Consumer Reports

What we like: The gold barrel turns out looser curls for a more beachy style.

What we don't like: The old-school kickstand gets in the way. And the curls don't hold very long.

TechGearLab

The Hot Tools Professional Series 24K Gold is an excellent option for those seeking a premium styling tool to produce the best wave or curl. This model has an ergonomic handle, a long cord, and comes in multiple different barrel sizes so you can achieve the exact curl you're looking for. There is a safety tip, which helps prevent unfortunate burn incidents. The pressure of the clamp is nice and even, and the temperature has a wide range and can be easily adjusted to suit your hair type. Sliding your hair through the iron feels effortless, and the integrated stand and convenient pivot for the cord make this one of our all-around favorite styling tools. 
An important consideration for this tool is the higher cost and the need to buy additional styling tools if you want the option of multiple wave or curl sizes. Its interface also isn't the best we have come across; the controls for temperature and power can feel a little sharp to the touch. Still, we don't consider these dealbreakers, and we highly recommend this offering from Hot Tools if you want a top-of-the-line tool for your hair styling needs. 

This curling iron from Hot Tools stood out in our trials for its ability to turn out loose curls for a more beachy style. That said, the curls didn’t hold for very long, so you’ll definitely get a more relaxed look with this gold-barreled iron. It’s worth noting that the old-school kickstand gets in the way sometimes.Why it’s a good deal: This curling iron has been on sale for around $30 since Prime Day.

The Hot Tools Professional Series 24K Gold is an excellent option for those seeking a premium styling tool to produce the best wave or curl. This model has an ergonomic handle, a long cord, and comes in multiple different barrel sizes so you can achieve the exact curl you're looking for. There is a safety tip, which helps prevent unfortunate burn incidents. The pressure of the clamp is nice and even, and the temperature has a wide range and can be easily adjusted to suit your hair type. Sliding your hair through the iron feels effortless, and the integrated stand and convenient pivot for the cord make this one of our all-around favorite styling tools. 
Important considerations for this tool include the higher cost and the need to buy additional styling tools if you want the option of multiple wave or curl sizes. Additionally, the interface is not the best we tested; the temperature and power controls can feel a little sharp to the touch. Still, we don't consider these drawbacks dealbreakers. We highly recommend this offering from Hot Tools to anyone who desires a top-of-the-line tool for their hair styling needs. 

target

walmart

amazon.com

expert-review

Hot Tools 24K Gold Professional Curling Iron Review

What we like: The extra-long barrel and multiple temperature settings produced bouncy, shiny curls that lasted for days for most users. The sleek design put it over the top.

What we don't like: One tester felt the barrel was too long for her shorter hair.

bazaarvoice

yotpo

powerreviews

Bio Ionic Long Barrel Curling Iron Review

What we like: It really does take just one pass—which is especially important for those with fine hair, because excessive application of heat could damage fragile tresses. Plus, we loved the shelfie-worthy design.

What we don't like: Can be too hot, if you're not careful.

T3 SinglePass Curl Curling Iron Review

If you rarely use a curling iron and are hoping to spend as little as possible on one, consider the Revlon Perfect Heat Ceramic. This model might not be our absolute favorite, but it costs considerably less than many of the top-tier models &mdash; in some cases, you could buy all five sizes of this tool for the same prices as one of the premium options, which is a selling point in and of itself. We also like that the Revlon is dual-voltage compatible for all of your international travels, will automatically shut off after a period of time, and offers 30 different heat settings to fine-tune your curler to your hair type. 
While we appreciated that this product offers lots of temperature adjustability, we found it to be a little odd that the dial is marked in increments ranging from 1-30, rather than by temperature. The cord on this curling iron is also a little on the shorter side, and the stand is a bit less stable than the top options, but we think it's a great option if you are shopping on a slim budget. 

If you want the ease and efficiency of a motorized option but don't want to spend the money for a premium tool, check out Conair Infinitipro Curl Secret. This motorized curling iron makes styling your hair quick and easy and keeps the heated element enclosed and away from your hands. It has two different heat levels and three timer settings, so you can get your curls just the way you like them. The Curl Secret is also quite comfortable to hold and user-friendly once you get the hang of using it. 
The Curl Secret is a little heavier than a traditional curling iron, and this model also has a slightly shorter cord. It also doesn't give you quite as much adjustability when creating curls or waves, as you only have the three different timer settings. It takes a bit of practice to get used to how you feed your hair into the roller and control the amount of curl, but we'd still recommend this to anyone searching for a mechanized styling tool that is easy on the wallet. 

If you want the ease and efficiency of a motorized option but don't want to spend the money for a premium tool, check out Conair INFINITIPRO Curl Secret. This motorized curling iron makes styling your hair quick and easy and keeps the heated element enclosed and away from your hands. It has two different heat levels and three timer settings, so you can get your curls just the way you like them. The Curl Secret is also quite comfortable to hold and user-friendly once you get the hang of using it. 
The Curl Secret is a little heavier than a traditional curling iron, and this model also has a slightly shorter cord. It also doesn't give you quite as much adjustability when creating curls or waves, as you only have the three different timer settings. It takes a bit of practice to get used to how you feed your hair into the roller and control the amount of curl, but we'd still recommend this to anyone searching for a mechanized styling tool that is easy on the wallet. 

What we like: It's just like the Hot Tools one but costs $3 less. Sally Beauty Rewards members earn points with each purchase, so if you're a loyalist, this one may be for you.

What we don't like: It has an old-school kickstand. And the curls don't hold very long.

Hot Shot Tools Gold Series Spring Curling Iron Review

stamped

What we like: At a super low price, the Conair Double Ceramic curling iron still turns out nice, bouncy curls.

What we don't like: It has a short cord and a short barrel, and it snags on hair.

Conair Double Ceramic Curling Iron Review

The MiroPure curling iron is an excellent value pick if you're looking to purchase a new styling tool but have a tight budget to stick to. It has an easy-to-read display, an exceptionally long cord, and creates simple, effortless curls when styling your hair. It has one of the longest barrels of the bunch, allowing you to easily get multiple wraps on, and has a handy stand built-in that is quite stable for easy storage. The clamp provides uniform pressure across the length, and it's even available in different colors for an extra fun factor. 
However, we did find a few flaws with this product. It has a lower maximum heat setting than many of the other options, and it only has six different temperature settings &mdash; much less adjustability than other options. Despite that, we think this is a great bargain option if you want a solid, reliable curler without wanting to shell out more cash for a top-shelf model. 

The MiroPure 1 1/4-inch curling iron is an excellent value pick if you're looking to purchase a new styling tool but have a tight budget to stick to. It has an easy-to-read display, an exceptionally long cord, and creates simple, effortless curls when styling your hair. It has one of the longest barrels of the bunch, allowing you to easily get multiple wraps on, and has a handy stand built-in that is quite stable for easy storage. The clamp provides uniform pressure across the length, and it's even available in different colors for an extra fun factor. 
However, we did find a few flaws with this product. It has a lower maximum heat setting than many of the other options, and it only has six different temperature settings &mdash; much less adjustability than other options. Despite that, we think this is a great bargain option if you want a solid, reliable curler without wanting to shell out more cash for a top-shelf model. 

Best Curling Irons of 2022

What we like: Our evaluators with thick hair loved the bouncy, long-lasting curls they achieved with the GHD.

What we don't like: It has only one temperature setting.

Curling Iron Comparison