Are you suffering from dry, brittle, and unruly hair? Does it take you almost an hour each day just to get ready? Let’s face it, getting ready can be a nightmare if you have damaged and frizzy hair. But if you’ve already got smooth, shiny, and manageable locks, then you can definitely wash and wear your hair as it is.
But the question is: how do you get beautiful hair without taking hours to get ready? Or how do you get gorgeous locks without going to a professional hair salon? The answer may just lie in hair steamers.
Our recommendations for Best Hair Steamers [comparison table]
Bad hair can ruin not just your face but your entire day altogether. And when you don’t have the time to hit the salon on a regular basis, doing your own hair yourself is the next best thing.
Which is why a handy curling iron is a definite must on your beauty counter, allowing you to have perfect, bouncy, and beautiful waves/curls in a jiffy so you’re looking your very best without having to step foot in a salon.
If you’ve never bought a curling iron or are looking to replace an old one, or you simply want to add a new iron to your set of styling arsenal, then this is the list that’ll give you the best of the best curling irons in the market today.
Contents [show]
List of the TOP Selling Irons
Style your Hair like a PRO
Image | Product | Cost |
---|---|---|
1. Revlon Jumbo 3 Barrel Hair Waver for Deep Waves – Unique, Extra Wide Middle Barrel for the Deepest, Smoothest Waves |
$ | |
2. Bed Head Wave Artist Deep Waver for Beachy Waves – Unique Deep Barrels for Beach Sculpted Waves |
$ | |
3. Remington Pro 1-1½” Curling Wand with Pearl Ceramic Technology – 1”-1½” Curling Wand Creates Large, Loose Curls |
$ | |
4. Anjou Curling Iron 1.25 inch with Tourmaline Ceramic Coating – FOR ALL HAIRSTYLES & TYPES |
$ | |
5. Remington Pro ½-1” Curling Wand with Pearl Ceramic Technology – Ceramic pearl technology for the smoothest salon finish ever |
$ | |
6. KIPOZI Professional Flat Iron Titanium 1 Inch Hair Straightener – The Nano Titanium flat iron provides the shiny and ultra smooth tresses |
$$ |
Iron Wands |
---|
1. Revlon Jumbo 3 Barrel Hair Waver for Deep Waves |
2. Bed Head Wave Artist Deep Waver for Beachy Waves |
3. Remington Pro 1-1½” Curling Wand with Pearl Ceramic Technology |
4. Anjou Curling Iron 1.25 inch with Tourmaline Ceramic Coating |
5. Remington Pro ½-1” Curling Wand with Pearl Ceramic Technology |
6. KIPOZI Professional Flat Iron Titanium 1 Inch Hair Straightener |
Our Criteria for The Top 6 Best Curling Irons at Every Price Point
We scoured the world wide web and from peers to list down the 6 best curling irons in the market today and we’ve come up with these criteria to gauge which give you the most of your money.
1. Reputation
We only considered the tools that had the best names in the industry. Why? Because these brands have the best track records, have the best reviews, and have long-term performance that are tried and tested.
2. Effectiveness
We wanted to know which tools gave you what they promised – curls and waves. If an iron required an extra pair of hands to get results, if you had to style your hair for hours, and if you had to use another tool to get waves, then they’re not on our list. The tools have to deliver what they promise to deliver.
3. Usability
Because the whole purpose of buying a curling iron is to be able to create salon-style waves or curls on your own, the tools have to be easy to use and convenient in all aspects.
4. Safety
Safety is a top priority for styling tools and the irons on our list are among the safest in the market, so you won’t have to suffer from burns or fry your hair as you achieve the look that you want.
5. Easy on the Pocket
Because the tools are for home-use, we wouldn’t want you to go out buying the most expensive tools in the market – let’s leave that to the professionals who get a return on their investment each time they use the tool. We’ve rounded up the best tools that are worth your money, so you get the best value for your hard earned cash.
So without further adieu, here are the 6 best curling irons and styling tools at every price point.
Review of the Best Selling Irons
1. Revlon Jumbo 3 Barrel Hair Waver
Do you want to have deep waves? Producing genuine S-shaped waves achieved in seconds, this Revlon offering features 3 extra wide barrels that give you deep, smooth waves and looking fantastic in just minutes.
The barrels are made of tourmaline and ceramic, and you know what that means: no matter how much you style, your hair stays smooth, frizz-free, and damage-free. With even heating and the smoothest glide, achieving perfect waves is as easy as 1-2-3.
Perfect for those with long, thick hair, this iron is definitely on the top of your list when it comes to styling fast. It allows you to curl large sections of hair with uniform waves each time, so whether you’re late for a date or have kids waiting for you to finish, you can look fantastic in minutes.
It features 25 heat settings with a maximum of 450 degrees Fahrenheit as the highest heat setting, so you get to enjoy a myriad of different styles with this Jumbo master tool.
What’s absolutely great about it is it’s easy to use and allows you to style in just seconds due to its size but the best thing about it is also its disadvantage: many users say the tool is too big for them. If you use the tool for too long, it can put a strain on your wrist so you have to know what style you want so you won’t have to experiment too much. Also, since the iron is huge, you have to be extra careful with your neck and shoulders when you use this tool.
Nevertheless, it’s a fantastic styling tool when you have long and thick hair since it allows you to curl large sections of hair in one go. And if long, wavy, and bouncy smooth hair is what you’re looking for, then this Revlon Jumbo Barrel Hair Waver is definitely for you.
2. Bed Head Wave Artist Deep Waver
This tool may look like a crimping iron but don’t let it fool you, this Bed Head Wave Artist Deep Waver gets you different sizes and looks of curls and waves that it’ll be all you need to have perfectly sculpted as well as natural looking waves for any occasion and any day.
Made of tourmaline and ceramic, you know you’ll have amazing curls without the burns and damage. Your hair is smooth, frizz-free, and beautiful without having it go through damaging heat since the ceramic barrels are perfectly gentle on the most fragile of hair.
With different heat settings and a maximum heat of 400 degrees Fahrenheit, there’s no limit to the hair style you’d want to achieve with just a few glides. If you want natural looking beachy waves, section 1″ strands of your hair; and if you want larger, sculpted waves, separate your strands in larger sections.
What’s absolutely great about the Bed Head Wave Artist Deep Waver is it heat ups quickly, so you won’t have to wait minutes to heat it up, making it the perfect styling tool if you’re in a hurry.
However, there have been some users who report that because it’s on the larger spectrum of curling irons, they’ve had issues with maneuverability. All you need to do, though, is to get used to using the iron so you know exactly how to use it in its maximum capacity.
Its advantage is also it’s downside, since it heats up quickly, you’d have to be extra careful when using it. If you’re styling your hair and don’t intend to use the iron right away, it’s best to leave it off until the very last seconds before you use it.
Versatile, heats up quickly, and leaves you with smooth, frizz-free hair, this Bed Head wonder is absolutely worth every penny.
3. Remington Pro Curling Wand 1-1 1/2″
Considered to be the best selling curling wand on Amazon, this Remington Pro Curling Wand boasts of over 5,000 5-star reviews, making it the hottest curling wand today. Why? Because it works, it’s simple, and easy on the pocket.
With a tapered barrel, you get large, loose curls that look as natural as can be. It’s like having stiff straight hair one minute, then beautiful soft curls the next – giving you a complete makeover in minutes, without the damage, without the strain on your wrists, without the greasy hair products, and without going to a salon.
The tapered barrel is made of pearl ceramic technology, giving you smooth and damage-free hair that’s frizz-free and absolutely beautiful. It has a 30-second heat up, and that means it’s faster than most irons in the market: making it perfect for anyone who’s always on the go.
And the one other thing that people are raving about? Its digital controls: you get to see just how hot it is, and you get to control just how hot you want it to get. It also features a temperature lock so if you want to keep the heat at 200 degrees at all times, you can definitely do so with the Remington Curling Wand.
It heats up to its highest setting of 410 degrees Fahrenheit so even if you have the thickest of hair, this wand will definitely do the work despite its size.
We’ve pretty much rounded up every great thing about this wand so does it have its downside? The only thing we can think of is its size – the barrel may be too small for some people since you’ll have to work around your hair for a while if you have really thick and long hair, but that’s about it.
Simple, effective, practical, and creates beautiful locks – what more can you ask for in a curling wand?
4. Anjou Curling Wand
A versatile curling wand that gives you a lot of extras, such as a heat-resistant glove and clips for separating hair, the Anjou Curling Wand is on our list for having the best features while staying simple and accurate.
The 1.25″ barrel is coated with tourmaline ceramic, and that means the best of the best in the industry in terms of materials is in your hands. There’s nothing safer and more effective in giving you perfect waves and curls than a tourmaline ceramic barrel, and the Anjou wand has it all.
You can control the heat settings in 10-degree increments from 200 to 410 degrees Fahrenheit, and with a 30-minute auto shut off, you won’t have to worry about the iron burning your house if you forget to turn it off.
The barrel is longer than most wands in the market, making it perfect for long hair since it covers more lengths of hair at a time. And being versatile as it is, you get to enjoy different types of curls, from tight to bouncy curly hair.
The Anjou wand also features a digital display so you can track the temperature and control it as you please or as you need. It also heats up quickly, making it another fantastic wand for the busy bees.
The best things about it is its simplicity, with everything in the criteria for a high quality curling wand on its checklist. The only thing that users say is its downside, just like the Remington wand, is its thin barrel, since it takes longer for those with thicker and longer hair to style their stresses.
5. The Remington Curling Wand 1/2-1″
The very same best-selling curling wand but with a smaller barrel, this version features a 1/2′ to 1″ tapered barrel so you get smaller and tighter curls as you wish. Featuring the very same features such as the pearl ceramic technology, the digital display, and the temperature control, it gives you natural-looking waves that are easy to achieve.
Offering more ceramic coating than the average curling wand, gliding through your hair will be smooth and easy with no pulling or tugging. Giving you frizz-free, damage-free, and gorgeous looking beach waves, it’s the perfect tool for anyone who’s never used a curling iron before because of how simple and how easy it is to use.
All you need to do is wrap your hair around the barrel, whether on the top for smaller curls or the bottom for larger waves, it has the ability to give you different styles of curls for any occasion.
The very best thing about this wand is of course, its simplicity – it doesn’t have any unnecessary buttons or features, no bells and whistles – just simple and easy to use, making it perfect for anyone who’s curling their hair on their own for the very first time.
One thing that users have said that makes it just one step down from being absolutely perfect is the barrel can sometimes be slippery – an issue that exists among all tapered barrels.
6. KIPOZI Professional Flat Iron
This tool is technically a flat iron but it works just as well as a curling iron, too, making it a 2-in-1 styling tool that delivers and does its job.
The iron features nano titanium plates for shiny and ultra smooth hair without the frizz and damage. It also features a PTC ceramic heater so the temperature is even throughout the plates and the heat remains the same as you style. Though the heat can get to 450-degrees Fahrenheit, which is the maximum heat setting, it’s still gentle on your hair as the PTC ceramic heater releases negative ions for even more protection on your tresses.
From 170 degrees Fahrenheit, any hair type can take advantage of the KIPOZI iron: great for those with damaged, fragile hair, as well as those who have thick, long, and virgin hair. Once you use this iron, whether to straighten frizzy and curly hair or to curl straight hair, expect to have smooth, frizz-free locks in just minutes.
And if you left the house and forgot to turn it off, you won’t have to run back home since it has an automatic shut off of 90 minutes, making it safe to use, whether you turn it on or not.
The KIPOZI has many features and it’s absolutely a dream to use. Its versatile, gentle on your hair, does what it promises. and the most important, gives you absolutely gorgeous straight or curly hair.
If you ever need a 2-in-1 styling tool that does a multitude of tasks for different styling needs, this is hands down, the best in the market today.
The Bottom Line
There are hundreds of curling irons and styling tools in the market and it can take you so much time to find the best ones out there for the budget that you have. You can buy the cheapest but not get the results that you want, or worse yet, have your hair damaged and burned with no possibility of treatment. Or you can buy the most expensive but you won’t know how to use it to its full advantage.
In case you damage your hair we recommend taking Revolutionary Hair Vitamins that will help you nourishes hair from within.
We’ve gathered the best in the market and although their features are almost identical, choose the best one around your budget and around your needs.
If you are about to become new owner of this styling tool we can assure you’re going to love it! And if you are already the proud owner you should also read our review about best hair steamers for natural hair.
What are Hair Steamers?
Hair steamers are relatively new in the market as they’ve previously only been used in professional salons. Over the past years, home steamers have garnered popularity, making it possible for men and women to steam their hair whenever and wherever they want.
But what do these hair tools actually do? Basically, hair steamers temporarily lift cuticle from your strands, making it possible for moisture and conditioners to deeply penetrate your hair for more efficient hydration. The result? Softer, bouncier, and more manageable hair with less frizz.
So what do these steamers look like? Table top, standing, and steamer cap types of steamers look like dryers but they’re actually very different when it comes to mechanisms and what they do to your hair. While dryers use heat to dry wet hair, steamers actually moisten the hair. In essence, steamers wet the hair but not with direct water. Instead, the device moistens and hydrates the hair with vapor or steam, that comes from a water tank.
Instead of drying your hair, steamers, temporarily take away hair cuticle, elongates the hair, and allows it to absorb moisture and product more efficiently. It’s like applying conditioner but it elevates its benefits ten-fold.
What are the Types of Hair Steamers?
There are 3 types of hair steamers available in the market today: hooded hair steamers, handheld steamers, and those that make use of a steamer cap.
1. Hooded Hair Steamers
These steamers are either table top or standing and come with a hood that covers your head. For table top steamers, you simply place it on an elevated level and you sit beneath it so the hood covers your head. Standing steamers are similar to those found in salons, where they literally stand on their own, and the heights are usually adjustable.
These types of steamers are the most convenient as all you have to do is sit underneath the device, cover your head with the hood, and let the device steam away. However, they are usually bulky so you’d need to have a designated place in your home to store them.
2. Handheld Steamers
These look similar to handheld clothing steamers and just as the name implies, you hold them and you steam targeted areas of your hair and scalp. They’re more portable, more convenient to use, but take more effort.
Since you’ll be steaming your hair in sections, there’s always a risk for unbalanced steamed hair. You might spend more time on the sections of hair that are nearer your face and less time at the back of your hair, or more time on the top of your head than on the roots.
3. Steamer Cap Steamers
These steamers make use of a cap that you put over your head and steam comes from a device. It produces less steam than hooded or handheld steamers, however, but usually comes in a more affordable price.
Take your pick from these three types of steamers to meet your needs. If budget is not a problem, then a standing hooded steamer is the best type of steamer since the height is usually adjustable, the hoods are usually large, and all you have to do is sit under it for a few minutes. Steamed hair is also balanced, and you won’t have to separate your hair into sections. There’s also less tendency for burns, as compared to a steamer cap.
If you’re on a budget, however, a handheld steamer is much more ideal than a steamer cap. It may take you more time and effort, but it’s compact, easy to store, and still does the job right.
Video Review
What’s the Science Behind Hair Steamers?
If you try to research about the scientific backing of hair steamer technology, it will probably lead you to a dead end as not much have been studied about it. In fact, the only research that you can find is one from a paper dated way back in 1934. Manufacturers, although they promise results and explain how they work, don’t actually have a scientific proof about the benefits of their mechanisms.
Nevertheless, users of hair steamers and you yourself can see the results and benefits and whether or not there’s scientific fact behind it, it’s up to you to decide if it’s beneficial or not.
But based on steaming technology, vapor does actually open up molecules and using this information, it’s safe to say that opening hair’s molecules allow hair products to deeply penetrate the hair more effectively.
The Top 5 Best Hair Steamers in the Market
If you’ve been dying to use hair steamers but don’t know where to start, then you should start withonly the best in the market. There’s no point in investing on a styling tool when it doesn’t work or worse, it causes damage to your hair.
So without further adieu, here is our list of the top 5 best hair steamers in the market to try today:
1. Q-RedewHandheld Hair Steamer
One of the easiest hair steamers to use in the market, the Q-Redew features patented technology producing warm mist or steam to apply to your hair. What this does is it moisturizes, detangle, and deep conditions your hair, so you get to enjoy soft, hydrated, and manageable hair.
It features a reservoir that you fill with water, and after plugging it in, it heats up in seconds, allowing you to steam your hair and style it any way you want in just minutes. When using hair styling tools such as dryers and flat irons, there’s always risk for hair damage. Q-Redew allows you to style your hair with less risk since it preps the hair to make it easier to manipulate.
Pros:
- features patented technology
- easy to use
- convenient
- portable
- ideal for travel
Cons:
- heats up very fast so take caution when using the device since it can cause burns
2. Secura S-192 Hair and Facial Steamer
A double-duty steamer, the Secura S-192 steams both your face and hair. One of the most popular table top hair steamers in the market, it features an ultrasonic atomizer that generates ultra fine mist which easily gets absorbed by the hair. As a facial moisturizer, it helps to open up pores, gets rid of dead skin cells, and cleanses the skin of dirt, oil, and makeup residue.
The device also features a built-in ozone generator, releasing negatively charged oxygen, helping to relieve itchiness and prevents dandruff.
A hooded hair steamer, you simply place it on a surface that allows the hood to cover your head when you sit underneath. As a facial steamer, you just take off the hood and replace it with a nozzle specifically for facial steamer use.
Pros:
- multipurpose: aside from its main purpose of being a hair steamer, you can also use it as a facial steamer, as well as a room humidifier
- convenient to use: all you have to do is sit down as you wait for the steamer to finish in 20 to 30 minutes
Cons:
- users have reported the hood to be brittle or flimsy
- the hood is also a little smaller than other hooded steamers, you’ll have to put your hair up high as it covers only until the base of your hair behind your neck
3. Tourmaline Tools 1059 by Hot Tools
This is a standing hooded hair steamer similar to those used in professional salons. It features an adjustable stand, swivel wheels, and a large hood to fit your head even when you’re using large rollers.
The device’s impressive feature is definitely its tourmaline and ionic nano technology, which is said to provide a hydrating spa treatment for your hair. The nano particles generate far infrared energy, which dries hair quickly without stripping hair of its sheen and natural strength.
While this is not a steamer per se, as it’s described as a dryer, its nano technology does function with the benefits of a steamer. It is said to dry hair twice faster than conventional dryers but using heat that’s gentle enough to prevent brittleness.
Pros:
- nano technology is naturally gentle on hair
- keeps hair shiny and smooth
- hood is large enough to fit your head even when you have large rollers on
- portable: the swivel wheels allow you to push it around anywhere
- adjustable height: you can either sit on a bar stool or a low chair
Cons:
- users have reported that its stability needs improvement
- since it’s a standing dryer, it’s not that easy to store
4. Sundry Professional Salon Hair Steamer
Another standing hooded steamer, it features a professional-grade acrylic hood. At 12″ in diameter, you can also use the steamer even when your hair is still being styled, such as when large rollers are still on your head. If you have short hair, you won’t have to tie it up as the hood pretty much covers a big area.
One of its advantages is that it features a heavy-duty water reservoir, so you won’t have to constantly refill the water tank as you use it on a frequent basis. Steaming your hair on a daily basis can be damaging so you’ll only need to do it about twice a week, when you need to condition or color your hair. But when you do use it constantly, having a large tank makes it more convenient as you won’t have to refill it quite as often as you’d do with smaller tanks.
The steamer also has a safety feature as it automatically shuts off when the water level is low, notifying you it’s time to refill. The feature also prevents the device from overheating or melting the reservoir when there’s no water inside.
Pros:
- lightweight despite being a standing hooded steamer
- portable with its swivel rolling wheels, you just have to roll it around to move from one place to another
- economical on the pocket for a professional-grade steamer
Cons:
- it’s large so it’s not very easy to store
- the heavy-duty reservoir makes it easier for you to oversteam, which can lead to damaged hair
5. KingdombeautyLarge 2-in-1 Hair and Facial Steamer
A professional-grade table top hair steamer, the Kingdombeauty hair and facial steamer functions both as a hair and a facial steamer, as well as a room humidifier.
Featuring an ozone function, the steamer generates negatively charged ions from oxygen, cleansing the hair and scalp, helping to prevent dandruff and itchiness. The technology also helps to cleanse the hair from grease, grime, and dust, so you’ve got cleaning and healthier hair overall.
You can’t always check on your steamer if you need to refill the tank or not so as you steam away, a beeping sound will tell you it’s time to add more water. It also has an automatic shutoff function so you won’t have to worry about overheating.
Pros:
- multipurpose
- great value for money
- compatible with essential oils to use for aromatherapy
Cons:
- its big water tank means you can oversteam your hair. Ideally, steaming your hair should only last from 15 to 30 minutes. Anything over that time frame can be damaging to your hair.
The Bottom Line
If you want to improve the quality of your hair but don’t want to expose it to chemical processes and harsh products, hair steamers are the best options for you. They actually prep the hair more than anything else: prepping for coloring, styling, and deep conditioning. They help make products and procedures become more efficient, and thus, you’ll need less product and less chemicals on your hair to make them work.
It’s great to use on straight hair, thick, or thin hair, and if you have curly hair, steamers can help define your curls. Unlike dryers that are damaging, steamers actually hydrate your hair. And unlike flat irons that flatten your hair, steamers add volume and make your hair bouncier.
Overall, steamers make your hair healthier and looking better without potential damage. So if you have at most 30 minutes to spare about 1 to 2 times a week, then you’ll definitely love using these hair-loving devices.