A gorgeous, ravishing curly hairstyle can completely transform your image and make you feel like a princess! The good news is that you don’t have to spend a fortune at a beauty salon to make this dream come true. You can get yourself a high-quality curling iron and get the job done in no time! We have analyzed multiple types of curling irons on the market and we selected 5 exquisite ones in different price ranges to help you achieve that amazing, curly hairstyle without damaging your hair.
Watch Our Curling Iron Review
Overview
PROS
CONS
Our Top Choice
Sultra Bombshell Rod Curling Iron
If you are looking to keep your hair healthy, with long lasting curls, definitely worth the price.
When choosing a curling iron, there are subtle characteristics in design that can make a significant difference in your hair style. Since there are so many to choose from, we’ve provided a short list of the five of the best curling irons that each offer some unique features of their own. When we performed the research for this review, we stumbled upon dozens of products: some of them were cheap curling irons, others were overpriced and so on. You might be happy to know that for the purpose of this review, we focused only on curling irons that provide good value for money, are made from high-quality materials and come in different price ranges. Therefore, regardless of your budget, you will find a suitable curling iron in our list.
As a side note, you probably know that variety is the spice of life! With that being said, maybe next time you go out partying you might want to have a straight hairstyle, instead of a curly one. We have you covered on this one too as these 5 flat irons are perfect for achieving that gorgeous straight hairstyle without breaking the bank!
Before we get to the details, let’s take a look at some factors that are important to consider when selecting the curling iron that will be best for you.
Price
As with all things, when it comes to quality curling irons, you get what you pay for. At least once in their life, just about every woman has purchased a curling iron that quickly earned a spot way in the back of the cabinet – never to be used again. And whether or not a curling iron works for you, it isn’t always about how much you paid for it either! For this review, we look at price in terms of both value and the features that each curling iron offers.
Features
Unless it’s a special occasion or a really, really hot date, most women don’t want their daily hair styling to take forever – but they still want to look good. An effective curling iron will have features that are convenient and efficient, making it possible to achieve positive results in a reasonable time frame. For example, certain curling irons come with an automatic shut-off feature. Others come with a glove to improve safety while using the curling iron. These features are useful and you should keep an eye on them while shopping for such products.
Construction and Design
When you buy a curling iron, it needs to serve its purpose – to curl your hair! But women know that not every one does it as well – and there are helpful features that make some models more effective at getting the job done right. For example, some curling irons are made from higher-quality materials and as a result, not only that they will last longer, they will be gentler with your hair.
Performance and Ease of Use
Talk to a group of women and ask them about the look they want to achieve with a curling iron and we bet you will get many answers. Some want to smooth their out of control and fizzy hair, some want to create soft waves, while others want a head full of tight ringlets. And they will all know that the final results will depend on the quality and features of the curling iron they use!
What is the Best Curling Iron?
Consumer curling irons can be very different and at first glance, it can be quite difficult to pick a good one. Still, we have thoroughly researched the market and came up with 5 great contenders from trustworthy brands. Here are the 5 curling irons we wholeheartedly recommend.
Our Top Choice
With the Bombshell Rod Curling Iron your hair is protected by the exclusive ThermaTru™ Ceramic Technology; plus because it’s a wraparound style iron, you get beautiful waves and curls with no clip marks! If you want a look that transitions from loose waves to tight curls, check out Sultra’s cone style curling rod.
The Bombshell Rod Curling Iron by Sultra - Available in 3/4”, 1” and 1.5” Sizes
Bombshell Curling Iron SU241 – 1”
Features
Chosen as the 2014 TotalBeauty Editor’s Pick for best curling iron, the Sultra Bombshell features rapid heat up, even temperature distribution and ceramic ion technology that will protect and style your hair at the same time.
In addition to all the great hair styling features offered by the Bombshell Curling Rod, Sultra throws in a few extras. The 9 foot swivel cord lets you enjoy tangle free hair styling without having to stand right next to the power outlet. They also throw in a curling mat to put under your iron to protect the surface and a nice pink, heat resistant glove to protect your hands while styling.
Construction and Design
In choosing the product that we wanted to be our top recommendation we had to consider a lot of things, including the way that many women actually use their curling iron because not everyone wants super tight curls. Our research shows that a large percentage of women want looser, wavy locks, rather than a head of ringlets that resemble a young, Shirley Temple. We chose the Bombshell Rod Curling Iron because it makes it possible to quickly create waves, loose curls or a beachy look quickly – protecting your hair at the same time. The Bombshell Rod Curling Iron was recognized as the TotalBeauty editors pick for best curling iron in 2014 – not an easy feat with all the competition out there.
The secret behind the way this curling rod works to protect, mend and add moisture to your hair is its exclusive ThermaTru Ceramic Technology. Not only does this dual heater system generate negative ions, but it also uses far infrared heat rays which are much safer for your hair.
There is only one temperature setting but the top temperature of 380 degrees is definitely high enough for most hair types. The rod quickly heats up and will automatically shut off if you forget to hit the switch.
Performance and Ease of Use
For women who have never used a clipless curling iron before, there is a little bit of a learning curve but once you get the hang of it, you will wonder why you didn’t try one sooner. The process is as simple as wrapping, holding for the amount of time recommended for your hair type and length, releasing the curl and repeating with the rest of the hair. Because there is no clip, you won’t get any of those unwanted “crinkle” lines that are common with irons that hold your hair in place.
The rod distributes heat evenly across the barrel so there are no cool spots. This means that every part of your hair will get the heat it needs for just the right curl. With the ThermaTru Ceramic Technology, you are actually helping to mend and add moisture to your hair as compared to cheaper, metal curling irons that can dry out and damage your hair.
Two things that users rave the most about are the fact that not only can they get the looks that they want faster, and the curls last longer than what they had experienced with other curling irons.
Keep in mind, this curling rod is not designed for super tight curls. However, if that’s the look that you are going for, Sultra makes other great styling tools.
T|Studio Salon Collection curling irons help protect your hair because they have a a high-tech ceramic wand infused with real pearl.
Remington CI95AC2 T|Studio Salon Collection Pearl Digital Ceramic Curling Wand
Remington CI95AC2 - 1/2 inch pink
Features
Get ready to create gorgeous salon styles in a breeze with the new T Studio Pearl Ceramic Professional Styling Wand by Remington. We all know how frustrating it is to take the time creating the perfect look, only to have our curls fall flat a few hours later. With the Remington T Studio collection, that’s something you never have to worry about. Because the ceramic barrel uses crushed-pearl technology, considered by many professionals to be the absolute best material available, you are sure to get smooth and luxurious curls that last all day.
Women who have been unable to achieve curls with other styling tools report great success with the Remington’s Peal Ceramic curling wands. Even though the wand uses high heat, you never have to worry about damaging your hair because the ceramic barrel protects your hair and distributes the heat evenly. Remington offers both straight and tapered conical barrels, in a variety of sizes – so you are sure to find one that will give you the exact style you are looking for – whether it's soft waves or super tight spirals.
Construction and Design
One of the factors that greatly impacts how good a curl you get is the temperature. Not all hair types or curls require the same amount of heat and with the Remington T Studio Ceramic Curling Wand, you have control over the temperature. This curling on has an easy to read digital display and offers multiple heat settings (maximum temp is 410 degrees F). The Remington Pear doesn’t have a clamp to hold your hair – instead you manually wrap your hair around the barrel.
Depending upon your personal preferences, this may be exactly what you want and the curling iron comes with a protective glove to keep your fingers away from the direct heat of the iron (some users report that they have still burned their hands using the glove). If you have never used a clamp-less curling iron before, it may take a little getting used to but there are a lot of great tutorial videos available.
Performance and Ease of Use
One of the things that people love about the Remington Pearl Digital Ceramic Curling Wand is that it’s light – and if you have a head full of hair, with lots of curls to do, this can be an important feature. It has an automatic shutoff and heats up quickly – but it only has one temperature setting (410 degrees). Whether or not you consider this curling iron not having a clamp a positive or negative feature depends upon both your personal preferences and the look you want to achieve. If you have short hair, clamp-less styling tools are NOT for you; but if you want to have complete control of creating tight spiral curls, then nothing beats manually wrapping your hair around the barrel.
To avoid burning your hand, make sure you use the protective glove that comes with the Remington Pearl Digital Ceramic Curling Wand. For this review, we looked at the iron with a conical barrel which tapers from 1/2" - 1" and allows for different curl styles
The innovative clipless design of José Eber’s curling irons provides consistent and even heat for faster styling without causing creased or crimped ends.
José Eber Clipless Curling Irons - Available in Multiple Sizes & Colors
José Eber JOS25PI 25mm - Pink
Features
José Eber is a manufacturer known among professionals for exceptional quality and the 25mm Clipless Curling Iron is one of the masterpieces offered by this brand. This product creates larger, bouncier long lasting curls and voluptuous waves that are smoother, shiner, and frizz-free. It is available in both clipless and clipped styles, in a variety of sizes, so you are always sure to find the curling iron you need to create your perfect look – whether you want long, loose waves or super tight, kinky curls.
Although the negative ion technology of the tourmaline ceramic barrel can be counted on to protect your hair, giving you smooth, shiny and frizz-free curls, some users report that they apply a heat protective cream or spray before using – because of the high temperature (which is needed to create long lasting curls).
Construction and Design
Another clamp-less styling tool, the José Eber Curling Iron has a weighted handle and cord that swivels 360 degrees. This iron only has one temperature setting – 410 degrees – which may be too hot for some hair types. A protective glove is provided to protect your fingers from the heat. José Eber products have a reputation for excellence and people love the looks that they get with this curling iron. The design of this product is minimalistic and lightweight, so you can take it with you during business trips or on vacations.
Performance and Ease of Use
For the purpose of this review, we looked at the José Eber’s Clipless Curling Iron, which is available in four different colors (hot pink, black, pink zebra and leopard) and several different sizes. For women who like curling irons with clamps, this company makes those as well. This curling iron has a Korean tourmaline ceramic barrel and has a light ergonomic design.
There is only one temperature setting (410 degrees), but this styling tool uses negative ion technology to help protect your hair. It has a long swivel cord to make maneuvering while you style your hair easy and the handle is weighted so it stays put when you set it down.
With a wand infused with Nano Tourmaline Ceramic™ the Infiniti Pro by Conair® creates long-lasting curls while locking in moisture to protect your hair's natural luster.
Infiniti Pro by Conair® Curling Iron - Nano Tourmaline Ceramic™
Conair® Infiniti Pro - CD107TP 1 inch in Blue
Features
For women who like clamp style curling irons, the Infinity Pro series styling tools all have clamps that really hold your hair. Because of the tight grip, it creates fantastic tight curls. Creating loose curls takes a little bit of practice, but women know that it’s easier to loosen a curl than to have to go back again to create a tight one!
Because this curling iron has multiple heat settings, you can adjust the temperature for different styles or types of hair. The Nano Tourmaline Ceramic barrel not only distributes the heat evenly, but protects you hair – giving you shiny, smooth looks. Plus there is no need to worry about damaging you hair or fizzy looks.
Construction and Design
In order for a curling iron to be effective, it needs to actually hold your hair, and the Conair Infiniti Pro does exactly that. You can trust this curling iron to hold your hair tightly, without slipping. When an iron has a firm grip, you spend less time standing in front of the mirror – and still look great. While most users report that they absolutely love the way the Infinity Pro clamps on to hair, holding it firmly while you add your curls, there have been a few who felt that the grip was actually too tight.
Another thing that users love is the swivel cord, because we all know how much of a pain it is when the cords from our styling tools get all twisted and tangled. The cord maneuvers easily for both standing and seated styling ease.
Performance and Ease of Use
Conair’s Infinity Pro has quite a few useful features that make it one of the best styling tools available on the market – a quick 30 second heat up period, multiple heat settings, and an LED temperature display so you know exactly how hot the curling iron is. For women who want a curling iron with a clamp, the Infinity Pro has one that actually holds your hair without slipping. This curling iron automatically shuts itself off after an hour so there’s no worrying if you get to work and remember that you forgot to flip the switch.
The tourmaline ceramic barrel is great for preventing frizz and protecting your hair from over drying. Users rave about the swivel cord that stops all those pesky tangles. The Infinity Pro is available in a variety of barrel sizes – .75”, 1”, 1.5” and 1.75”.
The Bed Head Curlipops™ by Bed Head features Tourmaline Ceramic to protect your hair and a tapered rod which is perfect for creating both volume and curls. Barrel is available in both a textured and non-textured styles.
Bed Head CurliPops Tourmaline Ceramic Textured Tapered Curling Iron
Bed Head CurliPops #BH341CN1 - Purple
Features
The Bed Head CurliPops is an affordable curling iron that uses Tourmaline ceramic technology for frizz-free, shiny styles. Bed Head’s line of CurliPops Tourmaline Ceramic curling irons can be counted on to give you incredible curls. Make sure that you use the protective glove to prevent injuries while using these cosmetic tools. The ceramic barrel distributes heat evenly and protects your hair from getting frizzy or overdrying, giving you shiny and smooth curls every time.
One of the most frequent comments about Bed Head’s powerful curling tools is that they love how natural the curls look. With a choice of sizes and the option to use either a straight barrel or tapered curling iron, you can’t go wrong with the CurliPops collection.
Construction and Design
Bed Head – a company known for fantastic styling products – has taken a step into the world of styling tools with its Curlipops™ collection. For the purpose of the review, we looked at the 1 inch ceramic tapered curling iron, but they have several other styles as well The Bed Head Bh318 has a tourmaline ceramic barrel that provides high, even heat with rapid temperature recovery.
This is another clampless styling tool so users will have to manually wrap their hair around the barrel – but for women who want complete control of their spiral curls, this may be exactly what you want. Bed Head includes a heat protective glove but it is important to note that there is one temperature setting – high – so you need to be a bit careful not to burn your fingers. On the downside, there is no automatic shut off so you have to remember to flip the switch to off when you are done.
Performance and Ease of Use
For this review, we looked at the Bed Head Bh318 tapered curling iron, which lets you create loose curls on top and tight curls on the bottom. However, there are other style and sized barrels in the CurliPops collection for women who want to create different styles. The barrel is made from tourmaline ceramic, which protects your hair from over-drying and distributes the heat evenly. Tourmaline is a professional level material, known for creating smooth and silky looks, without damaging hair or causing the “frizzies.”
To ensure safety while using this curling iron, make sure that you always wear the protective glove which is provided in the package and turn the iron off when you don’t use it as it doesn’t have an automatic shut-off feature.
As you can see, these curling irons feature the newest and safest technologies available and they are easy to use. Pick your favorite one and getting the curly hairstyle you have always dreamt of will be a piece of cake!
Our Top Choice
Sultra Bombshell Rod Curling Iron
Best Value
Remington T | Studio Salon Collection Pearl
José Eber Clipless Curling Iron
Conair Infiniti Pro Tourmaline Ceramic Curling Iron
Bed Head Curli Pops Tourmaline Ceramic Curling Iron
