If you have ever seen a woman with black curly and wavy hair, you know that it is a thing of beauty. The bouncy spirals seem to defy gravity, and the texture is simply divine. Unfortunately, not all women are blessed with naturally curly hair. If you are one of these women, do not despair – there is hope in the form of the best curling iron for black hair.
Yes, there are now a number of flat irons and curling irons specifically designed for black hair. These irons use higher temperatures and advanced ceramic technologies to create long-lasting, bouncy curls.
In addition, they often come equipped with features like adjustable heat settings and curl direction controls that make it easy to customize your style. With so many options on the market, it can be tough to know which iron is suitable for you.
To help you make the best decision, I have put together a review of the best curling irons for black hair. I’ve also created a comprehensive buyer’s guide to help you pick the right size, number of barrels, and specs for your hair type.
Best Curling Iron For Black Hair Top Picks
Factors Considered in Choosing the Best Curling Iron For Black Hair
There are many factors to consider when choosing the best curling iron for black hair. The first is the maximum heat. You want an iron that has higher heat settings to provide you with excellent results. The second is weight and ergonomics. You don’t want an iron that is too heavy or difficult to use.
The third is price, the best curling iron for black hair should fit your budget. Lastly, you’d want to invest in a black hair curler with the latest technology. This can make your hairstyling easier and faster.
With all of these factors in mind, I’ve chosen the best curling iron for your hair below.
Best Curling Iron For Black Hair Reviews
Best Curling Iron for Black Hair
BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Curling Iron
BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Spring Curling Iron Specifications
- Available Sizes: 0.75″, 1″, 1.25″, 1.5″
- Weight: 13.6 Ounces
- Heating Element: Titanium
- Max Heat: 450° F
- Voltage: 110v
- Cable Line Length: 8ft
- Power: 140W
BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Curling Iron Review
On top of my list of the best curling iron for black hair is BabyBlissPro Nano Titanium Spring Curling Iron. It is one of my favorite tools for creating long-lasting, beautiful curls.
This top-of-the-line curling iron comes from a company with over 50 years of experience in producing quality hair care appliances, so you can be sure it’s a quality product.
It utilizes Sol-Gel Nano Titanium technology to provide stable heat that dries hair fast to prevent heat damage. It has a Turbo Heat setting that is an excellent feature for women on the go. And most importantly, it can heat up to 450F, making it very suitable for women with thick and coarse black hair.
But one of the things that I love most about BabylissPro Nano Titanium Curling iron is its user-friendly design. The slim handles, smooth barrel, and comfortable grip make it easy to use. It’s also available in different barrel sizes and comes with an extended 8ft swivel cord.
Pros
- Long handle and wand
- Long cord
- Stable heat
Cons
- The cool tip has an awkward pointy end design
- Doesn’t have auto shut off
Bottomline: The BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Spring Curling Iron is one of the best curling irons on the market. It heats up quickly and effortlessly and creates beautiful, bouncy curls. It’s also a great value for the price.
The only issue I have with it is that it doesn’t have an auto shut-off feature and its uneven and pointed cool tip design. Other than that, it’s an excellent curling iron, and I would highly recommend it to anyone with black hair.
Hot Tools Pro Signature 24K Gold Curling Iron for Black Hair
Hot Tools Pro Signature 24K Specifications:
- Sizes: 0.75”, 1”, 1.25”, 1.5”
- Weight: 1.1 Pounds
- Heating Element: Gold Plated
- Maximum: 430 °F
- Voltage: 110V
- Cable Line Length: 6ft
- Power: 85W
For years, Hot Tools has been one of the most reliable brands in the hair styling industry. The Pro Signature 24K Gold Curling Iron for black hair is a testament to their dedication to quality.
With 25 years of experience, Hot Tools has perfected the art of fast and even heating, making this curling iron a must-have for women with black hair who want to create long-lasting curls. This curling iron is available in four barrel sizes (0.75″, 1″, 1.25″, and 1.5″) to suit all types of hair, whether you have short, medium, or long locks.
With a quick heat-up time and a maximum temperature of 430℉, it’s perfect for even the coarsest hair. The 24K gold surface not only looks stylish but also ensures an even heat distribution for gorgeous, long-lasting curls. Plus, the built-in safety stand and cool tip make it easy and safe to use.
Pros:
- High and consistent heat
- Features a cool tip
- Soft grip handles
Cons
- Gold plates don’t provide balanced heating
- Not the professional grade
Bottomline: Overall, the Hot Tools Pro Signature 24K Gold Curling Iron is a good choice for anyone looking for a high-quality curling iron for home use. The curling iron heats up quickly and evenly, so you’ll never have to worry about hot spots or uneven curls. Best of all, the price tag is much more affordable than the professional version, making it an excellent choice for those on a budget.
Budget Curling Iron for Black Hair
Conair INFINITIPRO Titanium Curling Iron for Black Hair
Conair INFINITIPRO Titanium Curling Iron Specifications:
- Sizes: 1″, 1.25″, 1.5″
- Weight: 15.87 Ounces
- Heating Element: Titanium
- Maximum: 400 °F
- Voltage: 110V
- Cable Line Length: 5ft
- Power: NA
Manufactured by Conair, a company with over 60 years of experience in hair care appliances, you can be sure that the Conair Titanium Curling Iron for black hair is a high-quality product.
The ceramic heater ensures quick and even heat distribution, so you don’t have to wait around for your curling iron to heat up. While the titanium barrel, which is available in 1, 1.25, and 1.5″ sizes, is exceptionally durable and can handle high temperatures for long periods of time. This makes it ideal for those with thick black hair or difficult-to-curl hair.
And the best part? The Conair Titanium Curling Iron is one of the cheapest curling iron for black hair at less than 20$. It’s also lightweight and has 30 heat settings for all types of hair. And instead of buttons that you can accidentally bump while ironing, Conair Infinitipro has a simple dial that you can turn to set up to 400℉
Pros
- Auto Shut Off
- Heats fast
- Affordable
Cons
- Some users find the cord too short at 5ft
- It can be too hot and may not be suitable for fine hair
- Poor ergonomics
Bottomline: The Conair Titanium Curling Iron is one of the most affordable options for beginner curlers with thick hair. It’s backed by a solid brand, and the titanium barrel gets hot quickly, making it easy to achieve the perfect curl.
However, I find the overall design unbalanced and the cool tip smaller than usual, making it more difficult to use. Additionally, the titanium barrel can get too hot for fine hair, so this iron may not be the best option for everyone.
Despite its drawbacks, the Conair Titanium Curling Iron is an excellent choice for beginner curlers on a budget.
Best Curling Iron for Beginners
Terviiix Bubble Curling Wand, Spiral Curling Iron
Terviiix Bubble Curling Wand, Spiral Curling Iron Specifications:
- Weight: 10.58 Ounces
- Heating Material: Ceramic
- Max Heat: 430°F
- Voltage: 100-240V
- Cable Line Length: 6.6ft
- Power: 52W
When it comes to hair styling tools, Terviix is a relatively new brand. However, their products have been selling well in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Japan for a few years now. What’s famous about Terviix products is that they adopt industry-leading technology as well as environmentally friendly materials. In fact, their Curling Wand is especially popular with women with black hair.
The best thing I like about the Terviiix Bubble Curling Wand for black hair is the stylish design. It has a sleek black bubble barrel design that is infused with keratin, argan oil, and tourmaline. Additionally, the textured rod gives beginners a curling template, which helps to create even waves that look professionally done.
When it comes to styling, this ceramic hair curling wand heats up to 430°F in seconds. The PTC (positive temperature coefficient) of the ceramic material ensures that the rod maintains a consistent temperature, providing efficient heat distribution and preventing damage to hair.
Additionally, the wand comes with an automatic shut-off feature for safety and a temp lock to avoid turning the curling iron on or off. It also includes a glove set to protect hands from burns.
Special Features:
- 3 years guarantee
- Comes with Hair Clips and Gloves
- Bubble Design with Cool Tip
Pros:
- Dual voltage (100-240V) making it perfect for travel
- Long 2 meter 360degree swivel cord for ease of use
Cons:
- It might be challenging to use for those who are used to using round barrel curlers
Bottomline:
Overall, there’s a lot to love about the Terviiix Bubble Curling Wand! It has some great features like the temp lock, which prevents your hair from getting too hot, the auto shut off, which is really helpful if you forget to turn it off, and the keratin and argan oil-infused barrel which helps to keep your hair healthy. The bubble design is also really cool and makes it a lot of fun to use.
The only downside is that it can be a bit tricky and challenging to use if you’re not used to bubble curlers. I highly recommend this to beginners for its affordable price and great value.
Premium Curling Iron for Black Hair
Paul Mitchell Neuro Curl XL 1.75″
Paul Mitchell Neuro Curl XL 1.75″ Specifications:
- Size: 1.75″
- Weight: 1.26 Pounds
- Maximum Heat: 450°F
- Voltage: 110-240V
- Cable Line Length: 9ft (2.7m)
- Power: NA
Paul Mitchell Systems is one of the leading hair care product companies in the world. It has over 22 years of experience creating and innovating products and tools for regular consumers and professional stylists. That’s why, if you’re looking for a salon-grade curling iron for black hair, then Paul Mitchell Neuro Curl XL 1.75″ will not disappoint.
Paul Mitchell Neuro Curl XL 1.75″ is packed with features that make styling easy and a breeze. First of all, this large Neuro curling wand is an outstanding tool for creating the perfect beachy waves. The barrel is made of premium IsoTherm Titanium material, which heats up quickly and retains heat well, so you can get your curls done fast.
The SmartSense microchip ensures lightning-fast heat recovery, so you can keep styling without having to wait long for your wand to heat back up. Plus, this curling wand has an LCD display and programmable temperature settings that allow you to change the preferred heat/shut-off settings quickly and efficiently. It’s also dual voltage making it perfect for worldwide use.
Last but not least, this curling iron for black hair features a soft handle, cool tip, and buttons to adjust overall ergonomics. Paul Mitchell also offers a bendable Neuro Curler that Brielle Galekovic, founder of The Gilded Bellini, says makes the “best beachy brunch waves!”
Special Features:
- Digital LCD display
- SmartSense Heat Technology
- Customizable Heat & Shut Off Settings
Pros
- Great Value
- High-quality and Durable
- Good Ergonomics
Cons:
- Expensive
- One size only
- Heavy
Bottomline:
You will never go wrong if you decide to purchase the Paul Mitchell Neuro Curl XL 1.75″ curling iron for black hair. The main disadvantage of this curling iron is its price, as it is one of the more expensive curling irons on the market. However, it does offer features that justify its price, such as its professional-grade construction and its LED display. In addition, its ergonomic design makes it easy to use, even for those with smaller hands.
Overall, the Paul Mitchell Neuro Curl XL 1.75″ curling iron is a high-quality curling iron that is ideal for those who are willing to invest in a quality product.
Curling Iron for Black Hair Buyer’s Guide
There are a lot of things to look for when buying a curling iron for black hair. One size doesn’t fit all, and you’ll need to navigate a curling iron’s many parts – from the number of barrels to the heating element it uses – before you can find the one that’s perfect for you.
What is a Curling Iron for Black Hair?
A curling iron is a hair styling tool that helps create curls and volume in the hair. Curling irons come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and barrel types, which can all affect the finished curl.
Curling irons come in various shapes and sizes, but they all serve the same basic purpose: to curl hair. However, there are some critical differences between curling irons designed for white/blonde hair and those designed for black hair
Those with white hair generally need to use a lower heat setting to avoid damaging their hair. On the other hand, black hair is often more resistant to heat damage and more difficult to curl. As a result, the best curling irons for black hair are those equipped with higher heat settings. These black hair curling irons are also more expensive because of their high heat capacity.
How Does a Curling Iron for Black Hair Work?
Just like regular curling equipment, a curling iron for black hair works by electric heating. It usually consists of 1-3 long cylindrical barrels and is manufactured with different heating elements. The heat from the curling iron breaks the hair bonds, allowing you to change your hair shape. While the motion of wrapping the hair around the iron helps to give it shape.
Types of Curling Iron for Black Hair
The first consideration when buying a curling iron is the model. Each curling tool has its own specific niche, so it’s essential to recognize what each of them can do for you before investing in them.d
Curling Iron vs. Curling Wand
Don’t be fooled into thinking a curling iron and a curling wand are the same thing; they’re not, and each of them is used to achieve a particular look.
Curling irons come with clamps. This allows curling irons to create naturally bouncy curls or to create a wavy, ringlet-like look. Curling wands, on the other hand, are used to create a variety of hairstyles thanks to their versatility and ease of use.
Single vs. Double vs. Triple Barrel
Curling irons can have multiple heating barrels attached to them. Apart from the standard single-barrel curling iron, you can also find double and even triple-barreled curling irons.
More isn’t necessarily better, and the extra barrels are only really required if you have very long hair. Complex hairstyles and livelier curls also need precise heating, and if you’re going for such a look, you may want to invest in at least a double-barrel curling iron.
Types According to the Heating Element
Curling irons for black hair use multiple heating elements. Each of these heating elements has its own characteristics, so it’s essential to know them all so that you can find the best heating iron for you.
Titanium Curling Iron
Titanium curling irons, as their name suggests, use titanium for their heating plates. Titanium heats up incredibly quickly and has good heat retention, which makes it ideal for professional curling irons. On the downside, the swift heating action and potential damage that heat overexposure can do to your hair mean that titanium irons require a lot of practice to use.
Tourmaline Curling Iron for Black Hair
Tourmaline is a common gemstone that, when heated, generates negative ions. Negative ions are great at taming frizzy hair while sealing your cuticles. Tourmaline curling irons also tend to be more thorough than other types of curling irons, requiring fewer passes to get your hair just the way you like it.
Ceramic Curling Iron for Black Hair
Curling irons can also opt to use ceramic parts for their heating elements. This comes with the advantage of being a lot safer than titanium curling irons due to slower heating time and better, more even heat distribution. This comes at the downside of – you guessed it – having a longer startup time than titanium curling irons.
Gold Plated
Gold-plated curling irons were the standard when curling irons first entered the scene. Today, they’re a lot less common but still have their own niche when it comes to curling hair. This material can retain heat for an extended period of time and is best at taming thick or coarse hair.
Black Hair Curling Iron Types According to Size
Curling irons for black hair come in different sizes. These sizes allow irons to make and maintain a variety of styles. As a general rule of thumb, large barrels are used for creating wavy hairstyles, while smaller barrels are better for making bouncy curls.
2 Inch Curling Iron
The 2-inch curling iron is quite large; as such, it’s best for creating larger waves with a slight bend.
1 ½-Inch Curling Iron
The slightly smaller 1 1/2-inch curling iron is to create a loose, voluminous, and luscious curl.
1 ¼-Inch Curling Iron
The 1 ¼-inch curling iron is used for making beachy waves or adding and creating texture. This curling iron can also be used to pin curl and create looser curls.
1-Inch Curling Iron
The 1-inch curling iron is the perfect length for building and maintaining short and medium styles. That’s not all it can do; this length is also great for creating soft curls on long hair, especially when brushed through.
¾-Inch Curling Iron
This smaller curling iron excels in creating highly detailed hairstyles, such as corkscrew curls or vintage-style updos.
5/8-Inch Curling Iron
The 5/8-inch curling iron is fantastic for making curly locks and for achieving a more uniform look.
3/8-Inch Curling Iron
The small 3/8-inch curling iron is used mainly for detail and can give definition to unruly ringlets, especially after you air-dry your locks.
Types According to the Number of Barrels
The number of barrels that a curling iron has also affected its performance. Remember: each of a curling iron’s components is designed for a specific purpose, and more barrels aren’t necessarily better.
One Barrel
Most curling irons come as a single-barrel model. This model is perfect for people with shorter hair or those looking for more conventional hairstyles.
Two Barrels
The added barrel of a double-barrel curling iron gives it a larger heating surface. This makes double barrels a better choice for people with longer hair or for those who want more distinct hairstyles with many waves and curls.
Three Barrels
Triple barrel irons are best at curling very long hair. Because of the amount of heat they provide, these curling irons are great at creating super wavy hairstyles that can’t be matched by a single or double-barrel iron.
Features to Look for In a Black Hair Curler
Once you’ve found the right heating element, length, and number of barrels, it’s time to have a look at the extra features of the curling iron you’re planning to get.
Adjustable Temperature Settings
Curling irons that won’t damage hair should always have adjustable temperature settings. Not having temperature settings is dangerous and should be a deal breaker for you. Improper handling of hair at high temperatures can and will lead to permanent hair damage, and lower temperatures are usually enough to style hair. This goes doubly so for black hair, which is oftentimes more delicate and fragile than other types of hair.
Barrel Size
While we’ve already covered barrel size, it’s actually better to get a bigger barrel. A bigger barrel allows you to make both large and small curls, depending on your style – and you can always get a smaller iron for fine detailing work.
Weight
The heavier a curling iron is, the harder it is to handle. It’s essential to have a curling iron that’s light so that your hands won’t tire out while styling your hair.
Auto-Shutoff
Unattended curling irons are fire hazards, and while it’s easy to say that we’ll always turn off our curling irons when finished, it’s always better to err on the side of caution. Many curling irons come with an automatic shut-off feature if they’re left running for 45 – 60 minutes.
Display
Some curling irons come with an LED or LCD screen that gives a quick readout of several critical pieces of information, such as the current temperature, how long the curling iron has been on, and how much charge remains. While this feature isn’t strictly necessary, it’s always nice to be able to get all this information with a quick glance.
Handles
Whenever possible, get a curling iron that has ergonomic or rubberized handles. Curling hair can be dangerous work, and if your hand and grip should slip while styling your hair, you can get burned and seriously injured.
Common Questions About Curling Iron for Black Hair
How often can I use a curling iron for black hair?
As a general rule, don’t curl your hair more than once a week. Doing so can damage your hair via heat overexposure and can lead to permanent damage.
Can I use a curling iron for black hair on wet or damp hair?
No, and never attempt this. Always make sure that your hair is dry before attempting to style it via a curling iron or any high-heat styling tool. Not only will this produce subpar results, but if your hair is very wet, the heat will also rapidly vaporize the water on your head, converting it to steam and potentially burning you.
How hot should a curling iron be for African-American hair?
A heat of 370°F or 188°C should be more than enough for styling rich African-American hair.
How long should I curl my hair?
Five to ten seconds of heat exposure is enough to style your hair, depending on if your hair responds well to your curling iron.
Why do my curls fall flat after curling them?
Flat curls usually mean that your hair is still slightly moist. For best results, always blow dry your hair before attempting to curl it with a curling iron.
Enjoy Your New Black Hair Curling Iron
Curling your hair can be tricky, but it doesn’t have to be with the right curling iron for black hair by your side. Hopefully, with the help of this guide, you’ll now be able to pinpoint exactly which curling iron you need for the style you want.
If you can’t decide what to choose yet and want something that will hold it in place while you curl, read our list of the best brush curling irons or check out hair wavers.
Gen is a Master Stylist in Tampa, Florida who specializes in extremely thin hair and hair loss care. Working with hundreds of clients with hair loss/thinning concerns allowed her to recognize products and routines that can cause damage. She has discovered what hair products work and what doesn’t and shares all of this info to the readers of Union of Barber. When she’s not writing, you can find Gen hiking or at home with her army of cats!
