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Byrdie / Chloe Jeong
While they might not look a whole lot different to the untrained eye, today's curling irons are a lot more effective than their decades-old counterparts. Still, fine hair is notoriously hard to style with heat tools, even with today's advancements. The best curling irons for fine hair have adjustable temperature settings to avoid frying fragile, thin hair.
"Temperature is key," celebrity hair artist Sally Hershberger tells Byrdie. "Fine hair is more susceptible to heat damage, so finding one that allows you to keep a steady temperature is major—310 Fahrenheit (F) is ideal for fine hair."
We conducted hours of research on the best curling irons for thin hair. We tried some of the top-rated models out there, our testers taking note of heat settings and how easy the curling iron was to use. Our team then combined these results with our own research of fan-favorites plus stylist-recommended picks to create this list.
Ahead, find the best curling irons for fine hair.
Best Overall
Hot Tools 24K Gold Marcel Curling Iron
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Heat sensor technology
Marcel-style clamp
Seven-year warranty
Not ideal for beginners
"I like the Hot Tools Professional 24K Gold Marcel Iron," says Hershberger. "It's lightweight, creates a great curl, and can hold a steady temperature at 310 F that won't damage the hair." As its name suggests, this 1-inch wonder is coated with 24-carat gold to deliver optimal shine.
The brand's Pulse Technology senses heat loss and then restores it to the barrel. And unlike traditional spring irons, the marcel-style clamp offers more control when styling. (If you've never used a marcel iron, it'll take a little practice, but before long, you'll be a pro.) Not only that, but Hot Tools backs this iron with a seven-year warranty.
Price at time of publish: $50
Temperature Range: Up to 430 degrees | Size: 1 inch
Best Budget
Conair Double Ceramic 1-Inch Curling Iron
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Budget-friendly
Auto-shutoff feature
Moderate heat range
Relatively short barrel
With a moderate heat range that doesn't go above 375 F, Conair's budget-friendly Double Ceramic Curling Iron was designed with fine hair in mind. Though as Hershberger notes, you're wise to keep it around 310 F. The non-tapered ceramic barrel evenly distributes heat while helping to smooth frizzy hair.
Price at time of publish: $20
Temperature Range: Up to 375 degrees | Size: 1 inch
What Our Editors Say
"This ultra-affordable option has been my go-to curling iron for the past eight years. It heats up quickly and simply works in a way other, more expensive models haven't for me. The double-ceramic barrel protects against damage, and it means you can also use the tool like a curling wand if you don't want to clip in for tight curls." —Kathryn Vandervalk, VP of Commerce, Dotdash Meredith
Best Drugstore
Remington Pro ½-1-Inch Pearl Ceramic Conical Curling Wand
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Temperature lock functionality
Digital temperature control
Comes with a protective glove
Limited curling options
This affordable drugstore pick holds its own against fancier devices. Featuring a tapered ceramic barrel, ten digitally controlled heat settings, and an auto-shutoff feature, the quick-heating Remington Pro Curling Wand checks all the boxes. We also like that it comes with a protective glove.
Price at time of publish: $47
Temperature Range: Up to 410 degrees | Size: 0.5 to 1 inch
Best Splurge
T3 Whirl Trio Interchangeable Styling Wand
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Sephora
Interchangeable heads
Intelligent heating protects hair from damage
High in quality
No clamp functionality included
If you're open to investing in a top-tier versatile tool, you should definitely consider getting the T3 Whirl Trio. This high-tech model comes with a tapered wand and two traditional barrels (1 and 1.5 inches), allowing you to create endless styles. Not only that but the intelligent heating system can be set as low as 260 F, so you won't have to worry about frying your hair.
Price at time of publish: $325
Temperature Range: 260 to 410 degrees | Size: 1 to 1.5 inches
Best for Beginners
BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Spring Curling Iron
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Amazon
Even heat distribution
Adjustable heat settings
Long-lasting
Can be a bit time-consuming
If you're new to the world of curling irons, the BaBylissPro Nano is an excellent gateway tool. This traditional clamp-style spring iron has a 1.25-inch titanium-ceramic barrel, plus adjustable heat settings that go easy on fine, fragile hair.
Price at time of publish: $60
Temperature Range: 310 to 450 degrees | Size: 1.25 inches
Best Wand
NuMe Magic Curling Wand
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Creates ultimate hold
Auto-shutoff feature
Far-infrared heat technology protects outer cuticle
Engineering could use some work
NuMe's Magic Curling Wand boasts a clampless, non-tapered titanium barrel, negative ion conditioning technology, and digital temperature settings starting as low as 140 F. You can choose between bouncy ringlets or soft waves without worrying about friction or breakage.
Price at time of publish: $129
Temperature Range: 140 to 450 degrees | Size: 1 inch
Best for Multi-Tasker
Amika The Autopilot 3-in-1 Rotating Curling Iron
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Amazon
3-in-1 multi-use design
Negative ion technology seals and smooths cuticle
Adds volume
Hard to clamp when rotator is unlocked
"Think about how comfortable you are with using certain irons. The wand may be easiest to use, or maybe a clamp, which is also fairly easy to use, or a marcel if you're up for a challenge," says New York-based hairstylist Sky Kim of Serge Normant at John Frieda.
With The Autopilot, you'll get the best of all worlds. This three-in-one ceramic hot tool can operate as a traditional clip curler, a rotating barrel curler, or a pro-level marcel wand.
Price at time of publish: $120
Temperature Range: 320 to 430 degrees | Size: 1 inch
Best for Short Hair
ghd Curve Classic Curl 1" Iron
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Amazon
Heats evenly
Automated temperature control provides safe heating
Gets warm quickly
Expensive
No heat settings
For those rocking a shorter style, we recommend the 1-inch Curve. "GHD adapts its heat temperature depending on the section of the hair and won't go above 365 F, so it's really great for fine hair or damaged hair," explains Kim. Plus, the cool tip helps prevent burns when you're holding it near your face and scalp.
Price at time of publish: $199
Temperature Range: Up to 365 degrees | Size: 1 inch
Best for Long Hair
CHI Volcanic Lava Ceramic Pro Spin N Curl
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Automated curling
Time-saving design
Customizable heating
Doesn't go below 370 degrees
If you have long hair, Kim says to consider styling time. With this in mind, we recommend the Pro Spin N Curl from CHI's Volcanic Lava line. This nifty iron basically sucks up small hair sections into its heated curl chamber, then releases a bouncy 1-inch curl.
Price at time of publish: $155
Temperature Range: 370 to 410 degrees | Size: 1 inch
Best Barrel
Bio Ionic Long Barrel 1.25" Curling Iron
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Amazon
Extra-long barrel provides ample styling room
Keeps hair conditioned
Easy to hold
Hair may slide out of the clip
Unlike many curling tools on the market, this beauty from Bio Ionic doesn't skimp on barrel length. The Long Barrel Iron is 1 inch wide and roughly 2 inches longer than average, allowing you to create glamorous spirals or modern waves, even in hard-to-reach sections, like the back of your head.
Price at time of publish: $149
Temperature Range: 250 to 430 degrees | Size: 1 inch
Best Features
Drybar The 3-Day Bender Digital Curling Iron
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Amazon
Rotating clamp
Auto-shutoff feature
Long power cord gives range and flexibility
Not ideal for beginners
Drybar's 3-Day Bender pulls out all the stops for at-home styling. This all-star curling iron has a 1.25-inch barrel with a rotating clamp, transforming slick, flat hair into bouncy curls in no time. What's more, it has digital heat settings, an automatic shutoff feature, and a 9-foot power cord.
Price at time of publish: $149
Temperature Range: Up to 440 degrees | Size: 1.25 inches
Best Rotating
InStyler Max Prime 1.25" Rotating Tourmaline Ceramic Iron
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Finishes the job in minutes
Provides four heat settings
Automatically shuts off for safety
New design has changed reduced a bit
For pro-level curls and voluminous bounce, reach for the InStyler Max Prime. With a 1.25-inch rotating barrel and an ionic bristle brush in place of a traditional clamp, it tackles frizz and leaves visibly shinier hair in its wake. And when you're not in the mood for curls, you can use it to smooth and straighten.
Price at time of publish: $88
Temperature Range: 285 to 425 degrees | Size: 1.25 inches
Best for Loose Waves
Beachwaver Co. Beachwaver Pro Dual Voltage
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Courtesy of Nordstrom
Rotating barrel provides convenient movement
Hair stays intact all day
Crimp-free clamp
Expensive
If it's loose waves you're after, your best bet is the Beachwaver Pro. It's got a 1-inch gold-infused tourmaline barrel with a dual-rotation feature that makes easy-breezy hairstyles, well, a breeze. We also like that it has a 9-foot power cord and a specially designed clamp that won't create that dreaded crimp.
Price at time of publish: $129
Temperature Range: Up to 450 degrees | Size: 1 inch
Best for Travel
Harry Josh Pro Tools Travel Curling Iron 1.25-Inch
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Dermstore
Travel-friendly
Lightweight
Heats up in just 30 seconds
Performance could be better
This small but mighty curling iron from Harry Josh Pro Tools weighs just over 6 ounces and is the best petite size to stash in your suitcase, carry-on, gym bag. We appreciate that it has adjustable heat settings, an ionic barrel, and an automatic shutoff feature. "Plus, it's mint green, which is super cute," adds Kim.
Price at time of publish: $90
Temperature Range: 325 to 425 degrees | Size: 1.25 inches
Best for Bangs
Kim Kimble Celebrity Series 1" Ceramic Tourmaline Digital Spring Hair Curling Iron with Heat Resistant Protective Glove
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Walmart
Non-stick barrel and clip
Auto shut-off
Comes with protective glove
Some reviewers note the self-wrap function makes the iron hard to handle
This Kim Kimble tourmaline ceramic curling iron works especially well on thin hair and bangs, heating up quickly for less damage and frizz. The design delivers consistent heat across the entire length of the ceramic barrel, which means you have to wrap the hair yourself and hold it in place. A protective glove is included, although some reviewers noted this makes the process more challenging than other curling irons, especially on longer segments of hair.
Price at time of publish: $37
Temperature Range: 325 to 450 degrees | Size: 1 inch
Final Verdict
Our best overall pick is Hot Tools 24K Gold Marcel Curling Iron. Special heat loss technology helps maintain a constant temperature ideal for heat styling fine hair and the marcel-style clamp offers more control. The seven-year warranty is also reassuring. For a more cost-effective pick, consider the Conair Double Ceramic 1-inch Curling Iron, a heritage product that has adjustable temperature settings.
Meet the Expert
Shelly Aguirre is a hairstylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago. She specializes in cutting, blowouts, extensions, and keratin treatments.
Sally Hershberger is an internationally known celebrity hairstylist with salons in New York and Los Angeles.
What to Look For
Ceramic Barrel
When it comes to curling finer hair, hairstylist Shelly Aguirre stresses the importance of choosing a tool with a fully ceramic (read: not just coated) barrel. “You need to have even heat distribution from the top to bottom of the barrel,” she says. “If the barrel isn’t evenly heated, you’ll tend to go over the section more times than necessary because you’re not getting the results quick enough”—thus, leading to heat damage, which is definitely not beneficial to anyone with fine hair, which tends to be much more fragile.
Ionic Technology
To keep fine, limp hair looking healthy and vibrant, Aguirre also recommends looking for an ionic curling iron. “Negative ions will help make the hair shiny and less frizzy due to the simple fact that negative ions close down the cuticle,” she says. “Your cuticle lays like shingles on a roof, so ‘laying them down’ will increase the shine and offer a healthy overall look.”
Temperature Control
Per Pucciarello's advice, those with fine hair shouldn’t be using their curling irons at 450 F unless they want fried, damaged hair. Aguirre says that it’s imperative to look for a tool with temperature control so that you can adjust it to fit your styling needs while maintaining a non-damaging temperature range. “You should keep the heat down to around 325 to 350 degrees, so you’re not damaging the hair,” she recommends. “Also, using a heat protectant is necessary and not negotiable.”
Why Trust Byrdie
Byrdie contributor Theresa Holland is a seasoned beauty writer specializing in skincare, makeup, and hair. Additional input was provided by stylists Sally Hershberger and Shelly Aguirre.
According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find any curling irons for fine hair from a Black-owned and/or Black-founded business. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com and we will evaluate the product ASAP.
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