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The 6 Best Hair Wavers for Beachy Styles, Tested and Reviewed by Editors

Experts share how to get mermaid-style waves with these three-barrel wavers and wands.

Ashley Phillips, Claire Sullivan

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June 3, 2025, 10:49am

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Allie Holloway for WWD

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On TikTok alone, searches for “hair wavers” searches have attracted well over 150 million views, with TikTok-famous options from Amika and Beachwaver bringing in more than 1 billion and 500 million views each. Celebrities, too, have been working the beach wave hair look on red carpets, but unlike many high-glam styles, these undone waves are easy to DIY (particularly with the summer elements that tend to enhance hair texture). “I love hair waver styling tools because they are actually quite simple to use and achieve really stylish looks,” explains celebrity hairstylist Andrew Fitzsimons.

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Top Hair Waver Tools of 2025

Best hair waver for fine hair

Best hair waver for short hair

Beachwaver B1 Curling Iron

Buy Now at beachwaver $69 Jump to Details

Best beach waves hair tool

Mermade Pro Hair Waver

Buy Now AT AMAZON $55 Jump to Details

Bed Head Tourmaline Wave Artist Deep Waver

Buy Now AT AMAZON $24.49 Jump to Details

View more +

Before choosing a beach wave hair tool, it’s helpful to understand what exactly these tools do and the shapes they come in. “Hair wavers come in several sizes with a varying number of barrels to help create different textural patterns,” says celebrity colorist Jeremy Tardo.

Tardo adds that using one “adds texture and volume to the hair, giving it a relaxed and effortless look.” Most hair wavers come in a triple-barrel style or single-barrel style which can provide results ranging from tight waves to loose spirals. The best hair wavers can also be used on any hair type — whether it’s thin, thick, fine, or coarse — but you’ll want to be mindful of barrel size and heat settings which can be better suited for certain types.

Sienna Miller, Jessica Biel, Karol G, and Lana Del Rey are just a few celebs who’ve opted for beachy waves over stylized blowouts for recent red carpet appearances. Courtesy of Getty Images

With barrel sizes, opting for larger sizes above 1 inch will create a more relaxed wave. If it’s tighter waves with more texture you’re after, you’ll want to look for sizes in the 0.5 inch to 1 inch range. The triple-barrel is most often associated with the mermaid wave style (and the one filling up your social media feed), but curling wands, too, can give you the S-wave effect.

Here, we put together a list of the best hair wavers after two rounds of extensive product testing and research on the industry’s top options.

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Editor’s Choice: Top 3 Hair Waver Styling Tools of 2025

Hair wavers come in various forms, ranging from three-barreled options to wands. And the results vary, too: Smaller barrels deliver a cute crimped look, while larger ones provide soft waves. Because of the variation in the category, our testers rated three hair wavers as top options for different results (and for their compatibility with various hair textures and lengths) rather than one best overall hair waver. Our picks below reflect two rounds of product testing. While Amika’s hair waver held it’s spot as a top-rated pick from our testing panel, options from Ghd and Trademark Beauty replaced previous picks due to their impressive value, hair-safe settings, and results.

Amika High Tide Deep Wave Hair Crimper: Rated as the best hair waver for fine hair by our testers, Amika’s tool has some of the lowest temperature settings of all the options we tried, making it safe for the fine and damaged hair types. The tool’s 0.7-inch barrels create a cute beachy look without looking too crimped, and our panel noted that the waver left all hair types looking gorgeously shiny.
Ghd Wave Triple Barrel Hair Waver: Our testing panel gave Ghd’s new hair waver high marks for its ability to create natural-looking texture, courtesy of its oval-shaped barrels (a feature that’s entirely unique to the tool). A hair-safe heat setting of 365 degrees prevents damage with regular use, while cool touch points make it easy to navigate around the back of the head.
Trademark Beauty Babe Waves X Hair Waver: During a second round of product testing, Trademark Beauty’s Babe Waves X Hair Waver beat out an earlier, triple-barrel iteration of the brand’s tool. The Babe Waves X tool has just two barrels, making it a great choice for shorter hair types. This also makes it less bulky to travel with — ideal for on-the-go summer styling.

Courtesy

Amika High Tide Deep Wave Hair Crimper

Barrel size: 0.7 inch
Heat settings: 120 to 390 degrees
Special features: Negative ion technology

$120

Buy Now at amazon

$120

Buy Now at sephora

This isn’t your crimper tool from the ‘80s. Unlike the zigzag hot plates of the past, Amika’s High Tide Deep Waver uses a triple barrel design to deliver a modern version of the crimped hair trend. Each barrel is 0.7 inches wide, creating tight, textured beach waves, making texturizing spray purely optional. Tardo points out that it’s a great pick for those with fine to medium hair texture. Another perk of this hair tool for beach waves is the negative ion technology that seals the cuticle for increased shine. If you prefer the look of looser waves, Amika also makes this three-barrel hair waver in a jumbo size.

Editor testing and review notes: “Many hair wavers can feel clunky in the hand due to the large curling barrels, but Amika’s is manageable to use due to the balanced design — including a non-slip handle and a kickstand that prevents the hot barrels from singeing any surface you place it on. On top of a sleek build, this tool is a winner because it doesn’t leave crease marks, making it a great choice for beginners. As for results, expect beachy waves you can set in place or brush out for softer texture.” — WWD Shop contributing commerce editor Claire Sullivan

Price upon publish date of this article: $120

Courtesy

Ghd Wave Triple Barrel Hair Waver

Barrel size: 1.3 inches
Heat settings: 365 degrees
Special features: Cool touch points, lengthy 8.8 foot cord, anodized coated barrels for improved shine

$199

Buy Now at nordstrom

$199

Buy Now at ghd

One of the most common issues our testers experienced when reviewing hair wavers were harsh indentations that many hot tools leave in their wake between applications, particularly where the barrels meet the clamps of the tool. Ghd’s newly released hair waver has oval-shaped barrels with soft, sculpted edges that prevent this from happening. We loved the tool’s ability to create loose, perfectly undone texture with plenty of movement. The tool has just one hair-safe heat setting that removes guesswork from temperature selection, also preventing heat damage in the long run.

Editor testing and review notes: “I regularly bleach my hair, so I have to be very careful about selecting hair tools that won’t cause breakage or brittleness. I’ve been a longtime fan of Ghd’s flat iron — it hasn’t caused any of the aforementioned signs of heat damage in years of use — and I was happy to see that the brand’s hair waver features the same gentle effectiveness with styling. Compared to other hair wavers I tested, this one created the most natural wave pattern thanks to its oval-shaped barrel that reads more natural than the deeper waves that round barrels create.” — Sullivan

Price upon publish date of this article: $199

WWD/ Claire Sullivan

Courtesy

Trademark Beauty Babe Waves X Hair Waver

Barrel size: 1.25 inches
Heat settings: 320 to 430 degrees
Special features: Auto shut off, ceramic tourmaline barrels

$89

Buy Now at trademark beauty

Many triple-barrel hair wavers were overwhelming for our short-haired testers to use. Trademark Beauty’s Babe Waves X Hair Wavers, however, earned resounding praise from those with shoulder-length cuts and lobs due to the two-barrel design. The tool comes at an affordable price point but doesn’t sacrifice on special features, including a range of heat settings that allow fine, normal, and coarse hair types to find a temperature that allows quick, non-damaging styling.

Editor testing and review notes: “Having tested multiple hair waver styling tools from Trademark Beauty, this one comes out on top as the best option for value and results. The two-barrel design is ideal for beginners — there’s no complicated technique to feeding hair into the tool; instead you just work it from roots to ends, lightly clamping as you go. The 1.25-inch barrels add substantial volume to the waves, too.” — Sullivan

Price upon publish date of this article: $89

WWD/ Claire Sullivan

Courtesy

Beachwaver B1 Curling Iron

Barrel size: 1 inch
Heat settings: Heats up to 410°F
Special features: Dual voltage, swivel cord

$69 $119 42% off

Buy Now at beachwaver

The Beachwaver isn’t your typical curling iron. If you’ve ever struggled to use a wand or traditional curling iron, then you’ll be thrilled with this one that does the styling for you. It works by feeding a section of hair into the short clamp which then rotates around the barrel (in your chosen direction) with the touch of a button. The end result is a loose, wavy S-curl that can be brushed out to appear even softer. We’ve used the Beachwaver for years with great luck and recommend it to anyone who prefers a wavy curl to a crimp.

Editor testing and review notes: “I’ve researched and tested curling irons consistently in my eight years as a beauty editor, and Beachwaver’s option remains my top recommendation when friends ask for a curling iron that’s simple to use. Any skill level can achieve gorgeous texture with the click of a button, literally. The tool comes in various barrel sizes, but the 1-inch option is a favorite for soft waves on any hair length and thickness.” — Sullivan

Price upon publish date of this article: $69

WWD/ Claire Sullivan

Mermade Pro Hair Waver

Barrel size: 1.25 inches
Heat settings: Heats up to 410°F
Special features: Automatic shut-off, swivel cord, dual voltage, heat protective glove

$55 $79 30% off

Buy Now AT AMAZON

$79

Buy Now at nordstrom

Mermade’s Pro Hair Waver takes the cake when it comes to social media fame. The triple-barrel tool and its aesthetic pink shade have attracted more than 1.4 billion views on TikTok. Not only is it an internet favorite, but the Mermade waver has celebrity fans that include Khloe Kardashian and Hailey Bieber. If you prefer waves with a slightly softer look, this may be the hair waver for you with its slightly larger 1.25-inch barrels. As a bonus, you’ll get a heat protective glove to keep fingers safe.

Editor testing and review notes: “Big barrels make Mermade’s hair waver an excellent choice for creating bombshell waves — it’s best for those who want some texture that doesn’t look crimped. This is my top choice from testing for long, thick hair, as the bigger barrels make quick work of styling from roots to ends. The included heatproof glove is a nice addition for hair waver newbies; just note that those with anything shorter than shoulder-length hair may struggle to feed strands into the barrels.” — Sullivan

Price upon publish date of this article: $55

Courtesy

Bed Head Tourmaline Wave Artist Deep Waver

Barrel size: 2.5 inches wide
Heat settings: Heats up to 400°F
Special features: Dual voltage, automatic shut-off, swivel cord, tourmaline ceramic coating

$24.49 $32.99 26% off

Buy Now AT AMAZON

This hair waver gives you the effect of a triple-barrel wave with just one single space-saving deep barrel. The popular waver — it’s Bed Head’s number one hair styling tool and has more than 41,000 five-star reviews on Amazon — creates beachy waves with a loose crimped effect. Tardo adds that the compact deep-wave size makes it “ideal for the frequent traveler,” as does the dual voltage. Many reviewers swear it’s beginner friendly, so there’s no need to worry if you don’t know your way around a curling iron.

Editor testing and review notes: “Bed Head’s hair waver has a unique design that’s easier to feed hair into than three-barreled tools. The tool lends a messy, wavy look with plenty of volume, and its six heat setting make it a surprisingly versatile tool for various hair thicknesses and textures. I love its locking function that makes the tool even more compact for stashing in my overnight bags. Note that the tool runs hot, so those with damaged or fine hair will want to ensure they spritz on heat protectant before use.” — Sullivan

Price upon publish date of this article: $32

What to Consider When Shopping for the Best Beach Wave Hair Tools

Number of barrels: When choosing a hair waver, you’ll first need to decide between a single, double, or triple barrel. There are pros and cons to each. A triple-barrel creates more texture and volume through tighter curls, but it can also feel bulky to hold. A single barrel, on the other hand, like the Beachwaver wand, creates softer waves and is beginner-friendly, but the results may appear less dramatic if you want a true mermaid-inspired look.
Barrel size: “Remember that the size of the barrels determines the size of the waves. Larger barrels (1 to 1.5 inches) create bigger, more relaxed waves, while smaller barrels (0.5 to 1 inch) develop tighter, more defined curls,” says Tardo.
Temperature settings: Adjustable heat settings are helpful for getting the right heat level for your hair type. Tardo adds that this will also help you to safely customize your style. “For fine hair, start with a lower heat setting and slowly raise the temperature to effectively style your hair without damaging it,” Tardo explains. “Coarser hair can sometimes withstand higher temperatures.”

Tips for Using a Hair Waver

Anytime you’re using a heat tool, you’ll want to start with a spray that minimizes damage. “No matter what you use, always prep your hair with a heat protectant,” says Fitzsimons. To finish the prep stage, Tardo adds that those with fine hair may also want to use a texturizing spray or volumizing mousse to help with hold. In addition to the barrel size, the sizes of hair sections can influence the look of waves. “Smaller sections will yield tighter waves, while larger sections will result in looser waves,” says Tardo. “For a more natural look, you can leave the ends out or alternate the placement of the waver between each section.”

Also, be sure to consider your hair’s texture. “If you have thick hair, take smaller sections to ensure maximum definition and hold. Those with fine hair may use bigger sections to protect the hair from overheating and damage,” Tardo tells us.

When it comes to styling, Fitzsimons says that “generally speaking, you are going to want to take small sections of your hair and crimp from top to bottom, starting a few inches below the top of your hand to get the most natural wavy look. Repeat this step on your entire head with small sections until finished.”

After using the wave tool, don’t forget to finish and set hair for lasting texture. Let hair cool for a few minutes, and then “gently run your fingers or a wide-tooth comb through the waves to loosen them. To keep the waves in place, finish with a light to medium hold hairspray,” says Tardo.

How We Tested & Selected the Best Hair Wave Styling Tools

To create this list of the best hair wavers, our team dove into trending hair wavers on TikTok, pored over customer reviews, and consulted with two top hair experts to discover their tips for selecting the best tool for your hair type.

Using our experts’ advice, we created a list of the top 23 hair wavers to try during two periods of product testing, including a mix of single barreled and three-barreled tools across a range of prices and with various heat settings.

After our first round of testing, we narrowed down our list to the top eight hair wavers for different hair textures and types. During the second round of product testing reflected in the June 2025 update of this story, we replaced three previous products with newcomers that outperformed to further whittle down our list to the six best wavers for all types of hair.

During each round of testing, a panel of three testers tried each tool multiple times to ensure the options on our list perform well with regular usage, and subjected the tools to everyday wear and tear by packing the items in carry-on luggage, toting them in our purses on rickety subway rides, and dropping them from countertop height to ensure they didn’t break or malfunction. On top of these key factors, we paid close attention to the design of the tools, how easy they are to use, and compared the styling results. The winners on our list passed the below testing criteria with flying colors.

Size and design: Hair wavers (particularly the three-barreled options) are second only to hair dryers in their size — these tools are more clunky than a sleek flat iron. We awarded bonus points to the styling tools that felt compact without compromising on results and special features. Because hair wavers come in various designs, including three barrel options, wands, and crimpers, our panel evaluated each of these hair waver subcategories to highlight top options for different styling preferences.
Ease of use: There’s a learning curve when you’re working with a hair waver for the first time, and our panel included a mix of novice and experienced testers. Our list includes options, like the Beachwaver and Bed Head tools, that are intuitive to use for those who have zero experience with a waver. We also noted if it was easy to read the temperature settings and gave high marks to options with ergonomic designs and handles that are comfortable to hold.
Safety features: Because hair wavers require you to be more hands-on with the heat source, we paid close attention to options with safety features like cool touch points on the curling barrels, non-slip handles, and kickstands that prevent the hot barrels from singeing the surface you set it on. Many of the top hair wavers on our list also have auto shut-off features so you don’t have to fret if you forget to unplug the tool when you head out the door.
Results: We aimed to create various hair looks with the waver tools we tested, including cute crimps, soft bombshell waves, beachy textured looks, and more. Our panel evaluated each tool’s ability to create different styling results, giving high ratings to options that can create myriad looks on different hair textures. We also took note of tools that left our hair with unwanted creases where the barrel meets the clamp of the tool, removing those options from our list.

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Meet the Experts

Andrew Fitzsimons is a celebrity hairstylist and founder of a line of hair products by the same name. Kim Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian, Kylie Jenner, and Jennifer Lopez are among his extensive list of A-list clientele. His work has appeared in Vogue, Cosmopolitan, and Harper’s Bazaar, to name a few.

Jeremy Tardo is a bi-coastal celebrity colorist with a clientele list that includes Miley Cyrus, Jared Leto, and Miranda Kerr. In addition to collaborations with brands like Sephora and Tom Ford, his work has appeared in publications such as GQ, Harper’s Bazaar, Rolling Stone, and Vogue.

Meet the Authors

Ashley Phillips is a freelance writer and editor with more than 10 years of experience reporting on fashion, beauty, and lifestyle products and shopping trends. Phillips’ writing and market work has been published in outlets like Harper’s Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, Town and Country, and Best Products. Whether it’s the latest TikTok sensation or a longtime icon, she’s always researching the next best hair tool to help readers find new favorites. Throughout her 10 years as a writer, Phillips has consistently researched and tested hair tools, which informed her selections when writing the original version of this article on the best hair wavers.

Claire Sullivan is a contributing commerce editor for WWD and Footwear News, where she writes and edits beauty, fashion, and lifestyle stories. She has over eight years of experience as a writer and editor for national media outlets including Martha Stewart Living, Martha Stewart Weddings, InStyle, and Byrdie. She’s tested hundreds of products during her time as an editor, so she’s well-versed in selecting the products that make a meaningful difference in your skin and hair. Sullivan contributed to the June 2025 update of this article on the best hair styling tools for beach waves.

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The 6 Best Hair Wavers for Beachy Styles, Tested and Reviewed by Editors

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Top Hair Waver Tools of 2025

Amika High Tide Deep Wave Hair Crimper

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Trademark Beauty Babe Waves X Hair Waver

Beachwaver B1 Curling Iron

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Editor’s Choice: Top 3 Hair Waver Styling Tools of 2025

Amika High Tide Deep Wave Hair Crimper

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What to Consider When Shopping for the Best Beach Wave Hair Tools

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How We Tested & Selected the Best Hair Wave Styling Tools

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