Gear guide
Best flat irons that also curl and wave
Picked from Amazon listings, not hands-on tests. How we pick
Top picks at a glance
Compare all picks
Closest match for the job
Bio Ionic 10X 1": rounded barrel and sonic plates
Sonic vibrating 1 inch plates increase surface contact, according to the listing.
See price on AmazonSee it on Amazon
Most for the money on paper
BaBylissPRO Prima3100 1": heated outer housing, 465°F
Heated outer housing means the outside of the iron also styles, per the listing.
See price on AmazonSee it on Amazon
Most complete listing
ghd Chronos 1": rounded barrel, 20-second heat-up
Rounded barrel and redesigned hinge are listed for curls and waves.
See price on AmazonSee it on Amazon
A flat iron can curl and wave, but only if the outside is shaped for it. Square housings with sharp edges leave dents when you twist them. Irons built for curling have a rounded barrel, a heated outer housing or a curl setting, so hair slides around the body as you turn and pull. That lets one tool cover sleek straight days and wavy days. This guide compares seven irons whose listings say they curl or wave, and records how each one does it: a rounded barrel, a heated outer housing or a dedicated mode. We also list plate width, since 1 inch plates make tighter curls than 1.25 inch ones, plus temperature, the number of heat settings and voltage where stated.
Compare the picks
- Bio Ionic 10X 1": rounded barrel and sonic plates
- Plate width
- 1 in
- Curl design
- Rounded barrel, rounded-tip plates
- Temperature
- Up to 450°F
- Heat settings
- Variable, count not stated
- BaBylissPRO Prima3100 1": heated outer housing, 465°F
- Plate width
- 1 in
- Curl design
- Heated outer housing
- Temperature
- Up to 465°F
- Heat settings
- 5 LED
T3 SinglePass StyleMax 1": dedicated Curl Mode- Plate width
- 1 in
- Curl design
- Curl Mode setting
- Temperature
- Not stated
- Heat settings
- 9 plus Curl Mode
ghd Platinum+ 1": rounded barrel for curls and waves- Plate width
- 1 in
- Curl design
- Rounded barrel
- Temperature
- 365°F fixed
- Heat settings
- Fixed
- ghd Chronos 1": rounded barrel, 20-second heat-up
- Plate width
- 1 in
- Curl design
- Rounded barrel
- Temperature
- 365°F fixed
- Heat settings
- Fixed
BaBylissPRO Prima3000 1.25": straightener, waver, curler- Plate width
- 1.25 in
- Curl design
- Heated outer housing
- Temperature
- Up to 465°F
- Heat settings
- 5 LED
ghd Gold 1": rounded barrel at a lower ghd price- Plate width
- 1 in
- Curl design
- Rounded barrel
- Temperature
- 365°F fixed
- Heat settings
- Fixed
| Pick | Plate width | Curl design | Temperature | Heat settings | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bio Ionic 10X 1": rounded barrel and sonic plates | 1 in | Rounded barrel, rounded-tip plates | Up to 450°F | Variable, count not stated | - | Amazon |
| BaBylissPRO Prima3100 1": heated outer housing, 465°F | 1 in | Heated outer housing | Up to 465°F | 5 LED | - | Amazon |
| T3 SinglePass StyleMax 1": dedicated Curl Mode | 1 in | Curl Mode setting | Not stated | 9 plus Curl Mode | - | Amazon |
| ghd Platinum+ 1": rounded barrel for curls and waves | 1 in | Rounded barrel | 365°F fixed | Fixed | - | Amazon |
| ghd Chronos 1": rounded barrel, 20-second heat-up | 1 in | Rounded barrel | 365°F fixed | Fixed | - | Amazon |
| BaBylissPRO Prima3000 1.25": straightener, waver, curler | 1.25 in | Heated outer housing | Up to 465°F | 5 LED | - | Amazon |
| ghd Gold 1": rounded barrel at a lower ghd price | 1 in | Rounded barrel | 365°F fixed | Fixed | - | Amazon |
Facts are taken from each Amazon listing. Prices are checked daily and shown with their date.
The picks in detail
Pick 1 · BIO IONIC
Bio Ionic 10X 1": rounded barrel and sonic plates
See price on AmazonBio Ionic's 10X flat iron with sonic vibrating 1 inch ceramic plates, a rounded barrel and a rounded-tip plate for the hairline. It straightens and waves.
What the listing offers
- Sonic vibrating 1 inch plates increase surface contact, according to the listing.
- The rounded barrel and rounded-tip plates help with waves and short hairs at the hairline.
- Variable heat to 450°F, a 1-hour auto shut-off and a 9 ft swivel cord are listed.
Limits to know
- The count of heat settings and voltage are not stated.
- At $239 it costs more than the OnePass 1 inch for the same plate width.
Pick 2 · BaBylissPRO
BaBylissPRO Prima3100 1": heated outer housing, 465°F
See price on AmazonA 1 inch Nano Titanium iron whose heated outer housing lets you straighten, wave and curl, with 5 LED settings to 465°F and a 9 ft swivel cord.
What the listing offers
- Heated outer housing means the outside of the iron also styles, per the listing.
- 5 LED settings up to 465°F with a true ion generator.
- Dual voltage is stated in the title, and the housing is stainless steel.
Limits to know
- Only 5 settings, and the lowest temperature is not stated.
- No auto shut-off is mentioned on the listing.
Pick 3 · T3
T3 SinglePass StyleMax 1": dedicated Curl Mode
See price on AmazonT3's 1 inch ceramic flat iron with auto world voltage, 9 heat settings and a Curl Mode. A good single tool for a trip where you want to straighten and curl.
What the listing offers
- Auto world voltage is stated, meaning no voltage switch to remember.
- 9 heat settings plus a Curl Mode for waving and curling.
- 1-hour auto-off is listed for safety in unfamiliar hotel rooms.
Limits to know
- Maximum temperature is not stated on the listing.
- Plug type and travel case are not mentioned.
Pick 4 · ghd
ghd Platinum+ 1": rounded barrel for curls and waves
See price on AmazonA 1 inch styler with a rounded barrel that the listing says creates straight styles, soft curls or natural waves, all at a fixed 365°F.
What the listing offers
- The rounded barrel is listed for straight styles, soft curls and natural waves.
- Ceramic floating plates on a wishbone hinge, per the listing.
- Universal voltage and a 30 minute auto shut-off are stated.
Limits to know
- Fixed 365°F only, so no lower setting for fine hair or higher one for coarse hair.
- The listing does not give a heat-up time.
Pick 5 · ghd
ghd Chronos 1": rounded barrel, 20-second heat-up
See price on Amazonghd's motion-responsive 1 inch styler with a rounded barrel and redesigned wishbone hinge listed for curls, waves or sleek straight looks.
What the listing offers
- Rounded barrel and redesigned hinge are listed for curls and waves.
- Heats up in 20 seconds, according to the listing.
- 8.8 ft swivel cord and auto sleep after 10 minutes are stated.
Limits to know
- Voltage is not stated on this listing, so travelers should check it first.
- Highest price among the 1 inch irons in this guide.
Pick 6 · BaBylissPRO
BaBylissPRO Prima3000 1.25": straightener, waver, curler
See price on AmazonThe 1.25 inch version of the Prima, sold as a straightener, waver and curler. Wider plates suit looser waves and longer hair.
What the listing offers
- Heated outer housing for straight styles, loose waves and defined curls.
- 5 LED settings up to 465°F and a true ion generator, per the listing.
- Professional-length 9 ft 360° swivel cord.
Limits to know
- 1.25 inch plates make larger, looser bends than a 1 inch iron.
- Voltage is not stated in this listing, unlike the Prima3100 title.
Pick 7 · ghd
ghd Gold 1": rounded barrel at a lower ghd price
See price on Amazonghd's 1 inch Gold styler with dual-zone heat at 365°F, universal voltage and a plate guard. The listing calls it travel-friendly, and it costs less than the Platinum+ here.
What the listing offers
- The listing groups universal voltage with an auto sleep mode under travel-friendly features.
- Ready in 25 seconds with an 8.8 ft swivel cord, per the listing.
- Protective plate guard is included for packing.
Limits to know
- Fixed 365°F only, with no lower or higher setting.
- The listing does not cover plug type or adapter needs.
Read before you buy
- How to curl and wave hair with a flat ironCurl or wave hair with a flat iron: the twist-and-glide method for curls, the flat wave method, section sizes, heat ranges and how to make the shape last.
- ghd Chronos vs Platinum+ghd Chronos vs Platinum+: both hold 365F on 1 inch ceramic plates. Compare heat-up, sleep mode, sensing tech and the $46 price gap from the listings.
- Flat iron vs curling iron: which tool for your lookFlat iron vs curling iron: which one makes straight hair, waves and curls, when a flat iron can do both, and real ghd and T3 models compared from listings.
- Flat iron plate sizes: which width do you needFlat iron sizes explained: 1/2, 1, 1 1/4, 1 1/2 and 2 inch plates matched to hair length and thickness, with real models in each width.
More gear: Flat irons
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