Best Curling Tongs Reviews & Buyer’s Guide

Best Curling Tongs - Curling Tongs Guide

Are you interested in finding the best curling tongs to get those salon quality curls in the comfort of your home? A set of the best curling tongs or wands will give you the chance to get those professional curls in the comfort of your own home that will last all day. They can be used at your convenience so can fit into a busy schedule.

Although there is a learning curve when using these tools, once mastered you will be saving both time and money by not having to visit a professional salon on a regular basis.

Finding the best curling wand to suit your hair can be difficult since there are so many options available. So here at CurlingTongsGuide in the course of our research we have looked at many different models from hair wands to tongs and have come up with our pick and a shortlist of other great curling tools.


Our Pick

In our research we looked at over 20 different curling tongs/wands and would recommend the Babyliss 2285CU. From our research we have found that the Babyliss 2285CU are easy to use and with their different heat settings you can use them easily on different types of hair to create a variety of curling styles.


Best Curling Tongs

Below you will find our our shortlist. Read on to discover a more comprehensive list of the best curling tongs of 2020 and read our in-depth Curling Tongs Buyers Guide that includes more in-depth curling tongs reviews.

All the models that we have reviewed are all highly rated based on features, user feedback, design and affordability.

Curling Tong Reviews

1 – BaByliss 2285CU Review

BaByliss 2285CUWith the Babyliss 2285CU you can choose from 5 different heat settings, ranging from 150° to 200°. To operate the curler you simply press the “On” button, then press the + button to go to a higher temperature. When you are ready to lower the temperature again, press the – button.

The 2285CU curler comes with a useful heat protector glove, which you will eventually end up loving. The bonus is that you don’t burn yourself. Be careful since many users have often taken the heat protector glove off, then realized they have missed a section of hair. And in their hurry often end up burning a finger. So always ensure you where the glove to prevent getting burnt.

If you want more looser wavy curls then use larger sections. If you’re right handed ensure you wear the heat protector glove on your left hand and visa-a-versa. To get the perfect curls hold the curler for between 5 and 10 seconds and slowly remove the curler from your hair.

The 2.5m long swivel cord ensures that the wand moves with you whilst your curling instead of against you and can reach relatively long hair. The swivel feature means that the cord does not get wound up.

Features

  • Ceramic coated barrel
  • Auto shut off
  • 2.5m swivel cord
  • Fast heating is ready to use in 30 seconds
  • Maximum temperature of 210°C
  • 5 digital temperature settings

Verdict

The Babyliss 2285CU is easy to use and comes with variable heat settings. It heats up quickly within 30 seconds. It comes with a heat resistant glove that works really well to stop you from burning a hand. You can use this model to do tight and loose curls. BaByliss are so confident with the durability and build quality of this wand that they include a three year guarantee.

User Rating

This model is highly recommended by users who say it is good value for money.  In terms of user ratings the Babyliss 2285CU has over 700 user reviews on Amazon with an average user rating of 4.6 stars out of 5,  an overall rating of 4.7/5.0 from 400+ users on Argos and 4.8/5.0 from users at John Lewis. Click here for the latest deals and discounts on Amazon.


2 – Remington CI96W1 Review

Remington CI96W1The Remington CI96W1 delivers professional, salon-perfect results. It has a good tapered wand so you can have wavy hair or tight curly hair. It allows for variable temperature between 120 to 220 degrees Celsius.

The wand is coated with a luxury silk ceramic coating that produces a smoother glide than normal ceramic, giving those professional results. It also has precious pearl ceramic coating on the barrel making it almost 8 x smoother and lasting 5 times longer than a standard Ceramic wand.

You can check the current temperature of the Remington CI96W1 by looking at the digital display to ensure it doesn’t change when using the wand. When using the curling want it would be a good idea to use some type of heat protector spray to help protect your hair during the curlers operation.

The CI96W1 comes with a heatproof pouch for easy and safe transportation. The heat proof glove that is supplied with the unit does help to stop your fingers getting burnt, however due to the nature of the device you can still feel a fair amount of heat coming through the glove. So ensure you use the curler in short burst.

The 3m cord is really long especially if your socket is a fair distance from your mirror. The cord also swivels, which means you don’t get up all caught up in cord whilst styling.

With this model you get a Temperature lock function that is useful since it ensures the CI96W1  temperature remains the just as you want it even in cases when you may knock the temperature buttons and could have accidentally changed the temperature. The lock function will stops this from happening.

Features

  • Silk ceramic coating
  • Digital display
  • Maximum temperature of 220 degrees Celsius
  • Ready to use in 30 seconds
  • Temperature control lock function
  • 25 – 13 mm conical barrel
  • Auto shut off after 60 minutes

Verdict

The Remington CI96W1 looks heats up within 30 second and you can easily adjust the temperature to suit your own hair. It comes with the added safety feature of an auto shutoff. The wand comes with a handy heat resistant glove and a travelling pouch to keep it safe.

This model comes with an auto shut off, so you don’t have to spend your day wondering if you had turned it off. At 3 metres long the cord length is great, especially of you have long hair. If your forever knocking your curlers and changing the temperature inadvertently this model comes with a temperature lock to ensure this does not happen.

User Ratings

Users rate the Remington CI96W1 highly often citing how easy it is to use. It has over 500 user reviews on Amazon and has earned an average rating of 4.5 stars out of 5, and on ASDA it has an average rating of 4.7/5.0 from over 70 users. Click here for the latest deals on Amazon.


3 – BaByliss 2287BU Review

BaByliss 2287BUThe BaByliss 2287BU makes it easy to style your hair like a professional hairdresser. The tongs deliver professional salon quality heat reaching up to 210°C for longer lasting results.

It comes with 5 digitally controlled heat settings that easily adjusts the temperature to suit your hair. To get those tighter waves, use smaller sections of hair and start by wrapping the sections of hair around the barrel as close to the root as possible.

If you are interested in having looser waves, use larger sections of hair and start wrapping the hair around the barrel lower down the hair length. To ensure that the curl sets after you have run the 2287BU through your hair, do not comb or brush hair until it cools. Repeat this process as often as necessary to get the look you’re after.

Features

  • Tourmaline-ceramic coated barrel
  • Heats up to 210°C in 30 seconds.
  • Five temperature settings – 150, 165, 180, 190 and 210°C.
  • Features a auto shut off, cool tip and heat protective glove.
  • 3-year guarantee.

Verdict

The BaByliss 2287BU is easy to use, heats up quickly and to a high temperature of 210°C. It comes with 5 digital heat settings so suits all types of hair.

The curling barrel will give you big bouncy curls and the clamp makes it easy to clamp hair. The cool tip allows you to hold this model without a glove.  It comes with a useful auto shutoff feature that switches off the unit just in case you forgot to turn them off after finishing with them.

User Rating

The BaByliss 2287BU has received many positive user reviews. It has over 35o reviews on Amazon with an average rating of 4.4 stars out of 5, and on Argos is has a rating of 4.5/5.0 from over 300 users. Click here for the latest deals on Amazon.


4 – Remington Keratin Radiance Review

Remington Keratin RadianceIf you decide on getting the Remington Keratin Curling Wand you will receive the following included in the box.

  • Remington Keratin Curling Wand.
  • Heat protective pouch.
  • Instruction guide.

The advanced Keratin is touted as creating shiny, healthy and smooth radiant hair after a curling session. If your worried about the weight of the tong then don’t be the Radiance wand has engineered to be lighter than previous models.

The wand is quick to heat up between 120 – 210 °C, giving you more control and allowing the curls to last longer. The power cord for the wand is long enough so you don’t have to spend all your time on your knees.

The wand also comes with an added safety feature an auto-shut off after 60 minutes so no more worrying all night that you never turned them off. For those intrepid travellers the and is supplied with a travel pouch and can be used worldwide as it has an adjustable voltage.

Features

  • Keratin and Macadamia protective technology
  • Professional 19-28 mm curling wand
  • Heat settings from 120°C – 210 °C
  • Heats up quickly within 30 seconds
  • Auto shut off after 60 minutes

Verdict

The Remington Ci63W6 Keratin Radiance definitely looks stylish. With a maximum circumference of 28 mm the wand will leaves big curls that should last all day.

This wand is easy to use especially with the swivel cord that stops you getting into a tangle. The temperature is variable with 10 heat settings.

They do heat up incredibly fast within 30 seconds so ensure you have some heat protective gloves at the ready as they get really hot (the glove might not be supplied in the box). For increased safety the Ci63W6 has an automatic switch off feature after 60 minutes.

User Rating 

The Remington Ci63W6 has been called brilliant by some users. It has over 20 user reviews on Argos with an overall rating of 4.6/5.0 and over 15 reviews on Amazon with an average rating of 4.8 stars out of 5.0. Click here for the latest deals on Amazon.


5 – Enrapture Encode Totem Hair Styler Review

Enrapture Encode Totem Hair StylerThe Enrapture Encode Totem is definitely versatile since you can use it to create so many different hairstyles including bohemian curls, soft waves and more due to the barrel having 3 heat independent heat zones.

With this model you get 3 separate heat zones on the barrel, which is appealing to anyone who thinks they might end up heating their hair ends up way too much. You can use a dial set the bottom of the barrel to a lower temperature, and still keep a higher temperature in the two other sections ensuring you get the perfect curl.

The styler heats up incredibly quickly and the barrel at 25mm is big enough to work on large sections of hair so styling is quick.

The styler has a 3m long cord that allows you to reach all parts of your hair and the end swivels, which reduces the chance of tangling the core making it very easy to use.

This model incorporates a ‘stay cool tip’ that actually stays cool, which makes handling the styler during use safer. To add extra versatility to this styler it features a mini-flipper that allows you to use it as a more traditional curling wand/tong.

Features

  • Titanium plate technology
  • Titanium plated mini flipper
  • 25 mm totem barrel
  • 3 metre cord
  • Barrel with three independent heat zones
  • Cool tip
  • LED on/off light

Verdict

The Enrapture Encode Totem Styler is easy to use and the curl stays it creates last. Using the a dial you can easily change the temperature of the heat zones on the barrel to create any number of hair styles.

User Rating 

Users often say that they cannot rate this model highly enough. It has gained over 200 user reviews on Amazon with an average rating of 4.2 stars out of 5.0. Click here for the latest deals on Amazon.


6 – Remington CI9532 Review

Remington CI9532The Remington CI9532 creates beautiful curls and waves using the large 32 mm professional barrel with cool tip for big soft curls. The is well made and comes with a 5 year guarantee.

The barrel of the curling tong has an innovative coating that makes hair super smooth after use. And with the barrel being 32mm in diameter you can get super styled waves.

The special coating on the Remington CI9532 means that your hair will stay super smooth and frizz free. In fact after using it you will have 8 times smoother hair and 5 times longer lasting curls compared to standard ceramic wands.

And if you’re in a hurry you will be glad that the CI9532 features a fast heat up in up to 30 seconds. For safety sake the curler comes with an auto shut off after 60 minutes for safety.

In the box you will also find a heat protective glove that is a definite bonus and will really help stop any burns from clumsy slips.

Features

  • Pearl ceramic coating
  • Large 32 mm barrel
  • Top temperature of 210 degrees Celsius
  • Ready to use in 30 seconds
  • Auto shut off
  • 5 year guarantee

Verdict

The Remington CI9532 looks great with a stylish barrel and modern digital display. Its easy to use and the heat settings can be reduced or increased to suit your hair. It takes as little as 10 minutes to produce loose long lasting curls. You also get a heatproof storage pouch and glove.

The CI9532 works especially well with long hair and comes with a long 3 meter swivel cord which won’t snag. In terms of safety features it comes with an automatic shut off just in case you leave the room or house without turning it off.

User Rating

Users would recommend the Remington CI9532 especially if you have long hair or wand big curls. It has over 90 user reviews on Amazon with a user rating of 3.9 stars out of 5.0Click here for the latest deals on Amazon.


7 – BaByliss 2289U Review

BaByliss 2289UWith its large 38mm barrel the BaByliss 2289U is perfect for adding volume and body to hair. The big, bouncy curls will give you the feeling that you’ve just been to a professional salon.

The tongs are lightweight and the barrel is fairly short at about 15cm long, which makes them easily to manoeuvre.

This model comes with 5 different heat settings that are adjustable so all kinds of hair whether fine or thick are catered for. It heats up incredibly quickly, which is great especially if your in a hurry.

The nano titanium barrel gives this wand a silky finish that should prevent your hair from sticking and also helps to reduce static.

Features

  • 38mm nano titanium-ceramic barrel.
  • Easy to use lever.
  • 5 digital temperature settings from 140°C – 200°C.
  • Ultra-fast heat up.

Verdict

The BaByliss 2289U are easy to use and will give long, thick hair the body and curls you want. It comes with 5 different heat settings that you can easily adjust to suit your hair type. And if your in a hurry you’ll love the fact that they have the ultra-fast heat up feature.

User Rating  

In terms of user ratings, the BaByliss 2289U has received over 650 reviews on Amazon with an average rating of 3.4 stars out of 5.0. Click here for the latest deals on Amazon.


8 – Remington CI96Z1 Review

I you fancy doing something a little different with your hair than just having it straightened you could use the Remington CI96Z1 Silk Waving Wand to create big bouncy curls and beachy waves.

You can adjust the temperature of the barrel between 120 to 220 degrees to suit your hair. This model comes with a temperature lock function so the temperature will not change in mid-use.

The digital screen on the CI96Z1 displays the current temperature setting and whether the ‘temperature lock’ function is switched on.

The wand heats up very quick, so there is no waiting around. This wand does get very hot with a maximum temperature of 220 degrees so make sure you use a good heat spray.

The heat protective glove that comes with his model may seen a a bit on the thin side but it still does the great job of reducing burns to your hands.

Features

  • Silk ceramic coating Digital display
  • Variable temperature 120 to 220 degrees
  • Temperature control lock function
  • Elliptical wand
  • 16 x 26 mm barrel

Verdict

The Remington CI96Z1 is a well constructed and attractive wand. It gives you a greater amount of control in terms of curl size and temperature. You can get tight curls that will last all day.

The lock function ensures the temperature remains the same even if your prone to accidentally pressing buttons. Thanks to the protective glove provided with the CI96Z1 you don’t have to worry about burning your hand.

User Rating  

Many users would recommend the and say its well worth the money. It has been given an overall rating of 4.7/5.0 from 20 users on Very.co.uk, an average rating of 4.7/5.0 from over 20 user reviews on Walmart. Click here for the latest deals on Amazon.


9 – TRESemme 2804KU Review

TRESemme 2804KU Salon Shine WavesThe TRESemme 2804KU Salon Shine Waves make are easy to use and create great bouncy curls even for short to medium length hair.

When you open the box you will find the wand, a heat resistant glove and heat resistant mat. The mat is extremely useful allowing you to put down the 2804KU in between curls.

The barrel heats up extremely fast within a minute. This model comes with 3 different heat settings. The highest setting is suited to thicker hair, whilst the lowest setting can be user on very fine hair.

The small heat resistant glove is an added bonus and will make using the curler much easier especially when your get to curling that last little bit of hair around the wand.

You can easily create tight curls by leaving the wand on for 10 seconds or to get looser waves just give it half the time between 4 and 5 seconds.

This model comes with a cord that swivels around when you use it. The swivel feature ensures that the cord does not get tangled up which can be really easy to do.

Features

  • Up to 200 degrees
  • 32-19 mm conical ceramic barrel
  • Ultra-fast heat up
  • 3 heat settings

Verdict

The TRESemme 2804KU creates great waves or curls with short to medium length hair. It comes with a handy heat resistant glove and mat. The variable temperature settings makes it easy to switch to a temperature that suits your hair. The swivel cord reduces the chance of tangling up the cord.

User Rating  

The TRESemme 2804KU has been rated highly by users with many willing to recommend it to others. It has been given an overall rating of 4.5/5.0 by over 140 users on Argos, has over 90 user reviews on Amazon with an average rating of 4.4 stars out of 5.0, and has a rating of 4.7/5.0 from over 30 users on Littlewoods. Click here for the latest deals on Amazon.


10 – Nicky Clarke NTS049 Review

Nicky Clarke NTS049The Nicky Clarke NTS049 is a 19mm ceramic curling tong great for different lengths and styles of hair.

The variable temperature setting feature means that you can start on the lowest one at 160°C to see the results on your hair, before changing to a higher temperature if needed.

You can easily see when they have reached your desired temperature since the digital display will stop flashing and turn a blue colour.

The NTS049 will automatically shut off for safety and peace of mind if they are not handled for 60 minutes.

In the box you also get a cooling stand that is very handy in protecting furniture and other surfaces when putting the tongs down during use.

Features

  • 19mm ceramic barrel
  • Variable heat settings
  • digital display
  • Maximum temperature of 220°C
  • Auto shut-off after 60 minutes

Verdict

The Nicky Clarke NTS049 tongs are easy to use, quick to heat up and ensure the curls last all day. It comes with adjustable heat settings, that are easy to change. The heat settings are displayed on an easy to read digital display.

It heats up in 15 seconds so you don’t have to wait around. And it comes with an added safety feature of an automatic shutoff after 60 minutes.

User Rating  

Users like the fact that you get so many features with the Nicky Clarke NTS049 at an affordable price. The model has over 150 user reviews on Amazon with an average user rating of 4.1 stars out of 5.0, an overall rating of 4.6/5.0 from 280 users on Argos and a rating of 4.6/5.0 from 10 user ratings on Ebay. Click here for the latest deals on Amazon.


Curling Tongs – Buyers Guide

Curling tongs are in the main electrically powered hair styling tools that allow a user to get those glamorous curls and waves that you often find adorn the rich and famous.

The best performing curling tongs will often have a coating of a solid ceramic material that will deliver constant high heat to the hair. The hotter the tongs can get the longer the longer that curls will remain. Curls are achieved by holding hair between the heated tongs.

Key Considerations

What is your budget?

Probably the single biggest factor is how much you can spend, once you have established your budget it can be easy to come up with a selection of models under your budget that you can compare.

The shape of the barrel since this can affect the shape and size of curls

Models with larger barrel sizes will help to create larger curls with more volume. Out of the top 3 models we have compared the Babyliss 2285CU and Remington CI96W1 are both clipless conical wands. Both of these wands will work well with all lengths of hair.

How many temperature settings are there?

If your hair is sensitive you might want to look for set of tongs that offers variable heat settings, so you can adjust the heat to suit your hair. Both the Babyliss 2287BU and Babyliss 2285CU come with 5 heat settings ranging between 150°C and 210°C, so you can easily pick a temperature to suit your hairs sensitivity.

Maximum temperature

The higher the temperature the longer the curls should last. Both the Babyliss 2287BU and Babyliss 2285CU have a maximum temperature of 210°C, whilst the Remington CI96W1 beats them with a maximum temperature of 220°C.

What material is the barrel?

The material that the barrel is constructed from can affect how smooth they run through your hair and how well the heat is applied to hair. You will usually find a type of ceramic material is used to coat the barrel. The Remington CI96W1 uses a Silk Ceramic coating that ensures even heat distribution.

How much does it weigh?

When your styling hair it can often take some time depending on the look your going for. So ensure you pick a curling tong that is light enough for you to hold comfortably for some time. Out of our top 3 tongs the BaByliss 2287BU is the lightest at around 480 grams.

Length of Cord?

The length of the curlers cord can make a difference to how easy it will be to reach all those areas of your hair to get those great curls. Generally curling wands will come with swivel cords. From our  top 3 curlers the Remington CI96W1 has the longest power cord at 3m long.

Does the model come with a warranty?

As with any electrical item, the tool you pick could develop a fault so its always reassuring when a manufacturer offers and extended warranty. If this is a concern, check the small print before you buy.

Different types of Curling Tools

Finding the best curling iron can be difficult since they can come in all shapes and sizes. It doesn’t matter if your curls are either natural or homemade, there’s a curling iron on the market that will enhance or make every type of spiral, on all types of hair.

When researching curling irons you will find that the most common type of iron used is the curling tool, since they are so versatile. The great thing about having all these different types of irons is that you can create a whole variety of styled looks depending on the curling iron type.

Spring

Spring curling tongs are generally the most popular type of curling tool due to how easy they are to use. They are perfect for curling novices, and are a definite must for your dressing table. They feature a spring-action clip that keeps a firm hold on hair for easy hair styling. They also are available in the widest range of barrel sizes. The Babyliss 2287BU is a popular model.

BaByliss 2287BU Curling Tongs

BaByliss 2287BU Pro Curl 210

Clipless

These irons are definitely for the more experienced user since they can take a bit of practice to get the hang of. But once you do get the hang of using them you will be able to create a wider array of curling styles.

They are good at increasing the volume of curls because they are great at getting really close to your roots. Since they have no arm like the spring curling irons, instead you wrap your hair around the barrel you will end up with no creases. Your also in less danger of split ends due to having the ends wrapped around the barrel first. The Babyliss 2285CU and Remington CI96W1 are both popular clipless tongs.

Remington CI96W1 Silk Curling Wand

Remington CI96W1 Silk Curling Wand

Marcel

Marcel curling irons are definitely for the more confident and experienced user since they are difficult to master. These tongs were originally designed for professional stylists and feature an extra handle. With the use of this extra handle they can offer some excellent styling control. I would suggest you stay away from these irons until you’re confident in using the clipless and spring curling irons.

FRANSEN 18mm TECNO-MARCEL CURLING TONG

FRANSEN 18mm TECNO-MARCEL Curling Tong

Double and Triple Barrel

Double-barrel curling tongs are brilliant for helping to add waves to your hair. They create a figure-eight type styled loops and triple barrel curling irons when used correctly will curl your hair into flowing waves.

Babyliss Pro Black Porcelain Triple Barrel WaverBabyliss Pro Black Porcelain Triple Barrel Waver

Spiral or Ribbon

Spiral or ribbon curling irons are designed to give you those precise spirals. They come with raised ridges on the barrel that easily guide hair ’round and ’round into perfect spirals. There is a tapered version of these tongs that can reach close to your hair roots to style those curls that broadens as they descend, great for you romantics.

Morphy Richards Headgear Retro Ceramic Spiral Tong 22075

Morphy Richards Headgear Retro Ceramic Spiral Tong 22075

How to Use Curling Tongs

Watch this short video on how to use a typical set of curling tongs. In this case the unit being used is using the Babyliss Pro Curl 210.

Summary

Now that you have had a chance to see the options and we have reviewed our top picks for the best curling tongs available on the market, it’s up to you to pick what meets your needs, does it fit your budget, and overall help you get those great curls and waves.

As you know, new hair styling appliances are being created all the time by new and old manufacturers.  For that reason, the site will be updated as new curling tongs need to be added to the list.  Or if you feel like we missed a superior curling tong that needs to be included on the list, let me know in the comments below!

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