The 5 Best Curling Irons For Long Hair

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Mr. Big Extra Long Ceramic Curling Iron
Best Overall
  • Longest barrel on the market (9 ½”!)
  • Even heating with triple-coating of ceramic
  • Lightweight
HOT TOOLS Professional 24K Gold Extra Long Curling Iron
Best For Coarse Hair
  • 24k gold-plated barrel
  • Wider 1 ¼” rod great for beach waves
  • Works well on coarse or thick hair
PARWIN PRO 8-in-1 Curling Wand Set
Best Multi-Set
  • 8 interchangeable curling rods for all your styling needs
  • Extended 1" length barrel included
  • Comes with clips, glove, and roll-up case

Long, straight hair is a thing of beauty. Sometimes though, you just want some curls or waves for a fresh, new look. The good news is that most curling appliances are made for longer hair, so you’re in luck! But which curling iron is best for long hair?

Best Curling Irons for Long Hair

Mr. Big Extra Long Ceramic Curling Iron (9 ½” Barrel)

Features
Mr. Big Extra Long Ceramic Curling Iron (9 ½” Barrel)
  • Triple-Plated Ceramic Barrel
  • 360° Rotating Tip + Swivel Cord
  • 6 Heat Settings From 180°F - 430°F
  • Extra-Long Thumb Grip
  • 60-minute Auto Shut-Off

The name pretty much says it all (ahem) – the Mr. Big Extra Long Ceramic Curling Iron has the longest barrel on the market, making it a huge time-saver if you have super long hair (i.e. down to your lower back or below). 

The curler was created by a single mom who was frustrated trying to curl her own long hair with standard curling irons. After 10 years and 5 manufacturers, she was finally able to bring Mr. Big Curling Iron to the market.

The 9 ½” barrel gives you enough runway to wrap your hair around – up to 30” – and create curls in one pass, cutting your styling time in half or more.

It’s triple-coating of ceramic makes it less damaging to your hair, and the adjustable heat settings from 180°F to 430°F give you a wide range of temperatures to customize to your hair type.

It’s also got cleverly placed power and control buttons so you don’t accidentally press them while styling (hate when this happens), and is surprisingly lightweight despite the longer barrel.

The tip of the iron swivels, which may or may not be beneficial depending on your preference. If you like holding the tip with one hand while you twist the handle with the other, it can be a great feature. 

However, some don’t care for it and wish it didn’t rotate. There have also been reports of the tip getting hot even though it’s supposed to stay cool.

Finally, the iron seems to work best on medium to thick hair. Some users with fine strands have experienced a less-than-ideal grip on their hair with the clamp.

Pros
  • 9 ½” barrel length curls very long hair in one pass
  • Power and control buttons located on the side prevent accidental changes
  • Dual-voltage for international travel
  • Triple-coating of ceramic protects hair from uneven hotspots
  • Lightweight despite extra length
Cons
  • Counterintuitive heat dial settings go from high to low (left to right)
  • Fine hair can be difficult to clamp securely against barrel

CHI Air Spin N Curl 1” Ceramic Rotating Curler

Features
CHI Spin N’ Curl
  • 1” Ceramic Rotating Barrel
  • LCD Display + Digital Controls
  • Max temperature 410°F
  • Directional buttons and beep alerts
  • Dual voltage + 60-minute Auto Shut-Off

The CHI Air Spin N Curl is an automatic curling iron that wraps your hair with the push of a button and beeps to let you know when to release. It has an open chamber with a short rotating barrel inside that your hair winds around.

The curler actually works best on long hair even though most people initially worry about getting their hair tangled and stuck in the chamber. As long as you use small enough sections (about 1”), you shouldn’t have any problems.

However, if you do get hair tangled up in the chamber, it will beep and turn off so you can unravel it from the barrel. 

To use, hold the CHI Air Spin N Curl upright near your scalp and place a section of hair close to your roots into the chamber. It draws your hair in through to the ends once you press and hold the Spin button.

You can control the direction of your curl with the arrow buttons. I like this feature a lot because it’s easy to create curls in alternate directions, which I find hard to do with a standard iron. (Takes some coordination!)

Another nice benefit with the CHI Air Spin N Curl is that the outer chamber doesn’t get too hot so you don’t burn yourself. Once you get used to using it, you’ll also save a lot of time because the curler does most of the work for you. 

Pros
  • Dual-voltage 110V – 220V
  • Curls in both directions
  • Outer shell doesn’t get hot – won’t burn your fingers or scalp
  • Digital temperature controls and display
  • Comes with a cleaning tool to keep barrel free of product buildup
Cons
  • Can jam if too much hair is inserted into the chamber
  • Can’t curl near your scalp due to the size of the chamber

PARWIN PRO 8-in-1 Curling Wand Set

Features
PARWIN PRO 8-in-1 Curling Wand Set
  • 8 Interchangeable Tourmaline Ceramic Barrels
  • 1 Extended Length 1" Rod
  • Digital Display + Twist Base Controls
  • Temperature Range 290°F - 450°F
  • Extras Included: Glove, 2 Clips, Roll-Up Case

Sometimes, the best things in life come in 8. Sure, there are plenty of interchangeable curling wand sets out there, but Parwin Pro has a set that comes with an extended length barrel for those with long locks.

The extra-long barrel clocks in at 8.6” long, making it a no-brainer for hair-down-to-your-butt locks. 

But don’t think that’s the only one that’ll work – the bubble wand also works well for long lengths, especially if you like a more natural non-uniform wave or a tighter spiral. For the boho, bedhead look, wrap your strands around, between, and over the “bubbles”, or twist and place hair between the bumps for a spiral curl.

Even if you’re a newbie to curling your hair, there’s no need to feel apprehensive – it’s easy to remove and insert the barrels, as well as adjusting the heat by twisting the base of the handle.

The temperature range goes from 290°F to 450°F, which is a good upper and lower limit to cover most hair types. However, it only increases in increments of 20°F, so there aren’t as many settings as I’d like (I usually set my iron to 380°F, but with this I have to choose between 370°F or 390°F).

Other than that, it’s hard to fault this 8-in-1 set for how well it works and for all the extras that come included! Besides the base and barrels, you also get a roll-up bag with a slot for each rod, a heat-resistant glove, and a couple hair clips.

Pros
  • 8 different barrels including an extended length 1” rod
  • Easy to use
  • Can create any look from tight spirals to loose natural waves
  • Digital display + variable temperature settings
  • Excellent value with lots of extras
Cons
  • Fabric cord stays in a folded position unless manually straightened

Bed Head Wave Artist Deep Waver Generation II

Features
Bed Head Wave Artist Deep Waver Generation II
  • Tourmaline Ceramic Barrels
  • Deep Wave Crimper
  • 30 Heat Settings
  • Max temperature 400°F
  • Dual voltage

For easy, voluminous waves, the Bed Head Wave Artist Deep Waver Gen II is great for creating glamorous, natural-looking beach waves. And they last for days to boot.

Technically, the Bed Head Wave Artist isn’t a curling iron so much as a large crimper. It’s got 2 panels – one with a deep barrel and a second molded plate on top. You place a section of hair between the two plates, clamp and press to create waves. 

It’s especially great for long hair. Starting at your roots, you clamp a section, hold for a few seconds while it sets, then release. Repeat down the length of your hair until you get to your ends. 

For a uniform wave, line up the outer wave with the first barrel as you work your way down (so you’re essentially re-crimping the 3rd wave with the 1st barrel each time you move the waver down).

You can adjust the heat from low to high (400°F), but there’s no temperature gauge so you don’t know the exact temperature you’re setting the heat to.

The other thing to be aware of is that the unit gets very hot, so do be careful handling the waver when doing your hair.

Pros
  • Creates natural-looking beachy waves by crimping instead of curling
  • Tourmaline ceramic technology creates shine and reduces frizz
  • Dual-voltage for international use
  • Auto shut-off for safety (Gen I does not have auto shut-off, Gen II does)
Cons
  • Adjustable heat settings do not specify actual temperature
  • Bulkier than a curling iron

Hot Tools 24K Gold Extra Long 1-1/4” Curling Iron

Features
Hot Tools 24K Gold Extra Long 1-1/4” Curling Iron
  • 24k Gold-Plated Barrel
  • 2" Longer Than Standard Curling Irons
  • Temperature Range 280°F - 430°F
  • 8-ft. Swivel Cord

If big, flowy beach waves are what you’re after, the Hot Tools 24k Gold Extra Long 1 ¼” is an excellent tool for the job. The gold metallic barrel is great for especially thick, long hair that resists styling, and the quarter inch extra width is just the right size for a loose, natural wave.

The rod is 2″ longer than standard-length irons, for a total of 7 ½” of length to wrap your locks around. It stays at a consistent temperature due to Hot Tools’ built-in smart technology that senses and adjusts the heat while you use it, making recovery and styling time more efficient.

The easy-to-control heat dial at the base of the barrel has temperature settings from 280°-430°F, and an 8′ long swivel cord gives you plenty of freedom and maneuverability to curl around your entire head. It also has a cool-to-the-touch swivel tip that you can hold onto without burning your fingers.

A couple of things to keep in mind: the gold plating makes this iron best for coarse, thick hair. I wouldn’t recommend it for fine or damaged hair because metal holds high heat well and can be too hot for fragile hair.

For those who’ve tried and failed to get the perfect beach wave with other curling irons, this one should help you get them once and for all.

Pros
  • Barrel is 2” longer than standard curling irons
  • Embedded smart technology senses and keeps temperature consistent
  • Adjustable heat settings up to 430°F is effective on hard-to-curl hair
  • 24k gold barrel plating heats quickly and is able to curl coarse, thick hair
  • Long 8’ swivel cord
Cons
  • No auto shut-off
  • Metallic barrel isn’t as safe for finer hair types

3 Things to Think About Before Getting a Curling Iron

  • Your hair type and condition. This is the number one thing to consider regardless of your hair length. Is your hair fine, medium, or coarse? Is it healthy, damaged or chemically-treated? These factors will determine the barrel material you should get for the best results and the least amount of heat damage.
  • The Type of Curl You Want. The type of curl you’re looking to achieve will determine the barrel size you should get. Tight ringlets will require a small barrel while loose beach waves will need a larger width.
  • Your proficiency (or lack thereof) with hot styling tools. This will help narrow down the type of curling iron or wand that will be easiest for you to use. If you don’t have a lot of experience using a traditional curling iron – or heck, are just plain lazy – there are various options such as automatic curlers and double or triple barrel irons that do most of the heavy lifting for you.

Buying Guide: What To Look For in a Curling Tool for Long Hair

woman with long blonde hair

Once you’ve determined the considerations above, you’ll have a better sense of the features you’ll need in a curling iron. Below are the main things to look for:

Barrel Material

  • If you have fine or damaged hair, get a ceramic curler. Ceramic distributes heat evenly across the barrel, eliminating hot spots that can cause uneven curling and damage to your tresses. For even more protection, find one that also has tourmaline mixed in.

    Tourmaline is a crystal that gets ground into a fine powder and is infused into some ceramic curlers to create shine and smoothness. It does so by emitting negative ions to counteract frizzy hair’s positive ions.

  • Metallic irons like gold or titanium are good at heating up quickly and holding high temperatures. They’re best for healthy, coarse hair types that are resistant to curling.
     
    Titanium is also very lightweight, but usually more expensive. (The cheap chrome ones available at drugstores are not recommended because they’re the most damaging.)

Adjustable Heat Settings

  • Another important feature of any good curling iron is the ability to adjust the heat setting to the appropriate temperature for your hair.

    For fine, fragile, or color-treated hair, you’ll want one that allows you to set a temperature between 200-300°F. If you have coarse or difficult to style hair, a curling iron that gets up to 400+°F will be in order.

Clamp or No Clamp?

curling iron with spring clamp
  • Traditional curling irons usually have a clamp along the length of the barrel to keep your hair clipped on while you curl.

    It’s normally a spring clamp that opens when you press the lever and shuts when you let go.

    They help hold your hair against the barrel while you twist it, which some people prefer.

    However, they can create a crease or kink where your hair has been clamped against the iron.
clampless curling wand
  • A curling wand, on the other hand, is just a barrel that you wind hair around with your free hand and hold until you release the curl.

    They come in either cylindrical or tapered cone shapes, where one end is narrower than the other.

Barrel Size, Shape, and Length

  • If you’re looking to create even curls down the length of your hair, a regular cylindrical rod is what you’ll need. Small curls will need a barrel size less than 1”, and large waves anywhere from 1 ¼”-2”.

    The 1” diameter is the most versatile and popular for all hair lengths. For loose natural waves, some people like the conical or tapered barrel, which gives you a less symmetrical, more flow-y wave.

    There are also extended length curling irons available for very long hair so you can curl it in one pass, as well as spiral irons that help guide your hair between the built-in swirl of the barrel.

Manual or Automatic Curler?

On top of all the options available for regular curling irons, there are also automatic curlers that twirl your hair around the barrel for you. These work particularly well for long hair and come in a few different formats.

There’s the chamber curler, which looks like a torch when you hold it upright. Your hair gets zipped into the round chamber surrounding the hot barrel and stays there til your curl sets. 

Then there’s the auto-rotating open barrel, which is similar to a regular curling iron except that it rotates with a press of a button.

The other style of open-barrel auto-curler has prongs around the base of the barrel that rotates and wraps hair around while it spins.

Tips & Tricks for Curling Long Hair

  • Always start with clean, dry hair. Prepping your hair for curling is important for getting good results, in addition to keeping your hair healthy. Wash, condition, and dry your hair thoroughly. (Never use a curling iron on wet or damp hair!)

    Spray heat protectant on your locks before you do any heat styling to protect from damage.

  • Brush or comb your hair to get rid of any tangles before curling. It’s important that you don’t have any kinks or knots for the best results.

  • Work with 1” sections. Using smaller sections, usually around 1” at a time, gives you better results as well as hold.

  • Start near your roots, curling as you work down. This applies to both spring clamp irons as well as wands. It’s less physically awkward (and less damaging to your ends). 

  • For a well-defined spiral, twist your hair from root to ends before wrapping around the barrel. This will give you a more piece-y look with thin spirals. If you’re doing this with a traditional clamp iron, open the clip and wrap the section around the barrel without clamping down.
  • To create waves quickly, pull hair into a high ponytail before curling. You’ll get natural, flow-y locks in a jiffy.

  • Allow your curls to cool before tousling them! If you give your curls a chance to cool before brushing or running your fingers through them, they’ll set and stay longer.

Bottom Line

If you’ve got hair for miles and want to create luscious curls or waves, it’s hard to go wrong with the Mr. Big Extra Long Ceramic Curling Iron. With it’s 9 ½” barrel, you’ll be able to curl your locks in one pass and save yourself a ton of time.

Its ceramic barrel heats evenly, leaves your hair shiny and frizz-free, and has the largest temperature range settings I’ve seen around. 

It’s single-handedly one of the best curling irons for long hair because it was designed and created by someone who experienced all the frustrations of curling her own tresses with standard irons that just couldn’t keep up.

Emma Lee
As long as she can remember, Emma has been obsessed with beautiful hair. Her favorite look is pin-straight, sleek glass hair. She's had multiple styles from short and permed to long and natural throughout her life, and knows full well that how your hair looks can make or break your day.

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