Our Testers Say These 9 Hot Roller Sets Delivered the Bouncy Waves of Their Dreams (2024)

TL;DR

The Conair Xtreme Big Curls Hairsetter set is our favorite because the rollers heat up quickly, are easy to use, and are comfortable to wear. Not to mention, these rollers deliver some beautifully voluminous curls. The Remington Shine Therapy Hair Setter hot rollers are an excellent choice for a loser beach wave look.

Our Top Picks

Material: Ceramic | Amount: 12 | Diameter: 1.5 inches | Features: Velvet flocking, metal pins and clips included, ready signal light on base

We tried some pretty amazing hot rollers throughout our test, but this set delivered in all the best ways. The ceramic roller set heats up in under two minutes, is easy to use (even if you’re a beginner), and doesn’t pull or tug at the hair. Not to mention, it delivers some serious volume.

While using these rollers, our tester was blown away by the transformation of his usually straight hair. His curls were big, bouncy, and full of volume, and since all 12 rollers in the set are 1.5 inches in diameter, all of his curls were consistent in size and shape. However, depending on your hairstyle and length, a one-size roller set may not be ideal, so keep this in mind when shopping.

Mikey, tester with straight hair: “Hello volume! I'm in love with these rollers. They’re perfect for those big, bouncy, beautiful curls. They heated up in less than two minutes, and my newly voluminous hair followed shortly after."

Material: Ceramic titanium | Amount: 20 | Diameter: 0.75, 1, 1.25 inches | Features: Velvet flocking, butterfly wire clips, infrared heating

If you have lots of layers, meaning your hair is different lengths, this set has you covered with 20 rollers in three sizes. The ceramic titanium roller set includes six 0.75-inch rollers, six 1-inch rollers, and eight 1.25-inch rollers—perfect for long and short layers. The rollers also feature velvet flocking (a velvet coating) to help them stay in place, and the set includes claw clips and J clips, so you can use whatever works best for you.

Our tester especially appreciated the set’s intuitive container. It features a light that indicates when the rollers are fully heated, an easy on/off button, a sturdy top, and a little compartment on each end for storing the J clips (note there is not a storage space for the clips, however).

While she loved the design and found that the varying sizes created a dimensional, bouncy look, she noted that even though they’re designed to safely hold when they’re hot, the heat was uncomfortable to the touch.

Brittany, tester with type 1 hair: “These rollers did a great job creating different types of curls—the smaller ones produced a tighter, bouncier look, while the bigger ones produced loose, flowy curls.”

Material: Ceramic titanium | Amount: 5 | Diameter: 1.5 inches | Features: Compact container, velvet flocked, fast heat-up

The BabylissPRO Nano Titanium Professional Hot Rollers are lightweight and comfortable, making them ideal for someone with fine hair. Our tester, who has fine, thinner hair, was happy to find that these rollers didn’t cause tugging, pulling, or discomfort while wearing them. She also found the set very easy to use and didn’t experience any slipping when rolling up her hair.

This compact set includes five 1.5-inch diameter ceramic titanium rollers. Although they’re fairly large, five rollers might not be enough if you have thick hair, which is another reason we recommend this for those with fine hair. The larger rollers delivers big, bouncy curls, so if you want to make your hair appear more voluminous, we recommend giving this one a go.

Ashley, tester with fine, straight hair: “I was able to get a good amount of volume from the rollers, which is always what I’m after with hair products since my hair is naturally really flat. The rollers heat evenly and cool relatively quickly (without sacrificing curl).”

Material: Ceramic | Amount: 16 | Diameter: 1.25, 1.5, 1.75 inches | Features: Far-infrared heat, silicone heat mat included, a drawer for pin storage

Putting your hair in hot rollers takes some practice, but these are some of the easiest to use, no matter your experience level. Unlike most hot roller sets, this one has a straightforward vertical standing base without any bells or whistles (bonus: it takes up less counter space). It also includes a removable heat-resistant silicone mat where our tester liked to set her rollers as she worked.

With this set, you get 16 rollers in three sizes and color-coded metal clips to hold the rollers in place. Our tester loved the different-sized curls she got from this set and noticed that her roots had more lift after taking the rollers out, resulting in a more voluminous look. Overall, we love this set—but it’s worth noting that the vertical standing base isn’t great for travel.

Ashley, tester with type 2, wavy, curly hair: “These rollers are very easy to use and would be suitable for beginners. I loved the different sizes and the pins that made it very easy to secure each roller without creasing my hair.”

Material: Ceramic | Amount: 10 | Diameter: 1.5, 1.25 inches | Features: Fast heat-up base, 10 creaseless clips, heat-resistant bag

If your primary goal is volume, look no further than The Roller Club Curling Hot Hair Rollers from Drybar. Our tester, who has fine, flat hair, was amazed at how much volume these rollers created. She was pleased to find that her hair still had more bounce than usual, even by the evening after some of the volume fell.

This set includes ten rollers in two sizes: four 1.5-inch and six 1.25-inch. All the rollers are three inches long, allowing you to wrap more hair per roller. The set also includes 10 creaseless clips to secure your rollers in place and a heat-resistant bag for storage and travel. We loved nearly everything about these rollers, but it’s worth mentioning that they’re on the heavier side, which isn’t ideal if you have super fine hair or a sensitive scalp.

Ashley, tester with type 1, fine, straight hair: “I was very impressed with the amount of body the rollers gave my otherwise pretty limp hair. I mostly got volume (like a blowout), but if you’re someone with long hair, I think you could get some loose curls or waves that would look really pretty.”

Material: Ceramic | Amount: 8 | Diameter: 1.5, 2, 2.25 inches | Features: Self-grip

The Kitsch Thermal Hair Rollers are priced under $15, making this the most budget-friendly hot roller set on our list. What’s different about these rollers (besides the price) is that they don’t come with a base; you heat them up manually with your hair dryer. Simply roll them into your almost fully dry hair, finish it up with your hair dryer, remove the rollers, and voila! Inexpensive, easy, and, based on our tester’s experience, effective.

Our tester was impressed by how much volume these rollers gave his hair and said he easily implemented them into his daily routine by letting them set while he focused on his skincare. The set includes eight rollers in three large sizes (1.5 inches, 2 inches, and 2.25 inches), and since they have a self-grip design, there are no clips needed to keep them in place.

Mikey, tester with straight hair: “These rollers add a nice boost of volume to the hair. They’re heatless, but you are able to apply heat with a blow-dryer once they’re in to really lock in the volume.”

Material: Ceramic | Amount: 10 | Diameter: 1, 1.25 inches | Features: Compact container, 90-second heat-up

It’s not uncommon for hot rollers to feel heavy, sharp, or just generally uncomfortable in the hair, which is why we were thrilled by how comfortable these felt while using them. Our tester noted how lightweight these rollers felt, and she appreciated they didn’t droop or slip out of her fine, straight strands. She was also impressed by how quickly the rollers heated up—they only took 90 seconds—though the tips remained cool enough that she never feared burning her fingertips. Lastly, she loved that the case is compact and doesn’t take up a lot of space on her bathroom counter.

Overall, this is an excellent set, but remember to unplug the base when you’re done because it does not have a manual on/off switch or auto shut-off. Also, it’s worth noting that they didn’t create the most long-lasting curls, so we recommend setting your style in place with hairspray to enhance longevity.

Brittany, tester with type 1 hair: “The rollers are comfortable and don’t feel heavy, the tips don’t burn your hands, and they offer great volume to your roots and bounce to your ends.”

Material: Ceramic | Amount: 20 | Diameter: 1, 1.25 inches | Features: Argan oil and keratin-treated ceramic barrels, ceaseless clip design, 2 different sizes

This set has you covered if you’re looking to achieve the perfect beach wave. Our tester used 15 of the 20 rollers in the set to wrap her curly hair, and once she removed the rollers and let the curls fall a bit, she ended up with beautiful soft, loose waves that remained intact. She noted that these rollers get hotter than others she’s tried, which she thinks contributed to her long-lasting waves. She also highlighted how light and comfortable the rollers felt once secured in her hair, and how easy they were to use.

This set includes specially designed clips that hold the rollers in place without causing creases or kinks. Additionally, these ceramic rollers are treated with argan oil and keratin, which add a little extra luster and shine to enhance your style all the more.

Ashley, tester with curly, thin hair: “I love the beachy waves it gave my curls. My curls were soft, subtle, and held great. The medium-sized roller provided a lot of volume and lift. The larger hot rollers gave me some volume, but not as much as the medium curler.”

Material: Ceramic, aluminum | Amount: 8 | Diameter: 1.5, 1.75 inches | Features: Velvet flocking, crease-free clips, cool-touch ends, two heat settings, auto-shutoff

These hot rollers are lightweight, compact, and come packaged in a small case, making them the perfect choice for packing in a suitcase. The set includes eight rollers, four 1.75 inches and four 1.5 inches in diameter, which seems like the right amount for travel. Our tester found that the larger size rollers delivered ample volume and bouncy waves, while the smaller size created tighter, more defined curls. She noted that the rollers heated up evenly and were comfortable once secured in her hair, though she wishes the clips were designed differently so they held the hair better without causing indentations.

Something unique about this set is that it offers two heat settings—a feature we particularly like because you can select the proper option for your hair type. On the highest heat setting, the rollers get hot enough to give your hair lasting curls, but our tester suggests using extra caution or wearing heat-resistant gloves when putting them in if you’re sensitive to heat.

Ashley, tester with type 2, wavy hair: “I like how compact this set is and how hot the rollers get and stay while in use. I would recommend this product to anyone looking for a compact set that's easy to use at home and also to travel with.”

FAQ

• Should I use a heat protectant with hot rollers?

  Nino stresses the importance of using a heat protectant to prevent damage like dryness, split ends, and breakage. She also notes that a heat protectant will preserve moisture and “keep your curls looking smooth and shiny while protecting the overall integrity of your hair.”

• How do you use hot rollers?

  It’s always best to follow the instructions for the specific set you’re using, but generally, this is what you’ll want to do: Wait until the rollers are properly heated, then wrap sections of hair around each one. Leave them in until completely cooled, then use a boar bristle brush to break up the curls and achieve a smooth, sleek finish, says Nader.

• How long do you leave hot rollers in?

  Heating times vary among sets, but hot rollers usually take at least 10 minutes and typically a half-hour at maximum. For the best results, leave them in until they’ve cooled completely.

• How do you use hot rollers on short hair?

  According to Nader, the rule of thumb is: "The smaller the roller, the tighter the result." However, if you have only a few inches of hair, you won’t be able to wrap it completely around a larger barrel. In other words, smaller rollers are generally best for shorter hair.

• Are hot rollers better than curling irons?

  Not better, just different. “I would suggest using hot rollers when you want to add volume and create soft, bouncy curls, especially for a classic, glamorous style,” says Nino. A curling iron is a good choice if you’re aiming for waves or a more defined curl pattern.