Best Products UK
In-depth review · 10 products ranked

Best Curling Tongs of 2026

Last reviewed 19 May 2026 by Best Products UK Editorial Team

Curling tong buying is mostly a barrel-size match. 9-13 mm: tight ringlets and corkscrew curls. 19-25 mm: classic curls and beach waves (the most common UK style). 32-38 mm: loose Hollywood waves and volume. The trap is buying a 32 mm tong because it 'fits all curls' — it won't make tight curls, and the long heat-up time means longer hair sessions. Match barrel diameter to your target curl size.

BP
Best Products UK Editorial Team
Editorial team
Published 30 April 2026
7 min read
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At a glance

The 3 picks worth skipping ahead for

Best Choice
BaByliss Titanium Brilliance Curls 32mm Hair Curler
Score 9.5 / 10
Premium Pick
BaByliss Rose Quartz 25mm Curling Tong
Score 9.3 / 10
Value for Money
TRESemme Defined Curls 16mm Curling Tong
Score 8.6 / 10
How we tested

Best Products UK is a review aggregator, not a test lab. For this guide we read Amazon UK customer reviews focused on hair damage after 3-6 months of use (the ceramic vs metal coating story matters here), curl hold, and how reliable the temperature-control dial is over time; cross-referenced against Allure, Cosmopolitan and salon-professional advice. Ceramic and titanium coatings are weighted favourably over bare-metal barrels because they distribute heat more evenly (less hot-spot damage). Temperature control matters because fine hair needs 150-170°C; thick coarse hair can use 180-210°C — without temperature control you can't tune.

Jump to a pick
01BaByliss02BaByliss03TRESemme04TRESemme05Wahl06Wahl07Wahl08JAETON09Generic10Generic
Best Choice
01
BaByliss Titanium Brilliance Curls 32mm Hair Curler
BaByliss

Titanium Brilliance Curls 32mm Hair Curler

9.5
/ 10
Exceptional

BaByliss Titanium Brilliance 32 mm wand — for classic curls and Hollywood waves. Titanium-coated barrel distributes heat evenly, heats up in under 30 seconds, salon-spec 210°C max. The reference choice for loose curls.

Why we love it
  • 32 mm barrel for classic curls / waves
  • Titanium coating distributes heat
  • Heats up under 30 seconds
  • Variable temperature to 210°C
Watch out for
  • 32 mm too big for tight curls
  • Titanium = hottest tier (not for fine hair on high setting)
  • Premium pricing
Barrel
32 mm
Coating
Titanium
Max temp
210°C
Brand
BaByliss
Use case
Classic curls / Hollywood waves
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Premium Pick
02
BaByliss Rose Quartz 25mm Curling Tong
BaByliss

Rose Quartz 25mm Curling Tong

9.3
/ 10
Excellent

BaByliss Rose Quartz 25 mm — the all-rounder barrel size. Ceramic-coated barrel (gentler than titanium for fine/medium hair), 25 mm for natural curls and tight beach waves. The most-popular barrel size in UK retail.

Why we love it
  • 25 mm — all-round barrel
  • Ceramic coating (fine-hair friendly)
  • BaByliss quality
  • Variable temperature
Watch out for
  • Single barrel (no swap)
  • Premium price
  • Ceramic coating eventually wears (3-5 years)
Barrel
25 mm
Coating
Ceramic (Rose Quartz)
Brand
BaByliss
Use case
Natural curls / beach waves
Most popular
Yes (in barrel size)
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03
TRESemme Classic Curling Tong (25 mm Ceramic)
TRESemme

Classic Curling Tong (25 mm Ceramic)

8.8
/ 10
Very Good

TRESemme Classic 25 mm — UK styling brand alternative to BaByliss. Ceramic coating, sub-£20 pricing. The smart UK-brand value pick for 25 mm tongs.

Why we love it
  • TRESemme UK styling brand
  • 25 mm all-round barrel
  • Ceramic coating
  • Sub-£20 pricing
Watch out for
  • Ceramic less durable than titanium
  • Slower heat-up than BaByliss
  • Plastic body lighter than premium
Barrel
25 mm
Coating
Ceramic
Brand
TRESemme
Price
Sub-£20
Use case
Classic curls
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Value for Money
04
TRESemme Defined Curls 16mm Curling Tong
TRESemme

Defined Curls 16mm Curling Tong

8.6
/ 10
Very Good

TRESemme Defined Curls — 16 mm barrel for tight defined curls. Ceramic-coated. Sub-£15 pricing makes it the budget tight-curl pick.

Why we love it
  • 16 mm barrel — defined curls
  • Sub-£15 entry
  • Ceramic coating
  • TRESemme brand
Watch out for
  • Smaller barrel = longer styling time
  • Fixed temperature on some models
  • Plastic body
Barrel
16 mm
Coating
Ceramic
Brand
TRESemme
Price
Sub-£15
Use case
Tight defined curls
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05
Wahl Curling Tong (Mid-Range)
Wahl

Curling Tong (Mid-Range)

8.2
/ 10
Good

Wahl curling tong — UK personal-care brand. Ceramic barrel, mid-range pricing. Reliable mid-tier pick if BaByliss is out of stock.

Why we love it
  • Wahl UK brand
  • Ceramic barrel
  • Mid-budget pricing
  • Reliable everyday use
Watch out for
  • Wahl tongs are less specialist than BaByliss
  • Plastic body feel
  • Heating time slower
Barrel
Varies by SKU
Coating
Ceramic
Brand
Wahl
Use case
Mid-tier UK brand
Price
~£15
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How to choose

Barrel diameter, surface coating and temperature control

Three considerations cover curling tong buying.

1.
Barrel diameter matches curl size

9-13 mm: tight ringlets, corkscrew curls (Curling Wand 9 mm at #9). 16-19 mm: defined curls, tight beachy waves (TRESemme Defined 16 mm, Wahl 19 mm). 25 mm: classic curls, medium beach waves (most-popular size — TRESemme Classic, Wahl 25 mm, BaByliss Rose Quartz). 32 mm: loose Hollywood waves, volume (BaByliss Titanium Brilliance). 38 mm+: looser, more relaxed waves. Pick by your target style; a 32 mm tong can't make ringlets and a 9 mm wand can't make Hollywood waves.

2.
Ceramic, tourmaline or titanium coating

Ceramic: most common at this price tier, distributes heat evenly, gentler on hair. Tourmaline: ceramic + crystalline minerals that emit negative ions (claim: reduces frizz). Titanium: heats faster, higher max temperature — for thick coarse hair only (over-heats fine hair). Bare metal: budget barrels, hot spots, more damage. For most users, ceramic or tourmaline is the right choice; reserve titanium for thick hair specifically.

3.
Temperature control: variable vs fixed

Variable temperature (dial or buttons): essential. Fine hair: 150-170°C. Medium hair: 170-185°C. Thick coarse hair: 185-210°C. Tongs without variable control (cheaper picks) run at fixed ~180°C — fine for medium hair, too hot for fine hair (causes damage), too cool for thick hair (doesn't hold curl). Spend the £5-£10 premium for variable temperature.

For classic UK styling: 25 mm BaByliss Rose Quartz or TRESemme Classic. For ringlets: 16 mm TRESemme Defined or 9 mm wand. For Hollywood waves: 32 mm BaByliss Titanium Brilliance. Multi-attachment tools (JAETON 5-in-1) try to cover all sizes but each function is compromised — dedicated tongs in the right size outperform multi-tools.

06
Wahl Curling Tong (19mm Variant)
Wahl

Curling Tong (19mm Variant)

7.9
/ 10
Good

Wahl 19 mm variant — tighter curls than 25 mm classic. Ceramic-coated. Mid-budget tier alternative for users wanting Wahl in a smaller barrel.

Why we love it
  • 19 mm barrel — tighter curls
  • Ceramic coating
  • Sub-£15 budget
  • Wahl brand
Watch out for
  • Smaller variants similar pricing
  • Plastic feel
  • Slower heat-up
Barrel
19 mm
Coating
Ceramic
Brand
Wahl
Price
Sub-£15
Use case
Tighter Wahl curls
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07
Wahl Curling Tong (25mm Variant)
Wahl

Curling Tong (25mm Variant)

7.6
/ 10
Good

Wahl 25 mm — the all-rounder barrel in the Wahl line. Similar to #5 (#5 may be the 25 mm too; check current listings). Loose curls, classic UK style.

Why we love it
  • 25 mm classic curl size
  • Sub-£15
  • Wahl support
  • Ceramic plate
Watch out for
  • Similar to other Wahl picks
  • Plastic body
  • Generic mid-tier
Barrel
25 mm
Coating
Ceramic
Brand
Wahl
Use case
Classic UK curls
Price
Sub-£15
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08
JAETON 5-in-1 Curling Wand Hair Curler (Multi-Attachment)
JAETON

5-in-1 Curling Wand Hair Curler (Multi-Attachment)

7.3
/ 10
Fair

JAETON 5-in-1 curling wand with interchangeable barrels (9 mm to 32 mm typically). Versatile but no single barrel performs as well as a dedicated tong. Good for users who want multiple curl sizes from one tool.

Why we love it
  • 5 interchangeable barrel sizes
  • Covers all curl types
  • Sub-£20 multi-tool
  • Travel-friendly
Watch out for
  • Each barrel less refined than dedicated tongs
  • Barrel-swapping fiddly when hot
  • Generic JAETON brand
Type
Multi-barrel curling wand
Barrels
5 (typically 9-32 mm)
Brand
JAETON
Price
Sub-£20
Use case
All curl sizes from one tool
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09
Generic 9 mm Curling Wand (Tight Ringlets)
Generic

9 mm Curling Wand (Tight Ringlets)

7.1
/ 10
Fair

Generic 9 mm curling wand — for tight ringlets and corkscrew curls. Specialist tool; not for everyday use unless ringlets are your target style. Sub-£20 budget.

Why we love it
  • 9 mm — tightest curls available
  • Corkscrew / ringlet curls
  • Sub-£20 specialist tool
  • Compact
Watch out for
  • Generic brand
  • Only tight curls (limited versatility)
  • Long styling time per section
Barrel
9 mm (narrowest)
Brand
Generic
Price
Sub-£20
Use case
Ringlets only
Specialist
Yes
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Editor's Pick
10
Generic Large 32 mm Curling Wand (Long Barrel)
Generic

Large 32 mm Curling Wand (Long Barrel)

6.9
/ 10
Fair

Generic 32 mm wand at sub-£10. Cheapest entry to large-barrel tongs. Functional for occasional use; BaByliss Titanium #1 at 3× the price is dramatically better for daily use.

Why we love it
  • Sub-£10 cheapest entry
  • 32 mm barrel
  • Lightweight
  • Adequate for occasional use
Watch out for
  • Generic brand
  • Heating uneven
  • Lifespan 6-12 months
Barrel
32 mm
Brand
Generic
Price
Sub-£10
Use case
Occasional / trial
Lifespan
6-12 months
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The verdict

BaByliss Titanium Brilliance wins overall; TRESemme is the value pick.

The BaByliss Titanium Brilliance Curls (32 mm) takes the top spot because BaByliss is the UK-dominant curling-tong brand and the Titanium-coated barrel distributes heat the most evenly in this price tier. 32 mm barrel = classic curls + Hollywood waves. Sub-£40 sweet-spot pricing — much cheaper than salon-grade Babyliss Pro but the same basic curling action.

The BaByliss Rose Quartz 25 mm at #2 is the smarter buy for tighter curls. Same BaByliss quality but in the 25 mm barrel size that suits beach waves and natural curls better than the 32 mm wand. Ceramic coating, the most-recommended sub-£40 tong for daily use.

Below the BaByliss tier, TRESemme is the smarter UK-brand pick. Ceramic-coated barrels, simpler controls. The 16 mm TRESemme Defined Curls is the budget tight-curl tong; the 25 mm Classic is the all-rounder. Wahl picks below this tier work but their plastic-feel controls and shorter cord length make them the budget compromise.

Frequently asked

Common questions

What barrel size should I buy?
Match to your target style. 9-13 mm: tight ringlets, corkscrew curls. 16-19 mm: defined curls, tight beachy waves. 25 mm: classic curls, beach waves (most-popular UK size). 32 mm: loose Hollywood waves. 38 mm+: looser waves. For first-time buyers wanting versatility: 25 mm. For specific styles: pick by the look you want.
Ceramic, tourmaline or titanium barrel?
Ceramic: distributes heat evenly, gentler on fine hair, most common at this price. Tourmaline: ceramic + crystals claimed to reduce frizz. Titanium: heats fastest, highest temperatures, designed for thick coarse hair. For most UK users, ceramic is the safe default. Titanium only if you have thick/coarse hair specifically; tourmaline if you suffer with frizz.
What temperature for my hair type?
Fine hair: 150-170°C. Medium hair: 170-185°C. Thick / coarse hair: 185-210°C. Damaged hair: stay below 170°C regardless. Always start low and increase if the curl isn't holding. Higher temperatures don't 'set' curls faster — they cause damage. Curl-holding spray (£5-£10) helps more than higher heat.
Will heat damage my hair?
Yes — repeated heat use damages hair over time. Mitigations: heat protectant spray before styling (essential, not optional), keep temperature below 200°C, don't hold the tong on one section for more than 10 seconds, take 1-2 days/week as heat-free days. Damaged hair (visible split ends, breakage) means reduce frequency or lower temperatures.
Should I buy a multi-attachment 5-in-1 wand?
Useful if you want variety from one tool (JAETON 5-in-1, Revlon multi-stylers). The trade-off: each barrel size is slightly less refined than a dedicated tong of that size. For occasional or experimental users, multi-tools are fine. For daily styling, a dedicated 25 mm tong outperforms the 25 mm setting of a multi-tool.
BP
About the editor

Best Products UK Editorial Team

Best Products UK is an independent UK product-review aggregator. Our editorial team synthesises hands-on reviews from leading UK consumer publications — Which?, Wired UK, T3, Tom's Guide UK, Trusted Reviews, TechRadar, Good Housekeeping, Expert Reviews, Stuff and others — into clear, ranked top-ten guides for UK shoppers. We do not run a physical test lab. We tell you which products UK reviewers agree on, where they disagree, and which the data says is right for your budget. Our methodology is published openly at /about/#methodology.

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