Styling your hair doesn’t have to be that tedious, especially when you want to change your look. Different curling irons can create an array of styles. As a matter of fact, barrel wavers help you make those beach waves you’ve always dreamed of without any effort. A hair waver may look intimidating to use, but even first-timers will find it an excellent tool to use for their hair.
With that in mind, we’ve rounded up 6 top-rated styling tools to find the best hair waver.
6 of the Best Hair Wavers for Perfect Beach Waves
If you want to have long-lasting waves, buying a classic triple barrel waver can help a lot. But which one is right for you? It may be a bit tough to find the proper hair curler for your hair type. That said, here’s a quick review of hot tools that you might want to start with.
- Conair Double Ceramic Triple Barrel Curl Styling Waver
- Mermade Pro Waver 1.25-Pink
- Bed Head A-Wave-We-Go Adjustable Hair Waver
- Alure – Three Barrel Curling Iron Wand
- REVLON 3-Barrel Ceramic Jumbo Waver
- Revlon Salon Deep Hair Waver
1. Conair Double Ceramic Triple Barrel Curl Styling Waver
- Triple Barrel Waver: This triple barrel waver, with outer barrels at 5/8” and the inner barrel at 1/2”, creates gorgeous continuous waves to switch up your everyday style
- Styling Control: Features 30 heat settings for every hair type and a Turbo Boost that adds up to a 27 degrees F burst of heat for difficult-to-style spots.
- Smooth, Shiny Waves: This styling waver features Double Ceramic barrels with a higher ceramic content to deliver instant and consistent heat, fast styling and long-lasting waves.
Conair’s double ceramic triple barrel hair waver comes with outer barrels measuring around 5/8 inches, while the inner barrel is 1/2 inches. You will love the continuous waves from this tool, and once you get the hang of it, you can come up with a variety of styles for your mane with just a single hair tool. To help you achieve this, Conair has equipped its barrel to waver with multiple adjustable temperature settings so you will be able to choose how hot the barrel should be before it touches your locks. A Turbo Boost feature also delivers up to 27 degrees Fahrenheit to your strands to style them quickly and result to long lasting waves.
To achieve those professionally done curls, Conair offers this double ceramic barrels since it speeds up the drying as well as get those beach waves you’ve always wanted. It also comes with an auto shut-off feature to prevent a fire from breaking out. You will find that this product uses double ceramic technology to ensure that the high temperature is dispersed evenly throughout the barrels so that you don’t have to waste time worrying about any damage to the hair.
No. of Barrels: 2 Material: Double Ceramic Heat Settings: 30, with 375 °F max temperature and boost up of 27° F
2. Mermade Pro Hair Waver
- Exclusive PRO edition – super fast heat up and XL barrels
- Advanced ceramic barrels
- Crimp-free deisgn
If you’re new to hair wavers, then you might want to check out the Mermade Pro Hair Waver. It’s highly recommended by stylists and personal users alike, so I had to get hold of one and try it myself.
First for specifications, it has three barrels like most of our products reviewed above. At 2.29 lbs in weight, it might be a little heavier and bulkier compared to other wavers. But if you regularly sport beach waves and travel a lot, we recommend bringing this than using a curling iron. This hair tool might need a little practice for styling control, but the waves it creates make up for the initial awkwardness.
The barrels are made with ionic ceramic so you don’t have to worry about hot spots. It won’t dry your hair, either; instead, the barrels infuse hair with shine and moisture as it styles. You can create beachy waves really fast because this waver claims to heat up to 50% faster than other wavers in the market. Perfect when you’re in a rush but still want to look glam!
Another thing that we like about this product is its universal voltage. If you’re a jetsetter and has to travel frequently in many countries, we know you’ll love this feature. The 8. 2 ft swivel cord also makes it suitable for professional use.
With multiple heat settings, we’re sure you can find the suitable temperature for your hair, whether it be thick or fine, long or short. You can also choose whether to get beachy, boho or old Hollywood glam waves.
To use, just slip your hair in between the outer barrels and the middle barrel by lifting the clamp handle. For more defined waves, let hair stay a little bit longer under the barrels. For just a hint of a wave, you play with the adjustable temperature settings to find the best temperature range. This part is easy with the LCD display of the Mermade Pro.
No. of Barrels: 3 Material: Tourmaline Ceramic Heat Settings: up to 400°F
3. Bed Head A-Wave-We-Go Adjustable Hair Waver
- Adjustable waver barrel plates create different levels of waves.
- Tourmaline Technology for boosted shine and helps reduce damage and frizz from over-styling.
- Multiple heat settings up to 400˚ F
If you want to be more playful with your hairstyle, this adjustable hair waver is a good choice. This three-barrel curling iron comes with adjustable barrels so you can decide whether you want loose or tight curls on your head. You can even adjust the barrels while they are still hot, which can help create different patterns on your mane. Like with Revlon, this 3 barrel adjustable hair waver is made from tourmaline ceramic barrels. This combination of material lets you enjoy beach waves, loose waves, and other wavy hair trends without fear of drying out your hair or overheating it.
Another feature that you will like about this tool is that it also comes with adjustable temperature thanks to its multiple temperature settings. The highest it can get is up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, but this should only be used in thick, coarse hair that’s hard to style with lower temperatures. It comes with an auto shut-off feature and a cool rotating tip for easy handling minus the burns. The best part? This is designed to be more compact, so you can bring it with you while you see the world.
No. of Barrels: 3 Material: Ionic Ceramic Heat Settings: up to 410° F max
4. Alure – Three Barrel Curling Iron Wand
Get that natural beachy waves with Alure’s three-barrel curling iron wand. This hot tool can also give you a crimp-style wave, which means that you can mix and match your style without using other styling stools. It doesn’t matter whether you have short or long hair, thick or even thin hair, you can use this for all hair types. The three barrels shape your hair into waves fast. Because the ceramic is great for even heat distribution, you don’t have to worry about burnt strands. Results: No frizz, only shiny waves.
What else makes this 3-barrel curling iron a good option? It can reach up to 200 degrees Fahrenheit real quick, so you can style your locks faster. The heated ceramic coating provides consistent heat, and ensures that your hair won’t snag as you glide the tool for perfect waves. There is an LCD screen installed on the handle for easy viewing. Add to this the fact that this product comes with a long rotating swivel cord, and you are all set to for mermaid waves!
No. of Barrels: 3 Material: Ceramic Tourmaline Heat Settings: up to 410° F max
5. REVLON 3-Barrel Ceramic Jumbo Waver
- Tourmaline Ceramic Coating
- Easily style long and thick hair with 3 jumbo barrels
- 30 heat settings up to 420ºF
This triple barrel waver from Revlon is an excellent option to consider for those who have long hair. This is because it has three large barrels that can handle thicker hair. Aside from its size, feel free to choose this product because it comes with 30 heat settings that are perfect for all hair types. Regarding the barrels, they are made from tourmaline ceramic which is known to distribute heat evenly. It also helps protect your strands from the hot temperature while you style them.
An indicator light tells you that the iron is turned on and waiting to be heated up. Make sure that you choose the right setting based on your hair type to prevent it from getting damaged. Another thing that you will love about this jumbo hair waver is its long swivel cord. This feature comes in handy since it prevents the cord from getting tangled and allows you freedom of movement.
No. of Barrels: 3 Material: Tourmaline Ceramic Heat Settings: 30, up to 420 degrees C
6. Revlon Salon Deep Hair Waver
The Revlon Salon Deep Hair Waver is a great option for anyone with short – mid-length hair looking to achieve the beach waves look. Rather than having multiple tubular barrels, this device is designed with a ¾ inch deep groove barrel to make perfectly crafted waves.
It uses ceramic tourmaline technology that protects strands from extreme temperatures. Both ceramic and tourmaline are known to be durable and distribute the hot temperature in the barrel evenly while keeping your strands safe. In addition, tourmaline prevents you from burning your skin and your tresses when using it. This is because the hot temperature is being dispersed safely so that your locks don’t end up with frizz.
Don’t forget that the Revlon salon deep hair waver comes with up to 30 heat settings, with 430 degrees Fahrenheit being the highest heat setting. This hair waver can be used regardless of your hair type. It comes with a cool grip feature which is helpful if you want to protect your strands. You won’t tire your hands easily while using this, as it is lightweight enough for prolonged styling sessions.
No. of Barrels: 1 Material: Tourmaline Ceramic Heat Settings: 30, with up to 430° max
What’s the Difference Between a Hair Waver vs. a Regular Curling Iron?
A regular curling iron has a rounded barrel that clamps on a section of hair and uses heat to curl the strands. On the other hand, the three-barrel waver has its barrels fused with a lid that holds the hair as it gets curled. How they are used also differs from one another. For starters, the regular curling iron requires you to wrap a section of your hair around the barrel and then wait for a few seconds before sliding the curling rod downwards. Same with curling wands-you need to wrap them around the barrel to style, only that curling wands don’t have a clamp to secure hair.
In the triple barrel hair waver, you clamp the lid down on the hair, which is held in place by the three barrels, and after a few seconds, it will reveal a triple curl! The downside to using this hair styling tool is that it is a bit bulky, so it isn’t convenient to bring around like the regular curling iron. On a good note, if you want to achieve curly hair quickly, then this is an excellent option to consider.
Things to Consider when Buying a Hair Waver
Hot tools, like the hair waver help speed up the hairstyling process, especially when your goal is to have beachy waves fast. But before you do decide, there are a few things that you need to consider for this styling tool so you will get your money’s worth.
Barrel Size
The size of the barrel should match your hair type. For example, if you have shorter hair, your best bet is to buy one that has smaller barrels. On the other hand, if your hair is long and thick, the bigger the barrels, the better.
Technology
You should also consider what technology is used in the barrel curling iron wand. Teflon is known for distributing heat evenly, while ceramic technology protects hair from damage. On the other hand, tourmaline reduces the heat damage your mane is exposed to while the negative ion technology reduces frizz and boosts shine. If you want a durable styling tool, then the one made from titanium, also with negative ions, highly recommended.
Temperature Control
It is always a good idea to choose a triple-barrel waver that comes with temperature control (the same with all other hot tools). This feature gives you more control over the amount of heat delivered to your strands. Take note that you shouldn’t set the iron to high as much as possible since the high temperature can easily damage your strands.
Auto Shut-off
If you have the tendency to forget that your styling tools are still plugged in when you rush to your office in the morning, then this feature is a must. Some of these hair tools shut off after an hour of being in idle mode. This way, you don’t have to worry about burning the surface of your dresser where you have placed it.
Weight
A barrel waver can have two to three barrels which means that there will be an added weight to them. If you don’t want to end up with hand fatigue, it would be better to choose one that is lightweight. Consider also getting one with a safety stand especially if its bulkier than usual.
Cord Length
It won’t be easy using a hot tool with a short cord. As much as possible, choose one that has 5 to 7 feet of cable for you to move the equipment safely.
Price
Since this curling iron is designed to have two to three barrels, the price will be a bit higher than the regular one. Before you make the purchase, read top hair waver reviews about it. Get feedback to know whether the wave barrels you are interested in are worth the price you are going to pay.
Comfortable Grip
Go for a hair curling iron that offers a good and comfortable grip, so you will be able to control your waves better since you won’t get tired quickly.
Display
If you don’t want to end up guessing how hot the barrels are, look for one that comes with an LCD display on the handle. The screen will immediately tell you the temperature of the barrels so you can adjust them accordingly.
These are just a few factors to consider when searching for the best hair waver to use on your hair. The beauty of the three-barrel hair curler is that you don’t have to spend several minutes wrapping one section of your hair around the barrel to make curls.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What size hair waver should I buy?
A: It depends on your desired wave, hair length and thickness. Get one with a smaller barrel diameter if you have short hair, and if it’s fine or thin. Barrels with this size will result to waves that are much closer together. For longer and thicker hair, a large-barrel hair waver is more suitable.
Q: I already have a curling wand. How different are waves made with a curling wand from ones made with a hair waver?
A: To style hair with curling wands, you need to wrap them around the barrel. This results in spiral curls. With proper brushing and styling, these curls can straighten out into waves. Waves made with a hair waver have this S-shape since hair is being “sandwiched” by the barrels, resulting in a more natural style.
Q: What should I apply to my hair when using a hair waver?
A: As with all hot tools, a heat-protecting spray or serum helps lessen the heat damage to your hair. Choose one that doesn’t weigh your hair down or your waves will go flat and limp faster. Learn more about the benefits of a heat protectant spray here.
Our Final Hair Say
If we had to pick one barrel waver, we would go with the Mermade Pro Hair Waver — but we are not alone. This hair waver is loved by celebs including Hailey Bieber, Khloe Kardashian and Sofia Richie.
It’s easily one of the most popular hair wavers on the market thanks so the jumbo barrels, crimp-free design and super fast heat-up. Plus, they come in a stunning pink and purple design.
With hair wavers, you’ll get effortless beach waves each time. If you want to explore heat-free options to get beach waves, you can read about these here. Stay gorgeous, Curlies!
