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Hot rollers are my foolproof method for bouncy hair that lasts for days on end. They work so well as they combine all the best qualities of a hair-dryer brush, Velcro rollers, and curling wand (all of which I now mostly forego). They smooth, they shape, and they use heat to stay in place. “One of their main advantages over other styling devices is that they can create curls and waves that last longer,” says Maria Elizabeth, founder of Salon DeZen. Hot rollers heat hair from the inside out, setting the curl more firmly. “This means that the style can last for days,” Elizabeth adds, “without needing touch-ups.” That saves you time, and saves your hair additional heat damage. They are also fun to use! “When I think, ‘hot rollers,’ I think Hollywood glamor, or goddess,” says Greg Ruggeri, stylist and founder of Salon Ruggeri.
I’ve tested several brands of hot rollers and chatted with eight experts about their recommendations, and I’m pleased to say that I’ve found sets of hot rollers for all budgets and hair types. But remember, when it comes to styling with hot rollers (no matter what hair type you have), you’ll want it blown out, and smoothed if it’s curly, says Siobhan Benson, a stylist at CutLoose BK. Stretching natural, detangled hair before applying a lightweight serum should work, too, if you’re avoiding heat.
Updated October 18: Checked prices and stock for all products and added Drybar The Roller Club hot rollers as the best option for thin hair.
What we’re looking for
Heat-up time
I’ve outlined each set’s heating time — chances are that the less time they take to heat up, the more convenient you’ll find them. But some materials take a little longer to heat up and leave you with a lasting curl.
Hair-length suitability
Larger barrels — over two inches, generally — will work better on longer hair, and vice versa for shorter hair. We have a couple of separate picks tailored to hair length but have noted throughout which sets would typically best curl a particular length. In many cases, a mixture of barrel lengths makes the set suitable for all hair types as well.
Best hot rollers overall
Heat-up time: 2 minutes | Hair-length suitability: All hair lengths
Half of my experts named these hot rollers from T3 as their top pick, and I can see why. The rollers have a good mix of large and extra-large barrels, so they’re suitable for a variety of hair lengths and also styles (they work for both smaller curls and larger voluminous body). They also heat up fast, and are user-friendly, says Lauren Kunijo, stylist and co-owner of Kenna Kunijo Salon, and Ruggeri. “Simply turn them on, and let them sit for a moment — if you are a bit nervous to use them, take them out when the roller is warm to the touch,” says Ruggeri. With natural and textured hair, it’s easier to wind up to the scalp from the ends of dry, detangled and sectioned hair. For other hair textures, you can either wind up or wrap your hair around the roller, securing it with a clip or a pin. “Let the rollers cool down for about ten minutes, and there you have it,” Ruggeri says.
Best less expensive hot rollers
Heat-up time: 1 minute | Hair-length suitability: All hair lengths
This more budget-friendly set has an even wider range of sizes from extra-small to large, making up a set of 20. Andrew Fitzsimons, a celebrity hairstylist who’s worked with Madonna and the Kardashians, often uses this set on his clients. The rollers’s titanium plates heat up quickly, and the three barrel sizes offer styling versatility. “With them you can achieve a standard blowout, beach waves, tight curls, or big ringlets depending on the size of the curlers you use,” he says.
Best for thin hair
Heat-up time: 2 minutes | Hair length suitability: All lengths
I’ve been loving these hot rollers from Drybar. I wondered if eight rollers would be enough to cover my whole head, but you can wrap a surprising amount of hair around each one (and they come with a yellow clip to secure your hair in place around the roller). I’m yet to burn myself on them thanks to the plastic tabs at either end of the roller, and the velvety texture catches my hair easily.
Best for thick or long hair
Heat-up time: 85 seconds | Hair-length suitability: Long hair
Most personal hot-roller sets contain a mixture of small and large barrels, but this one from Conair has eight large rollers to allow for thicker and longer hair. “These are two-inch rollers, so they will still create loose curls on long hair.” Abdullah explains that the flocked nature of the rollers (their velvety coating), allows the hair to be locked in — and that leads to longer lasting curls.
Best more expensive for thick hair
Heat-up time: 3 minutes | Hair length suitability: All hair lengths
Two of the stylists I spoke to recommended them as a tool worth keeping in the kit. “This set comes with differently-sized rollers so that a stylist can easily use them on short, medium-length, or long hair,” says Abdullah. They heat up fast, and evenly, since they’re made of titanium and ceramic. As a result, Abduhhal says, “they hold the heat better and consistently create great curls on different heads of hair.” Elizabeth, of Salon DeZen, agrees, and says that the different barrel lengths give you the flexibility to style almost any client.
Our experts
• Ghanima Abdullah, stylist and beauty consultant at the Right Hairstyles
• Caleb Backe, hair expert at Maple Holistics
• Siobhan Benson, stylist at CutLoose BK
• Maria Elizabeth, stylist and founder of Salon deZen
• Andrew Fitzsimons, celebrity hairstylist
• Lauren Kunijo, stylist and co-owner of Kenna Kunijo
• Greg Ruggeri, stylist and founder of Salon Ruggeri
• Yvey Valcin, founder and master stylist at Yvey
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