The 10 Best Curling Wands of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall

ghd Creative Curl Tapered Curling Wand

4.7

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Our Ratings

• Ease of Use
  4.5/5
• Styling Ability
  4.5/5
• Curl Hold
  4.5/5

This lightweight wand was a favorite among our testers, and it's easy to understand why. The uniquely flattened taper shape of the rod offers some styling versatility, from a tighter hold to a looser, beach-like wave. “It took about 10 to 15 seconds to achieve a full-bodied curl,” says one tester, "although you can achieve loose waves if you leave this curling wand on for less time.” At a preset temperature of 365 degrees, which we can confirm does not exceed 366 degrees at its core and gets down to 320 degrees near its end, this wand is designed to protect your hair from any heat damage. Its 22-second heat-up time, easy-to-maneuver swivel cord, protective cool tip, and automatic shut-off are also some favorite features that are hard to beat. It does fall on the pricey end of the spectrum (at nearly $200), but we absolutely think it's worth the investment.

Price at time of publish: $199

Auto Shut-Off: 30 minutes | Heat-Up Time: 22 seconds | Cord Length: 8 feet

Best Budget

Bed Head Curlipops Ceramic Clamp-Free 1/2" Curling Wand

4.2

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Our Ratings

• Ease of Use
  4.3/5
• Styling Ability
  3.3/5
• Curl Hold
  4/5

For some of us, simpler is better when it comes to technology—including when it comes to our hair tools. The BedHead's Curlipops Ceramic Wand is no exception with its straightforward design and no-fuss, easy-to-use mechanics of a single on/off button—you’re getting the features you pay for, here. Of course, that’s not to say this wand won’t deliver. Our testers gave it a collective 4/5 rating for curl hold, saying that with just a little extra time spent holding hair around the wand, a defined, bouncy curl was the result—and though it loosened up a bit with time, the shape remained intact. If you don’t want to spend a lot of money and you aren’t looking for anything fancy, this $30 option has got you covered.

Price at time of publish: $23

Auto Shut-Off: None | Heat Up Time: 2:37 | Cord Length: 6 feet

Best Drugstore

Conair Double Ceramic 1" Curling Wand

4.2

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Our Ratings

• Ease of Use
  4.3/5
• Styling Ability
  4/5
• Curl Hold
  4/5

Not all of us have the ability (or desire, for that matter) to splurge on our hair tools, but affordable options shouldn’t compromise our desired results. The Conair double ceramic curling wand is going to give you even heat distribution for long-lasting curls—and, at under $20, there’s no arguing with that! While the wand can reach up to 400 degrees, you may not need to take it so high, due to its efficiency on thicker hair types. It doesn’t have a ton of bells and whistles, but it does have 30 different heat settings to choose from. Sure, this feature was a little confusing to some of our testers, especially when compared to the straightforward digital displays on other wand options, but it didn’t disrupt the 4/5 styling ability rating and its 4.25/5 rating for ease of use. TL;DR: This drugstore option is a value that’s hard to beat.

Price at time of publish: $20

Auto Shut-Off: 1 hour | Heat-Up Time: N/A | Cord Length: 6 feet

Best for Versatility

Amika The Chameleon 5-Barrel Interchangeable Curling Kit

4.8

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Our Ratings

• Ease of Use
  4.5/5
• Styling Ability
  5/5
• Curl Hold
  5/5

If you aren’t someone who likes to wear the same look every single day, the Amika Chameleon 5 Barrel Interchangeable Curling Kit is the wand for you. Don’t be scared off by the price tag on this one, Byrdies—you’re essentially getting five different irons with this kit. Plus, each titanium barrel will heat your tresses quickly and leave you with long-standing hold and a smooth finish. Also, its temperature setting has an easy-to-read (and control) digital display that will reach up to 450 degrees for thicker, more stubborn hair types. All of our testers reported that there was no drop to their curls as time wore on, earning this wand a 5/5 rating for curl retention. Overall, our testers felt that this wand would be a match made in heaven for any hair chameleon and would cater to the needs of varying hair densities and textures.

Price at time of publish: $300

Auto Shut-Off: 1 hour | Heat-Up Time: 1:58 | Cord Length: 8 feet

Best for Long Hair

Bio Ionic Eternity Wand

4.5

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Our Ratings

• Ease of Use
  4.7/5
• Styling Ability
  4.2/5
• Curl Hold
  4.7/5

Having longer hair can often take a longer amount of time to style. If you fall into this hair camp, finding a wand that will offer fast and lasting results can make all the difference—and that’s exactly what the Bio Ionic Eternity Wand can offer. With a 4.7/5 rating for both its ease of use and curl holding ability, this wand was an easy selection for our best-of list. Its auto-shut-off and digital display take it a notch above your basic wand, but it's the moisturizing heat technology in this bio ionic ceramic barrel that’s responsible for the quick results. Plus, the extra-long rod and cord length make it extremely suitable for reaching longer strands. Case in point: one short-haired user claimed, “The barrel felt too long for my short hair and was especially hard to use in the back of my head.” Don’t forget to rely on that heat-resistant glove—it’s included for a reason.

Price at time of publish: $129

Auto Shut-Off: 1 hour | Heat-Up Time: 3:00 | Cord Length: 9 feet

Best Splurge

Dyson Airwrap Styler

4.8

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Our Ratings

• Ease of Use
  4.8/5
• Design
  4.8/5
• Drying Ability
  4.6/5
• Effectiveness
  4.6/5
• Durability
  5/5

Dyson branched out into hair care back in 2016 and the industry hasn’t been the same since. The band's cutting-edge technology has set a new standard for what we can come to expect in a hot tool, and the Airwrap is no exception. With six interchangeable magnetic attachments—for smoothing, volumizing, and of course curling—this tool does so much more than your average curling wand. If you thought setting the temperature on a digital display was next level for ease, the Airwrap doesn’t even offer a temperature control because it checks itself automatically to keep its internal temperature below 302 degrees to avoid causing any heat damage to your strands. Yes, there is a small learning curve due to its uniqueness, but our testers still gave it a 4.5/5 for styling ability and a 4.25/5 for ease of use.

Another differentiating factor is the fact that this wand uses airflow as its main source of heat, so the results you’re going to get are more similar to the curls from a blowout that loosen up over time, hence the 2.9/5 rating for curl hold. It certainly falls on the pricey end of the spectrum, but this transformational tool will help you achieve a variety of different looks, keep the integrity of your strands, and help speed up your overall styling time. For these reasons, it's a worthy splurge in our books.

Price at time of publish: $693

Auto Shut-Off: N/A | Heat Up Time: N/A | Cord Length: 8.75 feet

Best for Fine Hair

Gisou Curling Tool

4.5

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Our Ratings

• Ease of Use
  4.5/5
• Styling Ability
  4.3/5
• Curl Hold
  4.8/5

While testing the Gisou Curling Iron, our fine-haired tester reported that “this wand left the best curls for my hair type.” Not only were they a fan of the rod shape and curl definition, but there was no need to hold the iron against the hair for long periods to get long-lasting, desired results. Plus, its ceramic barrel is a huge perk in terms of protecting finer strands from damage. While our thicker-haired testers also reported impressive results in their styling, their looser-curled finish didn’t get in the way of rating this wand at a collective 4.75/5 for curl hold and 4.5/5 for ease of use. The cute black and pink aesthetic and extremely lightweight grip also made it an easy favorite among our testers.

Price at time of publish: $129

Auto Shut-Off: 1 hour | Heat-Up Time: 1:36 | Cord Length: 8.2 feet

Best for Beginners

Hot Tools Professional 1-1¼” Nano Ceramic Flipperless Tapered Wand

4.8

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Our Ratings

• Ease of Use
  4.5/5
• Styling Ability
  5/5
• Curl Hold
  5/5

Hot Tools is a brand known for its classic, timeless hot tools. The brand's tools, including this wand, always offer a straightforward design that's easy to use for newbies. A heat-resistant glove is included with the Nano Ceramic Fliperless Wand, but it also offers a large cool-tip surface which serves as a great safety net for any beginner. One tester noted that their hair had a healthy, shiny finish with minimal frizz after using this wand, thanks in large part to the ceramic barrel and snag-free surface that offers heat protection to your strands, as well as an effortless glide. Both styling ability and curl hold ratings come in high with a 5/5 for our testers, so even if you aren’t new to the wand search, this Hot Tools wand option is sure to leave you with reliable results you’ll be raving about.

Price at time of publish: $55

Auto Shut-Off: N/A |Heat Up Time: 2:34 | Cord Length: 8 feet

Best for Bouncy Curls

L'ange Hair Lustré 25mm Blush Titanium Barrel Digital Wand

4.6

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Our Ratings

• Ease of Use
  5/5
• Styling Ability
  4/5
• Curl Hold
  5/5

Bouncy and defined is the best way to frame your expectations from the L’ange Hair Lustre curling wand. Its ergonomic design gave our users a comfortable, confident grip for maximum styling control, concluding in a high 5/5 rating for ease of use. Thicker hair types loved the digital display, which allegedly reaches up to 450 degrees, though when we tested it with a meat thermometer, we never saw temps rise above 342 degrees. But that didn’t get in the way of its secure, long-lasting results.

Testers reported that the iron heated up quickly between temperature changes and it was easy to achieve a bouncy curl without holding the wand in place for long. Its titanium barrel helps with quick temperature control, as well as consistent heat throughout the wand. One tester had some minor snagging near the barrel’s base on her first run, which was the only reason its styling ability got down to a 4/5. Otherwise, this wand passed with an almost perfect score across the board, giving all testers a voluminous, bouncy head of curls.

Price at time of publish: $79

Auto Shut-Off: 1 hour | Heat-Up Time: 1:52 | Cord Length: 6 feet