The Very Best Curling Irons, According To Extensive Testing

Like all dependable styling tools, the best curling irons get to work quickly and effectively. A really good one heats up in seconds; delivers shiny waves, curls or ringlets that last into day two; and comes with a host of built-in features that make your mornings infinitely easier. To determine the right model for various hair types, I put 10 curling irons to the test over the course of several months, taking into account factors such as performance, temperature range and ease of use. I found the Bio Ionic Long Barrel Curling Iron to be the best overall for its lightning-fast heat-up, snag-free clamp and extra barrel space that accommodates a wide range of hair lengths.

These are the best curling irons according to my testing:

The Kristin Ess 1.25-Inch Curling Iron earned the top spot for value thanks to its texture-focused settings, all-day curl hold and a design that rivals those of more expensive options—all at an affordable price point. (Read my in-depth reviews of the Bio Ionic and the Kristin Ess curling irons for more details.)

Plate material: Ceramic NanoIonic MX Mineral Complex | Barrel size: 1 inch, 1.25 inches | Temperature: 250 degrees to 430 degrees Fahrenheit | Heat-up time: 39 seconds | Weight: 10 ounces | Cord length: 9 feet | Warranty: 1 year

Best for:

• All hair lengths, but the longer barrel makes it especially great for medium to long hair
• All hair types, with an extensive heat range
• Comfortable styling, thanks to an ergonomic handle

Skip if:

• You’re looking for a barrel size that’s not offered

This hot tool has plenty of elements worthy of the best overall spot. Its temperature range of 250 to 430 degrees Fahrenheit is one of the most extensive I tested, and with one of the lowest entry settings. This makes it a great option for all hair types, from fine, thinner hair to thicker, super-straight or more textured strands. Gutterman says the low heat setting can also be “very important for those who have damaged hair.” And if you’ve ever noticed your hair feeling crunchy and dry after a curling session, that’s not likely to happen with this model—which I can vouch for based on my tests—thanks to Bio Ionic’s proprietary ceramic blend, which is designed to emit negative ions when heated to leave hair soft and glossy according to the brand.

It heats up in 39 seconds; I didn’t even have enough time to spritz heat protectant through my strands before the temperature gauge started blinking. To be thorough, I clocked the timing on different settings, which made it vary by only 1 or 2 seconds. The handle has a slim, tapered design and a smooth, matte finish that feels comfortable in my hand. There’s a ridge that makes for the perfect resting place for my index finger, allowing for a firm grip without straining my hands or wrist. And the clamp handle doesn’t require me to overextend my thumb to open or release it. All this to say, it’s the most ergonomically designed handle I’ve encountered.

My hair is long and hits around my mid-back, so average-sized curling irons don’t often give me enough space to work with. I usually have to curl each section in two steps: from the roots to mid-length, then moving from mid-length to the ends to ensure I’m evenly distributing the heat. With the longer barrel on this model, I was able to curl from ends to roots in one fell swoop without feeling like my hair was crowding the iron. My curl held up nicely throughout the day, and Gutterman shared a similar experience, saying she “only noticed a slight drop after about 6 hours.”

My only complaint is that it comes in only two size options, which only range by a quarter of an inch. The 1.25-inch barrel gave me a really pretty spiral curl that wasn’t too tight or too loose, and the 1-inch option will give you a similar look. However, in the interest of offering more options, Bio Iconic could stand to release another barrel size or two (in a smaller or larger barrel size).

My 6-month update:

• Several months after first testing the Bio Ionic Long Barrel Curling Iron, I appreciate it more than ever.
• My hair is in desperate need of some trimming and shaping, and doesn’t hold a style very well anymore. The long barrel evenly distributes heat on my overgrown strands, which helps it curl better and hold its shape throughout the day.
• The firm grip that originally grabbed my interest (pun very much intended), is still going strong. While other curling iron clamps can lose the tension over time, I’m not noticing a loosening of the grabbing power at all.

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Plate material: Titanium | Barrel size: 1 inch, 1.25 inches, 2 inches | Temperature: 325 degrees to 425 degrees Fahrenheit | Heat-up time: 30 seconds | Weight: 9.2 ounces | Cord length: 9 feet | Warranty: 2 years

Best for:

• Advanced users and beginners alike, thanks to preprogrammed temperature settings based on hair type
• Gripping thin, short hair
• Efficiency, thanks to the 30-second heat-up time

Skip if:

• You like to grip your curling iron by the tip

Although I’d heard great things from my fellow beauty colleagues about Kristin Ess’ products and hot tools, this was my first experience with the brand. I love the spiral curl it gave me, which by day two had only slightly fallen to a soft wave. One of my favorite details about this budget curling iron is how well the clamp grips. I was able to grab the thinnest, tiniest hairs along my temples that usually slide out of other models’ clamps. This one keeps hair taut while I’m twisting the iron around and around, without creating a crease. And speaking of spinning the base, the 9-foot cord swivels easily to allow for all the various movement and maneuvering that comes along with styling, plus it has a Velcro fastener for tidy storage.

The Kristin Ess curling iron takes only 30 seconds to fire up to your desired temperature. Selecting your heat setting is easy, thanks to four preset options that you can choose from depending on your hair type and skill level. The brand recommends level one (325 degrees) for thin or fine hair, level two (365 degrees) for medium or wavy hair, level three (400 degrees) for coarse or curly hair and level four (425 degrees) for professional or advanced users. Gutterman says, “This is great for consumers because it allows them to identify what setting is best for their specific hair type.” And when you’re done, the tool shuts off automatically after 30 minutes to prevent accidents.

I was impressed with the high-quality feel and sleek design (which rivals that of my T3 SinglePass luxury pick), even with its affordable price point. The bright white handle has a velvety soft finish, which feels comfortable in hand and looks like a million bucks on your bathroom counter. It also has a sleek digital display panel that’s hidden behind a rose-gold mirrored cover. When the curling iron is off, it looks like a design element, but when it’s on, the digital display shines through the panel to reveal a fully functioning temperature gauge.

A maneuverability woe I quickly took note of is that the plastic tip of the barrel is too tapered to get a good grip with just a couple of fingers. When I use a curling iron with a clamp, I like holding the handle with one hand and the tip with the other and twisting the barrel around my hair. I was able to adapt and work around this design flaw, and while it didn’t feel like I was at risk for a burn, it just didn’t feel as comfortable as I would’ve liked.

When purchasing hot tools that fall on the lower end of price points, I always feel skeptical about their long-term performance. Over the years, I’ve had plenty of budget-friendly tools that start out okay and quickly decline. However, after testing the Kristin Ess Titanium Curling Iron for a few months, I feel completely vindicated in my decision to select this as the best value option. The tool still works as new as when I first unboxed it, and it hasn’t given me a single problem, doesn’t cramp my style and stores well (thanks to the velcro fastener). For $60, it’s definitely the top affordable pick on the market.

My 6-month update:

• I still stand by my choice of selecting the Kristin Ess Titanium Curling Iron as the best value winner. Even months after first testing it, the sleek model remains the most beautiful in its price range, and I still stand by the quality.
• However, months later, I’m yet to adjust to the tapered grip at the end of the barrel. I’ve burned my fingertips a handful of times since first trying it, but to be fair it happened more when I was in a hurry and being less cautious.
• I’ve also noticed the white plastic requires a bit more maintenance than black curling irons or even the shiny finish of the T3 Singlepass. I wipe it down with sanitizing wipes every few uses to keep it bright white and remove makeup fingerprints and product residue.

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Plate material: CeraGloss ceramic | Barrel size: 0.5 inches, 0.75 inches, 1 inch, 1.25 inches, 1.5 inches | Temperature: 260 degrees to 410 degrees | Heat-up time: 90 seconds | Weight: 9.6 ounces | Cord length: 8 feet | Warranty: 2 years

Best for:

• Creating curls quickly with even heat distribution and an internal smart microchip that prevents temperature fluctuations
• Adding shine to dry or dull hair
• Offering a range of barrel size options

Skip if:

• You’re on a strict budget

I’ve owned T3 tools for a long time for two reasons: They’re beautiful and last forever. (My Twirl Trio Interchangeable Clip Barrel Curling Iron Set, another great luxury option, is going on 7 years without a single issue.) This newer model also has the brand’s SinglePass technology built in (a combination of even heat distribution and an internal smart microchip that prevents temperature fluctuations), which the brand says allows you to curl sections of hair in just one pass with less damage.

Additionally, the barrel is made with T3’s scratch-proof, stain-resistant CeraGloss ceramic material, which minimizes snagging and leaves hair smoother and shinier. I was impressed with how firmly the clamp grabbed each section of my hair without tugging or catching strands in the hinge. By the second day, I was able to brush it to detangle and soften the curls before running out the door with day-two waves. Gutterman also remarked on the longevity and quality of looks created with the tool. “The curl held really well and stayed consistent throughout the day and into the next morning. It also left the hair soft and allowed me to brush through it without losing the curl or the volume,” she says. She also liked how shiny it left hair, so much so that she didn’t need to use additional product.

The handle doesn’t feature a single button, which also rakes up major maneuverability points (no accidentally pressing buttons or changing heat settings while using the curling iron). Instead, it has an inconspicuous knob at the bottom that twists to toggle between five heat settings, which go from 260 to 410 degrees, indicated by a series of lit-up dots. They blink in sequence while the barrel is heating and stay lit once it’s ready.

I tested the 1.25-inch barrel, but T3 doesn’t skimp on options—you can find the SinglePass