These 14 Best Curling Irons for Thick Hair Will Deliver Voluminous Results

Best Overall

Beachwaver Co. Beachwaver Pro 1

View on Ulta $229 at Ulta View on Beachwaver.com

Barrel Width: 1 inch | Temperature Range: 310–450 F

This game-changing hot tool truly revolutionized the hair industry when it first came on the scene, and we're here for it. The self-spinning technology makes it possible for anyone to get the beachy waves and soft, bouncy curls you see on runways and the red carpet. All you have to do is put a section of hair in the clip and push a button—the iron does the work for you, spinning in the right direction to create an effortlessly tousled texture. The Pro 1 version is particularly great for thick hair, thanks to its larger barrel and adjustable temperature settings. That being said, it does require a learning curve to get used to the spinning system. But once you master it, even the thickest heads of hair go way faster.

Best Budget

Revlon SmoothStay Curling Iron

$18 at Amazon View on Ulta $16 at Target

Barrel Width: 1, 1.5 inches | Temperature Range: Up to 430 F

On a budget? Revlon's SmoothStay Curling Iron is a solid choice. This hot tool boasts a ceramic tourmaline barrel to keep heat damage at bay, prevent flyaways and deliver a silky-smooth finish. It comes in two sizes, but per Polko's recommendation, the 1-inch option is best for thicker hair. You might have to replace it sooner than later, but this curler won't run you more than 30 bucks.

Best for Long Hair

Bio Ionic Long Barrel Curling Iron

$105 at Amazon $149 at Sephora $149 at Ulta

Barrel Width: 0.75, 1, 1.25, 1.5 inches | Temperature Range: Up to 430 F

If your hair is not only thick but also very long, this curling iron has your name on it. With an extra-long barrel (2 inches longer than average), you can wrap the entire length of each section around it and more easily curl the back of your head. We love the feature-rich design, from the swivel cord and cool-touch grip to the ceramic heating and variable temperatures. As Polko notes, 1 or 1.25 inches is generally best for long hair, but if yours is close to waist-length, the 1.5-inch barrel will give you more coverage.

Best Wand

Mane Let’s Bounce 1” Curling Wand

$98 at Sephora View on Maneaddicts.com

Barrel Width: 1 inch | Temperature Range: 200–410 F

​​​If you're more about soft waves than traditional curls, a wand might be the way to go. We like this clamp-free option from Mane. Just wrap each section of hair around the 1-inch barrel, hold for a few seconds, depending on how much definition you want, then release. According to the brand, 360 to 410 degrees is the best temperature range when styling thicker hair. This hot tool doesn't come with a glove, so you might want to get one to avoid burning your fingers.

Best Automatic

Conair InfinitiPRO Curl Secret Auto Curler

$102 at Amazon $120 at Ulta $100 at Target

Barrel Width: 1.25 inches | Temperature Range: 300–410 F

Polko is a fan of this long-barreled, self-spinning option for long hair. "The automatic curler does all the work for you, but it has three different curl type settings, five heat options, and three curl directions," she says. "The ceramic barrel heats up evenly for less damage and has tangle-free technology to protect hair."

Best Smart

T3 Curl ID

$187 at Amazon $249 at Sephora $249 at Dermstore

Barrel Width: 1.25 inches | Temperature Range: Up to 360 F

The T3 Curl ID has some of the coolest high-tech features we've ever seen in a hot tool, all of which add up to a totally customized styling experience. Input your hair profile based on texture, color, and chemical treatments. Then this smart gadget does the hard work for you, coming up with the exact heat profile you need to score long-lasting, damage-free curls. It doesn't get as hot as others, but this is by design to minimize fried strands. There's also a manual mode you can play around with.

Best Rotating

Drybar The 3-Day Bender Curling Iron

$149 at Amazon $149 at Sephora $149 at Ulta

Barrel Width: 1, 1.25 inches | Temperature Range: Up to 450 F

This is a go-to rotating curling tool for Byrdie editorial director Holly Rhue. It comes with three interchangeable attachments, allowing for a variety of looks. There's a 1-inch wand for more defined waves, a 1.25-inch barrel for classic curls, and a three-pronged waver for tousled, beachy textures. Infrared technology heats up whichever one you choose from the inside out to help reduce damage, and it reaches up to 450 degrees—a huge plus for those with thicker hair.

Best Basic

Hot Tools Pro 24K Gold Curling Iron

$32 at Amazon $35 at Target $32 at Walmart

Barrel Width: 0.75, 1, 1.25, 1.5 inches | Temperature Range: 280–430 F

If you don't need anything fancy and are just looking for a basic curling iron that works on thick hair, this one from Hot Tools is an excellent choice. It can reach up to 430 degrees to heat through even the thickest, coarsest strands. The barrel promises to continuously restore heat to stay consistently hot so you get the same results with each section of hair. Some reviewers have mentioned that the clamp gets stuck at times. But all in all, we think this reliable—not to mention affordable—hot tool is an excellent value.

Best Titanium

Moroccanoil Everlasting Curl Titanium Curling Iron

$160 at Amazon $160 at Sephora $160 at Kohls.com

Barrel Width: 1 inch | Temperature Range: Up to 430 F

According to celebrity hairstylist Matthew Collins, titanium curling irons can be the most effective for thick hair because the barrels heat quickly and get hot enough to penetrate the density. We like that this one evenly distributes heat throughout the extra-long barrel and clamp. It might be too long for shorter hair, but if you're rocking a waist-length mane, it allows you to wrap the entire length of your hair and curl the back of your head without a fuss.

Best Ceramic

Ella Bella Curling Iron

$70 at Amazon View on Ella-bella.com

Barrel Width: 1 inch | Temperature Range: 180–410 F

Polko says ceramic hot tools are best for preventing heat damage. This curling iron has a 1-inch ceramic barrel that reaches up to 410 degrees (higher heats tend to be most effective with thick hair) while evenly heating the surface to prevent frying a single area and minimize friction against the hair cuticle. We like that the digital display allows you to choose the exact temperature you want for your hair type and texture.

Best Temperature Settings

L'ange Le Clip Titanium Curling Iron

View on Ulta View on Langehair.com $99 at Anthropologie

Barrel Width: 1.25, 1.5 inches | Temperature Range: 280–400 F

The Le Clip has an LED display with adjustable heat settings. You can set the temperature to the exact degree you want from 280 to 400 degrees, then the smart memory function will automatically return to your preferred setting the next time you switch it on. Another reason it's good for thick hair? The extended clip offers more coverage on each section you curl, so it has an easier time heating all the way through thicker strands. We wish the power cord was longer (it's only 6 feet) but otherwise have no complaints.

Best Extra-Long Barrel

BaBylissPro Nano Titanium Extended Barrel Curling Iron

$80 at Amazon $80 at Sephora $56 at Ulta

Barrel Width: 1, 1.25, 1.5 inches | Temperature Range: Up to 430 F

If your hair is long or you often have trouble curling sections on the back of your head, we highly recommend this BaBylissPro curling iron. The barrel is 2 inches longer than most others, making styling cascading hair quick and easy—or at least quicker and easier. Other standout features include digital temperature controls, a burn-preventing cool tip, and a lightweight, ergonomic handle.

Best Cordless

Harry Josh Ceramic Curling Wand

$325 at Dermstore $325 at Goop.com $325 at Anthropologie

Barrel Width: 1 inch | Temperature Range: Up to 400 F

With a cordless curling iron, you can style your hair literally anywhere. We're particularly fond of this one from Harry Josh, which checks many boxes for thick hair. It's got a 1-inch ceramic barrel that heats in just 60 seconds to your preferred temperature and gets plenty hot enough to thoroughly heat thick, coarse hair. The rechargeable battery is interchangeable, so you can swap it out for a spare if the first one dies. But just FYI, the second battery is sold separately.

Best With Interchangeable Heads

Trademark Beauty Mood Starter Kit

$65 at Amazon $100 at Target View on Shoptrademarkbeauty.com

Barrel Width: 1, 1.5 inches | Temperature Range: 210–450 F

Interested in an all-in-one hot tool for styling thick hair? Check out Trademark Beauty's Mood Starter Kit. It has three interchangeable heads, including a traditional curling iron, a clamp-less wand, and a waver. We appreciate that it heats up in seconds and goes up to 450 degrees, so you can bet it'll work on even the thickest hair. Some buyers have noted that this hot tool feels a bit flimsy, but it comes with a case to safeguard the components for storage and travel. You'll also get clips for separating sections of hair to curl and a heat-protective glove.