Best Curling Irons For Short Hair, According To Our Testing

In the South, hair is one of the many things that we take pride in. From Dolly Parton’s iconic hairstyle to Elvis Presley’s pompadour, Southerners always make sure they have the perfect hairstyle

Curling irons remain the preferred tool among Southern women for achieving everything from beachy waves to big, bouncy curls. But if you have short hair, achieving salon-worthy curls at home can be a bit more of a challenge.

For best results, look for a barrel on the thinner side: “I think a 0.5-inch or 0.75-inch barrel are the best options for short hair,” says hair stylist Maria McCool.

To determine the best curling irons for every hair type, we tested 14 models both in the lab and at home over a two-week period, evaluating each based on ease of use, heat settings, extra features, heat-up time, effectiveness, and more.

Our Top Picks
Best Overall:
BaBylissPro Nano Titanium Curling Iron at Amazon $75
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Best Budget:
SALE InfinitiPro by Conair Tourmaline Ceramic Curling Iron at Amazon $35 $26
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Best Splurge:
Dyson Airwrap at Amazon $600
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Best Rotating Rod:
Drybar The 3-Day Bender Curling Iron at Amazon $149
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Best for Thick Hair:
ghd 1-Inch Curling Iron at Amazon $209
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Best Overall

What’s Great About It
Smaller barrel sizes available for short hair

Heats up quickly

Doesn’t damage hair

Kickstand

Easy to grip

What Could Be Better
Difficult to adjust the temperature

Lacks an auto shutoff feature

By far, the BabylissPro Nano Titanium Spring Curling Iron is our favorite curling iron for short hair. This iron heated up quickly but didn’t cause any damage to our hair. Not only that, but the barrel was easy to grip and maneuver thanks to the indented dimples (and the bottom lever).

You can use the kickstand to sit the iron down when you need to re-apply product (or when you just need a break from curling). For short hair, use the 0.75-inch barrel to easily create ringlets or defined curls.

While we loved using this curling iron, we would have preferred an electronic temperature dial. This setting would make it much easier to adjust the iron to different temperatures. The iron doesn’t take too long to heat up, but it can take some time to go from one temperature to the next. Keep in mind that this curling iron has to be turned off manually, too.

Temperature Range: 250°F to 450°F | Barrel Sizes: 0.75, 1, 1.25, 1.5 inches | Material: Titanium

Temperature Range: 250°F to 450°F | Barrel Sizes: 0.75, 1, 1.25, 1.5 inches | Material: Titanium.