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Buying guide

The Best Hair Curling Irons

We compared eight curling irons on owner ratings, video reviews, and specs. The TYMO CurlPro Plus Automatic Rotating Curling Iron (B0DPZLWX8J) is our top pick for its ease of use and efficiency.

Updated

The bottom line

The TYMO CurlPro Plus Automatic Rotating Curling Iron (B0DPZLWX8J) is our top pick for its automatic rotating barrel that simplifies the curling process. It scored 8.8/10 from 11,197 owners and is praised for its ease of use and efficiency. The closest alternative is the Conair Curling Iron (B00LUAL54O), which offers even heat distribution and tight curls at a lower price of $25.64. For a budget option, the Conair Curling Iron (B07CKKGR83) at $16.51 provides good value with a 4.4/5 rating from 43,301 owners.

Top pick
TYMO CurlPro Plus Automatic Rotating Curling IronTYMO CurlPro Plus Automatic Rotating Curling Iron $79.99

Best for ease of use and efficiency

The TYMO CurlPro Plus Automatic Rotating Curling Iron is our top pick for its automatic rotating barrel that simplifies the curling process. It scored 8.8/10 from 11,197 owners and is praised for its ease of use and efficiency. At $79.99, it's a bit pricey, but the convenience it offers makes it worth the investment. Those on a tight budget might find it too expensive.

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Runner-up
Conair Curling IronConair Curling Iron $25.64

Best for even heat distribution

The Conair Curling Iron is a strong runner-up, offering even heat distribution and tight curls. It scored 9/10 from 10,361 owners and is priced at $25.64. It's a reliable curling iron without breaking the bank. The only tradeoff is that it doesn't have the automatic rotating feature of the TYMO.

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Budget pick
Conair Curling IronConair Curling Iron $16.51

Best budget option

The Conair Curling Iron is our budget pick, offering good value at $16.51. It scored 8.8/10 from 43,301 owners and is praised for its ease of use and heat settings. The only downside is that it can snag and pull hair, which might be a concern for some users.

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The field, ranked

  1. TYMO CurlPro Plus Automatic Rotating Curling Iron Best for ease of use and efficiency 9.0/10 $79.99 Amazon
  2. Conair Curling Iron Best for even heat distribution 8.5/10 $25.64 Amazon
  3. Conair Curling Iron Best budget option 8.0/10 $16.51 Amazon
  4. Conair Extra Long Curling Iron Good for medium to long hair 7.5/10 $28.99 Amazon
  5. Conair Long Barrel Curling Iron Good for soft waves and curls 7.0/10 $26.54 Amazon
  6. Conair Curling Iron Good for medium to long hair 6.5/10 $20.90 Amazon
  7. TYMO CurlPro Plus Automatic Rotating Curling Iron Good for long or thick hair 6.0/10 $76.49 Amazon
  8. Conair Double Ceramic 1 ¼-Inch Curling Iron with Claw Clip Good for loose curls 5.0/10 $19.99 Amazon

Who should buy which?

If you're looking for the easiest curling iron to use, the TYMO CurlPro Plus Automatic Rotating Curling Iron is the best choice. If you want even heat distribution and tight curls, the Conair Curling Iron (B00LUAL54O) is a reliable option. For those on a budget, the Conair Curling Iron (B07CKKGR83) offers good value for money.

What owners complain about

Some owners of the Conair Curling Iron (B07CKKGR83) report snagging issues, which might be a concern for those with fine or delicate hair. The TYMO CurlPro Plus Automatic Rotating Curling Iron has received minor complaints about hair snagging, but these are relatively rare.

The also-rans

The Conair Long Barrel Curling Iron (B0FNBNBLBX) and the Conair Extra Long Curling Iron (B0DZF1D256) didn't make the cut due to their lower owner ratings and specific use cases. The Conair Double Ceramic 1 ¼-Inch Curling Iron with Claw Clip (B0DX4VXPMT) is good for loose curls but has a shorter barrel, making it less efficient for users with thick or long hair.

How this was put together

This guide is based on owner ratings, video reviews, and specs from the evidence dossiers. We compared eight curling irons and ranked them based on the evidence, not hands-on testing. The evidence was thin on the TYMO CurlPro Plus Automatic Rotating Curling Iron (B0GKMCP4JY), so it was ranked lower despite its positive reviews.