Gear
Gear guides, one item at a time
Each guide covers a single kind of styling tool and compares a handful of options by what their Amazon listings state.
Choosing a tool
Flat irons
- Best flat irons for every hair type, compared by plate and heatSeven premium flat irons compared by plate width, number of heat settings, top temperature, plate material and voltage as stated on each listing.
- Best flat irons for thick and coarse hairWide-plate flat irons from ghd, BaBylissPRO, T3 and Bio Ionic compared by plate width, top temperature, heat settings, voltage and cord, from listings.
- Best flat irons for short hair, pixies and bangsNarrow flat irons for short hair from ghd, BaBylissPRO, Bio Ionic and T3 compared by plate width, top temperature, heat settings, voltage and auto shut-off.
- Best flat irons for natural, curly and coily hairSeven flat irons for natural, curly and coily hair compared by plate width, heat settings, top temperature, plate material and stated voltage.
- Best flat irons for fine and thin hairSeven flat irons for fine and thin hair compared by plate width, number of heat settings, top temperature, lowest listed setting and voltage.
- Best flat irons that also curl and waveSeven flat irons built to curl and wave as well as straighten, compared by plate width, curl design, temperature, heat settings and voltage.
Curling irons and wands
- Best curling wands, clipless and tapered, comparedSeven curling wands and wand sets compared by barrel size, barrel shape, temperature, included glove and stated voltage from each listing.
- Best curling irons for every curl and lengthCurling irons from T3, ghd, Bio Ionic and Drybar compared by barrel size, barrel build, top temperature, heat settings and voltage, from Amazon listings.
- Best curling irons for thick hairSeven curling irons for thick or coarse hair compared by barrel size, maximum temperature, heat settings, barrel length and auto shut-off.
- Best curling irons for short hair: small barrels comparedSeven curling irons and wands with 0.5 to 1 inch barrels for short hair, compared by barrel size, clip or wand, heat settings, top heat and voltage.
- Best long barrel curling irons for long hairLong-barrel curling irons and wands from Bio Ionic, T3 and ghd compared by barrel size, barrel length, top temperature, heat settings and clamp, from listings.
- Best curling irons for fine hair, by lowest heat settingSeven curling irons for fine hair compared by barrel size, number of heat settings, lowest stated temperature, top heat and clip or wand style.
- Best curling irons and wands for beach wavesSeven curling irons and wands for beach waves compared by barrel size, barrel style, temperature, clamp and heat-up time, from listing facts only.
Air and cordless straighteners
Brand lineups
- Best T3 curling irons and wands by barrel sizeSeven T3 curling irons compared by barrel size, heat settings, clip or rotating barrel, ion generator and standout feature, from the Amazon listings.
- Best ghd flat irons: Platinum+, Chronos, Gold, Max and moreSeven ghd flat irons compared by plate width, stated temperature, heat-up time, auto sleep timer and voltage, using only what each listing states.
- Best ghd curling wands and tongs: the Curve lineupghd Curve and Chronos Curve wands and irons compared by barrel size, barrel shape, clamp, temperature, sleep timer and heat-up time, from Amazon listings.
- Best Bio Ionic flat irons and curling irons comparedBio Ionic OnePass, 10X, Long Barrel and Twist compared by tool type, plate or barrel size, top temperature, heat settings, auto shut-off and voltage.