What We Don't Love: There are barrels for both left- and right-facing curls, so you’ll have to switch them out as you work. Most hot tools will break when used with a power converter abroad, but because this tool offers dual voltage, we were able to safely style our hair while traveling outside of the country.

If you’re even somewhat interested in hair care, there’s a good chance Chi’s rotating curling iron has come across your TikTok FYP. It draws hair into a rotating chamber, timing each section for consistency. There’s also an auto-off feature and an 11-foot cord—plenty of length for any home user. If you have ultra-fine or damaged hair, you will want to select a curling iron that offers a low styling temperature. “Excessive heat will damage the cuticle further,” warns New York-based hairstylist Alwyn DiGregorio. “Lower temps with smaller sections will work just as well as higher temps and bigger sections.” All of Hot Tools' curling irons offer users a wide range of heat settings, from 280 to 430 degrees Celsius. This range leaves you free to choose your styling tool based on the material of the barrel and the full range of Hot Tools curling iron sizes. You won't feel restricted to the irons that offer a specific temperature range. Graham Nation is a celebrity hairstylist and educator who counts Venus Williams, Emma Chamberlain, and Maddie Ziegler as clients.With the unique removable clamp, this iron is actually a two-in-one: It can be used as a traditional curling iron or as a wand to achieve a wide range of styles. While we enjoyed the duality, if the clamp wasn’t correctly attached it fell off mid-use and snagged our hair. When we took the time to secure it, it was smooth curling. Angie Perrantes is a pro hairstylist and natural hair specialist whose clients include Paige Hurd and LisaRaye McCoy. Of all the hair tools on the market, few are as polarizing as the curling iron. Choosing the best curling iron is just as important as learning how to use one properly—whether you’re creating subtle waves, tight coils, or flatiron curls. The Best Curling Irons None of Hot Tools' curling irons is dual voltage. This wattage means users won't be able to enjoy them outside of the United States or North America without using a transformer. Heat Settings

We’ve never seen much success when using a curling iron on our fine hair. We had almost given up, accepting that our hair would always just slide out of the clamp looking like a wet noodle. That all changed when we tested this hero tool. Though it’s pretty budget friendly, it comes with pricier features, including three detachable barrels in different sizes, an LED temperature screen, and accessories, like a protective glove, hair clips, and storage bag. However, if your hair stubbornly refuses to hold a curl at all, we hate to admit it, but it’s likely due to user error. DiGregorio recommends taking smaller sections and using a slightly smaller barrel size, like the 0.75-inch version of Conair InfinitiPRO Tourmaline Ceramic Curling Iron. “Be mindful that each hair section can easily wrap around the iron with a little room to spare,” she says. “This enables the heat to reach every hair in the section.” The most important thing to do when styling your hair with a curling iron is to keep things moving to avoid heat damage. “Do not leave the iron on your hair for too long,” warns Reed. “If I’m doing a wave or a curl, I’m always moving the tool underneath the hair to evenly distribute the heat and make sure one section isn’t being overheated.”

Charmarti also says to let your hair cool down completely after styling. Pinning your curls up (with rollers or clips) for at least 20 minutes will help them set. Hot Tools is one of the most innovative hair-styling companies in the market. The company launched the 'CurlBar' iron a couple of years ago, which featured a handle angled at 90 degrees to its plates. Hot Tools has been at the forefront of smart ergonomic design. What We Don't Love: Those with finer hair may find that their hair slips out of the iron during use.