The Best Curling Iron - 2021

Technology has made our lives easier and much more pleasant. Not often at the top of the list, but certainly deserving, are hot tools for styling hair. You don’t have to settle for the hair texture you were born with. What’s more, with the user-friendly and inexpensive styling tools available now, you can change your style daily and safely. Flat irons or straightening irons have smooth, straight hair on lock, but curling irons create a wide range of curls, waves and coils. No matter how stick-straight your hair’s natural texture is, you can transform it into a head full of curls.

And, there are so many different variations, there’s a specific curling iron that’s ideal for every hair length and type. However, the number of curling irons available can make your head, instead of your hair, spin.

A general rule of thumb to follow is the smaller barrels are better for shorter hair and tighter coils. Larger barrels, around 1¼-inch to 1½-inch, work best for long hair. Barrels top out around 2,” and these massive tools can produce equally buoyant beachy waves or loads of volume. In contrast, the smallest ¾  to 1-inch barrels create corkscrews and vintage looks. Right in the middle, 1-inch barrels are the most versatile and produce classic curls and defined waves.

Beyond sizes, there are many different types of materials used in the barrels of curling irons: ceramic, Teflon and a few types of metal. Trendy materials also include tourmaline and titanium. Each one has varying benefits and can work better for certain types of hair.

Ceramic barrels disperse negative ions, which can smooth and protect hair. It also works best at a lower temperature range and can safely curl thin hair. In addition to negative ions, super durable titanium barrels, as well as those made of tourmaline, also produce infrared heat. As such, they are excellent at removing frizz from thick or coarse hair. Some modes are made of titanium and have 50 fine-tuned heat settings to make the most of the material.

A luxurious option is a 24K barrel. Gold irons emit quick, high and even heat. Plus, the mini gold particles help enhance hair follicles and potentially prevent hair loss.

One thing they all have in common is their ability to heat up to high enough temperatures to transmit the heat to hair and transform stick straight locks into cascading curls.

A wand is great if you want natural-looking waves and beachy curls. In addition, interchangeable irons let you switch out barrel sizes for a wide range of curly looks. Clip curling irons, like the Conair Instant Heat Curling Iron, produce tighter, ringlet-style twists. They can still look natural and come in a variety of barrel sizes. The Conair model is available in four different barrel sizes.

Not all hair types can take the heat. The most vulnerable hair types, fine or chemically treated, can handle up to 300 degrees. Next is healthy or medium-textured hair, which can stand a bit more at 300-380 degrees.  If you have coarse, curly or thick hair, you can crank up the heat higher to 350-450 degrees without worry.

You can find curling irons for sale in a wide variety of stores, including grocery stores, drugstores, department stores, beauty specialty retailers and online. The higher-end curling irons are sold exclusively direct from the manufacturer or through select shops. Still, budget-friendly curling irons found a few aisles down from the produce can offer a solid value and produce beautiful curls.

Many manufacturers are getting super creative with styling tools, especially curling irons. The patented Curl Dial has ridges and prongs that smooth and detangles hair while it curls. There’s also an easy way to achieve natural or beachy waves. The Bed Head Wave Artist Curling Iron has specially designed deep plates that clamp to turn straight hair into wavy locks quickly. All these high-tech features don’t mean the curling irons are overpriced.

The hair possibilities are endless.

• If you plan to travel internationally, you will want to confirm the curling iron has dual voltage options.
• Be aware that some barrel materials heat unevenly and can create hot spots. These areas of the barrel heat up faster or retain more heat than other sections and, in turn, heats the hair unevenly and can damage it.
• If you’re using a curling wand or a curling iron that is made of titanium, you should wear a pair of heat-protective gloves to ensure you don’t accidentally burn your hands.
• If a lightweight curling iron is important to you, titanium is your best choice.
• Not all curling irons work well with wet hair. Tourmaline is the best option if you plan to use a curling iron on wet hair.
• One inexpensive material to watch out for is Teflon. It’s better to leave it on your nonstick pans because it discharges positive ions that can damage hair. It also tends to heat unevenly.
• Even if an iron has a higher setting, never curl any hair above 450 degrees. If you have fine hair, you should be curling it with a much lower heat setting to keep it healthy.