Curling short hair can feel like an uphill battle, but finding the right tool makes all the difference. That’s why we’ve pulled together our top picks for the best curling tongs and wands for short hair — tried, tested and loved by us.
But before we jump into our favourites, let’s quickly cover what you need to look for when choosing your perfect curler...
✅ Go for a smaller barrel size - 10-25mm are your best bet for short hair. They give you more control and help create defined curls without awkward kinks.
✅ Consider the type of curler - Wands are great for looser curls and tongs are perfect for uniform curls or ringlets. Airstylers are ideal for bouncy curly blowdrys, whereas wavers and three-barrel curling tongs are better for crimping/beachy curls.
✅ Choose adjustable heat settings - Short hair tends to be more delicate, so look for curlers with lower heat options to prevent damage.
9 Best Curling Tongs & Wands for Short Hair
As trained hairdressers, we've thought about our favourite curlers over the years, and selected 9 of the best curling tongs and wands for short hair available in the UK right now.
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1. Best Overall Curling Tongs for Short Hair: BaByliss Pro Ceramic Dial A Heat Tong (24mm)
⭐ Key Features:
- 24mm ceramic barrel
- Adjustable heat settings (up to 210°C)
- Quick heat-up time for fast styling
- Built-in safety stand and cool tip
- Suitable for all hair types
💗 Why We Love It:
After years of styling short hair, we keep coming back to this curler!
The 24mm barrel is a great size for short hair, and the clamp means you can hold shorter sections with ease. Adjustable heat settings make it versatile for different hair types, and the quick heat-up time means less waiting around. Whether you’re polishing a pixie cut or adding soft waves to a bob, this tong makes styling short hair quick and easy.
🛒Shop BaByliss Pro Ceramic Dial A Heat Tong (24mm)
2. Best Curling Wand for Fine Short Hair: Wahl Curling Wand (25-13mm)
⭐ Key Features:
- Tapered barrel (25-13mm) for different curl styles
- Variable heat settings (up to 200°C)
- Ceramic coating for even heat distribution
- Rotating cool tip for safe styling
- 360° swivel cord for easy movement
💗 Why We Love It:
Fine short hair is especially challenging to style — it’s more prone to heat damage and often struggles to hold a curl.
That’s why we love the Wahl Curling Wand. Its tapered barrel creates natural-looking curls and waves without hair slipping off, while the ceramic coating gives smooth results without frizz. The adjustable heat settings are also perfect for keeping fine hair protected.
🛒Shop Wahl Curling Wand (25-13mm)
3. Best Hair Curler for Thick Short Hair: Diva Pro Styling Atmos Dry & Style
⭐ Key Features:
- Multi-styling tool for curling, drying and smoothing
- Powerful digital motor for fast styling
- Adjustable heat settings allow precise control
- Ionic technology keeps thick hair fizz-free
- Cool shot button to set curls
💗 Why We Love It:
Thick short hair often needs extra power to create curls, and the Diva Pro Styling Atmos Dry & Style delivers on this.
Its different attachments mean you can dry, curl and smooth your hair all with one tool. The adjustable heat and speed settings make it easy to manage thicker sections, and the ionic technology keeps curls smooth. It’s a salon-level tool that we swear by for shorter thick hair.
🛒Shop Diva Pro Styling Atmos Dry & Style
4. Best Curling Iron for Pixie Short Hair: Electric Head Jog Pencil Wand
⭐ Key Features:
- Ultra-thin 9mm barrel, perfect for very short hair/pixie cuts
- Gold-titanium coated barrel, for fast heat distribution
- Adjustable temperature (120°C-230°C)
- 360-degree Swivel 3m power cord
- Cool tip for added safety during styling
💗 Why We Love It:
We recently had a client with pixie hair who wanted curls for her friend’s wedding, so we used the Electric Head Jog Pencil Wand and it worked wonders.
Its ultra-thin 9mm barrel allows you to grab even the shortest strands to create defined curls. The titanium coating means it heats up much faster and distributes heat evenly, reducing damage to short hair. It’s also slim/lightweight, so it doesn't take up much space in your kit bag.
🛒 Shop Electric Head Jog Pencil Wand
5. Best Curling Wand for Short Frizzy Hair: Cloud Nine The Curling Wand
⭐ Key Features:
- 25mm mineral-infused ceramic barrel for shiny curls
- Variable temperature control, 125°C–175°C
- Anti-static technology to reduce frizz and flyaways
- 360° Swivel cord for flexibility
- Comes with safety stand and heat protective glove
💗 Why We Love It:
The Cloud Nine Curling Wand is our curler of choice for frizzy short haircuts, like frizzy bobs or lobs.
This wand has a mineral-infused ceramic barrel, which distributes heat evenly to smooth the hair cuticle. Its anti-static technology keeps flyaways under control, plus, the adjustable temperature settings let you style with the right amount of heat to avoid damage.
🛒Shop Cloud Nine The Curling Iron
6. Best Budget Curling Tongs for Short Hair: Hair Tools Waving Iron (19mm)
⭐ Key Features:
- 19mm barrel for creating defined curls on shorter hair
- Two switch temperate control - Max temp 180°C
- Lightweight design for easy handling and control
- Cool tip for safe styling
- Metal clamp to hold hair in place
💗 Why We Love It:
If you’re looking for reliable curling tongs that don’t break the bank, the Hair Tools Waving Iron (19mm) is a winner.
It comes in three sizes, but the 19mm barrel is perfect for creating defined curls in shorter styles. The adjustable temperature settings give you enough control over the heat level and the cool tip prevents nasty burns. Affordable and easy to use — this is a great choice for everyday styling.
🛒 Shop Hair Tools Waving Iron (19mm)
7. Best Mini Curlers for Short Hair: Electric Head Jog Futaria Air Styler
⭐ Key Features:
- Compact, lightweight tool ideal for short hair and travel
- Ceramic-coated barrel for reduced frizz
- Adjustable temperature settings, 140℃ - 220℃
- Dual airflow technology for quicker styling results
- Can be used to curl, wave or straighten!
💗 Why We Love It:
When it comes to short hair, a smaller tool can make a huge difference!
Mini tools like the Electric Head Jog Futaria Air Styler are one of our secret weapons for curling shorter layers, fringes and those hard-to-reach spots like the nape of the neck. The smaller size is easier to move around the head, it's lighter to hold, and it’s easy to pack for trips.
🛒 Shop Electric Head Jog Futaria Air Styler
8. Best Crimping Curlers for Short Hair: BaByliss Pro Crimping Iron
⭐ Key Features:
- 2.5-inch porcelain plates for smooth, defined crimps
- Instant heat-up with 25 adjustable temperature settings (up to 200°C)
- 3m Longer swivel cord for easy movement during styling
- Lightweight design for comfortable handling
- Professional-grade performance for long-lasting waves
💗 Why We Love It:
Crimping short hair can be tricky — too chunky and it looks messy; too light and it disappears completely.
We don't have those issues with the BaByliss Pro Attitude Porcelain Crimper. The 2.5-inch plates are wide enough to cover a decent section but still small enough to handle shorter layers. If you’re looking to add texture, this crimper is a solid choice.
🛒Shop BaByliss Pro Crimping Iron
9. Best Beginner Curling Tongs for Short Hair: Electric Head Jog Futaria Waving Iron (25mm)
⭐ Key Features:
- 25mm barrel creates soft, natural-looking curls
- Adjustable temperature settings to prevent heat damage on finer hair
- Lightweight design for easy handling, even for beginners
- Cool tip keeps fingers safe
- Built-in clamp holds hair securely
💗 Why We Love It:
The Electric Head Jog Futaria Waving Iron is perfect if you’re still getting the hang of curling short hair.
The built-in clamp keeps hair secure on the barrel, so you don’t have to worry about strands slipping out. It’s lightweight, easy to handle and the 25mm barrel creates soft, natural curls without awkward kinks. (And it won’t break the bank!)
🛒 Shop Electric Head Jog Futaria Waving Iron (25mm)
Our Professional Tips for Curling Short Hair
We hope this guide has given you a clearer idea of what to look for when choosing the best curler for short hair, and maybe even introduced you to your new go-to curling tong or wand!
But before you start styling, here are some pro tips from our years behind the chair to help you get the best results every time...
🔥 Heat Protection is Non-Negotiable
Short hair can be more delicate, so always prep your hair with a heat protection spray or cream before you start styling. Think of it as your curls' safety net.
🤏 Smaller Sections = Better Results
When working with short hair, less is more. Smaller sections are easier to manage and style, ensuring each curl is neat and defined. Start at the bottom, clip the rest out of the way, and work upwards.
⌛ Patience Pays Off
Here’s the trick: once you’ve curled a section, let it cool completely before you run your fingers through it. This helps your curls hold their shape for longer.
✨ The Right Products Make All the Difference
For smooth curls, finish with a light serum. For textured waves, use a sea salt spray or dry texture spray. And if you want a hold that lasts all day, a flexible hairspray is your best friend.
With the right tool, the right prep and these simple tips, curling short hair doesn’t have to feel like a guessing game.
Now go on, grab your curler, and have fun creating your next look!