If you're after bouncy waves, you're going to want to know about these curling wands

We've just tested every curling wand and tong out there to bring you this edit of the best

a woman with curly hair - best curling wands
(Image credit: Photo by Jeremy Moeller Getty Images 1343889322)

The pro's have declared the biggest hair trends of 2024, and to me expensive hair screams getting the curl on. The best curling wands and tongs are your go-to's for volume and beautifully tousled hair. The trouble is there are so many to choose from, and it's tricky to work out exactly which one will do what you want it to.

That's where we come in. Team MC has decades worth of experience in testing the best straighteners, the best hair dryers and the best curling wands to save you the trial and error. Testing out all the best curling wands 2024 has to offer, on straight, wavy, and curly hair. Curls work for pretty much everyone, whether it be for the best bob hairstyles, short hairstyles for thin hair or short hairstyles for older women. There's a curl for everyone and different curls to create for any occasion - sleek, mermaid waves, and bouncy, corkscrew curls alike. But with so many different styles comes so many questions, what size to go for or what shape is best? 

The best thing about the humble curling wand is its versatility as a tool. Sure, you can execute perfectly defined curls, but you can also use a curling wand to create texture. "If you are creating beachy or textured waves, your dry shampoo will come in handy. Use your favourite curling tong to style your hair and allow your hair to set and cool down. Apply dry shampoo throughout the mid-lengths and ends of your hair. This will give definition and shape to your waves. It will also help it last longer," explains Jay Birmingham, celebrity hair stylist. 

Whatever hairstyle you're after, we've rounded up the best curling wands and tongs for all hair types and styles. So now all you need to decide is which curly hairstyles you want to opt for. From professional grade tongs to cheap and cheerful options for a quick spruce, we've tried and tested all of the curling wands worth having on your radar this year.

How to choose the best curling wands?

Choose your curling wand shape

There are typically three different types or shapes of curling tools, and each one creates a different shape in your hair. 

Straight  - This is the most common of curlers - it's the same width along the entire barrel meaning that your curls will also be the same from root to tip. If you're after a more classic look, then look for a straight barrel.

Tapered - If you're after a more natural and relaxed curl, then the tapered tool is the one for you. Using this means that the curl will be tighter at the root, getting looser as it gets down to the ends.

BubbleThis is the strangest looking curling wand - if we're honest it looks like something quite different to a curler, which is probably why they're not as common. A bubble-shaped wand creates super loose waves - something a little more beachy than a done do.

Which size curling wand barrel is best?

It all depends on what type of curl you want to create. The width of the barrel is important because that will determine the look you're after.

Less than 20mmThe thinner the wand the tighter the curl. If you're after a disco, Studio 54 look then keep an eye out for one of these. Think Kate Moss on her 30th birthday.

20mm - 32mmThese widths create your classic, well defined, polished looking curls. If you want your hair to look as close to perfect and as far away from a festival as possible, then look no further.

32mm or largerLarge barrel curlers are the way to go if you're after gorgeous, super-smooth bouncy waves. Brand-wise, ghd and Cloud Nine are high up there on our wish list and well worth the investment for their long lasting benefits and salon-worthy finish.

So, is a curling wand or a curling tong better?

Is it a wand or is it a tong? In all honesty, both do the same thing. The difference is a tong has a clamp to hold the hair in place, which makes them a bit better for beginners, while the wand doesn't. So it's really more about personal preference. 

What did we look for when testing the best curling wands?

So, what exactly did we look out for? When it came to testing, we held each wand up against the below criteria to ensure we were only selecting the best of the best for this list:

  • Is the curling wand good value for money?
  • What kind of curls can it create?
  • Can it work on all hair types?
  • Is it easy to use?

Best curling wands and tongs in 2023

With so many tongs on the market, it all depends on personal preference - your hair type and the curl you are aiming to achieve. Keep scrolling for a roundup of the best curling wands based on your needs.

1. ghd Creative Curl Wand

ghd Creative Curl Wand - best curling wands

(Image credit: ghd)

ghd Creative Curl Wand

Best does-everything curling tong

Specifications

Shape: Tapered
Barrel Size: 23mm - 28mm
Tong vs Wand: Wand

Reasons to buy

+
Works on both short and longer lengths 
+
Heats up in 25 seconds - that's quick
+
Cool tip safety feature

Reasons to avoid

-
Heats up to 185°C - some might like it hot(ter)

ghd's Creative Curl Wand is one of the most versatile curling wands out there. It allows for everything from tight curls to loose bouncing waves, depending on how you use it. Whether you're a quick curl everyday kind of gal, or a special occasion bouncy waver, these ones really are worth every penny.

The curler uses ghd's special ceramic tri-zone technology which ensures that the hair gets just the right amount of heat (185°C).

2. Babyliss Tight Curls Wand

Babyliss Tight Curls Wand - best curling wands

(Image credit: Lookfantastic)

Babyliss Tight Curls Wand

Best curling wand for tight curls

Specifications

Shape: Straight
Barrel Size: 10mm
Tong vs Wand: Wand

Reasons to buy

+
Makes a super tight and bouncy curl
+
Affordable

Reasons to avoid

-
Can only be used to create tight curls

If it's lots and lots of skinny curls you're after, this ultra-thin wand from Babyliss does the job (and does it well). Ideal for those with tight natural curls who want to give what they're working with a bit of enhancement, don't be fooled by their bargain price tag: they're actually among the best curling wands we've tried.

3. Hot Tools Black Gold Curl Bar

Hot Tools HOT TOOLS PRO ARTIST BLACK GOLD COLLECTION PROFESSIONAL CURL BAR™ 25MM

(Image credit: Hot Tools)

Hot Tools Black Gold Curl Bar

Best easy to use curling wand

Specifications

Shape: Straight
Barrel Size: 25mm
Tong vs Wand: Wand

Reasons to buy

+
Super easy to use
+
Unique curl bar design 
+
Digital temperature display
+
Vibrating timer

Reasons to avoid

-
Not a traditional design 

As soon as we saw this curler, it was clear it would change the game forever. If you often end up with an arm ache in the bid to create perfect curls, this is the best curling wand for you. The curl bar design makes it super easy to use; you no longer have to hold your tong at an awkward angle while keeping your hair in place with this ergonomic design. 

It also comes with a built-in vibrating timer to further remove any stress from the curl process. You can set the timer between 5-20 seconds, depending on your strands' needs. It's available in 32mm, too and comes with a heat-protecting glove and mat. 

4. Cloud Nine The Waving Wand

Cloud Nine The Waving Wand - best curling wands

(Image credit: Very)

Cloud Nine The Waving Wand

Best curling wand for waves

Specifications

Shape: Straight
Barrel Size: 38mm
Tong vs Wand: Wand

Reasons to buy

+
Mineral infused barrel 
+
Temperature control

Reasons to avoid

-
More on the expensive side

Great for loose, tumbling curls (Victoria's Secret angel, who?) Cloud Nine's barrel wand is a great choice if you want to add a smooth, old Hollywood-esque wave to your locks. Its barrel is mineral-infused, too, leaving hair soft, smooth and shiny once you've finished styling. Swoon.

5. Turbo Tong The Professional Long Tong

Turbo Tong The Professional Long Tong - best curling wands

(Image credit: Turbo Tong)

Turbo Tong The Professional Long Tong

Best curling wand for long hair

Specifications

Shape: Straight
Barrel Size: 26mm
Tong vs Wand : Tong

Reasons to buy

+
Extra long barrel 
+
Heats up in 30 seconds

Reasons to avoid

-
Too long for short hair

Long, long hair is both a blessing and a curse. A blessing in that it looks amazing when curled, and a curse in that it can take years of trial and error to find the right tools. Enter: the Turbo Tong. Specially designed for super-duper long hair, this longer than standard wand is a fast track to a fairy tale worthy Rapunzel-style do.

6. T3 Whirl Trio Interchangeable Styling Wand

T3 Whirl Trio Interchangeable Styling Wand - best curling wands

(Image credit: Currentbody)

T3 Whirl Trio Interchangeable Styling Wand

Best curling tongs for versatility

Specifications

Shape: Tapered & Straight
Barrel Size: 25mm - 38mm
Tong vs Wand: Wand

Reasons to buy

+
3 interchangeable barrel sizes
+
Create a variety of styles
+
5 heat settings

Reasons to avoid

-
Smallest barrel 1 inch

Why on earth should you have to choose one curl style? You shouldn't have to. And thanks to this T3 interchangeable tool you don't need to. From loose, flowing waves, to defined spirals and glamorous curls - it does it all.

7. Dyson Airwap Styler Complete

Dyson Airwap Styler Complete - best curling wands

(Image credit: John Lewis)

Dyson Airwap Styler Complete

Best curling wand for professional results

Specifications

Shape: Tapered & Straight
Barrel Size: 30mm - 40mm
Tong vs Wand: Wand

Reasons to buy

+
Have the option of curly and straight
+
New barrels curl in both directions

Reasons to avoid

-
Only for hair shorter than chest length
-
Curls didn't last on my thick hair

The Airwrap caused quite the stir when it launched, which was quite understandable. Since Dyson made their way into haircare, they're released well-researched and well-designed tools. The Airwrap is no different. There are all sorts of barrels included to create all types of waves and curls, as well as brushes to control, smooth and volumise. The Airwrap is different from your typical curler as it uses suction to wrap the hair around the barrel, rather than you having to do it yourself.

8. Babyliss 2112U Curl Luxe Hair Styler

Babyliss 2112U Curl Luxe Hair Styler - best curling wands

(Image credit: Argos)

Babyliss 2112U Curl Luxe Hair Styler

Best affordable curling tong

Specifications

Shape: Straight
Barrel Size: 36mm
Tong vs Wand: Tong (kind of)

Reasons to buy

+
Cool air technology to set and create long lasting curls
+
Curl release button to prevent tangling

Reasons to avoid

-
Split barrel takes a few tries to get used to 

Another alternative to your traditional curler. This one is very much like a tong, and yet the clamp is in itself also a heated plate.

9. Babyliss 9000 Cordless Curling Tong

Babyliss 9000 Cordless Curling Tong - best curling wands

(Image credit: Sephora)

Babyliss 9000 Cordless Curling Tong

Best cordless curling wand

Specifications

Shape: Straight
Barrel Size: 25mm
Tong vs Wand: Tong

Reasons to buy

+
Amazing for on the go
+
Instant heat up 
+
Three temperature settings

Reasons to avoid

-
3 hours charge for 40 minute use

Cordless hair tools are the latest and greatest innovation to hit the hair industry. They make on-the-go styling a doddle. Charge it before you head off anywhere, pop it in your handbag and then off you go. The beauty of this Babyliss 9000 Cordless Curling Tong is that you don't have to scrimp on any of the brand's iconic technology. Get all the goods without feeling tied to a wall. Also, a brilliant choice if you're forever getting caught in knots or don't have a plug near to your mirror.

Katie Thomas

Katie Thomas is the Senior Beauty Editor at Marie Claire UK. With over 10 years of experience on women's luxury lifestyle titles, she covers everything from the best beauty looks from the red carpet and stand out trends from the catwalk, to colonic irrigation and to the best mascaras on the market. She started her career on fashion desks across the industry - from The Telegraph to Brides - but found her calling in the Tatler beauty department. From there she moved to Instyle, before joining the Marie Claire digital team in 2018. She’s made it her own personal mission to find the best concealer in the world to cover her tenacious dark circles. She’s obsessed with skincare that makes her skin bouncy and glowy, low-maintenance hair that doesn’t require brushing and a cracking good manicure. Oh and she wears more jewellery than the Queen.

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