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The 12 Best Rotating Curling Irons We Tested for Curls with the Press of a Button

We found options for every hair type and budget

Person curling their hair with the NuMe Automatic Curling Wand
Photo: People / Jessica Juliao

Though the look of voluminous curls is alluring, sometimes the curling process is more tedious than it’s worth — and that’s where rotating curling irons come in handy. These tools use rotational technology, so you clip your hair to the barrel, hit a button, and the iron does all the work for you.

“You want to look for rotating curling irons that have adjustable heat temperatures and are ceramic,” celebrity hairstylist Joseph Michael tells PEOPLE. “This will help control the amount of temperature used on the hair and protect hair from being burnt.” But more than that, these kinds of curling irons are here to make your life easier.

Deal Alert!

Our best ionic pick, the Tymo Rota Automatic Curling Wand, is currently $20 off at Amazon.

To find the best rotating curling irons, our PEOPLE Tested team tried 21 top hair tools, looking at temperature settings, overall performance, and curl results. After putting each one to the test, we narrowed it down to 12 top picks.

Star Qualities
  • Easy-to-turn barrels

  • Fast-heating temperatures

  • Under $100 for a pro-level hot tool

  • Lightweight design

Red Flags
  • Not available at many retailers

This rotating curling iron was so easy to use, even for those of us who had never used this type of hot tool before. The design has several buttons to turn it on and off, modify the temperature, and for the rotation feature — with directional guides for turning left, right, and re-centering it.

In terms of effectiveness, this rotating curling iron really works. We were impressed it only took about 20 seconds to heat to our desired temperature. It’s super lightweight when you’re holding it in your hand and rotates in each direction seamlessly. There was no burning or damage, and the clamp held the hair without pulling it too hard. We were delighted at the well-defined and bouncy curls this hair tool was able to create. 

While we loved the ease of use and effectiveness of this rotating curling iron, it was the price that really sold us. Despite the high quality, the price is under $100, less than the average for most rotating curling irons (due to the extra technology involved). We would definitely recommend this tool for those of any experience level.

Barrel Size: 1 inch | Temperature: 250°–450°F | Material: Titanium | Best For: Wavy hair

Experts Say

According to Sarah Potempa, a celebrity hairstylist and founder of The Beachwaver Co., adding a rotating curling iron into your routine makes styling your hair so much easier, especially when working on the back of your hair. “You can create uniform and beautiful waves without having to think about it or do some crazy arm workout,” she explains.

Star Qualities
  • One of the most budget-friendly tools we tried

  • Can use it as both a rotating and standard curling iron

  • Lightweight design makes it easier to style strands

Red Flags
  • Few instructions included

  • Clamp is short

This rotating curling iron proved super versatile during testing and came in at a lower price than most on the market, making it a stellar pick for those on a budget. The main portion of the tool is a standard 1.25-inch curling iron, but it comes with a brush attachment for the rotation feature. We were a little disappointed with the limited instructions on the packaging, but the tool is still quite user-friendly.

We liked how lightweight this rotating curling iron is — a quality that makes it easy to hold while it spins your curls into existence. In terms of design, the clamp was somewhat short, and for those of us with shorter hair, there was some concern about the hot tip being a little too close to our heads. All in all, we were able to curl our hair within five minutes. The buttons are simple to use, and the tool creates loose, bouncy waves as desired. Overall, we love this rotating curling iron as a budget pick.

Barrel Size: 1.25 inch | Temperature: 176°–410°F | Material: Ceramic | Best For: All hair types

Star Qualities
  • Comes with 6 attachments

  • Sleek and ergonomic design

  • Uses air suction instead of a clamp to curl

Red Flags
  • Not as intuitive as others

  • Expensive

Dyson products are famous for being splurge-worthy, and the Dyson Airwrap Multi-Styler is practically a household name at this point. We put the beloved hair tool to the test — and it lives up to the hype. During testing, we generally found this tool to be user-friendly, though it takes a few minutes to figure out which barrel to use for what purpose. It’s super lightweight in your hand and can be held for extended periods without worries of your hand cramping up. We figured out the groove of this tool after finishing two or so sections of hair.

The fan settings ensured no burned hair, and the rotation moved in both directions for various types of curls. There aren’t too many buttons and settings, so it’s fairly straightforward, and like any tool, with more practice, the faster the process will go. We appreciated its Coanda air technology rather than a traditional clamp and were impressed with the curls it produced.

Experts Say

We’re not alone in holding the Dyson in esteem. “The reason why I like the Dyson Airwrap is that it is a different kind of heating technology that simulates the same experience as a rotating curling iron while still keeping the integrity of your hair,” says Michael.

Barrel Size: 1.2, 1.6 inches | Temperature: <302°F | Material: Ceramic | Best For: All hair types

Star Qualities
  • User-friendly design

  • Ceramic barrel provides even heating

  • Excellent heat range

Red Flags
  • Clamp is too small

The Beachwaver Co. S1 Rotating Curling Iron is ideal for beginners because the buttons are intuitive — left and right. The other mechanics, like temperature and the clamp to hold your hair in place, are easy to figure out. The barrel is one inch thick and works well for longer hair, though you can make it work for shorter or thinner hair, too (especially since the clamp is shorter). We were impressed with the curls it formed — they were well-defined and voluminous. 

For the most part, we thought this tool was lightweight, though one member of our team thought it was a little bulky. We did wish the clamp was a little longer, but even as such, our hair didn’t tangle or get caught in it.

Experts Say

Hair experts love this Beachwaver tool, too. “I like the Beachwaver because it has an easy-to-use temperature gauge and the ceramic barrel makes it easy to create voluminous curls,” says Michael.

Barrel Size: 1 inch | Temperature: 290°–410°F | Material: Ceramic | Best For: Longer hair, all hair types

Star Qualities
  • Easy to maneuver without tiring our arms

  • Intuitive and effective rotation technology

  • Comes with three barrels

Red Flags
  • Somewhat pricey compared to others

We appreciate this rotating curling iron because it just makes sense. It has straightforward buttons that tell you which way the curling iron turns, and you can easily set the temperature to control the tool’s heat level (which heated with impressive speed). You press a button to start the curl and press one to stop it, but with practice, this becomes an auto-pilot movement. There are three barrels included, so you can swap them out depending on how big or small of a curl you’re looking to make.

The rotation feature isn’t super speedy, so you have time to click each button to control the curl as you go — especially if you’re nervous about getting the tool too close to your ears or skin. There’s also a way to reset the tool to its starting position after use to keep the process going efficiently. The design is super sleek with a black barrel and rose gold buttons, and the clamp, though short, held our hair without difficulty, so the barrel could curl each section to create loose, bouncy curls.

Barrel Size: 0.75, 1, 1.25 inches | Material: Ceramic | Best For: Thick, curly, frizzy hair

Star Qualities
  • Quick and easy to use

  • Light on our wrists

  • Easy to control the direction of curls

Red Flags
  • Doesn’t rotate by itself — has a self-rolling barrel

  • Took a long time to heat up

We appreciated how easy this rotating curling iron was for beginners and experts alike. It was lightweight and easy to maneuver through various sections of our hair. It doesn't rotate by itself, however. Instead, it has a self-rolling barrel you control with your finger. The clamp held the hair effectively so we could focus on changing the direction of the curls, and created soft, beachy waves.

We were impressed with the ease of use when it came to the temperature settings, but wished it got hotter more quickly — it took about three minutes to fully heat up. Since this one is a manual rotating curling iron, it did take slightly longer to curl our hair on both sides of our head compared to others on our list. That said, it’s competitive in pricing with many of our favorites, and it worked effectively, so we would definitely recommend it.

Barrel Size: 1 inch | Temperature: Up to 440°F | Material: Ceramic | Best For: Longer hair, all hair types

Star Qualities
  • Thicker barrel creates bouncy curls

  • User-friendly design

  • Comes with a few smart features

  • Long clamp holds more hair

Red Flags
  • Higher price

Generally, you can never go wrong with a T3 hair tool — and this one is no exception. Though we’ll caution you, you do need to read the instructions here, but once you do it’s fairly easy to use. Essentially, it has smart technology that can detect motion, so it uses the literal flick of your wrist to decide which direction to curl. So, if you’re working on one side of your head it will curl one way, and when you flip your wrist toward the other, it will rotate. (We were in awe, too!)

It saves time, it’s lightweight, and it creates voluminous curls given the large-sized barrel. Plus, it heats up in 20 seconds, so there’s no time lost here. Some felt the shorter clamps on other rotating curling irons made the process trickier, but that’s not an issue with the T3 because it has a standard-length clamp that holds the hair securely without tangling or pulling. We acknowledge it’s on the pricier side of our list, but we believe it’s a great value and 100 percent worth the cost.

Barrel Size: 1.25 inch | Temperature: 260°-410°F (3 heat settings) | Material: Ceramic | Best For: All hair types

Star Qualities
  • Compact size

  • Super easy to use

  • Lightweight and comfortable to hold

Red Flags
  • Design is too complicated for short hair

  • Takes a few minutes to heat up

If you’re looking to create loose bouncy curls that emulate a nice blowout, this is the rotating curling iron to help you achieve that look. It’s super compact (perfect for travel and tucking into carry-on luggage) and uses a loose chamber system that automatically rotates your hair to curl it. We learned it takes a few tries to figure it out, but once you have it going, this rotating curling iron is super easy to use. There’s one central power button, two rotational buttons (for each direction), and five temperature settings ranging from 250°–450°F.

It proved quite lightweight to hold in your hand while styling and has a swivel cord to avoid any tangles during the process. Given the loose style of this beauty tool, we don’t think it would work for short hair since it might not stay on the barrel as well. It did take its time heating up, but once it reached the right level, it curled effortlessly, creating a blowout-worthy look.

Barrel Size: 1 inch | Temperature: 250°–450°F | Material: Ceramic | Best For: Longer hair, all hair types

Star Qualities
  • Rotating feature makes it easy to use

  • Secure clamp that doesn’t pull hair

  • Creates beautiful loose curls

Red Flags
  • Temperature settings take getting used to

Ionic refers to the positive and negative charges that work together in this type of hair tool to help reduce frizz. We liked this rotating curling iron because the rotation feature was easy to figure out, and once we got the hang of it, we moved through one side of our head in 15 minutes, finishing up the rest shortly after. It’s a fairly standard weight but didn’t feel too heavy in our hands, especially for long periods of usage.

We noticed there were five temperature levels rather than being able to adjust the temperature setting to a specific number, which could be a con for some but isn’t necessarily a deal breaker. The clamp held the hair without issue, tugging, or tangles, and didn’t get too hot. Considering the price, we think this is a great ionic option, especially for those who deal with frizz regularly.

Barrel Size: 1, 1.25, 1.5 inches | Temperature: 280°–430°F | Material: Nano titanium coating | Best For: Frizz, all hair types

Star Qualities
  • Intuitive and easy-to-use design

  • Technology comparable to Dyson’s Airwrap

  • Versatile styling tool

Red Flags
  • Not as expensive as Dyson but still an investment

This is the closest you’re going to get to the Dyson Airwrap without paying $600 (though it'll still cost a pretty penny). Rated our best with attachments, we like how versatile the Shark rotating curling iron is. It uses similar air technology to reduce heat damage, and we found it super user-friendly when styling. 

You just change the attachments as you go, so you can start with a drying one if you have wet hair, and then switch to the brush to help smooth it before using the iron to create the best curls. The one interesting thing is the rotation feature is controlled in the middle of the hair tool. It’s a little bulky in size but still light when you’re holding it. Overall, this is a great rotating curling iron if you want the amenities of a Dyson at a lower cost.

Barrel Size: 1.25 inch | Temperature: Four heat, three airflow settings | Best For: All hair types

Star Qualities
  • Easy to use

  • Lack of a cord makes it great for travel

  • Lightweight and comfortable to hold

Red Flags
  • Instructions weren’t clear

  • Wider barrel makes it a bit bulky

Next to manual rotation, the second most annoying attribute of standard curling irons is navigating around the cord. With this cordless option, that’s not an issue. Though the instructions weren’t the most clear, we figured out how to use this rotating curling iron fairly quickly. Rather than a traditional barrel, this beauty tool uses a chamber to twirl the hair into. It beeps twice to let you know the curl is finished so you can thread your hair back out and start on the next section. 

Though it’s super lightweight, the width of the tool is a little bulky. That said, the size makes it quite portable, so it could be good for travel. We loved the ringlets this curling iron created, and each section only takes 12 seconds to curl. There weren’t any tangles, and no hair was pulled. Our team thought the results, paired with the price, made this a great option for many different needs. 

Barrel Size: Not listed | Temperature: Up to 400°F | Material: Ceramic | Best For: All hair types

Star Qualities
  • Extra-long barrel

  • Can grab wider sections when styling

  • Great for long hair types

Red Flags
  • Long barrel might be too awkward for short hair styles

One of the reasons why we think rotating curling irons are worth it is because of how quick and easy they are to use. If you need an even more convenient option that can touch up your hair with ease, go with the T3 SinglePass. This hot tool was specifically designed to touch up strands, thanks to a long clamp that grabs onto wider sections and an extra-long barrel that can easily reach the back of your head. The ceramic curling iron features temperature settings between 260° and 390°F and provides more even heating, which is excellent for hair health and helps you create a more defined curl that lasts.

Since the barrel is larger than others, it’s a great option for those with long hair, as it’s big enough to fit all your locks for a more even-looking curl. If you have short hair, you might find that styling fresh strands is a bit too awkward and instead prefer this as a backup for touching up tresses in harder-to-reach spots.

Barrel Size: 1.25 inch | Temperature: 260°–390°F | Material: Ceramic | Best For: Longer hair, all hair types

What to Know About Rotating Curling Irons

Barrel Size

Just like with any curling iron, the consideration is the size of the barrel (the part that touches your hair) because it affects the tightness of the curls you’ll get. “If you’re looking for more tight ringlets you’ll go with anywhere from half an inch to three-quarter inches,” says Michael. “If you’re looking for more of a beach wave look, you would go with about an inch to an inch and a half, and if you’re looking for more body wave blowout you would go with an inch and a half to two inches in barrel size.”

Experts Say

Hair texture plays a part in the barrel you should opt for, as well. “A one-inch barrel size is the one I would recommend for most hair types, textures, and lengths,” says Potempa, highlighting our favorite iron for beginners. “If you have shorter hair or hair that tends to fall quickly, try sizing down.”

Rotation Technology

When looking at the rotation features of a curling iron, you should be mindful of what is most effective at curling hair. “It’s all about the heat output and the type of metal used in the rotating curling iron,” says Michael. He suggests “something that is not too tight so that it doesn’t wrap your hair up and rip.” Generally, something with intuitive buttons will make a big difference as well because you won’t be left guessing which direction the iron will turn.

One of the newer methods on the block, Coanda technology, has a specific hair type that it plays nicest with. For “fine hair, the ‘air’ irons are probably best,” says celebrity hairstylist Ashley Streicher, highlighting the Dyson AirWrap. However, this isn’t to say that those with medium and thick hair can’t use this tech-savvy type of product.

Ease of Use 

The whole point of rotating curling irons is to make styling your strands easier, so look for designs that with intuitive designs that are easy and efficient to use. Options like the Dyson Airwrap might come with a learning curve, but once you get the hang of it, the technology makes it super easy and simple to style hair. For more traditional rotating curling iron designs, consider the Tymo Hair Curling Wand or Prizm Wavy Professional Rotating Curling Iron, both of which are straightforward and make styling strands a breeze. 

Weight 

Hot tools can completely transform your hair in minutes, but if they’re too heavy, it’s quite a workout to achieve the look you want. When shopping for the best rotating curling irons, keep the overall weight in mind and consider how that might impact your wrists and arms — especially when targeting the back of your head. Most of our top picks boast more lightweight construction, including the Bio Ionic Rotating Styling Iron, MaikcQ Rotating Curling Iron, and Prizm Wavy Professional Rotating Curling Iron.

Price Range

Rotating curling irons can cost anywhere from $60 to $600, though most will fall in the $100 to $150 range. So, when you’re looking for a rotating curling iron, make sure to consider the qualities that will make it durable, because like anything else, it’s an investment and you’ll want it to work effectively and last over time.

Person styling another person's hair using Dyson Airwrap Multi-Styler Complete Long

People / Tamara Staples

Behind the Scenes

We tested 21 rotating curling irons in our PEOPLE Tested lab to bring you the best models on the market today, starting with cleaned, conditioned, and air-dried or blow-dried hair, depending on our testers’ hair types.

  • Product Comparison: Each tester got a chance to choose two rotating curling irons, one for each side of their head, to give them something to compare their products against. Then they familiarized themselves with each of their selected tools by carefully reading the included instructions and locating the ‘rotate’ button before testing. 
  • Hair Prep: Every tester evaluated the thickness of their hair and used the tools on a heat setting that was fitting for them — fine and chemically straightened hair at 300°F and below, medium-thick hair between 300°F and 380°F, and coarse, curly, and/or thick hair between 350°F and 450°F.
  • Hair Curling: Then our testers powered on their tools and timed how long it took for each product to heat up to its desired temperature, recording how fast or slow the process was. Once each tool was hot, it was time to divide the testers’ hair into sections, spray with a heat protectant, and begin curling.
  • Overall Value: After lots of bouncy curls were created, 12 rotating curling irons came out on top. When all was said and done, we evaluated the heat settings, gauging how hot each one became, and how quickly it reached the maximum temperature. We also tested the rotation technology, considering how easy the buttons and directions were for those with different experience levels, how well the tool actually curled the hair, and how long the process took. We considered the price, quality, and design of each tool and narrowed the contenders to form this list.

After considering all the factors above, the Prizm Professional Rotating Curling Iron was our pick for the best overall rotating curling iron.

Hand holding curled brown hair

People / Jessica Juliao

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How do you use a rotating curling iron?

    Simply put, “a rotating curling iron is a curling iron that would bring your hair into the barrel and create the curls by pressing a button,” says Michael. To use one of these tools, you should first turn it on like a normal curling iron and choose your heat setting. Once you’ve sectioned your hair, you can clamp the end of a section onto the iron, and press the rotation button (either left or right, depending on the direction of the curl you want) to create the curl. In many cases, you press a button to release the hair afterward, but the specifics will depend on the exact beauty tool you’re working with.


  • How can you protect your hair while using a rotating curling iron?

    Ask any professional hairstylist — the first step before using any kind of hot tool is a layer of heat protectant. “I love the Vegamour Hydr-8 Leave-In Conditioner for heat protection as it works great with all hair types,” says Streicher. “You can apply it when your hair is wet, let air-dry or blow dry it, then use your iron.” The stylist also adds a bit onto the ends of her client's hair before applying direct heat to their strands.


    Another factor to consider regarding hair protection is the temperature your iron is set to. “For fine, fragile, and color-damaged hair, I would stay in the low setting, 250-325 [degrees Fahrenheit],” Streicher adds. “But if you're using an automatic iron, often there are settings for your hair type… they are set to only be on your hair for a certain amount of time,” which she points out is often a guessing game (that can lead to accidental burning) with manual irons.


  • Is titanium or ceramic better for hair?

    “Ceramic helps evenly distribute the heat to strands and makes them smooth and shiny while also keeping more volume,” Streicher explains. The stylist goes on to explain that this kind of material is best for people with fine or fragile hair. Because this material doesn’t heat up at the rate of titanium, it can be considered a bit gentler on all hair types.


    “Titanium is usually best used for very thick coarse hair as it heats up faster and stays at a higher temperature,” she adds. Potempa points out that titanium also conducts heat much faster than ceramic, which can help to minimize static and frizz (and even lock your style in place for a longer time).

Why Trust PEOPLE?

Madison Yauger is a shopping editor at PEOPLE, covering beauty, home, travel, and other lifestyle topics. Her background includes news, lifestyle, and commerce journalism for publications like Food & Wine, Real Simple, Health, and Martha Stewart. For this article, she relied on the input of our team of product testers and interviewed several celebrity hairstylists.

Our Expert Panel

  • Joseph Michael is a Los Angeles-based celebrity hairstylist who has previously worked with Blake Lively, Heidi Klum, and Ashley Tisdale, to name a few.
  • Sarah Potempa is a Los Angeles-based celebrity hairstylist and founder of The Beachwaver Co., under which she invented and patented the renowned Beachwaver. Her client list has included Reese Witherspoon, Emily Blunt, Busy Phillips, and more.
  • Ashley Streicher is a celebrity hairstylist and co-founder of the Los Angeles beauty studio STRIIIKE with her sisters, celebrity makeup artist Jenn Streicher and celebrity brow artist Kristie Streicher. Her past clients include Mandy Moore, Rachel Brosnahan, Sarah Paulson, and more.

What Is PEOPLE Tested?

We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.

But we don't stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we've awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.

In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.

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