The 5 best hair curlers available now – according to T3's team of beauty tech experts

If you weren’t born with natural beachy waves or perfect corkscrew curls, chances are you'll need one of the best hair curlers to help you achieve those looks. However, with so many options flooding the market, it can be tough to choose the right one for you.

Thankfully, we're here to save you the hassle of endless research and testing. Keep reading for expert-reviewed curlers from our top beauty tech team (and of course, yours truly) to find the best one for your hair.

If you're looking to level up your entire hairstyling collection, be sure to check out our other guides to the best hair dryers and the best hair straighteners as well.

1. Dyson Airwrap

The Dyson AirWrap is the ultimate curling kit for anyone who hates styling their hair. This model uses powerful airflow combined with controlled heat, to dry and style your hair all at once. It has intelligent heat control to ensure you don’t damage your hair, always remaining below 150 degrees.

You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to the type of curls you can achieve with this styler, as it comes with six different brushes and attachments. Whether you want beachy waves, Hollywood curls or something in between, we guarantee you’ll be able to achieve it with the Dyson AirWrap, and we’d certainly hope so, considering how much it costs.

Read Claire's full Dyson AirWrap review and make sure you check our Dyson discount codes to bag the best price.

2. Mdlondon WAVE multi-styler

The mdlondon WAVE is a highly versatile multi-styler that allows you to create a variety of hairstyles – ranging from long-lasting beachy waves to a voluminous blowout – without the need for extra attachments.

Designed with both style and durability in mind, it boasts salon-quality aesthetics, adjustable temperature settings, and well-thought-out features that make it a fantastic choice for at-home styling. Its lightweight and slim design also makes it perfect for on-the-go use or travel, which is exactly why Joanna loved it so much in her full review.

Mdlondon is also brand worth keeping an eye on – the mdlondon BLOW hairdryer even recently won the Best Hair Styling Tool award at the T3 Awards 2024.

3. Remington ONE Straight and Curl Styler

The Remington ONE Straight and Curl Styler is a versatile all-in-one tool that lets you create loose beachy waves or bouncy curls – and it can even straighten as well! Whilst it may not outperform specialised tools in each category, it’s an excellent budget-friendly option for those looking to achieve multiple looks with a single device.

Compact and travel-friendly, this space-saving styler offers a wide temperature range from 150°C to 230°C, allowing for precise heat control to suit different hair types. Given its affordability and versatility, it’s a solid choice for anyone wanting salon-worthy styles without the hefty price tag.

Read Joanna's in-depth Remington ONE Straight and Curl Styler review for more information.

4. ghd Curve Creative Curl Wand

As with all ghd products on the market, it’s a desirable looking bit of kit that proves easy to use. The design has been expertly thought out with a great built-in stand and cool tip, but best of all is the tapered 28mm – 23mm barrel that allows you to create so many different styles from voluminous curls to beachy waves.

The ghd wand heats up to 185 degrees, which is the optimum temperature for styling without heat damage. The tri-zone technology also works brilliantly, evenly distributing the heat across the barrel. Other features to love include universal voltage, auto sleep after 30 minutes without use, and a long cord.

It was quite a while ago, but read Suzanne's full ghd Curve Creative Curl Wand review to find out why it's a classic curling choice.

4. Beauty Works Professional Styler

The BeautyWorks Professional Styler is a miracle worker for those with really long hair or hair extensions. Not only is the wand itself beautiful, but its extra-long barrel allows you to easily wrap all of your hair around for a consistent curl. It has adjustable temperature from 80-220 degrees and the ceramic coating ensures the cuticle is sealed so your curls will stay in place all day.

You should be careful and take your time with this one if you’re not a seasoned pro at curling your hair, especially as the wand can be tricky to handle when you’ve got long locks. However, it does come with a protective glove to ensure you don’t burn your fingers, which is always a good thing. Read Suzanne's full Beauty Works Professional Styler review next.

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How to choose the best hair curler

Choosing the best hair curler depends on several factors, including your hair type, the type of curls you want, and the features that will make the styling process easier for you.

When it comes to your hair type, there are a few things to consider before making a choice. If you have fine or thin hair, look for a curler with adjustable heat settings or Coanda technology, as high heat can cause excessive damage. For thicker hair, you need a curler that can reach higher temperatures to effectively create curls without taking too long, but always remember to use heat protectant before. If your hair is already curly, you might want a curler with a lower temperature to avoid excess frizz and damage.

You should also think about the kind of curls you want to create. For example, smaller barrels give tighter curls, whilst larger barrels give looser waves or voluminous curls.

Don't forget to consider your budget as well. Whilst high-end curlers can cost more, you can still find affordable curlers that perform well. However, investing a bit more for advanced features (like ceramic, titanium, or tourmaline barrels) can be worth it in the long run for better results and less damage to your hair.

How we test the best curlers

We spend a lot of time reviewing the best hair curlers, so when it comes to recommending what curling iron to buy, you can be safe in the knowledge that we'll recommend the best options for you.

We'll usually spend a week or longer testing new hair curlers, and the review process is fairly straightforward – we use them to curl and style our hair. This helps us test how easy they are to use and achieve our desired hairstyle. It also lets us test whether the hair curlers damage our hair (yes, we're really putting our bodies on the line here) or whether they leave hair feeling smooth, glossy and healthy.

If the hair curlers have any advanced features, such as cordless battery life or quick-heat settings, then we'll try these out to test if they work and if they're worth you spending extra money on.

Where possible we'll test the curlers on different types of hair, including thick long hair, and thinner curly hair. Although, it's worth noting that this isn't always possible.

If you're thinking a multi-styler will work best for you and your hair, take a look at the Dyson Airwrap alternatives I'd recommend next.