Buying guide
Best curling wands and tongs for beginners
Chosen from what the Amazon listings state, not tested by us. How we pick
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Top picks at a glance
Compare them allBest overall
Shark FlexStyle 5-in-1: auto-wrap curls, any skill set
Coanda airflow wraps hair on its own, so there is no hand wrapping to learn.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate linkBest value
ghd Curve Soft Curl Tong: clamp, cool tip and glove
The listing names shorter hair, unusual for a 32 mm barrel.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate linkMost features
Dyson Airwrap i.d.: one-button curl sequence
The 40 mm long barrel is listed as a hair waver for loose, bouncy waves.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link
Learning to curl is mostly about control. A traditional wand has no clamp, so you hold the hair against a hot barrel by hand, which takes practice. A tong with a clamp grips the ends for you. Air stylers go further: airflow pulls the hair round the barrel on its own, so you only hold the tool in place. Small aids help too. A cool tip gives you somewhere safe to hold, a styling glove protects your fingers, and a safety stand keeps the hot barrel off the dressing table. This guide compares auto-wrap air stylers from Shark, Dyson and Revamp with two ghd clamp tongs on how each one curls, the aids each listing states, barrel size and tool type, using only listing facts.
All products compared
- Shark FlexStyle 5-in-1: auto-wrap curls, any skill set
- Type
- Air styler and dryer
- How it curls
- Coanda auto-wrap
- Listed aids
- Styling guide included
- Barrel
- 2 curlers, size not stated
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - ghd Chronos Curve Classic Tong: stand, glove, cool tip
- Type
- Tong
- How it curls
- Clamp
- Listed aids
- Cool tip, safety stand, glove
- Barrel
- 26 mm
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - Dyson Airwrap i.d.: one-button curl sequence
- Type
- Air multi-styler
- How it curls
- Coanda wrap, i.d. curl sequence
- Listed aids
- App guides, stored settings
- Barrel
- Conical and 40 mm
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - Shark FlexStyle IonCurl: stronger auto-wrap, Airset button
- Type
- Air styler and dryer
- How it curls
- Coanda wrap with CoandaBoost
- Listed aids
- Airset pause button
- Barrel
- 2 x 32 mm
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - ghd Curve Soft Curl Tong: clamp, cool tip and glove
- Type
- Tong
- How it curls
- Spring lever clamp
- Listed aids
- Cool tip, glove, sleep mode
- Barrel
- 32 mm
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - Revamp Dynamic Radiance Pro: self-rotating barrels
- Type
- Air styler and dryer
- How it curls
- Auto-rotating barrels
- Listed aids
- Pause button, cold shot
- Barrel
- Not stated
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link
| Product | Type | How it curls | Listed aids | Barrel | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shark FlexStyle 5-in-1: auto-wrap curls, any skill set | Air styler and dryer | Coanda auto-wrap | Styling guide included | 2 curlers, size not stated | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
| ghd Chronos Curve Classic Tong: stand, glove, cool tip | Tong | Clamp | Cool tip, safety stand, glove | 26 mm | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
| Dyson Airwrap i.d.: one-button curl sequence | Air multi-styler | Coanda wrap, i.d. curl sequence | App guides, stored settings | Conical and 40 mm | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
| Shark FlexStyle IonCurl: stronger auto-wrap, Airset button | Air styler and dryer | Coanda wrap with CoandaBoost | Airset pause button | 2 x 32 mm | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
| ghd Curve Soft Curl Tong: clamp, cool tip and glove | Tong | Spring lever clamp | Cool tip, glove, sleep mode | 32 mm | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
| Revamp Dynamic Radiance Pro: self-rotating barrels | Air styler and dryer | Auto-rotating barrels | Pause button, cold shot | Not stated | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
Details as stated in the Amazon listing or by the manufacturer. See the current price on Amazon.
The products in detail
No. 1 · Shark
Shark FlexStyle 5-in-1: auto-wrap curls, any skill set
A dryer that twists into an air styler, which Shark pitches at any hair type and any skill set. Two auto-wrap curlers pull hair round and set it in seconds, with a styling guide in the box.
In its favour
- Coanda airflow wraps hair on its own, so there is no hand wrapping to learn.
- The listing says it suits any skill set, and a styling guide is included.
- It also dries and smooths, so one tool covers the whole routine.
Good to know
- Curler sizes are not stated in the listing.
- The 2-year guarantee applies only after registering with Shark, per the listing.
Listing title: Shark FlexStyle 5-in-1 Air Styler & Hair Dryer, Stone, HD446SLUK
No. 2 · ghd
ghd Chronos Curve Classic Tong: stand, glove, cool tip
ghd's classic 26 mm tong, which the listing says suits all hair lengths, short and long. It has a cool tip, built-in safety stand and styling glove.
In its favour
- The listing states it is suitable for short and long hair alike.
- A 26 mm barrel is small enough to curl a bob but still gives soft waves.
- The cool tip, safety stand and included styling glove help when working near the head.
Good to know
- Heat is fixed at 185°C, with no lower setting listed.
- Amazon lists 776 g, heavier than older ghd tongs.
Listing title: ghd Chronos Curve Hair Curler Tong, 185 Degrees Optimium Styling Tempe...
No. 3 · Dyson
Dyson Airwrap i.d.: one-button curl sequence
A Bluetooth Airwrap with six attachments, including a conical barrel and a 40 mm long barrel for loose waves. The i.d. curl sequence sets heat, airflow and timing at a button press.
In its favour
- The 40 mm long barrel is listed as a hair waver for loose, bouncy waves.
- Stored wrap, style and cold shot times let you repeat the same waves each day.
- Intelligent heat control keeps temperatures under 150°C, per the listing.
Good to know
- The app features need a phone and the MyDyson app to get the most from it.
- It is listed for straight and wavy hair rather than curly or coily hair.
Listing title: Dyson Airwrap i.d. Hair Styler & Hair Dryer Straight/Wavy - Ceramic Ap...
No. 4 · Shark
Shark FlexStyle IonCurl: stronger auto-wrap, Airset button
A newer FlexStyle with CoandaBoost for stronger wrap force than the original. The Airset button pauses airflow with a double tap, useful while repositioning.
In its favour
- Stronger wrap force is stated to make curls bouncier than the standard FlexStyle.
- The Airset button pauses airflow or gives a cool burst to set curls.
- Brushes and a diffuser are included for other styles.
Good to know
- Both curlers are 32 mm, so there is no smaller size.
- Amazon lists 3.58 kg for the set, so handle weight is not clear.
Listing title: Shark FlexStyle IonCurl Ion Air Drying, Curling and Styling System - P...
No. 5 · ghd
ghd Curve Soft Curl Tong: clamp, cool tip and glove
A 32 mm soft curl tong that the listing says suits all hair lengths including shorter hair. On a short cut it gives body and a flick rather than a full curl.
In its favour
- The listing names shorter hair, unusual for a 32 mm barrel.
- At 363 g it is light and easy to angle near the scalp.
- A protective cool tip and styling glove are included.
Good to know
- A 32 mm barrel cannot make tight curls on very short hair.
- It lacks the curl-responsive technology of ghd's newer Chronos Curve tongs.
Listing title: ghd Curve® Curl Tongs, For Lasting Healthy-Looking Curls, With Ultra-Z...
No. 6 · REVAMP
Revamp Dynamic Radiance Pro: self-rotating barrels
A 7-in-1 air styler with auto-rotating barrels that the listing describes as a hot air brush for short hair and long hair. It also twists into a hair dryer.
In its favour
- The listing mentions short hair directly for its auto air curl barrels.
- Left and right rotating barrels keep curls even on both sides, per Revamp.
- Four heat settings, three speeds and a cold shot are listed.
Good to know
- Barrel sizes are not stated, so curl size on short hair is hard to judge.
- Amazon lists 1.72 kg, which probably includes accessories and packaging.
Listing title: REVAMP Dynamic Radiance Pro Blow Dry Ionic Hot Air Styler - 7 in 1
More buying guides: Curling wands and tongs
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