*This* Hair Waver Can Give You Legit Beachy Mermaid Hair

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While hair trends come and go quickly, effortless, beachy waves have always been stylish (whether you actually scored them on the beach or with a heat tool and some salt spray at home). That said, beach waves—now dubbed by TikTok as "mermaid hair"—are trendier than ever. Good news: it can easily be achieved with the help of a hair waver.

This (literally) hot tool "gives the hair a bit of a wave and texture when you're trying to style on straight hair or flat hair with no body," says Mahogany Grace, a New York City-based hairstylist and owner of the Mahogany Grace Salon. The beauty with the mermaid hairstyle is that it'll highlight your natural texture, and it looks different on everyone.

See below for some of the best hair wavers, from some of our personal favorites, to the ones TikTok loves. Of every product the WH team researched, we found some top options: The Conair Double Ceramic Triple-Barrel Waver is our go-to pick because it's the most widely reviewed on Amazon, with over 95,000 ratings and an average of 4.4 stars. It's also a best-seller in Amazon's hair curling irons category.

The Alure Three-Barrel Curling Wand, on the other hand, is WH's choice for the best overall hair waver, with over 28,000 ratings and an average of 4.3 stars, making it a highly-reviewed and rated choice.

Whether you want tight, crimp-like waves or large, voluptuous ones, get ready to bring out your inner mermaid with the seven best hair wavers for every hair type, style, and budget.

Meet the expert: Mahogany Grace is a New York City-based hairstylist and owner of the Mahogany Grace Salon.

Double Ceramic Triple-Barrel Waver

It can be hard to know if you're really going to end up liking how your hair will look with some waves in it. If you're still a bit unsure, opt for this affordable option from Conair. The smaller barrels will give you a slightly tighter wave, so it's great for shorter hair, too.

This hair waver has 30 (!) heat settings for different types of hair and heats up in 30 seconds. Plus, it has three barrels for deep waves and an auto-off setting. With over over 95,000 ratings and 4.4 stars on Amazon, you can't go wrong.

Rave Review: "I've had curling irons all my life. But this one doesn't break my hair. The heating dial is amazing. If you want soft curls, use a cooler setting, and if you want tight curls, use a higher setting. My curls were still there at the end of my day."

Three-Barrel Curling Wand

Not interested in any frills or specifics, but know you want to try the trend out? This one's got all the essentials. As Amazon's bestselling hair waver, it has over 18,000 five-star ratings, is budget-friendly, and features one-inch barrels for a perfect, medium-sized wave.

Some of our favorite features: a display to show the temperature, a 360-degree rotatable and tangle-free cord, a non-slip handle, and insulated barrel tips. With its dual voltage of 110 to 220 volts, it's fantastic for international travel. It can heat up from zero to 410 degrees Fahrenheit in just one minute, and it works on every hair type.

Rave Review: "This curling iron wand has completely transformed my hair game, giving me effortless waves and perfect curls that last all day. The LCD temperature display is a fantastic feature that allows me to adjust the heat settings according to my hair type. Whether I want loose beachy waves or tighter, more defined curls, this curling iron delivers every time. The barrels heat up quickly and evenly, ensuring consistent results without any hot spots."

Hair Waver Iron

Anyone who's spent at least a few minutes scrolling through the TikTok beauty community probably already recognizes this (gorgeous) hair waver that influencers adore. I have one myself, and it transforms my limp waves in to a shiny, uniform style in just a few minutes.

Trust, it's totally worth the purchase. It has three ceramic barrels and can heat up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, plus it comes with a heat-resistant glove. The waver has dual 110 to 240 voltage as well, so it can also be used internationally with adapters.

Rave Review: "I was looking for a wand that would put waves in my hair and that would last for a few days…this is it! I typically only put the heat on 290 to protect my hair and it does such an amazing job, it’s unreal! I highly recommend!!!"

Deep Waver Crimping Iron

As a mom to six children with diverse hair needs and textures, Mindy McKnight founded Hairitage to cater to a wide range of hair types and to busy moms. Another personal favorite of mine, this hair waver will get you a tighter crimp style.

It functions like an iron, so it's super easy to use—a great option if the larger three-barrel format seems a bit daunting to you. This affordable hair waver has large barrels for looser waves and an automatic shut-off after 30 minutes.

Rave Review: "I love this heating tool. I read reviews before purchasing, but I wanted something to give the 'crimper' wave look and this does it! I'm very picky too, and it looks amazing and is easy to use. You can do it longer for more defined look, or quickly for a looser look. I highly recommend."

Waver With Mit, Safety Stand, And Heat Mat

Haven't all of us burned our hand or a surface on a heat tool at least once in our lives? This medium-sized waver comes complete with a safety stand attached to it, a silicone heat mat, and heat-resistant glove. Plus, it's got a heat-resistant comfort grip, a digital display for the temperature, and a safety stand. They even throw in some adorable pink clips—all for just $50.

Reviewers say this one actually helps their hair hold a curl, it works fast, and the extra tools it comes with are very helpful. *Ahem* this one would make a great gift for her!

Rave Review: "I love this three-barrel hair styling tool! I purchased it to help add some volume to my flat hair when I’m feeling it. It took a bit to get the hang of, but I feel like it does the trick and gives it that nice wave when you use it right."

Hair Waver/Curling Wand 5-in-1 Set

Consider this the FWB of hot tools. Sure, you could commit to one hair waver or curling iron, but with this one, you won't have to. In this set, you'll get five different wand inserts—one large waver and four curling wands. It's a great option if you like to change up your style often.

It has 20 million negative ions, which will moisturize your hair to keep it shiny and smooth out any frizz. Plus, it comes in three colors and even includes a heat protective glove, plus two clips. Customers love it because it works fast, and is affordable and effective.

Rave Review: "My hair is just the straightest with literally no wave. This curling iron heats up fast and curls quickly. This look was made using the three-wand attachment. I highly recommend!"

Multi-Wave Hair Styler

CHI is always a quality standby when it comes to reliable heat tools, and this waver is the ultimate example. It features an adjustable rotating barrel size, so you're not stuck with just one type of wave. Plus, it's coated with CHI's ceramic technology for frizz-free hair, and is even dual-voltage to make international travel as easy (and stylish) as possible.

We love Chi's five pre-set temperatures for different hairstyles. We also found that it is smaller than other wider hair wavers, and has an automatic shut-off after one hour. This one is great if you're constantly changing up the different kinds of waves in your hair.

Rave Review: "My daughter usually wants me to braid her hair before bed so it is wavy. This was a great gift for her. She loves it and it works perfect!"

What to look for in a hair waver

The type of hair waver that's best for you depends on what you want your results to be, Grace explains. Here's what to consider when shopping for one:

Number Of Barrels

The number of barrels on a hair waver doesn't ~really~ make a difference, but "the more barrel numbers, the more options you have," in terms of styling your hair, Grace says. She's seen kits that have three or four barrels, but a three-barrel kit is fine for the average hair, and you should still be able to achieve different looks with it, she explains.

Barrel Size

"The smaller the waver, the tighter the curl is gonna be," for instance, Grace says. If you have long hair, an inch and a quarter is a good size for a barrel. For medium hair, she recommends an inch.

You can always opt for a kit with different sized-curling arms, and that way, you have options, whether you want looser or tighter curls. (Keep in mind that after you use the waver, the waves will naturally fall.)

Barrel Shape

If you have long hair, you might want to look for a hair waver with an elongated barrel. Longer barrels are helpful for lengthier hair because sometimes the normal barrel size will be a bit too short for all of your hair to wrap around it.

Hair Texture

Most curling irons work for every hair texture because they all get hot, Grace says. However, wavers with titanium plates tend to work better for kinkier or coarse hair, she adds.

What's the difference between a hair waver and a curling iron?

They're "pretty much the same," Grace says, but the main difference is in ease of use. With a waver, you just weave it through your hair like a flatiron and hold it for a few seconds, whereas it's a bit more work with curling irons, since you have to wrap your hair around the barrel several times.

How our team chose the best hair wavers

For the past two years, Women’s Health editors, including our editorial assistant Addison Aloian and former senior commerce editor Neha Tandon researched the bestselling, most popular, and top-rated hair wavers. Our team consulted Mahogany Grace, a New York City-based hairstylist, and then evaluated thousands of customer reviews and ratings to narrow down the best seven items for a wide range of needs and preferences.

Read more about the best hair tools

Hair Dryers | Round Brushes | Hair Brushes | Hair Dryer Brushes | Hair Straightening Brushes | Dyson Airwrap Dupes | Flat Irons | Curling Irons | Hair Diffusers | Products for Wavy Hair

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