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The 9 Best Hot Rollers for Perfect Curls and Volume in Minutes
Your grandma knows this trick.
On the endless hunt to achieve a bombshell ’90s blowout, there are many tools at our disposal, but hot rollers are the underrated superstar. Yes, you can reach for a curling iron, a hair dryer brush, or even a good old-fashioned round brush, but the set-it-and-forget-it rollers make achieving voluminous bounce a breeze.
When you think of hot rollers, you might automatically think of an old set in your mother’s medicine cabinet that burned your hair and gave you a wonky curl pattern. Newer versions of hot rollers, however, are anything but your mother’s old castaways. The best hot rollers can give you a good hair day in a flash.
Keep reading for the best hot rollers of 2025, with picks from editors and expert celebrity hairstylist David Lopez.
Pros
- Affordable
- Quick
Cons
- May not be suited for long hair
It only takes five minutes to see results from this hot roller set. Because lower heat is distributed evenly over a longer period of time, you’re really locking in a style, so it will last for days.
Numbers of rollers included: 10
Barrel sizes: 1”, 1.25”
Amazon rating: 4.3/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “I think these hot rollers are great! They’re way less damaging than a flat iron, and I think once I learn how to use them properly, they’ll give great volume and that blowout look that is super in right now.”
Drybar The Roller Club Curling Hot Hair Rollers
Pros
- Ceramic barrels evenly distribute heat
Cons
- Not ideal for thick hair
This set of hot rollers has ceramic barrels that work to evenly distribute heat through the hair, so you can ensure that each ringlet will be consistent in shape. The barrels are slightly longer, so they can work on longer hair and larger sections.
Numbers of rollers included: 10
Barrel sizes: 1.25", 1.5"
Sephora Rating: 4.3/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “These rollers are great for creaseless curls. They last for a long time, and the ceramic barrels really help your curls look more uniform throughout. My only qualm is that with ten rollers, you can’t even come close to doing your whole head if you have thick hair like I do.”—Katie Berohn, beauty editor
T3 Volumizing Hot Rollers
Pros
- Velvet-covered
- Gentle
Cons
- Pricey
Lopez is a fan of these rollers because “the velvet flocking doesn’t tug or pull on the hair and also seals in incredible shine.”
Numbers of rollers included: 8
Barrel sizes: 1.5”, 1.75”
Sephora Rating: 3.4/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “If I want to go above and beyond with my hair, I’ll pop in a few of these hot rollers. They work quickly, and my curls don’t fall when I use them (which sometimes happens when I just style my hair with a blow-dry brush). They’re great finishers when you want more volume, too.”—Berohn, beauty editor
BaBylissPro Nano Titanium Roller Hairsetter
Pros
- Adds volume
Cons
- Can be a learning curve for some
With 20 rollers in a set, even folks with thick hair will be able to cover a full head in these easy-to-use rollers. They come in small, medium, and large-sized barrels so you can vary the sizes of your curls for an effortlessly natural bend.
Numbers of rollers included: 20
Barrel sizes: .75”, 1”, 1.25”
Amazon rating: 4.2/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “These work great. I have so much volume. Would def recommend this item.”
Caruso Professional Molecular 30-Piece Multiple Size Steam Hair Setter
Pros
- Works on fine hair
- Many roller sizes
Cons
- Each roller heats up individually
This unique system uses steam to heat rollers individually. Wait for a roller to steam up, take it to a section of hair, clip it, and repeat all over your head. It’s quick and, most importantly, damage-free.
Numbers of rollers included: 30
Amazon rating: 4/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “I’ve used Caruso Curlers for over 15 years and they’re great. There are 4 roller sizes, which is great for tight or loose curls. The steam heat adds shine and makes the hair soft. Best of all it takes no longer than 15-20 to set the curls. Great product!”
Pros
- Comes with 20 rollers
Cons
- Can tug on the hair
With 20 rollers, this set is perfect for anyone with a ton of hair who wants bouncy curls. You can be sure that you won’t miss a spot with a set this big.
Numbers of rollers included: 20
Barrel sizes: .75”, 1”, 1.25”
Amazon rating: 4.2/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “I really searched for the right hot rollers for a while and thought I’d give these a try. I love that they are sponge and very comfortable to wrap.”
Pros
- Easy to use
Cons
- Can take a long time to style
If you’re looking for a voluminous, slightly wavy look, go for jumbo rollers. The barrel is 1.5” thick, so it’ll yield a ton of body in a flash.
Numbers of rollers included: 12
Barrel size: 1.5”
Ulta Rating: 3.7/5
An Ulta reviewer says: “I was so excited to find these, I absolutely love them. I plug them in the minute I get up so they’ll be nice and hot, roll my hair, leave them in finishing up my morning until I’m ready to leave then take them out. I run my fingers through my hair, and they give me the perfect beach waves I was looking for!”
Pros
- Infused with keratin and argan oil
Cons
- Curlers can be difficult to remove from the set
These rollers are infused with argan oil and keratin, which promote frizz-free, smooth, and shiny curls. They also have a dual-heating technology—not only are the rollers heated, but so are the clips.
Numbers of rollers included: 20
Barrel size: 1-1/4”, 1”
Amazon Rating: 4.1/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “These rollers tame and control my frizz, make my hair smooth and shiny without additional products to buy, and the bouncy waves and curls last for days.”
Pros
- Comes with multiple barrel shapes
- Textured barrels grip hair easily
Cons
- Can be hard to use
If you’re looking to try out hot rollers but don’t know what size and aren’t totally committed to the lifestyle, grab this compact variety pack. In this set you get eight medium, six large, and six jumbo rollers that won’t take up too much space in your bathroom.
Numbers of rollers included: 20
Barrel sizes: .75”, 1”, 1.25”
Amazon rating: 4.2/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “I’ve been using this for months, and it’s reliable! I love how it curls the hair of my daughter!”
How long should you keep in hot rollers to avoid damaging hair?
If you want to use less heat on your hair when you style it, hot rollers are ideal. “You can’t leave hot rollers in long enough to damage your hair. In terms of heat damage, it’s fool-proof,” Lopez says. “It takes an average of 12 minutes to cool down, although I have seen results after five minutes. For style longevity, leave in the hair for about 15 minutes to get the style retention you’re looking for.”
How do you prep your hair for hot rollers?
Rough-drying your hair to start is key, Lopez suggests. “I like to use the T3 Cura Luxe on low speed and high heat while rough-drying in order to keep the elasticity of the hair,” he says. “Once dry, prep the hair with a medium styling mousse. The heat from the rollers will activate this mousse and give the look a stronger memory. Finally, before I wrap each section around the hot rollers, I spray with hairspray and brush through.”
Can all hair types use hot rollers?
Great news: almost everyone can benefit from hot rollers. “Although for curly and natural hair types, you want to smooth hair first and then use the hot rollers,” Lopez insists. “The hot rollers won’t straighten or completely smooth out naturally curly hair.”
What are the best tips and tricks for using hot rollers?
“Sometimes, I wrap the hair around the rollers like I would an iron because it can give you more of a loose wave look,” Lopez says. “If you have long hair, pick up a one-inch roller and wrap a section around the roller like a curling iron and clip it vertically. Once cool, release the roller and you will achieve a long, loose curl.”
Are hot rollers better than curling irons?
Hot rollers are a great choice if you’re looking for a quick and easy way to add curl and volume to your hair. While curling irons can require a little more skill, you do get more versatility with a curling iron. As for which one is better, it all depends on your personal preference! “With hot rollers, I have greater control over style longevity and bounce of the hair. It’s also extremely gentle on the hair, so it’s great if you’re worried about hair damage: color-treated hair, over-processed hair, etc.,” says Lopez. “Although they are extremely gentle, you still get a big result!”
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