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Learn more about how we choose products
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Best Overall | Most Versatile | Best for long hair | ||
GHD Curve Creative Curl Wand | T3 Whirl Trio Interchangeable Styling Wand | Bio Ionic NanoIonic MX Long Barrel Curling Iron (1.25") | Bed Head Curlipops (1") | CHI Spin N Curl |
A unique design that keeps curls from looking too uniform and unnatural, with a crazy-fast preheat. | The wand includes three barrel sizes, one of which is tapered, to create your desired curl, but the results are note extraodinary. | This extra-long curling iron makes it easy to wrap a lot of hair around the barrel at once without forfeiting your desired style. | This curling wand only offers a single temperature of 400°F, which may be too hot for people with fine hair, but makes for a fuss-free experience. | If you’ve had negative experiences with traditional curling irons and wands, or if you have fine hair that curls easily without being held tightly to a ceramic barrel, I’d suggest giving this one a try. |
Pros Heats up quickly Well-placed kickstand Cons None that we found | Pros Sleek design Includes three barrels for versatility Cons Heat settings are unclear | Pros Long barrel is great for long hair Good range of temperatures Cons Bulkier | Pros Easy to use Creates beautiful, shiny curls Cons Only one temperature | Pros Easy to use Durable Cons Only creates loose waves |
Whether you want tight ringlets or soft, undone beach waves, the right tool makes all the difference. We researched some of the most popular curling irons and wands, along with a few newer options, to find the ones worth your money.
Our top pick: the GHD Curve Creative Curl Wand (available at Amazon for $239.00) creates soft, pretty waves with very little effort.
Other favorites:
- Best for spiral curls: the Conair InfinitiPro Tourmaline Ceramic Curling Iron (available at Amazon for $46.99) gives you easy spiral curls at a great value.
- Best all-in-one styler: the Dyson Airwrap Multi-Styler Complete Long (available at Amazon for $599.99) is like having a hair stylist in a box.
Whether you’re adding waves to pin-straight hair or going for polished, cascading barrel curls, one of these tools will get you there.
Best Overall:
GHD Curve Creative Curl Wand
GHD Curve Creative Curl Wand (available at Amazon for $239.00)
A great curling wand should be easy to use, heat up fast, and leave room to experiment. The GHD Curve Creative Curl Wand does all three. You can use it for loose, undone beach waves or for tighter, bouncier curls with plenty of volume.
The barrel is what sets it apart. It tapers from 1 inch down to 0.9 inch and moves from round to a slight oval near the tip. That subtle shape keeps curls from looking too uniform, so the finish looks natural instead of overly perfect. The barrel also has a matte, slightly gritty texture that grips your hair, so sections don’t slide down while you style.
Heat-up time is the biggest win. The wand is ready in about six seconds and sounds a chime when it reaches 365°F. That temperature works well for getting curl to hold in straight hair. The trade-off is that the heat is fixed, so people with fine, damaged, or very thick hair don’t get an adjustable setting. It also comes in only one barrel size.
A few smart design details make it easier to use:
- A single power button that you hold for about two seconds, so you can’t switch it off by accident mid-style
- A lightweight body that’s comfortable to hold
- A cool-touch tip to protect your neck and forehead
- A kickstand that keeps the hot wand from tipping over on your vanity
- Automatic shut-off after 30 minutes
Pros
- Heats up in about six seconds
- Tapered barrel gives natural-looking curls
- Well-placed kickstand and cool-touch tip
Cons
- No adjustable heat (fixed at 365°F)
- Only one barrel size
