The key to creating head-turning perfect beach waves or cascading curls is a great curling iron. You want one that’s easy to use and maneuver, heats up quickly to curl your hair fast and reaches a high enough temperature to set curls without damaging your hair — and fits in your budget. “A curling iron with a 1 and ¼ inch barrel is a good size for everyday curls, no matter what look you are going for,” says Eugene Toye, stylist at Rita Hazan Salon in New York City. But, he says, choices can vary greatly “depending on the texture of the hair and the type of curl you are looking for.” With so many options on the market, from titanium to ceramic, tourmaline and even clamp-less curling wands, it can be difficult to know where to begin to find the best curling iron for you.
- Adjustable temperature 300ºF to 450ºF
- Top Beauty Lab scores for performance, ease of use and style
- Suitable for all hair types, from thick and coarse to short and thin
- Took 160 seconds to reach temperature
- Second-heaviest in Lab tests
For a classic clamp curler, give the 1 ¼ -inch, highest-temp Ion a whirl — it won for forming lasting curls, even on coarse, thick hair. This iron blew away the competition, scoring highest in nearly a dozen categories including grip and maneuvering, easy controls, compact size and producing curls that stay put. Users loved that “that the clamp is as long as the barrel,” which is particularly useful for shorter cuts and the shorter handle length “keeps my hand in a perfect position to reach the thumb grip.”
- 30 heat settings up to 400ºF
- Reviewer-favorite on Amazon
- May not last as long as other picks
Though we haven’t tested this pick in the Lab, you can’t beat the price of this 1-inch classic curling iron (currently less than $10!). Despite its eye-popping bargain price, is racking up the five-star ratings on Amazon. It’s barebones, but for the price, it’s a solid choice — just ask the 4,300+ five-star reviewers who say it works great on fine and thick hair alike.
