The 13 Best Curling Irons of All Time, Reviewed by Marie Claire Editors

These are easy to use, add shine, and actually hold.

woman with curls from the best curling irons walking on the street
(Image credit: Launchmetrics)

Having a well-rounded hot tool arsenal is the key to consistent good hair days. The best blow dryers will help prevent frizz and the best straightening irons can add shine and smoothness. But hands down, without a doubt, the best curling irons make for the most versatile hair styling tools. Whether you’re after beachy waves, a spiral, or just looking to add some definition after you air-dry your hair, there is a barrel, a heat range, and a technique that will get the job done.

Curling irons, wands, and wavers work with every hair type under the sun and you really only need one solid option (okay, maybe two) in your arsenal. Lucky for you, hair pros Harry Josh, Clariss Rubenstein, and Rogerio Cavalcante have decided to share their insider advice on what to look for when selecting the best option.

It doesn’t matter if you have fine hair that you *believe* won’t hold a curl or are dealing with curly hair that is in need of some extra shaping—there's a hot tool that will work with your specific hair type and texture. Trust us: The Marie Claire team has spent the past few weeks testing curling irons to discover the best, evaluating ease of use, versatility, hair health benefits, and durability of the curl. Our honest reviews, ahead.

The Best Curling Irons

lauren tappan with curls from the T3 curling iron

Lauren Tappan used the T3 SinglePass Curling Iron on the medium heat setting.

(Image credit: MC Staff)

Samantha Holender before using the Dyson (on the left) and an hour after letting curls fall (on the right).

Samantha Holender before using the Dyson (on the left) and an hour after letting curls fall (on the right).

(Image credit: MC Staff)

A close up of Jonelle Arfuong using the DryBar Mixologist with the 1-inch barrel attachment (on the left) and the end results (on the right).

Jonelle Arfuong uses the DryBar Mixologist with the 1-inch barrel attachment.

(Image credit: MC Staff)

Image of Deena Campbell after using the Pattern Beauty Curling Iron

Deena Campbell loves that the Pattern Beauty curling iron enhances her natural curls.

(Image credit: Deena Campbell)

Samantha Holender showing the back of her head after using the Hot Tools Pro Artist 24k Gold Curlbar Curling Wand.

Samantha Holender shows how the Hot Tools curl held up, after a whole work day—and in NYC humidity.

(Image credit: MC Staff)

Sophia Vilensky using the GHD Soft Curl (on the left), and her showing soft beach waves after usages (on the right).

Sophia Vilensky uses the GHD Soft Curl for a pretty, shiny beach wave.

(Image credit: MC Staff)

Brooke Knappenberger using the Ion Luxe Dual Voltage Cordless Ceramic Curling Wand (on the left) and full-bodied curls after usage (on the right)

Brooke Knappenberger achieves a full-bodied curling iron curl without a clamp.

(Image credit: MC Staff)

Gabrielle Ulubay using the Shark turquoise FlexStyle.

Gabrielle Ulubay tries out the Shark's new limited-editor turquoise FlexStyle.

(Image credit: MC Staff)

Samantha Holender in a floral top, showing her curls after using the Wavytalk Thermal Brush

Samantha Holender packed this brush with her for a recent vacation, and loved how lightweight it was to travel with.

(Image credit: MC Staff)

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What to Look For in a Curling Iron

  • Barrel

“The smaller the barrel the tighter the curl,” says Rubenstein. A one-inch iron, according to Josh, will create tighter curls, while a two-inch barrel will give you more of a wavy style. Just a word from the wise: If your hair isn’t great at holding a curl, go tighter…it’s going to drop throughout the day.

  • Heat 

As a rule of thumb, the lower the heat is, the less damage you will have. But, it’s impossible to say that 350 degrees is the ideal temperature across the board. “If you have frizzy, thick, or coarse hair you will need a higher heat,” explains Rubenstein. “If you can do a curl or wave in one pass you can raise the heat—I believe this causes less mechanical damage. If you have to do multiple passes to the same section to get the result, you want to lower the heat.”

If you don't want to put heat on your hair, try one of the best overnight heatless curls tools.

  • Clamp

There are three main types of curling irons: A marcel curling iron, a spring curling iron, and a curling wand—all of which create different types of curls. “Marcel and spring clamps will create more traditional, tighter curls,” says Josh. A wand, on the other hand? “It gives more of a beachy undone wave,” says Rubenstein.

  • Material

Most curling irons will either be made of tourmaline or ceramic. "Tourmaline curling irons are coated with or infused with tourmaline, a gemstone that emits negative ions and infrared heat. This helps reduce frizz and static, resulting in shinier, smoother curls and is particularly effective for thick or coarse hair," explains Cavalcante. "Ceramic curling irons feature ceramic plates or barrels that provide even heat distribution, minimizing damage and creating consistent curls. They help smooth the hair cuticle, enhancing shine and reducing frizz, making them suitable for fine to normal hair types."

How Do You Curl Hair?

The size of your barrel and the temperature obviously play a role in your final curl, but technique is an important part of the equation. How you twist your hair, how long you hold it, and your positioning all impact the final outcome.

When using a curling iron with a clamp, there are two primary techniques. "One method is to place the ends of your hair into the clamp and then wrap the hair around the barrel by spinning the curling iron, usually with the iron placed upwards and the clamp facing the mirror. This method typically results in looser curls," explains Cavalcante. "The other method is to hold the clamp open downward, wrap the entire hair strand around the barrel like a ribbon around a pole, and then close the clamp. This technique creates more structured curls.

How you wrap the hair around the barrel will also factor into the shape of your curl. “If you tighten the hair from the top to the bottom, you’ll get a super springy curl, but if you just loosely wrap you’ll get more of a blown-out look,” explains Josh.

How to Make Curls Last

It's a tale as old as time. You curl your hair and looks great—only for it to completely fall a few hours later. Thankfully, a few easy styling tips will help you secure the shape so your curls can last all day.

"Allow curls to cool completely before touching them, which helps set the curl. For special occasions like weddings, you can wrap each curl around your finger and secure it with a clip immediately after curling, letting it rest and cool for 10 to 30 minutes," notes Cavalcante. You many also want to use a light-hold hairspray or setting spray after curling each section and avoid over-brushing to maintain curl definition.

How Do You Clean a Curling Iron?

It's highly possible you never once thought about cleaning your curling iron. But take it from Cavalcante: it's a very important step. "Curling irons should be cleaned from time to time to remove product buildup, especially if you use oils and hairspray on your hair before styling," he explains. All you have to do is wipe the barrel with a damp cloth every few weeks, depending on the frequency you use your curling iron. Just ensure the tool is off and completely cool before doing so.

Meet the Experts

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Clariss Rubenstein

Clariss Rubenstein is a Los Angeles based hairstylist. Born in Paris, she discovered her passion for art and style at an early age. She attended the Vidal Sassoon Academy in Los Angeles and later worked under top stylists at the renowned Chris McMillan Salon. Her talent and ambition paid off and she opened a boutique studio, Gloss, in Beverly Hills, where she currently works. Clariss’s clients include Jennifer Garner, Dakota Fanning, Mindy Kaling, Kaley Cuoco, Leighton Meester, Allison Williams and Alison Brie.

Her work has been featured in editorials for Vanity FairJalouse and LadyGunn. Her advertising work includes James Perse, Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Tommy Hilfiger.

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Harry Josh

Harry Josh grew up in Vancouver. He had the desire to work in the fashion world at the age of 15. He started flipping through pages of Vogue. He began his hairstyling training while in Canada and eventually moved to New York City to pursue a more meaningful career. Harry Josh started working at a casting agency coloring models' hair in his apartment's bathroom in the West Village. Amy Astley, former beauty director of Vogue Magzine , was referred to Josh. Astley approved of his work and he became and editor for the magazine. Since then, he has helped style the hair of Rose Byrne, Jennifer Garner, Gwyneth Paltrow, Amanda Seyfried, Tina Fey, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Christy Turlington, and Helena Christensen. He has worked with photographers among the likes of Patrick Demarchelier, Annie Leibovitz, Carter Smith, Nino Munoz, Miles Aldridge, Stephane Sednoui, Gilles Bensimon, and Walter Chin. In 2013, Harry Josh partnered with DermStore to launch his hair tool line: Harry Josh Pro Tools. The line consists of two hair dryers, two curling irons, a flat iron, a diffuser, and an array of brushes, combs and clips.

rogerio cavalcante
Rogerio Cavalcante

The Second Floor Salon was founded by Rogerio Cavalcante, an experienced hairstylist who moved to the U.S from Brazil 15 years ago and has built a clientele in NYC through his top quality service and customer service. The culture of beauty and innovation has been deep-rooted in Rogerio’s life for as long as he can remember. Since his childhood, Rogerio was surrounded by hairstylist influences in his family, with over nineteen family members working in the hair industry. Rogerio collaborated and learned alongside leaders of educational institutions including Toni & Guy, Vidal Sassoon, and L’Oréal Paris. Today he spends time traveling between New York, London, Paris, and Miami, attending to his global clientele, exchanging innovative techniques with other experts and continually pushing his style to incorporate the latest worldwide trends while perfecting his own unique skills in the Dry Cutting method.

Samantha Holender
Beauty Editor

Samantha Holender is the Beauty Editor at Marie Claire, where she reports on the best new launches, dives into the science behind skincare, and shares the breakdown on the latest and greatest trends in the beauty space. She's studied up on every ingredient you'll find on INCI list and is constantly in search of the world's glowiest makeup products. Prior to joining the team, she worked as Us Weekly’s Beauty and Style Editor, where she stayed on the pulse of pop culture and broke down celebrity beauty routines, hair transformations, and red carpet looks. Her words have also appeared on Popsugar, Makeup.com, Skincare.com, Delish.com, and Philadelphia Wedding. Samantha also serves as a board member for the American Society of Magazine Editors (ASME). She first joined the organization in 2018, when she worked as an editorial intern at Food Network Magazine and Pioneer Woman Magazine. Samantha has a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from The George Washington University’s School of Media and Public Affairs. While at GWU, she was a founding member of the school’s HerCampus chapter and served as its President for four years. When she’s not deep in the beauty closet or swatching eyeshadows, you can find her obsessing over Real Housewives and all things Bravo. Keep up with her on Instagram @samholender.