A pair of hair curlers is one of the best hair tools in your haircare kit, especially if you're a fan of bouncy, voluminous curls. However, finding the best hair curlers for your hair type, lifestyle and desired type of curls can be tricky - whether it's soft blow-dry-worthy curls or tight corkscrew curls. Hair curlers have come on in leaps and bounds in recent years and are much less intimidating and easier to use than before.
Are you looking to upgrade your old styler with something that will cause less damage? Or want a smarter hair curler that adapts to your hair type? We've done some extensive research on the best hair curlers and scoured the haircare space for the best curler out there right now.
Best hair curlers at a glance:
• Best overall: ghd Creative Curl Wand - View on John Lewis
• Best value: TRESemmé Professional Ceramic tong - View on Boots
• Best multi-use: Dyson Airwrap™ Multi-Styler Complete In Vinca Blue and Rosé - View on Boots
Plus, listed below are our hair tools FAQs where we've made sure to answer your burning questions about how to store your hair curlers, as well as recommendations along the way. With the right tool and hair products, you can curl your hair as well as protect it from long-lasting heat damage caused by hair dryers, hair straighteners, and more.
Best hair curlers
Best overall hair curler
www.johnlewis.com
Description
The ghd Curve Classic Wand creates dreamy waves, whatever your hair type. Taking just 25 seconds
Pros
- Comes with protective glove
- Ultra-zone technology
- Barrel suitable for all hair lengths
Cons
- Doesn't come with a protection case
Best value hair curler
www.boots.com
Description
As well as being of great value, the TRESemmé Professional Ceramic tong is a medium-sized tong
Pros
- Great for fine hair and short hair
- Heats up quickly
Cons
- Some felt the cord could be a little longer
Best for multi-use hair curler
www.boots.com
Description
The Dyson Airwrap Multi-Styler Complete In Vinca Blue and Rosé uses the innovational Coanda effect
Pros
- Simply does it all
- Gorgeous colour and finish
- Salon quality
Cons
- Take some attempts to figure out how the different heads work
Best hair curler for long hair
www.johnlewis.com
Description
Curling long hair can be a long task, but the BaByliss Hair Curling Wand creates small, lasting
Pros
- Comfortable to use
- Extra long wand
- Lightweight
Cons
- Fiddly on shorter hair
Best hair curler for all thick hair
Description
If you have thick hair that takes a long time to curl, Remington's Advanced Coconut Therapy Hair
Pros
- Thick barrel
- Adjustable temperature
- Comes with carry case
- 30 second heat up
Cons
- Ideal for larger curls, not tight curls
Best hair curler for preventing heat damage
www.justmylook.com
Description
If you learned to curl your hair with straighteners instead of using a curling wand, the L'Oreal
Pros
- Need to use the straighteners to curl
- Less heat damage
Cons
- Need to get used to them
Best hair curler for waves
www.loveamika.co.uk
Description
Whether you're looking for loose curls, trendy mermaid hair or a classic beach wave look, a hair
Pros
- 3 tourmaline ceramic barrels in 18.5 mm deliver gorgeous, beachy waves
- Works on all hair types, textures, and thicknesses
Cons
- Takes getting used to how big the tool is, expect a bit of arm ache at first
Best hair curler for heatless curls
rehabyourhair.com
Description
Everyone knows that heat can be cruel to your hair, so if you're looking to reduce the amount you
Pros
- No heat used at all
- Great for long hair that is used to blow dries
- Made from silk that helps prevent breakage and eliminates frizz.
Cons
- Tricky on shorter hair
Best hair curler for gentle temperatures
www.boots.com
Description
If you're looking for a curler that will be gentle to hair, Remington's Botanicals Curling Wand's
Pros
- Lovely design
- 30-second heat up
Cons
- No customer reviews
Best hair curlers FAQs
Do hair curlers damage your hair?
The short answer is yes, but not as much as they used to and there is so much you can do to prevent severe heat damage. Even the best hair curlers can break the hair and make it weaker. Unfortunately, using heat on your hair is pretty inevitable and heat damage will be an ongoing cycle of damage to your hair, especially if you use hair tools like hair curlers and hair wavers every single day. The best thing you can do as a frequent hair curler is to use a heat protection spray and/ or to try using methods that don't rely on heat. Or just keep to using heated tools on special occasions.
How long do hair curlers last?
Although many of us are guilty of holding onto our trusted pair of hair curlers for years, some experts say even the best hair curlers normally need to be replaced every two to three years. If you notice yours becoming less and less effective, it could be time to switch to a new set. Wrapping the cord around your curlers is also a big no-no, and can cause a lot of power problems - even if you think they're still working fine! If you rarely go a day without turning on your trusty curler, it will run through its lifespan fairly quickly compared to if you just use it once a week.
Hannah Mellin has been working in the Journalism industry for over a decade and has written for an array of brands. When she's not writing, perfecting her skincare routine, researching or testing products, she's renovating her Victorian terrace and chilling in the garden with her sausage dog Waffle.
