Gear guide
Best curling irons for thick hair
Picked from Amazon listings, not hands-on tests. How we pick
Top picks at a glance
Compare all picks
Closest match for the job
ghd Chronos Curve Max Wand 1.5": big clampless barrel
1.5 inch barrel for loose, voluminous waves, per the listing.
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Most for the money on paper
Bio Ionic Long Barrel 1.25": 430°F for big soft curls
The listing states the 1.25 inch barrel makes large soft curls and waves.
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Most complete listing
Bio Ionic Twist 3-in-1: 400 to 430°F range for thick hair
The listing includes a 0.5 inch wand, a 1 inch tapered wand and a 1.25 inch clip barrel.
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Thick and coarse hair takes longer to curl, so two things matter most: enough top heat to set a curl in one or two passes, and a barrel big and long enough to take a real section. A short barrel on long, thick hair means wrapping hair over itself, which heats unevenly. This guide puts each iron's maximum temperature up front, as stated on the listing, next to barrel size, number of heat settings, barrel length and auto shut-off. Adjustable irons with high stated tops come first, followed by ghd's fixed 365°F curlers for buyers who prefer a set temperature. Heat recovery is not stated on any of these listings, so it is not compared here. Where a listing leaves out a spec, the table says Not stated.
Compare the picks
- ghd Chronos Curve Max Wand 1.5": big clampless barrel
- Barrel size
- 1.5 in
- Max temperature
- 365°F fixed
- Heat settings
- Fixed
- Barrel length
- Not stated
- Bio Ionic Long Barrel 1.25": 430°F for big soft curls
- Barrel size
- 1.25 in
- Max temperature
- 430°F
- Heat settings
- Variable, count not stated
- Barrel length
- 2 in longer than standard
- Bio Ionic Twist 3-in-1: 400 to 430°F range for thick hair
- Barrel size
- 0.5, 1 tapered, 1.25 in
- Max temperature
- 430°F
- Heat settings
- 6
- Barrel length
- Not stated
T3 SinglePass Curl X 1.5": extra-long barrel, 9 settings- Barrel size
- 1.5 in
- Max temperature
- Not stated
- Heat settings
- 9
- Barrel length
- Extra-long
Drybar Mixologist: 450°F with three attachments- Barrel size
- Not stated
- Max temperature
- 450°F
- Heat settings
- Digital, count not stated
- Barrel length
- Not stated
Bio Ionic Long Barrel 1.5": 430°F, 2" longer barrel- Barrel size
- 1.5 in
- Max temperature
- 430°F
- Heat settings
- Variable, count not stated
- Barrel length
- 2 in longer than standard
ghd Chronos Curve Grand 1.25": fixed 365°F- Barrel size
- 1.25 in
- Max temperature
- 365°F fixed
- Heat settings
- Fixed
- Barrel length
- Not stated
| Pick | Barrel size | Max temperature | Heat settings | Barrel length | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ghd Chronos Curve Max Wand 1.5": big clampless barrel | 1.5 in | 365°F fixed | Fixed | Not stated | - | Amazon |
| Bio Ionic Long Barrel 1.25": 430°F for big soft curls | 1.25 in | 430°F | Variable, count not stated | 2 in longer than standard | - | Amazon |
| Bio Ionic Twist 3-in-1: 400 to 430°F range for thick hair | 0.5, 1 tapered, 1.25 in | 430°F | 6 | Not stated | - | Amazon |
| T3 SinglePass Curl X 1.5": extra-long barrel, 9 settings | 1.5 in | Not stated | 9 | Extra-long | - | Amazon |
| Drybar Mixologist: 450°F with three attachments | Not stated | 450°F | Digital, count not stated | Not stated | - | Amazon |
| Bio Ionic Long Barrel 1.5": 430°F, 2" longer barrel | 1.5 in | 430°F | Variable, count not stated | 2 in longer than standard | - | Amazon |
| ghd Chronos Curve Grand 1.25": fixed 365°F | 1.25 in | 365°F fixed | Fixed | Not stated | - | Amazon |
Facts are taken from each Amazon listing. Prices are checked daily and shown with their date.
The picks in detail
Pick 1 · ghd
ghd Chronos Curve Max Wand 1.5": big clampless barrel
See price on AmazonA 1.5 inch clampless wand that the listing says is made for loose, voluminous waves, with curl-responsive heat control at 365°F.
What the listing offers
- 1.5 inch barrel for loose, voluminous waves, per the listing.
- Curl-responsive technology adapts to how you curl, according to the listing.
- Includes a styling glove, safety stand and an 8.8 ft cable.
Limits to know
- Heat-up is 50 seconds, slower than the 25 seconds listed on other ghd curlers.
- No clamp, which takes practice if you are used to a clip iron.
Pick 2 · BIO IONIC
Bio Ionic Long Barrel 1.25": 430°F for big soft curls
See price on AmazonThe 1.25 inch Long Barrel curling iron for large soft curls and waves, with a barrel 2 inches longer than standard. It is the all-round size in the Long Barrel line.
What the listing offers
- The listing states the 1.25 inch barrel makes large soft curls and waves.
- A barrel 2 inches longer than standard helps with long hair and back sections.
- Variable heat up to 430°F, a 1-hour auto shut-off and a cool touch grip are listed.
Limits to know
- Heat step count, voltage and clamp style are not stated.
- Its top heat of 430°F is lower than the 450°F of the Bio Ionic flat irons.
Pick 3 · BIO IONIC
Bio Ionic Twist 3-in-1: 400 to 430°F range for thick hair
See price on AmazonOne base with three swappable ceramic barrels, six heat settings to 430°F and dual voltage. It suits people who change curl size often or travel.
What the listing offers
- The listing includes a 0.5 inch wand, a 1 inch tapered wand and a 1.25 inch clip barrel.
- Six heat settings to 430°F with a digital LED display, temperature lock and memory are listed.
- Universal 110V-240V voltage, glove, cool tip, 9 ft swivel cord and 1-year limited warranty are listed.
Limits to know
- The listing does not say how long before auto shut-off engages.
- None of the Twist barrels is described as long, unlike the Long Barrel line.
Pick 4 · T3
T3 SinglePass Curl X 1.5": extra-long barrel, 9 settings
See price on AmazonT3's 1.5 inch extra-long clip barrel. The listing says it forms loose curls and voluminous waves and styles wide sections in one pass.
What the listing offers
- 1.5 inch barrel listed for loose curls and voluminous waves.
- Extra-long barrel handles wide sections and long hair, per the listing.
- 9 heat settings let you set heat by hair type.
Limits to know
- Temperatures for the 9 settings are not stated.
- Heat-up time is not listed for this T3 curling iron.
Pick 5 · Drybar
Drybar Mixologist: 450°F with three attachments
See price on AmazonAn interchangeable styler with curling iron, wand and waver attachments and digital control up to 450°F, the highest stated top heat in this guide.
What the listing offers
- Highest listed top temperature here at 450°F (232°C).
- Three attachments for curls, wand curls and waves in one tool.
- Ionic and infrared technology and a 60 minute auto shut-off are listed.
Limits to know
- Barrel sizes for the attachments are not stated.
- The number of heat settings is not given on the listing.
Pick 6 · BIO IONIC
Bio Ionic Long Barrel 1.5": 430°F, 2" longer barrel
See price on AmazonThe largest Long Barrel size at 1.5 inches, for voluminous lived-in curls. It suits long hair where loose body matters more than a defined curl.
What the listing offers
- The listing states the 1.5 inch barrel creates voluminous lived-in curls.
- A barrel 2 inches longer than standard helps with long hair, per the listing.
- Variable heat up to 430°F and a 1-hour auto shut-off are listed.
Limits to know
- Heat step count, voltage and clamp style are not stated.
- A 1.5 inch barrel gives looser curls that may not suit short hair.
Pick 7 · ghd
ghd Chronos Curve Grand 1.25": fixed 365°F
See price on Amazonghd's 1.25 inch curling iron with curl-responsive heat control at a fixed 365°F, for buyers who would rather not set a temperature.
What the listing offers
- Consistent 365°F across the full barrel length, per the listing.
- 25 second heat-up and an integrated silicone stand.
- Styling glove, 8.8 ft cable and a 2 year warranty are included.
Limits to know
- 365°F is lower than the 430 to 450°F tops of the adjustable picks here.
- No temperature adjustment for very coarse hair.
Read before you buy
- Hair won't curl with a curling ironWhy hair will not curl or hold a curl with a curling iron or wand: barrel too big, sections too thick, heat too low, product and cooling time, fixed in order.
- Curls falling out fast: how to make them lastWhy curls fall out fast and how to make them last: let curls cool, use smaller sections and barrels, start with clean dry hair and set them right.
- Curling iron temperature guideWhat temperature to use on a curling iron or wand: typical F and C ranges for fine, normal and thick hair, why curling runs cooler, and fixed-heat tools.
More gear: Curling irons and wands
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