Who might choose these tools

People with longer hair seeking soft waves

If you want relaxed waves and root volume rather than tight curls, a larger barrel may fit the finish you have in mind. ghd describes its 32mm Curve Soft Curl Tong as working best on longer hair.

People who want temperature choice

If your hair is fine, coloured or bleached, you may want to select a lower setting rather than use a fixed-temperature tool. Remington gives that guidance for its variable-heat Curl Create Wand; check the instructions for the model you choose.

People learning to place waves

If hair slips as you wrap it, compare a tong's clamp with the grip features of a clamp-free wand. A cool tip and a stable place to rest the hot tool may also matter while you practise.

What matters when choosing

Choose the barrel shape for the wave you want, then compare temperature controls and the handling features of the exact model.

Concern What to check Who this matters to
Wave shape and hair length Compare a straight 32mm barrel with a wide tapered barrel, and check the model's hair-length guidance. If I want broad, soft waves rather than tight curls, I need a barrel that suits both my preferred finish and the length of hair I can wrap around it. Around 42% of consumers would put wave shape and hair-length fit first.
Temperature control Check whether heat is fixed or adjustable and, if adjustable, the stated range and model-specific guidance. With fine, coloured or bleached hair, I want a choice of settings rather than being limited to one temperature. For around 33% of consumers, heat control would be the primary concern.
Handling and electrical safety For a mains tool, check the UK 3-pin plug and fuse; consider a cool tip, stable stand and automatic shut-off. If I am still getting used to a hot tool, I need somewhere suitable to set it down and a way to handle it confidently. Handling and electrical safety would come first for around 25% of consumers.

Buying pitfalls

  • Assuming all curling barrels produce the same wave

    A straight 32mm barrel and a wide tapered barrel are offered for different finishes: the former for a more consistent loose shape, the latter for more variation.

    Check the exact diameter and shape before choosing, rather than relying on the word “curling” in the product name.

  • Treating 185°C as the right setting for everyone

    Some tongs operate at a fixed 185°C, while other models let you choose from a stated range. A selectable setting is not a universal answer for every hair condition.

    If temperature choice matters to you, compare the model's controls and follow its instructions for your hair condition.

  • Overlooking the plug on a mains-powered tool

    Electrical suitability matters separately from barrel shape or styling features. Electrical Safety First advises checking that a mains-operated tong has a standard UK 3-pin plug and fuse.

    Check the plug, fuse and retailer before purchase, and inspect the cable and plug for damage before use.

  • Leaving nowhere suitable for the tool to cool

    A stand or automatic shut-off does not replace unplugging the tool and allowing its hot parts to cool safely.

    Check what the exact model includes and make space on a heat-resistant surface before styling.

Brands to consider for loose waves

ghd

The Curve Soft Curl Tong is a 32mm clamp tong that ghd describes as suited to soft waves and longer hair.

  • ghd specifies a cool tip, safety stand and automatic sleep mode after 30 minutes for this model.
  • Its fixed 185°C styling temperature does not offer the setting choice of an adjustable model.

BaByliss

The Titanium Brilliance Curls Tong pairs a 32mm barrel with a spring-activated clamp for buyers considering a tong rather than a clamp-free wand.

  • This model has six digital temperature settings from 160°C to 210°C.
  • Its straight, clamped barrel is a different format from a tapered wand intended for a more varied wave.

Remington

Relevant options include the 32mm Hydraluxe CI89H1 wand and the tapered 25–38mm PROluxe CI91X1 wand.

  • The Hydraluxe CI89H1 has five settings up to 210°C; the PROluxe CI91X1 has nine settings from 120°C to 210°C.
  • Choose between their barrel shapes according to whether you prefer a more consistent loose wave or a varied, tousled shape; neither has a clamp to hold the ends.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Common questions

What barrel size should I look at for loose waves?

A 32mm barrel is a useful starting point: ghd, BaByliss and Remington each describe relevant 32mm tools for soft waves or loose curls. A wide tapered barrel, such as the 25–38mm Remington PROluxe, is an alternative for a less uniform finish; hair length and wrapping technique also affect the result.

Is adjustable heat worth choosing?

Adjustable heat is worth considering if you want to select a setting for your hair condition or texture. Remington advises lower settings for coloured, bleached and fine hair on its Curl Create Wand; a fixed-temperature tong offers simpler controls but not the same choice.

What should I check on a mains curling wand for UK use?

Check for a standard UK 3-pin plug and fuse, as Electrical Safety First advises for mains-operated tongs. Buy from a reputable retailer, inspect the cable and plug for damage, and keep the tool away from water during use.

Do I need a separate heat mat or pouch?

Not necessarily: check whether the exact model includes a stand, mat or pouch, and arrange a heat-resistant surface for cooling. Electrical Safety First advises letting the appliance cool before storing it in a heat-proof pouch.