The 8 Best Curling Irons for Thick Hair That Style Quickly and Actually Hold (2025)

TL;DR

Our favorite overall pick is the T3 SinglePass Curl X, which features a long ceramic barrel and nine heat settings for shiny, perfectly formed curls that last. Though technically not a curling iron in the classic sense, the Dyson Airwrap also deserves an honorable mention. Set your preferences (like hair type) through an app, and the tool effortlessly dries and curls your strands, reducing your styling time.

Our Top Picks

Barrel Width: 1, 1.25, 1.5 inches | Temperature Range: Up to 410 degrees| Material: Ceramic

We love an efficient styling tool, and this one truly makes light work of even the thickest strands. Three width options and a longer-than-average barrel cater to any hair length, creating defined curls in a single pass. The smooth clamp won’t pull at stray strands, and the ceramic coating helps prevent flyaways and static for a smooth finish. Most importantly, the 410-degree heat promises to create curls with impressive longevity, keeping them bouncy and glossy throughout the day. Our one note? There are nine heat settings, but annoyingly, they aren’t labeled, so you may need to try a few levels to find the right one for you.

Barrel Width: 1.25 inches | Temperature Range: Up to 365 degrees | Material: Ceramic

It may be one of the splurge-iest options on our list, but according to our testers, it’s worth the investment. Lightweight and easy to maneuver with one hand, the ghd Curve Soft Curl Iron styles hair in record time. Our testers also appreciated that the smooth ceramic barrel provides ample glide and the clamp is firm without causing any annoying dents. The tool heats up in just 25 seconds, but thereis only one temperature setting: a hot but nottoohot 365 degrees. If you want your curls to look healthy and last, this is the one for you.

Katy, tester with hair type 2A (not pictured): "This is the lightest curling iron I have ever used. I loved how easy it was to maneuver one-handed vs. having to use both hands to get the job done. The lightness allowed me to get my hair done quicker than usual, too."

Irene, tester with hair type 3A (not pictured): "The ceramic barrel felt high-quality and glided through my hair without producing frizz, pulling, or tugging. I also loved how I only needed to hold my hair in the iron for less than 10 seconds to get a perfect curl, reducing the amount of time I had the heat on my hair overall and giving it a healthier look.”

Barrel Width: 1.2, 1.6 inches | Temperature Range: Up to 302 degrees | Material: Ceramic

If you spend half your morning meticulously styling and taming your abundance of strands, the Dyson Airwrap is going to change your life. The tool automatically catches hair, wrapping it around the tapered, ceramic barrel to dry and curl simultaneously, thus slashing styling time in half. The result is an effortless, bouncy finish that our tester likened to a salon blowout. She also appreciated that the Airwrap only heats up to 302 degrees, preventing heat damage and preserving the hair’s natural shine. Another plus: It connects to an app via Bluetooth, automatically adjusting the temperature and airflow settings to suit your hair type, producing consistently perfect curls every time.

Sophia, tester with hair type 1 (not pictured): "I think it works great for giving a blowout-like style. It doesn't feel as damaging because it's air and doesn't seem to get overly hot."

Danielle, tester with hair type 3/4 (not pictured): "Once the hair latches and wraps around the barrel, I don't really have to do anything else but just guide the barrel up the section of hair as it wraps around it. I was surprised how defined and bouncy the curls came out."

Barrel Width: 0.75, 1, 1.25, 1.5 inches | Temperature Range: Up to 430 degrees | Material: Ceramic

Blessed with long, thick hair reminiscent of a Disney Princess? This is the curling iron for you. The 8-inch barrel will save you from having to contort your lengthy strands while curling, and the cool-touch grip end will prevent burnt fingertips. Lightweight and effortless to use, the tool allowed our testers to work quickly, creating uniform, voluminous curls that held remarkably well. One tester even reported her curls stayed intact for days afterwards, and only minimal touch-ups were required. However, the design could be sturdier—the short stand and heavy cord make it difficult to stand this curling iron upright on your vanity.

Katie, tester with hair type 1A (not pictured): "This curling iron was probably the easiest to use yet. It gave such uniform loose curls without causing damage, and the barrel was long enough for long hair."

Leann, tester with hair type 2B: "The first time I used it, my hair came out very glam and voluminous. The second time I used it, I straightened my ends a bit more for a beachier vibe. Regardless of my technique, I found that the styles lasted for a few days and required minimal touch-ups."

Jessica, tester with hair type 3C (not pictured): "It heated up quickly, transitioned temperatures fast, and didn't take long to give my strands a good curl. I'm always worried about heat damage, but with this iron, I held my hair in the clamp for just a few seconds each and was able to get volume that lasted throughout the day."

Barrel Width: 1.25 inches | Temperature: Up to 410 degrees | Material: Ceramic tourmaline

If you’re new to curling irons, the Conair InfinitiPRO streamlines the whole process. First, choose your curl type (blowout, soft, or wavy) and direction (toward or away from your face), then place a one-inch section of hair in the slot and press “start.” Your strands will gently wrap around the barrel without tangling or getting trapped. After the beep, release your hair from the chamber, and voilà—a perfectly uniform curl. This tool is the perfect curling iron for beginners (once you’ve got the hang of the technique, that is).

Barrel Width: 0.75, 1, 1.25 inches | Temperature Range: Up to 430 degrees | Material: Ceramic

Nothing says “effortless” like beachy waves, but achieving them can take a deceptive amount of styling. Enter, The Beachwaver Co. B1.25, a rotating iron that clamps, auto-twirls, and releases your hair, curling it efficiently and precisely. It comes in three barrel sizes, but the 1.25-inch option is best for nailing loose beachy waves, especially if you brush them through and add a spritz of salt spray to finish.The clamp size is a little stubby for our preference, but stick to styling small sections, and you’ll soon master it.

Barrel Width: 1, 1.5 inches | Temperature Range: Up to 430 degrees | Material: Ceramic

When you see the price of Revlon’s SmoothStay Curling Iron, you’ll do a double-take. This affordable option boasts features that rival its more expensive competitors, including a coconut oil-infused ceramic barrel that helps condition the hair,reduces static, and guards against heat damage. Ten temperature settings provide styling flexibility, and dual-voltage compatibility (120V and 240V) makes this one a winner if you frequently travel. Is it the most durable option? No. But you could replace this curling iron ten times over for the exact cost of a high-end rival if necessary.

Barrel Width: 1 inch | Temperature Range: Up to 430 degrees | Material: Titanium

Our expert hairstylists recommend titanium curling irons for those with thick hair, as they heat up evenly and penetrate even the densest strands, creating defined, longer-lasting curls. This titanium option from Moroccanoil has a maximum temperature of 430 degrees—one of the hottest on our list, so don’t skip the heat protectant. We love that it can be used with the clamp or as a wand if preferred, allowing you to alternate between tighter, more structured curls and looser, more natural-looking waves. While its long barrel is perfect for long- and medium-length hair, it might be a little cumbersome for shorter styles.

FAQ

• How do you get thick hair to hold a curl?

  This is where the right products can make a huge difference. Katelyn Ellsworth, a San Diego hair stylist, loves the hairspray trick. “Use a flexible hairspray all over before curling your hair,” she says. “Brush it through and curl your hair in one-inch sections. The hairspray will help hold the curl.” Volumizing mousse can also give your curls some extra staying power, according to Raziuddin.

• Do you use a curling iron on wet or dry hair?

  You should only use your curling iron on dry hair, unless you have a curling-iron blow-dryer hybrid, such as the Dyson Airwrap. Hair is weaker and more prone to damage when it’s wet. Plus, when you apply intense heat to drenched hair, the water inside can boil, damaging the hair shaft and leaving your strands looking frazzled and frizzy.

• What’s the trick to getting volume vs. definition when curling thick hair?

  If you’re aiming for big, bouncy curls, Raziuddin recommends using a larger barrel width, pulling each hair section up and away from its natural position to create natural lift at the root, and curling away from your face. If, however, your goal is defined curls, pick a smaller barrel, work with smaller sections of hair, and alternate curl directions for maximum separation of each ringlet.