Straighteners & curling wands
Sleek, waves or curls: plates and barrels in millimetres and degrees.
Straighteners, curling wands, tongs and wavers compared on what the makers state: plate width and barrel size in millimetres, plate material, maximum temperature in degrees and auto shut-off.
Our top picks
All buying guides26 mm(1.0 in)
Best curling tongs for short hairghd Chronos Curve Classic Tong: 26 mm, short or long
Tong · 185°C
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link38 mm(1.5 in)
Best curling wands for beach wavesghd Chronos Curve Max Wand: 38 mm for loose waves
Wand · 185°C
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link- Best curling wands and tongs for beginners
Shark FlexStyle 5-in-1: auto-wrap curls, any skill set
Air styler and dryer · Coanda auto-wrap
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - Best Dyson hair stylers: Airwrap, Airstrait, Airsmooth and Supersonic
Dyson Airstrait: straightens wet hair with air
Air straightener and dryer · All
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link
°C and °F converter
Open the converter →°C and °F
- 150 °C (302 °F)low setting
- 185 °C (365 °F)ghd fixed setting
- 200 °C (392 °F)mid setting
- 230 °C (446 °F)typical maximum on adjustable irons
Markers are typical maker values, not recommendations. Rounded to the nearest degree.
The swatch ring
Every topic on the site, from choosing plates to looking after them.
- Choosing straightenersPlate material, width in mm, temperature range and heat-up time: what separates premium straighteners.
- Hair types and plate sizesMatching plate width and temperature in degrees to fine, thick, curly or long hair.
- Curling wands and tongsBarrel sizes in mm and inches, wands versus tongs, wavers and curling with straighteners.
- Cordless and travelCordless straighteners, universal voltage, airline rules and using UK stylers abroad.
- ghd, Dyson and Cloud NinePremium straightener ranges model by model, plus Airstrait-style wet-to-straight stylers.
- Care and fixesCleaning plates, red lights and beeping, auto shut-off, warranties and spotting fakes.
Common problems
Red lights, beeping, snagging plates: causes and fixes.
- Straighteners snagging or pulling hairWhy do straighteners pull or snag hair? Dirty or chipped plates, too much tension, big sections, product build-up and misaligned plates, with fixes for each.
- Duet Style not drying, cutting out or not workingghd Duet Style problems: not turning on, hair not drying, frizz, flashing lights, cutting out and filter cleaning. What to check before contacting ghd.
- Straighteners won't heat abroadHair straighteners not working in the USA, Europe, Japan or on a cruise ship? Voltage, plug adapters versus converters and cabin power explained simply.
- ghd not turning on or not heatingghd straighteners not turning on, not heating or one plate cold? Simple checks to try before using the ghd repair service or making a guarantee claim.
- Red light flashing and beepingWhy are your ghd straighteners beeping or flashing a red light? What the lights and beeps usually mean, from ready to use and sleep mode to a fault warning.
- Corrale runs flat or will not chargeDyson Corrale not holding charge or not working? Charging dock and cable checks, battery wear, reset tips and the battery replacement route through Dyson.
- Airstrait cuts out, flashes or won't startDyson Airstrait not turning on, cutting out or flashing? Filter blockages, power checks and cleaning steps to try before you contact Dyson support.
Calculators
Converters for sizes and temperatures from US and EU listings.
Comparisons
- Tapered vs regular curling wandTapered vs regular curling wand: a cone gives natural curls that loosen towards the root, a straight barrel gives even curls. Shape, ease and hair length.
- Straighteners vs hot air brushStraighteners vs hot air brush: sleek, flat hair from plates or a smooth blow-dry with volume from a brush. Heat, speed, hair types and who suits which.
- Hair waver vs crimper: what is the difference?Hair waver vs crimper explained: barrel wavers make big S-shaped waves, crimpers press tight zigzags. How each works, the look, hair types and safety.
- ghd vs BaByliss straightenersghd vs BaByliss straighteners compared: fixed 185 °C versus adjustable heat, plates, range, cordless options and guarantees, and who should buy which.
- Dyson Corrale vs AirwrapDyson Corrale vs Airwrap: a cordless plate straightener or a corded air multi-styler. What each does, heat, cordless use and which Dyson suits you.
- Dyson Airstrait vs AirwrapDyson Airstrait vs Airwrap: one dries hair straight, the other curls, waves and smooths. Attachments, heat, weight and who should choose which.
Buying guides
Focused guides to one type of straightener or wand each, compared on what the listings state.
- Best curling tongs for short hair
- Best curling wands for beach waves
- Best curling wands and tongs for beginners
- Best curling wands and stylers for hair extensions
- Best curling tongs and wands for fine hair
- Best curling wands and tongs for long hair
- Best curling wands and tongs: premium picks
- Best Dyson Airwrap alternatives
- Best Dyson hair stylers: Airwrap, Airstrait, Airsmooth and Supersonic
- Best hair straighteners under £250
- Best hair straighteners in the UK: premium models compared
- Best hot air brushes and hot brushes
- Best pink straighteners and stylers
- Best straightener and hair dryer sets and 2-in-1 tools
- Best straighteners for curling and waving hair
- Best straighteners for curly and afro hair
Guides & advice
- What makes a good hair straightener?What makes a good hair straightener: plate material and width, heat control and sensors, curved edges, floating plates, cord, safety features and guarantee.
- What is a hair waver and how does it work?What is a hair waver? How two and three barrel wavers press hair into S-shaped waves, what they suit, barrel sizes, heat settings and whether one is worth it.
- Is the ghd Chronos worth it?Is the ghd Chronos worth it? Its fixed 185 °C, motion-responsive heat, wishbone hinge and plates compared with the ghd Gold and Platinum+, and who should upgrade.
- Ionic hair straighteners explainedIonic hair straighteners explained: what ionic technology claims, what is established, how it compares with plate quality and heat control, and what to prioritise.
- How to use a ghd hot brushHow to use a ghd hot brush: the Rise for root volume and the Glide for smoothing, on dry hair, with section sizes, technique and how to clean the bristles.
- How to use the ghd Duet BlowdryHow to use the ghd Duet Blowdry: towel drying, section sizes, root lift, smoothing the ends, settings and how to clean the filter and brush head safely.