The Curling Irons Reviews
This model is perfect if you want a glamorous curly hair look. It comes in a beautiful gold and burgundy color combination, being at the same time lightweight and compact. In comparison to the other models selected by us, this one features the longest barrel (9.5 inches). The barrel and the long clip allows you to curl all your hair from root to tip in a single pass. For superior results, the barrel is triple-coated with ceramic. The negative ion technology is another great addition as it helps to decrease frizziness.
The iron works for all types of hair and you can choose the desired temperature settings with the help of the rotary dial. The temperature varies between 180 – 430 °F. The swivel cord is very long for a hassle-free operation. For peace of mind, the iron features a 60-minute automatic shut off function. Other impressing features worth mentioning are the coated stand, the 360-degree rotating tip, as well as the long thumb grip. The product is warranted for a period of 1 year.
PROS
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CONS
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- Extra-long 9-5-inch barrel
- 6 temperature settings to choose from
- The handle features anti-burn and anti-slip properties
- Features negative ion technology to reduce frizz and smooth your hair
- Cool-to-touch 360-degree rotating tip
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- No extra accessories included
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VERDICT
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The iron looks pretty stylish and comes with many features. It is perfect for long hair as it can make curls over 15 inches in a shorter time. This is possible due to the long barrel. You can also use it on extensions. The only drawbacks are the lack of accessories and the short warranty. Also, this model is a little bit more expensive than the other ones reviewed by us.
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Made by a renowned brand in this industry, this model is definitely worth considering if you want an innovative hair styling tool. This is actually a wand as it is clipless, so there will be less stress on your hair. It features a conical barrel that tapers from 1¾-inch to 1-inch. It can reach a maximum temperature of 400°F in approximately 30 seconds. The gold colored barrel with blue handle looks very nice. Due to the tourmaline ceramic technology, there will be emitted natural ions that reduce frizz and maintain a constant temperature.
It works on thick, normal, and thin hair as you can adjust the heat intensity according to your preferences. There are 5 temperature settings to choose from. Moreover, this model comes with a long 96-inch swivel cord. For quiet mind, it shuts off automatically after 60 minutes of use. For more convenience, the LED indicator light will let you know when the iron is on. Besides the tool, you will also receive a heat resistant glove. Last but not least, the product is covered by a 5-year warranty.
PROS
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CONS
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- Long 5-year warranty
- Heats up in maximum 30 seconds
- Comes with a protective glove
- Long power cord
- ETL listed
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- It gets pretty hot
- The included glove is only for right-handed persons
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VERDICT
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This iron is ideal for amazing curls that last for a long time. It is easy to handle, heats up very fast, and is backed by a long warranty. It features a conical barrel design that is infused with ceramic tourmaline. However, you should be careful when using this iron as it gets rather hot. Also, the included glove is designed only for right-handed persons.
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Our next iron is a nice option if you’re looking for a less expensive alternative. It comes in a stylish design and is ideal for medium and long-length hair. The black colored hand with gold barrel makes it a great addition to your hair styling tool collection. You can also opt for the black and gradient combination. It weighs only 0.9 pounds and the barrel is 8.27-inch long. You can select the desired temperature according to your type of hair, ranging from 200 to 410 °F. It reaches the maximum temperature in maximum 60 seconds. For a smooth operation, the barrel features a PTC and ceramic coating.
The power cord is 360° rotatable and is 98-inch long. The wand tip is thermally insulated in order to avoid any possible burns. It also comes with a nice LCD display and an indicator light. Additionally, the stainless steel support allows you to safely place the wand until it cools down completely. For more convenience, it shuts off automatically after 30 minutes. Besides the iron, you will also receive a protective glove and 2 curl clips. This model is backed by the standard 1-year warranty.
PROS
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CONS
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- Features a long 98-inch power cord
- Includes a heat resistant glove and 2 curl clips
- Lightweight design
- Long 8.27-inch barrel for faster results
- Budget-friendly
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- The buttons are inconveniently placed so you may accidently press them while using the iron
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VERDICT
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This is among the most popular models you can go with. It is less expensive than the other models, yet it provides excellent performance. It comes with some nice features and helpful accessories. It heats up very quickly and curls your hair in a flash. The barrel is long enough for making beautiful curls. You may find that the buttons are not conveniently placed as it is very easy to press them accidently.
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Another great curler that you will love. Starting with the attractive design and ending with the many built-in features, this model is one of the best you can get. It comes in a gold and black color combination and it weighs 1.25 pounds. It features a temperature range between 280 and 430 °F, allowing you to select from multiple temperature settings. The barrel is plated with 24K gold which does a great job at distributing heat evenly to avoid hair damage. The swivel cord is quite long, measuring 96 inches.
The iron comes with many features that are meant to make things easier for you. First of all, the handle has a soft grip for securely handling the tool. Secondly, the rheostat control can memorize a certain heat setting as it comes with separate on and off switch. Furthermore, the thumb grip and the cool tip are extra-long. The tool also features a foldaway stand to rest the iron on. This model comes with 2 replaceable springs and 1-year warranty.
PROS
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CONS
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- It can memorize your favorite heat setting
- Features an indicator light
- Heats up quickly and maintains a constant temperature
- Comes with a strong spring clamp
- The heating element is highly-durable
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- No automatic shut-off feature
- Doesn’t come with a protective glove
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VERDICT
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Nice option if you’re looking for a well-made iron that comes with many features. It is affordable and it features multiple heating options to choose from. It works for all types of hair and it won’t damage your hair. Unfortunately, this model doesn’t shut off automatically and it doesn’t come with a heat-resistant glove to protect your hand.
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This model has a very interesting giraffe pattern that makes it very stylish. It is also available in pink zebra, or in a simple black or pink color. It is lightweight and easy to handle and works for all hair types. The clamp-free design reduces hair damage, allowing you to enjoy healthier curls. The tourmaline ceramic technology and aluminum coating provide even heat distribution and the negative ion technology helps reduce frizzy hair. You can set it to the desired heat temperature and the maximum temperature it can reach is 410 °F.
The 360-degree swivel cord is 96-inch long, so you won’t need an extension cord to reach the mirror. You can forget about build-up as the coating is non-stick, and you can clean it very easily. Also, the handle is heat-resistant to avoid any scalding. Besides the iron, you will also receive a protective glove. For this model, the manufacturer provides a lifetime warranty.
PROS
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CONS
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- Features negative-ion technology
- Lifetime warrant
- Features a non-stick coating
- Multiple colors to choose from
- Smooth rotating handle that is heat-reaistant
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- No automatic shut-off feature
- The barrel is rather short
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VERDICT
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One of the biggest advantages of this styling tool is that it comes with a lifetime warranty. It is easy to use and clean and features negative ion technology. However, the barrel is rather small, so it may not be a great choice if you have long hair. Also, it lacks an automatic shut off feature.
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Important Aspects That Make a Difference
While is true that all curling irons have the same purpose, not all of them deliver the same results. A great hair styling tool has to protect your hair while providing a flawless look. In order to find the best models available, we examined them in terms of
performance and built-in features. Here are the most important aspects that matter when it comes to hair curlers.
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In simple words, the barrel size determines how large or tight the curls will be. The largest the barrel size, the larger the curls. There are all sorts of sizes available, most of them ranging from 0.37-inch to 2-inch. The universal size which is also the most popular option is the 1-inch barrel. This allows you to create loose, relaxed waves, ringlets, polished curls, and multiple other looks for various occasions. It works best for short to medium-length hair. Another popular choice is the 1.25-inch barrel size. It creates natural curls and gentle waves, being ideal for medium to long-length hair. All the models selected by us come in multiple barrel sizes, including the 1-inch and 1.25-inch options. However, some of them are more versatile and come in more sizes. Hot Tools HT1181, for example, is available in 8 sizes, while Infiniti Pro CD127RR features an conical barrel with 2 size options.
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There are 2 types of curling irons in our comparison table: irons with a clip attached and irons with no clip. The latter hair curlers are also called curling wands. Now let’s see the main differences between these 2 types. Curling irons, like Mr. Big, Anjou AJ-HC006 US, and Hot Tools HT1181, offer flat, soft curls as well as the most smoothness you can get out of a curl. They are great for textured or frizzy hair. Curling wands, like Infiniti Pro CD127RR and Jose Eber, keep a good bit of fullness at the top of the hair and a curly look throughout the bottom. They are faster to use which makes them perfect for busy mornings. However, when using a wand, it’s recommended to wear a hand glove to avoid burns.
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All the irons selected by us come with variable heat settings so you can control the temperature according to your type of hair. In general, for fragile hair is recommended to set the hair curler below 200 °F otherwise you may damage it. For medium thick hair, you should choose a temperature that gets curls to hold. The recommended range is between 250 and 350 °F or more in if the hair is thicker. Also, you should \>never use too much heat. Even though some irons deliver temperatures above 400 °F, is best to avoid setting them that high. From this point of view, the most versatile iron is Mr. Big as it features a temperature range between 180 and 430 °F. On the other hand, Hot Tools HT1181 may not be the best option for brittle, thin hair as the lowest temperature you can set it on is 280 °F.
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Currently, the available curling irons are made of materials like tourmaline, ceramic, titanium, or metal. According to the specialists, the best option to go with is ceramic coated irons are they protect damaged hair. Almost all the models selected by us features a ceramic coating except for Hot Tools HT1181 that is 24K gold plated. This technology is used to deliver advanced heat technology and reduce frizz.
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Swivel Cord&Auto Shut-Off
You surely know how frustrating the power cord can be when it tangles. For this reason, most manufacturers added a tangle-free swivel cord that rotates 360-degrees. Additionally, for increased safety, some models feature an automatic shut off. Therefore, after using the hair curler for a certain time it will automatically shut off to avoid any possible incidents. The only models without an auto shut off function are Hot Tools HT1181 and Jose Eber.
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Each iron comes with built-in features that help you use it with ease while delivering long lasting curls and waves. Mr. Big, Hot Tools HT1181, and Anjou AJ-HC006 US come with multiple innovative features. We particularly like the favorite heat setting function featured by Hot Tools HT1181. Also, some models, like Anjou AJ-HC006 US feature a nice digital display, while others, like Mr. Big and Hot Tools HT1181 come with rotary dials.
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The warranty plays a significant role as in case there are any manufacturing defects, the iron will be repaired or replaced free of charge. As we’ve already mentioned, the standard warranty for hair curlers is 1-year. Nevertheless, there are some exceptions. Infiniti Pro CD127RR is warranted for 5 years while Jose Eber comes with an impressive lifetime warranty.
10 Tricks for Getting the Most Out of Your Hair Curler
Here are some tricks that will help you achieve perfect curls. Use your curler wisely and you won’t be disappointed by the results. After all, is not all about the quality of the iron. The technique you use and the things you do while curling your hair are highly important.
- If you want to achieve effortless waves, make a high ponytail before curling your hair.
- For a voluminous look curl your hair away from your face
- For enjoying the curls for a longer period of time, start curling them closer to the root.
- Once you make the curl, don’t drag it downwards but slide it into your hand.
- For looser curls keep the iron vertically and for tighter curls hold it horizontally.
- Don’t hold the iron on your hair more than 10 seconds.
- Avoid running your fingers through curls right away after curling as they may frizz.
- Take larger sections of hair for loose curls and smaller sections for tighter curls.
- For a straighter appearance, leave the ends out.
- If you have extensions never use the iron at a temperature over 250°F.
After comparing and reviewing the best hair curlers you can find at this moment, it’s time to draw a conclusion. Our top choice is also our recommendation.
Mr. Big curler features a long barrel and you have the possibility to choose a
low-temperature setting if your hair is fragile. At the same time, this model comes with many helpful features, including the negative ion technology. We also like
Anjou AJ-HC006 US. This iron is available at an
affordable price, is lightweight, and features a long cable cord. Also, it includes more accessories. If the warranty is important to you, then you can go with Infiniti Pro CD127RR or Jose Eber. These 2 models are curling wands, so they heat up pretty fast. The final decision is yours, so make sure you pick the right model for your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
?What’s the Difference Between Ceramic, Tourmaline, and Titanium?
Ceramic provides even heat distribution and protects hair, penetrating it from the inside out. Tourmaline is a semi-precious gem that maintains hair moisture and reduces frizz. A for Titanium, this is a heat conductor that also protects your hair and delivers uniform heat on the entire surface of the hair curler barrel.
?Can I Use the Hair Curler on Wet Hair?
No, you should never use the curling iron or the flat iron on wet hair. It’s recommended to dry it completely before using any of these hair styling tools.
?What Barrel Size Is Recommended for Tight Curls?
That depends on how tight you want the curls to be. For achieving tight, kinky spiral curls you should use a 0.37-inch barrel. You can also use a 0.5-inch iron to create smooth, tight curls. Also, keep in mind that these curling irons are recommended only for short to medium-length hair.
