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Our TOP Pick
Babyliss pro-Nano Titanium Spring Curling Iron
The BaBylissPRO Titanium Curling Iron is perfect for those with coarse or thick hair, including kinky or tight curls. Featuring 50 heat settings and Turbo Heat, this iron offers excellent heat control for styling.
Hair has always been a great source of pride for women worldwide. Especially for black women, our hair is our natural crown.
But as much as you may love your natural curls, some days (or nights) call for something extra. Whether that extra is in the form of big, bouncy curls or beachy waves, you’ll need a trusty curling iron.
Not all curling irons are equally created, though. If you want gorgeous curls without sacrificing the condition of your natural hair, you’ll need the best. So what exactly is the best choice?
Sifting through all the curling irons available online is a long, hard job. Thankfully, we did all the legwork for you! Check our list below for the top 13 best curling irons for black hair.
Whether you have natural, relaxed, curly, fine, damaged, or coarse hair, we guarantee you’ll find a suitable curling iron here.
1. Babyliss pro-Nano Titanium Spring Curling Iron — Best Curling Iron for Frizzy Hair
What we like
- Long 8-foot fabric-wrapped swivel cord
- Up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit heat settings
- Instant heat boost with Turbo Heat
What we dislike
- It can get too hot to touch
- Not ideal for fine hair
If you have coarse or thick hair, then you’ll love this titanium curling iron from BaBylissPRO.
This is also a highly recommended curling iron for anyone with naturally kinky hair or tight curls.
The 50 heat settings and Turbo Heat give you excellent heat control. Meanwhile, the negative ion technology — thanks to the combination of titanium and ceramic — means you get shiny, smooth curls.
2. T3 Curl ID 1.25″ Smart Curling Iron With Interactive Touch Interface — Best Curling Iron for Personalized Heat Settings
What we like
- Easy to use
- Holds curls well
- Personalized HeatID profile
What we dislike
- The oddly-placed power button may be pressed accidentally
If you’re particular about your hair’s heat settings, this smart curling iron is perfect for you. You can set up a personalized HeatID profile to match your hair needs for healthier, less damaged hair.
Its 1.25-inch barrel is perfect for creating gorgeous beach waves and both looser and voluminous curls. Fans of this curling iron have compared the curl quality it gives to the Marcel iron many hair experts use.
Even better, it has a ceramic barrel that eliminates frizziness, gives your hair extra shine, and helps protect it from heat damage.
3. GHD Classic 1 Inch Curling Iron — Best 1 Inch Ceramic Curling Iron
What we like
- Consistent heat for fast curls
- Automatic sleep mode after 30 minutes
- Suits all hair types
What we dislike
- Only heats up to 365 degrees Fahrenheit (185 degrees Celsius)
If you prefer a smaller barrel for tighter curls, check out this one-inch curling iron from GHD. A favorite among many professional hairstylists, this curling iron heats up fast and uniformly throughout the barrel for consistent curls.
This makes it an excellent curler for shorter hair, too. Another notable feature is the iron’s long, professional-length swivel cord, which means you don’t have to worry about getting all tangled up while styling your hair.
4. Conair Double Ceramic 1-Inch Curling Iron — A Budget Curler for Natural-looking Curls
What we like
- Heats quickly up to 375 degrees Fahrenheit
- 30 heat settings for every hair type
- Anti-frizz control
- Dual voltage
What we dislike
- The length of the ceramic barrel is not ideal for long hair
If you’re a big fan of styling your hair into Hollywood-ready glam curls, classic curls, and other types of beautiful curls or waves — without breaking the bank — then you can’t go wrong with this Conair curling iron.
Its ceramic barrel means fewer worries about heat damage, while the wide temperature range, from high to low heat settings, means you’ll get exactly what your hair needs so it’s shiny, healthy, and holds your curls.
It also has a cooled tip which means you don’t have to worry about accidentally burning your fingertips. Another great ea se-of-use feature it has is its recessed power button.
This means you don’t need to worry as much about accidentally pressing the power mid-curl.
5. Harry Josh Pro Tools Travel Curling Iron — Easy To Carry Curling Irons
What we like
- Lightweight and compact
- Ideal for short hair and travel
- Customizable heat settings
What we dislike
- Very short barrel
- No travel case
Some hotels supply hair styling tools, but curling tools aren’t usually guaranteed. However, if you’re a fashionable jet setter, you should invest in this curling iron from Harry Josh Pro Tools.
It’s lightweight, compact, heats well, and has a swivel cord. It even has customizable heat settings! It can heat up to 425 degrees Fahrenheit, perfect for thicker hair.
Meanwhile, its ceramic and tourmaline barrel emits negative ions to help smooth frizzy hair and protect hair from heat damage.
6. Beachwaver S1 Rotating Curling Iron — Best Curling Iron for Black Hair
What we like
- The rotating barrel makes curling easier
- Works on all hair types
- Dual voltage
What we dislike
- It might take some getting used to after using a straight barrel
With just its name, you know what this curling iron is perfect for — gorgeous beachy waves! The rotating barrel doesn’t just make curling easier, it also helps produce natural loose curls and relaxed waves.
If you want to look like you didn’t just spend 30 minutes curling your hair, then you need to try out this curling iron.
Between the rotating barrel and ergonomic grip, you don’t need to strain yourself while styling your hair. The Beachwaver makes for a great travel companion, too, thanks to being dual voltage.
7. Whirl Trio Interchangeable Styling Wand Set — Best Curling Wand for Black Hair
What we like
- It comes with a heat-resistant glove
- Ideal for all hair types
- Suitable for all curl styles
What we dislike
- Premium price tag
- No clip can make it harder to roll hair
If you need help deciding what kind of curl you want, having plenty of options is the way. That way, you can try it out and see whether it’s a day for tight curls. The Whirl Trio with three wand attachments makes all that possible.
The big half-inch barrel is excellent for classic curls and knockout waves, while the narrow and tapered barrels are excellent for spiral curls or loose waves. Of course, the smaller barrels are also great for short and medium hair!
This high-performing curling wand is easy to use and convenient for travel. In addition, since you can detach the barrels, the overall length can be cut down in half for easy storage.
8. Dyson Airwrap Multi-Styler Complete — Best Curling Iron for Styling Without Extreme Heat
What we like
- Rotating barrel and excellent tip
- Coanda effect for smoothing and drying hair
- No need to use extreme heat
- Works with all hair types
What we dislike
- Highly expensive
- No barrel clips
Who doesn’t love or dream of owning their own Dyson Airwrap? This curling tool takes all the awards when it comes to shiny and healthy-looking curls. Best of all, it comes with not just a curler attachment but a variety of other tools — perfect for trying out all kinds of kinks and styles.
This innovative hair curling tool not only uses heat but also enhances Coanda airflow. This means you can curl your hair at a lower temperature without worrying about the curl lifespan.
Best of all, you can quickly dry and smooth your hair simultaneously!
9. Ohuhu 5-In-1 Curling Iron Wand Set — Best Product for Giving Volume To Short Hair
What we like
- Reasonable price
- Variety of possible hairstyles
- Easy-to-use and easy-to-change wand attachments
What we dislike
- No storage bag
- No barrel clamp
The Ohuhu 5-in-1 curling iron is a must-have for adventurous gals who love trying every hairstyle possible. The wands come not just in different designs but also in various sizes.
This means this handy set lets you do everything, whether old Hollywood glam curls, beachy waves, corkscrew curls, or even large, natural-looking ones.
It also comes with a heat-resistant glove, so you don’t have to burn yourself while experimenting with your hair.
10. Bio Ionic Long Barrel Curling Iron — A Product To Give Waves to Long Hair
What we like
- Fast heating
- Reaches up to 430 degrees Fahrenheit
- Cool touch grip on top to prevent singeing fingertips
What we dislike
- Some users report that the clamp fails to grip hair well
This curling iron from Bio Ionic is a top favorite among experts, professionals, and home stylists. It’s also a hit among novice curlers thanks to its user-friendly design.
The straight barrel is easy to work with, even though it’s two inches longer than the average curling iron. This makes this iron perfect for women styling long hair lengths, as it lets you style the back of your head without much strain.
Since it’s made with a ceramic mineral complex and has a Nanonioc MX and Bio Ionic Moisturizing Heat™ Technology, your hair stays moisturized for longer curl life and a lot of bounce.
11. Hot Tools Pro Artist 24K Gold Extra Long Curling Iron — Best Curling Iron for Handling High Heat
What we like
- Extra-long barrel perfect for longer hair
- Handles up to 430 degrees Fahrenheit
- It comes in smaller barrel sizes
What we dislike
- A long barrel can be hard to get used to at first
A gold curling iron offers more than just an aesthetically pleasing addition to your vanity — it also gives impressive curls. In addition, gold can easily handle incredibly high temperatures, which is essential for thick, coarse black hair.
What makes this 24K gold curling iron from Hot Tools better is the heat-sense technology which eliminates the one downside to gold curling irons: hot spots on the barrel. Thanks to this technology, all hot defects are automatically corrected to ensure your hair is evenly heated and curled.
We also love how this comes in a wide variety of barrel sizes, so you can style any way you want — from tighter corkscrew curls and spiral curls to bombshell waves.
12. BIO IONIC Long Barrel Styler — Provides Durable Volume for Limp Locks
What we like
- Longer barrel perfect for long hair
- Negative ions for shiny curls
- Automatic shut off after an hour
What we dislike
- Higher price tag
This elegant curling iron may have a premium price tag, but it’s well worth it — especially if you have limp and fine hair. The ceramic iron barrel is gentle on even heat-damaged hair and gives it a great shine.
The exceptional temperature control and varied heat settings also provide protection when styling fine, thin hair. Best of all, the even heat distribution ensures your hair holds its curls even with just one pass.
The long barrel makes this curling iron a must-have for you if you have extra-long hair.
13. Infiniti Pro by Conair Rainbow Titanium — Best Curling Iron for a Quick Professional Look
What we like
- 20 heat settings
- Heats up to 400 degrees
- Eye-catching rainbow color
What we dislike
- Only available with a 1-inch barrel
- Expensive price tag
We saved the best for last in this list. This curling iron from INFINITI PRO is one of the best we’ve ever seen. It combines all three ideal curling iron materials: a titanium barrel coating and a combo of ceramic and tourmaline core.
This means it can quickly heat up, and you don’t have to worry about any inconsistencies in heat distribution. You don’t have to worry about frizz or using the wrong type of curling iron for your hair type either — the multi-material barrel means it works well on both fine and thick hair.
The Bottom Line
There are dozens of excellent curling irons for black hair — all of which do the job beautifully, whether you have kinky or relaxed hair. But if you want the best curling iron, what you want or need is the essential factor to consider.
What kind of look do you want? How big do you want your curls? Do you need a curling iron or a convenient multi-tool for any occasion?
Do you have fine hair that needs extra damage protection? Or do you have more resilient, coarse hair?
Your answer to these questions will decide which curling iron is best for you. After that, all you need to do is refer to our handy list, and you’ll soon have the perfect curls (and healthy hair) you’ve been dreaming of!
our #1 choice
Babyliss pro-Nano Titanium Spring Curling Iron
If you have coarse or thick hair, including kinky or tight curls, the BaBylissPRO Titanium Curling Iron is the ideal choice for you. Don’t hesitate to invest in this amazing curling iron and elevate your hair game!
Frequently Asked Questions
How hot should a curling iron be for African American hair?
Generally, low to mid-range temperatures (280 to 350 degrees Fahrenheit) will curl relaxed African American hair beautifully. For black girls rocking natural hair, you’ll need to crank the heat up to around 300 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
What is the best curling iron for naturally curly hair?
It depends on the texture of your naturally curly hair. If your hair strands are coarse, thick, or kinky, a titanium curling iron is recommended. If your hair strands are fine, prone to heat damage, or curl easily, go for a ceramic curling iron instead.
What type of curling iron is least damaging?
In general, ceramic curling irons are the best if you’re worried about hair damage. Ceramic irons are excellent for naturally curly, fine, sensitive or damage-prone, and thin hair.
Tourmaline is another great curling iron alternative. Both materials trap moisture, which helps protect hair from heat damage and gives it a great shine.
