The 6 Best Rotating Curling Irons for Voluminous and Bouncy Curls
Once you go rotating, you'll never go back.
As a girl with long and thick hair (warning: I’m not complaining!) my hair routine is pretty much akin to executing a full hour-long production. And since I’m someone who isn’t super skilled with traditional hair tools like blow dryers or curling irons, I often resort to multi-stylers like the Dyson Airwrap to do the heavy lifting for me. That is, until I discovered the ease and beauty of a rotating curling iron.
A rotating curling iron is essentially the same tool as a classic curling iron or wand, just with a barrel that self-rotates at the push of a button to do the work for you. No more questioning which direction to curl in, how much heat to use, or enduring wrist cramping. Some of these hot tools also have timer features and multiple temperature settings so you can get even curls every single time (that last all day, might I add).
To help get those coveted effortless waves and curls, I found all the best rotating curling irons on the market, and got some tips from expert celebrity hairstylist Priscilla Valles to help you get the perfect curls. Ahead, all the best rotating curling irons for long-lasting waves and volume.
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
- 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.
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
- The encasement prevents burning your fingers
- Often on sale
- You can customize everything down to the tightness of your curls
Cons
- Takes small sections at a time
This is probably the most foolproof rotating curling iron 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 the curl. You can choose your desired direction of curl and temperature, but most impressively, you can set how tight you want your curls to be: defined, wavy, or loose.
Features at a Glance
| Temperature Settings | 5 |
| Barrel Size | .75", 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:
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?
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.
Olivia Truffaut-Wong is an editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers beauty, entertainment, and lifestyle. She loves finding and testing the best skincare products to recommend, like the best tinted sunscreens, and is always researching the best cat accessories for her fur baby. She has over 10 years of experience as an entertainment and culture writer and editor, and her work has been featured in The Cut, Refinery29, Teen Vogue, Polygon, Bustle, and more.
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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