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These Hair Wavers Deliver the Volume of Your Dreams
Effortless beach waves are just a few stamps away.
While I’m not a huge fan of Aquamarine (sorry, Emma Roberts), there’s one thing from the staple tween film that’s stuck with me all these years later. And no, I’m not talking about the DIY teal mini dress or the starfish earrings that whisper compliments into your ears. Rather, it’s Sara Paxton’s effortless beach waves. Her character’s flowing tresses fall somewhere in between a polished loose curl and the crimped styles of the ’80s. While it may have taken me over a decade, I’ve finally figured out exactly how to replicate the voluminous surfer-chic ’do, and all I needed was a hair waver.
Designed to deliver soft, lived-in texture without the high-maintenance styling time of traditional curlers, hair wavers offer an easy shortcut to that perfectly tousled look. They utilize the barrel design of your favorite curling irons and wands to deliver deep S-waves in record time. “Unlike curling irons that create curls or flat irons that smooth the hair, a waver presses the hair between ridged barrels to create consistent, ripple-like waves from root to end,” explains Carrie Prowant, a certified trichologist and hair extension specialist. She adds that the innovative tool boosts volume and generally lasts longer than traditional curls, too.
My favorite part? It seriously takes seconds and works on all hair types and textures. Whether you want to amplify your natural curls, add volume to fine, straight strands, or zhuzh up your go-to wavy style, a hair waver can live up to the task. To find the best options out there, I’ve tested top sellers, tapped Prowant, and scanned through dozens of customer reviews. Ahead, shop the best hair wavers of 2025.
Pros
- Negative ion technology seals the cuticle
Cons
- Can damage hair if held down for too long
The Amika High Tide Deep Waver is Prowant’s favorite on the market. “The rounded clamp minimizes creasing, has a 30-minute auto shut-off, and uses infrared heat to lock in moisture for less frizziness,” she says.
Barrel size: 0.7 inch
Temperature: 120°F–390°F
Amazon rating: 4.6/5
An Amazon reviewer says: “I love my Amika waver—it gives me perfect beachy waves and total mermaid hair vibes! Super easy to use and the results last all day.”
Pros
- Easy to change attachments
Cons
- Hair can get stuck in between base and attachment
As a beauty writer living in a tiny NYC apartment, my vanity drawers just can’t keep up with the amount of products and tools I use. Fortunately, Drybar created a one-stop-shop curling iron—complete with a curling iron, wand, and of course, a hair waver.
Barrel size: 0.75 inch waver, 1 inch wand, 1.25 inch curling iron
Temperature: Up to 450°F
Ulta rating: 3.8/5
An Ulta reviewer says: “I am super impressed with this 3-in-1 combo! It’s super easy to interchange which tool you're using and it heats up quickly. I really love the results I get with the beach wave attachment.”
Pros
- Budget-friendly
Cons
- Tight clamp can be more damaging
The Sheglam Beach Babe Hair Waver combines the sleek benefits of a flat iron with the effortless texture of a hair waver. It heats up incredibly fast, leaves no dents, and is so quick and easy to clamp along to each strand.
Barrel size: 1 inch
Temperature: 270°F —410°F
Amazon rating: 4.6/5
An ELLE editor says: “The Sheglam Beach Babe Hair Waver really surprised me. I expected the clamp design to leave more dents, but was met with a fully dent-free hairdo. In fact, the clamp made waving my strands even easier to execute than typical barrels, since it really grips each section. Even on a low heat setting, five seconds seemed to be the sweet spot for perfectly tousled beach waves.”—Emma Aerin Becker, associate beauty e-commerce writer.
Pros
- Comes with hand mitten
Cons
- Slightly heavier than other brands
If you desire waves so natural they look like you just woke up—but way more polished, of course—try the BondiBoost Wave Wand 3-Barrel Hair Waver. The 1.25-inch barrels are noticeably larger than those of other brands, and deliver chic, loose curls with minimal effort.
Barrel size: 1.25 inches
Temperature: 175°F —410°F
Sephora rating: 4.4/5
A Sephora reviewer says: “I am obsessed with this waver. What’s nice is that you can alter the temperature unlike other brands, and it comes with a hand mitten to make sure you don’t burn yourself and gives you the most beautiful waves. My hair doesn’t hold curls at all but with the waver it held all day even through my workout! I give this a 10/10. I’m also a hairstylist and I love using it on my clients to give them beachy waves.”
Pros
- Ionic ceramic barrels protect hair from heat damage
Cons
- May dent at the roots
When it comes to hair wavers, the smaller the barrels, the tighter the waves. Mermade Hair’s Cutie Pro Waver offers up three barrels under one inch in size, so you can achieve the fresh-out-of-the-ocean curls you’ve been craving.
Barrel size: 0.9 inches
Temperature: 180°F —410°F
Mermade rating: 4.9/5
A Mermade reviewer says: “I love the Mermade Hair Cutie Pro Waver! It’s the perfect size for achieving beautiful, effortless waves. The smaller 22mm barrels give me a more defined, natural look that lasts all day. The lilac color is super cute and adds a fun pop to my hair tools collection. It heats up quickly and is easy to use, even for someone like me who isn’t a hair pro. This waver has become my go-to for creating flawless, beachy waves without the frizz. Highly recommend”
Pros
- Great for thick, coarse hair
Cons
- Tricky to blend waves together
The Hot Tools Pro Artist 24K Gold 3 Barrel Hair Waver is perfect for those with extra-thick hair that needs a little more heat. The gold–plated barrels reach up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit—ideal for coarser strands and long-lasting curls. Just don’t forget a heat protectant!
Barrel size: 1 inch
Temperature: Up to 450°F
Amazon rating: 4.4/5
An Amazon reviewer says: “I love this tool!! It is easy to use and gives my hair the perfect wave look. I have very thick hair and it works great on it. Heats up in just a few seconds.”
Pros
- No clamp
Cons
- Can't change the temperature
If you’re already comfortable using a wand to curl your hair but are looking for a softer wave, Prowant recommends the GHD Classic Wave Oval Curling Wand. “It reduces frizz and adds shine, heats up fast, and creates romantic waves” courtesy of the unique oval shape.
Barrel size: 1.5inches
Temperature: Preset to 365°F
Sephora rating: 3.8/5
A Sephora reviewer says: “This oval shape gives interesting curls that look very textured. I find it looks best when you alternate directions between sections of hair. GHD tools are always top quality, and quick and easy to use. I like it!”
How to use a heat waver
First, you want to “make sure the hair is completely dry and prepped with a heat protectant,” says Prowant. “My favorite is the Keranique Strengthening Leave-In—it’s a great primer and adds shine to the waves.”
Next, divide your hair into three sections—top, middle, and bottom—using clips. Once the waver is heated to your desired temperature, “position the waver near the roots, leaving a small gap if you want softer volume, and clamp it down for five to 10 seconds.”
Release and move the waver down the strand, aligning the barrels with the last wave to create a continuous pattern. Continue down the hair shaft to the ends, ensuring even tension. Repeat the process across all your strands—and voilà!
Do hair wavers work on all hair textures?
Absolutely! “Hair wavers work well on all hair types, but may yield different results,” explains Prowant. On straight hair, the waver creates visible S-waves that hold well—especially with heat protectant and texture spray. For coarse, thick hair, the tool adds structure and definition, but may require higher heat and smaller sections for even results.
For naturally wavy hair, it enhances and defines the waves for a polished yet beachy finish. On curly hair, the tool “can be used to loosen curls into waves if hair is smoothed first, or to create uniform wave patterns.” Finally, wavers add volume and texture to fine hair, but “use lower heat to avoid damage.”
Meet the Expert
Carrie Prowant is a hair stylist, certified trichologist, and hair extension specialist.
Why Trust ELLE Beauty?
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, beauty writer Emma Aerin Becker interviewed a hair stylist and tested different variations to find the best hair wavers.
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