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POV: You're getting ready for a night out with your besties, and you sent the group chat your "OMW" text when you're already running a little late and still have to figure out your hairstyle situation. You think of the quickest ways to slay your hair and reach for the best curling wand you have on deck. *Perfect, beachy waves and bouncy curls have entered the chat*.
Here to help guide us in our search for the best curling wands is celeb hairstylist Gregory Patterson, who has worked his magic on icons like Britney Spears, Paris Hilton, and *the* princess of Genovia, Anne Hathaway.
First things first, Patterson says you'll need to figure out what look you're hoping to attain. Want loose, free-flowing beach babe vibes all day? He recommends looking for curling wands with barrels over 1" in thickness. Or, if you're looking to enhance your existing curls, Patterson suggests using a curling wand that's the same size as your natural ringlets or a little bit larger to help create uniformity.
When in doubt, though, Patterson says that "You can never go wrong with the gold-standard, 1”-size barrel."
From there, you can choose to create bigger coils by wrapping larger sections around the curling wand. If you want tighter spirals, simply take smaller sections of hair at a time. Patterson also says, "If you keep the hair flat against the barrel, you’ll get more of a ribbon curl, but if you twist your section as you wrap it around the barrel, you’ll get more of a tousled wave."
Who knew that such a small change could make such an impact?
Now that you've got all the info you need, it's time to grab your wallet. Here are the best curling wands for every style, hair type (think: thick, long, short, straight, and fine), and budget.
Our Top Picks
Conair Tourmaline Ceramic Curling Wand
Conair Tourmaline Ceramic Curling Wand
Pros
- Tourmaline ceramic technology fights frizziness
- Affordable
Cons
- Not as durable
- Does not have automatic shut off feature
If you're in the market for something affordable that gets the job done, this classic Conair should be in your cart rn. With almost 17,000 reviews on Amazon, this curling wand is rated highly for its taper shape, which adds volume at the root of the curls.
Shark FlexStyle™ Air Styling & Drying System
Shark FlexStyle™ Air Styling & Drying System
Pros
- Quick curls
- No heat damage
- Powered by air
Cons
- Higher price point
The Shark FlexStyle™ is the one hair tool you need in your life thanks to its versatility and different heat and power settings. It's powered by air — which won't totally fry your hair — and you'll get flawless waves in a matter of minutes.
Drybar The Wrap Party Curling & Styling Wand
Drybar The Wrap Party Curling & Styling Wand
Pros
- 9-foot-long cord means you can reach the mirror easily
- Ionic technology seals the cuticle = less frizz + more shine
Cons
- Does not come with heat protectant glove
When I go to curl my thick, wavy hair, this Drybar curling wand is what I'm reaching for. The reverse-taper shape of the barrel creates looser waves at the ends of the hair, giving the finished look a just-came-from-the-beach vibe. The auto-shutoff after 60 minutes is also a huge plus for forgetful gals like me.
Conair OhSoKind For Fine Hair Curling Wand
Conair OhSoKind For Fine Hair Curling Wand
Pros
- Cooler temp at the bottom of the barrel helps protect fragile hair ends
Cons
- Does not create a lot of volume
Heat is damaging regardless of your hair type, but it's especially true if you have fine hair. This curling wand was built for thin-haired friends thanks to lower heat settings.
BaBylissPRO Titanium Curling Wand
BaBylissPRO Titanium Curling Wand
If you've got longggg luscious locks, you'll be needing the BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Curling Wand ASAP. The extra length in the barrel means you can actually fit a whole section on this curling wand, rather than leaving your ends to hang.
Chi Lava Ceramic 3/8''-3/4'' Tapered Hairstyling Wand
Chi Lava Ceramic 3/8''-3/4'' Tapered Hairstyling Wand
Pros
- Automatic shut off after 60 minutes
- Volcanic Lava Ceramic limits hair damage
Cons
- Only allows for small ringlets
Little baby curls need a little baby curling wand to spruce and spiral those out-of-place pieces — you know the ones we're talking about.
Le Angelique Reverse Tapered Curling Wand
Le Angelique Reverse Tapered Curling Wand
Pros
- Get a variety of waves
- Budget-friendly
Cons
- No heat adjustment function
Unlike your average curling wand, the bottom of this barrel is smaller than the top. You'll achieve gorgeous variations of waves by using only one tool — the range!
ghd Classic Wave Oval Curling Wand
ghd Classic Wave Oval Curling Wand
Pros
- Expert-approved
- Easy to use
Cons
- Higher price point
This bb has an oval-shaped aluminum barrel that's coated in ceramic, which locks in moisture and won't painfully tug at your tresses.
Bed Head Rock N Roller Clamp Free 2-in-1 Curling Wand
Bed Head Rock N Roller Clamp Free 2-in-1 Curling Wand
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- Works on all hair types
Cons
- Doesn't have an automatic shut down feature
The bubble shape of this wand will give you stunning tight curls that'll make you look like a mermaid — who wouldn't want to emulate that energy?
Hot Tools Professional Nano Ceramic Tapered Curling Iron
Hot Tools Professional Nano Ceramic Tapered Curling Iron
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- Heats up to 450 degrees
Cons
- Doesn't have a clamp
If you've got straight hair and you're on the hunt for more volume when you style your curls, look no further than this beauty from Hot Tools. Its 2-inch barrel will give you big, bouncy curls straight from a Disco-inspired music video.
Bed Head Curlipops Clamp-Free Jumbo Curling Wand 1-1/2 inch
Bed Head Curlipops Clamp-Free Jumbo Curling Wand 1-1/2 inch
Pros
- Rubber tip gives a place to safely rest your fingers
- Dual voltage so you can use on your travels
Cons
- No heat adjustment function
Lots of hair? Get something with a lot of barrel. This thick option from Bed Head gives you plenty of space to wrap your strands around and around, achieving the effortless wavy look you're after.
Pros
- Comes in sustainable paper-pulp tool case that includes a silicone heat mat
- Safe to use on dyed hair
- Heat settings lock while in use—no accidental temp changes!
Cons
- Light colored handle may be prone to appearing dirty
Don't let the pretty pink fool you — this curling wand is an absolute beast. With over 10 temperature settings, you can give your hair whatever heat it can handle. The barrel size is also slightly shorter than some of the others on this list, meaning you will have a tool that is sized just right.
NuMe Automatic Curling Wand
NuMe Automatic Curling Wand
Pros
- Cuts down styling time
- Far infrared heat moves from directly into the hair follicle and out to cuticle to protect strands over time
Cons
- Includes a clamp that could leave a crease in hair
- Not for short hair
It's truly amazing how this NuMe curling wand automatically winds the section around the barrel for you. With interchangeable barrels included, this is officially the curling wand of the future!
Kristin Ess 1 ¼-Inch Soft Wave Titanium Pivoting Wand
Kristin Ess 1 ¼-Inch Soft Wave Titanium Pivoting Wand
Pros
- Four programmed heat settings
- Automatic shut-off after 30 minutes of non-use
- A 9-foot long swivel cord
Cons
Unintentional arm workouts from the art of hairstyling are officially a thing of the past. This Kristin Ess curling wand pivots from a 180-degree angle to a 90-degree angle, allowing you to reach the tough-to-curl sections on the back of your head.
T3 Whirl Trio Interchangeable Styling Wand Set: Tapered, 1'', 1.5''
T3 Whirl Trio Interchangeable Styling Wand Set: Tapered, 1'', 1.5''
Pros
- Worldwide voltage capabilities
- Five preset heat options
- Auto shut off after 60 minutes
Cons
- Costs the most $$$
If you're looking for a splurge, the high-performance ceramic heaters deliver shiny and smooth hair that's ready to go after one twirl around the barrel. No redo's here, thnx.
Abby is an editorial assistant at Seventeen, covering pop culture, beauty, life, and health. When she's not busy watching the latest true crime docuseries, you can find her strolling through Sephora, thrifting the perfect dress, or jogging with her pup.
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