The 7 Best Rotating Curling Irons for Easier Styling, Tested and Vetted By Editors (2024)

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Never quite got the hang of curling your hair? That’s where rotating curling irons come in. With a quick press of a button, these handy styling tools swiftly wrap your hair into even, bouncy curls with minimal effort on your part. In short, rotating curling irons are a great option for anyone who has trouble styling their hair at home (or those with physical limitations that make it harder to hold and maneuver devices on their own).

The Best Rotating Curling Ions at a Glance

How I Chose the Best Rotating Curling Irons

I personally tested two of the rotating curling irons on this list and asked my trusty colleagues for their recommendations as well. From there, I carefully combed through reviews for the top-rated rotating curling irons across national retailers including Sephora, Ulta and Amazon, considering different hair types and noting everything from ease of use to price points, design and overall performance. After tallying the results, I culled this list of the seven best rotating curling irons you see here.

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1. The Beachwaver Co. Rotating Curling Iron

The 7 Best Rotating Curling Irons for Easier Styling, Tested and Vetted By Editors (1)

Amazon

With more than 60 beauty awards under its belt, the Beachwaver is the brainchild of celebrity hairstylist, Sarah Potempa, who wanted to create a tool that made getting the perfect beach waves possible for everyone. I remember how exciting it was when the Beachwaver first launched back in 2012. It was the first of its kind to utilize a rotating-barrel technology, which is activated by pressing a button and letting the barrel spin, thereby curling your hair for you. After all these years, it remains one of the more user-friendly tools I’ve tried.

Our Director of Special Projects Rachel Bowie is also a fan, and shares, “I rely on the Beach Waver for what feels like idiot-proof curls. With a regular wand, I often struggle to get the angle just right, ending up with flat ends or too tight curls. The Beach Waver makes effortless-looking waves so easy to achieve. I simply set the temp and rotate the wand left or right, then wait about 7 seconds before releasing. It takes no time at all."

$99 at Amazon

$99 at Beachwaver

2. MaikcQ Rotating Curling Iron

Amazon

Let’s state the obvious here and agree that hair tools are an investment, so if you’re on a budget or feeling a bit wary about plunking down a small fortune on a rotating curling iron, this one from MaikcQ comes in at a more palatable $60. The tool has a 1.25-inch ceramic tourmaline barrel that creates smooth curls and comes with a brush attachment for smoothing as well.

Reviewers on Amazon say that “it does not feel cheap” and it “has a good weight to it.” More importantly, as one self-proclaimed “curl-challenged” user shares, “I always take such a long time using other curling methods, and this cut that time in HALF. [My] curls [hold up] well and they look good all day.”

$60 at Amazon

3. Dyson AirWrap Multi-Styler

The 7 Best Rotating Curling Irons for Easier Styling, Tested and Vetted By Editors (3)

Amazon

There are few beauty launches that have made the sort of impact that the Dyson AirWrap has since it first came out in 2018. With the super-sleek design we’ve come to expect from the brand, this all-in-one hair styling tool utilizes Coanda airflow technology to wrap your hair around the barrel—sort of like a magnet—before releasing ribbons of curls.

The AirWrap also comes with additional attachments that straighten, smooth and even diffuse your hair. And whereas earlier iterations required switching out the curling attachment to style either side of your head, the newer AirWrap Multi-Styler allows you to do it all from one by toggling a switch that creates clockwise and counterclockwise curls.

As Commerce Editor Olivia Dubyak, who is a longtime fan of the AirWrap sums up: “Whether you want bouncy curls, a voluminous blow out or a sleek, frizz-free moment, [this] basically does it all…it’s been life-changing (or, at least, hair-changing).”

$600 at Amazon

$600 at sephora

4. T3 CurlWrap

Amazon

Sleek as it is smart, this rotating curling iron streamlines its myriad functions—which range from two timer settings to two rotation speeds and nine heat levels—to create sleek, cascading curls with the press of a button; just tap and hold the switch to curl in either direction and listen for the friendly beep that alerts you when it’s time to release the clamp. (And as someone who has tried most, if not all, of the T3’s offerings throughout the years, I can also attest to their quality and longevity.)

“The barrel is long which is great for long hair. The clip doesn’t pull at my hair at all. The cord twists really nicely and doesn’t ever get tangled up. My hair stays curled all day with this curling iron,” says one Amazon reviewer.

$170 at Amazon

$200 at sephora

5. BIO IONIC Stylewinder Rotating Styling Iron

The 7 Best Rotating Curling Irons for Easier Styling, Tested and Vetted By Editors (5)

Amazon

This user-friendly tool yields effortless waves and curls in three easy steps: clamp, wrap and roll. The barrel is infused with the brand’s proprietary “Moisturizing Heat technology,” which uses negative ions to lock in moisture and seal the cuticle while you style, so your curls come out softer, healthier and more conditioned.

One fanatic reviewer shares: “I never knew how to curl my hair and my hair dresser was raving about this. Well, this easy Stylewinder makes even a first-time curler know what they are doing! Its [heat settings are] adjustable and FANTASTIC for my hair extensions! A little pricey, yes, but so worth it.”

$145 at Amazon

$145 at qvc

6. Conair Unbound Cordless Auto Curler

The 7 Best Rotating Curling Irons for Easier Styling, Tested and Vetted By Editors (6)

Amazon

If you’re looking for a cordless option, this rechargeable curler will do the job. Yes, it’s a tad bulky in width, but it’s lighter than it looks, and, again, you don’t have to worry about getting tangled up in a long cord as you style your hair. Instead of a barrel, this tool has a built-in chamber to twirl sections of hair into, and it beeps to let you know when the curl is finished.

“My daughter is a competitive dancer, and we always need quick changes. This curling iron works perfectly,” shares one reviewer on Amazon, who added that it’s easy to use, but: “There is a little learning curve with it. It definitely works best when hair is well brushed. If there are tangles it can snag a bit, so I just brush out the strands before I put them in. This is a winner for us!”

$70; $80 at amazon

$80 at Ulta

7. Bestauty Automatic Curling Iron

The 7 Best Rotating Curling Irons for Easier Styling, Tested and Vetted By Editors (7)

Amazon

This rotating curling iron is ideal for anyone who loves to experiment with different curl styles—from looser waves to tighter curls. It comes with three different sized barrels (¾ -inch, 1-inch and 1 ¼-inch) that you can easily swap in and out as you style. As if that wasn’t enough, you also get a wide-tooth comb, sectioning clips, a heat-resistant glove and even a little storage pouch.

“This works just as it says! It takes a minute to learn where to put your hands and how to hold it [but once you do, the] curls are beautiful and it’s so easy to use,” says one Amazon reviewer.

$90 at Amazon

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The 7 Best Rotating Curling Irons for Easier Styling, Tested and Vetted By Editors (2024)

FAQs

The 7 Best Rotating Curling Irons for Easier Styling, Tested and Vetted By Editors? ›

The Beachwaver Co. S1 Rotating Curling Iron is ideal for beginners because the buttons are intuitive — left and right — and the other mechanics like temperature and the clamp to hold your hair in place are easy to figure out.

What is the easiest rotating curling iron to use? ›

The Beachwaver Co. S1 Rotating Curling Iron is ideal for beginners because the buttons are intuitive — left and right — and the other mechanics like temperature and the clamp to hold your hair in place are easy to figure out.

What is the best rotating curler? ›

  • Best Overall. Drybar The 3-Day Bender Curling Iron. ...
  • Best Budget. MaikcQ Rotating Curling Iron. ...
  • Best for Beginners. T3 CurlWrap Automatic Rotating Curling Iron. ...
  • Best for Long Hair. Dyson Airwrap. ...
  • Best for Thick Hair. Shark FlexStyle System. ...
  • Best Automatic. Beachwaver Co. ...
  • Best for Beach Waves. ...
  • Best for Short Hair.
6 days ago

What curling irons do stylists use? ›

Titanium Iron

Titanium is the most durable and lightweight curling iron material, and it can hold high heat settings for longer. A popular choice among professional hairstylists, titanium curling irons are ideal for thick hair types.

What is the easiest hair curler to use? ›

BaByliss Curl Secret 2667U: The best automatic curler for ease of use. BaByliss's Curl Secret is an easy-to-use automatic curler for creating bouncy curls, using ceramic and ionic technology to protect the hair from heat damage.

Are rotating curling irons worth it? ›

Even us beauty editors struggle with the deceptively simple-looking tools. Most of the time, the end result looks nothing like it does after the salon. But, then we discovered rotating curling irons, which literally do the work for you. They're ideal for anyone who needs extra assistance when styling their hair.

Which is better titanium or ceramic curling irons? ›

He explains that titanium barrels are usually lighter than ceramic and can hold high temperatures longer, while ceramic barrels distribute heat more evenly and are less likely to damage hair, so they are more suitable for at-home consumers with different hair textures.

Is the chi spin and curl worth it? ›

This thing is AMAZING! Cuts my time curling my hair in half, is easy to use, my arm doesn't get as tired as it does with a regular curling iron, and the curls looks so much better than when I use a regular curling iron! This should be a must buy for anyone who likes to curl their hair, or their kids hair! Side note.

What is the difference between a curling iron and a waver? ›

Curlers create tighter, more defined curls, while wavers create looser, more natural-looking waves. Curlers also typically have a cylindrical barrel, while wavers have multiple barrels.

Is tourmaline or ceramic better? ›

Ceramic is an excellent choice for shine, protecting the hair from heat damage, and shielding against frizz. It does this through sealing moisture within the hair leaving a shiny finish. Tourmaline is a gem; it helps provide moisture also and enhances shine. Your hair will appear healthier, bolder, and sleeker.

What hair curlers do salons use? ›

BaByliss PRO Ceramic Dial-a-Heat Tong 38mm
  • BaByliss PRO Ceramic Dial-a-Heat Tong 38mm. In stock. ...
  • OFFER. SAVINGS! ...
  • BaByliss PRO Ceramic Dial-a-Heat Tong 24mm. In stock. ...
  • ghd Curve Creative Curl Wand. In stock. ...
  • Diva Digital Crimper. Out of stock.
  • BaByliss PRO Porcelain Crimper 2.5in Plates. In stock. ...
  • OFFER. ...
  • ghd Curve Soft Curl Tong.

What size curling iron do most stylists use? ›

1 inch. A 1-inch curling iron is the standard and most versatile barrel size. This barrel size is not too big or small, which makes it the perfect size for all hair types and lengths. You can create loose waves on shorter hair or beachy waves to full curls on medium to longer hair.

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