Do you ever wonder, “Which size curling iron for short hair should I use?” Sometimes it’s difficult to tell the difference between various curling iron sizes. A quarter of an inch may make a big difference in texture and form.
When selecting which size curling iron is ideal for you, you will want to think about your hair length. The following content will assist you in determining which curling iron size you’ll need depending on hair length and desired style. It will help you answer your question, ‘What Size Curling Iron for Short Hair?’
Buying Guide
If you’re looking to buy a curling iron, make sure you know your hair length and thickness before purchasing. Medium-size curling irons are best if your short haircut is thin or fine.
However, if your hair is thicker, a larger size will allow you to create more volume and hold the curl better. Also, it’s important to note that the curling iron barrel can be labeled as a smaller barrel, medium, or larger barrel size, but this is not always an indication of size.
If you need help determining the best curling iron for your hair, talk to a professional or look at reviews online to see which size others purchased your hair type.
If you want to know, ‘which size curling iron for short hair?’ you should consider the barrel sizes. If you have shoulder-length hair and curl it with a 1″ curling iron, for example, your hair will wrap around the barrel 4-5 times, resulting in a wavy style.
You’ll get a deep wave/curls if you use ¾” curling iron sizes on the same hair length. If you used a bigger curling iron like 1 1/4″, you’d get a looser, wider curls/wave.
Smallest Curling Iron for Short Hair
1. BaBylissPRO BABNT125TBN Nano Titanium Conicurl Iron

The BabylissPRO BABNT125TBN Nano Titanium Conicurl Iron is an innovative and perfect curling iron with many convenient features. Its ionic technology provides faster styling without adding extra frizz.
This product has advanced electronic temperature control that senses heat loss and gives instant heat recovery. It has a unique long cool tip that allows you to curl from root to tip without being burned. It uses Nano-titanium technology for faster heat up and even heat distribution.
The wide hair chamber accommodates longer hair, giving you gorgeous bouncy curls in less time. It has a conic curling iron barrel to create tight ringlets, very loose wave, and everything in between.
The best size curling iron for short thin hair heats up to 400-degree Fahrenheit comes with a heat-resistant glove for additional comfort and safety. It also can prevent the iron from shutting off automatically after 30 minutes of non-use.
Pros
- Even heat distribution
- Flexible styling
- Make your curls shiny and smooth
- Best for all hair lengths and curl types
Cons
- The tip gets really hot sometimes
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2. Sultra The Bombshell Rod Curling Iron

The Sultra 1-inch curling iron is a high-grade and sturdy product capable of providing you with the best curl that you’ve ever had. It can transform your straight hair into lustrous high-volume curls that will not drop out quickly without you having to spend time on it.
This is available in three curling iron barrel sizes, 1-inch barrel, 1.5-inch barrel, and 2-inch barrel size. This 1-inch curling iron can also create super tight curls, loose spirals, and flips. This best curling iron size can create a single tighter curl with its rotating rod.
The 1.5″ is capable of making loose waves and curves, and the 2″ size can create volume and curl your entire hair into soft curls. The Sultra Bombshell tapered rod can generate heat up to 385°F, which can lock the moisture in the curls.
Pros
- Three different curling iron sizes
- Comes with a FREE protective glove
- More volume and minor heat damage
- Multiple heat settings to curl hair
Cons
- One-inch curling iron stopped working after a few months of use
3. Bed Head Curlipops Clamp-Free Curling Wand

Are you looking for a new curling iron without a clamp? Bed Head Curlipops Curling Wand is a wand-styled hair styling tool for different hair types. This professional curling wand by the Bed Head is clamped-free and has a soft touch handle with easy grip.
The 360 degrees hinged heating system makes it simple to achieve the desired hair curl or beach waves. Curlipops has effective temperature control, ranging from 140°F to 400°F. It offers multiple heat settings that are perfect for use with various hair types.
This easy-to-use wand heats up quickly and has an LED indicator. The heat-resistant glove provides safety concerns to users while using the tool. The wand is versatile enough to create different styles with it easily!
Pros
- Tangle-free 6 feet swivel cord
- Dual voltage
- Tourmaline ceramic technology
- Massive shine, reduced frizz and healthy curls for long locks
Cons
- It needs to have heat controls to curl hair
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Curling Iron for Short Hair
4. Hoson 3/4 Inch Professional Curling Iron

This is a professional ceramic tourmaline curling iron designed to give you salon-quality tighter curls at home. It is a thin barrel curling iron that helps reach smaller hair sections and thus provides more natural-looking waves.
This 3/4 inch curling iron comes with nine heat settings for all hair types. The ceramic heating surface causes minor damage to your shoulder-length hair and gives a frizz-free shiny look.
The product is designed by keeping your comfort in mind. It comes with a heat-resistant glove to protect your hands from the heat while styling. It has a 3/4 inch curling iron barrel size that offers you perfect beachy waves, big voluminous curls, and many more styles.
This tool helps in giving your hair a smoother and silkier look. This curling iron is a value for money product with all the advanced features you can use on your undone waves/curls.
Pros
- Dual voltage from 100-240V
- LCD control function
- Dual PTC heater to curl hair
- Great for long hair, shoulder-length hair, and short hair
Cons
- Spark may come out from its 3/4 inch barrel bottom
5. BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Ultra-Thin Straightening Iron

For those looking for a fuss-free hair straightening solution that gets the job done, look no further than Babylisspro Nano Titanium Ultra-Thin Straightening Iron. Ideal for all types of hair, the ultra-thin plates allow you to quickly straighten your hair without having to go over the same strand twice.
This best size curling iron for short thin hair smoothens your hair’s cuticle, making it appear healthy and lustrous. You also get a digital LCD screen that beeps when it reaches the optimum heat for styling your hair, eliminating the risk of you burning your tresses.
With the adjustable heat settings, you can rest assured that Babylisspro straightening flat iron will not damage your hair.
This iron has ultra-thin plates that allow you to quickly straighten your hair without having to go over the same strand twice. The smoothened cuticle makes your hair appear healthy and lustrous.
Pros
- Protects hair from damage
- Provide excellent straightening results for long hair
- Styling flexibility
- Create loose, beachy waves
Cons
- Pricey
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6. BaBylissPRO Ceramic Tools Spring Curling Iron

The BaBylissPRO ceramic tools spring curling iron is a popular thicker curling iron. The curler has a ceramic barrel which creates smoother, shinier hair. Its floating plate makes the perfect curl every time.
This size iron also has an auto shut-off feature, which locks it closed until unlocked. It prevents accidents, such as burns or other damage to the curling iron.
The BaBylissPRO curling iron also features an LED on/off switch, which will turn on when the curling iron is plugged in. The curling iron heats up to 410 degrees Fahrenheit (also adjustable heat settings) in just 60 seconds.
It also has a power indicator light on the side of the curling iron that will display red when the curling iron is plugged in but not turned on. The spring rotating clamp allows for easy tangle-free wrapping of hair and results in tousled waves!
Pros
- Healthy, shiny, corkscrew curls
- Reduces static electricity for sexy, smooth, tight curls
- Ceramic technology
- 8′ tangle-free swivel cord length
Cons
- Sometimes, the curly locks smells burnt
7. HOT TOOLS Professional 24K Gold Curling Iron

HOT TOOLS Professional Curling Iron is one of the best curling irons in the world. It offers salon-quality results with its high-quality materials and technology.
This curling iron size naturally adds volume and beauty to your straight hair, just like the way you desire. It perfectly curls the hair in less than 10 minutes.
The curling iron has an ergonomic design, which gives easy handling for pain-free curling. The curler has digital temperature control, allowing you to choose the desired heat setting for ultimate results.
It also has far-infrared heat for quick styling. This curling iron size has a unique auto shut-off feature for safety, automatically switching off the curler when not in use.
Pros
- Foldaway safety stand
- A comfortable grip by its soft-touch handle
- Consistent temperatures on styling surface
- Rheostat control dial with different heat settings
Cons
- Lack quality control
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8. BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Mini Straightening Iron

Anyone can create sleek and smooth styles with the BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Mini Straightening Iron. It emits negative ions that seal the hair’s natural oils, eliminating frizz and increasing shine.
The straightener can be used on damp or dry hair, reaching up to one inch in length. It features a long three-foot cord that does not tangle easily.
The BaBylissPRO Curling Iron size also features an automatic shut-off safety setting, which turns the device off after 60 minutes. It comes with a heat-resistant pouch, allowing anyone to take it with them on the go.
The straightener is only six inches long, so it can be tucked away easily, making it perfect for traveling. A two-year warranty backs it.
Pros
- Travel-ready size
- Delivers superior heat retention
- Budget-friendly
- Make your hair smooth and shiny
Cons
- It does not open very wide
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Best Size Curling Iron for Short Thin Hair
9. BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Marcel Curling Iron

The BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Marcel Curling Iron is a perfect curling iron that ionizes the hair cuticle to produce natural, relaxed, defined waves.
The Nano-Titanium curling iron barrel emits negative ions & far-infrared heat, which seals the cuticle for a smooth glide through every curl. Titanium is a metal that is ideal for curling your shoulder-length hair because it transfers heat evenly and produces far-infrared heat!
It’s a perfect option for creating gentle, voluminous curls that boast a high level of shine. The digital temperature LCD & “ON/OFF” button provides outstanding control, while the 360-degree swivel cord allows easy styling.
This product is designed for multiple voltages for worldwide travel. The Nano-Titanium curling iron size is suitable for all hair types and textures, from fine to thick and naturally curly hair to straight.
Pros
- Even heat distribution
- Styling without damaging your shoulder-length hair
- Exceptional hold and shine
- Create glam, beachy waves for medium-length hair!
Cons
- Not user-friendly
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10. BaBylissPRO Ceramix Xtreme Straightening Iron

The BabylissPRO Ceramix Xtreme Straightening Iron will have your hair looking picture-perfect. You can effortlessly create a sleek hairstyle in a matter of minutes. This straightener features tourmaline-infused plates and far-infrared heat technology,
Reducing static electricity and preserving moisture. Its ions create an exceptional shine, while its Nanosilver technology provides anti-bacterial protection. Its unique shape allows for easy handling, and its smart curved edge is ideal for curling, flipping, or creating beachy waves.
The perfect hair straightener to create professional-looking styles. This product is designed for salon use only to be used by celebrity hairstylists.
This Ceramix Xtreme Straightening Iron is a premium professional-grade sleek styling iron size that can straighten hair with speed and efficiency.
The ceramic-infused plates emit negative ions, which help eliminate static electricity, seal in moisture, create the loose wave, and balance the pH level of your long hair.
Pros
- 25 heat settings up to 450°F to curl hair
- Ceramic plate technology
- Eliminate damaging hot spots for shorter hair!
- Create loose voluminous waves
Cons
- May make your hair frizzy
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11. BaBylissPRO Porcelain Ceramic Straightening Iron

This BaBylissPRO Porcelain Ceramic Straightening Iron is the first ceramic-only straightener, which allows you to enjoy silky, smooth, and shiny hair. The high-performance Porcelain Ceramic coating on the plates makes your hair glide effortlessly through the iron.
The adjustable power and temperature controls allow you to adjust the heat accordingly. This straightener utilizes advanced ionic technology, eliminating frizz and reducing static electricity to give your medium hair a sleek finish with a loose wave.
This straightening iron is designed with 100% pure tourmaline gemstones, which emit negative ions that eliminate frizz and static electricity while smoothing your shorter hair.
The digital temperature control allows you to adjust the heat settings between 265 F and 450 F to match your hair type. It can be used to create beach waves for medium to long hair length!
Pros
- Less damaging than other heating irons
- Available in 1″, 1-1/2″ and 2″ plates
- Porcelain ceramic technology
- Healthy-looking, sleek and smooth curl
Cons
- The plates don’t clamp tight to the hair
12. BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Prima Ionic Straightener

One of the greatest and most used hair appliances is the Nano Titanium Prima Ionic Straightener, which will make your life easier by giving you a dream look. With this
BaBylissPRO straightener, you won’t need any other products to get those luscious locks as it does not require any specific styling as it leaves no frizz and effortlessly makes your hair smooth and shiny. The Nano-Titanium Prima Ionic Straightener has a BaBylissPRO digital intelligent nano-ceramic heater with a variable temperature of 120 to 230 degrees, an ideal temperature for any type of hair.
its roller-type ionic generator gives a frizz-free finish, and its universal voltage makes it great for any kind of trip. Being created by the brand, which has been around for 60 years, this straightener will stay with you all your life as it is very durable and easy to use.
Pros
- Best for all hair types
- A consistent temperature
- Heats up instantly
- Efficient heat transfer
Cons
- Not worth the price
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13. Conair Instant Heat 1/2-Inch Curling Iron

This is the best curling iron for people who are always in a hurry. It takes only 30 seconds to heat up to 410 degrees Fahrenheit, which is excellent for people who don’t want to wait for a long time.
Moreover, this 1/2-inch curling iron has 18 heat settings from lowest to highest, which ensures you get the perfect temperature for your hair type. Super-fast heat makes styling easy and saves time by getting ready quickly!
It’s an ideal product with excellent features, which will give you the most relaxing and enjoyable curly hair styling experience.
This curling iron size is designed with ceramic technology, providing far-infrared heating and ensuring your curly hair is protected from damage. It’s the best way to add considerable volume to your corkscrew curls instantly!
Pros
- A good barrel size to create curls for all hair types
- Dual voltage for international travel
- A Turbo heat button
- Pinpoint styling
Cons
- The hair doesn’t glide through
How do you know what size curling wand to get?
If the curling iron barrel size is small, you will get tighter curls. In contrast, the larger the barrel size, the looser the curl. Hair length is another important consideration when purchasing a wand. Smaller barrels are preferable for shorter hairstyles to provide volume and tight curls.
Do curling irons work on short hair?
Which size curling iron for short hair? You may use more portions of short hair to get the same beachy look as smaller barrels since bigger bouncy curls for longer hair require fewer strands. Mini curling irons are also a fantastic choice for tiny tresses since they’re light and easy to wrap a little piece of short hair around.
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Which curler is best for short hair?
Well! Many curlers work best for short thick hair, but you will fall in love with HOT TOOLS Professional 24K Gold Curling Iron! It will also work best for long hair length!
Conclusion
So, if you have short hair and are looking for a new curling iron, we hope our list of the best irons for short hair was helpful.
I hope this article helps your query ‘What Size Curling Iron for Short Hair?’ And don’t forget to buy your favorite curling iron from this list for short/long hair. We love helping people look their best and get hairstyle inspiration! Have you tried any of the curling irons on our list? Let us know in the comments below.