The 9 Best Hair Crimping and Waving Irons To Own Now

Just as fashion comes full circle multiple times throughout your lifetime, I’m looking at you tie-dye, so do hairstyles.

I’m sure you can recall a time way back when you either braided your hair before bed or pulled out your Conair crimper in the morning to get ready for school. Well, guess what ladies, crimped hair is coming back, and it’s coming back full force.

Unlike the little baby crimps that you sported when you had braces, the new crimped hair will mimic the modern-day waves. Think natural movement with beach waves and loose curls, aka the hair we have seen for the last few seasons.

Unlike the one size fits all hair crimping iron we grew up on, the irons nowadays come in a wide range of shapes and sizes and give you more variety overall.

What’s great about this new trend is it actually cuts styling time down in half and will decrease the time it takes you to get ready for the day.

Crimping Wands At A Quick Glance

What is a Crimping Iron?

A crimping iron is a hot tool that is shaped in an S shape and typically repeats the same grooves.

It has been around since 1972 but has gone through a wide range of updates since then.

Are all Crimping Iron shapes the same?

Back in the day, you would have maybe two or three different types of crimpers, but in today’s era, we have a wide range of options.

In the past, you could basically only pick the size of the crimp, but today you can choose the barrel shape, size, and much more.

What is the difference between a Crimping Iron and a Waving Iron?

Depending on the person and their mind, both are used to describe a tool that will essentially do the same thing. A crimper and a waver are going to give you the same S shape end result.

Some people may refer to a crimper as the tool that gives you the small type S-shaped hair, and some refer to a waving iron as a hot tool that gives you a more massive wave or curl pattern.

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Things To Keep In Mind Before Purchasing A Crimper

As we have already gone over, each crimper or waver is going to be a bit different from seller to seller. Below are a few basic things to keep in mind before pulling the trigger and purchasing one for yourself.

Size

The size of the barrel will be a major factor you want to think about—the bigger the barrel, the bigger the waves. This includes the size across the barrel and not just it’s the length.

The size of the length ( top to bottom or tip to base) will determine how much hair you can fit in at a time, and the size across the barrel ( left to right, you can see and measure this on the end tip like measuring across a circle) will determine the size of the wave itself.

Regarding size, those with short hair may want to use a two-barrel crimper vs. those with medium to long hair, which may wish to use a larger 3 barrel.

I have a lob myself that falls at my chin, and I do prefer the 3 barrel, but to each their own, I say. I have a ton of clients who prefer a 2 barrel with shorter hair because it is easier for them to do. A 3 barrel works excellent for me because I have my cosmetology license, and hot tools are second nature to me.

People with short hair can always start with a two-barrel until they get it down and then graduate to a 3 barrel tool.

Styling tip: Crimpers can be a great thing to use at the root to give hair a bit of a lift. This can be done when the hair is worn straight or curled with a curling iron.

Temperature

Even before size is considered, you will want to make temperature settings the first thing you think about.

Hot tool temperature, in regards to crimpers, curlers, straighteners, etc., is something more people should be aware of.

The use of hot tools eventually ruins hair integrity for all hair types and will undoubtedly cause damage over time. Those with colored hair need to be cautious, and those with blonde or platinum hair need to be extra careful.

Those with light-colored hair should always use hot tools at the lowest settings possible to save hair health.

Everyone should be using some type of heat protectant and do conditioning treatments weekly

Professional Product Suggestion: I love the Kenra PLATINUM HOT SPRAY 20. It smells amazing, will help hold the style and adds shine!

Barrel Coating

Something many people might not even realize is that each hot tool will have a coating over it.

The most common forms of coating are ceramic and titanium.

Next, you might be thinking: which is better for your hair, a ceramic or titanium coating?

Ceramic is better for your hair and should be used on fine hair, damaged hair, or colored hair.

Titanium can be used by those with natural hair and anyone with medium, thick or coarse hair.

Auto – shut off

Another feature that I personally love is the auto shut-off. Nothing is worse than turning around when your halfway to your destination only to find out you actually didn’t leave the curling iron on.

I feel like all heat tools should be made with a mandatory shut off button, but that would be too logical.

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Now that you know what to look out for and the essential things to take into consideration, let dive into the best nine crimping irons currently on the market.

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Bed Head – A Wave We Go Adjustable Deep Waver

Best For Multiple Wave Options

This is awesome for those who want one tool that can provide multiple styles. Just turn the knob to adjust bottom wave plate to 4 different heights to customize your style

Coating: Coated with Tourmaline Ceramic Technology for frizz-free curls that will come out with massive shine

Heat: High heat up to 400 degrees F and has multiple heat settings

Barrel Count: 2

Auto-Shut Off: Yes

Great for those who trael because it has worldwide dual voltage of 120/240 Voltage.

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AMIKA – High Tide Deep Wave Hair Crimpe

Best All Around

If I had to pick just one this would be it! This gives you the waves and crimped hair that are popular at this moment in time, and the size of the iron makes styling time go fast.

Coating: Made with tourmaline ceramic.

Heat:  Adjustable temperature from 120°F -390°F (50°C -198°C) which makes it great for all hair types.

Barrel Count: 3

This product is a bit heavier than some other crimpers on the market but I chalk that up to being a more sturdy and reliable product.

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Remington – Wet2Waves Styler

Best For Low Maintenance People

This is wonderful for those who are low maintenance or those who want as short of styling time as possible.

You can use this tool on wet or dry hair! You will notice the light sensors to indicate which one you are using.

Coating: Ceramic + Titanium Plates 

Heat: 420°F High Heat + 30 Heat Settings and it only takes 30 seconds to heat up

Barrel Count: 2

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Hot Tools – Professional Nano Ceramic Deep Waver

Best For Short Hair

This is awesome for those who have short hair or those who want a single crimp to add volume by the roots of your head.

Coating: Ceramic with micro-shine snag-free surface 

Heat: Rheostat control dial with variable heat settings up to 430 degrees F 

Barrel Count: 1

This has the technology to sense if there is a temperature drop and will automatically adjust so it stays hot.

This also comes with a limited 7 year warrenty!

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CHI – Air Tourmaline Ceramic Waver in Metallic Red

Best Professionl Product

Chi is one of the most used brands by professionals and their products will literally last you decades.

Coating: Tourmaline Ceramic

Heat: Digital temperature display with LCD screen

Barrel Count: 2

This comes with a 2-year warranty and has an automatic shut off that will turn it off in one hour if you forget to.

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Revlon – Perfect Heat Jumbo 3 Barrel Waver

Best Budget Pick

This bad boy is going to be great for those who like to stick to a budget.

Ideal for those who are on the fence about using a crimper in the first place. This allows you to test out those beach waves without breaking your bank.

Coating: Tourmaline Ceramic

Heat: 420 degrees Fahrenheit High Heat

Barrel Count: 3

This waver comes with a hanging ring that can make it perfect for storage around your bathroom or under the sink.

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Gold N Hot – Ceramic Crimping Iron

Best For Thick Hair

Those with thick or long hair will love this iron becuase you only need to hold the iron for a second or two before continuing on to the next row.

Coating: Ceramic crimping plates

Heat: Temperature range 200F – 450F with 60 second heat up

Barrel Count: 5

If you like the idea of 5 barrels but don’t want the crimped hair to be so tight then take a bit of hair paste, put it on your hands and rub them together and then pull it through your hair. This will loosen the waves and make them more beachy looking.

For those who like a tighter crimp look then this is the one for you!

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Bluetop – Pink 3 in 1 Hair Curler

Best For Big Waves

Those who are prone to frizzy hair when they use hot tools will want to grab this one up.

Coating: this is special for its special ceramic glazes

Heat:  hair iron changes temperature by pressing the + or – one time from 80℃ to 230℃(176℉ to 446℉), allow you to choose correct temperature according to your hair

Barrel Count: 3

The is one of the most reviewed curling irons and is friendly on both budget and hair integreity.

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BEAUTY WORKS X MOLLY MAE WAVER LIMITED EDITION

Best Package Deal

This crimping wand allows you to create that desired S shape that others on the market don’t allow.

This set is also unique because it comes with setting clips that allow you to hold the style longer.

Coating: Ceramic coated barrels.

Heat: Adjustable temperature (80-220°C).

Barrel Count: 3

This set also comes with a carrying case that is great for those who travel and those who like to keep things organized.

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Styling Tips

To crimp your hair you literally only need to follow a few simple steps.

Section hair into 1 inch or smaller sections: the more sections the more volume you will get. Simply place a section of hair in between the two barrels, then, starting from the roots, press the barrels together to form a wave and hold for a few seconds. Gently move the iron down the hair shaft and repeat the motion, continuing until you reach the last inch of hair. 

Brush Them Out

If you want really loose waves you can simply take a brush or comb and run it through your hair. To keep the style use a texturizing spray, hair spray, or paste.

Accessorize Them Up

Use clips, bobby pins or fashion pins to spice up your look.