I Tested The Best Curling Irons Recommended By Professional Hairstylists

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I’ve been using curling irons since I was about 10-years-old thanks to my early days in dance recitals. At the time, the only curling iron available to me was one my mom bought at a garage sale. Fast forward almost 20 years later and I’ve got a bathroom cabinet full of hair tools. Who needs minimalism?

While we witnessed the rise of the curling wand that took the world by storm in 2010, thank you Taylor Swift, the revolutionary blow dryer brushes and heatless curling rods we’re seeing all over social media today, curling irons are still king to most experts. There are a lot of different tools out there and while you might think they all do the same thing, they do not.

Country Living talked with a handful of professional hairstylists and experts to find out what they recommend and how to find the perfect curling iron for your style. Then, we tested an array of curling irons ourselves, read through hundreds of reviews, and talked with every day users on how they feel feel about the tools.

What To Look For In a Curling Iron

When it comes to picking out the perfect hot tool, Country Living asked Sarah Williams, Sr. Education Manager & Spokesperson at T3, some questions about what to look for.

First things first, shape and size matters. “I’d look for a tool with a long barrel which makes it easier to style those hard-to-reach sections and curling long hair a breeze,” Williams explained. So, even if your hair is short, a long barrel will help you achieve the look you’re really going for.

Let's talk temperature settings. How hot is too hot? What temperature does a curling iron need to be to ensure the curls will hold? “I would argue that different hair types require different heat” said Williams. "For example, individuals with fine hair need less heat to style their hair, whereas individuals with a coarse hair texture need more heat. As long as the hair tool has multiple heat settings, you’ll be able to personalize your styling experience for fast and healthy results.”

Be sure to check out the heat settings of your curling iron, because they're not all made the same. “Even and consistent heat is super important because temperature fluctuations cause problems," Williams said. "For example, if your curling iron has cold spots or hot spots, it will be harder for you to achieve your desired style, and likely your curls will fall flat quickly. And not to mention, temperature spikes cause damage.”

Also, how do you use a clamp? With so many people using wands and flat irons, some people are hesitant to use a clamp. “If there’s too much tension, you’ll get crimps and creases, or worse - feel like the curling iron is snagging and tearing your hair," Williams told us. "Too little tension, and the clip won’t grip your hair. You really want that perfect balance of optimal tension and easy glide.”

Just like any anything else we pick up, whether it be a new hobby or recipe, things take time and practice. So, if your hair doesn't look like you've stepped out of the salon after the first time you use one of these tools, keep practicing and find your own groove with it.

Below you'll find our favorite curling irons plus our honest reviews.

BIO IONIC Long Barrel Curling Iron

This is hands down my favorite curling iron I've ever used. It's standout feature is that the barrel is 2 inches longer than the average curling iron, making it easier to curl long hair or those tough-to-reach sections in the back. While this is a feature I didn't think would matter for my medium-length hair, it made the experience so much more seamless and quick. Not to mention, I love the look of the curls and how long they last. If I sleep on my curls and brush them out the next day, they rarely still look good. However, this curling iron left a truly lasting style that I could wear for another day. It's also the curling iron I was most recommended by professional hair stylists during the testing process.

Overall Performance: 5/5

CHI Texture Tourmaline Ceramic Curling Iron 1"

When it comes to hair tools, CHI has been topping the charts for as long as I can remember, and the brand's curling irons are no different. This has become my favorite curling iron for a style that is actually going to last two days. It's created with tourmaline ceramic material which helps my hair stay smooth and doesn't get stuck in the clamp which I really appreciate. It's made from ceramic tourmaline so it heats up super fast and the heat stays even throughout the barrel and throughout my hair! This is also what helps make the style last so long. Every time I use this one I get compliments on my hair and the curls last two days for me, which rarely happens. It's super easy to use and feels comfy in my hands so I can do my hair really quickly on mornings that I'm running late. It's definitely the curling iron I reach for the most! And at under $100, it's not going to impact my wallet too much for a look that I love.

Overall performance: 5/5

L'ange Le Duo 360 Airflow Styler

The curling iron doubles as a hair straightener so it's already got bonus points in my book. After the first try I wasn't sure about it, but the more I used it, the more I fell in love with how easy it is to use and how it makes my hair look and feel! It's known for being super user-friendly, which I find to be true. And the fact that it's a multi-use tool makes it perfect for those who don't want to deal with a lot of difficult products. What's really unique about it is the built-in cooling fan. If you’re curling your hair, select your desired temp and wait about one minute for it to heat up. The fan will automatically turn on when it's ready. You can leave it on or turn it off with the simple click of a button, depending on your preference. The fan helps set your hair while curling and will leave it cool to the touch. So, say goodbye to burning your fingertips on your hair! It's also super lightweight and has very minimal tension when you press the plates down on your hair. In fact, it's so lightweight I didn't think it was going to do much to my hair. To my surprise, it leaves a super smooth and defined curl that lasts pretty much all day. All in all, it's simple, quick, and efficient.

Overall performance: 4/5

InfinitiPRO By Conair Titanium Curling Iron Luxe Series

This is a classic iron that almost everyone I know has had at one point or another, including myself. I still reach for it often and love that after having it for 10 years, it's still working like a charm.

Here's what another editor has to say about it:

"I am genuinely very impressed with this affordable curling iron. My straight, fine hair normally doesn't hold curl very well, but I found my curls lasting 2+ days with this curling iron. I did notice a smoothing effect which didn't leave my hair dry and frizzly after the curls fell. I'd say it is easy to use, though the buttons to control the temperature are a bit different than most hot tools. I also wish the barrel was a bit longer, but overall I would definitely recommend. It outperforms other affordable counterparts I've tried and holds up well next to more expensive tools."

-Maggie Horton, Associate News Editor

Overall performance: 4/5

BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Spring Curling Iron

This is another curling iron that can create really defined curls that will last all day long and then some. The barrel is made from titanium and ceramic materials, meaning there is going to be less heat damage on your hair while still applying enough pressure to create and hold style. This one was strongly recommended by multiple hairstylists who have used it on those with the finest of hair, to those with thick, coarse hair. Many other users and experts claim the titanium material helps to create the smooth curls with less frizz, and keep them in tact for longer than many other tools on the market. I especially like it because depending on what I'm going for, it can create super tight curls that hold well, or relaxed waves. This one is going to feel and create styles similar to some of the curling irons in the $100 - $200 market, but at a fraction of the cost.

Overall perfomance: 4.5/5

T3 SinglePass Curl 1.5” Professional Curling Iron

The T3 is a favorite among tons of hairstylists, including Jenna Bush Hager's stylist who uses this on her almost every day before going on camera for Today with Hoda and Jenna. It uses Ceramic Technology which we love to see because it means even and consistent heat for longer lasting curls and not as much damage.

"I have fine hair that’s cut into a short, chin-length bob and my old clip-less curling wand required classically-trained-ballerina levels of flexibility to properly curl the back of my hair. The first thing I noticed about the T3 Single Pass Curl X is the length of the barrel. I assumed the extra length would only being helpful for my long-locked friends, but it turns out it is perfect for curling hard-to-reach spots and wider sections of hair. No ballet classes required"

-Maribeth Jones, Design Director

Overall perfomance: 4/5

ghd Soft Curl 1 1/4-Inch Curling Iron

Though a great tool for every hair type, the ghd soft curl was designed to style even the toughest to manage hair. Despite the large barrel and high quality feel, the tool itself is pretty lightweight. The clamp tension doesn't feel super strong, but don't let that fool you. It clamps onto hair super well and holds it in place. One interesting detail to keep in mind is that it's preset to what ghd calls "the optimum styling temperature" of 365ºF in order to keep extreme heat levels down. So, if you like to adjust your temperature often, keep that in mind when it comes to this tool. Despite the main temp setting, many users with thick, harder to manage hair still say it creates a gorgeous curl on them. For my fine to medium hair, it creates an impressive wave or curl in just seconds and feels super smooth in my hands, aka, my arms and wrists aren't tired afterwards.

Overall performance: 4.5/5

Harry Josh Pro Tools Cordless Ceramic 1 Inch Curling Wand

"I was pleasantly surprised by this curling wand! The idea of a cordless curling iron or wand was, of course, super exciting, and it definitely lived up to my expectations. I was a little skeptical at first because the box says, 'Over 40 minutes of cord-free styling on a single battery.' I have very thick, long hair that can sometimes take over 30 minutes to style. But this curling wand lasted the whole time! And the curls lasted all day. The main drawback is that I’ll probably have to charge it before every use, which is fine, it’s just something I’ll have to make sure to remember! The other thing is that the wand is much heavier than my other curling irons. It makes sense considering the battery is in the handle, but the box claims it’s 'lightweight,' which it’s not. "

-Beth Branch, Editorial Assistant

Overall performance: 4/5

Shark HD430 FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System

While this isn't a traditional curling iron, people love using the curling wand attachments that come with the Shark FlexStyle. This is a multi-style tool that is known for it's no-heat-damage drying system. It comes with two 1.25” auto-wrap curlers that curl in different directions. This is going to give you more of a voluminous blow-out style wave whether than a tight barrel curl. If you've never used something like the Shark, or the similarly popular Dyson Air Wrap, they come with a bit of a learning curve. The FlexStyle is a pretty big tool at 13 inches long without the curler attached. It can be a bit awkward at first, and I don't love that I have to switch the curling wands to do each side of my hair. However, after a few tries I was able to curl my hair with it in no time and really love the way it makes my hair look! Not to mention all the volume it adds. The curling wands have little arrows on them, so when you attach it to the tool you know which way you're supposed to curl. All you have to do is turn it on, place a 1-inch piece of hair to it and the air from the wand quickly wraps the hair around the wand itself. How long you leave it wrapped depends on how tight of a curl you like. It also has a cool shot button which I like to finish the curls off with sometimes. I love the blow-out effect it gives my hair and that minimal damage is taking place. The only downside is that by the end of the night my curls fall a good bit. The styling typically doesn't last longer than one day. However, it's a risk I'm willing to take if it means easy curls with little to no damage.

Overall performance: 3.8/5

Hot Tools Pro Signature Gold Curling Iron

If you've ever sat in a chair at a hair salon chances are you have seen this bad boy. With more than 20,000 reviews on Amazon, it's a classic curling iron with strong clamp tension, it works well on practically every hair type, and makes a gorgeous and defined curl. It uses pulse technology which basically just means it gets really hot for those with hard to curl, or really thick hair, and will maintain the style for a long time. One detail I love about this iron is that it has an extra long cool tip you can use to keep from burning your fingers while curling. Pretty much everyone I know with thick hair uses this curling iron. I'm also always amazed at how smooth and shiny it leaves your hair!

Overall performance: 3.5/5

The Beachwaver Co. Dual Voltage S1

If you struggle to curl your hair, or just really don't like curling it in general, the beach waver may be your perfect fit. Instead of a traditional clamp, it's created with a ceramic rod, and a small clamp at the bottom. Place a 1-inch piece of hair in the small clamp and the tool does all the work for you as it rotates hair around the barrel. It's recommended by tons of hair experts and those who have a hard time styling their hair. My friend has been using this one for years and it's still her favorite hot tool because it's so easy to use, but also because the waves last so long.

Overall performance: 3.8/5

Conair Infiniti Pro Nano Tourmaline Ceramic Curling Iron

"What I first noticed about this curling iron was how incredibly lightweight it is, which makes it super easy to use and handle. It heats up quickly, too. The quality is maybe not the best, but I think it’s a great option for the price. I have naturally wavy/curly hair and the curls held all day, which is the goal! I would definitely suggest this to someone who is looking for a good curling iron on a budget."

-Beth Branch, Editorial Assistant

Overall performance: 3.5/5

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