5 Heatless Curler Products for Easy, Damage-Free Waves While You Sleep
Updated: Apr. 17, 2024
Heatless curls have taken over TikTok. Here are the best time-saving, damage-banishing options for your hair type.
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If you’ve ventured onto TikTok lately, you’ve been inundated with tutorials for how to achieve perfect, bouncy curls without using any heat tools. The prospect seems almost too good to be true–a heatless curler promises to give a supermodel-esque style while you sleep. Some of the most-watched influencers swear by the method, creating a new way to achieve a bouncy wave without having to invest in the oh-so-beloved Dyson.
For soft, bouncy curls sans heat damage, you need what most describe as a satin rod or velcro curlers and a little bit of self-care time before bed. But there are many tips and tricks for achieving perfect heatless curls, and you need the best hair tools to get you there. We break it all down for you so you can get the hairstyle of your dreams while you sleep.
The best heatless curlers
Let’s look at the best heatless curler picks to find the perfect one for your hair.
- Best overall: Kitsch Satin Heatless Curling Set
- Best budget: The Vintage Cosmetic Company Satin Heatless Foam Curler
- Best for long hair: RobeCurls The Original Curling Headband
- Best for fine hair:Â Magic Hair Rollers
- Best for short hair:Â Heatless Magic Hair Rollers Wave and Spiral
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Best overall heatless curler
Kitsch Satin Heatless Curling Set
Dreaming of stunning curls without heat-styling tools? The Kitsch Satin Heatless Curling Set creates gorgeous, long-lasting waves without drying or damaging your hair. This set includes 12 satin-covered curling rods in different sizes to create curls of varied lengths and styles. The satin coverings prevent breakage and reduce frizz, and are suitable for all hair types and textures.
“I have super straight hair so I wasn’t going into this expecting much,” writes five-star reviewer Erica. “Since I’ve tried heatless methods before to curl my hair and it was a complete fail. This product has amazed me! Not only is it comfortable to sleep in, but it only takes five-to-eight minutes to do! The curls are naturally beautiful and hold all day!”
Pros
- Accessible and easy-to-use
- Curlers come in multiple sizes
- Smooth satin coverings reduce frizz
- Available on Kitsch’s site, Amazon, Ulta and Target
Cons
- Some reviewers find the curlers are uncomfortable to sleep in
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Best budget heatless curler
The Vintage Cosmetic Company Satin Heatless Foam Hair Curler
This budget heatless curler is a go-to for those with medium-length hair looking for the bouncy, heatless curls they’ve always wanted. It includes a foam curler and two matching scrunchies made from a polyester satin (hence the cost-savings), but is still silky smooth so that you won’t get any tangles.
For best results, use with damp or mostly-dry hair with a spritz of hair oil, which will help the curls look effortlessly glossy when you unravel.
Pros
- Budget-friendly price
- Saves time and money on heat styling products
- Reduces breakage
- Available on Look Fantastic and Ulta
Cons
- Doesn’t include a hair clip like other sets
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Best heatless curler for long hair
RobeCurls The Original Curling Headband
If you have long hair and tend to have issues keeping rollers or the traditional curling rod in place, then a curling headband like this one is the way to go. Created with an integrated wire shape, this heatless curler easily secures hair, so you can manipulate the headband exactly as needed. Plus, it’s created with soft microfiber lining and satin charmeuse, making it comfortable to sleep in.
Pros
- Easy to manipulate for longer hair types
- Reduces hair damage and split ends
- Provides tutorials to help create different types of curls
- Available on Amazon
Cons
- Clip is not included
- Some users noted that it can be difficult to keep in place
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Best heatless curler for fine hair
Magic Hair Rollers
Hair rollers have been used for decades, but with heatless hair styling trending so much in recent years, many have gotten a major upgrade. If you have fine hair, heatless curlers with extra grip on the hair are key.
These Magic Hair Rollers are made of soft silicone, allowing you to roll hair strands around them without the use of clips. Use them during the day (simply leave the time for air drying), or at night with the included sleep cap.
Pros
- Non-slip rollers create more volume and give you control over style
- Easy to clean
- Included sleep cap allows you to use overnight
- Over 12,000 Amazon ratings
- Available on Amazon and Walmart
Cons
- Rollers are slightly bulky and can be less comfortable for sleep
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Best heatless curler for short hair
Heatless Magic Hair Rollers Wave and Spiral
A standard heatless curling rod is tougher to use if you have short hair, so short-haired ladies tend to opt for heatless kits they can individualize for each strand. These Heatless Magic Hair Rollers are created from a soft material so they’re easy to sleep on, and have 40 individual pieces depending on your hair type and need.
To use this set, divide hair into sections and thread hair through the rollers. The number of rollers can be adjusted depending on how wavy or loose you want your curls to be; the smaller curlers are ideal for capturing and curling smaller sections.
Pros
- Adjustable and easy to use on shorter hair
- Soft material and no heat needed resulting in less damage
- Can be used on all hair types
- Available on Amazon
Cons
- Some users needed additional practice for the threading technique
What to consider when buying a heatless curler
If you’re ready to dive into the world of heatless curlers, there are a couple of things to note. First, decide what your end goal is. Do you want to save your hair from damage? Are you looking to add a little body to your hair without losing time in the morning? Do you just want to give your hair a break from the heat damage of curling irons and blow dryers?
Once you’ve decided what you’re looking for, consider the different product options, as each one works differently depending on hair type. Now that you’ve narrowed down your goal, you can decide if heatless curlers, heatless headbands or heatless rollers are your best bet.
How we found the best heatless curlers
As shopping experts, our only job is to help you find a winning product. We start with the research and reporting basics—what products are made of, what they look like and how much they cost—to ensure that we’re only recommending the buys that are worth your time and money. Then, we research the features that speak to the product’s quality, taking advice from industry insiders and subject matter experts on what makes a product a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we do the work of combing through user reviews to see how real people interact with the product, and if it stands up to the test.
FAQ
Do heatless curlers actually work?
Yes! The reason this trend has blown up on social media is that heatless curlers do indeed result in movie star-worthy waves. Plus, creating bouncy waves while you sleep couldn’t be easier. And since you’ll save both time and heat damage by eliminating hair diffusers or curling irons from your routine, your hair will thank you.
If you have curly hair, the curlers can still work for you (depending on the style you want to achieve) but most users found benefit in brushing out their curls slightly before using.
Do you use heatless curlers on wet or dry hair?
You can use heatless curlers on either wet or dry hair, but most people have the best success when hair is about 95% dry. If you use heatless curlers on wet hair, make sure that your hair thickness will allow the hair to dry completely by morning. You can also add a hair oil before wrapping your hair to make sure it will result in extra-glossy waves.
Do heatless curlers damage your hair?
Nope. Because you’re not adding any heat to your style, heatless curlers are a healthy way to style your hair. The majority of curlers are also made out of a smooth material like silk, so they’ll prevent breakage or tangles.
Originally Published: March 15, 2023
