Buying guide
Best curling tongs and wands for fine hair
Chosen from what the Amazon listings state, not tested by us. How we pick
Note: This page contains affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more
Top picks at a glance
Compare them allBest overall
ghd Chronos Curve Classic Tong: 26 mm, steady heat
The listing states it is suitable for short and long hair alike.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate linkBest value
ghd Curve Classic Wave Wand: 14 mm for tight curls
A 14 mm barrel is the smallest here, giving curls on hair too short for wider barrels.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate linkMost features
Dyson Airwrap i.d.: under 150°C with conical barrel
The 40 mm long barrel is listed as a hair waver for loose, bouncy waves.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link
Fine hair has two problems with curlers. It takes heat quickly, so it does not need the highest setting, and it is light, so big loose curls tend to drop within an hour. Smaller barrels help, because a tighter curl has more room to relax and still look like a curl. Barrels from 14 to 26 mm suit fine hair well, and air stylers with small curlers are a lower heat route. Volume also matters, since fine hair can sit flat at the root. This guide compares thin and mid-size curlers, two air stylers and a volumising hot brush on barrel size, stated maximum heat and whether heat can be adjusted. Facts come only from each listing, and where a listing gives no figure we say so.
All products compared
- ghd Chronos Curve Classic Tong: 26 mm, steady heat
- Type
- Tong
- Barrel
- 26 mm
- Max heat
- 185°C
- Heat adjustable
- No
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - Dyson Airwrap i.d.: under 150°C with conical barrel
- Type
- Air multi-styler
- Barrel
- Conical and 40 mm
- Max heat
- Under 150°C
- Heat adjustable
- Yes, 3 settings
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - ghd Curve Classic Wave Wand: 14 mm for tight curls
- Type
- Wand
- Barrel
- 14 mm
- Max heat
- 185°C
- Heat adjustable
- No
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - BaByliss 9000 cordless tong: 25 mm, 180°C
- Type
- Cordless tong
- Barrel
- 25 mm
- Max heat
- 180°C
- Heat adjustable
- Not stated
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - ghd Rise: hot brush for root lift on flat hair
- Type
- Heated hot brush
- Barrel
- 32 mm
- Max heat
- 185°C
- Heat adjustable
- No
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - Shark FlexStyle gift set: 24 mm curler for tighter curls
- Type
- Air styler and dryer
- Barrel
- 24 mm and 32 mm curlers
- Max heat
- Not stated
- Heat adjustable
- Yes, 5 settings listed
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link
| Product | Type | Barrel | Max heat | Heat adjustable | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ghd Chronos Curve Classic Tong: 26 mm, steady heat | Tong | 26 mm | 185°C | No | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
| Dyson Airwrap i.d.: under 150°C with conical barrel | Air multi-styler | Conical and 40 mm | Under 150°C | Yes, 3 settings | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
| ghd Curve Classic Wave Wand: 14 mm for tight curls | Wand | 14 mm | 185°C | No | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
| BaByliss 9000 cordless tong: 25 mm, 180°C | Cordless tong | 25 mm | 180°C | Not stated | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
| ghd Rise: hot brush for root lift on flat hair | Heated hot brush | 32 mm | 185°C | No | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
| Shark FlexStyle gift set: 24 mm curler for tighter curls | Air styler and dryer | 24 mm and 32 mm curlers | Not stated | Yes, 5 settings listed | 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 · ghd
ghd Chronos Curve Classic Tong: 26 mm, steady heat
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. 2 · Dyson
Dyson Airwrap i.d.: under 150°C with conical barrel
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. 3 · ghd
ghd Curve Classic Wave Wand: 14 mm for tight curls
A 14 mm wand for tight, defined curls. The thin barrel lets short sections wrap more than once, and PTC heaters are stated to curl from 3 seconds.
In its favour
- A 14 mm barrel is the smallest here, giving curls on hair too short for wider barrels.
- PTC heater technology is stated to heat fast and curl from 3 seconds.
- A cool tip, styling glove and 30 minute sleep mode are listed.
Good to know
- Wands have no clamp, so short ends near the scalp take practice.
- The listing does not mention short hair directly.
Listing title: ghd Curve Hair Curler Wand, Lasting Healthy Looking Curls, Auto Sleep ...
No. 4 · BaByliss
BaByliss 9000 cordless tong: 25 mm, 180°C
A cordless tong with a 25 mm ceramic barrel and lithium-ion battery. The listing gives a three-hour charge for 40 minutes at maximum heat, enough for a short cut.
In its favour
- A 25 mm barrel suits bobs and short layers.
- No cable means easier angles at the back of a short cut.
- A charge level indicator, sleep mode and auto shut-off are listed.
Good to know
- Charging takes three hours, so it needs planning before use.
- Amazon lists 1.62 kg, which likely includes packaging and makes the in-hand weight unclear.
Listing title: BaByliss 9000 Cordless Curling Tong - High Heat, Cordless Ease
No. 5 · ghd
ghd Rise: hot brush for root lift on flat hair
Not a curler but a volumising hot brush, which suits fine hair that falls flat. The listing claims 2x more volume and root lift from a 32 mm barrel with short bristles.
In its favour
- ghd states 2x more volume and root lift, which fine hair often lacks.
- A cool tip helps create tension at the root, per the listing.
- A 25 second heat-up makes it quick for touch-ups.
Good to know
- It adds bend and body rather than defined curls.
- Heat is fixed at 185°C, with no lower setting for very fine hair.
Listing title: ghd Rise Volumising Hot Brush, 2x More Volume & Root Lift
No. 6 · Shark
Shark FlexStyle gift set: 24 mm curler for tighter curls
A FlexStyle gift set with 32 mm and 24 mm auto-wrap curlers for loose and tight curls, plus a FrizzFighter tool, oval brush, concentrator, clips and storage bag.
In its favour
- The 24 mm curler is listed for tighter curls, a useful size on short hair.
- Coanda airflow wraps hair automatically, so no clamp is needed near the scalp.
- It also dries hair, so one tool covers drying and curling.
Good to know
- Air wrapping needs enough length to catch, which very short hair may not have.
- No maximum temperature is given in the listing.
Listing title: Shark FlexStyle 5-in-1 Air Styler & Hair Dryer, No Heat Damage HD456TL...
More buying guides: Curling wands and tongs
Plate and Curl chooses every product independently, based on what its Amazon listing states. We may earn a commission on purchases made through the affiliate links above. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.