Who each design suits

Small-space soft-ringlet stylers

If a small drawer or travel bag dictates what you can keep, Remington’s Anywhere Curls CI2725 offers a retractable 25mm barrel and a pouch. Its clipless design means wrapping sections by hand.

Clamp-tong users seeking soft curls

If you want a lever to hold each section and a choice of heat settings, a conventional 25mm tong is worth comparing. BaByliss’s Rose Quartz C451U has a 25mm barrel and six listed temperature settings.

Long-hair loose-curl stylers

If larger curls and relaxed waves matter more than a distinct ringlet shape or compact storage, ghd positions its 32mm Curve Soft Curl Tong for that finish, particularly on longer hair.

What matters when choosing

Retractable 25mm clipless styler

Choose when: packed size is the priority and you are comfortable wrapping sections around a clipless barrel; Remington says the Anywhere Curls CI2725 barrel retracts into its handle.

Trade-off: there is no clamp to hold the section while you style it.

Conventional 25mm clamp tong

Choose when: you want a lever to hold the hair and selectable heat, as offered by the BaByliss Rose Quartz C451U.

Trade-off: do not assume a conventional tong has the retractable storage design of a compact model.

32mm tong for larger curls

Choose when: your aim shifts towards the big curls and soft waves for which ghd positions its Curve Soft Curl Tong.

Trade-off: that broader finish is a different goal from distinct soft ringlets, and barrel diameter alone does not establish packed size.

Concern What to check Who this matters to
Compact storage Check whether the barrel retracts and whether the packed tool fits your intended space; a pouch alone does not establish its size. I need to put the tong away in a small drawer or bag without giving up a 25mm barrel. Around 42% of consumers put compact storage first.
Clamp-led soft curls Confirm a 25mm barrel and a spring lever if you want the tong to hold each section. When styling each section, I would rather secure it with a lever than wrap it around a clipless barrel; roughly 33% of consumers prioritise that handling.
Heat and safe storage Check the listed heat settings and resting features; for a mains-operated tong intended for UK use, confirm a UK 3-pin plug and fuse. I want control over the selected heat and somewhere suitable to rest the tong before it cools. About 25% of consumers make heat and safety checks their primary concern.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Assuming every 25mm tong packs equally small

    Barrel diameter describes the styling surface, not the length of the appliance when stored. Remington says the Anywhere Curls CI2725 retracts into its handle; a conventional 25mm barrel does not, by itself, establish a compact packed size.

    Check a stated retracting design or packed dimensions against the drawer or bag you intend to use.

  • Choosing 32mm for a distinct 25mm-style ringlet

    ghd positions its 32mm Curve Soft Curl Tong for big curls and soft waves, whereas the cited 25mm BaByliss and Remington tongs are positioned for softer, more defined curls.

    Decide whether you want visible ringlets or broader waves before comparing barrel designs.

  • Putting the tong away while it is hot

    A pouch or heat mat does not make a hot appliance ready for an enclosed drawer. Electrical Safety First advises unplugging hair tongs when they are not in use and avoiding cable wrapping around the appliance.

    Unplug the tong, follow its cooling instructions and store it only once cool, leaving the cable loosely arranged.

  • Treating a matching barrel size as an identical model

    Different 25mm tongs can have different controls and accessories. For example, the Joybuy listings for Wahl ZX913 and TRESemmé 2811U identify different models from the Remington and BaByliss tongs discussed here.

    Compare the brand, full model number, barrel design and listed features before treating one listing as a substitute for another.

Brands to consider for these curling-tong designs

Remington

Remington offers two different 25mm approaches here: the retractable, clipless Anywhere Curls CI2725 and the conventional Pro Soft Curl CI6525.

  • Remington states that the CI2725 barrel retracts into its handle and that a pouch is supplied.
  • The CI2725 is clipless and has a stated 210°C temperature; the CI6525 instead lists 10 settings from 130°C to 220°C. Check which handling and heat-control design you want.

BaByliss

The Rose Quartz C451U is a conventional 25mm clamp tong for shoppers who want lever-assisted styling.

  • BaByliss lists six settings from 160°C to 210°C, automatic shut-off, a 2.5m swivel cord and a heat mat for this model.
  • Do not treat its 25mm barrel as a packed-size measurement; check the space available before choosing it for a small drawer or bag.

ghd

ghd positions the Curve Soft Curl Tong as a 32mm option for big curls and soft waves, particularly on longer hair.

  • ghd lists a cool tip, safety stand, universal voltage and automatic sleep mode after 30 minutes for this model.
  • Its larger-curl styling aim differs from a distinct 25mm-style ringlet; check its stored dimensions if space is the deciding factor.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Questions about curling tongs

Should I choose a 25mm or 32mm barrel for soft ringlets?

Start with 25mm if you want a more distinct soft curl. BaByliss and Remington position the cited 25mm models for soft, bouncy or loose curls, while ghd positions its 32mm Curve Soft Curl Tong for bigger curls and waves, especially on longer hair.

Can I put a tong in its pouch as soon as I finish styling?

No: unplug the tong and let it cool before putting it in a pouch or drawer. Electrical Safety First also advises against wrapping the cable around the tong for storage; follow the appliance’s cooling instructions even if it comes with a pouch or heat mat.

What should I check on a corded tong for UK use?

For a mains-operated tong, confirm a standard UK 3-pin plug and fuse, and inspect the plug and cable for damage before use, as advised by Electrical Safety First. Also check the actual model’s heat controls and instructions rather than relying on features listed for another variant.

Which guarantee details matter when comparing these models?

Check the guarantee offered for the exact model and its terms before buying. BaByliss states a three-year guarantee for the Rose Quartz C451U, while Remington states a two-year guarantee for Anywhere Curls CI2725; those manufacturer guarantees are product-specific and separate from any applicable statutory rights.