Who these tongs suit

Long-hair curlers with tight storage

You want curls or waves but need the tong to fit a particular drawer, cupboard or travel case. Check its complete dimensions rather than judging storage fit from the barrel alone.

Soft-wave seekers with long hair

You prefer loose curls or waves to tight spirals. The 32mm tongs described by REVAMP, Boots and ghd are positioned for softer styles on longer hair; barrel length is a separate consideration.

Beginners wanting help with winding

You would rather have a clamp hold each section or use a rotating barrel than wind every section entirely by hand. Compare how the mechanism feels to use alongside the space the complete tool needs.

What matters when choosing

Decide on the curl shape and how you want to handle the tong, then check whether the complete tool and its cable fit your storage routine.

Concern What to check Who this matters to
Storage and put-away Measure the storage space and check the complete tong length and how its cable can be stored without wrapping it around the tool. If my drawer is shallow, I need to know the whole tong will fit after it has cooled, not just how wide its barrel is. Roughly 36% of consumers put storage fit first.
Barrel coverage and curl shape For loose curls, compare 32mm barrels and check their usable length separately; consider a narrower barrel if you want more defined curls. I want to wrap my long hair without excessive overlap while getting a soft curl rather than a tight spiral. Around 29% of consumers prioritise long-hair coverage and curl shape.
Temperature control Check whether the tong has selectable settings or a fixed temperature, and follow its instructions for use. If I want to choose the heat setting myself, a fixed-temperature tong will not give me that control. About 21% of consumers make temperature choice their primary concern.
Winding and section control Compare a clamp that holds a section with assisted left- and right-rotation if manual winding is difficult. When winding each section feels awkward, I would rather choose the handling method before comparing extra features. Approximately 14% of consumers put winding assistance first.

Buying pitfalls

  • Assuming a wide barrel is also long enough

    Diameter affects curl shape, but usable barrel length determines how much hair can be wrapped along it. REVAMP specifies a 32mm diameter and a separate 190mm barrel length for its Effortless Curls tong.

    Compare both barrel measurements, then check the complete appliance length against your drawer or cupboard.

  • Putting the tong away while it is hot

    A stand or automatic shut-off does not make immediate storage safe. Electrical Safety First advises unplugging the tong and letting it cool on a heat-resistant surface before putting it away, including in a heat-proof pouch.

    Keep a suitable resting place available and allow time for cooling before storage.

  • Wrapping the cable around the tong to save space

    Electrical Safety First advises against wrapping the cable around hair tongs during storage.

    Allow room for the cable alongside the cooled, unplugged tool and follow the manufacturer’s storage instructions.

  • Judging an electrical tong by its pictures alone

    Product images may not establish which plug comes with the exact model being supplied. Electrical Safety First advises checking for a standard UK three-pin plug and fuse on a mains-operated tong.

    Confirm the supplied plug, model number, retailer details and product documentation before ordering.

Brands to consider

REVAMP

Relevant if barrel length or assisted winding matters to your choice.

  • REVAMP specifies a 190mm, 32mm barrel for its Effortless Curls tong; its Auto Revolve model offers left- and right-rotation.
  • Compare the complete dimensions of the particular model with your storage space. Barrel length does not establish the tool’s overall footprint.

BaByliss

Relevant if you want a conventional clamp tong for loose curls on long hair.

  • Boots describes the Titanium Brilliance Curls Tong as having a long 32mm barrel, a spring lever and six settings from 160°C to 210°C.
  • Check the complete stored length and whether any storage accessory is included before choosing it for a confined space.

ghd

Relevant if you prefer a 32mm tong with a fixed styling temperature.

  • Boots describes the Curve Soft Curl Tong as suited particularly to longer hair, with a cool tip and safety stand.
  • Its fixed 185°C system offers less temperature choice than the variable-setting models described here; check the complete dimensions for storage.

Wahl

Relevant if a narrower barrel and a clamp suit the curl you want.

  • Joybuy describes the Wahl ZX912 as having a 19mm barrel, clamp, cool-touch tip and hanging loop.
  • A 19mm barrel addresses a more defined-curl preference than the 32mm soft-wave options. Check the complete dimensions even if you plan to use the hanging loop.

Joybuy products for this topic

Related products coming soon.

Common questions

Is a 32mm curling tong suitable for long hair?

A 32mm tong is worth considering if you want soft curls or loose waves rather than tight spirals. Also compare usable barrel lengths: REVAMP says the 190mm barrel on its Effortless Curls model lets longer hair wrap with less overlap, but you still need to check the complete tool length for storage.

Can I put a curling tong straight into a heat-proof pouch?

No. Electrical Safety First advises unplugging the tong and letting it cool on a heat-resistant surface before putting it in a heat-proof pouch; it also advises against wrapping the cable around the tong for storage.

What should I check about the plug on a mains curling tong?

For UK use, check that the exact tong supplied has a standard UK three-pin plug and fuse, as Electrical Safety First advises. Confirm the plug and product documentation with the retailer rather than relying on pictures of a similar model.