Crimped hair is back in a real way in 2026 — it’s showing up on runways and all over TikTok as a callback to 90s and Y2K styling, and searches for crimping irons have picked up right along with it. But “crimper” now covers a much wider range of tools than the zigzag iron your mom used. Some picks on this list give you that classic tight crimp, others are built more for deep, defined waves, and a couple can do both depending on the plate shape. We compared current Amazon listings, brand spec sheets, and owner feedback to find five worth your money.
Quick verdict: The Hot Tools Pro Artist 24K Gold Crimping Iron at $44.99 is the best overall pick — it’s from a professional styling brand, has an 8-foot cord, and produces a clean, classic crimp. If you’re on a budget, the Bed Head A Wave We Go at $39.99 is the cheapest option here and its adjustable barrel switches between a soft wave and a deeper crimp. And if you want the most precise, even heat, the L’ANGE SculptWaver at $89.00 is worth the upgrade thanks to its titanium plates and built-in timer.
Quick Picks
Best OverallHot Tools Pro Artist 24K Gold Crimping Iron (1 in)$34.70as of Oct 11, 2026Read our take ↓
Budget PickBed Head A Wave We Go Tourmaline Ceramic Adjustable Hair Waver$39.99as of Oct 11, 2026Read our take ↓
Worth the UpgradeL'ANGE Hair SculptWaver Titanium Deep Wave Crimper$69.00as of Oct 11, 2026Read our take ↓Crimper or Wave Maker: What’s the Difference?
A true crimper has flat, ridged plates that press a tight, angular zigzag pattern into small sections of hair. A wave maker (sometimes sold as a “deep waver”) usually has a rounded or V-shaped barrel that presses a looser, more rolling wave into bigger sections. Some of the tools on this list, like the Wavytalk Power Wave, split the difference with deep V-shaped plates that land somewhere between the two. If you want the classic tight 90s crimp, look for flat plates like the Hot Tools pick. If you want texture that reads more like undone beach waves, a rounded barrel design like the TYMO ROVY works better.
When you’re comparing tools, pay attention to plate or barrel size (smaller plates make a tighter, more defined pattern; bigger ones make a looser wave and work faster on more hair), heat range (look for at least 400°F if you have thick or coarse hair, since that texture holds better at higher heat), and safety features like auto shut-off and a cool tip, especially if you tend to forget to unplug styling tools. A heat protectant is worth using with any of these, since they all apply direct, sustained heat to small sections of hair.
How We Evaluate
We rank these tools on plate or barrel design, heat range and control, safety features, owner-reported results, and price relative to what you get. Prices reflect live Amazon listings at publication and are subject to change.
Detailed Reviews
Hot Tools Pro Artist 24K Gold Crimping Iron (1 in)
Hot Tools has been a professional styling brand for decades, and the Pro Artist 24K Gold Crimping Iron is a straightforward, well-built tool that does the classic crimp job right. The 1-inch gold-plated plates are designed to distribute heat evenly and produce a defined, consistent zigzag pattern, and the 8-foot professional swivel cord gives you a lot more freedom to move around a mirror than most tools on this list. Heat goes up to 430°F, controlled by a rheostat dial rather than a digital display, so you’re estimating your exact temperature rather than reading it off a screen. There’s no listed auto shut-off, so it’s on you to remember to unplug it. At $44.99, it’s a reliable, no-frills pick backed by a brand with real professional credibility.
Bed Head A Wave We Go Tourmaline Ceramic Adjustable Hair Waver
If you just want to try crimping or waving without spending much, the Bed Head A Wave We Go is the easiest way in. Its adjustable barrel dial is the standout feature here — you can turn it to get anything from a soft, loose wave to a deeper crimp-style texture, so it effectively covers two tools in one. The tourmaline ceramic plates are designed to add shine and cut down on frizz, and it includes both an auto shut-off feature and a cool tip, which matters if you’re using it around kids or just tend to forget to unplug things. Its 3/4-inch barrel is narrower than the dedicated wave makers on this list, and its 400°F ceiling is the lowest of the group, so very coarse or resistant hair may need more passes to hold. At $39.99, it’s the clear budget pick.
L'ANGE Hair SculptWaver Titanium Deep Wave Crimper
The L’ANGE SculptWaver is the priciest tool here, and the titanium barrel is the reason why. Titanium plates are generally better than ceramic at spreading heat evenly across the whole surface, which matters for getting a consistent crimp pattern instead of hot spots and cold spots. It offers 5 heat levels from 280°F to 430°F and a built-in audible timer with 4 settings, so instead of guessing how long to hold a section, you get a beep telling you when it’s done. Negative ion technology is marketed to cut frizz and add shine as you go. The 1-inch barrel version reviewed here is on the smaller side, which means more sections and more time if you have long or thick hair — a 1.3-inch version is sold separately if that’s a dealbreaker. At $89.00, it’s a real investment, but it’s the pick for anyone who crimps or waves their hair often enough to want salon-level consistency.
Wavytalk Power Wave Hair Crimper
The Wavytalk Power Wave takes a different approach with 35mm deep V-shaped plates instead of flat crimping plates, and the result is noticeably more defined, high-volume texture than a standard crimper produces. It runs 8 heat settings between 280°F and 420°F with a smart timer that holds each section for 4 to 10 seconds, and dual-channel negative ion vents are built into the design to keep heat from getting trapped against your hair as you style. It’s become a favorite among beauty creators for the amount of texture and root lift it produces in a single pass. Pricing swings a fair amount depending on color and whether it’s bundled with other Wavytalk tools, so it’s worth checking the current listing before you buy. It’s also a bit bulkier in the hand than the more compact picks on this list. Expect to pay somewhere between $57.97 and $79.99 depending on the listing.
TYMO ROVY Beach Waves Hair Curler (3-Barrel Crimper)
The TYMO ROVY leans further toward “wave maker” than “crimper,” using a 3-barrel ceramic design that presses in a looser, more natural-looking wave rather than sharp zigzag lines. It’s the fastest tool here to heat up, thanks to a PTC heating element that’s ready in about 30 seconds, and its 9 heat settings span the widest range on this list, from 248°F up to 450°F, so it adjusts well whether your hair is fine or coarse. Full-wrap insulation around the barrels is designed to keep your fingers away from the hot plates while you work close to the root. The 3-barrel shape is genuinely a downside if you want a tight, defined crimp specifically — it’s built for waves, not crimps — and it takes up more drawer space than a flat 2-plate iron. At $49.97, it’s a solid pick if beachy waves are more your goal than a retro crimp texture.
FAQ
Will a hair crimper damage my hair? Any direct-heat styling tool can cause damage with repeated high-heat use, and crimpers are no exception since they hold heat against small sections of hair. Using a heat protectant spray, keeping the temperature no higher than your hair type needs, and giving your hair breaks between heat-styling sessions all help limit the damage over time.
What temperature should I use for crimping? Fine or color-treated hair generally does best around 280°F to 330°F, normal hair around 350°F to 390°F, and thick or coarse hair can usually handle 400°F and up. Start on the lower end of your hair type’s range and only increase if the crimp isn’t holding.
Do crimped waves last longer than curls from a curling iron? Crimped texture tends to hold up well through a day of wear, especially compared to loose curls, because the tight pattern has more surface area gripping onto itself. A light-hold hairspray after styling helps it last even longer, particularly if your hair is fine or slippery.
Can I use a crimper on wet hair? No. Every tool on this list is a heat-styling tool meant for dry hair. Applying high heat to wet or even damp hair can cause the water in each strand to boil, which leads to far more damage than styling dry hair at the same temperature.
Is a wave maker the same as a curling iron? Not quite. A curling iron wraps hair around a barrel to form round curls, while a wave maker presses a flatter, more rolling wave pattern into the hair using two plates or a shaped barrel. If you want defined ringlets, a curling iron is the better tool — see our roundup of the best curling irons for fine hair for options.
The Bottom Line
The Hot Tools Pro Artist 24K Gold Crimping Iron at $44.99 is the best overall pick for most people — it’s backed by a real professional brand, has an unusually long cord, and produces a clean, classic crimp. If money’s tight, the Bed Head A Wave We Go at $39.99 is the easiest way to try crimping without much commitment, and its adjustable barrel means you’re not locked into one look. For anyone who wants the most even heat and the least guesswork, the L’ANGE SculptWaver at $89.00 is worth the upgrade.
The Wavytalk Power Wave and TYMO ROVY both round out the list with more wave-focused designs if a defined crimp isn’t really what you’re after. Whichever you pick, always run a heat protectant through your hair first — check our best heat protectants for daily styling if you need one. And if crimping ends up feeling like too much heat for your routine, our guide to heatless curl kits is worth a look for a lower-damage alternative.
| Spec | Hot Tools Pro Artist 24K Gold Crimping Iron (1 in) $34.70as of Oct 11, 2026 9 | Bed Head A Wave We Go Tourmaline Ceramic Adjustable Hair Waver $39.99as of Oct 11, 2026 8.4 | L'ANGE Hair SculptWaver Titanium Deep Wave Crimper $69.00as of Oct 11, 2026 8.9 | Wavytalk Power Wave Hair Crimper $54.99-$79.99as of Oct 11, 2026 8.3 | TYMO ROVY Beach Waves Hair Curler (3-Barrel Crimper) $49.97as of Oct 11, 2026 8.1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| plates | 1-inch 24K gold-plated crimping plates | Tourmaline ceramic coating | — | 35mm deep V-shaped plates | — |
| heat | Up to 430°F with a rheostat dial | Up to 400°F across 6 heat settings | 5 heat levels, 280°F to 430°F | 8 settings, 280°F to 420°F | 9 settings, 248°F to 450°F |
| cord | 8-foot professional swivel cord | — | — | — | — |
| bestFor | Classic tight crimps and root volume on any hair type | — | — | — | — |
| Rating | 9 | 8.4 | 8.9 | 8.3 | 8.1 |
Prices change daily — tap Check Price for the current Amazon price.
Prices change daily — tap Check Price for the current Amazon price.