Five best curling wands

You've no doubt already got a curling tong, so why would you need another device to do the same job? Yes, curling wands may look like tongs without the clippy bit, but there's an important difference to the end result. While tongs tend to produce a wavy effect, a wand can give a more irregular, casual look – often with tighter curls. Here are five of the best hair curling wands on the market...

1. Remington Proluxe

The Remington Proluxe is one of the most-popular wands on sale, with a conical curling area which goes from 25 to 38mm in diameter – allowing the user to create gentle waves or tighter curls as they wish. It has 10 temperature settings from 120 to 210deg C and a slipless coating to provide a bit of friction, helping to keep your hair where you want it without getting singed fingertips. If you're worried about heat damage, use the Pro+ setting to limit the heat to a healthy 185deg C. And a confident five-year warranty offers more peace of mind.

2. Cloud Nine The Original Wand

It's not cheap, but Cloud Nine's The Original Wand has a fiercely loyal following for its ease of use and its effectiveness with stubborn hair types. Bigger than many rival devices, the sleek, black wand is also much-loved by users with long hair – who find it makes quick work of curling their locks. Three simple settings and a swivel cord add to the usability, and its ceramic coating is effective for styling without overheating hair. It comes with a glove to guard against burns, a protective guard to place over the wand as it cools, and a heat mat to rest it on while working on your hair.

3. xtava It Curl Wand

For those on a budget, the xtava It Curl offers some of the style of the Cloud Nine device at a fraction of the price, and is one of the top-rated curling wands on Amazon with a coveted five stars. With a cone ranging from 32 to 19mm diameter, it offers a good range of styling options, along with a ceramic coating to prevent frizz and a digital LCD display to show which of the 22 temperature settings are in use. It even comes with a protective glove. One buyer wrote: "I love this wand. Created gorgeous tight curls that last all day and even look great the day after. The price is so good too."

4. TRESemme Perfectly (Un)Done Waves Curling Wand

Another affordable option, the TRESemme wand packs a host of useful features into a reasonably priced package. It has a long 28mm diameter ceramic-coated barrel for easy curls, it heats up in just one minute and has a 2.5m swivel cord – making it a delight to use. The wand also has a "stay cool" tip at the end of its extra-long barrel, to make it easier to use and lessen the risk of accidental burns. A heat resistant glove is also included. It has excellent reviews on the Argos website, with one buyer writing: "I have tried many curling wands and this one is the Best! Gives nice waves and is very easy to use."

5. BaByliss Smooth Vibrancy Curling Wand

Add a bit of bling to your dressing table with this BaByliss wand, which promises to create salon-quality curls in the blink of an eye. That shiny gold-coloured barrel is infused with macadamia and camellia oils to help give smooth curls without frizz. It also features a stay-cool tip and comes with a protective glove for safety. It has largely positive reviews from users, with one writing: "I have long, thick hair and struggled to find a curling tong that would heat up quick, be easy to use, and actually keep the curls formed in my hair - this is it!"