The Best Hair Crimpers

Buying Guide for Hair Crimpers

Why should you buy a hair crimper?

Hair crimpers are a type of curling iron or hot tool that adds waves to your hair. Some create finer crimps to honor the ’80s look or to give your roots a nice lift. Other crimpers provide larger waves in your hair to add variety to your hairstyles. A hair crimper is a great purchase for those wanting a new way to add movement to their hair. Plus, they’re affordable.

What should you consider when purchasing a hair crimper?

• Look: It may seem obvious, but you need to decide what look you want before you pick a crimper tool. With different crimpers, you can get loose waves, ’80s crimps, texturizing crimps, or beach waves. If you’re not sure about the differences between them all, take a look first, then determine what look you want.
• Hair Texture: Hair crimpers operate at high heat, but your hair texture will determine what temperature is best for your hair health and the desired results. For thin hair, styling tools can deliver the desired crimp with lower heat (200-350 degrees Fahrenheit). On the other hand, those with thick or coarse hair need to use tools at a higher temperature (400-450 degrees Fahrenheit) to get the look they want.

How can you protect your hair from heat damage when using a hair crimper?

While most quality hair styling tools are made with tourmaline ceramic technology to protect your hair from extra damage due to heat, there are other products that you can use as well. Spray a heat protectant on your hair before using your hair crimper, or apply a hair mask a few times a week in the shower to restore moisture and health in your hair. If you have thinner hair, be sure to use a lower temperature setting.

Our Picks for the Best Hair Crimpers

Pros: Create texture and volume to your liking with this adjustable hair waver from Bed Head. It’s made with tourmaline technology that increases shine and reduces frizz. There are three customizable sizes for the wand: low, mid-height, and high. The lowest height creates a small wave, the mid-height creates more defined waves, and the highest gives you the most bounce and wavy style. It is designed with digital control buttons for multiple heat settings all the way up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, so it can be used safely on most hair types. It has a 6-foot cord, universal dual voltage, auto shut-off, and heat recovery that make it easy to travel with and provides the best results.

Cons: There is no pad or cover, so you should wear gloves with it. Depending on your hair type, this may work best for longer hair, as shorter hair may turn out frizzy.

Bottom Line: Style your curls the way you want with this easy-to-customize hair waver that can stay at home or go on the road with you. You’ll get creative control to do a different look for each day of the week if you wish.

 

Pros: Do you want to add big natural waves to your hair? This three-barrel curling iron crimper can help you get that exact style. Its tourmaline ceramic technology reduces frizz and produces the heat you need in your iron without damaging your hair. It has two heat settings, one more suitable for thin hair and the other for thick or coarse hair. The large wand has an antiskid and nonslip handle to keep your fingertips and surfaces from harm and a tangle-free cord that makes it easy to carry around for travel.

Cons: It may not get hot enough for thicker hair.

Bottom Line: Cut down the time it takes for you to style large, natural-looking waves with this large, three-barrel curling iron. Once you get used to styling with this tool, you’ll be able to get a gorgeous look done even faster.

 

Pros: This waver styling tool makes beachy waves easy to achieve. The ceramic plates are made with double the tourmaline, which allows the high heat to style perfectly without damaging your hair and keeping frizz out (one thing a day at the beach can’t do). It’s equipped with multiple heat settings that can run up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for fine or coarse hair and features a plate-locking switch that makes it simple to store when traveling or in a small space.

Cons: There is no metal “kickstand” piece to keep the plates from touching the surface when you set it down. And while you can adjust the heat, there are no temperature settings to know exactly what the heat is set at.

Bottom Line: This waver can add fantastic movement to your hair, no matter the length or thickness. If your goal is the beach wave look, this is the tool for you.

 

Pros: If you have thick hair, you likely know how hard styling can be. This crimper heats up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit (or less if you don’t need it so hot), so however thick your hair is, you can crimp in a style that stays. This crimper tool styles your hair with the classic crimped look, adding volume, movement, and personality. It has two heat settings and a tangle-free swivel cord to make styling your hair easier.

Cons: This hot tool is meant to get super hot, so be aware of other products or items around your countertop to make sure you don’t melt anything in the way. It’s also important that when using something with such high heat, you know how quickly to move the iron through your hair so that you don’t cause added damage.

Bottom Line: If you’re looking to get the classic crimped look, this iron delivers it effectively with high heat. It’s best for people with medium to thick hair.

 

Pros: Do you like to mix up your hairstyles? If you want straight hair one day, loose waves another, then tight crimps the next day, this four-in-one styler with interchangeable plates is for you. Each plate is a different color and comes in various crimp/wave sizes. They are also infused with argan oil and keratin to provide nourishment and moisture to your hair without damage. The temperature can be set from 280 to 430 degrees Fahrenheit, suiting most hair needs and delivering optimal wavy results. If it hasn’t been used within an hour, it will automatically shut off, giving you total peace of mind if you forget to turn it off.

Cons: This crimper is heavy and clunky, and changing out the plates may be more challenging than expected.

Bottom Line: If you’re wanting to experiment with various styles, you can’t go wrong with this hair crimper that has plates you can easily change out. You get incredible value and convenience in one tool while ensuring you get shiny, frizz-free results.

Final Thoughts

Spending a valuable chunk of time trying to achieve a particular hairstyle only to end up with undesirable results is truly frustrating. Thankfully, there are many effective hair crimpers like these ones that can give you the waves you’ve been dreaming of.