Best Automatic Curling Iron 2024

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Using a traditional curling iron can often be challenging, especially if you haven’t mastered the right technique. You can practice with your curling iron off all you like, but sooner or later, you’ll have to turn on the heat, and any mistakes you make at that point can potentially damage your hair until it grows back out.

Understandably, this makes curling irons pretty daunting to use, and it may seem like it will sometimes be impossible to get comfortable with them. If you’re one of those people who just can’t trust yourself with a curling iron, we understand your struggle. That’s why we’ve put together this review guide on the best automatic curling irons on the market.

We’re going to explore some of the top auto curling irons available, including our best overall choice, a runner up, and the top budget pick.

Without delaying any further, let’s jump straight into our top five.We’ll start with the Best Automatic Curling Iron, the T3 Twirl Trio.


Contents

Best Automatic Curling Iron

Preview
Top Choice!
T3 Twirl Trio Interchangeable Custom Blend Ceramic Three Barrel Professional Curling Iron Set for Endless Styling Possibilities, 1.5" Clip Barrels, White, 3 count (Pack of 1)
Runner-Up
Conair Unbound Cordless Auto Curler - Rechargeable Auto Curler For Curls or Waves
Budget Pick
KISS Instawave Deluxe Automatic Rotating Curling Iron, Patented Automotic Spinner, 2-Way Rotation, 1” Ceramic Ionic Wand, Dual Heat Settings, 420° Max Temperature, Black & White
Name
T3 Twirl
Conair Unbound
Kiss Instawave
Price on Amazon
Price not available
$69.99
$49.99
Top Choice!
Preview
T3 Twirl Trio Interchangeable Custom Blend Ceramic Three Barrel Professional Curling Iron Set for Endless Styling Possibilities, 1.5" Clip Barrels, White, 3 count (Pack of 1)
Name
T3 Twirl
Price on Amazon
Price not available
View on Amazon
Runner-Up
Preview
Conair Unbound Cordless Auto Curler - Rechargeable Auto Curler For Curls or Waves
Name
Conair Unbound
Price on Amazon
$69.99
View on Amazon
Budget Pick
Preview
KISS Instawave Deluxe Automatic Rotating Curling Iron, Patented Automotic Spinner, 2-Way Rotation, 1” Ceramic Ionic Wand, Dual Heat Settings, 420° Max Temperature, Black & White
Name
Kiss Instawave
Price on Amazon
$49.99
View on Amazon

Our Top Pick: T3 Twirl Trio Interchangeable Automatic Curling Iron

T3 Twirl Trio Interchangeable Automatic Curling Iron

Key Points at a Glance

  • Equipped with three interchangeable barrels: 1-inch, 1.25-inch, and 1.5-inch
  • T3 SinglePass technology continuously takes temperature readings to maintain consistency
  • Five heat settings between 260 and 410 degrees F
  • Automatically switches voltage for use while traveling
  • Automatically shuts off after one hour for improved safety

The Details

T3 Twirl Trio Interchangeable Automatic Curling Iron

The hands-down best automatic curling iron on this list is also the most expensive, so it may not be for everyone. But there’s no doubting that it’s the most versatile and best-performing option available.

The T3 Twirl Trio is equipped with interchangeable curling barrels, and it comes included with three separate sizes for a variety of curl types.

T3 is an outstanding premium beauty product brand. We love many of their products, including the T3 Cura Hair Dryer, which we reviewed here.

Along with the three barrels that come included with the Twirl Trio, T3 sells optional barrels in other sizes, allowing you to customize the automatic curling iron to your heart’s content. This allows you to create tight, classic curls without compromising your ability to transform your hair into wide, sweeping waves.

T3 Twirl Trio Interchangeable Automatic Curling Iron

Another thing that impressed us about the Twirl Trio is that it features digital SinglePass tech, which measures the temperature of each part of the barrel to ensure that it’s consistent. This can help prevent you from burning your hair, as it actively prevents hot spots from appearing at any point on the barrel.

The barrels themselves are made of a custom ceramic blend designed to create negative ions that counteract the frizzing that you may have come to expect from curling irons. Further improving the Twirl Trio’s versatility is the choice of five heat settings so that you can optimize your curls based on your hair type.

This auto curling iron features a 9-foot cord that swivels 360 degrees, ensuring that you can easily maneuver it around your head without worrying about tangling the cable, and it even comes included with a soft storage case.

Unfortunately, the Twirl Trio’s professional-level performance is matched by its professional price point.

T3 Twirl Trio Interchangeable Custom Blend Ceramic Three Barrel Professional Curling Iron Set for Endless Styling Possibilities, 1.5" Clip Barrels, White, 3 count (Pack of 1)
  • 1” Clip Barrel: Classic defined curls,...
  • 1 ¼” Clip Barrel: Full, glamorous curls;...
  • 1 ½” Clip Barrel: Big and bouncy curls;...
  • Digital T3 SinglePass Technology: Ensures even,...
  • Custom Blend Ceramic Barrels: Custom blend ceramic...


Our Runner Up: Conair Unbound Cordless Automatic Curling Iron

Conair Unbound Cordless Automatic Curling Iron

Key Points at a Glance

  • Features up to 60 minutes of battery life
  • Can create left curls, right curls, or mixed curls
  • Equipped with anti-tangle protection
  • Features a max temperature of 400 degrees F
  • Shuts off after 15 minutes of idling
  • LCD screen displays temperature and timer

The Details

Conair Unbound Cordless Automatic Curling Iron

If you’re looking for something a little more affordable than the T3 Twirl Trio, but you don’t want to compromise your auto curler’s performance, then you’ll likely appreciate the Conair Unbound auto curling iron. As the name suggests, the Conair Unbound is a cordless curling iron that is as portable and maneuverable as they get.

Using this auto curler is easy for anyone to get used to. All you have to do is insert your hair into the device, hold down the start button, and then remove the section of hair from the curler and repeat. With a high-capacity battery, this curler can run for about an hour before needing to be recharged, giving you plenty of time to curl your hair.

Conair Unbound Cordless Automatic Curling Iron

The LCD screen on the Conair unbound lets you see the temperature and timer settings at a glance, and they can easily be adjusted using the controls both above and below the screen. While the charge time depends on the kind of charger you’re using, charging this curler with the included cord will take a few hours each time.

To improve this curler’s safety, Conair has also included an auto-shutoff feature that will turn off the curler after 15 minutes of inactivity. Keep in mind that this auto curler has a relatively small chamber, so users with longer hair will have to curl smaller sections of their hair at a time, making the curling process a bit longer.

Sale
Conair Unbound Cordless Auto Curler - Rechargeable Auto Curler For Curls or Waves
  • Cordless Auto Curler: Create beautiful curls &...
  • Professional Curl: Reach 400°F highest heat for...
  • Sleek Curler: This curler has a LCD digital...
  • On The Go Styling: Easily fits in your handbag or...
  • Innovative Styling Tools: From curling irons and...


Best Budget: Kiss Products Instawave Automatic Curling Iron

Kiss Products Instawave Automatic Curling Iron

Key Points at a Glance

  • Ionic technology helps reduce frizzing when curling your hair
  • Prongs help detangle your hair as you curl it
  • The heat source is far from the handle so you won’t need a heat glove
  • Equipped with two temperature options and a max temperature of 420 degrees F
  • Automatically shuts down after 90 minutes
  • Features a two-year warranty

The Details

Kiss Products Instawave Automatic Curling Iron

The Instawave from Kiss Products is our top budget pick because of its excellent value for money and great performance when compared to cheaper automatic curling irons. While this may not be the cheapest auto curling iron you’ll find available, it offers the best compromise between quality and price.

The six-prong design of the Instawave helps to ensure that your hair doesn’t end up tangling as you curl it, which can result in it getting stuck on the curler and potentially burning. Keep in mind that this auto curling iron isn’t enclosed, so you’ll have to be a little more careful when you handle it to ensure that you don’t burn yourself.

The ceramic barrel features ionic tech that helps keep your hair from frizzing up when you curl it, and you don’t always see this feature on more affordable curling irons, so we were impressed. The heating elements on this curler are also positioned far away from the handle to ensure that you won’t have to use a heat-resistant glove when you curl your hair.

While many affordable curling irons are relatively unreliable, Kiss Products believes in the quality of their curlers, and this model is no exception. The Instawave comes included with a two-year warranty, so if you end up having any issues that are due to faulty construction, Kiss Products will repair or replace your curler.

KISS Instawave Deluxe Automatic Rotating Curling Iron, Patented Automotic Spinner, 2-Way Rotation, 1” Ceramic Ionic Wand, Dual Heat Settings, 420° Max Temperature, Black & White
  • Kiss Ceramic Instawave automatic hair curler is...
  • Patented Curl Dial has ridges/prongs that act as...
  • The ceramic ionic technology fosters healthy,...
  • Your hands are never near the hot iron so there is...
  • Kiss automatic hair curler has two heat settings...


Best Semi-Enclosed: CHI Spin N Curl Automatic Curling Iron

CHI Spin N Curl Automatic Curling Iron

Key Points at a Glance

  • Available in five colors: red, rose gold, black, mint green, and white
  • Dual voltage functionality for travelers
  • Auto shutoff after one hour
  • Prevents hair from tangling while you curl
  • Digital timer and temperature display
  • Semi-enclosed design isolates you from the hot parts

The Details

CHI Spin N Curl Automatic Curling Iron

If you’re looking for the best of both worlds between an enclosed and open curling iron, CHI’s Spin N Curl is the best semi-enclosed automatic curling iron that we’ve come across. The semi-enclosed design makes this curling iron perfect for users with longer hair who may wish to curl larger sections of their hair at a time.

The one-inch ceramic barrel allows you to create a variety of curls and waves based on the technique that you use, and the two buttons allow you to alter the direction of the curls that you create. There are four more buttons on the other side of this curler, including a power button, mode button, and + and – buttons to adjust the temperature or curl timer.

A lot of this curling iron’s functionality is automated, too, including the auto-switching voltage that will adapt to the country that you’re in, making this the perfect automatic curler for frequent travelers. You can also personalize your Spin N Curl since these auto curling irons come available in five different color schemes.

There are also temperature presets that help make the Spin N Curl a bit more of an attractive choice for users who are more inexperienced at curling their hair. They include 370 degrees F for fine hair, 390 degrees F for medium hair, and 410 degrees F for coarse hair.

Sale
CHI Spin N Curl in Onyx Black. Ideal for Shoulder-Length Hair between 6-16” inches.
  • 1” Inch Ceramic Rotating Barrel ideal for...
  • Includes Pre-set Temperatures: Low 370°F for Fine...
  • Includes Adjustable Heat-Up Times: 15 seconds for...
  • Beep Alert / Auto Temperature Lock / 1 Hour...
  • Directional Buttons / Tangle Protection / 9ft....


Best Cheap Cordless: WGP Cordless Hair Curler

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Key Points at a Glance

  • Supports temperatures between 320 and 390 degrees F
  • Takes 60 seconds to warm up to 320 degrees F
  • Adjustable timer ranges from 6 seconds to 14 seconds
  • The 5000 mAh battery allows this model to run for 60 minutes before charging
  • Auto shutoff after 10 minutes of inactivity

The Details

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If you’re in the market for a more affordable cordless auto curler than the Conair Unbound that we looked at earlier in this guide, WGP has you covered with this model. The Cordless Hair Curler may not have the most creative name, but who needs a catchy name when this model combines value for money and great performance?

Starting off with the attractive satin red housing, this is one of the better-looking auto curling irons on this list. The WGP curler is equipped with a 5000 mAh battery that’s designed to run for about 60 minutes per charge, giving you enough time to finish curling even longer hair, and it can recharge after a few hours using the included charger.

To prevent your hair from tangling, the Cordless Hair Curler has a sensor that detects how much hair you insert into it and automatically reverses the curling action if you insert too much hair. This prevents your hair from getting tangled up and burned if you’re in a rush and you mistakenly insert too large of a section of hair.

The Cordless Hair Curler allows you to adjust the temperature from 320 to 390 degrees F, depending on your style of hair, and the curling timer can vary from 6 to 14 seconds. For charging, the Cordless Hair Curler uses a USB Type-C cord for improved charging speed and compatibility with the latest devices.

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Automatic Curling Iron Buyer’s Guide

Automatic curling irons are an excellent choice for users who don’t have a lot of experience curling their own hair. Their automated design makes these curling irons great for clumsier users who may end up burning themselves or their hair while using a flat iron to to create curls or waves. See our article on flat irons vs curling irons for more information.

A product like this makes it easier to switch up your hairstyle on the fly. And auto curling irons can often speed up the process of creating curls.

If you typically feel pressed for time when you’re styling your hair, an automatic curling iron can make it easier to keep up with your hair care routine without sacrificing other parts of your day.

Important Features to Consider 

The Barrel

The barrel of your curling iron is the part that will be physically curling your hair, so it’s important for the barrel to be made of the right materials and to feature consistent heating. Many auto hair curlers are equipped with temperature sensors throughout the length of the barrel to help counter hot spots and cold spots.

Most curler barrels are made out of either ceramic or titanium, and they are often treated with additives to reduce the amount of friction between the barrel and your hair, ensuring that your hair won’t get jammed or stuck.

Corded or Cordless

While cordless automatic curling irons are as maneuverable as possible, making them easier to handle, they’ll also limit you based on their battery size. If you have particularly long hair, you may wish to opt for a wired auto curling iron that you can use for as long as you need at the expense of maneuverability.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between an open and enclosed automatic curling iron?

Open auto curling irons are better at fitting larger sections of hair, making them ideal for users with longer hair. On the other hand, an enclosed curling iron will be a little slower to use but will further insulate you from the temperature, ensuring that you don’t have to use a heat-resistant glove.

What’s the difference between curling your hair at high temperatures and low temperatures?

Low temperatures are best reserved for finer hair follicles that are too delicate to curl at high temperatures. On the other hand, you should curl your hair at higher temperatures if you have particularly thick or coarse hair.


Other Products We Looked At:

MELOPHY Cordless Hair Curler

MELOPHY Cordless Hair Curler

The MELOPHY Cordless Hair Curler didn’t quite make it to our top five because of the similarities it shares with the WGP hair curler. In spite of this, we still thought that it deserved an honorable mention because of a few key differences between this hair curler and its counterpart made by WGP.

The most notable differences include a slightly lower minimum temperature, making the MELOPHY model more suitable for people with extra-fine hair. Just like the WGP curler, this model is designed to detect when you put too large of a section of hair into it, and it reverses the curling motion to prevent tangling.

The ceramic and tourmaline barrel in this hair curler is designed to ensure that your hair doesn’t get stuck or frizz up while you’re curling it. The MELOPHY auto curler is also designed to be easy to use, even for absolute beginners, because of its three-button interface layout coupled with an LCD screen.

Key Points at a Glance

  • Supports temperatures between 300 and 390 degrees F
  • Timer runs between 8 and 18 seconds
  • Simple, three-button design for ease of use

Lazultop Cordless Hair Curler

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The Lazultop Cordless Hair Curler features an attractive satin pink and silver housing, but it otherwise doesn’t have too many differences when compared to the MELOPHY model that we just looked at. One of the most significant differences between this auto hair curler and the last one is that this one has a slightly more affordable price point.

Like with most hair curlers of its size and price, the Lazultop curler uses a 5000 mAh battery that can run for between 45 and 60 minutes, depending on your temperature setting. When you need to recharge this curler, you can expect to wait about three hours for it to be ready to use once again.

This model also produces negative ions that help cut down on the frizziness of your hair after you’re done curling it. As with most other wireless hair curlers, we were also impressed by the portability and maneuverability of the Lazultop hair curler, as you can hold it in any orientation without having to worry about the cord getting in the way.

Key Points at a Glance

  • The 5000 mAh battery can run for between 45 and 60 minutes before needing to be recharged
  • Takes 3 to 4 hours to charge fully using the included charger
  • Negative ion generator helps reduce hair frizzing

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YAPOY Unbound Hair Curler

YAPOY Unbound Hair Curler

Up next, we’re taking a look at the YAPOY Unbound Hair Curler, which features a ceramic and tourmaline curling barrel that is designed to glide through your hair effortlessly without the risk of it getting stuck. This is coupled with a nano-silver coating that helps improve the performance of the barrel even further.

The inner surfaces of this curler have also been treated with an anti-rust coating that will ensure that it doesn’t end up grinding to a halt because of a build-up of moisture in the interior. The outer housing is designed with thermally-insulated materials so that you won’t have to worry about burning your hand on the curler after using it for an extended time.

To improve the safety of this auto hair curler, YAPOY has included a 10-minute auto-shutdown feature that will kick in only if the device is left inactive. Along with making the YAPOY Unbound Hair Curler safer, this feature will help preserve its battery life.

Key Points at a Glance

  • Features six temperature options and five timer settings
  • Uses a smart sensor to stop the curler if the section of hair doesn’t fit
  • USB charger for added convenience

Salon Tech Spinstyle Pro Automatic Curling Iron

Salon Tech Spinstyle Pro Automatic Curling Iron

The final auto hair curler that we’re going to look at today is the Salon Tech Spinstyle Pro, which was an excellent product but sadly didn’t fit into any of our top five categories. However, we felt that this product deserved an honorable mention in our guide, and here it is.

The Spinstyle Pro features a midrange price point coupled with an open-barrel design that makes it easier to use and ensures that your hair is harder to tangle up in it. This user-friendly auto hair curler is a great choice for beginners who are still wary of enclosed auto hair curlers that they feel their hair can get stuck in.

This also makes the Spinstyle Pro an ideal choice for users with longer hair that may take too long to curl with an enclosed auto hair curler. With a temperature range of between 250 and 450 degrees F, you can rest assured that this curling iron can support a wide variety of hair types, making it an ideal choice for larger households where curling irons may be shared.

Key Points at a Glance

  • Temperature ranges from 250 to 450 degrees F
  • Ergonomic handle for comfortable extended use
  • 9-foot heavy-duty swiveling cord

Conclusion

There are plenty of excellent automatic curling irons available for a wide range of prices, and we’ve covered some of the best throughout this guide. If you’re trying to create top-quality curls and waves with minimal effort, any of the nine models we’ve looked at today will be sure to serve you well.

Start your journey with the best automatic curling iron, by T3, and go from there. Good luck, and here’s to beautiful curls!


Written by Kayla Young

Kayla is the founder of LuxeLuminous. She has worked professionally in the tanning industry for years. She has been interested in esthetics since childhood, and has tried every hair, skin, and makeup product ever produced (more or less).