Best Hair Crimpers: Fine-Crimp Plate Irons and Barrel Wavers

A crimper presses hair between textured plates to create a tight, uniform zigzag pattern, while a waver uses rounded barrels to make a softer, rounded S-wave. In this list the plate irons like the SAOSA, MBHAIR and Gold N Hot give the classic fine crimp, and the 2 and 3 barrel tools like the SHEGLAM, ZWIKAGEF and L'ANGE create looser waves. Pick the plate iron for sharp texture and the barrel tool for beachy waves.

It can affect how evenly the tool heats and glides. Most of the picks here state ceramic plates, which are common for smoother heat, and the L'ANGE is the one tool in this group that lists titanium barrels. The Gold N Hot lists wide 2 inch ceramic plates. Where a listing does not state the material, we do not guess it, so check the product page if plate material is a deciding factor for you.

Lower heat is gentler and higher heat holds longer, so match it to your hair. The SAOSA lists five settings from 150 to 230 C and the Terviiix lists five heat settings with a 60 minute auto shut-off, while the MBHAIR, SHEGLAM and L'ANGE list adjustable heat without a stated range. Start low, especially on fine or color-treated hair, and only raise the heat if the crimp does not hold.

Several are aimed at exactly that. The Terviiix listing targets thin, fine hair for volume, and the MBHAIR focuses on volumizing fluffy texture. Fine hair generally holds crimp well and needs less heat, so an iron with adjustable settings like the SAOSA or Terviiix lets you keep the temperature low. For thick or long hair, the wide 2 inch Gold N Hot plates cover more per press.

Dual voltage is the feature to look for, and the listings that state it are the SAOSA, SHEGLAM, ZWIKAGEF and L'ANGE. The SAOSA is described specifically as a dual voltage travel iron with fast heat and an included glove. Tools that do not list dual voltage may not be safe on overseas outlets, so check the listing before packing one for international trips.

Smaller means tighter and larger means looser and faster. The ZWIKAGEF and SHEGLAM use 1 inch barrels for a defined wave, while the L'ANGE uses wider 1.3 inch barrels for a deep, loose wave. Among the plate irons the Gold N Hot lists the widest plates at 2 inch for covering more hair. Shorter hair tends to suit the 1 inch tools, and longer hair pairs well with the wider ones.

Any heated styling tool can damage hair if used too hot or too often, so take a few precautions. Apply a heat protectant before styling, use the lowest temperature that gives the texture you want, and avoid passing over the same section repeatedly. Tools with adjustable heat, like the SAOSA and Terviiix, make it easier to keep the temperature down, and several listings here add anti-scald or auto shut-off features for safety.

Match the tool to the look you want. The SAOSA is our overall pick for classic fine crimp with five stated temperatures and dual voltage, the Terviiix is the most versatile with four interchangeable plates, and the Gold N Hot suits longer hair with its wide 2 inch plates. For waves rather than crimp, the SHEGLAM and ZWIKAGEF make 1 inch waves and the L'ANGE makes deep 1.3 inch titanium waves, while the MBHAIR is the simple budget-minded iron.