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Top 18 Best Hair Crimpers and Wavers

Eighties and nineties fashion has made a comeback, which means old hairstyles are popular again! With it brings crimped hair and today’s modern twist: beachy waves.

I can remember crimping my hair back in middle school and absolutely loving it so I, for one, am glad to see this trend is back! Even if you aren’t looking to have a full crimped style, crimpers can also help to add volume and texture to your hair.

Best Hair Crimpers & Wavers

While you may not want to relive your youth of styling your hair into tiny flat crimps, you can create several different hair styles with a hair crimper, none of which will make you feel like you should be wearing leg warmers! 

Want to know what the best hair crimper is? Look no further! I’m sharing all you need to know about the best hair crimpers for all budgets, hair types and more. 

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Best Hair Crimpers & Wavers

Top Hair Crimpers

No matter what crimp style you’re hoping to achieve in your hair, there’s a perfect hair crimper out there for you. I’ve rounded up my top picks for various styling, budget, and hair type options. I hope you’ll find your new favorite hair tool in this list!

1. Personal Favorite: Amika High Tide Deep Waver

high tide deep waver | amika
$120.00

A hair waver that creates flawless beach waves with a design that allows for crease-free waves on all hair types.

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10/04/2024 02:34 pm GMT

This is the crimper that I personally use and love! Great for natural hair (or any hair type!), this high tide deep waver is a curl enhancer, volumizer, and cuts down on frizz. It won’t leave marks in your hair and is very easy to use.

amika waver

Pros:

  • Shuts off after 30 minutes
  • Keeps hair looking smooth

Cons:

  • Expensive

2. Best Drugstore: Revlon Salon Long Last Waves Deep Waver

Revlon Ceramic S Hair Waver, 3/4 inch
$53.91
  • Tourmaline Ceramic Technology protects hair from over styling with even heat distribution
  • Up to 430F with 30 Heat settings for precise control for all hair types
  • Cool tip for easy grip
  • Locking switch for easy storage
  • Professional swivel cord for tangle-free and easy Hairstyling


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10/04/2024 02:34 pm GMT

This drugstore waver will fit right within your budget! It has a ¾ inch barrel that will help to create beautiful waves in your hair. It’s great for all hair types and heats up to 430 degrees.

Pros:

  • 30 heat settings
  • Ceramic coating to prevent heat damage

Cons:

  • Takes a long time to heat up

3. Best for Fine Hair: Ion Automatic Crimping Hair Iron

Ion Automatic Crimping Hair Iron
$79.99
  • Significantly reduces styling time by automatically feeding hair between rotating crimped barrels
  • Ideal for crimped looks or to tease hair for added lift and volume at the roots
  • Two temperature settings up to 420°F - ideal for all hair types
  • May also be used to create textured curls & flips.
  • Rippled barrels for crimped texture and volume


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10/04/2024 02:34 pm GMT

Fine hair can be crimped, too! This ceramic iron is great because it automatically feeds hair between the barrels, which will significantly cut down on your styling time!

Pros:

  • Auto shuts off in one hour
  • Two temperature settings up to 420 degrees

Cons:

  • Takes a long time to heat up

4. Best for Thick Hair: Gold ‘N Hot 2″ Ceramic Crimping Iron

Gold N Hot Professional Ceramic 2â Hair Crimper Iron, 2 Inch (Pack of 1)
$23.75
  • 2 inch gold tone plates
  • Professional heat between 200 degree and 450 degree Fahrenheit is distributed evenly for dynamic no-fail styling
  • Indicator lights
  • Quick 60 second heat-up, two heat settings
  • 6ft. tangle-free swivel cord. On/off switch for easy operation


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10/04/2024 10:44 am GMT

What about those with thick hair? This wide 2″ iron is perfect for you because it can crimp more hair at once. It’s quick to heat up, making the whole styling process very quick!

Pros:

  • Heats up in 60 seconds
  • Works quickly

Cons:

  • Gets very hot

5. Best for Curly Hair: DSHOW 4-in-1 Hair Ceramic Iron

DSHOW 4 in 1 Hair Crimper
  • 4 interchangeable titanium ceramics wave plates,Choose one plate, Choose one hair style.
  • 5 step tempreature suit for different kinds of hair.
  • 30 seconds heat up, ceramics coating protect hair.
  • Insulation front-end product your hand from burning.
  • 110~240V dual voltage, 360 degree rotating 2 meter length power cord.


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This 4-in-1 ceramic crimper with interchangeable plates is perfect for all hair types, but is great for those with curly hair! One of the plates works as a straightener, while the others have different amounts of plates. Straighten your hair first, then make your crimping dreams come true!

Pros:

  • Heats up in 30 seconds
  • 5 temperature settings

Cons:

  • The plates can be difficult to take off

6. Best for Short Hair: Bed Head Waveaholic 2″ for Tight Waves

Bed Head Waveaholic for Tight Waves, Volume & Crimp Like Texture, 2 Inch
$49.99
  • 2" Plates for tight waves, volume, and crimp-like texture.
  • Tourmaline Ceramic Technology reduces frizz and adds massive shine
  • High Heat up to 400F with Instant Heat Recovery for consistent results
  • Dual Voltage for worldwide use
  • Tangle Free 6 ft. swivel cord


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10/04/2024 02:34 pm GMT

Designed to make tight beachy waves, this crimper would work best if you have short hair. It has multiple heat settings to work well with all types of hair!

Pros:

  • Dual voltage
  • Heats up quickly

Cons:

  • Waves hair more than it crimps it

7. Best for Long Hair: Trademark Beauty Babe Waves Limited Edition

Trademark Beauty Babe Waves 3 Barrel Curling Iron Hair Waver
$42.99

Our Babe Waves hair waver can be used to create a beachy texture or a glamorous wave. This curling iron is a great hair styling tool to change up your look and feel like you just came out of the ocean. Achieve perfectly tousled beach waves with its patented technology that creases the hair in a soft wave pattern.

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10/04/2024 02:38 pm GMT

This three-barrel beach waver will make you look like you’ve spent the whole day by the ocean! The three barrels definitely help to speed up the process, making it great for longer hair.

Pros:

  • Heats up quickly
  • Velvet handle and cool tips to prevent burnt fingers

Cons:

  • Creates beachy waves, not so much crimps hair

8. Best for Any Length: BondiBoost Wave Wand

BondiBoost Wave Wand Hair Curling Iron Wand
$40.59

The Wave Wand is the perfect tool for creating natural-looking mermaid, beachy or boho waves in seconds. Featuring 3 x extra large barrels, it’s the hottest trending tool this season.

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10/04/2024 02:39 pm GMT

Get wider frizz-free waves no matter how long your hair is with the Bondi Boost Wave Wand. This wave hair crimper has three crystal powder tourmaline barrels, each extra large for fun mermaid or boho waves. The material creates shiny waves in just a few seconds.

Pros:

  • Adjustable temperature
  • Instant heat up

Cons:

  • A bit heavy
  • Easy to accidentally turn off while using, but has a lock button to keep it on

9. Best for Saving Time: Remington 2″ Wet2Waves Styler

Remington S7280 2 Wet2Waves Styler
  • Create Waves + Dry in One Step
  • 2" Ceramic + Titanium Plates Protect hair from heat damage
  • 420°F High Heat + 30 Heat Settings
  • Wet/Dry Styling Indicator
  • 30-Second Heat Up for Fast Styling


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Go from damp hair to waves in a matter of minutes! No more blow drying then styling. Use on either dry or wet hair; there’s a setting for both and it won’t damage your hair.

Pros:

  • Heats in 30 seconds
  • Auto shuts off after one hour

Cons:

  • Some noticed it made their hair frizzy

10. Best Splurge: Drybar The Mixologist Interchangeable Styling Iron

With three different parts, you’ll be able to create defined waves, classic curls, or beachy waves. This wand is great for all hair types and textures. It’s truly worth the investment!

Pros:

  • Ability to create a variety of styles
  • Auto shuts off after an hour

Cons:

  • Expensive

11. Best Overall: Hot Tools 1” Micro Crimper

Hot Tools Professional Micro 24K Gold Crimper, 1 Inch
$38.14
  • Creates light, textured crimps and added volume.
  • Rheostat control dial with variable heat settings up to 430°F.
  • Separate on/off switch for easy operation.
  • Eight ft. professional swivel cord for free range of movement.


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10/04/2024 02:59 pm GMT

If you’re looking for a classic crimped look, then this is the best hair crimping option for you! You’ll get texture and volume, or crimp all of your hair for an eighties style.

Pros:

  • Heat dial that goes up to 430 degrees
  • 8 foot cord

Cons:

  • Isn’t super durable

12. Best for Volume: Conair Infiniti Pro Ceramic Crimper

Infinitipro by Conair Tourmaline Ceramic Crimper; 1-inch Crimper
  • Micro crimping style instantly adds lift and volume
  • Ultra high ceramic heat up to 455 degree; 5 temperature settings for all types of hair; 30 second heat up


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This micro-crimper will help you add some extra volume to your hair– especially if you have thin hair. Forget teasing your hair, this crimper will lift your roots without frizz or damage.

Pros:

  • Five temperature settings
  • Heats in 30 seconds

Cons:

  • Can get very hot (up to 455 degrees)

13. Best for Reduced Frizz: Yitrust Crimper

Yitrust Beach Waves Curling Iron
  • CREATE BEAUTIFUL WAVES EASILY: No tricks required, the Ceramic Hair Crimper is easy to use, just heat it up and button it on your hair for a few seconds to give you day-long voluminous waves.


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Create beautiful, frizz-free, mermaid-style beach waves with this easy-to-use crimper! You can lock and unlock the barrel to make either wavy curls or big curls depending on your preference. This makes it great for all hair types and lengths!

Pros:

  • Reduced frizz and dryness
  • Shuts off after 60 minutes

Cons:

  • On/off button located in an inconvenient spot

14. Best for Beachy Waves: TOP4EVER 3 Barrel Curling Iron Hair Crimper

3 Barrel Curling Iron Hair Crimper
$19.99

With 25cm triple barrels, TOP4EVER ceramic hair curler is the perfect tool for creating professional-looking wave curls that last all day. You can also use it as a crimping iron for hair to change up your look without any hassle.

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10/03/2024 09:09 pm GMT

Try out this triple barrel waver if you’re going for more of a beachy look! It’ll leave your hair with salon-quality waves in a matter of minutes and is very easy to use.

Pros:

  • Heats up very quickly
  • Reduces frizz and adds shine to your hair

Cons:

  • Not great for shorter hair

15. Best for Beginners: Alure Three Barrel Curling Iron Wand

Alure Three Barrel Curling Iron Wand with LCD Temperature Display - 1 Inch Ceramic Tourmaline Triple Barrels, Dual Voltage Crimp (Pink)
$19.99

Whether you have short or long locks; thick or thin, this three barrel curling iron works like a charm. The heated ceramic produces negatively charged ions that create soft, shiny waves without any frizz. And unlike single barrel styling irons that take ages to curl hair, this 3 barrel curling iron does it in a matter of minutes.

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10/04/2024 09:58 am GMT

At only $30 and very easy to use, this wand makes a great choice for beginners. It works quickly, is great for all hair types and lengths, and the ceramic helps to prevent frizz. Practice with this easy crimping wand to see if you like the look before investing in a more expensive version.

Pros:

  • Heats in 60 seconds
  • Works as both a crimper and waver

Cons:

  • Some say it left their hair smelling bad

16. Best Budget: Bed Head Little Tease 1” Tourmaline Ceramic Crimper

Bed Head Little Tease Hair Crimper, 1" Pink (Pack of 1)
$22.06
  • 1" Rippled Plates for Crimped Texture and Volume
  • Tourmaline Ceramic Technology for Reduced Frizz and Massive Shine
  • High Heat Up to 400° F (because we know you like it hot)
  • Instant Heat Recovery for Consistent Results
  • Tangle Free 6 ft swivel cord. 30 second fast heat up


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10/04/2024 03:05 am GMT

At $26 on Amazon, this isn’t a bad price for a good crimper! This ceramic tool is a one inch size, which means it’ll create a small amount of texture. You can also use it on your roots for extra volume.

Pros:

  • Heats to 400 degrees
  • Heats within 30 seconds

Cons:

  • Doesn’t reach the highest temperature

17. Best for All Hair Types: Hot Tools Professional Nano Ceramic Deep Waver

Professional Nano Ceramic Deep Waver

Get ready to shine with the Hot Tools Professional Deep Waver. Your hair will glide effortlessly while giving you shiny waves.

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All hair types can enjoy beautfiul waves with this waver. The nano ceramic technology will help to prevent overheating and hair damage. Plus, your hair won’t be left looking frizzy after crimping!

Pros:

  • Heats fast
  • Cool tips for easy handling

Cons:

  • Does not automatically shut off

How To: Top Tips for Hair Crimping

If you’re used to curling or straightening your hair, it shouldn’t take much time to get accustomed to using a hair crimper. Clean, dry hair works best for crimping, and if you have fine hair, you may consider blow-drying or using a texturizer to create texture to hold the crimp best.

It’s also smart to use a heat protectant to prevent as much heat damage as possible. If you have thin hair, try the lower heat settings on your hair crimper first to see if they create the style you want before trying a higher temperature. Thin hair is more easily damaged by high heat.

After your crimper has heated up, take small sections of hair and clamp it in the hair crimper for a few seconds at a time. Smaller sections will create deeper, more uniform crimps. If you want a looser look (or are short on time), you can do larger sections. 

Start with the bottom sections and work your way up. When you’re done, use a light hairspray to hold your crimps.

What Is the Difference Between Hair Crimping and Curling?

The main difference between crimping and curling is that hair crimpers and wavers style your hair in a back-and-forth manner, and a curling iron sets your hair in just one direction.

A crimping tool uses a ridged or wavy plate to give your hair small waves, looking like a zigzag type pattern (or bigger waves depending on the hair crimper size). Think of it like a flat iron with ridges. A waver may also look like 3 curling iron barrels all together.

A classic curling iron will just have one barrel and will leave your hair with cylinder ringlets or one big curl.

Both give your hair life, just in different shapes! You can use a curling iron to create waves, but it’ll take a lot longer than a waver or crimper tool. The best hair crimpers will take just a few seconds to create several waves in a section of hair.

pregnant woman with leopard skirt and crimped hair

Considerations for Your Best Hair Crimper

Before purchasing your crimper, there’s a a few things you’ll want to consider so that you get the best one for you!

First, you’ll want to consider the temperature settings. If you have longer or thicker hair, you’ll need a hair crimper that can reach a higher temperature.

You will also need to decide what kind of hair style you are going for. If you want texture or more tightly packed crimps, go with a mini crimper. A wider crimper will give you waves.

Also think about your hair length. A mini crimper will be better for short hair, while a wider crimper will work best for long and thick hair.

Additionally, look to see if your crimper has an auto shut off feature and multiple heat settings. Those are great bonuses to have with whatever crimper you go with! They’ll keep your hair crimper from becoming a fire hazard and give you options to prevent heat damage. 

FAQ:

Are crimpers bad for your hair?

Any time you use heat, it isn’t great for your hair. Put some heat protectant in your hair before you start crimping to cut down on any heat damage.

How long do hair crimps last?

Crimped hair should last you through the day. Once you go to sleep, your crimps will loosen and will need some touching up if you want to keep that look in the morning. It is not a style that is meant to last for days.

How do you make crimps stay?

Hairspray is key! Keep your hairspray on hand during the styling process and spray each section of hair before and after it’s crimped for the best results. Then, spray your whole head once all of your hair has been crimped to lock in your style and help it stay intact throughout the day.

How can I crimp my hair without it getting frizzy?

Definitely apply a heat protectant and a styling product to your hair. If your hair is already frizzy to begin with, apply a small amount of anti-frizz serum and you should be good to go!

Find out the best hairsprays to hold curls and my other tips to make curls last in fine hair. Or if you’re straightening your hair, check out the best hair straightening products and flat irons.

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