Stepping out with gorgeous curls is now achievable at home with the right kind of hair curler. Whether you're going for cute tight curls or luscious beach waves, you can create the perfect hairstyle on your own. Today's hair curlers and curling irons have so many helpful features that will help you look as if you came straight from the salon!
Automatic wands, headbands, cordless, or old-schoolーwe give you various hair curlers for long and short hair with our Top 10 list. To make sure you get the best hair curler for your desired style, hair length, and hair type, check out our buying guide reviewed by Ida Siasoco before making your purchase!
Quick List - Top Hair Curlers
Vidal Sassoon
A Bedazzled Curling Iron for Various Hair Types
Makeup artist and hairstylist since 2017 and has worked on various commercial and editorial projects. Likes to put glitter on everything and believes that "you can never put too much blush".
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Table of Contents
Here are some key points to consider:
For more detailed information, read through our buying guide below.
Hair can be curled in many different ways and can be done so using many various tools. The most common tools used to curl hair are curling irons and hair rollers. Let's discuss their differences below.
Rollers are the more traditional, albeit a bit old-school, way of curling the hair. It involves using rollers or headbands that have to be left on the hair to let the curls develop. Some rollers come with clips – these need to be left on the hair for a while, or you can use a hairdryer to help the curl set faster.
Hair rollers produce looser, more natural-looking curls, and because you have to leave them on for some time, you can go and do other tasks. If you prefer a quicker alternative, though, you could try hot rollersーthese ones come with a machine that heats them before you wrap your hair around them. These can curl your hair faster but might take a lot of getting used to.
Many innovations have been made to hair rollers, which brought on the creation of curling irons and wands. Curling irons have a clamp that holds the hair in place as you curl. Because they use heat, they create curls way faster than hair rollers can. However, since they use high heat, be sure to apply a heat protectant product first to protect your hair from damage.
Wands, on the other hand, do not have a clamp, and you simply wrap your hair around the barrel and hold it in place with your fingers. Compared to curling irons, wands usually create flatter and looser curls and waves due to the lack of tension. This type is perfect for creating a messy, windswept look.
The general rule for hair curler tools is that the smaller the barrel, the tighter the curls will be. If you want ringlets or tight curls, opt for a smaller barrel of around 1/2 to 3/4-inch in diameter. This size works best for people with shorter hair. On the other hand, if you have long hair or prefer larger waves and more volume, go for big barrels ranging from 1 1/2 inches to two inches in diameter.
If you prefer versatility, you can opt for a 1 to 1 1/4- inch barrel instead. This is a good place to start for curling newbies, and it gives you the freedom to create different curl sizes no matter what the length of your hair is. With the right technique, you can aim for either ringlets or loose curls with just one tool.
Wands come in a variety of shapes, and each shape will determine the curl style you'll get. For instance, a cone-shaped wand has a narrower end and produces curls that are loose at the roots and tighter towards the end. Meanwhile, spiral-shaped wands help you create curls with a more defined helix.
Pearl barrels, on the other hand, let you create natural-looking curls with no defined perfect shape. If you want S-shaped curls, there are also curling irons that come with two to three barrels to achieve that look. Lastly, if you want one tool that will give you more options, there are those with replaceable or detachable curling wands for more variety in size!
Ceramic, tourmaline, and titanium are the most common heating elements and surfaces you'll find in hair curlers, specifically in curling irons, wands, and hot rollers. Read on to know more about the pros and cons of each.
Ceramic and tourmaline are the most common materials used in both hot rollers and curling irons. Ceramic spreads the heat quickly and evenly throughout the barrel and works for all hair types, especially fine and fragile hair.
On the other hand, tourmaline, a crystal that is ground up and put on top of ceramic, makes the ceramic barrel even smoother than it was. Tourmaline also produces negative ions that seal in moisture and make the hair silky and shiny.
If you have long, thick hair that usually has a hard time keeping curls, maybe it's time to try titanium or gold-plated hair curlers. Hairstylists commonly use titanium because of its lightweight build. This is especially helpful if you have thicker hair and want to get your hair curled quicker and more effectively without overworking your arms.
Meanwhile, gold-plated hair curlers can tolerate the highest heat setting and maintain it for an extended period. Both are durable and can maintain high levels of heat. However, they do not protect against frizz, so your best bet is to get hair curlers with mixed materials like titanium-tourmaline to solve your frizz problem.
This is especially important if you are thinking of getting a curling iron or wand. Heat is a crucial element to make sure that your hair creates and holds a curl. Different hair types also require different heat levelsーthick or coarse hair can tolerate high heat, while fine or damaged hair requires lower heat and shouldn't be subjected to temperatures higher than 150°C.
To make sure that you can adjust for these situations, get a curling iron with adjustable heat settings. As a rule of thumb, no matter how strong or thick your hair is, you must never exceed 230 to 240°C, and always apply a heat protectant before curling your hair.
If you want to get the best value for your money, take some time to look at some added features that are incredibly helpful. An example of this would be an auto-off function that shuts down your iron's power after a few minutes of idleness. A swivel cord feature is also useful because it prevents the cord from getting tangled.
Frequent travelers would also appreciate a curler with dual voltage, so they can make sure that their device is usable anywhere they go. Lastly, it's also a good idea to get 2-in-1 tools that can do both straightening and curling. That way, you get the best bang for your buck and can easily switch between curly and straight locks, depending on your mood.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Dyson Airwrap Complete Hair Styler | ![]() | Get Superior Performance Without Extreme Heat | |
2 | Philips StyleCare Sublime Ends Curler|BHB869/00 | ![]() | Avoid Split Ends With This Ceramic Hair Curler | |
3 | Vidal Sassoon Magic Shine Curling Iron With Swarovski | ![]() | A Bedazzled Curling Iron for Various Hair Types | |
4 | Babyliss Large Curl Pods | ![]() | Say Goodbye to Roller Pins and Clips | |
5 | TIGI Pro Fat Curl Stick | ![]() | Features a Tapered Barrel for Different Curl Sizes | |
6 | Babyliss Deep Barrel Waver | ![]() | Perfect for Creating Glamorous S-Shaped Waves | |
7 | CkeyiN Automatic Hair Curler | ![]() | An Automatic and Cordless Option for Fuss-Free Hair Styling | |
8 | Remington Curl & Straight Confidence |S6606 | ![]() | A 2-in-1 Tool for Both Straightening and Curling | |
9 | Ckeyin Colorful Soft Sponge Hair Rollers | ![]() | A Soft and Spongy Set for Creating Damage-Free Curls | |
10 | Heatless Curling Rod Headband | ![]() | Achieve Luscious Curls Without Heat and Damage |
The Dyson Airwrap is a holy grail product when it comes to hair curlers. While it might be on the pricier side, it comes with so many high-tech features and accessories that make it worth the hefty tag. This product is definitely unbeatable when it comes to convenience and ease of use, which is especially helpful for beginners.
First off, it boasts a patented technology called the Coanda effect, where the hair naturally follows the shape of the attachments with the right speed and air pressure. Thus, it makes for really fuss-free curling because it wraps your hair around the barrel for you. And with its 30mm and 40mm barrels, you can have choices for different curl sizes!
With this Dyson styler, you can go from damp to curly or wavy hair that looks naturalーin fact, even better than what salons have to offer! What's more, it does not use an excessive amount of heat to style your hair. Instead, it mainly uses air pressure to get the desired style. Who says you can't have gorgeous, damage-free curls?
The strongest feature this curling iron has to offer is its patented SplitStop Technology, an innovation that ramps up protection against heat damage and helps users avoid split ends. In fact, Philips is so confident of this product that it guarantees up to 95% split-free curly hair!
Another big plus is its use of a Keratin infusion barrel, which combines keratin protein with the ceramic coating of the plates to give you smoother and less frizzy hair, even after it's been subjected to heat. You also get 8 digital temperature settings to choose from depending on your hair type.
On top of all that, it also boasts a barrel that's 30% longer than other models in the market. That means you get more space for styling, which is perfect if you have long or thick locks. With all of these features, it's easy to see why the Philips Sublime Ends Curler is one of the top performers when it comes to creating beautiful curls!
Do you want a curling iron that's extra jazzed up with some bling? Take a look at the one from Vidal Sassoon with a panel that's decked out with authentic Swarovski crystals. This is a hair styling tool that certainly shines, not just with how it looks, but also with its performance!
Designed for curling dry hair, this one has a super steam and ionic nozzle that protects hair from heat damage. This extra-protection feature, plus its 5 adjustable heat settings, makes it suitable for all hair types, even fine and fragile hair. Users love how hair-friendly it is, not to mention how glamorous it looks!
If you're a bit nervous to try hot rollers because they might be difficult or complicated to use, let this innovative curling tool from Babyliss change your mind. With these rollers, you'll get smooth curls without the folds or marks you might get from curling iron clamps.
You don't need to worry about getting your fingers burned, too. The pods' outer case is made from solid plastic, and it doesn't come into contact with the heating element. This makes the curling process safe for your fingers and your hair as well!
What sets this product apart from other hot rollers is that the pods don't need any clips or pins to work. You just have to wrap your hair around the pods, then snap the two parts together. It also heats up in just 5 minutes! This product is perfect for any hair length and texture. If you want tighter curls, they also have a variant with smaller pods.
If you want loose, luscious curls perfect for any occasion, this one won't disappoint!! With its cone-shaped wand, this hair curler produces curls that range from tight to loose. You can style your hair in smaller or bigger sections if you want tighter or looser curls, respectively.
As a plus, it has a cool tip, so you can curl your hair easily without any worries about getting your fingers burned. It also has 25 adjustable heat settings that you can use depending on how strong your hair feels or how tight you want your curls to be.
For unique waves that look and feel luxurious, let us introduce to you this curling iron from Babyliss. It uses large tourmaline-ceramic barrels to give your hair a frizz-free, shiny finish. Because of the ceramic heating elements, this hair curler can heat up evenly and quicklyーonly 30 seconds, and it's ready to use!
To create your curls, simply clamp a section of hair between the barrels. Follow the flow of the waves to make sure that there are no gaps and the waves are as smooth as can be. If you're a beginner and not used to handling hot tools, this product also comes with gloves and a heat-protection mat.
Are you looking for a hair curler that you can take with you on the go? Look no further than this cordless model from CkeyiN. You can do away with pesky cords and simply charge it via the USB port at the bottom of the device. The streamlined design also makes it easy to slip it into a bag and whip out when you need to go from straight to curly!
It's clear that this curling iron was designed with user comfort in mind. For one, it has a curling chamber that hides the heating rod, and you simply tuck in sections of your hair and let it do its job. It has an automatic mechanismーyou press the button for the direction you want to go, and within a few seconds, you get fun, bouncy curls!
The hollow design also works to disperse heat evenly and reduce heat transfer. Meanwhile, you won't feel the increase in temperature because it's cased in a double-insulated shell. There are also 4 heat settings to choose from so you have absolute control over the process.
If you are the type to sport different hairstyles every day, grab yourself this unique hair curler and straightener in one from Remington. It has plates that slightly twist, giving you better and sleeker results. This tool can straighten and curl even the most stubborn of hair strands.
As a plus, you don't need to be experienced to use this! With its built-in spiral shape, it is developed to be as easy to use as possible so that you can style your hair with no struggle. You also don't need to use any advanced technique to achieve your desired look. This tool does it all for you!
It has 5 adjustable heat settings so that you can choose the temperature best suited for your hair. Moreover, this hair curler and straightener is perfect for frequent travelersーno need to bring multiple tools with you! Just this one, and you're golden.
If you're a fan of heat-free traditional rollers, we recommend you try out these ones. They are made of sponge material, so they are soft and comfortable on the head. This makes it ideal for curling your hair while you sleep!
This set comes with five different sizes included for achieving different hairstyles, or you can use them all for a unique, textured look! Use the larger ones to get looser curls or give your bangs a lift, and the smaller sizes to get tighter curls.
Although these come in different sizes, it only comes with a few pieces of each size, so if you want to use only one of the sizes, it might not be enough for your whole head. But with the affordable price, you can definitely buy another set to make sure you have enough!
People who prefer a heatless way to create curls would love trying out this hair curler headband. It's true that frequent styling can take its toll on our hair, so if you want to take a break from using heating devices, you can do that without letting go of your precious waves. This might look difficult to use, but we assure you that it's pretty straightforward.
After you shower, towel-dry your hair and part it into two sections. Then, place the headband on top of your head and secure it with a clip. Wrap each section of your hair from the top around the headband and go on till you reach the end, where you tie it with a scrunchie. After 3 to 6 hours, or more if you prefer, you can remove it and see the gorgeous waves you've created!
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by the mybest team.
Getting your curls to last longer starts with prepping your hair right. You can use hair products that give your hair some texture to be able to hold a curl. A good example would be a thickening mousse or hairspray. You could also skip washing your hair prior to curling because the natural oils in your hair will provide a rougher texture that can give curls a more natural hold.
Another great tip is to start with curls that are a little tighter than you want them to be. That way, they have the room to loosen over time while still giving you some bounce. Lastly, it's a good idea to blow through your curls with a cool setting on your hairdryer to set them in place a bit more.
For fine or thin hair, the temperature should be set below 150-180°C. Normal hair can go up to 200°C, while those with thick hair can go as high as 230°C.
Heatless rollers might not be effective enough for curling stubborn stick-straight hair, so you would need the right kind of texturizing products and a curling wand or iron. Hairstylists also suggest using irons with smaller barrels to create tighter curls that would last longer than loose waves. It's also important to use a light-hold spray after curling.
Ready to level up on your hairstyling skills? Check out our articles below to find other great hair tools to style your hair with!
Author: Rie Niijima
Re-editor: R. Umlas
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
No. 1: Dyson|Airwrap Complete Hair Styler
No. 2: Philips|StyleCare Sublime Ends Curler|BHB869/00
No. 3: Vidal Sassoon|Magic Shine Curling Iron With Swarovski
No. 4: Babyliss |Large Curl Pods
No. 5: TIGI Pro|Fat Curl Stick
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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