Those with thick hair are used to having to deal with increased styling times, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t use a curling iron just like people with any other hair type. While you may need to group your hair into smaller sections while curling it, you will still find dozens if not hundreds of great curling irons that can do wonders on your hair. You don’t want to damage your locks so instead of just picking a random iron that may or may not get the job done without breakage, learn how to recognize the best curling iron for thick hair.
Table of Content
Comparison Chart Of The Best Curling Iron For Thick Hair
| Picture | Name | Voltage | Inches/mm | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | BlueTop | 100-240 volts | 09-18 / 18-25 / 19-19 / 25-25 / 32-32 mm | $$$ | 4.9 |
 | Zealite 5 in 1 | 100-240 volts | 09-18 / 19 / 18-25 / 25 / 32 mm | $$$ | 4.6 |
 | Zealite | 100-240 volts | 09-18 / 18-25 / 25 mm | $$$ | 4.5 |
 | xtava | 100-240 volts | 0.3 inch to 1.25 inch | $$$ | 4.4 |
 | Remington CI9538 | 120 volts | 1-1 ½ Inch | $$ | 4.6 |
 | Hot Tools Professional 1102 | 110 volts | 1-1/2-Inch | $$$ | 4.1 |
 | Conair | 110 volts | 1-1/2-Inch | $ | 4.1 |
 | Remington CI91XP | 120 volts | 1-1½ Inch | $$$ | 4.1 |
Detailed review of good curling Irons for thick hair
Check out these top rated curling irons and you will find some great options for your thick hair. Each of the following products could be considered the best curling iron for thick hair thanks to their features, pricing, and usability.
#1 – Wand Curling Iron, BlueTop Salon Professional 5-In-1 Ceramic Tourmaline
If you aren’t sure which is the best curling iron consider this one with five different barrels. This one has dual voltage so you can use it nearly anywhere in the world. The ceramic plates will heat up very quickly and it comes with a heat-resistant glove. This product can reach 210 degrees Celsius, 410 Fahrenheit, perfect for styling most thick hair. The convenient LED light lets you know if it is on and the swivel cord is 2.5 meters long. There are three sizes of cylindrical barrels and two conical ones included.
#2 – Curling Wand Set, Zealite 5-In-1 Hair Curler
Another great option for those who can’t choose which size or shape barrel they want, this Zealite product has five barrels and comes with a heat-resistant glove. It has tourmaline ceramic technology, which is the ideal material to choose for any hair type. The tourmaline’s negative ions create smooth curls without frizz. The cord is 8 feet long and swivels to prevent tangles. You can choose from 302 or 410 degrees Fahrenheit, meaning this product easily styles thick hair or your friends’ finer locks. To make it even more appealing, there is a two-year warranty and one-year replacement period.
#3 – Curling Iron Set, Zealite 3 In 1 Hair Curling Wand
Zealite is known for making some of the best curling iron for thick hair options so it makes sense that they have another product on this list. This particular curling iron is clipless, meaning it is a wand and it has three different barrel sizes: a 25 mm cylinder and a 9-18 and 18-25 mm cylinders. Like the other Zealite product, it comes with a heat-resistant glove and used tourmaline ceramic technology. It also has the same LED indicator light, 8-foot swivel cord, dual voltage, and temperature settings.
#4 – Xtava Satin Wave 5-In-1 Curling Wand
Since it is professional quality, this curling wand is a bit more expensive than some options, but not the most expensive on the list. It has five barrels that include clipless and clipped styles, cones and cylinders, and thicknesses between 0.3 and 1.25 inches for any type of curl you want. The curler heats in seconds up to 410 degrees Fahrenheit. As a bonus, it comes with a heat-resistant bag so you can easily pack it up and store it without waiting for the tool to cool down. The 360-degree swivel cord is 8 feet long.
#5 – Remington CI9538 T|Studio Salon Collection Pearl Digital Ceramic Curling Wand, 1 – 1 ½ Inch, Pink
The absolute best curling iron for thick hair is this high-quality yet affordable model from Remington. The barrel is a stylish pink and it is the predecessor to the Remington model already listed. If you don’t need the latest model and want to save some money, this is the way to go. It can heat up in just 30 seconds and reach 410 degrees Fahrenheit. The curling iron automatically turns off after 60 minutes and has easy-to-read-and-use controls with a digital display. It comes with a heat-resistant glove for convenience and safety.
#6 – Hot Tools Professional 1102 Curling Iron With Multi-Heat Control, Big Bumper 1-1/2”
Instead of using any old metal to coat this curling iron, Hot Tools used 24 karat gold. It is combined with a heavy-duty tip that is nice and cool and extra-long, making it easier to grip. The handle is soft to the touch so you should be comfortable even at the end of your styling time. The 8 foot cord is heavy duty and swivels so it won’t tangle. To help you save time, it can reach 428 degrees Fahrenheit very quickly, a higher temperature than many of the other curling irons on this list. The fact that there is a separate on/off switch also means that you don’t constantly have to reset the temperature to your ideal heat setting. This styling tool has a traditional clamp design and the springs are easy to replace if necessary.
#7 – Infiniti Pro By Conair Nano Tourmaline Ceramic 1-1/2-Inch Curling Iron
This one is from Infiniti Pro. This particular iron has a one and a half inch barrel, ideal for creating slightly bouncy and voluminous curls or more of a wavy appearance. The tourmaline surface is extra smooth and hides a ceramic core to deliver excellent performance. It takes the tourmaline surface to the next level with nano technology that reduces frizz and static while eliminating hot spots that can cause damage to your hair through extreme temperatures. There are a total of five different heat settings, up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. This is perfect for thick hair while the lower heat settings are good for sharing the styling tool with your friends. Thanks to this product, you should be able to enjoy your curls for 24 hours, even when they are exposed to humidity.
#8 – Remington CI91XP T|Studio Thermaluxe Wide Styling Curling Wand
Remington is another very popular brand for heat-styling tools and this particular curling wand is professional quality. Although it costs more than some of the others on this list, it is well worth the upgrade in terms of quality. This model has a cone design and ranges from 1 to 1 ½ inches thick or you can pick the version that is ¾ to 1 inch. You can also choose from blush pink and purple. Thanks to the advanced thermal technology, you can curl your hair quickly to minimize damage due to heat and create long-lasting curls. The ceramic-coated barrel minimizes frizz and is nonslip. This curling iron heats in just 30 seconds, reaches 410 degrees with other settings, and has a salon-length swiveling cord.
Features To Look For In Your Curling Iron
Before you start looking at the best curling irons for your particular type of hair, you need to become familiar with the requirements. What you look for in a curling iron will be similar to your fine-haired friends, but with a few key differences.
- Temperature Range
The temperature range of a curling iron is always important, but especially for those of us blessed with thick hair. That is because we need higher temperatures for the heat to penetrate the full hair strands and deliver lasting results. Ideally, your curling iron will reach at least 400 degrees Fahrenheit although up to 450 degrees is even better. That being said, you should use the lowest temperature that delivers results to prevent damage to your hair.
- Heat Up Time
Since styling thick hair can take a while, you want to minimize the time you have to wait for your curling iron to heat up. The best thick hair curling iron will only take a minute to heat up; some take even less.
- Included Heat Resistant Glove
Between the high temperatures and longer styling time, you are likely to come in contact with your hair repeatedly while using your curling iron. The best products will come with a heat-resistant glove so you can touch your hair while styling it without worrying about burns.
- Grip
Even those with fine hair will want to pay attention to the grip or handle of their curling iron, but this is particularly important if you have thick hair. You want to make sure the handle is comfortable since you will have to section your hair into smaller segments for curling, which can mean you will hold the curling iron for 20 or 30 minutes if not more at a time.
- Material Used
There are three main materials to look for in the best curling iron: ceramic, tourmaline, or titanium. For years, ceramic was the best option available thanks to its ability to generate high temperatures. Since your hair is thick, you will need these hot temperatures to penetrate the strand and deliver results.
Tourmaline curling irons are newer than ceramic ones, but still have a long enough history to have proven their worth. In most cases, they are combined with a ceramic core with the tourmaline gemstone crystals coating it. The tourmaline creates negative ions that help your hair shaft lay down smooth, getting rid of frizz and giving you sleek and bouncy locks. Tourmaline will always be combined with another material, preferably ceramic.
Titanium can also be a great heat conductor for curling irons, either alone or with tourmaline. It is the best option if you want your curls to last because of its ability to deliver extreme heat and do so evenly. It will quickly style your hair and is also the most durable.
- Clip, Marcel Clip, Or Clipless
There are three main styles of curling irons to choose from based on personal preference. The traditional curling iron has a clip or clamp that holds your hair in place with a lever that you control with your thumb. Marcel curling irons have longer grip areas and the clamp doesn’t have a spring so you are in complete control of this clamp; these are the choice of professionals. Since clips can sometimes leave kinks or crimping in your hair, some people prefer curling wands or clipless irons.
- Barrel Length And Width
When looking at the size of the barrel in the curling iron, you need to consider both length and width or thickness. In terms of length, you want the barrel to be long enough for you to wrap a strand of hair along it without overlapping, but not too long that it gets in the way. Generally, those with short thick hair will want a curling iron that is less than six inches while those with long thick hair want one over six inches.
The width of the curling iron will determine how tight your curls are. As you may expect, thinner barrels deliver tighter curls while thicker barrels give you loose waves. Tight ringlets require a barrel that is about a half inch or you can get spiral curls with a one-inch barrel or bouncy and larger curls with a barrel that is as big as two inches.
- Shape Of Barrel
The most common barrel shapes for curling irons are cylinders and cones, which deliver curls of all the same size or varying sizes, respectively. Ribbon or spiral curling irons will have raised edges to give you precise spirals quickly. Pearl curling irons appear to have bubbles and make curls that seem more natural.
Some curling irons will even have several barrels designed for you to weave your hair through and create waves. You can also find irons with interchangeable barrels if you can’t choose which one you want.
- Durability
As with any other product, be sure to check the durability of your chosen curling iron. If you pick a professional quality one, you may not have to replace it for a very long time, saving you money in the long run.
Conclusion
You should be happy with any of the above curling irons. Each is ready to tackle your thick locks and give you gentle waves, tight ringlets, or something in between based on your styling method and needs. All you have to do is choose which product to go with and soon you can start styling your hair. If you have short hair then check out my article of best curling iron for short hair and best hairspray for curly hair.
How to curl your thick hair(a video)
Find out how to curl thick hair with curling iron.