The 14 Best Rotating Curling Irons of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall

Prizm Wavy Professional Rotating Curling Iron

View On Amazon $90

Our Ratings

• Ease of Use
  4.7/5
• Clamp Tension
  5/5
• Performance
  5/5
• Value
  5/5

If you’re looking for a curling iron that will quickly, effectively, and effortlessly style your hair, look no further than this Prizm favorite. Complete with a 1-inch titanium barrel, this rotating curling iron works fast to produce bouncy curls in mere minutes. The high tech iron heats up to 450 degrees in less than 35 seconds and features 11 different temperature settings that you can adjust based on your hair type. It also has two clearly labeled buttons – L and R that determine which direction the iron rotates – making the device simple and convenient to use.

Aside from being easy to use, this hot tool also provides hair with gorgeous, voluminous curls. “My curls turned out very nice: They are well-defined and bouncy,” says our tester. “I could easily brush the curls to get beachy waves if I wanted to as well.” Additionally, thanks to the titanium nano material that the barrel is made with, this tool produces negative ions, which enhance shine and help lock in moisture. As for the cherry on top: This tool has a one-hour automatic shut-down, which means you won’t have to worry if you accidentally leave it on.

It’s worth noting that though the iron worked perfectly in our test, some online reviews claim that the tool broke after six months of use. These instances seem to be few and far between, so we still recommend the iron for its unbeatable price and gorgeous results. 

Barrel Size: 1 inch | Heat Settings: up to 450 degrees | Barrel Material: Titanium Nano | Speeds: 1

Best Luxury

T3 Twirl 360 Curling Iron

View On Nordstrom $200 View On Sephora $200 View On QVC $199

There’s no other way to say it: The T3 Twirl Auto-Rotating Curling Iron is one of a kind. This innovative tool utilizes gyroscopic technology, which is a fancy way of saying that it curls your hair for you. Here’s the scoop: The iron can sense the motion of your hand. Once it knows which way you’re trying to curl your hair (either way from your face or toward your face), it automatically adjusts its settings. “This tool is so smart — there's only one button to rotate, and it determines which way with the flick of a wrist. I like that because it ensures you don't accidentally press the wrong button and end up curling your hair the wrong way,” our tester says.

The result of this smart technology? Luscious, bouncy curls. Plus, thanks to the 1¼ -inch barrel, you can achieve a variety of curl styles (like loose waves, ribbon curls, and more), no matter what length your hair is. On top of that, it has two different rotating speeds, so you can adjust it according to your preference.

Although we love this tool, it’s worth noting that it’s not totally intuitive to use unless you read the manual, so make sure you take the extra few minutes flipping through the instructions to have the most seamless experience.

Barrel Size: 1¼ -inch | Heat Settings: up to 410 degrees | Barrel Material: Ceramic | Speeds: 2

Best Budget

MaikcQ Rotating Curling Iron

View On Amazon $60

Our Ratings

• Ease of Use
  4/5
• Clamp Tension
  4.5/5
• Performance
  4.7/5
• Value
  5/5

Effortless curls are just minutes away when you have this affordable beauty tool. Complete with a ceramic tourmaline barrel that reduces heat damage, seals in moisture, and lessens frizz, this rotating curl iron is all you need to achieve a curly hairstyle.

What we love most about this curling iron is that it’s extremely easy to use: It has two buttons on the handle (one with an arrow pointing to the right and another with an arrow pointing to the left) that turn the barrel in your desired direction. It also has an LCD screen that allows you to see what temperature the tool is at (there are three different temperature settings; low, medium, and high). But, what really sets this device apart is its special brush attachment. This handy tool can be clipped right onto the barrel and used to comb through hair after curling it. The results? Defined, wave-like curls.

However, it’s worth noting that the brand only recommends this tool for people with long- and medium-length hair because of its short clamp. “I wish the clamp was a little longer,” our tester says. “Since the clamp is shorter I had to be really careful to not burn my head with the top of the iron.” Overall, this curling iron is great for anyone with shoulder-length hair or longer who wants gorgeous, shiny curls. 

Barrel Size: 1¼ -inch | Heat Settings: 410 degrees | Barrel Material: Ceramic | Speed: 1

Most Versatile

Shark FlexStyle System

View On Amazon $291 View On Nordstrom $280 View On Ulta $280

Our Ratings

• Ease of Use
  4.7/5
• Clamp Tension
  4.7/5
• Performance
  4.1/5
• Value
  4.4/5
• Styling Ability
  4.8/5

This cutting-edge hair tool is ultra-versatile, giving users the option to switch between different attachments based on what kind of hairstyle they want to achieve. Choose between a slew of stylers including a handful of brushes (complete with round, oval, and paddle options), as well as a curl diffuser, style concentrator, and wide-tooth comb. Plus, you can also choose two auto-wrap curlers, which are our personal favorites. 

These feature the same Coanda airflow technology as the Dyson Airwrap, which instantly wraps hair around the barrel of the curler. Since it utilizes high-speed air instead of high temperatures (like traditional hot tools), hair is exposed to less heat damage, if any at all. And, even though it doesn’t use high heat, it’s still able to create bouncy, long-lasting curls thanks to its cool shot feature, which helps set and define hair.

The only thing we will point out is that this device comes with two different curling barrels that can only curl hair in one direction (one curls hair to the left and the other curls hair to the right). This means you will have to swap out the barrel if you want to switch the direction of your curls. However, it’s really easy to change between attachments, so this shouldn’t be too much of a hassle.

Barrel Size: 1¼ -inch | Heat Settings: up to 203 degrees | Barrel Material: Ceramic | Speeds: N/A

Best For Beginners

Beachwaver Co. Rotating Curling Iron

View On Amazon $149 View On Ulta $149 View On Beachwaver.com

Our Ratings

• Ease of Use
  3.5/5
• Clamp Tension
  4/5
• Performance
  3/5
• Value
  1/5

Curling your hair isn’t always an intuitive process (even with a rotating curling iron). Luckily, this smart tool from Beachwaver simplifies the process. “All you have to do is place a one-inch piece of hair under the clamp and hit the button signifying the direction you'd like the curl to go,” our tester explains. Then, it does the rest for you!

Made with a one-inch ceramic barrel that heats up in under one minute, and a small grip clamp that effortlessly holds hair in place while it curls, this iron reduces the time it takes to style your hair. “Though the clamp is small, it manages to hold long hair securely in place while the iron does its job. There’s no tugging, and it releases hair pretty easily, too,” our tester adds. We appreciate that there are two curling speeds, too (fast and slow), so you can adjust it to your liking. 

Overall, this tool is ideal for anyone who wants bouncy curls without the hassle. Plus, it’s great for people who want to experiment with a range of hairstyles. “The beauty with this tool is that you're able to create different types of curls depending on how you clamp, how long you hold the iron to the hair, and the direction it rotates,” our tester explains. To try out different styles, head to the brand’s website — they’ve compiled a variety of videos that showcase dozens of ways to use the curler. 

Barrel Size: 1 inch | Heat Settings: 410 degrees | Barrel Material: Ceramic | Speeds: 2

Best For Loose Curls

The Farrah Rotating Curling Iron

View On Amazon $84 View On Thefarrah.com View On Walmart $84

Our Ratings

• Ease of Use
  4/5
• Clamp Tension
  5/5
• Performance
  5/5
• Value
  4/5

If there’s one hairstyle every beauty buff has strived to achieve at some point in their lives, it’s loose curls. These kinds of curls always appear to be natural, chic, and ultimately effortless. However, for some people, they’re often the most difficult style to create. Luckily, there’s a tool that’ll give you loose curls with ease: The farrah Rotating Curling Iron. 

This sleek tool features a one-inch barrel that tames frizz and adds shine, thanks to the ceramic coating. It also has a rotating barrel that doesn’t feature a clamp, which can be easier for beginners to use. Smart technology wraps the hair itself, starting from the top of the head and working its way down towards the ends. (Essentially, to use this tool, hold it next to a one-inch section of hair, starting at the top. Press the button to curl hair, and slowly pull the device down to your ends. Voilà! Effortless curls.)

We will note that you can’t see the actual temperature of the tool, rather, a little LED light will illuminate when it’s at 250, 300, 350, 400, or 450 degrees. “It would be more convenient if there was a display box to show the actual temperature in numbers instead of a range,” our tester says.

Barrel Size: 1 inch | Heat Settings: up to 450 degrees | Barrel Material: Ceramic | Speeds: 1

Best For Frizz

TYMO Hair Curling Wand

View On Amazon $80 View On Target $85 View On Tymobeauty.com $100

Our Ratings

• Ease of Use
  4.5/5
• Clamp Tension
  4.5/5
• Performance
  4/5
• Value
  4/5

Made with a titanium barrel, this curling iron releases negative ions that penetrate the hair, nourishing it from the inside out. These negative ions also seal hair follicles and lock in moisture, ultimately taming and lessening frizz. Aside from the fact that it dramatically reduces static and frizz, we also love that the iron has a handful of great features that make it ideal for anyone to use, from beginners to pros. 

For starters, the small clamp firmly holds hair while it rotates; the rotation buttons are easy to recognize and smoothly wrap hair; and there are five different temperature settings (from 280 degrees to 430 degrees), which allow you to adjust the iron to your desired heat. We will note that you can’t actually see the temperature the tool is set to. Rather, it has five lights that indicate which level the tool is set to. To finish it all off, it heats up in under one minute and automatically shuts off after one hour.

Barrel Size: 1 ¼ -inch | Heat Settings: 430 degrees | Barrel Material: Titanium | Speeds: 1

Best For Fine Hair

Bio Ionic Rotating Styling Iron

View On Amazon $165 View On QVC $145 View On Bioionic.com

Our Ratings

• Ease of Use
  5/5
• Clamp Tension
  5/5
• Performance
  4.7/5
• Value
  4/5

As someone with fine, flat hair, I know firsthand the struggle of attaining bouncy, well-defined curls. Luckily, this rotating curler has changed the game. It has a one-inch iron barrel that easily wraps around thin hair in seconds. The barrel is the ideal size for achieving voluminous curls that are not too loose or too tight – AKA the perfect happy medium. Additionally, it’s made from iron, which helps reduce frizz while also adding moisture to strands. (I’ve noticed that my hair is much shinier when I use this tool as opposed to others.) 

As someone who prefers using a curling iron as opposed to a wand, I really enjoy the large clamp that this tool has. It securely holds my thin hair in place while it rotates, and it doesn’t leave crimps or bumps. Another underrated feature: It has a nine-foot swivel cord that makes maneuvering this curler around your head a breeze. 

While this isn’t a huge deal, it takes about three minutes for the iron to fully heat up, which is much longer than the other tools we tested. Keep this in mind if you’re trying to quickly style your hair before heading out. 

Barrel Size: 1 inch | Heat Settings: 440 degrees | Barrel Material: Iron | Speeds: 1

Best For Thick Hair

Lyealion Interchangeable Hair Curling Wand

View On Amazon $90

Our Ratings

• Ease of Use
  4.5/5
• Clamp Tension
  5/5
• Performance
  5/5
• Value
  5/5

If you have thick hair and are looking to experiment with different curl sizes, this hot tool will give you all the freedom and flexibility you want. It comes with three barrel heads (complete with barrel sizes that are ¾ -inch, 1-inch, and 1 ¼-inch wide) that are easy to change between.

These varying barrels can create a range of curls, including big, beachy waves, soft curls, light waves, and tight ringlets. Beyond the interchangeable barrels, another cool feature ensures you achieve the style you want: The iron beeps when each ringlet is ready to be released, guaranteeing even heat distribution and preventing damage. 

As for the best part? This product comes with a wide-tooth comb, a heat-resistant glove, three hair clips, 24 small claw clips, and a box to store everything in, so you have everything you need when you’re ready to style. Honestly, the only thing we’d change is the placement of the curling buttons in relation to the release button — they’re very close to each other and can be mistaken for each other. As you get to know the device this will be less likely to happen, but it takes some getting used to. 

Barrel Sizes: ¾ -inch, 1 inch, 1 ¼-inch | Heat Settings: 450 degrees | Barrel Material: Ceramic | Speeds: 1

Best Air Technology

Dyson Airwrap

View On Nordstrom $600 View On Ulta $600 View On Sephora $599

Ah, the Dyson Airwrap. We couldn’t have a list of the best rotating curling irons without this innovative device. Compared to other tools on our list, this one uses very little heat to curl hair, which means your strands are at less risk of being exposed to heat damage. (This ultimately means less breakage, frizz, and dryness.) 

Despite the lack of heat, curls maintain shape because Dyson uses what’s called the Coanda Effect. This so-called ‘effect’ is essentially an aerodynamic phenomenon where the tool is able to create a spinning vortex of air that allows hair to easily wrap around it. From there, a beautiful curl is created. 

The device ultimately comes with six attachments, but two specifically to curl hair. “The larger barrel results in loose/wavy curls similar to a blowout, while the smaller barrel results in more bounce and wavy curls,” explains our tester. Once she got the hang of using the Airwrap, she says styling was a breeze, but she did experience a bit of a learning curve. “The directions were certainly helpful, however, it took me a moment to find my footing,” she explains. “It was hard to identify the settings once the tool was wrapped in my hair, but I think if you owned the tool and had more practice this would be easier to navigate.”

Barrel Sizes: 1.2 inches, 1.6 inches | Heat Settings: 194 degrees | Barrel Material: Plastic composite | Speeds: N/A

Best Cordless

Conair Cordless Auto Curler

View On Amazon $59 View On Ulta $80 View On Walmart $59

Our Ratings

• Ease of Use
  2.5/5
• Clamp Tension
  3/5
• Performance
  3/5
• Value
  1/5

If you’re someone who’s constantly on the go, you need a product that can keep up with your lifestyle. It’s hard to compete with a cordless iron that works, and we found that none compare to the Conair Unbound Cordless Auto-Curler. It’s small, lightweight, and portable, which means you can curl your hair from literally anywhere. Just charge the device before you use it (it comes with a charging cord), and then you have one hour to curl all the hair you want. 

To use, simply insert a section of hair into the chamber, press the ‘on’ button, and watch as it magically styles your strands into “perfect ringlets,” according to our tester. (Once your hair is ready to be released, you’ll hear two beeps.) Plus, you can customize the heat settings – there are four different settings that range from 300 to 400 degrees – as well as the amount of time you want your hair to curl. As a bonus, you can also select which direction you want your curl to go in.

We will say that it curls pieces pretty tightly, and can sometimes tug at the hair, but our tester says this sensation isn't painful. Overall, we find that this device is easy and fast, and it creates long-lasting curls. 

Barrel Size: 1 inch | Heat Settings: 400 degrees | Barrel Material: Ceramic | Speeds: 1