hair.

Material: Ceramic | Temperature Range: Up to 430 degrees | Barrel Size: 1, 1.25, 1.5 inches

Those with long hair know the struggle of trying to fit the entire length of your strands onto a standard curling iron—it’s awkward and it often creates funky-looking results. We were so impressed by this tool, which is two inches longer than the average curling iron, because it makes wrapping your hair around the barrel in one shot super easy. 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. It features a clamp that secures the hair just right without creating unflattering creases, and it also has six heat settings to suit different hair types. Though it wasn’t ideal for making tight or ultra-defined curls—it’s better for a looser, more beachy look. And despite the wand being significantly longer than the average curling iron, it remains lightweight. If you’ve got long hair and you find that standard curling irons aren’t ideal for your lengths, we highly suggest checking this one out.

Heating up this iron does take up to three minutes, but the auto shutoff, 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.

Who It’s For

This can be used on all hair types but our research showed it works best on longer hair.

Material: Titanium, ceramic/coated | Temperature Range: 250-450 degrees | Barrel Size: 0.75, 1, 1.25, 1.5 inches

If you’re looking for a curling iron that will help you achieve tight, defined curls, the 0.75-inch model from Babyliss is a great option. Though it doesn’t have fancy features like a digital temperature display or automatic shutoff, it’s a functional iron that does the job at an affordable cost. The secure clamp helps you maintain control, but it’s not so tight that it tugs at the hair. It also offers multiple heat settings, which you can adjust with the temperature dial, though selecting a precise temperature is a bit tricky. The heat-up time on this iron wasn’t jaw-dropping (at just over two minutes), but its ease of use certainly was. It is very easy to use and maneuver, extremely lightweight, and allows for a lot of flexibility and different ways to curl the hair. It creates really beautiful, smooth curls that last pretty well—those with thin to medium hair saw the most long-lasting results.

If we could change anything about it, it would be the barrel's length (it’s a bit too short for long hair), but considering its effectiveness, ease of use, and affordability, we definitely recommend it for those looking to create tight curls.

Who It’s For

We recommend this option for those with short to medium hair that want to create tight curls.

Material: Ceramic coating | Temperature Range: 365 degrees | Barrel Size: 1 inch

A curling iron with tons of bells and whistles can be intimidating, especially if you’re a beginner—that’s why we love that this one is simple. It utilizes the brand’s patented technology that detects each strand of hair and ensures that the iron maintains a temperature of 365 degrees, which they say is safe for most hair types. Though we do enjoy the customizability that comes along with having multiple heat settings, having just one that’s suitable for a wide range of hair types is great when you’re a beginner because it eliminates the guesswork. We also love how lightweight this tool is, the fact that it heats up in a matter of seconds, and that the clamp is secure yet still easy to open and close. Plus, it creates beautiful curls that fall somewhere in between loose and defined—and they last all day. If you’re looking for an intuitive curling iron that’s high-quality and beginner-friendly, this is the one for you.

Who It’s For

This curling iron uses patented temperature technology which ensures it’s safe to use on all hair types.

Material: Woven ceramic | Temperature Range: 300-400 degrees | Barrel Size: 1 inch

If you have fine or damaged hair or are concerned about damaging it, we recommend checking out this curling wand that claims to limit and prevent it. The barrel is wrapped in a woven ceramic coating, which blocks the hair from directly touching the hot plates, leading to less direct heat and damage. It features a range of temperatures that suit different hair types, though we found that it doesn’t feel overly hot, even on the highest setting. This is a great thing for people with fine to medium hair, but it does mean that it’s not the most effective for type four strands because this hair type requires higher temperatures when styling.

Aside from the heat-protecting feature, we really like that it’s a wand-style iron with a cool-touch silicone grip that you can use to secure the ends of the hair to guide you as you style it. Though not necessary, this little feature can be useful, especially for beginners. It also has an automatic shutoff feature, and most importantly, it works to create smooth, lasting curls.

Who It’s For

We found that this curling iron is best for fine to medium hair that doesn’t require super-hot temperatures to hold a curl.

FAQ

• How do you make curls last?

  It’s far from uncommon to curl your hair and be thrilled with the results only to look in the mirror a few hours later and see that your curls have fallen significantly. It can be tricky to ensure that they last all day and night, but both Kimble and Giannetos recommend setting your curls with hairspray to improve their longevity. Kimble also recommends pinning them up as they cool and set which will help to extend their life.

• How do you use a curling iron with a clamp?

  If you’re struggling to master creating curls with an iron that has a clamp, Kimble gave Byrdie a brief breakdown. “Start by holding the curling iron vertically with the clasp facing forward,” she says. “Then, clamp a 1-2 inch section of hair about 1-2 inches from the ends. Curl the hair out and away from your face, all the way up to the root. Hold for seven to 12 seconds depending on your hair texture.” Giannetos says that if you’re looking to achieve a loose, lived-in finish, keep the roots and ends of the hair out of the curling iron and position it away from the face.

• When and how should a curling iron be cleaned?

  “If there’s a lot of product in the hair, that gets on the iron,” says celebrity hairstylist Nikki Providence. “If you don’t clean it off pretty much right away, it can get baked on and become impossible to clean.” Providence offers two cleaning solutions: She uses a professional grade all-purpose cleaner called Ship Shape, “or I use straight 71% alcohol on a microfiber cloth, and clean the iron while it’s warm but not hot.”

• What size curling iron should you use?

  This depends upon the desired result. To enhance natural texture, you want to select a barrel size that’s as close to the shape of your waves or curls. To sculpt the hair, a 1-inch iron is a safe bet for creating glam waves, or for offering a tighter hold to finer hair types. For looser waves or curls, 1.25 inches is a great place to start for providing a shape that isn’t too tight, but not so loose that it will fall flat.

• How do I know what temperature to use?

  According to Providence, starting at a medium-low heat setting is a safe place to begin to gently encourage the hair into its new shape. Finer hair types may experience exposure to damage at higher temperatures, whereas thicker hair types may be more resistant to heat and need to go in at the highest temperature available. Regardless, easing into the right temperature and using a heat protectant beforehand will help give your strands an added boost of protection.