10 Best Flat Irons For Curling Hair At Home

If you like heat styling your hair, a flat iron is one of the most versatile tools you can purchase. With the right flat iron for curling hair, you can go beyond just straightening your hair and achieve beach waves, voluminous curls, or even mermaid hair quickly. But it would be best if you chose the right flat iron for curling hair because not all flat irons are the same. Wide flat irons, or those designed to be used with wet hair, are often not the most practical when you want a curly hairstyle.

If you are looking to buy a flat iron, it's worth investing in the most versatile one possible as it will save you from having to purchase other tools such as a heated curler or a beach wand. We have selected the following flat irons for curling hair at home so you can find one that suits your hair type, length, and styling needs.

Can You Curl Hair With a Flat Iron?

Yes, you can! Forget the hot rollers, the beach wands, and the twisting curling wands that make tight ringlets and spiral curls; if you want a naturally beachy, voluminous curl, a flat iron is the best tool to curl hair. It just requires the proper technique and a bit of practice. Since the straighteners will also smooth your hair as you twist it, you can achieve glossy and bouncy curls simultaneously.

You can curl short and long hair with a flat iron; you need to get the right one. Not all flat irons for curling hair are the same, and the size and shape of the plates will make a huge difference. But if you are after 90s inspired super-model hair, a flat iron is your best friend.

Do You Need a Special Flat Iron To Curl Hair?

Yes, it would be best if you had a particular flat iron to curl hair, but any flat iron for curling hair can also straighten hair. It's all about the shape of the iron. To achieve natural-looking beachy waves, you want to curl your hair around the flat iron plates and glide it like bending a ribbon. A flat iron with curved or beveled edges allows you to curl your hair around the plates without straight edges and angles.

If your flat iron is not shaped for curling, you can still style your hair with s-shaped waves using a pressing technique. You can push the hair through the iron-making an s-wave shape and claim the plates in a stamping manner. But if you want proper curls as opposed to mermaid waves, you will need a curved flat iron.

NITION Pro Tourmaline Ceramic Titanium Hair Straightener For Curling Bleached Hair

A tourmaline hair straightener is an excellent option if you bleach your hair at home because it's more gentle on the hair and distributes the heat evenly for less frizz. This NITION Pro Tourmaline has 1-inch floating ceramic tourmaline plates, reaching 450F. If your hair is dry and damaged, you will love the infused Argan oil plates that help keep your hair healthy and reduce heat damage. The plates are also infused with nano-silver and titanium and will curl your hair in a single pass without snagging.

The design of this flat iron is excellent for curling hair, with rounded angles and a narrow profile to achieve curls as tight as possible without becoming difficult to handle. You can change temperature quickly, and the 360-degree no tangle swivel cord and dual voltage make it a great flat iron for traveling.

It's great for curling long hair with a flat iron because the plates are extra long, which means you can twist your entire strand without moving the plates downwards; this creates even, organic curls and avoids the style looking uneven.

At 9.17 ounces, this is a lightweight flat iron for curling hair that will suit most hair types. It comes with all the accessories you may need, including a protective glove, travel pouch, comb, and hairdressing clips to section your hair.

Remington S5500 Anti-Static Flat Iron For Curling Hair Without Frizz

We have written a more in-depth article with our top Remington flat irons reviews, but the Remington S5500 deserves a special mention among the best flat irons for curling hair. The price is very affordable, as with other Remington flat irons, but it's full of features that make curling hair with a flat iron easy and frizz-free.

The rounded bevels and narrow floating plates are perfect for curling hair without pulling or hair breakage and 50 percent less static. Floating ceramic plates heat up quickly to 410F, good enough for fine and normal wavy hair. If you have coarse hair that requires more heat to keep a curl, you may need another model.

Instead of a straightener, I would call this the flat iron for curling hair. Yes, you can straighten your hair with it, and it will look smooth and great, but where it shines is when you want to achieve tight flat iron curls or a wave because it allows you to tackle small pieces of hair. It's also great if you have short hair, as the plates are narrow enough for short hair to bend around to curl hair.

In terms of features, this flat iron has a digital LCD with six different heat settings and heats up in 30 seconds. It will shut down automatically after a period of no use, which is a great safety feature for the absent-minded. It comes in purple and coral and weighs less than 1 pound, so it's very lightweight and great to use without your arms ending up tired. In fact, at 10.4 ounces, it's probably one of the most lightweight flat irons for curling hair on the market.

INFINITIPRO by CONAIR Tourmaline Ceramic Flat Iron For Curling Hair On A Budget

If you are looking for an affordable flat iron to curl your hair, you can do no wrong with the Infinitipro by Conair.

The ceramic tourmaline plates are great for people with fine hair, as they help keep the hair smooth and reduce frizz. This allows for an even distribution of the heat, which is essential if you wrap your hair around the straightener plates to achieve waves or curls. Thanks to the floating ceramic plates, snagging and kinks are a thing of the past. This flat iron glides through your hair without getting stuck or pulling your strands.

This tool heats up in 15 seconds and has three different sizes: 1-inch, 1.25, and 1.75 inches. You want to choose a larger one if you have thicker hair or lots of it. This will allow you to straighten your hair faster, as you can style bigger bunches of hair in one go. It reaches up to 455F, enough to style any hair from fine to coarse, and has accessible temperature control settings.

With a weight of just one pound for the smaller version, you will be able to use this flat iron for curling hair easily in a variety of hairstyles.

It doesn't feel expensive or as high quality as other, more pricey models. But on the other hand, you can't beat the price, and if you are testing whether you like using a flat iron to curl your hair, this model would be a perfect beginner flat iron, and it's very versatile.

BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Prima Flat Iron For Curling Thick and Coarse Hair

If you like titanium plates, then the BabylissPRO Nano Titanium Prima Flat Iron is our favorite flat iron for curling hair. Titanium plates reach higher temperatures more evenly and work great on hair resistant to straighten or style. For example, this flat iron is also great if you want to achieve a silk press at home.

It incorporates infrared emission technology, which helps even out heat distribution, and an IonMultiplier Technology that disperses negative ions to keep frizzy hair at bay. If your hair gets frizzy or static quickly, this flat iron may fix that for you. Floating plates allow for easy gliding and styling of both curls and waves while keeping the heat distribution even.

In terms of build quality, this flat iron feels like a step up from the Conair INFINITIPRO model above but nearly double the weight at 1.86 pounds. It uses a Convex SUS304 stainless steel housing which is warp and corrosion-resistant but still feels lightweight enough.

The max temperature is 465F, with a LED temperature display and easy-to-access controls. The swivel, tangle-free cord is 9 feet long, making it easy to use and versatile.

MHD Professional Flat Iron Hair Straightener For Natural Hair

This hair straightener is excellent for both straightening and creating loose curls. The negative ion technology and 3-D floating plate encourage hair to glide without snagging or frizzing up. They close the hair cuticle, so your hair looks glossier and healthy.

It goes up to 450F and has 15 different settings, so if you are after a lot of temperature control, this may be the best flat iron for curling hair at this price range. However, the simplicity of use, long swivel cord, and dual voltage make it an excellent tool for styling while traveling. It comes with a couple of clips for sectioning, which is very practical.

If you want titanium plates on a budget, choose the MHD professional, and you won't regret it.

ghd Platinum+ Styler - 1" Flat Iron Best Curling Flat Iron For Professionals

Ghd, which stands for Good Hair Day, is one of the oldest and best-known heat styling brands. Their range of blow dryers and flat irons is extensive, and they are well used in both professional and casual settings. While they come with a significant price tag, the ghd Platinum+ is one of the best flat irons for curling hair and styling hair.

This high-quality product is different from other flat irons because it doesn't offer you different temperatures or settings. Its unique single-zone ceramic technology keeps the entire plate at 365F, holding the style without risking heat damage. It's just a matter of turning it on, waiting 20 seconds for the plates to heat up, and styling your hair into perfect curls. It continuously scans the hair temperature (250 times per second) and keeps the styler at the ideal heat level to style without damage.

The universal voltage and small, compact size mean it's a travel-friendly flat iron. If you are after a flat iron that will last through years of daily styling, investing in a Ghd original will be worth it.

HSI Professional Glider Ceramic Tourmaline Flat Iron For Travel

On a tight budget but want a flat iron you can take traveling with you? We got you. The HSI Professional Glider can be used to curl and straighten your hair, and its slim build and rounded plates make it perfect for proper flat iron curls on a budget. The plates are ceramic, which reduces damage and promotes shine at the cost of slightly lower maximum temperatures. If you have very style-resistant hair, this one may not be for you, but if you have fine, sensitive hair and want to avoid excess heat damage, this one is great.

This flat iron is dual-voltage which means you can use it worldwide. The durable design and lightweight casing make it the perfect travel accessory to curl your hair in a hotel room without sacrificing your hair health. It only weighs one pound, which means it can go into your cabin luggage without much available space. It's pretty sturdy, which is why we love it for traveling.

In terms of features, this flat iron is equipped with 8 HeatBalance micro-sensors, used to distribute the heat evenly and regulate the temperature alongside the entire floating plaque. The ceramic and tourmaline-covered iron plates make for easy use, a smooth tool to curl your hair on the go. The temperature range goes from 140 to 450F, enough for many hair types.

Word of warning, it does lack an auto-shutoff safety feature so that it won't turn off automatically after a period of no use. This can be a fire risk if you are the distracted type, but it shouldn't be a big deal as long as you are aware of it.

It is a dual-voltage flat iron, which means you can travel worldwide with it. This flat iron creates superb results on even the frizziest coarsest hair. The ceramic plates of this unit also use 8 HeatBalance micro-sensors to distribute heat evenly and regulate the temperature. This flat iron comes with ceramic and tourmaline crystal iron plates to ensure you get silkier and shinier hair in less time.

KIPOZI Hair Straightener and Curling Flat Iron For Curling Hair Regularly

This straightening tool was designed to be the perfect curling hair flat iron and does both jobs very well. The design has a round profile that allows you to create even curls with a flat iron without strange kinks, and the twist-heat system ensures even heat distribution when curling your hair. The quicker the curl is created, the less heat damage to your hair

If you curl your hair with a flat iron regularly, consider buying this model instead of other flat irons that are not so specifically designed with curling hair in mind. It can be used on short, thick, wavy hair and the nano-titanium floating plaques achieve high temperatures while distributing heat evenly. It can heat up to 450F, which is enough to curl all hair types.

The 360-degree swivel cord makes it easy to style your hair anywhere, but it's a bit weighty at 2.09 pounds. For your money, you also get a heat-resistant glove to prevent burns, a travel pouch, two salon hair clips, and a salon comb. Everything you need to straighten or curl your hair with this flat iron is included, apart from the heat protectant spray.

For safety reasons, it will turn off automatically if you aren't using it after one hour.

Landot Hair Straightener & Curler Best Flat Iron For Curl Beginners

This is a 2-in-one straightening and curling flat iron, and while the shape looks a bit weird at first, you will be amazed at the results when curling your hair. It has a unique twisted design, so you can straighten your hair or twist to switch to the curling version, which feels very intuitive for beginners and pros alike.

It has a lovely LED display and heats up to 450F in about 30 seconds. You can fine-tune the temperature easily with the LED display in 11 temperature settings.

FURIDEN Professional Hair Straightener Titanium Flat Iron Easy To Use

We like this flat iron to curl hair because it is how solid it feels and how easy it is to use. It's great for curling and straightening and distributes heat evenly up to 450F, which means you can use it on thick, medium, or fine hair and still achieve great results. It will reach 450F in about 30 seconds. But what makes this flat iron different is that the tip doesn't heat up, which means fewer chances of accidentally burning your fingers when wrapping your hair around the flat iron plates.

Besides the cold tip feature, which is fantastic, the design is very ergonomic, and even if it takes a while to curl very thick and long hair, your arms won't feel too tired. The plates are extra long, which means you can wrap all your hair top to tips in one go, provided you don't have really, really long hair.

It has a screen to show and set the temperature and an 8 feet 360-degree swivel cord so you can plug it anywhere and use it comfortably. At 1.28 pounds, it's not the lightest flat iron on the list, but it's comfortable to use.

Tips to Choose the Best Flat Irons for Curling Hair

Not all flat irons are the same, and some are easier to use for curling hair than others. If you are shopping for a flat iron for curling hair, look for the following:

• Coating: Ceramic is budget-friendly, whereas titanium heats up quicker and reaches higher temperatures. Both types of coating often combine with tourmaline, which helps with heat distribution and produces negative ions to help avoid frizz.
• Heat range and temperatures: Thick hair requires at least 450F, whereas sensitive or thin hair will need less to avoid heat damage.
• Plate size: A wider plate allows you to style hair quicker, but it won't give you as much control over the size of your curls. If you have long hair, you may prefer a 1.25 inches plate, whereas short hair will be best served with a one-inch wide model.
• Weight and ease of use: Curling your hair with a flat iron takes a while, so when shopping flat irons for curling hair, it's easier to keep the weight to a minimum—swivel cords and ergonomic casing help as well.

What Is Better for Curly Hair Titanium or Ceramic?

A titanium flat iron is usually best if you have naturally curly hair and want to style it in a different curl pattern. It achieves higher temperatures than a ceramic hair straightener and evenly distributes heat. This means fewer passes and fewer chances of your hair suffering from heat damage.

If your hair is naturally wavy or thin, you should choose a flat ceramic iron for curling hair as it will give you smoother results at lower temperatures.

How Do You Curl With a 1.5 Iron?

Even if you have a lot of hair, you shouldn't style more than a 1-inch wide section at a time, so a 1-inch styling flat iron is usually best for curls. But if you have a lot of hair or very long hair, you may be better served by a 1.5 inches iron, even if they are more challenging to use. You would use it the same as a regular 1-inch flat iron, but the curls will be wider and open.

With 1.5 inches, iron is sometimes more difficult to curl the hair, so it has volume at the roots. A good texture spray on the roots will help give volume and make the texture more natural.

How To Curl Hair With A Hair Styling Iron?

Curling your hair with a flat iron is very easy once you get the hang of it. You should be able to do your entire head in under half an hour for perfect, bouncy curls.

You will need to dry your hair first, so it's bone dry; never use a flat iron on wet hair unless it's specially designed to be used on damp hair. The steam will literally steam your hair and cause breakage, and your style won't work anyway. If you are blowdrying your hair, use a brush to detangle it simultaneously and apply a heat protectant. Once your hair is dry and tangle-free, you can start curling your hair with a flat iron.

First of all, if you haven't already, apply heat protectant serum or spray to make sure your hair is protected from heat damage. Set your flat iron for the recommended temperature for your hair (lower if you have thin or wavy hair, higher if you have very curly, coarse, or thick hair) and set it on the heatproof mat to heat up.

Part your hair into sections. You should curl hair in sections about one inch wide, so it's much easier to split your hair into at least four quadrants and get the bits you are not working on out of the way. Start with making a horizontal section at the bottom of your scalp, from ear to ear, and tie up the rest with hairdressing clips.

Starting close to the scalp, clamp the iron on a one-inch wide section of hair and twist it upon itself half a turn. Run the straightener slowly down the shaft to the ends of your hair. If you want the curls to be more pronounced, turn the heat styler one complete turn instead of the half when you wrap the hair creating a loop.

Alternate the direction you are curling on, so your hair doesn't look too made up.

If you want your curls to last, pin them carefully until they cool off while working on the other sections. As you finish curling a section, untie some more hair from the hair clips. Work slowly up towards the front of your head for the best results.

You can see it better in this video.

Why Does My Hair Not Curl With a Straightener?

Few hair things are so irritating as curling your hair and seeing your curls fall flat before you had a chance to turn your hair straightener off. There are several reasons why hair won't bend with a straightener, but usually, your hair isn't dry enough or has too much product in your hair. Too much product or water in your hair will weigh down your style and drop your curls.

Another check is whether your flat iron is too hot or too cold. When straightened, a strange quirk of hair is that if you overheat it, the cuticles may seal themselves and refuse to hold a bend. If you want silk, smooth straight strands, this is perfect, but if you wish your flat iron curl to hold, you may need to drop the temperature a bit. If the curl drops after a few minutes, on the other hand, the flat iron may be too cold for your hair.

Also, if you are styling your hair in the same room as you just had a shower, the humidity in the air is likely to be making the style not hold. Your hair will go frizzy instead!

Only You Can Decide Which Hair Iron Is The Best For You

While those are some of the best flat irons for curling hair, the best one will depend on your needs and hair type. It is worth spending your budget on what matters to you rather than a product that works ok for everybody. For example, if you have thin hair, don't spend your money on a wide range of temperatures that you should never be using. Instead, opt for frizz-free and smoothing flat irons to perfect flat iron curls. If your hair is thick, you will need to spend your money on a flat iron that can get hot enough and keep the weight low so your arms don't get tired.

The Remington S5500 Anti-Static Flat Iron is a great choice overall if your primary purpose for this flat iron is curling hair, and it's very affordable. But check out the other options since flat irons are very personal, and what works for one person may not work for another.