Buying guide
Best curling wands and tongs for long hair
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
ghd Chronos Curve Max Wand: 38 mm, for very long hair
A 38 mm barrel is the size most suited to open, loose waves on long hair.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate linkBest value
ghd Curve Classic Wave Wand: 14 mm, longer barrel
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 Co-anda 2X: 40 mm barrel, 2x air pressure
The 40 mm barrel is listed as a hair waver for loose waves on mid-length to longer hair.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link
Long hair asks two things of a curler. The barrel has to be long enough to take a full section without overlapping, and wide enough that the curl does not drop into a tight spring as it falls. Barrels of 32 mm give voluminous curls, 38 to 40 mm give loose waves, and a thin wand only works on long hair if the barrel is long. Heavy hair also loses curl faster, so steady heat across the whole barrel matters. Air stylers avoid hot metal and use airflow to wrap hair, which some people prefer for frequent styling. This guide compares ghd wands and tongs with two Dyson Airwraps on barrel size, type, stated heat and the hair lengths each listing names, using only listing facts.
All products compared
- ghd Chronos Curve Max Wand: 38 mm, for very long hair
- Type
- Wand
- Barrel
- 38 mm
- Heat
- 185°C
- Listed for
- Long and very long hair
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - Dyson Airwrap Co-anda 2X: 40 mm barrel, 2x air pressure
- Type
- Air multi-styler
- Barrel
- Conical and 40 mm
- Heat
- Not stated
- Listed for
- Mid-length to longer hair
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - Dyson Airwrap Origin: 40 mm, both directions
- Type
- Air multi-styler
- Barrel
- 40 mm
- Heat
- Under 150°C
- Listed for
- Longer lengths
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - ghd Curve Classic Wave Wand: 14 mm, longer barrel
- Type
- Wand
- Barrel
- 14 mm
- Heat
- 185°C
- Listed for
- Longer hair types too
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - ghd Chronos Curve Grand Tong: 32 mm, medium to long
- Type
- Tong
- Barrel
- 32 mm
- Heat
- 185°C
- Listed for
- Medium to longer hair
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - ghd Curve Soft Curl Tong: 32 mm, light at 363 g
- Type
- Tong
- Barrel
- 32 mm
- Heat
- 185°C
- Listed for
- All lengths
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link
| Product | Type | Barrel | Heat | Listed for | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ghd Chronos Curve Max Wand: 38 mm, for very long hair | Wand | 38 mm | 185°C | Long and very long hair | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
| Dyson Airwrap Co-anda 2X: 40 mm barrel, 2x air pressure | Air multi-styler | Conical and 40 mm | Not stated | Mid-length to longer hair | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
| Dyson Airwrap Origin: 40 mm, both directions | Air multi-styler | 40 mm | Under 150°C | Longer lengths | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
| ghd Curve Classic Wave Wand: 14 mm, longer barrel | Wand | 14 mm | 185°C | Longer hair types too | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
| ghd Chronos Curve Grand Tong: 32 mm, medium to long | Tong | 32 mm | 185°C | Medium to longer hair | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
| ghd Curve Soft Curl Tong: 32 mm, light at 363 g | Tong | 32 mm | 185°C | All lengths | 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 Max Wand: 38 mm, for very long hair
ghd's largest curling barrel, at 38 mm, made for long-lasting loose curls. The listing says it is ideal for long and very long hair and uses curl-responsive technology.
In its favour
- A 38 mm barrel is the size most suited to open, loose waves on long hair.
- ghd states a 65% bigger barrel than its standard curlers for faster styling.
- The anodised coating is stated to leave hair up to 50% smoother and shinier.
Good to know
- The listing names long and very long hair, so it is too big for short cuts.
- Temperature is fixed at 185°C with no lower setting listed.
Listing title: ghd Chronos Curve Hair Curler Wand, Long Lasting Frizz Free Curls
No. 2 · Dyson
Dyson Airwrap Co-anda 2X: 40 mm barrel, 2x air pressure
Dyson's most powerful Airwrap, with a conical barrel for natural curls and a 40 mm barrel for loose waves. The listing says it has 2x the air pressure of the Airwrap i.d.
In its favour
- The 40 mm barrel is listed as a hair waver for loose waves on mid-length to longer hair.
- A tapered conical barrel adds natural-looking curls from root to tip.
- Air temperature is measured over 1,000 times a second, according to Dyson.
Good to know
- It is aimed at straight to wavy hair, so curly hair types are not the target.
- The listing does not give a maximum temperature in degrees.
Listing title: Dyson Airwrap Co-anda 2X™ Multi-Styler and Dryer - Straight + Wavy
No. 3 · Dyson
Dyson Airwrap Origin: 40 mm, both directions
The original Airwrap with one 40 mm barrel that wraps in both directions. The listing mentions soft, unstructured mermaid waves for longer lengths and keeps heat under 150°C.
In its favour
- A bi-directional 40 mm barrel styles both sides without swapping attachments.
- Dyson states heat stays under 150°C, below the 185°C of the ghd curlers here.
- The Fast dryer and Anti-snag loop brush handle drying and smoothing too.
Good to know
- There is no conical barrel, so tighter sections for contrast are harder.
- Only three attachments are included, fewer than newer Airwrap models.
Listing title: Dyson Airwrap Origin Hair Styler & Dryer – Curls & Waves - Prussian Bl...
No. 4 · ghd
ghd Curve Classic Wave Wand: 14 mm, longer barrel
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. 5 · ghd
ghd Chronos Curve Grand Tong: 32 mm, medium to long
A 32 mm clamp tong for voluminous curls. Loosened with fingers, its curls drop into soft waves, and the listing says it is ideal for medium to longer hair.
In its favour
- The clamp holds the ends in place, which is easier than wrapping a wand by hand.
- Curl-responsive technology is stated to style 3x faster with frizz-free results.
- A 32 mm barrel is large enough for bouncy curls that relax into waves.
Good to know
- Clamped ends look more polished than the undone ends of a wand wave.
- The listing does not state cable length or sleep mode.
Listing title: ghd Chronos Curve Hair Curler Tong, 185 Degrees Optimium Styling Tempe...
No. 6 · ghd
ghd Curve Soft Curl Tong: 32 mm, light at 363 g
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...
More buying guides: Curling wands and tongs
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