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We spent 30 hours testing hot rollers to see which sets create the best curls.

The Conair Jumbo and Super Jumbo 12 Piece Hair Setter showing both sizes of rollers

Credit:Southern Living

In This Article

Southern Living

Southerners know how to handle the heat.

Thats why we use hot rollers to get perfect curls every time.

Knowing where to start can be tricky if youve never used hot rollers before.

Amazon Conair Jumbo and Super Jumbo Ceramic Hot Rollers

Credit: Amazon

Karla Whiteis a hairstylist and owner of the Haven and Mane salon in Athens, Georgia.

I use them to set hair before doing an up style for a wedding a lot, White said.

Whether you have fine or thick hair, these sets will give you beautiful, voluminous curls.

A person before and after styling their hair with the Conair Jumbo and Super Jumbo 12 Piece Hair Setter

Credit: Southern Living

The rollers get hot fast, and the curls they create last all day.

This set is also easy to use.

This was our testers first time using hot rollers, and she ended up with lovely, voluminous curls.

The back of a person’s head before and after using the Conair Jumbo and Super Jumbo 12 Piece Hair Setter

She found the rollers to be comfortable without pulling or tugging at the hair.

There was also volume added to the top of her hair.

With a small amount of hair spray, the curls fell to a nice wave throughout the day.

A hand holding a Conair Jumbo and Super Jumbo 12 Piece Hair Setter above the set on a marble surface

This tester felt like touchups werent needed, even though her hair did have somefrizz due to humidity.

The two roller-size options make it usable for a variety of hair types.

At $40, its a great budget-friendly product, especially for beginners.

The back of a person’s head wearing the Conair Jumbo and Super Jumbo 12 Piece Hair Setter

Later, she set the curls with hair spray.

She did have some issues while applying the rollers to her hair.

The tester also smelled a chemical odor as the rollers were heating.

An overhead view of the Conair Jumbo and Super Jumbo 12 Piece Hair Setter

After four hours, our testers curls did begin to fall, but were still visible with volume.

Users with thinner hair would likely have an easier time with the clips and would experience more curl definition.

To get bouncy curls on short or fine hair, we recommend theRemington Pro Hair Setter.

An overhead view of an opened Conair Jumbo and Super Jumbo 12 Piece Hair Setter

Use theInfinitypro by Conair Ceramic Flocked Hot Rollersfor medium-length hair and to achieve a smooth look.

We evaluated each hot roller set for ease of use, curling ability, curl hold, and value.

Our testers used the hot roller sets they were given at least twice over two weeks.

A person before and after styling their hair with the Conair Jumbo and Super Jumbo 12 Piece Hair Setter

They applied a heat protectant before using the hot rollers on dry hair.

After allowing the rollers to heat up fully, they wrapped their hair around the rollers in sections.

The testers then reported how travel friendly the set was.

The back of a person’s head before and after using the Conair Jumbo and Super Jumbo 12 Piece Hair Setter

We determined each sets curling ability by evaluating the quality of the curls it produced.

Ceramic distributes heat more evenly, preventing heat damage.

Titanium hot rollers heat up more quickly, making them better for thick hair.

A hand holding a Conair Jumbo and Super Jumbo 12 Piece Hair Setter above the set on a marble surface

Both achieve quality curls.

I wouldn’t say one is better than the other, White says.

One of our favorites, theInfinitypro by Conair Ceramic Flocked Hot Rollers, has multiple heat parameters.

The back of a person’s head wearing the Conair Jumbo and Super Jumbo 12 Piece Hair Setter

White advises people with finer hair to avoid hot rollers that get too hot.

No matter how fine or thick your hair is, she always recommends using aheat protectant.

Size

The size of the hot rollers will determine the jot down of curls you might create.

An overhead view of the Conair Jumbo and Super Jumbo 12 Piece Hair Setter

Large rollers provide looser curls or waves, while smaller rollers provide tight curls.

For a whole head, I use 15 to 20 hot rollers, White says.

The sets on our list all come with a different amount of hot rollers in various sizes.

An overhead view of an opened Conair Jumbo and Super Jumbo 12 Piece Hair Setter

The largest set on our list is theRemington Pro Hair Setter, which comes with 20 rollers.

Accessories

Each hot roller set comes with different accessories.

Some include bags to make them more travel friendly.

Amazon Remington Pro Pearl Ceramic Hair Setter

Credit: Amazon

Many come with tools to help keep the hair in place, like pins or clips.

However, the rollers are a bit heavy and not the most comfortable choice for fine or short hair.

Questions and Answers

What hot rollers are the least damaging?

A person close-up before and after using the Remington Pro Hair Setter

Credit: Southern Living

Its important not to use too much heat on your hair and allow it to breathe.

Apply a good heat protectant before using hot rollers to avoid heat damage.

It is important to always use a heat protectant any time you’re using a hot tool.

Two rollers and clips from the Remington Pro Hair Setter on a wooden surface

What is the difference between hot rollers and Velcro rollers?

Hot rollers use heat to create curls, while Velcro rollers grip and hold the hair to create curls.

White shared that she uses Velcro rollers to set blowouts.

A hand removing the clip from a roller in the Remington Pro Hair Setter

Velcro rollers work well in fine hair because they are lighter weight than a hair roller, White says.

Hot rollers usually come with a pin to keep them in the hair, but Velcro rollers grip more.

Are hot rollers better than curling irons?

A person wearing the Remington Pro Hair Setter on their head

Each curling method used is based on personal preference.

A hand removing a roller from the Remington Pro Hair Setter base

A hand removing the lid from the Remington Pro Hair Setter on a wooden surface

A person close-up before and after using the Remington Pro Hair Setter

Two rollers and clips from the Remington Pro Hair Setter on a wooden surface

A hand removing the clip from a roller in the Remington Pro Hair Setter

A person wearing the Remington Pro Hair Setter on their head

A hand removing a roller from the Remington Pro Hair Setter base

A hand removing the lid from the Remington Pro Hair Setter on a wooden surface

InfinitiPRO by Conair Luxe Volume Hair Setter

Credit: Amazon

A person before, during, and after styling with the Infinitypro by Conair Ceramic Flocked Hot Rollers

Credit: Southern Living

The Infinitypro by Conair Ceramic Flocked Hot Rollers on a marble surface

A person’s hair containing the Infinitypro by Conair Ceramic Flocked Hot Rollers as they stand in front of a wooden wall

A close-up of the clips on the Infinitypro by Conair Ceramic Flocked Hot Rollers

A close-up of the Infinitypro by Conair Ceramic Flocked Hot Rollers on marble

The Infinitypro by Conair Ceramic Flocked Hot Rollers and clips on a marble surface

A person before, during, and after styling with the Infinitypro by Conair Ceramic Flocked Hot Rollers

The Infinitypro by Conair Ceramic Flocked Hot Rollers on a marble surface

A person’s hair containing the Infinitypro by Conair Ceramic Flocked Hot Rollers as they stand in front of a wooden wall

A close-up of the clips on the Infinitypro by Conair Ceramic Flocked Hot Rollers

A close-up of the Infinitypro by Conair Ceramic Flocked Hot Rollers on marble

The Infinitypro by Conair Ceramic Flocked Hot Rollers and clips on a marble surface

The Conair Jumbo and Super Jumbo 12 Piece Hair Setter in a person’s head

Credit:Southern Living

A hand holding a roller and clip from the Remington Pro Hair Setter in the air in front of the set

Credit:Southern Living

The back of a person’s head while using the Infinitypro by Conair Ceramic Flocked Hot Rollers

Credit:Southern Living