Even with thin hair, you can get flawless curls and be the envy of those around you with some help from the best curling iron for fine hair. Fine hair is known to pose its own unique styling challenges, but the right curling iron can take care of these issues and create the curls you love without damaging your hair. Find out how to select the right curling iron and which the top options for your fine hair are.
Table of Content
Comparison Chart of The Best Curling Irons For Fine Hair
| Picture | Name | Voltage | Inches/mm | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Hot Tools Professional 1102 | 110 volts | 1-1/2 inch | $$ | 4.9 |
 | Conair | Not listed | 1 inch | $ | 4.8 |
 | BlueTop | 100-240 volts | 9-18 / 18-25 / 19-19 / 25-25 / 32-32 mm | $$$ | 4.8 |
 | Revlon | 110-240 volts | 1 inch | $ | 4.7 |
 | BlueTop Unisex Professional | 100-240 volts | 9 mm | $$ | 4.6 |
 | VAV | 125 volts | 22 mm | $ | 4.3 |
 | Vidal Sassoon Vsir1531 | Not listed | 3/4 Inch | $ | 4.0 |
 | Vidal Sassoon Vsir1532 | 120 volts | 1 inch | $$ | 3.9 |
Detailed review of highly ranked curling irons for fine hair
Take your new knowledge of what to look for in the best curling iron for fine hair and start your search. Any of the following models will create long-lasting results on even fine hair without causing damage.
#8 – Vidal Sassoon Vsir1532 Chrome Curling Iron, 1 Inch, Black
For those who need a curling iron on a budget, this is a great choice. It is highly affordable because it is made of chrome instead of ceramic or tourmaline. There are a few heat settings so you can use it on low heat without damaging your locks and let your thick-haired friends borrow the curling iron and use it on high heat. The rubber handle is soft to the touch and comfortable. For added convenience, the curling iron even has a built-in safety stand. The ON indicator light ensures you know when the iron is on and the cord swivels.
#7 – Vidal Sassoon Vsir1531 Chrome Curling Iron, ¾ Inch, Black
If you like the previous product, but want tighter curls, then this particular Vidal Sassoon curling iron will be ideal. It is ¾ of an inch thick to give you tighter curls without quite as much bounce to them. It still has the built-in safety stand, swivel cord, soft touch rubber handle, ON indicator light, and high or low temperature settings.
#6 – VAV Mini Travel Hair Curling Iron Ceramic-Coated Barrel
The best curling iron for fine hair if you are on the go, travel a lot, want a curler to leave in your gym bag, or are just short on space, this product has a stylish pink handle. The white barrel is coated in tourmaline ceramic to give you shiny and healthy hair free from frizz and without any damage. The professional PTC technology means that the iron heats up nearly instantly and cools down quickly as well. You will be able to start curling your hair in just a minute. There are two temperatures to choose from, high and low, and those with fine hair should stick to low. The maximum temperature is 350 degrees Fahrenheit, enough for your friends with thick hair. Keep in mind that this curling iron’s voltage is designed for the US and Canada.
#5 – Curling Iron Wand, BlueTop Unisex Professional 9mm Super Mini Tourmaline Ceramic Barrel
This is the best curling iron for fine hair if you want to get tight curls thanks to its 9mm barrel. The barrel uses ceramic tourmaline technology to protect your hair, fight frizz, and deliver smooth locks. The ceramic coating has even been infused with some real silk proteins for smoothness and long-lasting results, something fine-haired women sometimes struggle with.
The temperature is adjustable between 80 and 230 Celsius (176 to 446 Fahrenheit), which is low enough to provide results without damaging your delicate hair. The temperature controls are easy to use and the iron will automatically shut off after 60 minutes for safety. The power cord is 2.7 meters (8.9 feet) so you can walk around while styling your hair and it swivels to prevent tangles. This curling iron works around the world thanks to its dual voltage, but you will need an adapter depending on where you go since it has a US plug.
#4 – Revlon Perfect Heat 1-Inch Curling Iron
High quality and affordable, this Revlon curling iron has triple baked tourmaline, ionic, and ceramic technologies to deliver soft and shiny curls without any frizz. These technologies also help to reduce the risk of damage to your gentle fine hair. To make it even better, this product comes with a protective silicone heat shield for storing the curling iron, even if it is still warm.
The heat on this Revlon curling iron is constant and high with 30 different heat settings. This means that no matter where your locks fall within the category of fine hair, you should be able to find the perfect balance of styling power and protection from damage. It even heats up in just 30 seconds so you can start styling right away.
#3 – Wand Curling Iron, BlueTop Salon Professional 5-In-1 Ceramic Tourmaline
For the best curling iron for fine hair with interchangeable barrels, choose this product. It comes with five different barrels in varying shapes and sizes plus a heat-resistant glove. There are cylindrical barrels in 19, 25, and 32 mm and conical ones that are 9 to 18 and 18 to 25 mm. The dual voltage of this professional curling iron lets you use it anywhere in the world and the swivel cord is a full 2.5 meters for easy usage.
The ceramic tourmaline material is an excellent thermal conductor and doesn’t damage your hair. It lets you create long-lasting styles that take less time. The temperature ranges from 180 to 210 Celsius (356 to 410 Fahrenheit).
#2 – Infiniti Pro By Conair Nano Tourmaline Ceramic 1-Inch Curling Iron
This one-inch curling iron is from a well-respected brand known for creating high-quality hot-styling tools. There are five different heat settings up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to give you long-lasting waves or curls. The tourmaline ceramic surface is extra smooth to enhance the performance while its nano technology gets rid of damage from hot spots while reducing frizz and static. This product comes with a protective heat shield for easy storage.
#1 – Hot Tools Professional 1102 Curling Iron With Multi-Heat Control, Big Bumper 1-1/2”
Hot Tools has made a name for itself over the years and this one and a half inch curling iron shows why. The barrel is plated in 24 karat gold and has an extra-long tip that is cool. The heating element is long-lasting and has 85 watts so you can quickly heat the curling iron up to 428 Fahrenheit. The on/off switch is separate from the heat setting so you can leave it at your ideal temperature. The cord is 8 feet and swivels and the handle has a soft grip.
How To Choose Your Curling Iron
In addition to the normal considerations when looking for curling irons, those with fine hair have a few unique things they need to think about. Make sure to look at all the following factors when searching for the best curling iron for fine hair.
- Temperature Controls And Range
For those with fine hair, the temperature controls and the temperature range is particularly important. That is because fine hair can be damaged very easily, particularly if exposed to high temperatures. As such, you want to make sure you can use just enough heat to style your hair without overdoing. That means the best curling iron for fine hair will have a reasonable temperature range, particularly at the lower numbers. Also be sure that it is easy to adjust the temperature so you don’t have to guess what it is set at.
- Barrel Material
Since fine hair is more prone to breakage than other types of locks, the best curling iron for fine hair will reduce the risk of damage, meaning it should be either ceramic or tourmaline. Titanium barrels are popular since they evenly distribute heat, are incredibly durable, and provide a slick surface without stickiness or snacks that can catch and damage your hair.
Ceramic irons have been the most popular for years thanks to their ability to infuse moisture by giving off negative ions, their even heat distribution, and their lack of heat spots that can damage the hair. Tourmaline irons are still growing in popularity and have six times the negative ions of ceramic ones, greatly smoothing your hair cuticles and dramatically improving on ceramic irons.
- Barrel Length
The length of the barrel is always important for a curling iron and it is somewhat a matter of personal preference. If your hair is short, you should look for barrels that are 6 inches long or less (here is review of top rated curling irons for short hair). If your hair is long, pick one that is at least 6 inches long. You want the barrel to be long enough to curl a full segment of hair at once without extra length getting in the way.
- Barrel Thickness
As with any other type of hair, those with fine locks need to pay attention to the thickness of the barrel. Thinner barrels create tighter curls or even ringlets while wider barrels will give you looser curls or beachy waves. Those with fine hair will probably be most interested in barrels that are between ¾ of an inch to an inch, although your preference may vary. For a frame of reference, barrels of about a ½ inch give you Shirley Temple ringlets, classic coil curls come from 1-inch barrels, and “Victoria’s Secret” curls come from clipless irons or those with barrels that are at least 1 ½ inches.
- Barrel Shape
Don’t forget to consider the shape of the barrel. Cylindrical and conical ones are the most common. The first will be the same thickness throughout so you can get uniform curls along your entire length of hair. Conical curling irons are thicker at one end than the other, giving your curls some variation. Some will also have ribbons or ridges on them to create more defined curls while those with bubbles create more natural-looking curls.
- Single, Multiple, Or Interchangeable Barrels
In most cases, the best curling iron for fine hair will have a single barrel as this is the traditional design. If you want to give yourself loose beachy waves, then you should consider an iron with several barrels; you use these by weaving your hair through the barrels. There are also some curling irons that feature interchangeable barrels so you can get several shapes or thicknesses on a single product.
- Clip Or Clipless
The traditional curling iron will have a clip of some sort that helps hold your hair in place while styling. The handle on the clip is typically short, designed to be held by your thumb. Marcel handles have a much longer handle instead of a spring like the shorter clips, putting you in complete control. Clipless curling irons are simply the barrel and referred to as wands. If your fine hair is delicate, you should opt for one of these as the clip can dent or damage your hair.
- Voltage
Think about where you plan on using your curling iron. Do you live in the US or Canada and plan on only using it there? Or do you plan on traveling around the world with your curling iron? The best curling iron for fine hair will have dual voltage so you can use it anywhere in the world with the proper adapter.
- Cord Length And Rotation
Make sure that the curling iron you choose has a long enough cord for you to work with, but not one that is so long it will get in your way. It should also swivel around 360 degrees so the wire doesn’t become tangled or twisted.
- Budget
While most curling irons are within a similar price range, you will find some that are much cheaper or more expensive. As with most other products, you should try to spend as much as you can afford to as the quality of the iron will increase and it will come with more features.
- Other Factors
You should also think about whether you care what color your curling iron is, if it comes with a case and/or heat-resistant glove, if the controls are digital or dials, how comfortable the handle is, and confirm that it has an automatic shut-off.
Conclusion
Since you know the best curling iron for fine hair in several different styles, you just need to figure out which one you would prefer to have on hand. Regardless of your budget and hair length, one of the above products should work wonders.