11 Best Curling Irons for Instagram-Worthy Curls, Waves, and More

Just about every hairstylist we chatted with when whipping up this list couldn't help but mention the ghd Curve. It comes in different widths, but the Classic seems to be on everyone's minds for its comfort tip that won't burn your fingers, medium 1-inch barrel that doesn't damage or fry your strands, Ultra-zone technology, and spring-activated ergonomic lever for creating classic curls. As its name says, this pick is perfect for creating bouncy, classic bombshell curls.

“My GHD Curve Classic Iron is my go-to,” says Dueñas. “With the comfort tip, I never need to worry about burning myself. The heat is highly accurate and doesn’t fluctuate at all. With having a spring-loaded blade it is very easy to use at home too!”

Another notable curler from the ghd Curve line is the GHD Curve 1.25" Soft Curl Iron, which celebrity hairstylist Hayley Heckmann says is her preferred pick for creating beachy waves on short and long hair. 

“My favorite feature besides the barrel size is how evenly the plates inside heat up, ensuring your hair doesn’t get damaged,” she says.

More: 12 Best Heat-Protectant Sprays to Prevent Serious Hair Damage

If you have long hair, then you know how much of a pain it is to actually curl it. But if you want to make things easier on you and your long locks, then celebrity hair and makeup artist Meredith Boyd says to grab this large and in charge styler, stat. 

Boyd says this curling iron is the best for larger curls because the iron never snags on the hair and it has an extra long 2-inch barrel that makes curling long hair a breeze. Plus, its 1.25-inch barrel size is perfect for creating beachy waves or soft curls. 

Now, let's get to the specs: The brand's NanoIonic MX technology and Bio Ionic Moisturizing Heat help lock in moisture, seal the cuticle, and ensure that curls last longer and stay conditioned and bouncy instead of dull and limp.

Celebrity hairstylist Michael Boychuck says he loves using this particular curler for one main reason: its temperature controls. “It heats up quickly and the temperature settings are easy to navigate and adjust for any hair type,” he says.

But that’s not the only reason why this curler is so great. It’s clipless, so you won’t have to worry about dents in your hair, and its extra long barrel allows you to use this curler on longer hair as well. Plus, it has a customizable auto shut-off setting, so you’ll never have to worry about whether you left your curler on when you step away from it.

Why buy three different curlers when you can buy one with interchangeable barrels? Though this curling iron does come with a pricey penny, it's also important to note that it is a 3-in-1 option that's one numerous beauty accolades, including the Allure Best of Beauty Award in 2015.

Celebrity hair colorist Jeremy Tardo says he also loves this hair curling iron for its ceramic build that doesn't damage hair. "Its ceramic coating allows for a smooth pass through the hair and a polished finish," he says. "It’s super easy to use and curls the hair in just one pass, saving time and energy."

For less than $30, you get a curler and a straightener with this budget-friendly lifesaver. This heated hair tool hybrid has slightly curved ceramic plates that make straightening and curling a total breeze. Simply straighten as per usual for a sleek and straight look, or twist and glide for beach waves. If you want big, bouncy curls, simply glide slower — yeah ... it's that easy.

This hair-styling hero gets bonus points for its heat control sensor that prevents overheating, which means less hair damage and less color fading for color-treated hair.

There's quite a few rotating curling irons on the market, but this is the one we keep coming back to. 

This pick combines a clip-curler, curling wand, and salon-professional marcel into one single versatile tool, and it features a 25-millimeter ceramic barrel to create long-lasting, frizz-free curls and waves. Negative-ion technology seals your hair's cuticle for a silky-smooth finish, and its 360-degree rotating clamp and cool tip make curling easier than ever.

There's nothing like romantic beach waves, and this under-$40 pick will give you exactly that. This curling-crimping mechanism uses ceramic tourmaline plates that quickly and evenly heat up to style your hair while reducing frizz and increasing shine, and reviewers on Walmart rave about how this heated tool creates the perfect soft beach wave in seconds.

Ulta shoppers can't seem to get enough of this under-$30 curling wand, and now we're pretty obsessed with it, too.

This curling iron beats out its pricier competition for its ceramic 1-inch barrel that won't sear your locks and its shine-boosting, body-enhancing properties. It has one temperature setting, which takes the guesswork out of determining which temp is best for your hair, and it even comes with a heat-protective glove to you don't burn yourself in the process of styling your strands.

This pick is best for creating loose curls and waves, so if you're looking for a tighter curl, we recommend opting for another pick on this list.

If you're new to the world of curling, first off, welcome! Second, you need this easy, breezy curling iron to get started, according to Boyd.

This curler is one of Boyd's favorites for one main reason: The barrel rotates, and it's absolutely life-changing. 

“The barrel swivels all the way around making the curling process so easy and it’s really fun to use, clients always ask me about it the iron when I style their hair they can’t get over how it rotates,” she says.

No matter what your hair length or texture may be, this curling iron from celebrity hairstyling legend Kim Kimble will suit your needs. 

First off, it's an under-$50 pick that has interchangeable barrel heads, which is pretty impressive. But what really grabbed our attention is the brand's promise that each barrel works with just about any hair type. 

All you need to do is set it to the right temperature for your hair type (for fine or damaged hair use 290-330 degrees; medium or normal hair should use 330-370 degrees; thick or coarse hair, use 370-410 degrees) and you're all set to create perfect curls and waves.

If you're sick and tired of getting tangled in cords while you're curling your hair, then Lunata has the perfect curler for you. 

This titanium-based curler is completely cordless and only needs a 40-minute charge for its battery to be fully powered and ready to use. The 1.25-inch barrel makes creating curls and waves seamless and easy, plus without the cord in your way you can get to those hard to reach areas behind your head without burning yourself. 

As an added bonus, you can remove the curler's clip to create a curling wand that won't leave any clip dents in your hair.