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Best Hot Rollers

Updated October 2023
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Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Infinitipro by Conair Ceramic Flocked Hot Roller Set
Conair
Ceramic Flocked Hot Roller Set
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Useful Features
Bottom Line

A feature-packed set with 20 flocked rollers that heat fast and create smooth, bouncy curls.

Pros

Flocked rollers help protect hair and heat quickly. Features 12 heat settings and a convenient cord reel for hassle-free storage.

Cons

Several sets heated inconsistently. Clips are somewhat awkward to use.

Best Bang for the Buck
Remington Ceramic Compact Hot Rollers
Remington
Ceramic Compact Hot Rollers
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Most Portable
Bottom Line

This portable set is especially suited for people with longer hair who want big curls/waves.

Pros

Included detachable cord and protective case help ensure durability. Compact and portable for easy storage or transport.

Cons

Some owner complaints about loose clips.

Conair Instant Heat Travel 1.5-Inch Hot Rollers
Conair
Instant Heat Travel 1.5-Inch Hot Rollers
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Travel Pick
Bottom Line

These nifty, travel-ready rollers are perfect for on-the-go curling needs.

Pros

Features a ceramic quick-heating surface and velvety soft surface that prevents heat damage. Compact and lightweight; great for traveling. Affordable and easy to use.

Cons

Some users dislike the clips for their size and flimsy design that doesn't hold well.

T3 Volumizing Hot Rollers Luxe
T3
Volumizing Hot Rollers Luxe
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Feature-Packed
Bottom Line

T3 is a good quality curling set for fast results.

Pros

This set contains eight rollers in two different sizes. It also has two heating options, so you can choose whatever is better for your hair type. Features T3 heat core technology and has an auto shut-off for safety.

Cons

This set is quite expensive compared to some other models.

Remington Ionic Conditioning Hair Setter
Remington
Ionic Conditioning Hair Setter
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Customer Favorite
Bottom Line

An affordable set of velvet layered rollers that we love for its varying sizes and color coding.

Pros

Made from ceramic and coated with protective velvet. 3 different sizes that are conveniently color-coded for easy recognition. Ionic conditioning prevents damage and provides extra shine.

Cons

They take a long time to heat up, and the heat isn't evenly distributed along the entirety of each roller.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

30
Models
Considered
170
Consumers
Consulted
28
Hours
Researched
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Buying guide for Best hot rollers

Bouncy, va-va-voom curls are perfect for a night out. Even if you haven’t been blessed with naturally curly hair, anyone can get the look with the help of hot rollers. Hot rollers require less effort than curling irons, and they do less damage to your hair. But if it’s your first time buying a set, you might not know where to start. Ribbed or flocked, wax core or ceramic, which hot rollers are right for you?

Start here. At BestReviews, we do the research, consult the experts, analyze the opinions of real-life owners, and cut through the jargon. 

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Hot rollers create long-lasting, frizz-free curls with less damage than curling irons.

How do hot rollers work?

First, the science: The keratin in your hair is held together by hydrogen molecular bonds, which can temporarily be modified by the application of heat and moisture.

Hot rollers come on a special base that is plugged into a power outlet to heat them up.

Once they are heated, you roll small sections of hair around the hot rollers and fix them in place using the clips or pins provided. Wait for the hot rollers to cool — about 15 minutes — then remove them from your hair.

Due to the heat and moisture from the hot rollers, your hair will now be curled.

What to look for when buying hot rollers

Finish

Hot rollers come in two finishes: ribbed or flocked.

Ribbed hot rollers have small ridges, while flocked hot rollers have a velvety surface. Some users prefer ribbed rollers because they are easier to remove from hair.

Flocked rollers help hold hair in place and are especially good for creating large curls.

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Caution
Be careful when handling freshly heated hot rollers. Hold them at the sides, not in the middle, as the main body of the roller will be hot and could burn or scald your fingers.
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Size

Hot rollers come in different sizes for different types of curls. Some sets contain a variety of different sizes, and some just have one size. Smaller rollers make tighter, ringlet-style curls. Larger rollers make big curls or waves, plus they create more volume at the root.

Remember that your hair length also plays a part in how the curls will turn out. If you put a large roller in short hair, you might end up with an inward or outward flick, rather than full-on curls, because your hair is too short to wrap around the hot roller enough times.

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Testing hot rollers
After researching 32 different hot roller sets over the course of 52 hours, we picked our top five to recommend. We also purchased our favorite and tested it hands on.
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Heat settings

Some hot rollers have variable heat settings, whereas others only heat to one preset temperature.

For many people, hot rollers without variable heat settings work perfectly well.

However, if you have particularly fine hair, you might need a lower heat setting to prevent damage and for the best results.

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Did you know?
Flocked hot rollers can protect your hair from heat damage better than ribbed varieties.
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Material

The body of the roller can be made from one of several materials, all of which have different properties.

  • Foam rollers: Heated with steam, foam rollers tend to be moister and can give you longer-lasting curls. They also heat up especially quickly, so they’re the best choice if you like to style in a hurry.

  • Wax core rollers: These rollers have a layer of wax in the center, which retains heat well and can help hold a curl longer in hair that’s usually resistant to curling.

  • Ceramic infused rollers: Ceramic rollers emit ions of infrared heat, which helps to reduce frizz and give you smooth, shiny curls.

Tips and tricks for using hot rollers

  • If you find that brushing out your curls removes the definition too much, try separating them with your fingers instead.

  • Some users find a light hairspray helps their curls hold for longer without weighing them down.

  • To avoid heat damage and split ends, put a heat-protecting serum on the ends of your hair before using your hot rollers.

  • Place your hot rollers vertically in your hair, rather than horizontally, for a looser tousled effect and less volume.

  • Choose a hot roller set with a variety of roller sizes if you want to be able to create different types of curls.

  • You get a more natural look if you alternate the number of hot rollers in each layer of your hair. For instance, use two on each side in the top layer of your hair, three in the mid-layer, and two in the under layer.

  • To create the best curls, you need a low heat setting if you have fine hair, and a high heat setting if you have thick hair.

  • Most people curl their hair starting at the bottom. But placing the roller near your head, then wrapping your hair around it from top to bottom gives a more even curl, rather than having most of the curl focused near the ends of your hair.

  • Ceramic rollers are the best type for damaged hair. The ceramic layer smooths hair and reduces frizz while helping to prevent further heat damage.

  • Stylists recommend using large hair clips around the outside of the hot rollers to keep them in place, rather than using the pins that come with some roller sets, as these can leave creases in your curls.

Hot rollers prices

You can find hot rollers to suit a range of budgets, but you do tend to get what you pay for in terms of quality.

Inexpensive

Basic hot rollers start at $15 to $20. They usually come in smaller sets, and the sets may only have one size of roller.

Mid-range

In the mid-range, hot rollers cost between $20 and $30. You can find better quality rollers at this price point — like ceramic infused hot rollers — but the best rollers may still come in fairly small sets with limited sizes.

Expensive

High-end hot rollers cost roughly $30 to $60. In this price range, you get hot rollers of excellent quality that produce long-lasting curls. You also get large sets with  several different sizes of rollers.

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Hot rollers are a great way to add volume to your hair, even if you don’t want curls.

FAQ

Q. What hairstyles can I create using hot rollers?

A. Of course, you can opt for classic curls with hot rollers, but you can create other hairstyles, too. For instance, textured waves, sleek waves, loose tousled curls, tight ringlets, big updos, and vintage hair flicks.

Q. Can hot rollers damage my hair?

A. Like any tool that styles your hair using heat, hot rollers can damage your hair. However, if you take good care of your hair generally and take precautions when using your hot rollers, this damage should be minimal. Put a heat protectant in your hair before you use your hot rollers, and use lower heat settings when possible, especially if you have fine hair.

Q. Are some hot rollers heavier than others?

A. Yes, some hot rollers are particularly light and others particularly heavy. The heaviest hot rollers can fall out of fine hair, and the lightest rollers might not curl thick hair effectively.