Curling irons have come a long way over the years. I started out with a hand-me-down Conair titanium curling iron back in middle school, and never thought about buying another until some of the buttons stopped working (15 years later). When I looked into replacing my beloved curling iron, I was overwhelmed by all of the options, and didn’t know what to get.

I have fine, stick-straight hair, and it took me months to get my hair to hold a curl. To be honest, didn’t do much research when I bought my replacement - I just purchased what my hair stylist uses - but I struggled to replicate the results at home. It was then that I realized not all curing irons are the same, and what’s better for one hair type doesn’t work as well for the other.

Now that I’ve worked with both ceramic and titanium curling irons at a variety of price points, I’ve figured out the strengths and weaknesses of both (there’s no one clear winner; it really depends on what results you want and your hair type). Below, I’m breaking down everything in the hopes it helps you pick the best curling iron for you.

ceramic vs titanium curling iron

pros and cons of ceramic curling irons

pros

Ceramic curling irons heat more evenly than titanium curling irons. This reduces “hot spots” that can cause damage to your hair.
Ceramic irons emit negative ions AKA they help seal hair cuticles.
Also due to the negative ions: ceramic irons reduce frizz and boost shine, giving you a more polished, salon-like finish.
Ceramic irons are less likely to dry out or burn your hair.
Ceramic irons maintain the same temperature better than titanium irons, so you don’t have to adjust the settings as you curl.

cons

Ceramic irons typically take longer to heat up than titanium irons.
Ceramic irons are also more expensive.
The ceramic coating can wear off over time, especially on cheaper irons.
- To combat this, look for solid ceramic. It’s more expensive but may be worth it if you want your iron to last as long as possible.
If you have stick-straight hair, ceramic irons don’t hold a curl as well as titanium irons in my experience (regardless of how expensive or how hot the iron gets).

when to use a ceramic curling iron

I recommend using a ceramic curling iron if you want smooth, shiny curls. Ceramic irons give you a more polished look, so it’s my go -to for special events, when I know I’ll be taking photos, or if I know I’ll be in a more humid climate, since the ceramic coating acts like an anti-frizz mechanism.

I also tend to gravitate towards ceramic irons in the winter when I’m wearing a lot of wool or static-y clothing.

As far as hair types go, ceramic irons are best for fine, fragile, color-treated, and frizz-prone hair.

However, my stick-straight hair doesn’t hold the curl as well with ceramic irons, so if you also have straight hair and need long-lasting curls (or are training your hair to start holding a curl), I would recommend titanium instead.

My favorite ceramic curling iron is the T3 SinglePass Curl X 1” Ceramic Extra-Long Barrel Curling Iron. The Conair Double Ceramic Curling Iron is a great option at a (much) cheaper price, but my hair tends to snag on the screws by the clamp more often than I’d like. The T3 also has a better ceramic coating, which is why I prefer it.

pros and cons of titanium curling irons

pros

Titanium curling irons tend to get hotter quicker than ceramic irons.
Titanium curling irons are typically cheaper than ceramic irons (especially when you factor in solid ceramic irons).
Titanium curling irons work better on coarse, thick, and hard-to-curl hair.

cons

Titanium irons don’t distribute heat as evenly as ceramic irons; you need to be mindful and learn if your iron has “hot spots” that can result in burnt sections or hair damage.
Titanium irons can cause more damage; they are more drying and can cause breakage or frizz.
It may not seem this way, but titanium irons aren’t as sleek or smooth as ceramic irons. They can cause hair to snag, especially as the coating wears off.

when to use a titanium curling iron

Titanium curling irons work best on healthy, coarse, and thick hair. They’re also going to give you a better, long-lasting curl if you have hard-to-curl hair.

I recommend using a titanium curling iron for longer special events; the curl may not be as “polished” as with a ceramic iron, but it will last a lot longer.

One note: While you should always use one regardless of the hot tool, it’s especially important to use a heat protectant when you’re using a titanium curling iron. This will protect your hair from the random hot spots as well as overall heat damage, particularly if you’re using the titanium union to train your hair to hold a curl (which is what I did).

I love my Conair titanium curling iron. It’s cheap, works consistently, and my last model lasted me for 15 years without any issue. The new version works just as well as my old one did - I have a feeling this will last me another 15 years, to be honest. If you want something a little more elevated the BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium 1” Curling Wand is a long-time fan favorite.

what’s better: a ceramic or titanium curling iron?

Ceramic and titanium curling irons have pros and cons; you can’t go wrong with either, to be honest. That being said, here’s my advice:

Most people will benefit from a ceramic curling iron. It’s better for overall hair health, gives you polished curls, and heats up more evenly, which is key if you want to curl your hair regularly.

If you have stick-straight hair and are trying to get your hair to curl easier, use a titanium curling iron (but don’t forget to use a heat protectant - I compare a few of my favorites here). I also prefer a titanium curling iron if you’re only curling your hair once a week or every other week; the curl lasts longer than it does with a ceramic iron. If you have really thick, coarse hair, you may also find it easier to use a titanium iron instead of ceramic.

Regardless of which curling iron you choose, here are my tips for the heat setting:

250–300°F (120–150°C) for fine or damaged hair
300–350°F (150–175°C) for normal hair types
350–400°F (175–200°C) for coarse or extra-thick hair

I was honestly shocked by how hot curling irons get when I went to purchase my replacement. Hotter temps make it quicker to curl hair, but you don’t want to crank it to the highest setting, as that can cause damage.

While it was a bit of an adjustment trying new curling irons after having my old one for fifteen years, I learned a lot in the process and now really love the curling irons I have in my collection. Whether you choose ceramic or titanium, I hope this guide helps you.