The 6 Best Rotating Curling Irons for Voluminous and Bouncy Curls—No Skills Required
Voluminous curls have never been easier.
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As a beauty editor, I’m slightly embarrassed to admit I cannot use a curling iron for the life of me. Between maneuvering the wand to figure out the right direction each curl should go in, while simultaneously trying to avoid a clamp-induced dent running through every strand, I’ve just never quite mastered the hot tool. And yet I’ve always wanted those bouncy curls I could never quite replicate with a round brush or blow-dry brush.
Now, styling has become a whole lot easier thanks to rotating curling irons. You simply place the hair into the rod or barrel, and press a button to let the tool do all the automatic curling for you. And there are tons of options on the market with different heat settings and wand sizes so that you can customize every curl to your exact liking. Cosmo editors rounded them all up below.
Ahead, the very best rotating curling irons for long-lasting curls.
Pros
- Comes in a variety of barrel sizes and colors
- OG viral rotating curling iron
- Has a cool tip
Cons
- Might tug at the hair, so be careful when placing each section in the clamp
Ah, the rotating curling iron that pretty much kickstarted the entire rotating curling iron movement. Unlike traditional tools, the Beachwaver has an inch-long clamp (instead of one that runs the entire length of the barrel) to prevent unwanted dents and bumps in your hair. Simply place a section of hair into the clamp, and press the arrow button in the direction that you want your curls to fall.
Plus, it comes in a bunch of different colors as well as a variety of barrel sizes so you can choose exactly how loose or defined you want your curls to be.
Features at a Glance
| Temperature Settings | 3 |
| Barrel Size | 1" |
Pros
- Tangle-free
- No clamp necessary
Cons
- Only one temperature setting
While rotating curling irons are all pretty simple to use, this is probably the most foolproof device on this list. All you have to do is place a small section of hair into the top of the barrel, and the iron in the middle will automatically rotate to create a 1-inch curl. It’s also got intelligent technology that avoids tangles so you won’t end up with a knotty curl. Plus, it’s got more than 10,000 five-star Amazon reviews.
Features at a Glance
| Temperature settings | 1 |
| Barrel Size | 1" (also comes in a 1.25") |
Pros
- Avoids heat damage
- Different barrel sizes
- So easy to use
Cons
- On the pricey side, but it includes a bunch of other attachments
The Dyson Airwrap is legendary for many reasons, most notably that it makes curling your hair a breeze—no irons or hot plates necessary. With small and large barrel attachments, the Cosmo award-winning tool uses airflow instead of direct extreme heat to create the voluminous curls. And since the barrels rotate in both directions, you can style your hair all around your head without needing to switch out the attachments. And bonus points for all the other brushes that come with it.
Features at a Glance
| Temperature Settings | 3 (and a cool shot) |
| Barrel Size | 1.2", 1.6" |
Pros
- Available at many retailers
- Has nine different temp settings
Cons
- On the pricier side
The T3 CurlWrap may be pricey, but there's a reason behind it: with 9 different heat settings, 2 rotation speeds, and 2 timer settings, you can customize quite literally every aspect for your personal preferences and hair type.
Celebrity hairstylist Priscilla Valles (who’s behind Kendall Jenner and Dua Lipa’s stunning hair) tells Cosmo that she loves the T3 CurlWrap because of the many heat settings, adding that it "delivers consistent curls from start to finish." If it’s good enough for Kendall Jenner, it’s good enough for me.
Features at a Glance
| Temperature Settings | 9 |
| Barrel Size | 1" or 1.25" |
Pros
- Has an anti-tangle feature
- Beeps when curls are ready
Cons
- Takes some time to get the hang of
This $50 self-rotating curling iron is a favorite of beauty editor-at-large Julee Wilson. “The self-rotating barrel makes it easy to get really uniform, bouncy curls without having to think too hard about technique. I also love the anti-tangle feature—it stops if there’s too much hair, which is a huge plus. It heats up quickly, has adjustable temperature settings, and gives a little alert when the curl is ready. My curls come out smooth and shiny and actually last. And on top of all of that, it’s only $50!”
| Temperature Settings | 5 |
| Barrel Size | 1", 1.25" |
Pros
- Automatic 60-minute shut off
- Small clamp prevents dents
Cons
- Doesn't include different speed settings
If you want gorgeous curls that won’t fall as soon as you leave the house, look no further than this rotating curling iron from L’ange. It’s got a long titanium barrel with four different heat settings, and the arrows allow you to curl whichever way you please, as well as a home button that brings the barrel back to center.
Features at a Glance
| Temperature Settings | 4 |
| Barrel Size | 1.25” |
How to use a rotating curling iron:
Using a rotating curling iron is relatively simple, especially if they're automatic, like all of the options on this lsit. That said, every rotating curling iron is different, so you should read the instructions for your tool before diving in.
When it comes to curling your hair in general, Valles recommends dividing your hair into 4 or 5-inch sections and brushing those sections before using the curling iron (after heat protectant has been applied, of course). Then, simply clamp a section of hair into the iron, and press the arrow button, and the tool will begin curling the hair on its own. "Always curl away from the face and let the curls sit for 15 minutes before brushing them through," Valles advises.
Are rotating curling irons worth it?
Rotating curling irons are both a time saver and a beauty hack for those who might be lacking in the hair skills department, or just beginning a hot hair tools journey. As Valles puts it, "It's an easy-to-use tool that creates amazing curls! They rarely cause any dents or creases."
According to our beauty editors’ experience using both traditional and rotating versions of the tools, we think rotating curling irons are definitely worth it, especially if you have a hard time getting consistent curls with your current tools.
Meet the experts:
Priscilla Valles is a celebrity hairstylist with an expertise in hair extensions. She has works with some of our favorite hair muses including Dua Lipa, Kendall Jenner, Kim Kardashian, and more.
Why trust Cosmo?
Jasmine Hyman is the assistant beauty editor at Cosmopolitan who covers all things hair. From the biggest haircut trends to the most efficient tools, she’s constantly researching and testing all the best hair products.
Jasmine Hyman is the Assistant Beauty Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she writes about the latest beauty trends and must-have products. Her most prized beauty possessions are a meticulous skincare routine and salon blowouts. You’ll also likely find her in bed reading a good book or endlessly scrolling TikTok (spoiler: it’s usually the latter) while listening to Harry Styles’ entire discography on repeat. Follow her on Insta to be inundated with pictures of her meals.
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