No Heat, No Problem: We Tried 20 Heatless Curlers to Find the Ones That Worked Best While You Sleep (2024)

If you spend any time on TikTok, you’ve probably come across a whole slew of videos of people trying out heatless curlers. While the exact model differs from person to person, the concept is the same: Cylindrical cushions or headbands (often covered in satin or silk to protect the hair) that you wrap your hair around and let sit overnight. While you could use a hair dryer or a curling iron to achieve a similar result, the beauty of heatless curlers is that they’re, well, heat-free. So, if you’re looking to cut down on your use of hot tools or want to limit the damage you inflict on your hair, these are a great option to consider.

With a bunch of heatless curling methods to choose from—we’re talking cushions, headbands, flexi rods, and heatless curling ribbons—things can get a little confusing. So, we put upwards of 20 options to the test in our own homes several times over two weeks to figure out which ones are worth spending your money on. After trying them out ourselves, we enlisted the help of professional hairstylists to evaluate each heatless curler based on its ease of use, curl shape, comfort level while sleeping, and overall value. Ahead, we’re sharing which heatless curlers impressed us the most.

What We Like

  • Large rod works well with all hair lengths, especially long

  • Soft, silky material

  • Creates bouncy, smooth curls

What to Consider

  • Kinks can occur at ends where scrunchies fasten to the rod

Type: Long rod headband | Material: Silk | Additional Features: 2 silk hair ties, 1 clip, 1 cosmetic case

Capturing the top spot on this list (and in our hearts) is no easy feat, but the Silke London Heatless Curler impressed us the most during testing. The set comes with everything you’ll need to achieve voluminous curls: a long silk-covered rod, two silk hair ties, and a plastic clip, all housed in a cosmetic case for easy storage.

We loved how easy it was to work with (the hair ties and clips securely fasten hair in place) and, because the rod is somewhat pillowy, we felt comfortable sleeping with it. When the time came to remove the heatless rod, our hair fell right off without any tension, all thanks to the soft silk material that offered a nice, easy slip.

The final product: Bouncy, natural-looking curls that cascade from mid-lengths to the ends. Best of all, the curls lasted for the better part of a day, slowly becoming looser as the day went on. After using the heatless curler regularly, we came to appreciate how soft, shiny, and healthy our hair felt, and we do not doubt that it’ll become a permanent part of our hair styling routine going forward.

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What to Consider

  • Doesn’t come with clip to secure in place

Type: Long rod headband | Material: Silk | Additional Features: 2 silk hair scrunchies

For a more affordable option, allow us to introduce you to the Lilysilk iteration of the heatless curler. It’s similar to the Silke London model in that it’s a long, silk-covered rod that the hair is supposed to be wrapped around. The only difference is that it’s slightly more inexpensive and doesn’t come with the bells and whistles (aka clips that position hair in place), which you’ll have to get yourself. Nevertheless, we had a really great experience with this rod. It was easy to put on, but if you aren’t sure, we recommend checking out the brand’s website, which has a full-fledged tutorial on how to use it properly.

When we used it, our curls came out beautifully voluminous each time. We’d compare the final product to the way hair looks after using a curling iron with an inch-wide barrel. Not only did the curler prevent breakage (we never experienced any pulling or snagging), but it also helped cut down on time spent styling hair. We simply removed the rod and ruffled our curls around for max five minutes before heading out for the day. The ends were hard to predict (sometimes they looked a bit askew from the way they were tied up with the scrunchies), otherwise, we had great results. Also nice: We found that we were able to extend the time between washes by using this tool to keep hair looking fresh.

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What We Like

  • Comfortable for sleeping

  • Great for bouncy curls and beachy waves

  • Travels well

What to Consider

  • Takes a few tries to figure out how to install

Type: Ribbon | Material: Velour | Additional Features: N/A

Okay, yes, we’ll admit it: This heatless curling ribbon looks tricky to work with. But we promise, it’s not—you just have to get the hang of it. All you have to do is wrap your hair around the ribbon in sections, picking up more hair as you go and making sure you wrap it as tightly as possible for it to stay in place.

Once the hair is wrapped, you secure the ribbon at the top of your head. (Keep in mind that you don't have to wrap your hair perfectly for the curls to look pretty in the morning; our hair often looked messy going to bed but we still ended up loving the result.) All that to say, once you figure out how to do it, using the ribbon is easier and faster than a curling iron—not to mention way less damaging.

One tester brought this heatless curler on a trip in a carry-on and loved how compact it was when folded up. It took up as much space as a pair of socks and garnered results that rivaled a hot tool. She mentioned she got tons of compliments on her curls, even after a day-long wine-tasting adventure. If you ask us, that’s all the convincing we need.

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What We Like

  • Easy to use

  • Soft, spongy material feels comfortable when sleeping

  • Creates defined ringlets and tight curls

What to Consider

  • The foam shortens their longevity

Type: Flexi rods | Material: Sponge | Additional Features: Cosmetic carrying case

Short-haired folks who want some diy curling action, listen up: This set of flexi rods from Cozycurlers is designed specifically for you. Kind of like rollers, these foam cylinders ensure every piece of hair is locked in place.

To use it, you just roll a section of hair around a rod and secure it by placing the net around it. The whole process was relatively intuitive and we were able to put them in ourselves without instructions (but if you’re confused, check out the brand’s website, where you’ll find a whole page of videos that demo how to apply the curlers for different hairstyles, textures, and desired type of curl).

The rollers themselves are soft and spongey, so we found them pleasant to sleep in—they’d squish down against our pillow. We did have to be strategic about applying them in a way that wouldn’t interfere with our sleeping position (so side sleepers might not want to place a curler right in the area they lay on, for example), but our tight ringlet curls looked defined and well-shaped nonetheless. If you’re not into the tight ringlet look, rest assured that they fall after a few hours, giving way to looser, but still voluminous, curls.

The only downside is that, since the curlers are made of sponge, we don’t think they’re a forever product. Much like how you’d have to replace a dish or shower sponge, these would likely get stretched out or misshapen over time and tear with repeated use.

What We Like

  • Creates natural-looking waves

  • Smooth satin fabric

  • Offers lots of volume

What to Consider

  • Challenging to put in for first-timers

Type: Flexi rods | Material: Satin | Additional Features: N/A

We enjoyed our experience with the Kitsch flexi rods, despite not being the most beginner-friendly. Since they’re super smooth, it can be hard to keep the hair securely fastened, but once you learn how much hair to put on each rod and how to secure it properly, it becomes a lot easier.

When we took our hair out of the rods in the morning, our hair looked and felt soft and smooth—similar to how it does after using a hot tool to create loose waves. Best of all, it seemed to create more volume than we’re normally able to achieve with a curling iron, which we were pleasantly surprised by. So if you’re looking for mermaid-esque waves, this is a really good option for you.

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What We Like

  • Soft silk makes for painless removal

  • Creates nice waves and loose curls

  • Comfortable to sleep on

What to Consider

  • Curls can be misshapen on the side you sleep on

Type: Long rod | Material: Silk | Additional Features: 2 silk hair scrunchies, 1 clip

While most of the curlers on this list have silk or satin fibers, these were our favorite. Like a silk pillowcase, sleeping on genuine silk—a smooth, breathable fabric—can reduce the friction that leads to bedhead, kinks, and more. You’re also less likely to get hot while sleeping in curlers made with silk because silk’s natural fibers are temperature regulating.

We could glide our hair on and off the material with ease, and our locks had a soft, silky luster to them after using it (as opposed to being laden with flyaways and tension).

One thing to note: Because the curler is so silky, the hair on the side you sleep on can come undone. We ended up having to re-curl some pieces on the back of our heads (we slept on our backs) to ensure an even-looking curl across our entire head. Otherwise, our experience was positive. The loose curls framing our faces were especially pretty and helped day-old hair look freshly washed.

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What We Like

  • Combines several types of curlers in one

  • Fastens at the base of the head for extra hold

  • Comes with hair ties and a clip

What to Consider

  • We wish it was a bit longer

Type: Long rod headband | Material: Silk | Additional Features: 2 hair ties, 1 clip

We liked the look of this curler right off the bat; it combined several different types of curlers into one model—it has the soft, cylindrical shape of a rod with an added piece that connects at the base of the head for extra security (similar to a ribbon). While we did have to watch a tutorial video to get the curling process right, it was a breeze to assemble. Once the curler was secure—doing so took about five minutes—our hair stayed in place and looked really nice the next morning.

The one caveat to this curler is that the rod is on the shorter side. We would prefer for it to be slightly longer so that we could space the curls out a bit more. Because we had to tightly wind up our hair, the resulting curls were more corkscrew-y than we wanted them to be. However, after a few hours, the tight curls began to loosen, making way for more natural-looking curls.

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What We Like

  • Application technique similar to braiding hair

  • Works in a few hours

  • Can be worn during the day

What to Consider

  • Hair can slip around if not secured tightly

Type: Long rod headband | Material: Silk | Additional Features: 2 scrunchies, 1 clip

Folks looking for fine hair products to give texture and volume, meet the Invisibobble Heatless Curling Set. While you definitely need to secure the hair tightly, the silky material of the headband ensures that the process is relatively damage-free. And it works in an hour or two, which is also a plus (limiting the amount of time your hair has to spend tightly wound up).

The wrapping process is comparable to French braiding—so if you frequently braid your hair, this will be easy for you. If not, it’s simple: Take your hair around the rod, grabbing some more each time you wrap it around. Just be sure to secure your hair with the accompanying silk hair ties—otherwise, the hair will fall right out. Depending on how tight you wind the hair, you can achieve several different types of curls, from a corkscrew-like coil to a looser, mermaid-esque wave. Removal is easy, too, you just need to gently remove the hair ties and jiggle the headband at the top of your head before gently pulling it out.

It wasn’t the most comfortable curler to sleep in, so if you’re in the camp of people who find heatless curlers annoying to wear at night, this might be a good alternative for daytime use. With just two hours in the morning, you can theoretically curl your hair in the time it takes to apply skincare, and makeup, and make breakfast.

What We Like

  • Flatter shape more comfortable for certain sleeping positions

  • Creates lasting volume and hold

  • Natural-looking curls and waves

What to Consider

  • Doesn’t come with clip needed to secure at top of head

Type: Long rod headband | Material: Satin | Additional Features: 2 satin scrunchies

Side sleepers are probably wondering how exactly they’re supposed to sleep with a rod curled into their hair. Fear not: This uber-comfortable heatless foam curler from The Vintage Cosmetics Company has got you. Simply wrap hair around it French braid-style (like the one above), securing it at the bottom with the provided scrunchies. In our experience, adding a clip to secure the headband to the top of the head made all the difference, especially when it came to the way the curls looked come morning. If we slept without a clip at the top, the headband slipped around and created limp, messy curls.

What makes this such a great option for side sleepers is that it’s relatively flat (as compared to the more cylindrical shapes of other choices on this list) and doesn’t take up that much real estate on your head. Several side-sleeping editors tested this one and found that we could get a good night’s rest every time we used it. As for results, one editor slept with the heatless curler the night before a wedding and found that her hair stayed voluminous and frizz-free through a long ceremony and had to touch up the front pieces before heading to the reception, where the shape lasted all night.

What to Look for in Heatless Curlers

  • Curler Type: There are several different types of heatless curlers, spanning headbands and flexi rods to scrunchies and ribbons. The type you choose is ultimately up to you, but keep in mind that each one will garner different results. For example, if you’re looking for loose curls or waves, headbands or ribbons will be your best bet. Those seeking tighter curls will be better off with flexi rods, as these tend to form more defined spirals as opposed to waves.
  • Hair Length and Thickness: You should also consider your hair length and thickness before landing on a heatless curler. Those with short hair (aka hair that falls anywhere between the chin and the collarbone) will benefit most from heatless curlers designed specifically for shorter hair types. Those with long hair will need longer headbands or ribbons to accommodate for more hair. If you have thick hair, opt for thicker curlers or multiple rods for better hold, but if you have fine hair, we recommend a curler with satin or silk as these materials tend to be gentler and eliminate the tension that pulls and tugs at hair.
  • Additional Features: You should also consider the added features that come with each curler. Some come with clips or ties to help secure your hair in place, while others require you to find the clips you need to secure the curler yourself. We also suggest looking for an option made with washable, soft materials like silk or satin, so you can keep things clean and hygienic while also mitigating breakage.

FAQ

  • What are heatless curlers?

    Heatless curlers have been stirring up a buzz lately, but they’ve actually been around for quite some time now. As New York-based hairstylist Devin Toth previously told us, the technique—which involves wrapping your hair around something and letting it sit, forming a curl over time—has been a thing since fashion weeks of decades past. “Hairstylists would wrap hair around paper towels to set hair into waves; from there, salon stylists began using velcro rollers and people at home would hack it with a long sock or bathrobe belt,” he explains. What started as a fashion week insider hack became mainstream (thank you, #beautytok), and now there are plenty of user-friendly options on the market to choose from. Today’s varieties include long cylindrical cushions (often covered in a satin or silk material to protect the hair), as well as flexi rods, ribbons, and more.

  • How can heat styling hair cause damage or breakage?

    According to Friese, hot tools and blow dryers cause damage by evaporating the water inside the cortex of each individual hair. “High levels of heat can have a direct effect on the hair structure by breaking the bonds in the hair; once damaged, they can’t regenerate on a molecular level,” she explains. “Heat styling can also take color out of hair, making it look incorrect or inconsistent.”

  • How do you style hair with heatless curlers?

    “If your hair doesn’t curl very easily, I recommend using a mousse or texturizing spray before wrapping the hair in the curlers,” Friese explains. “If you have coarse or thick hair that holds a curl but you’re looking for a looser, wavier style, try a leave-in conditioner or smoothing style cream.” Regardless of your hair type, Friese says to add a light, brushable hairspray to set the hair once you remove the curlers to ensure it stays all day.

  • Should you use heatless curlers on wet or dry hair?

    Friese recommends starting with slightly damp hair (unlike some instructions, which say to start with wet hair). “If your hair is too wet, it may not dry completely overnight, causing the curls to fall out when you remove the curlers,” she says.

  • How do you comfortably sleep in heatless curlers?

    While comfort is relative and varies from person to person, it’s an important element to consider when shopping for an item you’ll literally be sleeping in. (After all, the last thing you want is to have a hard time falling asleep because of how uncomfortable you are!) Headbands tend to be popular for this reason—most are padded and are virtually undetectable. Flexi-rods can be comfortable, as long as you don’t place them smack-dab in the back of your head or directly on the side you sleep on (depending on your sleeping position). Scrunchies and ribbons are great choices too, but they can unravel while you sleep, causing annoyance in the middle of the night.

Why Trust Byrdie

Caitlyn Martyn is a commerce writer on staff at Byrdie, where she covers all things beauty and style. After years of bleaching and sizzling the daylights out of her hair with a flat iron, she invests a lot of time and energy into caring for her hair. One way she does this is by enlisting the help of heatless curlers to gently form waves and curls in her hair while she sleeps. She’s tried several different options, a few of which have made this list). For this story, she relied on her own experience as well as insights from our team of testers. She also interviewed an expert for this story, specifically:

  • Grethen Friese, a hairstylist and trichologist who has been in the industry for over 20 years. Friese serves as the go-to education authority on all things hair for Bosley MD, a hair loss solutions brand.
No Heat, No Problem: We Tried 20 Heatless Curlers to Find the Ones That Worked Best While You Sleep (2024)
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