ghd Curve vs. T3 SinglePass Curling Iron: Which One Is Best?

What We Considered

Ease of Use 

Winner: ghd

It’s no secret that mastering how to use a traditional curling iron with a clamp can take some practice. There’s an art to using the clamp correctly, so we appreciate the tools that make it as effortless as possible. While testers said they appreciated how easily the hair glided against the T3 curling iron and noted that the clamp had the perfect tension, the lightweight design, flexible swivel cord, and lightning-fast heat-up time of the ghd iron made it the winner in this category. One tester did note that the clamp on the ghd iron felt a bit tight, so if you have fine hair that crimps easily, keep this in mind. 

Features 

Winner: T3

We love that the ghd curling iron has a swivel cord and an automatic shut-off—removing the fear that you left your hot tool plugged in after you’ve already left home—but the T3 pick has these features and more. If you ask us, the best thing about the T3 curling iron is that it has different heat settings which makes it versatile for a variety of hair types. If you have fine hair, you can use a lower temperature to prevent damage, and if you have thick hair, you can turn up the heat to yield defined curls. 

Curl Results

Winner: It’s a tie. 

Both curling irons create beautiful results. But which one is better? Well, that depends on your preferences. If you’re looking to achieve slightly tighter, more defined curls, the ghd option is best for you. If you prefer looser more relaxed beach waves, you’ll prefer the T3 curling iron. 

Curl Hold 

Winner: ghd

The ghd Classic Curve Curling Iron does a better job at creating curls that last—which is especially valuable if you have fine hair or you struggle to make your curls last in general. Testers with both fine hair and curlier hair reported that this tool gave them long-lasting results. When it comes to the T3 curling iron, testers shared that they needed to hold the iron on their hair longer to keep the curl shape in place, and their curls loosened up significantly not long after styling their hair. 

Value

Winner: It’s a tie. 

Considering that there’s just a $30 price difference between the two options, we feel that they’re pretty equal in terms of value. The ghd curling iron is a bit more expensive, but it creates longer-lasting curls, so we think spending a bit more for it is justified if you struggle to keep your curls locked in. As for the T3 option, it’s slightly less expensive, but it doesn’t perform quite as well on the longevity front. However, if you’re cool with loose curls that gracefully fade throughout the day, it’s a great option for you. 

What You Can Expect to Pay

When shopping for a classic curling iron, you can expect to pay anywhere from around $20 to around $300. Both the ghd Classic Curl Curling Iron and the T3 SinglePass Curl Professional Ceramic Curling Iron are priced between $150 and $200, which is pretty standard for high-end curling irons. When determining the one for you, consider what results you're going for, what features the product has, and your hair type. 

How We Tested

Byrdie editors spent hours researching the best curling irons on the market, taking expert recommendations and consumer reviews into account before choosing several to test out first-hand in The Lab, our Manhattan-based product testing facility. Our testers assessed each one based on  of ease of use, styling ability, clamp tension, and curl hold, before deciding on a rating from one to five. The ghd Classic Curl Curling Iron and the T3 SinglePass Curl Professional Ceramic Curling Iron were two of the most highly rated options. 

What is Byrdie Verified? 

Did you notice the Byrdie Verified seal of approval at the top of this story? This seal means that our team has researched and tested every product on this list using a unique methodology that’s designed to focus on what our readers really want to know—and to deliver insights that you can’t find anywhere else. Occasionally, beauty brands and PR agencies will send us samples for coverage consideration, but our thoughts and opinions are fully our own. If you visit links within our content, we may receive commissions from your purchases, but we never receive any compensation or consideration for the content of our recommendations. In short, the Byrdie Verified seal stands for product recommendations you can trust.

Why Trust Byrdie

Alyssa Kaplan is an experienced writer in the beauty industry and a product tester specializing in cosmetics. She has tons of experience using a wide range of curling irons and heat-styling tools. She has fine hair and has spent years trying to perfect the ideal tousled curls. Alyssa has been a commerce writer at Byrdie since 2022, where she covers all things beauty.