Hello, Beachy Waves: These Are the 8 Best Curling Wands of 2024, Tested and Reviewed (2024)

TL;DR

Overall, we unanimously agreed that theghd Curve Creative Curl Wand’s uniquely shaped rod offered a most comfortable grip, tip, and weight—which can make all the difference when it comes to styling. Its fuss-free auto-temperature and speedy heat-up time protects your strands (and your time!) while offering a great hold that’s easy to achieve. If you’re a wand veteran, it’s time you picked up theAmika Chameleon 5 Barrel Interchangeable Curling Kitfor titanium-protected, long-lasting curls in a variety of sizes. The durability of these interchangeable rods will safely reach high temperatures without compromising your strands.

Our Top Picks

Auto Shutoff: 30 minutes | Heat-Up Time: 22 seconds | Cord Length: 8 feet

This lightweight wand was a favorite during testing, and it's easy to understand why. The uniquely flattened taper shape of the rod offers some styling versatility, from a tighter hold to a looser, beach-like wave. It took about 10 to 15 seconds to achieve a full-bodied curl, and you can achieve loose waves if you leave this curling wand on for less time. At a preset temperature of 365 degrees, which we can confirm does not exceed 366 degrees at its core and gets down to 320 degrees near its end, this wand is designed to protect your hair from any heat damage. Its 22-second heat-up time, easy-to-maneuver swivel cord, protective cool tip, and automatic shutoff are also some favorite features that are hard to beat. It does fall on the pricey end of the spectrum (at nearly $200), but we absolutely think it's worth the investment.

Auto Shutoff: None | Heat Up Time: 2:37 | Cord Length: 6 feet

For some of us, simpler is better when it comes to technology—including when it comes to our hair tools. The BedHead's Curlipops Ceramic Wand is no exception with its straightforward design and no-fuss, easy-to-use mechanics of a single on/off button—you’re getting the features you pay for, here. Of course, that’s not to say this wand won’t deliver. Our testers gave it a collective 4/5 rating for curl hold, saying that with just a little extra time spent holding hair around the wand, a defined, bouncy curl was the result—and though it loosened up a bit with time, the shape remained intact. If you don’t want to spend a lot of money and you aren’t looking for anything fancy, this $30 option has got you covered.

Auto Shutoff: 1 hour | Heat-Up Time: N/A | Cord Length: 6 feet

Not all of us have the ability (or desire, for that matter) to splurge on our hair tools, but affordable options shouldn’t compromise our desired results. The Conair double ceramic curling wand is going to give you even heat distribution for long-lasting curls—and, at under $20, there’s no arguing with that! While the wand can reach up to 400 degrees, you may not need to take it so high, due to its efficiency on thicker hair types. It doesn’t have a ton of bells and whistles, but it does have 30 different heat settings to choose from. Sure, this feature was a little confusing to some of our testers, especially when compared to the straightforward digital displays on other wand options, but it didn’t disrupt the styling ability rating and ease of use. TL;DR: This drugstore option is a value that’s hard to beat.

Auto Shutoff: 1 hour | Heat-Up Time: 1:58 | Cord Length: 8 feet

If you aren’t someone who likes to wear the same look every single day, the Amika Chameleon 5 Barrel Interchangeable Curling Kit is the wand for you. Don’t be scared off by the price tag on this one—you’re essentially getting five different irons with this kit. Plus, each titanium barrel will heat your tresses quickly and leave you with long-standing hold and a smooth finish. Also, its temperature setting has an easy-to-read (and control) digital display that will reach up to 450 degrees for thicker, more stubborn hair types. We noticed that there was no drop to our curls as time wore on. Overall, we felt that this wand would be a match made in heaven for any hair chameleon and would cater to the needs of varying hair densities and textures.

Auto Shutoff: N/A | Heat Up Time: N/A | Cord Length: 8.75 feet

Dyson's cutting-edge technology has set a new standard for what we can come to expect in a hot tool, and the Airwrap is no exception. With six interchangeable magnetic attachments—for smoothing, volumizing, and of course curling—this tool does so much more than your average curling wand. If you thought setting the temperature on a digital display was next level for ease, the Airwrap doesn’t even offer a temperature control because it checks itself automatically to keep its internal temperature below 302 degrees to avoid causing any heat damage to your strands. Yes, there is a small learning curve due to its uniqueness, but our testers still gave it a 4.5/5 for styling ability and a 4.25/5 for ease of use.

Another differentiating factor is the fact that this wand uses airflow as its main source of heat, so the results you’re going to get are more similar to the curls from a blowout that loosen up over time. It certainly falls on the pricey end of the spectrum, but this transformational tool will help you achieve a variety of different looks, keep the integrity of your strands, and help speed up your overall styling time. For these reasons, it's a worthy splurge in our books.

Auto Shutoff: 1 hour | Heat-Up Time: 1:36 | Cord Length: 8.2 feet

While testing the Gisou Curling Iron, we found that this wand left the best curls for fine hair types. Not only were we a fan of the rod shape and curl definition, but we loved that there was no need to hold the iron against the hair for long periods to get long-lasting, desired results. Plus, the ceramic barrel is a huge perk in terms of protecting finer strands from damage. Those of us with thicker hair also reported impressive results in their styling. The cute black and pink aesthetic and extremely lightweight grip also made it an easy favorite.

Auto Shutoff: N/A | Heat Up Time: 2:34 | Cord Length: 8 feet

Hot Tools is a brand known for its classic, timeless hot tools. The brand's tools, including this wand, always offer a straightforward design that's easy to use for newbies. A heat-resistant glove is included with the Nano Ceramic Flipperless Wand, but it also offers a large cool-tip surface which serves as a great safety net for any beginner. Our hair had a healthy, shiny finish with minimal frizz after using this wand, thanks in large part to the ceramic barrel and snag-free surface that offers heat protection to your strands, as well as an effortless glide. Even if you aren’t new to the wand search, this Hot Tools wand option is sure to leave you with reliable results you’ll be raving about.

Auto Shutoff: 1 hour | Heat-Up Time: 1:22 | Cord Length: 8 feet

Curling wands come in either a straight barrel shape or a tapered barrel shape, and this T3 Single Pass Wand comes with both straight and tapered interchangeable barrel sizes. Having this multitude of options, especially in terms of tapered rods, can really help enhance natural hair types with more of a believable finish, because let’s face it: natural curls aren’t always the most uniform. The hold that this iron offers is impeccable and the definition was unmatched.

The temperature does reach 410 degrees as promised, but even thicker hair types noted some concerns about higher heat levels from this wand. With a very small safety stand holding up this tapered shape, it does tend to fall forward and potentially burn surfaces beneath it, so be sure to use a heat-resistant mat if you have one—and of course, don’t forget your heat protectant spray!

The Byrdie Verified Team Tests Out Curling Wands

FAQ

• How do you use a curling wand?

  “Always use a curling wand on 100% dry hair,” says celebrity hairstylist Nikki Providence. You can graze over your natural curls with a curling wand to plump them up again or use the wand to completely transform your look for more texture, volume, body, and movement.

• Should I use a tapered wand or a straight wand?

  Tapered wands can offer a more relaxed, beachy-looking wave while straight rods can provide a more uniform structure to your hair’s movement.

• How do you curl short hair with a curling wand?

  Start by clipping the top half (or two-thirds if you have thicker hair) up so it's out of the way, then separate the bottom layer of your hair into four or five sections. With the wand pointed downward, wrap a section of hair around the barrel, working toward the tip, then hold it in place for five to eight seconds and release.

• How long do you keep the hair on a curling wand?

  If you have medium or long hair and are aiming for soft waves, five seconds is usually plenty for a 1-inch piece of hair at a high temp, or for slightly tighter curls, add one or two seconds. With shorter hair, you may need to hold it for up to eight seconds.

• When and how should a curling wand be cleaned?

  “If there’s a lot of product in the hair, that gets on the iron,” says Providence. “If you don’t clean it off pretty much right away, it can get baked on and become impossible to clean.” Providence offers two cleaning solutions: She uses a professional grade all-purpose cleaner called Ship Shape, “or I use straight 71% alcohol on a microfiber cloth, and clean the iron while it’s warm but not hot.”

• How often do I need to replace my curling wand?

  “When the heat becomes inconsistent,” advises Providence. “It’s essential to have good control over your heat because that’s what causes the damage. When the thermostat starts to be uneven, the iron can get too hot for the hair and cause a lot of damage.”

• How do you get curls from curling wand to last longer?

  No matter what approach you take, Providence suggests letting the hair cool off in the shape you’re going for your style to have more longevity. Opt for an iron that works on your hair type, such as an iron for thick hair or one for thin hair.

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