10 Best Heatless Curlers, According to Stylists and Reviewers
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By now, you’ve likely seen your favorite beauty influencers donning halos in their #GRWM videos. No, not the real kind, but the best heatless curlers—flexible rods that you wrap around your hair for hours at a time in pursuit of flawless, bouncy curls.
Why would anyone do this when there are all kinds of great, quick-working blow dryers, straighteners (yep, you read that right), and, of course, curling irons and wands? The prospect of healthier strands from heat-free styling is certainly alluring. Heatless curls are also designed to be comfortable, easy to use, and versatile enough for a variety of hair types, whether you’re rocking a short-hair lob, have waist-length strands, natural hair, or super-fine hair that can barely hold a curl (until now, that is).
To help you find the best heatless curlers—the ones that are easy to use, and more importantly, actually work—we tried ‘em out. We put some of the most best-selling, top-rated heatless curlers to the test, many of which were recommended by hairstylists. Some testers had short, fine hair; others had long, thick hair; some had such straight hair they were doubtful they’d wake up with ringlets. So one thing’s for sure: We know these models work for a variety of hair types, delivering those coveted curls—zero heat required.
And—pssst!—we have it on good authority that these beauty buys make an excellent gift for the teenage girl in your life and a popular present for women as well (think new moms with no time for anything).
The best heatless curlers, at a glance
- Best Overall Heatless Curler: RobeCurls Satin Heatless Hair Curler Set, $28
- Best Gift Set: Silke London Heatless Curler, $56
- Best Trending Heatless Curler: Kitsch Satin Heatless Curling Set, $16
- Best Heatless Curler for Thick Hair: Kitsch Thermal Rollers, $14
- Best Heatless Curler for Fine Hair: Batoude Heatless Curling Rod With Claw Clip, $10
- Best Heatless Curler for Short Hair: Heatless Hair Curling Ribbon, $35
Your heatless curler questions, answered
Best Overall Heatless Curler: RobeCurls Satin Heatless Hair Curler Set
Courtesy of brand1/12RobeCurls Satin Heatless Hair Curler Set
Original photo courtesy of Brigitt Earley, Glamour contributor
At first glance, most rod-style heatless curlers look pretty identical, but there are some important distinctions that separate the best of the best from the rest of the pack. Look closely at the RobeCurls rod, and you’ll notice that it’s equipped with a patented integrated wire that provides more control and precision when styling. Once your hair is all wrapped up, twist the whole thing to tighten and secure it better than most others allow. Our editors love that the rod also has little tabs at the end that fold up, so you can secure both ends to one another, providing more freedom to multitask while wearing the styling tool.
“This heatless curler is definitely very high quality, which makes it easier to work with, but one of the things I loved the most was how thorough the brand’s tutorials are,” says Glamour contributor Brigitt Earley. “You can even sign up for a free help session with someone from the brand. Since the technique isn’t easy to master (no matter what heatless curler you’re using), this is huge. It makes the whole thing so much more approachable for newbies.”
Material: Satin charmeuse / Included Pieces: Rod, two satin scrunchies
- What we love: Patented design makes styling easier and more secure, brand offers very thorough tutorials and live help
- What could improve: Doesn’t come with a clip
Save on the best heatless curlers with these Amazon promo codes and Urban Outfitters promo codes.
Best Trending Heatless Curler: Kitsch Satin Heatless Curling Set
Courtesy of brand2/12Kitsch Satin Heatless Curling Set
Original photo courtesy of Chantal Waldholz, Glamour senior global director of audience development
If Kitsch’s super cute set looks familiar to you, it’s probably because you’ve seen someone trying it out on your TikTok For You page. Celebrity hair stylist Ashley Gomila is one of the many fans loving this heatless curling set, claiming it as a great alternative to regular hot styling tools. She recommends having hair combed and towel-dried before adding a curl-refining creme into your hair to get a more uniform curl. “I’m a big fan of the heatless method because there’s literally no damage or impact to the hair,” she says. “Adding a small amount of curl-defining creme gives hold, adds shine, and protects against humidity.” Specifically designed with a silk that’s supposed to reduce frizz, it’s great for anyone with more dry hair. If you have particularly long or thick hair, you’ll love that Kitsch even offers an extra large heatless curling set, too.
Our tester liked this option, because it was lighter than some of the other ones she tried. “This was one of the least intrusive options,” says Earley. “I barely felt it on my head, and it was comfortable to sleep in, even though I tend to sleep on my side.” The only downside? “It doesn't come with a claw clip, so make sure you have one, or add one to your cart when you purchase the rod and scrunchie set.”
Material: Satin / Included Pieces: Rod, two scrunchies
- What we love: Designed to reduce frizz, comes in extra large option
- What could improve: Set doesn’t come with clips, which you’ll want to hold rod in
Save on the best heatless curlers with these Amazon promo codes and Ulta promo codes.
Best 100% Silk Heatless Curler: Mermade Heatless Curls Kit
Courtesy of brand3/12Mermade Heatless Curls Kit
Beck recommends this heatless curling kit by Mermade. Though it’s a full kit, beginners won’t feel overwhelmed by having too many pieces, since this only has three simple items: a curling rod, two scrunchies, and a claw clip. “Everything’s made with mulberry silk, which keeps your hair smooth and shiny, and minimizes hair damage caused by friction,” says Chanel Beck, an Australian-based hair stylist at Mermade.
Our editors say the 100% silk curling headband is key for those with dry or frizzy strands, since it helps minimize breakage and keep hair frizz-free. We also like how lightweight this option is, though it still has that internal cotton-filled rod to make wrapping easier.
Material: Mulberry silk / Included Pieces: Rod, two silk scrunchies, claw clip
- What we love: Made with 100% mulberry silk, lightweight and flexible rod, affordable
- What could improve: Some reviewers say their curl doesn’t last long enough
Save on the best heatless curlers with these Nordstrom promo codes and Anthropologie promo codes.
Best Heatless Curler for Short Hair: Heatless Hair Curling Ribbon Kit
Top: Original photo courtesy of Glamour contributor Jenny Singer
Bottom: Courtesy of brand4/12Heatless Hair Curling Ribbon Kit
Original photo courtesy of Jenny Singer, Glamour contributor
Handmade in Los Angeles with 100 percent satin charmeuse, this heatless curler is specifically designed to be super gentle on hair, reducing frizz, and revealing soft and shiny hair. Glamour editors tried the Heatless Hair tool, and we totally get why it went viral on TikTok. The two inch diameter of the ribbon gives you bouncy, voluminous curls and the high-quality fabric doesn’t just feel good—it means you won’t be left with any creases.
“To me these curls look much more defined and clean than other heatless styling tricks I’ve tried,” says staff writer Jenny Singer. “The curls aren’t as perfect as they would be if I’d used heat, but in some ways I like this more because these look natural, not like those pageant-y, individual barrel curls.”
Material: Satin charmeuse / Included Pieces: Curling ribbon, claw clip, two scrunchies
- What we love: High-quality, handmade, designed to reduce frizz
- What could improve: Can take time to learn how to use it
Best Gift Set: Silke London Heatless Curler
Courtesy of brand5/12Silke London Heatless Curler
Original photo courtesy of Brigitt Earley, Glamour contributor
“I got this as a gift and it looked super cute, but I honestly couldn’t believe the hype, so it sat in my bathroom cabinet for months before I tried it out on a whim,” says Glamour contributor Neha Tandon. “I got a nice, bouncy wave when I left them in my damp hair overnight, but I actually also love using these to preserve my blowout.” Tandon puts one of Silke's rods in to prolong the look of her blowout.
Yes, this is a more pricey option, but our editors love that the silk curler is paired with silk hair ties and a clip, so you get the full package. Also nice: Everything comes wrapped in a cute cosmetic bag—perfect for gifting and a great answer to traveling with your heatless curler.
Material: 100 percent silk / Included Pieces: Curler, two hair ties, claw clip, cosmetic bag
- What we love: Made with 100% silk, excellent gift option
- What could improve: Pricey
Save on the best heatless curlers with these Revolve promo codes and Anthropologie promo codes.
Best Heatless Curler for Fine Hair: Batoude Heatless Curling Rod With Claw Clip
Courtesy of brand6/12Batoude Heatless Curling Rod WIth Claw Clip
Those with fine hair tend to complain that curling rods just don’t stay in. That’s why our editors appreciate Batoude’s rod, which features a thinner satin fabric coating over the flexible rubber rod. It makes it a great pick for those with really thin, fine hair that barely holds a curl, since it grips hair more easily.
And despite the budget-friendly price, the kit comes with everything you need: the rod, two scrunchies, and a claw clip. It comes in eight colors, too, including fun patterns like tie-dye and leopard… because, why not?!
Material: Satin, rubber / Included Pieces: Rod, two scrunchies, claw clip
- What we love: Good for fine hair, affordable
- What could improve: Not ideal for thicker hair
Save on the best heatless curlers with these Amazon promo codes.
Best Heatless Curler for Thick Hair: Kitsch Ceramic Thermal Hair Rollers
Courtesy of brand7/12Kitsch Ceramic Thermal Hair Rollers
Yes, these are called thermal rollers, but our beauty editors say you can use them without heat. They're an especially good choice for anyone with thick, coarse hair who may stumble when wrapping hair around a thinner, more flexible rod. You don't need any clips, either—the rollers are made of Velcro, so hair stays put after wrapping.
We like the versatility of rollers like these, too. “I typically let my hair air dry in there, but if I'm in a rush, I'll hit the rollers with my blowdryer to speed things up,” our tester told us. Just note: If you're planning to tackle your whole head (rather than just the face-framing pieces), you’ll probably want to purchase two or three sets, since each kit comes with just eight rollers.
Material: Velcro, rubber / Included Pieces: Eight rollers
- What we love: No clips needed, good for more coarse hair
- What could improve: Not as comfortable to sleep in
Save on the best heatless curlers with these Amazon promo codes and Ulta promo codes.
Best Heatless Curler for Long Hair : Xracephol No-Heat Curling Headband
Courtesy of brand8/12Xracephol No-Heat Curling Headband
If you have super long hair, we don’t blame you for being nervous about trying out heatless curls. That said, you probably have the most to gain, too, because it can take forever to curl using a hot tool. Enter this velvet curling headband, which our editors say can help speed up the drying process. “Long, thick hair may not fully dry even with overnight wear, but this option has a microfiber-like fabric that helps soak up some of that excess dampness," says Earley.
The velvety fabric also grips hair a bit better to help everything stay right where it should be, even if you're the type who tends to toss and turn while you sleep. As a bonus, it even comes with an empty spray bottle for water or your fave hair product—perfect if you're restyling next-day hair.
Material: Velour / Included Pieces: Headband, two hair ties, hair clip, spray bottle, claw clip
- What we love: Good for long or thick hair, affordable
- What could improve: Not ideal for frizzy hair
Save on the best heatless curlers with these Amazon promo codes.
Best Octopus-Style Heatless Curler: The Vintage Cosmetic Company 8 Claw Octopus Heatless Hair Curlers
Courtesy of brand9/12Best Octopus-Style Heatless Curler: The Vintage Cosmetic Company 8 Claw Octopus Heatless Hair Curlers
If you have a lot of hair, you may find this heatless curl method easier to work with. Instead of a single long rod, this band is equipped with eight pieces of soft fabric that dangle down. You simply place the adjustable Velcro band on your head, then wrap hair around each of the eight curling rods.
Our editors say this style tends to not only be easier to work with when you have thick hair, but some users also find it more comfortable to wear while sleeping, since hair is more evenly distributed around the head. On the downside, the rods are on the shorter side, so it may not be as suitable for those with long hair.
Material: Polyester / Included Pieces: Headband with eight attached rods
- What we love: Lightweight, hair is more evenly distributed for comfort while sleeping
- What could improve: May not be suitable for long hair
Save on the best heatless curlers with these Ulta promo codes.
Most Secure Heatless Curler: Invisibobble Heatless Curling Gift Set
Courtesy of brand10/12Most Secure Heatless Curler: Invisibobble Heatless Curling Gift Set
By the makers of one of the all-time favorite scrunchie brands comes a heatless styling kit that includes a rod and a scrunchie made with that same phone-cord like design to help keep everything securely in order to yield bouncy curls without heat styling. The flexi-rod is long enough for all lengths of hair, even those with strands down past the middle of their backs, though some users note it’s actually a bit cumbersome for shorter styles, since they’ll end up with excess rod. Like other great heatless curlers, this set comes with matching satin scrunchies. We do, however, wish it came with a claw clip too.
Material: Satin / Included Pieces: Rod, two scrunchies
- What we love: Unique design helps secure hair, makes a great gift set
- What could improve: May not be ideal for shorter hair
Save on the best heatless curlers with these Ulta promo codes.
11/12Do heatless curlers actually work?
Hairstylists tell Glamour that heatless curlers really do work to create beautiful curls or waves in your hair. “They usually don't produce as defined curls as heated styling tools, but can still create waves or gentle curls, especially if left in overnight,” says Becca Raziuddin, director of artist education at Blo Blow Dry Bar. “The effectiveness depends on factors like your hair type, the size and material of the curlers, and your technique.” So make sure to choose the right option for you—like the Kitsch rollers for thick hair or the Batoude Heatless Curling Rod for fine hair, for example.
12/12Is it better to use heatless curlers on wet or dry hair?
“It's generally better to use heatless curlers on damp or slightly wet hair rather than completely dry hair,” says Raziuddin. “Wet or damp hair is more malleable and will hold the curl better as it dries,” she explains, noting that hair that is about 80% dry before using heatless curlers produces the best wavy or curly hairstyles.
