Best Hot Rollers for Creating Tight Curls and Loose Waves

Looking for the alternative to your curling iron? Try out hot rollers! They are believed to cause less damage to your hair, and they take less effort to achieve this glamorous curly look. Plus, one big set of hot rollers in different sizes will give you much more versatility than a single curling iron. The benefits are quite obvious, right?

Product
CONAIR INFINITIPRO Ceramic Flocked Hot Roller Set...
Rating
Prime
Pros
Best hot rollers for fine hair
My review
Product
Remington Ionic Conditioning Hair Setter, 20...
Rating
Prime
Pros
20 hot rollers in 3 sizes
My review
Product
BaBylissPRO Hot Rollers For All Hair Lengths, Nano...
Rating
Prime
Pros
12 jumbo hot rollers (1.5-inches wide)
My review

I’m Chloe, and today I’d like to present my personal top-list of the very best hot rollers. I’ve used them either for myself or for my clients. As usual, I’ve read other people’s hot rollers reviews to give you a full picture. Some solid advantages and minor flaws become clear only with long use, and I’m talking not only about hot rollers 🙂

So, we’re going to explore 15 brands and models. But before we get to the reviews, explore my step-by-step guide on how to use hot rollers. If you’re going to use this tool for the first time, I highly recommend you to check out the guide. Plus, I’m going to answer some of the questions about hot rollers. Curious what are the best hot rollers for thick hair? How to choose hair curlers for medium-length locks? How long do you leave the hot rollers in your hair? Find out in my newest post!

Contents

How to Use Hot Rollers: Step-by-Step Guide

How to Use Hot Rollers: Step-by-Step Guide

If you’re new to using hot rollers, you may wonder how to style hair with them properly. That’s not very difficult, but curlers may take some practice to master them. So, where do we start?

  1. Brush your hair properly, so there is no tangles.
  2. Apply a heat protectant.
  3. Heat up your curlers according to the directions. Different brands and models need different time to get hot.
  4. Divide your tresses into several sections.
  5. Take one section and apply a hot roller, wrapping the hair around it. Place the roller underneath the hair section, about halfway up and wrap the ends around the barrel. Then, roll up and back towards your head. Be careful not to burn your scalp.
  6. Use a hairpin or a clip to secure the roller in your hair.
  7. Repeat wrapping and securing with the other hair sections. Make sure to roll hair away from your face.
  8. For tight curls, wait until the rollers cool down in your hair, so that the blowout will last longer. If you want loose waves, leave the rollers in your hair for about 5-10 minutes.
  9. Gently remove all the rollers one by one, letting the curls fall loose.

A couple of tips: 

  1. To achieve a more natural appearance, you can use hot rollers of different sizes.
  2. If you want your curls to last longer, you can finish the look with a bit of hairspray.
  3. Using hot rollers take some practice. For the first time, try doing a hairstyle without heating up the curlers to learn the ropes.

Best Hot Rollers for Different Hair Types and Lengths

Here are my favorite hot rollers that I use in my practice as a stylist. They come in all shapes and sizes, and different hair requires different tools. I’ve tried to pick up the hot rollers for all hair types and lengths, so you can choose the ones that work for you.

1. Clipless Curlers: InfinitiPro Secret Curl by Conair

If you’re tired of endless attempts to secure hot rollers with clips or pins, try out these clipless silicone hot rollers by Conair. The set includes 12 pieces, six of them being ¾-inch and other six being 1-inch wide. The advertisement promises you salon-quality, shiny, and silky curls or waves, and the clipless design of these pop-up rollers is meant to leave your hair crease-free. That’s generally true, but there is a learning curve in using the clipless rollers. Some of my clients complained that the curlers just wouldn’t stay in and slipped off, especially on thick hair.

So, if you manage to secure the curlers, the results will be rather impressive. Just keep in mind that these hot rollers don’t work well with styling products in your hair. Also, they might dry out hair and cause split ends in rare cases. The tool gets hot in about 3 minutes, and the “ready dot” changes color when heated. As for the design, I like the top carry handle and the fact that the cord wraps around the base for easy storage.

PROS:
  • 12 stylish pink hot rollers in 2 sizes;
  • clipless;
  • 3-minute heat-up time;
  • convenient top carry handle;
  • the cord wraps around the base.
CONS:
  • learning how to secure these clipless curlers takes some time;
  • might dry out hair and/or cause split ends.

2. Conair Xtreme Instant Heat Hot Rollers – Best Hot Rollers for Long Hair

It’s definitely a set for girls with long tresses. There are 12 jumbo hot rollers, eight of them being 1.5-inches wide and four of them being 1.75-inches wide. Use these hot rollers to create those big and bouncy salon-styled waves that attract so much attention. These Conair hot rollers employ the ceramic-infused technology to give you long-lasting waves. They get hot in about 90 seconds, and the velvety covering on the rollers help protect your hair against heat damage.

These hot rollers by Conair come with 12 wire pins to secure the rollers. They work like a charm for some people, while others complain about pins being flawed as they either hold the rollers too loosely or if they stay well, the rollers get uncomfortably hot against your skin. So, you may want to consider purchasing plastic clips separately to secure the curlers.

One more shortcoming – there is no place in the set to store these little metal clips, and it’s easy to lose them. Also, the set is rather big and heavy, so it’s not a great option for traveling.

PROS:
  • perfect hot rollers for long hair;
  • 12 jumbo hot rollers in 2 sizes;
  • heat up in 90 seconds;
  • ceramic-infused technology;
  • set comes with 12 wire pins.
CONS:
  • heavy set that takes up a lot of space on the countertop;
  • no place for the pins to store.

3. 20 Hot Rollers for Short Hair: Conair Compact Multi-Size Hot Rollers

How many hot rollers do you need to curl short hair? This set by Conair offers you as many as 20 of them: eight small (½-inch), six medium (¾-inch), and six large ones (1-inch wide). For short hair, use hot rollers that are smaller, and for shoulder-length locks, you can combine them with large ones. Also, there are 20 color-coded stainless steel clips in the set to match all the rollers. If needed, you can replace them with spring-loaded clips – you just have to find ones small enough.

The rollers are suitable for short and shoulder-length hair. If your locks are longer than that, go for larger curlers – these won’t work. These Conair hot rollers work well on thick hair, but they may be too hard for fine. When they are ready to use, the ready signal light up red.

The curlers are fast to heat up, yet fast to cool down, too. You may need to heat them up once again to finish styling. Still, be careful to avoid burning as these Conair hot rollers get rather hot. The same holds true for many other brands and models, so I guess it’s an inevitable flaw.

PROS:
  • 20 Conair hot rollers in three different sizes;
  • color-coded steel pins;
  • work great for short hair;
  • get hot pretty fast;
  • small tines for better hair grip.
CONS:
  • no good for medium-length and long locks;
  • cool down rather quickly.

4. T3 Voluminous Hot Rollers – High-Quality Hot Rollers for Long Hair

To be honest, these T3 hot rollers will cost you a fortune. For that price, the company promises that every strand of your precious hair will get shine, volume, and shape – all thanks to the advanced tourmaline technology and a ceramic core. The infrared heat helps to style your hair from inside out when sealing the hair cuticle against frizz. Well, in my experience, this styling tool has worked like a charm indeed. Eight hot rollers (4 large ones and 4 jumbo ones) help you to create those big, soft, voluminous waves. If you prefer tight curls, go for a curling wand instead.

The ceramic heater in each roller heats up to 250°F in 3 minutes, and the aluminum core transfers heat without losing surface temperature. The velvet flocked surface provides better hair grip and adds shine. These ion hot rollers have the ready-to-use indicator on each of them which changes color when ready.

The set comes with eight spring-loaded clips. Since these T3 hot rollers are heavier than many other brands, you may notice that the clips don’t hold in the curlers tightly enough. They take some time to catch the trick. Or, you can replace them with separately purchased clips or pins that work for you.

PROS:
  • 8 large hot rollers in two sizes;
  • tourmaline technology;
  • heat up to 250°F in 3 minutes;
  • come with 8 spring-loaded clips;
  • auto world voltage (100V-240V).
CONS:
  • heavier than many competitive products;
  • cost an arm and a leg.

5. BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Roller Hairsetter – BaByliss Hot Rollers for Long Hair

These are especially great hot rollers for long hair as they are 1.5 inches in diameter. Plus, there are 12 pieces in the set, so this should be enough to style your waist-length locks. The curlers generate far-infrared heat from a ceramic core for gentle styling, and the velvety coverage helps them to grip hair better. The heat is said to be distributed evenly, and the rollers heat up reasonably fast. Also, the light indicator with a color-change sensor on the roller tip indicates when the roller is ready.

The set comes with 12 butterfly clips and 12 color-coded metal clips which is a big plus. You can use the type of clips that works best for you. The only solid flaw of these BaByliss hot rollers is the price which is about three-fold higher than that of competitive products.

PROS:
  • 12 jumbo hot rollers (1.5-inches wide);
  • far-infrared heat gets evenly distributed;
  • flocked velvety surface;
  • heat up pretty fast;
  • come with both butterfly clips and metal pins.
CONS:
  • plastic clips seem flimsy;
  • pricey.

6. Good for Travelling: John Frieda Body & Shine Smooth Waves (5 pieces)

This set is very much like the other John Frieda set in my top-list, except this one includes only five 2-inch hot rollers. They’re designed to smooth your hair, adding volume and body, and NOT to make tight curls. The set of five pieces may be not enough for long hair. On the bright side, it’s quite handy for traveling. The storage pouch is only 5 inches in height.

These hot rollers employ the advanced ionic technology for smoothing your hair, adding shine, and reducing frizz. The rollers themselves are titanium ceramic flocked, and there are five butterfly clips for securing them. If the clips don’t work for you, you can replace them with any other pins or clips that suit the rollers. Also, you can choose from two temperature levels (high or low) depending on your hair type and texture. The tool gets hot in about 2 minutes which is rather fast.

PROS:
  • smooth hair and add shine, body, and volume;
  • titanium ceramic flocked jumbo hot rollers;
  • take 2 minutes to heat up;
  • two heat settings;
  • good travel hot rollers in a nice store pouch.
CONS:
  • no good for short hair;
  • might leave slight lines;
  • a bit pricey.

7. Remington Ionic Conditioning Hair Setter – Great Hot Rollers for Short Hairstyles

The set includes 20 velvety rollers that should be enough to cover your whole head and create various curly hairstyles. They come in 3 sizes: ¾-inch, 1-inch, and 1¼-inches wide. Smaller curlers will come in handy for girls with short hair and for those who prefer tight curls.

To create bigger, looser curls, use hot rollers with a larger diameter. There are 20 color-coded J-shaped clips in the set which come in 3 sizes as well. They may fall out from time to time, but overall, they hold in the curlers pretty well.

The tool features the exclusive thermal wax core for long-lasting results. And the ionic technology helps to reduce frizz and add shine. The curlers heat up quickly, and the ready indicator lets you know when the hot rollers are the perfect temperature for styling. The cool-touch ends make the styling more comfortable, yet the rollers get pretty hot, so be careful.

PROS:
  • 20 hot rollers in 3 sizes;
  • exclusive thermal wax core retains high heat longer and provides long-lasting curls;
  • ionic technology;
  • work great for fine hair;
  • cool-touch ends.
CONS:
  • no place to store the clips;
  • get very hot.

8. InfinitiPro Instant Heat Hot Rollers by Conair with 12 Heat Settings

The set includes 20 ceramic multi-sized hot rollers: 6 small (¾-inch), 6 medium (1-inch), and 8 large ones (1¼-inches). They give you the versatility to create various hairstyles from tight curls to loose waves. The set comes with 20 plastic clips which do the trick, in my experience. But you may want to replace them with the metal U-shaped holders. And 12 heat settings make these hot rollers by Conair a great styling tool for all hair types and textures.

The velvet flocked curlers heat up in about 2 minutes. They can get very hot, so be careful to avoid burning your fingers. The ceramic technology offers even heat distribution, reducing frizz and static. As a result, you get long-lasting soft curls that will get tons of compliments. These curlers work great even on fine hair, but for better results, you can use a bit of a hairspray right before using these hot rollers.

PROS:
  • perfect hot rollers for fine hair;
  • 20 curlers in 3 sizes;
  • 12 temperature settings;
  • 2-minute heat-up time;
  • retractable cord for easy storage.
CONS:
  • expensive;
  • clips work poorly on thick hair.

9. Hot Rollers for Fine Hair – Caruso Professional Steam Hairsetter

The Caruso hot rollers in this set come in all shapes and sizes. There are 30 pieces in total, ranging from the petite to the jumbo rollers. Their diameters vary from about 0.5-inch to 1.5-inches, but the tighter you wind your hair, the tighter curls you will get. The foam part of the roller compresses quite easily.

These steam hot rollers work well for both fine and thick hair of pretty much any length. The only thing is, if you have naturally straight hair, especially Asian type, the results may be not so impressive.

The Caruso steam hot rollers hold a curl really great, especially if your hair is prone to waves. The curls can stay all day long and even the next day, yet more relaxed. Plus, these hot rollers give them shine, bounce, and body – and who doesn’t want that? The set comes with the comb clips which are rather comfortable to use.

PROS:
  • 30 steam hot rollers in 5 sizes (6 pieces of each size);
  • great hot rollers for fine hair;
  • work great even on thick African-American hair;
  • long-lasting curls and waves;
  • curls are bouncy and shiny.
CONS:
  • pricey;
  • no good for bone straight Asian hair.

10. Remington Pro Thermaluxe Ceramic Hairsetter for Loose Waves and Ultimate Body

This hairsetter definitely stands out for its amazing vertical design. The set looks cool and doesn’t take much space on your countertop. Even the cord wrap helps you to keep things organized. There are 20 lilac and pink hot rollers in the set – 12 large (1.25-inches) and 8 medium ones (1-inch wide). Such sizes work best for shoulder-length and longer hair. Each hot roller comes with a clip attached, and they may take some time to get used to. The clips may leave a line on your hair. To avoid this, wrap your hair as tight as possible. If your hair is loose on the roller, the lines and creases may occur.

The tool features the advanced thermal technology and the ceramic-coated hot rollers. Both, the rollers and the clips, heat your hair from the inside out, so you get more even results. The set heats up reasonably quickly. The rollers get rather hot, so be careful to avoid burning your skin.

Everything about these Remington hot rollers is great, except for one design flaw. For me, it’s hard and time-consuming to get the curlers off and put them back on the heating rod. But I guess, I can live with that after all 🙂

PROS:
  • 20 lilac and pink hot rollers in 2 sizes;
  • advanced thermal technology and ceramic coverage;
  • great for creating loose curls and body;
  • space-saving design;
  • cord storage wrap.
CONS:
  • no good for making tight curls;
  • hard to get the curlers off and back on the heating rod.

11. Ion Hot Rollers for Smoothing and Creating Volume – John Frieda Body & Shine Smooth Waves (8 pieces)

These extra large hot rollers are meant to smooth your hair, giving it extra volume and body. Keep in mind that they won’t give you tight curls. The set includes eight rollers, 2-inches wide. These John Frieda hot rollers feature titanium ceramic flocking and the advanced ionic technology to eliminate frizz and create shine.

Body & Shine Smooth Waves

They get hot in about two minutes which is rather quick for such a tool. Plus, you can choose between high and low-temperature settings to select the perfect heat level for your tresses. That is quite a rare feature in hot rollers.

There are butterfly clips for each hot roller in the set. They hold the curlers rather securely if you position them correctly, yet some people complain about the clips not holding the rollers in place. The only thing is, these clips may leave small crimps in your hair. The crimps are faint and almost invisible, but you still know they’re there. All in all, these 2-inches hot rollers are a great tool for creating volume and body on shoulder-length or longer hair.

PROS:
  • smooth your hair, when adding body and volume;
  • titanium ceramic flocking;
  • ionic technology;
  • two temperature settings;
  • heat up in 2 minutes.
CONS:
  • no good for short hair;
  • pricey;
  • may leave slight crimps.

12. Conair Instant Heat Travel Hot Rollers – Great Hot Rollers for Long Hair of Medium Texture

This set of the Conair hot rollers is perfect for those who travel a lot. It’s lightweight, compact, and features dual-voltage. There are five jumbo hot rollers; each one is 1.5-inches wide. If you dream of big soft waves and extra body, go for it!

But these heated hair rollers won’t give you those tight, defined curls. They provide good volume and all-day hold for normal hair. If your locks are really thick and coarse, the results may not be so impressive, so you may want to switch to a curling iron. For fine hair, these Conair hot rollers probably won’t work either.

These compact hot rollers have a flocked velvety roller surface and stay-cool end rings for more comfortable styling. They heat up in two minutes which is quite fast for such a tool. The set comes with the plastic clips which may be not very convenient.

For instance, if you have thin hair, the rollers may just slide out even if you’re using the clips. Also, they may leave dents in your hair if you don’t secure them close to the scalp. On the bright side, the velvety surface of these hot rollers holds the hair well.

PROS:
  • good travel hot rollers with a dual-voltage feature;
  • lightweight and compact;
  • give you smooth and voluminous waves;
  • heat up in just 2 minutes;
  • dual-voltage.
CONS:
  • not so good for thin and thick hair;
  • plastic clips aren’t that convenient;
  • not for tight curls.

13. Outstanding Styling Product: Calista Tools Ion Hot Rollers

There are as many as 12 hot rollers in the set, six of them being 1-inch wide and other six being 1.2-inches wide. To tell you the truth, the last one is not a very common size, so if the rollers 1.5-inches in diameter are a bit wide for you, this may be a good option. These Calista hot rollers heat up reasonably fast, plus you have two temperature settings.

In my experience, the clips really help to keep them in your hair without loosening, yet I’ve heard some complaints about the clips not holding hair in.

Use these hot rollers to create salon-styled looks at home. You will get nice curls or waves that can stay longer with a bit of hairspray. The rollers and the heating base are quite lightweight, so you can take it with you when traveling.

Also, the tool is easy to handle and rather save to use, although you don’t want to get the rollers right up against your scalp. Then again, this is true for any hot roller. All in all, it’s quite a reliable product, especially as compared with those mediocre, poorly-gripping, and finger-scorching hot rollers.

PROS:
  • 12 hot rollers in two sizes;
  • heat up pretty fast;
  • two temperature settings;
  • lightweight;
  • affordable.
CONS:
  • the teeth on the curlers may cause tangles;
  • no cool-touch ends, so be careful with the high setting.

14. Remington H1015 Ceramic Hair Rollers – Travel Hair Rollers That Save Space in your Suitcase

This compact set features ten hot rollers in two sizes: five large (1.25-inches) and five medium ones (1-inch wide). They will help you to create not only beautiful long-lasting curls but also extra volume and body. The ionic ceramic surface of these hot rollers will give your hair more shine while reducing frizz. And the exclusive J-clips are designed to provide a better hold and less creasing, comparing with the standard Remington setter and clips. In actual practice, they may be not that convenient.

Remington H1016 Compact Ceramic Worldwide

Some of the clips don’t fit the rollers properly, so replacing them with the ones purchased separately may be a better option. Also, the clips don’t hold hair in place: sometimes, they let the rollers slide off your head or slide down onto your neck which is not a pleasant experience.

The good news is, these Remington hot rollers have cool-touch ends for a safer styling. The tool heats up in about 90 seconds which is rather quick. Also, it features the worldwide voltage, so it’s a great choice for traveling. The set is very compact, being 7-inches long, 3.5-inches high, and almost 3-inches wide. It fits well in a bathroom drawer and helps to save space in your suitcase.

PROS:
  • 10 hot rollers in two sizes;
  • heat up in 90 seconds;
  • ionic ceramic surface;
  • dual-voltage;
  • lightweight and compact hot rollers.
CONS:
  • clips don’t hold hair in place;
  • the surface of the rollers isn’t very soft.

15. Revlon Curls-to-Go Travel Hot Rollers with the Tourmaline Ionic Technology

In this set, you will find ten ceramic coated curlers in two sizes, about 1-inch wide and ¾-inch wide, so you can use these hot rollers even on short hair. The Ready Dot indicators turn white when the rollers are heated and ready to use which is rather handy.

REVLON, CurlstoGo Piece Travel Hot Rollers

Also, the curlers have cool-touch tips that make styling safer and more comfortable. The tool is said to feature the tourmaline ionic technology for smooth and shiny hair with less frizz. It heats up rather quickly, but the temperature is too hot for fine, thin hair.

As for the clips, here you may face the common issue – they don’t secure the curlers well enough. The clips are advertised as ergonomically designed, but the fact is that they still don’t hold the hot rollers in place, according to some people’s complaints.

For others, the clips work just fine. I guess it’s very individual. Those little tines on the curlers somewhat help to stay in hair. On the bright side, this compact and lightweight set is a good option for traveling since it features dual voltage.

PROS:
  • 10 ceramic coated ion hot rollers in two sizes;
  • tourmaline ionic technology for smooth, shiny locks;
  • ready Dot indicators;
  • lightweight and compact hot rollers;
  • dual voltage.
CONS:
  • no good for fine hair;
  • same issue with the clips – for some people, they don’t hold the curlers in place;
  • rollers don’t easily fit back over the heating posts.

Choosing and Using Hot Rollers: FAQ

Choosing and Using Hot Rollers: FAQ

How long do you leave hot rollers in?

To know this for sure, read the directions for your particular brand and model. Depending on the material and the temperature level, different rollers need more or less time to create curls. Generally, if you want to make loose waves, leave the curlers in your hair for about 5-10 minutes. And for tighter curls, hold them in for 10 minutes or more. If you have enough time, let the rollers cool down in your hair to prolong life of your curls.

What size of hot rollers to choose for medium-length hair?

When it comes to hot rollers, shoulder-length or a bit longer hair is the most versatile one. Depending on what type of curls you want to get, you can use either small-barrel curlers or rollers with a larger barrel.

For tight curls and coils, take the rollers less than 1 inch in diameter. And for bigger, loser waves, you need curlers with a wider barrel, something like 1.5-inches or 1.75-inches wide. Technically, you can try 2-inches or 3-inches hot rollers as well, but that they won’t work properly on hair that is above the shoulder. Before purchasing the tool, look up the hot rollers review with photos so you can see what kind of curls or waves you will get.

What are the best hot rollers for thick hair?

Thick hair tends to hold the style longer than a fine, thin ones. But thick hair still requires proper care. Look for hot rollers with ionic technology and far-infrared heat that help you to smooth hair, adding shine and combating frizz. Hot rollers that employ ceramic technology also help to keep your hair smooth and somewhat reduce the damage caused by heat. If we’re talking about the size of the hot rollers for thick hair, it primarily depends on your hair length.

Instead of a Conclusion

Instead of a Conclusion

Hot rollers are an easy-to-use and very time-saving styling tool that helps you to create voluminous curls and gorgeous waves. They may take some practice, but when you get a handle on hot rollers, they’ll probably take their place in your hair routine.

As they come in all shapes and sizes, take some time to find hot rollers for your hair type, texture, and length. Sets with rollers in two or even three different sizes are more versatile. Plus, they can give you more natural look than the curlers of the same diameter. Choosing the brand is up to you. I can only advise you to explore hot rollers reviews before purchasing to get an idea of their pros and cons.

Using hot rollers isn’t very difficult, but there are some ins and outs. I hope that the step-by-step guide and the FAQ section in this post will help you to master hot rollers of any brand. If you have more questions, welcome to the comment section below! I would be glad to answer them all.

Girls, what do you think of hot rollers? Have you ever tried them out? What hot rollers work best for you? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Last update on 2022-12-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

23 Comments
  1. What are the best hot rollers for short hair?

    I used to curl my hair with curling papers because I figured out it’s the only way to make short straight hair curly. But now, as a constant reader of your blog, I start to ask myself whether it’s actually possible to curl my hair with real hot rollers.

    It’s still unclear from your article what should a short haired gal like me choose after all 🙂
    Could you please recommend something for thick hair with a length of 7 to 10 cm?

    • Dear Viola!

      Thank you for your comment 😀
      I’m sorry if I was inconsistent about short hair in this particular article. Yes, obviously you can make curls with hot rollers. In fact, it’s one of the most convenient ways to make them.

      From the ones represented in the article, I’d recommend you to use Remington Ionic Conditioning Hair Set. It has a ¾ inch and 1-inch rollers that are perfect for curly pixie hair stylings, and if you grow your hair a little bit, 1 ¼ inches rollers will also be of use. This set is a bit expensive but it’s worth every penny, and I’m sure that after years of practising with curling papers you will immediately learn how to use them. There are a heat indicator and quite handy clips to fix your locks. So many upgrades compared to curling paper! Just don’t forget to spray your hair with a heat protector beforehand. Another option is small diameter curling iron: ½ to 1 inch will be perfect. Read more on curling irons in my article or other trusted sources.

  2. Hey there, Monica! What are the best hot rollers for long thick hair?
    From your article, it’s obvious that using cheaper options like Secret Curl or Calista is not gonna work.
    My hair is thick and heavy, and it usually gets twisted when I try to curl it properly.
    Will Conair Xtreme Instant Heat Hot Rollers work fine for me?
    Thanks in advance

    This is Heather btw

    • Hi, Heather! Thank you for following my reviews.

      You got it right: cheaper options probably won’t serve your hair well. I’d recommend T3 Voluminous Hot Rollers from this article. They are made with tourmaline ceramics that turns positive ions into negative making your hair smooth and more manageable; it also takes noticeably less heat for styling. Their velvet surface is excellent at gripping your hair, and the clips are of high quality and won’t fall off even from the most slippery locks. If you look for beautiful natural waves styling with minimum effort, this is your top choice. If you want tighter curls of smaller diameter, T3 rollers won’t suit you. There are two more cons: it’s a pure joy to use these, but their price is not so pleasant. Another possible reason for discomfort is the rollers weight: if you have heavy hair, the whole experience can be a bit unpleasant. I’d advise you to try them out in the salon before purchasing.

      If you need tight curls along with the total control of your curling process, I’d advise you to use a TYME Iron Pro. It’s a two-in-one curler and straightener that can handle any hair type. And with a little bit of experience, you will manage to make any hairstyle with the help of it. Also a pricy choice, but, as you probably know already, it’s next to impossible to work on a thick hair with cheap equipment.

      Please tell me more about your hairstyling experience so that I could provide you with more precise recommendations.

  3. I’m looking for the best hot rollers for big waves.
    My wedding is coming in a month, and I’d like to style my hair myself.
    Could you please share your thoughts on choosing hot rollers for mid-length wavy hair that will work 100%. My sister uses Velcro rollers, but they’re not even on your list. I’m a bit desperate about this whole thing.
    Hope for your quick answer!
    Cheers,
    Jennifer

    • Hi there, Jennifer,

      There’s most certainly no need for desperation. The size of your curls or waves depends on the diameter of the hot rollers and the time you keep them on your locks. The waves Velcro rollers are fine, but I haven’t tested them long enough to make up a full professional opinion. Look for them in my next hot rollers reviews. From the ones I’ve tried so far I’d choose John Frieda Ion Hot Rollers, they will make shoulder-length hair look silky smooth and voluminous thanks to their titanium ceramic base and a diameter that is just right for the big waves you need. They also heat up pretty quick and are quite easily manageable even for beginners.

      To be sure your hair looks 100% perfect on your wedding day, I’d recommend you to try John Frieda Hot Rollers beforehand to get used to them and make sure you can easily style big waves with their help. Don’t forget to use the strong fixing products on your curls. John Frieda Frizz Ease is another product from this quality professional brand that will bring fixation and flexibility to your waves without making them look heavy and overstyled. TIGI also make wonderful hair products for such festive occasions. Try their Catwalk Curls Rock Amplifier to make your locks bouncy and protected from humidity and dryness alike.

      I wish you a wonderful wedding!

  4. Dear Monica, could you please recommend the best hair spray for hot rollers?
    I’m very picky when it comes to heat protectants and styling sprays, I’m using Peter Coppola Blowout spray with my flat iron and it works fine, but I’ve never tried it with hot rollers and have doubts using it, as it may add weight and affect the curls.
    My hair is heavy and becomes greasy easily, so I’d like to hear more about lighter sprays from you.
    Thanks a lot!

    • Thank you for your question, Laurel.
      It’s always nice to meet someone, as you say, ‘picky’, who wants to give their hair maximum protection and health.

      It’s true that sprays can go with hot rollers not as good as they do with hot brushes and flat irons. Peter Coppola spray is a nice choice for bringing your hair to life and boosting up its volume and shine. All heat protectants work pretty much alike: they lock your hair cuticles and don’t let the heating effect damage them. Lighter heat protection sprays don’t contain Keratin, so their impact isn’t seen on your hair immediately, but they work just as good at smoothening and protecting. I’d recommend ghd Heat Protection Spray or Aveda Speed of Light spray with natural oils.

      If you want to concentrate more on fixing your curls, try styling sprays with added heat protectants: TIGI Catwalk Curls Rock Amplifier is a perfect choice if you prefer to use your hair spray while styling and CHI Firm Hold Hairspray is the one that is the best for finishing your hairstyle. Don’t forget to use a heat protection spray before hot rolling your hair, and fixing spray right after you finished.

  5. What is the best way to curl your hair with hot rollers?
    My name is Kim. I have thin unruly hair.
    I’ve tried a couple of different types of hot rollers, and the experience was so unbearable that I had to switch on to the hot air brush.
    With the brush, I don’t get the desired effect though. I have a fine hair that’s not easy to style, and the curls made with the hot air brush look more like waves.
    Maybe you got some professional secrets to share?

    • Dear Kim, I know your troubles by heart. Fine and frizzy hair is probably the most difficult to tame, though it doesn’t seem like it to thick-haired ‘outsiders’. I have a few tips for you.

      First of all, your choice of hot rollers must be well thought-out. Ionic technology is a must for you, as it locks your hair moisture and doesn’t let the frizzes to appear. Choose Remington Ionic Conditioning Hair Setter or Caruso Professional Steam Hairsetter, both of them are great for creating tight, long-lasting curls with minimal damage to your chevelure. Remington rollers are a bit expensive, but they have a perfect up-to-date ionic technology. Caruso rollers are not so good in keeping your hair healthy and shiny, but with the help of additional styling products, you’ll get terrific results.

      My second tip: your haircare and styling products are just as important as your rollers. First of all, use a fine hair shampoo or a shampoo/conditioner set to boost up your tresses from the roots and add them pre-styling volume and sleekness. Try Kenra Volumizing set with protein formula or Dove Nutritive Solutions Series if you’re looking for cheaper means. Always use keratin-based styling sprays or products with natural oils before any heating procedures! Argan, roucou and coconut oils work best for thin hair.

      I hope my advice is helpful.

  6. Hi there, Monica!
    I’d like to know which are the best hot rollers for African American Hair?
    I like my long hair, it’s healthy and strong, and from time to time I make Keratin straightening at the salon. Curls are my top holiday hairstyle, but I have troubles making them with a curling iron. I’ve been thinking a lot about getting hot rollers lately, not sure if they will serve me as good after my Keratin treatment washes out.
    I could really use your advice.

    • Hi, Sophie!

      It’s nice that you take such good care of your hair. Of course, African American hair takes a little bit more hair routine than European hair, but it also rewards its owners with amazing thickness and strength.

      I’d recommend you to use Caruso Professional Steam Head Setter. In the article, I pointed out its enormous effect on the thin and fine hair but didn’t mention just how great it works for taming thick hair of African American type. There are 30 rollers in total so you can easily get all your tresses covered. It has a very tight hold so even your most unmanageable locks won’t unfix it. And a foam body of the roller easily compresses making it perfect for use on long hair. The Caruso rollers are of five diameter types: you can use the ½ inch to make nice small curls or 1 ½ inch for more wavy hairstyle. Thanks to well-fixing clips this set will leave your hair curly and wavy for a few days.

  7. Are hot rollers good for curly hair?
    I mean, I have a curly hair and I sometimes straighten them with a flat iron. I like my curls, and with time I’ve learned to take good care of them, so they look natural and beautiful. But sometimes I think I could use hot rollers for making those tiny sweet curls you usually see in commercials. I would go and buy hot rollers of small diameter but have doubts concerning their effect on curly hair. Is it possible that I could damage my natural hair structure by using hot rollers?

    Besides, I’ve read in some beauty magazine that many stylists recommend to straighten curly hair with hot rollers instead of a flat iron. Does it really work? Or do you need to use some special kind of rollers to get the straightening effect?

    Cheers, Simona

    • Hello, Simona!

      You’re so right about appreciating your natural curls! And I want to cheer you up: it’s entirely safe for your hair structure to use hot rollers if you want to add some curliness to it. My general advice is to use a heat protection spray and find the hot rollers that are comfortable for you. Conair Multisize Hot Rollers are the ones that will suit you: the smaller rollers are just ½ in diameter so they will match your needs perfectly.

      As for the straightening your hair with hot rollers: yes, it’s quite possible. Although the level of damage caused by such a procedure strongly depends on the materials used in flat irons and hot rollers, on the average hot rollers are a bit safer. Use hot rollers of large diameter with titanium or tourmaline ceramic base: BabyLiss Pro titanium rollers and Infiniti Pro set by Conair are my top choices for straightening curly hair. I just have to warn you that if you need an effect of sleek & straight hair the flat iron is a better choice. If your hair is of a curly type, there will still be some waviness left after large hot rollers.

      Hope my answers will help you in your hairstyling decisions!

  8. Is it better to use hot rollers on wet or dry hair? It seems like a good idea to use hot rollers on wet hair, just as I do with regular rollers, but my friends tell me that no matter how much heat protection I put on my hair, using hot rollers on wet hair is extremely damaging.

    My hair is thick and frizzy, and not easy to manage. I usually straighten it with a round brush and a blow dryer after applying heat protectant oils and styling foam. I wonder if I need to blow dry it before putting hot rollers on? Do I use foam with my hair when it’s a 100% dry? And can styling, even a hot one, really work on dry hair?

    • Dear Stephanie!

      It’s a great pleasure for me to put an end to all your questions about hot rollers.
      Your friends are absolutely right — using hot rollers on wet hair brings great damage, and remember to blow dry your hair thoroughly before hot rolling it. Believe me, hot rollers work wonderfully on dry hair; the fixation is excellent because of the hot temperature and high-quality clips.

      Preparation for hot roll curling is pretty much the same as with your blow straightening routine. First of all, put some heat protecting spray or the oil of your choice. Then, if you know the right type of styling foam that suits you, divide your hair into locks and put a small amount of foam on each lock before rolling it.

  9. I’ve read a lot of positive reviews on conair hot rollers but had no clue which model to choose for hair as long as mine, so thanks for the explanation! I decided to give a try to Conair Xtreme Instant Heat Hot Rollers and I’m satisfied with the result. My hair is long and coarse, so a curling iron doesn’t work properly with it. After using these hot rollers the curls are very tight and pretty. And the ceramic-infused technology is great for protecting your hair from being damaged. The curling effect lasts very long, awesome hot rollers.

  10. Reply
    Britney Summers 2019-07-03 at 13:19

    My hair is very short and I decided to try some curly hairstyles. But after using some methods I’ve found out that making curls on short locks is a little tricky. The hot rollers I tried before were not as far effective as Remington hot rollers for short hair I found in this review. Due to the wax core it is very easy to comb curls and the ionic technology protects your hair from being overheated. The ends of the rollers are always cold so this stuff is very easy to apply. And the look I have after my hairstyle is completed is awesome! I can’t find the words to describe my happiness. These are the best hot rollers ever 🙂

    • Other good hot rollers for short hair are also in Monica’s review. I’m talking about Conair Compact Multi-Size Hot Rollers. My hair is shoulder-length and this set of hot rollers works perfectly with it and allows creating amazing curly hairstyles. These rollers heat up very fast and the level of heat protection is also very high. I just finished a hairstyle for my husband’s birthday party and it looks magnificent, I wish there was an opportunity to attach a photo here. The curls are so tight and the whole shape looks great.

    • Thank you for your feedback!
      Remington hot rollers are really good ones.

  11. T3 Voluminous Hot Rollers are the best hot rollers for long hair ever! It is pricey but still worth every penny spent on it. These hot rollers have tourmaline technology, just like a professional curling iron. The heating protection is on the highest level and the curls are smooth, strong and beautiful. This tool heats up very quickly so there is no need to wait. And due to the auto world voltage, you can use it just everywhere, no matter if you are in Europe or in the US. The velvet surface is very pleasant and your hair stays shiny after it. Totally satisfied!

  12. I’m a big fan of curly hairstyles and my last purchase was John Frieda set, you mentioned it here as good hot rollers set for traveling. Indeed, the set is rather compact so it doesn’t take much space in your luggage. Another thing I like about these 2 inch hot rollers is the smoothening effect. My locks’ volume has increased after using it and it seems shinier. Now I can make curly hairstyles even when I’m in another town, it’s amazing. It won’t take much time because it takes less than a couple of minutes for these hot rollers to heat up. A perfect bonus for mu curling devices collection 🙂

  13. I bought INFINITIPRO BY CONAIR Instant Heat Ceramic Flocked Rollers w/Ionic Generator for my daughter and she absolutely loves it. It gets really hot and it’s long enough to dry her hair.

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