Best curling wands for fine hair in 2024: Jump Menu
The list in brief ↴
1. Best overall: Cloud Nine The Curling Wand
2. Best affordable: Beauty Works Professional Styler
3. Best luxury: Dyson Airwrap Multi-Styler Complete
4. Best cordless: Babyliss 9000 Cordless Curling Tong
5. Best waver: Amika High Tide Deep Waver
6. Best long lasting: ghd Curve Creative Curl Wand
7. Best versatile: T3 Whirl Trio
How we tested
FAQs
When it comes to curling wands, there’s no one-size-fits-all. The best curling wands for fine hair, specifically, will add body and bounce without frying fragile strands. How, I hear you ask? Adjustable temperature settings are key when choosing a curling wand for fine hair as, unlike our thick-haired friends, fine hair is especially prone to heat damage.
Having fine hair can be both a blessing and a curse. While fine hair is typically quite malleable, it’s also fragile and prone to damage from heat styling tools. To minimize damage, it’s important to seek out thebest curling wandsthat have been made with fine hair in mind. As well as adjustable temperature settings, ceramic barrels are a good pick for fine hair as they spread the heat evenly.
Consider the shape and size of the barrel, too. Thin barrels are ideal for creating tight, ringlet curls, while large barrels can create bouncy, beachy waves. Whatever your curl style preference is, we’ve shared reviews of the best curling wands for fine hair that can create differentcurly hairstyles in our expertly-tested guide. Top tip? Use alongside yourbest hair dryer for fine hairfor salon-worthy results.
Emma Stoddart
Emma Stoddart is a freelance beauty journalist who has worked for some of the UK’s top titles including Net-A-Porter, Stylist and Grazia. Her experience spans online and print, as well as producing editorial shoots with some of the industry’s biggest artists.
The quick list
Best overall
1. Cloud Nine The Curling Wand
Best overall
Our tester found this wand perfect at creating a beachy wave look on fine hair when styling at its low or medium temperature settings. She also loved the mineral-infused coating on the wand, which added shine to her hair.
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Best affordable
2. Beauty Works Professional Styler
Best affordable
The sizable ceramic-coated barrel of this wand is a great match for long hair. Our tester found it easy to use and it's available for a steal of a price. We did find that those with short hair will probably find the barrel too wide, however.
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Best luxury
3. Dyson Airwrap Multi-Styler Complete Long
Best luxury
The Dyson Airwrap deserves its reputation as the do-it-all hair tool, according to our tester, as it's capable of creating tight curls or beachy waves. It's a huge investment price-wise, however, and requires some practice, too.
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Best cordless
4. BaByliss 9000 Cordless Curling Tong
Best cordless
For travel and ease of use, you won't find a more convenient wand than this tool, which is equipped with 40 minutes of run time. Our tester found it ideal for those who are always on the go, while he clamp is great for increased styling control.
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Best waver
5. Amika High Tide Deep Waver
Best waver
Create beach-perfect waves with this tool, which took out tester less than 20 minutes to use across an entire head of fine hair. The waves created added body and thickness to her hair and the infrared tech locks in moisture, too.
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Best long-lasting
6. ghd Curl Creative Wand
Best long-lasting
The tapered barrel of this wand makes it so versatile, as the wide base can master loose curls while the narrow part creates tight curls. This wand is limited to one temperature (185°C), as this is the brand's optimum heat – our tester found this to be suitable to get fine hair to hold a curl.
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The best curling wand for fine hair overall
1. Cloud Nine The Curling Wand
Best curling wand for fine hair overall
Specifications
RRP: £139
Heat settings: 3 settings, 125-175°C
Warranty: 3 years
Added extras: Heat-resistant case and heat protective glove
Reasons to buy
+ Long-lasting results Mineral-infused coated barrel Long barrel
Reasons to avoid
- Not ideal for beginners
While curling wands with clamps are great for holding the hair in place, my personal preference is a tool without a clamp. Why? Not only do I find this easier to use but you also avoid those unwanted kinks from the clamp. This tool from Cloud Nine, gets my vote, with a four-inch clampless barrel that's ideal for curling fine, long hair. There are three heat settings in total: low, medium and high, ranging from125 to 175°C. For fine hair, opt for the low or medium setting; I found that low was hot enough to create tousledbeach hair wavesin my fine hair.
As for ease of use, it took a little practice to lock down the best technique when using this wand. It comes with a heat-resistant case, which is perfect for travel, as well as a heatproof glove – make sure you wear this while styling as there’s no cool tip on this curling wand. Once you have the glove on, we recommend holding the wand at an angle, facing downwards, before wrapping a section of hair around it. Then, hold for a few seconds before releasing. Alternate in opposite directions as you move from section to section to give fine hair lots of body. You’ll notice that hair looks shinier after use, too, which is thanks to the mineral-infused coating that helps lock in moisture. A big tick!
Best affordable curling wand for fine hair
2. Beauty Works Professional Styler
Best affordable curling wand for fine hair
Specifications
RRP: £70
Heat settings: 80-220°C
Warranty: 1 year
Added extras: Carry case and heat protective glove
Reasons to buy
+ Creates Hollywood waves Digital temperature control Comes with a protective glove
Reasons to avoid
- Limited curling looks
This affordable curling wand stands up to those that retail for twice and even thrice its price. Featuring a very long (18.5cm), large and ceramic-coated barrel – this tool is another great pick for creating curlyhairstyles for long hair. Again, there’s no clamp (my personal preference) and there’s a choice of heat settings varying from80-220°C. Start low and, if needed, gradually turn up the heat – but don’t exceed 180°Con fine hair. Once hot, wear the heat protective glove (included) and wrap sections of hair around the barrel.
To create glamorous Hollywood waves, this is your styling must-have as the thick wand is the perfect size and shape to create uniform, bouncy waves. Our top tip? Curl hair towards your face for that Hollywood look and gently brush the curls out afterwards.
While we found this tool really easy to use, it’s worth noting that the extra-long (and wide) barrel may not be suitable forshort hairstyles. Also, if you like to experiment with different curly looks, this tool is probably not for you. Due to the shape and size, I found that it’s limited to Hollywood waves and loose curls.
Best luxury curling wand for fine hair
3. Dyson Airwrap Multi-Styler Complete
Best luxury curling tool for fine hair
Specifications
RRP: £479.99
Heat settings: 3 settings
Warranty: 2 years
Added extras: 6 attachments, storage case and filter cleaning brush
Reasons to buy
+ Six versatile attachments Blow dries hair Low heat temperature
Reasons to avoid
- Expensive
Yes, it’s expensive. But the Dyson Airwrap Complete Styler is a multi-tasking mane-changer that, in my opinion, is worth every single penny. Suitable for all hair types, including fine and fragile, the high-tech tool comes complete with six different attachments that can curl, wave, smooth and dry hair – all without using extreme heat (up to 150°C) to minimise damage. At first, the tool may look intimidating, but follow woman&home'sstep-by-step guide onhow to use the Dyson Airwrapand you’ll quickly get the hang of it. But essentially, the Airwrap attracts hair and wraps it around the barrel using powerful airflow and heat (otherwise known as the brand’s Coanda effect).
Depending on what attachment you use, you can create anything from tight curls to beachy waves. On fine hair, I love the 30mm Airwrap Barrel, which delivers a voluminous curly blow-dry that looks as though you’ve just stepped out of the salon. And while it is expensive, this high-tech tool can replace most others – including yourbest hair dryer. What impressed me most with the Airwrap is how my hair felt and looked after styling – shinier and softer than when I started. Bravo, Dyson!
Best cordless curling wand for fine hair
4. BaByliss 9000 Cordless Curling Tong
Best cordless curling wand for fine hair
Specifications
RRP: £180
Heat settings: 3 settings, 160°C, 170°C, 180°C
Warranty: 2 years
Added extras: Travel storage case, heat protection mat and heat protection glove
Reasons to buy
+ Travel-friendly cordless design 40-minute use Long-lasting curls
Reasons to avoid
- Heavy
In terms of convenience, this cordless curling wand from BaByliss gets top marks.A little like driving an electric car after years of using gears, its sleek, wireless design makes hair styling so seamless. Ideal for fine hair, the medium-sized barrel can be used to create loose and relaxed waves as well as tighter curls. (If it’s the latter you’re after, style smaller sections of hair at a time.) There are three heat settings to choose from and the cordless wand gives you 40 minutes of wireless styling at maximum heat – which I found was more than enough for my fine, long hair.
In terms of battery life, I was able to get two styling sessions out of this tool before having to recharge it –but do note that it takes three hours to fully charge. This is a great travel-friendly tool for anyone who’s always on the go or for anybody whose best lighting (and mirror) happens to be in their bathroom. The ceramic-coated wand leaves hair feeling smooth and I appreciated the clamp, which does give more control and is favoured by many. The only downside of this top tool is the weight; it’s heavier than most curling wands I've tried and may give you armache after a while.
Best waver for fine hair
5. Amika High Tide Deep Waver
Best waver for fine hair
Specifications
RRP: £120
Heat settings: 50°C-198°C
Warranty: 1 year
Added extras: Heat resistant, no slip handle and kickstand
Reasons to buy
+ Cool tip for controlled styling Kickstand to rest safely on surfaces Creates beauty waves
Reasons to avoid
- Limited to waves
After watching countless video tutorials online showcasing Amika’s High Tide Waver, I was extremely eager to give it a whirl and can confirm that it did not disappoint. Designed to create beautiful, beachy waves, this three-barrel tool is so easy to use and can quickly wave an entire head of fine hair in less than 20 minutes (I timed it). Start at the roots and hold the tool horizontally, clamping onto a large section of hair, before moving it slowly down the length of the hair until you reach the ends. The results are soft waves that add body and thickness to fine hair.
As someone who has naturally straight, fine hair, I was blown away by the results. To add a more tousled texture, I recommend spritzing a texture spray or your similarbest hair styling productsthrough the mid-lengths to ends before working it in with your fingertips. As for the design, the waver uses far-infrared technology to lock in moisture, as well as negative ions to seal the hair cuticle. Double tick! If you adorewavy hairstylesand those deep S-bends, this is the hoot tool for you. It's probably the only tool that's even easier to use than our beauty editor's favorite, the Babyliss Wave Secret Air. Expect long-lasting, smooth waves that cheat thicker-looking hair.
Best curling wand for fine hair for long-lasting curls
6. ghd Curve Creative Curl Wand
Best curling wand for fine hair for long-lasting results
Specifications
RRP: £159
Heat settings: 1 setting, 185°C
Warranty: 2 years
Added extras: Heatproof gloves
Reasons to buy
+ Sleek, slim design Tapered barrel creates waves and curls Cool tip and heat resistant gloves included
Reasons to avoid
- Only one temperature setting
Not only is ghd the name behind some ofthe best hair straightenersin the business, but the brand also makes incredible curling devices. Take the Curve Creative Wand, for instance. This award-winning, best-selling tool can create effortless beachy waves and big, bouncy curls on all hair types and lengths. What sets it apart from other curling wands I tested for this guide is the tapered barrel, which has a wider base for creating looser waves and a narrow end for those tight curls. If you're looking to curlshort hairstyles, I recommend using the narrower end.
Easy to use, this wand works like any other – simply wrap a section of hair around the barrel, hold for a few seconds, before letting go to reveal a bouncy curl. As with thebest ghd straighteners, there’s only one heat setting of 185°C on offer here (the brand’s identified optimum temperature for styling hair). It takes a few seconds for the styler to reach this heat and it will alert you when it's ready for use. While this temperature is high for fine hair, it is monitored by technology that recognises how thick your hair is and adapts the temperature accordingly. Clever!
Best versatile curling wand for fine hair
7. T3 Whirl Trio
Best versatile curling wand for fine hair
Specifications
RRP: £260
Heat settings: 5 settings
Warranty: 2 years
Added extras: Heat resistant glove, 3 interchangeable barrels
Reasons to buy
+ Creates different looks Includes heat resistant glove 5 temperature settings
Reasons to avoid
- Expensive
Love experimenting with different styles? Then say hello to the Whirl Trio styling wand from T3. Complete with three interchangeable barrels, this has everything you need to create countless looks from relaxed waves to bouncy curls. For uniform spiral curls, attach the small straight barrel, or f it’s undone beachy waves that you’re after, go for the tapered barrel. And for full-bodied curls, opt for the large straight barrel. Whichever attachment you choose, I'd note that they all boast a ceramic surface that glides effortlessly through hair, smoothing frizz and boosting shine.
When styling fine hair, I went for the tapered barrel and used the second heat setting (there are five in total). This combination was ideal for adding texture to fine hair along with relaxed, tousled waves. Overall, I found the design is user-friendly (albeit a little chunkier than other curling wands) and soon got to grips with using the different attachments. And while it is expensive, it’s essentially a three-in-one tool that allows you to streamline your hair styling kit. If you love to mix up your curls, this is a great choice for you.
How the woman&home team tested the best curling wands for fine hair
To whittle down an edit of the best curling wands for fine hair, our tester tried several top-rated tools, learninghow to curl hairusing various barrel sizes and shapes. Ranging in price point, each tool was rated on ease of use, design, number of settings and results. Each curling wand was tried a separate day, styling hair in the morning to see how well the curls lasted over the day. Those that ranked highly and delivered long-lasting results are featured in our edit below.
FAQs
How to choose the best curling wand for fine hair
There are several factors to consider when choosing the best curling wand for fine hair, as the experts outline below:
- Temperature settings: Go for a tool with adjustable temperature settings as fine hair is more susceptible to heat damage. "Always try to curl fine hair with the lowest temperature setting," says Paul Percival, celebrity hairstylist and founder of . "If you don't feel that it's curling enough or holding long enough then go up a setting."
- Barrel size: Consider what type of curl you're after when choosing the barrel size. "If you want to have super curly hair, obviously you need a really small wand or tong," says Percival. "If, on the other hand, you want a loose curl then go for a bigger barrel. I personally would go for a mid-size if you're not sure."
- Material: Most curling wands are made with ceramic barrels that spread heat evenly and are good for fine hair. Titanium wands are better for thicker hair while tourmaline is a good option for damaged or frizz-prone hair as it emits negative ions that can help eliminate frizz.
Paul Percival
Paul Percival is a celebrity hairstylist whose famous clients have included Kylie Minogue and The Spice Girls. He is also the founder of haircare brand and salon Percy & Reed, as well as global ambassador for BaByliss and BaByliss Pro.