The best curling wands for thick hair in 2024, tested by a beauty expert

Finding a curling tool that styles thicker hair particularly well can take some trial and error, but the best curling wands for thick hair will create curly and wavy styles with ease. Those with thick hair will know that using the right tool makes all the difference and, having tested dozens of styling tools over the years, the woman&home team knows which curling tongs are best for styling thicker strands. 

The best curling wand should not only be easy and fuss-free to use but also create enviable curls. However, much like the best hair straighteners for thick hair, it's not always easy to spot which tools will work well with your hair type and yield long-lasting styling that won't drop. Thankfully, a few of our simple tips will help you to pick a curling tong for thick hair that will seriously impress.

"When looking for a curling wand, much of what you consider should depend on your hair length and texture," says Nicole Petty, Hair Expert and Milk + Blush. “You ideally want a curling wand with an adjustable temperature range so you can customise the heat depending on your hair type," she advises. To that end, we've tested a range of hair tongs with various settings and functions to be able to share which ones are truly worth the investment – and the results you can expect in thick hair. 

The quick list: our top 6

The best curling wand for thick overall

You don't need us to tell you that ghd tools are some of the best money can buy. Making some of the best hair straighteners as well as stellar haircare products, this is a brand that really knows how to make a great device. 

We love a lightweight tool that won't put any strain on your arms (those with thick hair know how long it can take to curl a full head, so this is a must) and this curler delivered exactly that. Easy to hold and extremely intuitive to use, this is a tool that would suit absolutely anyone. We also appreciated the cold tip of the wand that makes it easy to hold when styling. Although there is only one heat setting, we found this to be perfect for our thick, frizzy hair, and it saves any fiddling around with buttons and switches. If you want to invest in a high-quality, fuss-free tool that will deliver stellar results every time, you can't go wrong with this.

Best affordable curling wand for thick hair

The Remington PROluxe You Adaptive Wand really impressed us. When testing, we found the wider barrel was perfect for creating long hairstyles and the tool itself was easy to operate, creating gorgeous curls quickly. We were seriously impressed by how well these curls lasted without any hairspray or hair styling products, too – two days after styling our curls were still there, albeit loser, proving that the results hold up in thick hair.

While the StyleAdapt technology is a unique and interesting touch, we thought it didn't feel completely essential and would have been quite happy setting the temperature ourselves. But at this very reasonable price, we really can't complain. It's a great easy option for those who are still figuring out how to curl their hair or what's needed for their hair type. 

Best premium curling wand for thick hair

This is a brand whose hair tools arguably need no introduction as, from the Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer to the Airwrap and newer Dyson Airstrait, you have probably heard a lot about them. But when testing it with this particular guide in mind, we focused on how well it works on thick and frizzy hair, specifically.

Our tester's hair is tricky to manage and requires significant heat to look its best, so we were initially unsure how the Airwrap would perform using air rather than high temperatures (there is no direct heat involved as with a traditional tong, only hot air, though you still need to apply the best heat protection before styling). But after using the curling attachments on our natural, dry hair, we're completely sold. It took a matter of seconds to form each curl and our hair was transformed from dry and frizzy to shiny and smooth with perfectly shaped curls. 

Although this is a pricey tool, the results spoke for themselves, providing optimum curl with minimal effort – something we very rarely encounter in other tools. So, if you have the budget and want something that saves significant time and effort, we think it is worth the splurge. 

See our full Dyson Airwrap review for a detailed guide to this famous tool

Best automatic curling wand for thick hair

This BaByliss tool has come to change the curler game and we are seriously impressed. It works by drawing your hair into the ceramic curl chamber where it heats up the hair, curls it, and stops automatically once the curl is formed. This whole process takes a matter of seconds, and you're left with a stunning wavy hairstyle that required almost no effort to create. 

The large head of this tool, though slightly bulky, is ideal for thick, long hair as it works wonders even on chunky sections. However, for best results, we recommend opting for smaller sections of hair to get the most defined waves. When testing, we found the only downside to be that you have no control over the type of curl this automatic styler creates. However, considering how brilliant the results are, we really don't mind. Plus, it comes with a handy heat-proof mat – something we always approve of. For a tool that will help you master hairstyles for long hair without spending hours in front of a mirror, you can't do much better.

See our full BaByliss Wave Secret Air review for more on this easy curler

Best hydrating curling wand for thick hair

We are huge fans of Revamp tools for our thick and dry hair, as the Progloss range works some serious magic. Small, light and so easy to use, the whole curling process was a breeze. Our curls stayed intact all night long – without any hairspray – and looked just as good the next day after being slept on. 

Though the barrel is short, this posed no problems for our thick and long hair. Each section of hair was thoroughly heated and styled, giving a curl that was neither too tight nor too loose – AKA, what we always aim for. Thanks to the infused oils, we also found that our hair looked smooth and healthy with no need for finishing products, speeding up the process even more. Being a cordless styler with two interchangeable batteries, it is quick and easy to replace one when needed. However, be aware that the batteries do take a few hours to charge, so it's a good idea to make sure you have both ready to go when you want to use this styler. But overall, if you have drier, frizzier hair in need of some extra TLC, we can't recommend this tool enough. 

Best curling wand for thick hair for bouncy curls

It's not easy to find a traditional curling tong that doesn't produce ringlet-style curls with each wrap-around, especially if you are still working out the best curling techniques for your hair. This particular wand comes with a travel case, a heat-proof glove and a heat-proof mat, so all bases are covered for easy transport and usage. With an intuitive design that's extremely easy to navigate, it only takes 60 seconds to heat up and be ready to go.

However, when testing, we did find that those with pin-straight hair will most likely need some finishing products to get the bouncy blow dry look to last. If you have hair that is particularly smooth or struggles to hold styles, be prepared to finish off the look either with rollers or some heavy-duty hairspray. Overall, considering this is one of the most affordable curling tongs for thick hair on this list, it performed extremely well and yielded the type of curl we wanted without any additional effort.

Best curling wand for thick hair for travel

Another stellar tool from BaByliss, this is certainly one of the best curling tongs for thick hair if you like to travel or spend a lot of time out and about and want to be able to take your tool with you. Thanks to its cordless functionality, as well as the handy (and beautiful) travel case it comes with, there really couldn't be a better tool to use for fuss-free styling no matter where you are. When testing, we noticed that this curling wand is slightly shorter than others we've used, however, the thick barrel provided ample room for each strand of hair. It's a little heavy but this doesn't make using it too strenuous – in fact, it gives the curler a luxe feel.

Much like the best hair straighteners for thick hair in terms of ease of use and results, we were seriously impressed by how quickly our curls formed with this tool and how well they held up throughout the day. The only downside is that it does require recharging after about 40 minutes of use on the maximum heat setting, which was fine for us as our hair didn't take very long to style. However, those with very thick and long hair may find that this isn't enough, which is worth bearing in mind.

Best curling wand for thick hair for loose waves

This tool sits somewhere between a straightener and a waver, but due to the gorgeous tousled waves it produces, we felt it was right to include it on this list. With the structure of the best hair straighteners plus a rounded internal clamp, it's easy to get a natural, relaxed wave that lasts, even on thick hair. If you've mastered how to curl hair with straighteners and you're used to this kind of tool, this is a great option that is both less damaging to your hair and also more catered towards curling.

When testing, we found this tool pretty easy to use despite our tester usually struggling to create straightener curls. Simply hold it at a slanted angle, turn it 180° and smooth through the hair in one motion. With a little more practice of the technique, we can see this becoming a go-to multi-use tool, as it's ideal for travel or for creating quick hairstyles. The rounded plate means that the waves form without much effort, while the steam technology and argan oil-infused ceramic promote a healthy, shiny finish, even in the thickest of strands.

Best curling wand for defining thick curly hair

This extra-thin tool behaves in much the same way as the regular ghd Curve tool, except this barrel, is both longer and much thinner. If you already have a curly hairstyle and you're looking to enhance and define your natural texture, this is the perfect touch-up tool that will give kinky and coily hair a gorgeous refresh. It is also ideal for those after a tight ringlet look, or for people who like to begin with tight curls and then let the hair fall naturally for their favorite type of wave.

Easy to use, this curling wand takes just 30 seconds to heat up. It is also extremely fast when it comes to the actual curling, as we found when testing, as it lives up to its claims of being able to set hair in as little as three seconds, even on thick hair. We also love that it has an automatic sleep mode after 60 minutes. A foolproof wand for achieving defined curls extremely quickly, this is definitely our top pick for giving new life to naturally curly and wavy textures. 

How we tested the best curling wands for thick hair

When testing the best curling wands for thick hair, we were on the lookout for several different attributes. We paid close attention to how each tool felt to use, how easy the curlers were to operate, the number of settings and functions available, and perhaps most importantly, the look of our curls and how long they lasted. All of these picks lived up to our expectations, so you can be sure that they are deserving of a place in your hair tools collection.

How to choose the best curling wand for thick hair

Choosing the best curling wand for thick hair can take some thorough research, but these top tips will make shopping a breeze:

• Look at the barrel type: "There are many different sizes and shapes that can help you achieve different looks, whether that's a large barrel for loose and glamorous waves or a small barrel for tighter curls," says Tyler Moore, Expert Stylist at Live True London.
• Pay attention to barrel size: "Generally speaking, a 1-inch curling wand is the best all-rounder and can work for most lengths and textures," says Petty. This size is especially good for thick hair.
• Assess the type of wand: "We tend to recommend ceramic for finer or more damaged hair types that can't handle higher temperatures, and tourmaline for thicker hair that is prone to frizz, as this emits negative ions to counteract this," says Moore.
• Consider temperature controls: "We also recommend shopping for a curling wand that allows you to control the temperature with a degree setting, allowing you to have more control," says Moore. This is especially important for damaged hair types.
• Look at additional extras: "Curling wands with an automatic shut-off option are great, so you don’t spend the day wondering if you remembered to turn them off," says Petty. “Rotating barrels make the curling process easier, and some wands come with interchangeable barrels, so you can create different curl types without having to splash out on different gadgets."

Tyler Moore

Tyler Moore is an experienced hair stylist working for Live True salons in London. 

How can I keep my hair healthy when using a curling wand?

"Always, always use heat protection!" says Moore. "No matter how you heat style your hair, this is the most vital step. We also recommend looking for a barrel material that is suited for your hair, and not styling too hot. As a rule for damaged, fine or colored hair, go no hotter than 150 degrees Celsius. For healthy or medium thickness hair, 150-190 degrees, and for coarse or thick hair, a maximum of 175-230 degrees."

On top of this, Petty recommends you "invest in heat protector creams and sprays, which are made to protect your hair from the heat of dryers and curling wands." This is the key to ensuring hair sustains as little damage as possible. “To protect your hair while styling, work quickly," she continues. "If you are using a curling wand, try not to use it for more than three or four seconds per section."

Finally, Petty also emphasises the importance of nourishing and reparative products: "Invest in good aftercare like hair oils and the best hair masks that are designed to repair any damage, which might be caused by overuse or too much heat."

Why won't my thick hair hold curls and how can I fix it?

"One of the main reasons [a curl doesn't hold] is usually because the curling wands are not hot enough when used," Petty explains. "Thick hair usually needs higher temperatures, ranging from 350 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit to set the curls." Moore agrees: "If your hair won't hold curls, try styling your hair on a higher degree setting until you find a temperature your hair can tolerate without becoming dry."

Another top tip relates to how you wash your hair, which Petty advises revisiting. “Even if you're already using quality products, you want to ensure you're thoroughly rinsing your hair in the shower, too," she says. "Not properly removing conditioner creates an oily residue, which doesn't react well with heat, and also creates a barrier that stops the heat from activating the hair curl."

Finally, be mindful of touching your hair just after you have finished styling. “If you brush or touch your curls when they are still warm, they lose their curl quickly," says Petty. "This is a challenge if you have longer, thicker hair, which takes more time to cool. Setting the hair with pins or clips until it has fully cooled can be useful here to get your style to hold for longer."

How can I make my curls last longer?

"Prep will be important to make our curls last longer," emphasises Moore, reiterating Petty's comments about allowing the hair to cool. "Clip each curl in place while it cools down to help it set and apply a generous amount of flexible hold hairspray to maintain the style throughout the day."

Petty also recommends styling non-freshly washed hair to get a stronger hold. "For even better results, curl your hair on the second or third day after shampooing. Dirtier hair can hold a curl better. If your hair feels greasy, you can always use a dry shampoo beforehand," she says.