Curling irons

An automatic curling iron pulls a section of hair into a chamber or turns it around the barrel for you, so you don't have to twist your wrist or hold the hair in place. It's a good fit for someone who finds curling their own hair awkward, especially at the back, or who wants the same curl every time. Before you buy, check which hair lengths it handles, since many don't grab very short or very long hair well. Look at the heat settings, the timer signals and how simple it is to switch the curl direction. Automatic curlers take some practice, so they work best for someone who likes trying new tools.

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  Gift ideaUsually $50–$100

  Effortless automatic hair curler

  This innovative device automatically draws hair into its chamber to create perfect, consistent curls with minimal effort, suitable for beginners or busy individuals.

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A curling wand has no clamp. You wrap the hair around the barrel by hand, which leaves softer, more natural waves without a crease at the ends. Tapered wands go from thick to thin along the barrel, so one tool can make looser curls at the roots and tighter ones at the tips. Wands suit someone who already styles their hair often and is comfortable winding it by hand. Check the barrel width against their hair length, the heat settings, and whether a heat glove comes in the box, since there's no clamp to hold onto. A wand is a common upgrade for someone who has outgrown a basic clamp iron.

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  Gift ideaUsually $25–$50

  Professional curling wand

  Achieve natural-looking waves and defined curls without a clamp, ideal for those who prefer a more free-form styling approach.

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  Gift ideaUsually $25–$50

  Tapered barrel curling wand

  Create a variety of curl sizes, from tight at the ends to looser at the roots, offering versatile styling options for dynamic looks.

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A classic curling iron has a spring clamp that holds the hair against the barrel. That makes it the easiest style to learn and a solid choice when you don't know their routine well. Interchangeable sets add several barrels in different sizes or shapes on one handle, which suits someone who changes their look often. Before you buy, check the barrel material, how many heat settings it has, the cord length, and whether the cord swivels so it doesn't tangle. A barrel around the middle of the usual size range works for most hair lengths and makes a safe default if you're unsure.

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  Gift ideaUsually $25–$50

  Classic hair curling iron

  This versatile tool creates beautiful, long-lasting curls and waves for various hair types, perfect for everyday styling or special occasions.

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  Gift ideaUsually $25–$50

  Versatile interchangeable curling set

  Offers multiple barrel sizes and shapes in one kit, providing endless styling possibilities for different curl types and hair lengths.

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Hair curlers set the curl over time instead of all at once. Heatless sets usually use a soft rod, ribbon or rollers that you put in damp or dry hair and leave in for a few hours or overnight. They suit someone who wants waves without daily hot styling, who has a slow morning routine, or who just likes sleeping in curlers and waking up styled. Check how many pieces come in the set, whether it suits their hair length, and whether it's comfortable enough to sleep on. Curlers make a thoughtful gift for someone who already tries to cut back on heat tools.

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  Curated pickUnder $15

  Heatless Curler Set

  Curls that happen overnight — wake up, unwrap, walk out the door.

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A hair wand works much like a curling wand, but some have spiral grooves or unusual barrel shapes that guide the hair into tighter, more even ringlets. They suit someone who likes defined curls that hold their shape, or who wants to add structure to hair that's already naturally wavy. Before you buy, check the barrel width, since narrow spirals give tight curls and wider ones give bouncier coils. Also look at how many heat settings it has and how long it takes to heat up. These wands take longer to use on thick or long hair, so keep in mind how much time the person usually spends styling.

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  Gift ideaUsually $25–$50

  Spiral curl defining iron

  Features a unique spiral guide to help create perfectly uniform, bouncy spiral curls with ease and consistency.

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A large barrel curling iron makes loose, open curls, soft waves and volume at the ends rather than tight ringlets. It works best on shoulder-length or longer hair, since short hair may barely wrap around a wide barrel. It suits someone who wants a polished blowout look or gentle movement instead of obvious curls. Before you buy, check the barrel diameter and length. A longer barrel fits more hair in each section and speeds up styling on long hair. It's also worth checking whether it has a clamp or is a clipless wand, depending on what they already know how to use.

A cordless curling iron runs on a rechargeable battery, so it can go in a work bag, gym bag or suitcase for quick touch-ups. It suits someone who travels often, has a long day between styling and going out, or doesn't like cords getting in the way. Cordless models usually run cooler and for shorter stretches than plug-in irons, so they work better for fixing a few pieces than for styling a whole head from scratch. Before you buy, check how it charges, how long a charge lasts, and whether it has a lock or cap for packing.

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  Gift ideaUsually $25–$50

  Portable cordless curling iron

  Enjoy the freedom of styling anywhere, anytime with this battery-powered device, perfect for touch-ups or travel without outlet restrictions.

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A small curling iron has a narrow barrel, which makes tighter curls and reaches shorter hair, bangs and the pieces around the face. Compact travel versions are also shorter overall, so they fit easily into a carry-on or toiletry bag. This size suits someone with a bob or pixie cut, someone who wants springy ringlets, or someone who needs a second iron for trips. Check the barrel diameter, whether it has dual voltage if they travel abroad, and whether it comes with a storage pouch. On long, thick hair a small barrel is slow to use, so think about their hair length first.

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  Gift ideaUsually $15–$25

  Compact travel curling iron

  A small, lightweight curling iron designed for easy packing and on-the-go styling, ideal for vacations or quick touch-ups away from home.

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