# Curling irons that are easy for beginners

Source: HiveTried, https://hivetried.com/beauty/curling-iron/easy-for-beginners/
Category: Beauty > Curling iron. Updated 2026-10-08. Based on 146 counted first-hand reports from Target shopper reviews, Apr 2018 to Oct 2026.

**Question:** Which curling iron is easy for a beginner to use?

**Short answer:** Beachwaver B1 Rotating Curling Iron has the best record for beginners: 32 of 35 reviewers said it was easy to use. Its barrel spins at the push of a button, so you don't have to twist the iron by hand. Among regular irons, Conair Double Ceramic 1.5-Inch Curling Iron comes next at 22 of 26.

**What stands out:** The two Conair Double Ceramic irons differ by barrel size, and reviewers found the wider one easier: 25% of reviews for the Conair Double Ceramic 1-Inch Curling Iron call it hard to use, against 8% for the Conair Double Ceramic 1.5-Inch Curling Iron.

## Ranking (buyers who said whether it worked)

| Rank | Product | Easy to use | Share | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beachwaver B1 Rotating Curling Iron | 32 of 35 | 91% | yes |
| 2 | Conair Double Ceramic 1.5-Inch Curling Iron | 22 of 26 | 85% | yes |
| 3 | Conair Double Ceramic 1-Inch Curling Iron | 17 of 28 | 61% | yes |
| 4 | Kristin Ess Soft Bend Titanium Curling Iron | 6 of 15 | 40% | no |

Ranked by the lower bound of a 90% Wilson confidence interval, so a product needs a high share and enough reports to rank high. An Amazon link is shown only when at least 60% say it works.

## Product notes

### 1. Beachwaver B1 Rotating Curling Iron

Reviewers like the curls too (39%), and 25% say they lasted. Reviews copied from Beachwaver's site come in at 8 of 9, which we show but don't count.

- Praised for: Nice curls (39%), Curls last (25%), Good value (8%)
- Reports counted: 36

### 2. Conair Double Ceramic 1.5-Inch Curling Iron

This wider-barrel Conair heats up fast for 21% of reviewers, and 26% call it good value. Few found it tricky, with 22 of 26 saying it was easy to use.

- Praised for: Good value (26%), Nice curls (26%), Heats fast (21%)
- Complaints: Tangles or snags (5%), Curls fall out (5%)
- Reports counted: 39

### 3. Conair Double Ceramic 1-Inch Curling Iron

Reviewers are split on this smaller-barrel Conair, with 17 of 28 calling it easy to use. People still like the curls it makes (28%), but 12% say they fell out.

- Praised for: Nice curls (28%), Good value (23%), Curls last (13%)
- Complaints: Curls fall out (13%), Tangles or snags (8%), Damaged hair (5%)
- Reports counted: 40

### 4. Kristin Ess Soft Bend Titanium Curling Iron

Reviewers like the big, loose waves it makes (48%), but 40% found it hard to use. That gives it the weakest record here, 6 of 15, from a fairly small group.

- Praised for: Nice curls (48%), Heats fast (12%), Curls last (8%)
- Complaints: Damaged hair (8%)
- Reports counted: 25

## Questions

**Which curling iron is easy for beginners?**

Beachwaver B1 Rotating Curling Iron has the best record, with 32 of 35 reviewers calling it easy to use. Conair Double Ceramic 1.5-Inch Curling Iron is next at 22 of 26.

**Is a rotating curling iron easier for beginners?**

It was for reviewers here. Beachwaver B1 Rotating Curling Iron turns the barrel for you, which leaves you to guide the hair and hold still. Expect a few tries before it feels natural, like with any iron.

**What barrel size should a beginner pick?**

Barrel size alone doesn't decide it. Here the wider Conair did better than the narrower one, 22 of 26 against 17 of 28. Yet the wide Kristin Ess Soft Bend Titanium Curling Iron has the weakest record here at 6 of 15.

**Should I use a heat protectant with a curling iron?**

It's a good habit. Spray it on dry hair before you curl, start with a lower heat setting and turn it up if curls won't hold. A heat-resistant glove helps while you're learning.

## Method

HiveTried counts first-hand reports only, drops reviews written for free products, shows brand-site reviews without counting them, and never accepts payment for placement. Full method: https://hivetried.com/how-we-count/