Our editor’s top 12 picks for curls that last past brunch
Between Hailey Bieber’s glossy bob and TikTok’s obsession with 90s ‘supermodel waves,’ short hair is officially the moment. Chic, fresh, and… honestly, a little tricky when it comes to styling.
The wrong curling iron leaves you with flat roots, awkward dents, or curls that drop faster than your patience on a Monday morning. That’s why short strands need tools that actually get the memo: smaller barrels, smarter heat tech, and designs that won’t leave you singeing your fingertips.
Our editor has rounded up the 12 best curling irons for short hair, so you can nail everything from polished bends to undone waves. Consider it your cheat sheet to big style on short cuts.
What size curling iron for short hair?
Size definitely matters with short hair, but that doesn’t mean you always need the skinniest barrel on the shelf. Different diameters give different effects, and choosing the right one depends on both your cut and the style you’re going for. Here’s how to match barrel size to short hair:
0.75 inch (≈19mm)
Best for pixies or very short bobs. The smaller barrel grips shorter layers easily and creates tighter curls that hold their shape. It also adds lift at the roots, giving fine hair more volume.
1 inch (≈25mm)
The all-rounder. A 25mm barrel works beautifully on most bobs and lobs, producing soft, polished curls or beachy waves depending on how you wrap the hair. It’s versatile enough to style short cuts without looking too “done.”
1.25 inch (≈32mm)
For lobs or blunt cuts that skim the shoulders, this size gives a looser bend. The effect is more of a smooth wave than a curl, ideal if you’re chasing that effortless, “cool-girl” texture rather than ringlets.
The best curling iron for short hair—our top 12 picks
If you’ve got short hair, you want tools that move fast, grab well, and don’t overwhelm your length. These are 12 top curling irons/wands that make curling a breeze, not a burn fest or arm workout.
TYME 1.25” Curling Iron
This one is all about luxurious volume and versatility. TYME’s 1.25-inch curling iron was built to deliver loose, bouncy curls and soft waves with more ease than you’d expect from a barrel this size. It heats fast, controls heat smartly, and gives natural curl shape without too many kinks, especially useful when you’re dealing with short layers that love to jump around.
- PTC ceramic heater with 30-second heat-up.
- 4 heat settings (300–400°F) to suit different hair types.
- Auto shut-off (30 mins), 360° swivel cord, and ionic tech for less frizz.
GHD CURVE® CREATIVE CURL WAND
This is one of the more tech-savvy options. The Creative Curl Wand from GHD is tapered: a wider base narrowing to a tip. That means you get more flexibility (tighter curl or softer wave) depending on how you wrap your hair. And it uses “Ultra-zone” tech to keep heat consistent (365°F) across the barrel so you don’t get hot spots. Comfortable to use and safer for short hair because of the built-in safety and design touches.
- Tapered barrel (1.1"–0.9") for versatile curl sizes.
- Ultra-zone tech keeps heat at 365°F evenly across the barrel.
- Cool tip, safety stand & auto shut-off after 30 minutes.
Cloud Nine The Curling Wand
If you want something kinder to your hair but still with gloss, shape, and good control, this wand shines. The Cloud Nine Curling Wand has a 25mm Sericite®-infused barrel, which gives a smoother finish and helps with moisture retention. It also has three heat settings, which is helpful for short hair because you can go gentle. The length of barrel, the safety features, and the design make it possible to do tighter curls or looser waves without being overwhelming.
- 25mm Sericite-infused barrel for shine and smooth finish.
- 3 heat settings (125–175°C) to suit fine or thick hair.
- Auto shut-off (30 mins) plus long 3m swivel cord & heat glove.
Conair Tourmaline Ceramic Curling Wand
Budget buys don’t always earn a spot on beauty lists, but this Conair wand does. The tourmaline ceramic barrel gives a surprisingly smooth finish, cutting down on frizz and static, while still gripping short strands. It heats quickly, has enough settings to suit most hair types, and is light enough that your arm won’t ache mid-style. For anyone who wants a no-nonsense tool that delivers consistent curls without the price tag, this is a solid pick.
- 5 heat settings up to 400°F
- Tourmaline barrel for smooth, shiny curls
- Auto shut-off for peace of mind
l’ange Le Pirouette
This is the pink wand that feels more like a treat than a tool. The Le Pirouette takes some of the effort out of curling with a barrel that rotates at the press of a button, making it easier to handle shorter sections without awkward wrist twisting. The titanium surface adds gloss and smoothness, and with two barrel sizes you can choose tighter curls or looser waves depending on your mood. Equal parts boujee and practical, it’s designed for anyone who wants their styling routine to look—and feel—luxe.
- Rotating barrel for left/right curl control
- Heat range 300–450°F
- Available in 25mm and 32mm sizes
BaByliss Rose-Quartz 25mm Curling Tong
f you’re after looser waves that still have polish, the Rose-Quartz tong hits the mark. The 25mm barrel is a comfortable size for short bobs and lobs, giving movement that feels effortless rather than over-styled. The rose-quartz ceramic coating helps hair glide smoothly over the barrel while locking in shine, and with six heat settings you can fine-tune to your texture. It’s a tool that balances ease with results, all while looking chic on your dressing table.
- 25mm rose-quartz ceramic barrel
- 6 digital heat settings (320–410°F)
- Auto shut-off + built-in stand
Hershesons The Wand
Hershesons’ The Wand is your go-to when you want salon texture without fuss. At 25mm it strikes that balance between loose wave and defined curl, and the ceramic-coated barrel gives you shine instead of scraggly ends. You get a wide heat range via an LED display with seven settings, which means whether your hair is fine or thick, there’s a dial-in that works. Bonus: its heat-up is near instant, so no waiting around before you start styling.
- 25mm ceramic-coated barrel for smooth finish
- Seven heat settings from ~80°C to ~210°C via LED swivel dial
- Auto shut-off plus lightweight & long cord for comfort and safety
Dyson Airwrap i.d.™ multi-styler and dryer - Straight+Wavy
It’s a cult classic for a reason. The Dyson Airwrap i.d. for Straight+Wavy hair feels like magic: it uses air flow + smart tech instead of high direct heat to style hair, which helps protect shine and reduce damage. It links up with the MyDyson app so you can build a custom profile that adjusts heat, airflow, and timing to your hair type. The attachments are made to cover everything—curling, smoothing, drying—so you get serious versatility. Yes, it’s a splurge, but you’re paying for tools that deliver looks without wrecking texture.
- Intelligent Heat Control that measures and adjusts heat (keeping temps lower to protect hair)
- Multiple attachments built in: conical barrel, smoothing dryer, brush, etc., to curl, shape, smooth, and more
- App-connected styling routine + guided curl / wave modes tailored to your hair’s length/type
Drybar Heated Iron
Drybar’s Heated Iron (especially their Tress Press styling irons) are ideal if you want both sleek straight styles and the option to curl or wave—all with one tool. The floating titanium or ceramic plates give constant, smooth contact, so fewer sections and less damage. Rounded edges mean you can wrap short hair for gentle waves instead of harsh bends. And the digital heat control lets you modulate for fine, fragile strands or thicker textures. It’s not the cheapest, but if you want one tool to do it all, this fits the bill.
- Floating plates (titanium or ceramic) with rounded edges for curls as well as straight styles
- Digital heat controls up to ~450°F so you can drop the temp for fine/short hair
- 60-minute auto shut-off and universal voltage options for safety and travel friendliness
Wahl Curling Wand (25-13mm)
The Wahl Pro Shine Conical Wand gives you serious curl flexibility; loose waves at the thick base, tighter curls toward the tip. The barrel tapers from 25 down to 13 mm, so on short hair you can play with two distinct textures using the same tool. Ceramic + keratin infusion makes for smoother, shinier curls without harsh crunch, and its heat range starts low (80 °C) so you can protect delicate strands while still getting style.
- Variable temperature: 80-210 °C for gentle to stronger hold
- Ceramic-coated, keratin-infused barrel for extra shine and less frizz
- Cool-tip for safety + fast heat-up so you're not waiting around
Bombay Hair32mm (1.25") Rose Gold Curling Wand
If you want big, glossy waves, this walls-of-shine wand does it. The 32 mm pure titanium barrel (rose gold finish) radiates even heat and uses negative-ion and infrared tech to help seal cuticles and smooth flyaways. You also get a wide temp range (≈150-450°F), dual voltage, a cool tip and glove for safety, and clips-free design so hair wraps cleanly. It’s perfect if you love looser, glamorous movement rather than tight curls.
- 100% titanium barrel + negative-ion tech for frizz control and shine
- Adjustable temp 150-450°F, with heat-resistant glove + clip-free wand design
- Dual voltage (travel-friendly) + LED light indicator when desired temp reached
FlexStyle 5-in-1 Air Styler & Hair Dryer
This is the tool for people who want one device to do almost everything. The FlexStyle flips between a powerful dryer and a multi-styler with several attachments: auto-wrap curlers, brush heads, diffuser, smoothers, so you can curl, volumize, smooth, straighten all with one twist. It has multiple heat & airflow settings, and its design is compact/light enough to use without aching. Ideal if your short hair game changes daily: waves one day, sleek blow-out the next.
- Five attachments: curlers, paddle brush, oval brush, concentrator, diffuser for different styling needs
- Three adjustable heat & airflow settings to help modulate for fine vs thicker strands while protecting texture
- Lightweight & compact, with “twist to convert” from dryer to styler
Short hair, big styling power
Short hair doesn’t limit your options, it just means your tools have to work smarter. Whether you’re after tight curls, soft bends, or an effortless wave, the right curling iron can transform a cropped cut into something polished and full of personality.
From budget-friendly picks to investment icons, these tools prove that size, shape, and smart design make all the difference. And if you’re looking for more than just curls, head to TYME for expert tips, guides, and everything you need to know about keeping your hair healthy, glossy, and style-ready every day.
