The Best Hair Wavers of 2024

Something is just so alluring about hair styled in beach waves—otherwise known as mermaid waves—and it certainly has to do with their natural, undone finish. This seemingly effortless style has gotten the stamp of approval from several celebrities over the years, including models Gigi Hadid and Gisele Bünchen, as well as actress and Betty Buzz founder, Blake Lively), so you know that beach waves are here to stay for the ages. While this loose, tousled hairstyle may appear simple enough to achieve, in reality, perfecting the look is a relatively hard one to master without the right hair tool.

The tool in question, you ask? Hair wavers. Not to be confused with their close relative, the curling iron, hair wavers typically have three barrels instead of one and produce S-shaped waves as opposed to classic, curly ringlets. These wand-like hair devices may look similar, but they set out to create two completely different hairstyles.

To help you find the best hair wavers, we tested the highest-rated products out there that span a variety of price points, brands, and retailers. During our extensive testing process, we found two of the best hair wavers: Hot Tools Pro Artist 24K Gold 3 Barrel Hair Waver (available at Amazon) , which earned our Best Overall spot for its perfect scores across the board, and the Bed Head Wave Affair 3 Barrel Digital Jumbo Hair Waver, which earned the title Best Value because it does nearly as much as pricier hair wavers without sacrificing on performance.

Some of the other best hair wavers we tested

How We Tested Hair Wavers

The Tester

I'm Brigitt Earley, a lifestyle writer and editor with nearly 12 years of experience testing all different types of beauty products. I have thick, slightly wavy brown hair that sits just below my collarbone. I love the look of beach waves, but I often default to straightening my hair because I’ve never been able to master the technique with the hair tools I had at my disposal, i.e., a traditional curling iron and a straightener. When presented with the opportunity to test a slew of products that all promised to deliver the results I’ve sought, I jumped at it. Was there something out there that could these hair wavers help me achieve the style I had always coveted?

The Tests

I checked out best-seller lists across retailers and other editorial lists to find the best hair wavers on the market. Then, I put each one to the test, pitting the top-rated brands against one another to find the best of the best.

The testing process was straightforward: I evaluated the build and functionality of each hair waver. Then, I powered each of the hair wavers and used them to style my hair before going about my normal daily activities to see how the look held up. When I finished testing all of the hair wavers, I teamed up with Reviewed’s in-house experts to score and weigh the results on a scientifically-calibrated rubric.

During the process, I considered a few attributes.

Build and Durability: Do the hair wavers feel sturdy and like it’s made to last?

Usability: Are the hair wavers light enough to hold comfortably? Do they have a digital screen or an alert to let you know it has reached temperature? Are the buttons placed conveniently? Are they intuitive?

Performance: Do the hair wavers get hot enough? Do they produce beach waves without much effort? How does the style hold up?

What You Should Know About Buying Hair Wavers

When it comes to shopping for hair wavers, there are a few things you should know that may influence your purchasing decision:

Design

The two most common types of hair wavers out there are round triple-barrel hair wavers and single-barrel hair wavers, which are sometimes referred to as deep-V hair wavers.

Triple-barrel hair wavers: For the sake of consistency in our testing, we decided to only test triple-barrel hair wavers—the more popular type right now—as they deliver the tousled, S-shaped style of beach waves as opposed to crimped, zig-zag ones. Our top pick, the Hot Tools Pro Artist 24K Gold 3 Barrel Hair Waver is capable of creating this natural, celebrity-approved hairstyle within a matter of five seconds. And not to worry about the style keeping put, given that our tester says that her mermaid waves were able to withstand semi-rigorous walks around her neighborhood.

Single-barrel hair wavers: Hair wavers with one barrel, per the Associated Hair Professionals, create "intense ripples—the ultimate accordion glam wave with a luxe feel." We didn’t test any single-barrel hair wavers, but the Hot Tools Professional Nano Ceramic Deep Waver is lightweight and easy to use. If you want that perfect mermaid hair, experts recommend investing in a triple-barrel waver, especially when there’s little price difference between the two options.

Hair Type

After testing all eight hair wavers, I’ve concluded that hair wavers work best on straight hair. With hair textures that skew wavy or curly (like mine), you’ll see the sleekest results if you run a straightener through your hair or blow dry it at least semi-straight rather than allowing it to air-dry prior to use. Admittedly, either of these extra steps adds to the styling time required, ironic because the style itself is meant to look so effortless.

Cost

As is the case with many beauty products, prices for hair wavers vary tremendously. The most expensive hair waver we tested was more than 10 times the price of the least expensive one we tried. But, price doesn’t necessarily dictate value and performance. Our tests show that the most affordable hair wavers were generally the poorest performers, but, for the most part, middle-of-the-road options were just as desirable as the most expensive hair wavers.

How To Use Hair Wavers

The best hair wavers are designed with three equally sized curling iron-like barrels. To create hair waves, we recommend the following steps.

Step 1 : Before putting the waver on your strands, spray your hair with a heat protectant starting at the "mid-shaft all the way through [the] ends," Wes Sharpton, a resident hairstylist at Hairstory, previously told Reviewed. "Any tool that has serious heat needs a heat protector." We like the CHI 44 Iron Guard Thermal Protection Spray for its added ability to placate the onset of frizz. Make sure your hair is dry before reaching for the hair waver.

Step 2 : Once you’ve sprayed your hair with your heat protectant of choice, it’s time for the main event: creating those luscious beachy waves. Hold the tool at your roots, and position a big section of hair in between the barrels.

Step 3: Hold the hair in between the barrels for about five seconds, and, voilà, you’ll end up with mermaid-esque wavy strands.

Step 4: Repeat this process on each section of hair two to three times to attain your desired style. According to our expert, who had medium-length hair that fell slightly below her collarbone at the time of testing, it took her a total of 15 minutes to style her whole head with the Hot Tools Pro Artist 24K Gold 3 Barrel Waver, our best overall pick.

Step 5: This final step is optional, given that our tester says you don’t need to spray your hair spray to keep this style intact. But if your hair is prone to falling flat throughout the day, consider spraying your whole head with some hair spray. Try the Big Sexy Hair Spray & Play Volumizing Hairspray, a styling product that claims to provide "flexible, workable, medium to high hold finish that lasts up to 120 hours" and is made with all hair types in mind.

Another great option is the Breezy Styling Mist from Djerf Avenue Beauty, a heat protectant and hairspray in one. A former staff beauty writer, Sara Miranda, says that the product provides "bouncy, voluminous hair that stays put all day long," per her review.

What Is The Best Way To Prep Your Hair Before Using a Hair Waver?

To ensure that your hair is properly prepared for styling, Patricia Elness, a colorist, hair stylist, and Schwarzkopf Professional Ambassador, recommends the following steps:

Step 1: Use a hydrating shampoo and conditioner. Before reaching for that hair waver, your hair needs to be washed, clean, and hydrated. Elness says to use a shampoo and conditioner duo that aims to moisturize strands.

Step 2: Make sure that your hair is 100% dry. Air-dry or enlist the help of a hairdryer.

Step 3: Spray your hair with a heat protectant. Arguably, one of the most important parts of the hair prep process is to apply a heat protectant. "This will help minimize damage and keep your hair looking healthy," Elness says.

Step 4: Get rid of any knots or tangles. Using a hairbrush or comb of your choice, eliminate any knots or tangles in your hair. Making sure that your hair is free of bunched-up tufts of hair will lay the foundation for a smooth styling process.

Step 5: Divide your hair into sections Splitting the hair into sections that are realistic for you to style will make the process go smoothly. The amount of hair in each section will ultimately set the stage for the style you’ll achieve. "Smaller sections will give you more defined waves, while larger sections will give softer waves," Elness explains.

Step 6: Tailor the heat waver’s temperature according to your hair type. In order to end up with cool-girl mermaid waves results (and avoid heat-related hair damage, of course), the temperature range you use is key. Elness says those with fine or damaged hair would fare best with lower temperatures while those with thick hair should use temperatures on the higher end.

How Do You Choose The Right Heat Protectant For Your Hair?

When looking for the ideal heat protectant for her hair, L’Oréal Paris League of Experts Celebrity Hairstylist Jennifer Yepez says it should do two things: give hair a soft finish and leave strands looking smooth and shiny.

How long does it take to wave your hair with a hair waver?

The time it takes to use a hair waver varies based on your skill level using a hair waver, the length and type of hair, and the style you’re after. In our tester’s experience, it took her about 15 minutes to complete her entire head (she has slightly wavy hair that falls to her collarbone). When it came to adding waves to one section of hair that measured 3 to 4 inches, it took her less than five seconds to achieve those coveted loose mermaid waves. It’s important to note that she passed through each section of hair two to three times to attain her desired look.

Where To Buy Hair Wavers

Sephora

You can bet that beauty emporium Sephora sells a variety of hair wavers, and when it comes to the hair wavers we tested, the mega-retailer sells the Amika High Tide Deep Waver, which we recommend for its stellar safety features, and the Bondi Boost Wave Wand, our top pick for creating sleek, smooth waves.

Before picking up your new hair waver, be sure to sign up for Sephora’s Beauty Insider program to earn points for cash back on future Sephora escapades and to get free travel-sized samples of beauty products from a variety of brands and categories. The retailer’s Semi-Annual Beauty Event that is held every April and October for Beauty Insiders are the most ideal times of the year to get any of these hair wavers at a discount.

Amazon

Amazon is undoubtedly the most convenient place to buy beauty products thanks to its huge selection and fast delivery service.The e-commerce site carries most of the hair wavers we tested.

Amazon regularly runs sales as well, so if you’re looking to snag a hair waver for a discount, we recommend holding out for marquis shopping events like Prime Day, which takes place in June or July every year. And be sure to look out for discounts on hair wavers during other times of the year, such as Presidents Day, Labor Day, and the Big Spring sale, given that these hair wavers have a proven track record of going on sale on said holidays.

Target

In recent years, Target has become a major beauty retailer powerhouse thanks to a partnership between Ulta and Target in which several stores nationwide contain outposts of the premium beauty store. That said, Target now carries a litany of best-selling beauty brands such as Ouai, Tula, Benefit Cosmetics, Urban Decay, and more.

Aside from these popular premium beauty brands, the retailer emporium remains steadfast in carrying products from several drugstore beauty brands like E.L.F. Cosmetics, Revlon, Maybelline, NYX, L’Oréal Paris, and Conair.

Walmart

Walmart also has pretty much every hair waver we’ve tested.

Ulta

This beauty retailer home to both drugstore and premium beauty products alike, also sells a few of our favorite hair wavers across the virtual and in-store aisles of Ulta.

And while you’re on your next Ulta run to find a new hair waver, be sure to sign up for the Ulta Beauty Rewards program. It’s free of charge to join, and with each purchase, you will accumulate points for cash to use toward future Ulta shopping sprees and the store’s in-house beauty services. As a Beauty Rewards member, you can also sign up for email notifications about Ulta’s upcoming sales and deals, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled for opportunities where you can get one of these hair wavers for less.

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