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Home/ Guides/ best 1.5-inch curling irons
10 Top 1.5-Inch Curling Irons
Published 11/01/2026
A 1.5-inch barrel is the size stylists use for big, soft curls and bouncy blowout waves, especially on hair that falls past the shoulders. Smaller barrels make tighter spirals, and clipless curling wands in this size give a looser finish. These ten irons run from salon splurges to drugstore basics.
Our top picks
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Compare the best 1.5-inch curling irons
The table compares barrel material, barrel shape, and the kind of curl each 1.5-inch iron gives. Extended barrels from T3, Bio Ionic, and Hot Tools suit long hair best, while the drugstore irons keep things simple.
| Pick | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Big curls in one pass | Lived-in curls on long hair | Polished waves without clamp marks | Salon results for less | Long hair on a budget | Frizz-prone hair | Beginners who want extras | Static-prone hair in winter | Soft waves for less | Trips and tight budgets |
| Material | Ceramic | Mineral-infused | Anodized barrel | Nano titanium | 24K gold | Tourmaline ceramic | Ceramic | Ceramic, titanium | Tourmaline ceramic | Triple ceramic |
| Shape | Extra-long clamp | Long clamp | 1.5-inch wand | Spring clamp | Extended clamp | 1.5-inch clamp | 1.5-inch wand | Clipped barrel | 1.5-inch clamp | 1.5-inch clamp |
| Feel | Glossy curls | Soft, hydrated | Swingy waves | Strong hold | High-glam curls | Smooth waves | Gentle waves | Static-free | Soft waves | Even heat |
|
Edyt score
Methodology: The Edyt Score reflects a comprehensive analysis of ingredient profiles, concentration levels, and formulation standards. It is an objective technical evaluation of the product's composition, separate from crowd-sourced user reviews. | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.4 | 4.3 |
| Notes | Extra-long barrel · 9 settings | Long barrel · 430°F max | Clipless · 365°F fixed | 450°F max | Extended barrel | Tourmaline · Digital display | Low heat · Travel case | Anti-static · 30 settings | Tourmaline · Fast heat | Dual voltage |
| $ / size | $159.99 | $163.00 | $259.00 | $69.99 | $52.41 | $71.09 | $69.00 | $24.99 | $26.99 | $16.88 |
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Our picks, explained
Best overall
T3 SinglePass Curl X 1.5-Inch Curling Iron
An extra-long ceramic barrel with nine heat settings and a crease-free clip.
T3 made the barrel on this iron extra long, so you can curl wider sections in a single pass and spend less time under heat. The CeraGloss ceramic coating glides smoothly and leaves a glossy finish. Nine heat settings cover fine, color-treated, and thick hair.
Why it makes the list
- The extra-long barrel handles wide sections of long hair.
- A ProGlide clip holds hair without leaving dents.
- Nine heat settings suit fine through thick hair.
What to keep in mind
- It costs more than most clamp irons in this size.
Best for long hair
Bio Ionic Long Barrel 1.5-Inch Curling Iron
A longer-than-average barrel with moisturizing heat up to 430°F.
Bio Ionic stretched this barrel longer than most, which makes it easier to curl long lengths and the hard-to-reach sections at the back of your head. Its mineral-infused heat is designed to help hair hold on to moisture while you style. The heat goes up to 430°F, and it shuts itself off after an hour.
Why it makes the list
- The long barrel fits long hair in fewer wraps.
- Adjustable heat tops out at 430°F for thick hair.
What to keep in mind
- The extra length can feel awkward on short hair.
- It sits near the top of the price range here.
Best clipless splurge
ghd Chronos Curve Max 1.5-Inch Wand
A clipless 1.5-inch wand that holds a steady 365°F.
ghd built this 1.5-inch wand without a clamp, so long hair wraps into loose, swingy waves with no dents. The heat is fixed at 365°F, and motion-tracking sensors keep it even along the barrel. A heat glove comes in the box for wrapping.
Why it makes the list
- No clamp means waves finish without crease marks.
- Fixed 365°F heat removes the guesswork for beginners.
- The anodized coating adds shine and grip.
What to keep in mind
- Wrapping by hand takes some practice at first.
Best salon value
BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium 1.5-Inch Spring Curling Iron
A nano titanium spring iron from a salon brand that heats to 450°F.
Stylists have used this BaBylissPRO iron for years because the nano titanium barrel heats quickly and evenly, with no hot spots. It climbs to 450°F, so coarse or thick hair curls without repeated passes. The spring clamp and 8-foot swivel cord make it easy to handle.
Why it makes the list
- Titanium heats fast and spreads heat evenly.
- High heat works well on thick or coarse hair.
What to keep in mind
- 450°F is far too hot for fine hair, so start low.
Best extended barrel
Hot Tools 24K Gold Extended Barrel 1.5-Inch Curling Iron
A 24K gold barrel with extra length and five digital heat settings.
Hot Tools gave this 24K gold iron an extended barrel, so long hair and tricky back sections are easier to wrap. Five digital heat settings run up to 450°F. The brand backs it with a 7-year warranty, which is unusually long for a curling iron.
Why it makes the list
- The extended barrel fits more hair into each curl.
- A 7-year warranty covers years of regular styling.
- Gold heats quickly for fast morning curls.
What to keep in mind
- Five settings give less fine control than irons with more steps.
Best digital ceramic
CHI Tourmaline Ceramic 1.5-Inch Curling Iron
A tourmaline ceramic barrel with a digital temperature display.
CHI pairs a non-stick ceramic barrel with tourmaline to cut static, which helps frizz-prone hair curl smoothly. A digital display makes it easy to set the same temperature every time. The waves it makes are designed to last all day.
Why it makes the list
- Tourmaline ceramic helps tame static and flyaways.
- The digital display shows the exact temperature.
What to keep in mind
- CHI does not publish this iron's maximum temperature.
Best complete kit
ELLA BELLA 1.5-Inch Ceramic Curling Wand
A ceramic wand with a digital display, glove, case, and heat mat.
ELLA BELLA is a woman-owned brand, and this ceramic wand arrives ready for travel with a heat glove, a heat-resistant case, and a mat. The digital display lets you set the exact temperature from 180°F to 410°F. That low starting point makes it one of the gentler picks for fine hair.
Why it makes the list
- The range starts at 180°F, which suits fine hair.
- A glove, case, and mat all come in the box.
What to keep in mind
- The brand is newer than the salon names on this page.
Best for flyaways
Remington Anti-Static 1.5-Inch Curling Iron
Remington says its anti-static design cuts flyaways by half.
Remington built this iron around anti-static technology designed to cut static and flyaways by 50 percent versus its standard ceramic iron. A titanium protection coating speeds up heating. Thirty heat settings top out at 400°F, and it shuts off on its own after an hour.
Why it makes the list
- Thirty heat settings make it easy to dial in.
- A safety stand keeps the barrel off the counter.
- Auto shutoff after an hour adds peace of mind.
What to keep in mind
- The 400°F ceiling may not hold curls in very coarse hair.
Best budget
Conair InfinitiPRO Tourmaline 1.5-Inch Curling Iron
A tourmaline ceramic iron with five settings at a drugstore price.
Conair's InfinitiPRO line brings salon-style features to a drugstore price, and this iron heats up in about 30 seconds. The tourmaline ceramic barrel helps reduce frizz and spreads heat without hot spots. Five settings reach 400°F, and an auto-off switch kicks in if you forget it.
Why it makes the list
- It is ready to style in about 30 seconds.
- Five settings cover most hair types.
What to keep in mind
- The 6-foot cord is shorter than most salon tools.
Best for travel
Revlon Perfect Heat Triple Ceramic 1.5-Inch Curling Iron
A triple ceramic iron with dual voltage and 30 heat settings.
Revlon coated this barrel in three layers of ceramic to spread heat evenly and limit damage from overstyling. Dual voltage and an automatic shutoff make it a handy travel iron. It warms up in 30 seconds and offers 30 settings that reach 400°F.
Why it makes the list
- Dual voltage works abroad with a plug adapter.
- It is one of the cheapest well-known irons in this size.
What to keep in mind
- The build feels lighter and less sturdy than salon irons.
- A dial sets the heat, with no digital readout.
How we made this list
We searched salon and drugstore curling irons and kept only those with a true 1.5-inch barrel. Heat range, barrel length, extras, and price set the order, with one iron per brand. Rankings reflect product specs and brand claims, not our own testing.
- Checked the barrel size. Every pick has a 1.5-inch barrel, so tapered wands and multi-size sets stayed out.
- Compared heat ranges. We noted top temperatures and low settings, since fine hair needs less heat than coarse hair.
- Looked at barrel length. Extended barrels ranked higher for long hair because they wrap more hair per pass.
- Kept one per brand. Each brand appears once so the page spans salon splurges and drugstore prices.
FAQ
What does a 1.5-inch curling iron do?
A 1.5-inch barrel makes big, loose curls and soft waves, not tight ringlets. It suits shoulder-length and longer hair best, since shorter hair cannot wrap around a wide barrel enough times to form a full curl. Many people use one to add the bounce and volume of a salon blowout.
Is a 1.5-inch curling iron good for short hair?
It works on hair that reaches at least the chin, but the result looks more like bends and volume than defined curls. For a bob or pixie, a 1-inch or smaller barrel gives more visible shape. For loose waves on shoulder-length hair, a 1.5-inch iron like the CHI or Conair is a good place to start.
What is the difference between a 1.25-inch and 1.5-inch curling iron?
A 1.25-inch barrel makes medium, bouncy curls that hold well on most lengths. The 1.5-inch size makes larger, looser curls that relax into waves sooner, so it suits long or thick hair best. If your curls usually drop by midday, the smaller barrel may hold longer.
How did Edyt Beauty pick these?
We kept curling irons and wands with a true 1.5-inch barrel, then compared heat range, barrel length, extras, and price, with one iron per brand. The T3 SinglePass Curl X leads for its extra-long barrel, nine heat settings, and crease-free clip.
Should I use a heat protectant with a 1.5-inch curling iron?
Yes, every time, because big barrels still reach 400°F or more on high settings. Fixed-heat ghd curling irons stay at 365°F, which is gentler, but they still need protection. Mist a heat protectant spray through dry hair, let it settle, then curl one section at a time. To keep big curls bouncy, pin each one while it cools, then brush through and finish with a texturizing spray for hold.
This is general beauty guidance, not medical advice. Patch-test new products if you have sensitive skin or known allergies.
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