This Is the *Only* Curling Iron You Should Use for Your Hair Type

Curling irons and wands have come a very, very long way since your mom’s Hot Tools—and even that one remains a cult classic. These days, we can create curly hairstyles like beach waves, ringlets, soft glamour, messy curls … the list goes on and on. Technology has rapidly changed and allowed for innovation like negative ion technology, multiple barrel systems, and automatic rotating features to assist you in achieving the curls or waves of your dreams. To help you figure out which product best suits your needs, we enlisted the help of six hair experts to tell us all about the curling iron—what to look for, what works best for your hair, and even what size barrel creates the hairstyle you want. Ahead, 13 of the best curling irons and wands you can buy for your hair type and texture.

The best curling irons and wands of 2022

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Now keep scrolling for the full list, along with the info you really need to know about curling irons and wands, like whether or not titanium or ceramic is better for your hair, what curling wand professionals use, and more.

amika

sephora.com

$120.00

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I’m not going to sugarcoat it—I’ve burned a finger or two styling my hair before. So when I say my favorite feature about this curling iron is that it has a cool tip that keeps me safe and prevents burns, I mean it wholeheartedly. This product is so versatile, it has a rotation feature that you can use to your advantage and makes use of negative ion technology that seals your cuticle to combat frizz—add some curly hair products to really complete the look.

Bio Ionic

sephora.com

$140.00

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The only thing I love more than a great curling iron is one that makes my hair look hydrated, shiny, and bouncy. The technology in this wand uses NanoIonic™ MX technology and Bio Ionic’s Moisturizing Heat to seal in moisturize, prevent frizz, and keep your curls lasting all day. The long barrel is perfect if you have long hair—it’s extended so you can wrap the entirety of each strand around it.

Drybar

sephora.com

$169.00

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I know what you’re thinking—the barrel on this curling wand gets bigger towards the end of the wand, instead of the opposite way around—but trust me, it actually works in your favor. The reverse-taper here actually prevents your hair from slipping, so that you don’t waste time re-curling (or accidentally burning) your hair. I love the ergonomic handle for its easy adjustment style and the pressure that’s taken off your wrist.

mermadehair.com

$74.00

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If you’re like me and you’ve seen this waver hair tool all over your TikTok hair trends ‘For You’ page, then welcome to the club. This curling iron was specifically made for those who have a little trouble perfecting the use of the wand shape. What you do here is pretty simple—open the 32mm clamp and insert a 1 to 2 inch strand inside, then hold for five to ten seconds and release. Finish off with a texturizing spray or strong hold hairspray and you’ve got boho beach waves that scream glam.

ulta.com

$74.99

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If your hair is thick, coarse, and long, I'm gonna guess that you're used to your curls falling flat (if your hair even takes a curl at all). What you need is a titanium curling iron that reaches super-hot temps (but is still adjustable) and has an extra-long barrel with plenty of space to wrap the entire section from the end to the root. FYI, Gibson and Abramite are both big fans of this one for thick, long hair for those exact reasons.

amazon.com

$284.75

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Just because a ceramic iron doesn't get as hot as quickly as a titanium iron doesn't mean it won't perform well. Both Gibson and celebrity extensionist Priscilla Valles swear by T3 curling irons for how well the curls last. “The next day when I wake up, my hair looks exactly the same,” Valles says. Both stylists highlight just how versatile this curling iron is, too. It has five heat settings and comes with a detachable barrel that you can switch out with two other sizes, whether you want tighter curls or loose, wavy hair.

shoptrademarkbeauty.com

$99.00

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Another interchangeable option, and Maine's go-to device, this ceramic curling iron offers a spring-clamp barrel, a clampless wand barrel, and a triple barrel for perfect S-shaped beach waves. One small detail that might sound like NBD but makes the biggest difference: the temperature dial on the far end of the handle. Rather than right underneath the clamp (the usual spot for it), the dial is out of the way so you don't accidentally change the settings while you work. It's the little things, y'all.

ulta.com

$549.99

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A favorite of yours truly (and hairstylist Jon Reyman, who gave me allll the tips when I reviewed the Dyson Airwrap), this hair-curling device goes against everything you know about curling irons. It's clamp-free, but not it's not exactly a curling wand, either. This tool blows out air that sucks and wraps your hair around it for you so you don't have to use your other hand at all. And it doesn't get super hot, either, which is better for your hair. Basically, this is the best curling iron for someone who's given up on all the others and wants something totally different.

sephora.com

$199.00

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A favorite among pros and ya girl right here, this ceramic-coated curling iron takes the guesswork out of choosing a temperature, thanks to the technology that always keeps it at an even 365 degrees. Not too cool and not too scorching hot, this temp is ideal for someone with medium texture hair that hasn't been color-treated or chemically treated and needs a little more heat to manipulate their hair but not too much to cause major damage.

amazon.com

$48.60

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If you have a love-hate relationship with your curling iron's spring clamp (all those creases and ripped-out strands), try a clamp-free wand instead. “A wand is very easy to use as you are only wrapping your hair around the barrel,” Maine explains. Some wands have a diameter that's consistent from end to end, and others have more of a conical or tapered shape, like the ceramic one shown here that has 4.6 stars on Amazon. As Abramite explains it, these tapered wands are designed to give a looser curl toward the root and a tighter one toward the end, or vice versa, depending on the shape of the tool.

dermstore.com

$185.00

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Not sure what type of curling iron you want? This multipurpose ceramic styling tool from celeb hairstylist Harry Josh's line can easily transform from classic curling iron with a spring clamp, to clampless curling wand, to professional marcel iron, thanks to the removable attachments that come with it. “Some find winding their hair around a curling wand more intuitive than working with a classic spring clamp or professional marcel tongs, which require more hand agility,” Abramite explains. “It’s a personal choice, and I find people click with one type and excel with their results with practice.”

walmart.com

$49.97

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Let's be honest, we've all clamped down on a section, wound it up the wrong way, and were left with major creases and bends (and not the cool kind). This rotating ceramic curling iron from celebrity hairstylist Kim Kimble's line of styling products does all the twirling for you, so you don't make those mistakes again. Even better, it has a detachable barrel, so you can switch between the 3/4-inch barrel and the 1-inch for different sized curls.

ulta.com

$65.00

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Get yourself a classic curling iron with a springy clamp, like this ceramic one from celeb hairstylist Kristin Ess's own line, if you love the look of big, brushed-out, glam waves (a style Ess is famous for). According to Maine, a clamp is also a good idea for anyone whose style falls out easily since it creates more of a “perfect” curl. This iron reaches a whopping 425 degrees and delivers negative ions to smooth flyaways and frizzies.