You have probably seen a lot of heatless curlers and people using heatless curling techniques on social media, with using as little heat as possible on our locks becoming a huge trend. Even though using a heated hair tool, like a curler, may seem like the easiest option, it can damage your hair with prolonged use - plus any parent will tell you that there isn't always time to fully style your hair with a tool, and if you're in the postpartum period, your hair may already be suffering.
No one's expecting us to be done up to the nines every day, but doing our hair, feeling good about how we look, can be a form of self-care for busy parents. Yes, mornings can be hectic with little ones around, which is why heatless curlers are such a fabulous invention. You just simply apply them to your hair, go to bed, and when you wake up, take them out and, voila, gorgeous curls or waves with very minimal effort.
With so many heatless curlers available these days, it can be hard to choose which one will work for you. You'll need to consider your hair type and length, plus what type of curls you may want. Luckily, we've done all the hard work for you.
Editor's choice
• Best overall heatless curler: Kitsch Satin Heatless Curling Set
• Best heatless rollers: CONAIR Self-Grip Rollers
• Best heatless curler for bouncy curls: Kitsch The Satin Pillow Roller
We've put together a full list of the best heatless curlers down below. We've taken into consideration design, price, quality, and how easy they are to sleep in (because sleeping well as a parent can be hard enough some nights).
The best heatless curlers 2023
Best overall heatless curler
www.lookfantastic.com
This style of heatless curler is incredibly popular due to it's simple but oh so effective design. We love the Kitsch Satin Heatless Curling Set as it's soft against the scalp and hair, causing no damage or breakage when used. It's fab for your hair health and the fun tie die design is a lovely bonus.
One reviewer said: "All I can say is wow I finally tried these last night and omg they have worked like a dream! Would deffo recommend."
Another reviewer said: "Bought this for my daughter whose hair is really long and it even gives hers a lovely curl. So simple and no problems sleeping in it."
Pros
- Comes with two scrunches
- Super soft satin
Cons
- None!
Best headband heatless curler
The TOBATOBA Heatless Curlers Headband comes as a set, helping to keep the headband in comfortably place while you sleep. It's soft and flexible so you use it for different curl types, plus the curls it creates are super long-lasting. This is an affordable option that will give you beautiful results.
One reviewer said: "I was skeptical to buy this item as I have a very long thick and straight hair so I thought this won't work on me but I gave it a go. It took me a long time to get the hang of wrapping my hair around it and after so many tries my arms started to ache. The first time I used it was after I'd washed my hair, dried it a bit and then wrapped it. The clip struggled to keep my top hair and band in place, I had to use multiple clips to secure it, but most clips slip on my hair. I let it stay overnight and the result was brilliant. The most amazing part is it stayed curled for 3 days, although the curls had loosened a bit they still look rather nice. Definitely recommend this item."
Pros
- Made from soft velour
- Cushioned design
Cons
- A bit fiddly at first
Best heatless curler for defined curls
www.sephora.co.uk
With a unique design that creates beautifully defined and long-lasting waves, the HairFlair® Waveformers® Ripple Flair Styling Kit is ideal for the effortlessly beachy look. It works wonders whether you have thin or thick hair, plus it will work on wigs and weaves too. We love how versatile this kit is.
A review said: "The curls these make are gorgeous, but I found this set to be short on curlers. There weren’t enough curlers in the pack to comfortably do my whole head, and I do not have thick hair, medium at best. Unfortunately two sets would be way too many. The manufacturer needs to consider adding 6 or so more curlers!"
Pros
- Versatile design
- Easy to apply
Cons
- Not enough curlers per pack
Best heatless rollers
For healthy curls that are full of volume, we couldn't recommend the CONAIR Self-Grip Rollers enough. Unlike other rollers, these are self-grip, so you can just roll your hair into them and not worry as you get on with your business. Rollers have been used for volume and lift for years, so they're definitely a great option.
One reviewer said: "I really like these. I have wavy/curly hair and I got a balayage, so I am trying not to use heat on my hair. These are easy to use and your hair dries relatively quickly if you lightly dampen dry hair. You can also do it on hair from the shower but I would air-dry or blowdry your roots.
I have a lot of hair so I had to buy 3 packs. I like the option to choose your size. I would look up how to properly use these if you're not familiar. I played around with different curls and I got the best by working from top of my head to the bottom, and rolling them parallel to the ground.
I also highly recommend rolling under not over to create volume (look it up if you don't know what I mean). I tried other ways but they dented my hair near the root. You can blow dry on very low heat and farther away that normal (don't go too hot or close unless you want melted plastic in your hair).
When you remove these be very slow, don't rush or you'll yank your hair out. Overall, I recommend to those who need a cheap but good option for no heat curls. I would recommend a manual for those in the reviews that struggled to use these, or link a how to video. We have google too so it's not that hard to find a tutorial."
Pros
- Gives you a choice of curl size
- Comes in a handy bag
Cons
- May require a little trial and error
Best heatless curler for bouncy curls
www.beautybay.com
Coming in a pack of six, each Kitsch The Satin Pillow Roller easily sets beautiful curls while you sleep. They're lightweight and cushioned, while being made from gentle satin. You just snap them into place, and they do the rest of the work for you, with fabulously bouncy results in the morning.
Mother&Baby writer, Eve Miller, said: "These are very easy to use, you just divide your hair into size sections and wrap the sections around the roller. For tighter curls, I actually connect the rollers together at the top of my head and it works really well. The results so far have been beautiful, with a glamorous, old Hollywood feel.
I will say, after you take these out, don't brush your curls out straight away, let them set into place for 10-20 minutes, and then use a comb instead of a hairbrush. When I used a brush, my hair went VERY frizzy."
Pros
- Easy to sleep in
- Preserves your curls
Cons
- Not the best for waves
Best heatless curler for looser curls
www.counterculturestore.co.uk
The Cordina Hair Satin Flower Curl® is a unique heatless curler that caught the attention of many social media users. You place it on the top of your head, making it a very comfortable option, plus removing it is quick and easy - no painful pulling or tugging required. We love the more natural curls this creates.
One reviewer said: "Love this product. It’s so easy to get great curls."
Another reviewer said: "Obviously not the cheapest heatless curlers but definitely worth the purchase. Hair looks so bouncy, so easy to sleep in and works for my thick long hair!"
Pros
- Lots of tutorials on how to use available
- Comfortable to sleep in
Cons
- Not the best for shorter hair
Best heatless curler for value
mermadehair.co.uk
'Mermade' by name, mermaid by nature - this curling kit will give you luscious curls that do remind us of dreamy mermaid hair. With this set, you'll get the curler itself, plus two scrunchies and a claw clip to keep everything in place. If you're looking to avoid frizz, the Mermade Heatless Curls Kit one to consider.
One reviewer said: "Absolutely love the heatless curls kit! Have used it several times since I got it already! Easy to use. Both times I’ve slept in it and woke up to beautiful, loose curls. I highly recommend!"
Pros
- Made with 100% mulberry silk
- Lightweight feel
Cons
- Some reviewers thought it took a bit of time to wrap their hair correctly
Best flexible heatless hair rollers
Another classic choice, these xnicx 7" Hair Curler Hair Rollers are all about simple overnight curls. Suitable for all hair types and lengths, these rollers come in a range of sizes so you can pick the type of curl you want. We like how flexible the rollers are, ideal for personalising your curls with each use.
One reviewer said: "Absolutely loved these heatless curls. Does a great job - I only put them in for twenty minutes and the results were good. Can't wait to experiment with them."
Another reviewer said: "Wig essential - Curls hair perfectly and it stays for so long."
Pros
- Lightweight
- Great value
Cons
- Better for tighter ringlets
What should you consider when picking out a heatless curler?
Curl Type/Size - Do you want a curler that will give you tighter, bouncy ringlets or maybe looser wavers? Each heatless curler will provide different results, so think about how you want your curls to look.
The Material - Is the heatless curler made from materials like satin, silk, or velour? These are more likely to be nice anf gentle against your hair, preventing discomfort and breakage.
Hair Length - What is your current hair length? Long, medium, or short? Some heatless curlers are incredibly versatile, but other curlers will be better suited to certain hair lengths.
Sleep Position - Do you sleep on your side or back? How you sleep will effect how you wear/use heatless curlers. Side sleepers will struggle with big rollers for example. You want your curler to remain in your hair and to keep comfortable.
Are heatless curls better?
Many actually prefer heatless curls and using heatless curlers. They tend to be bouncier while protecting your hair health (and may even help a little with hair loss during pregnancy). It will always be down to your personal preference and hair, but for convenience and avoiding heat damage, heatless curlers for the win.
Should I do heatless curls with wet or dry hair?
It can be damaging to sleep with fully wet hair. You'll want to have your hair dried at least 50% if you are styling it while damp. But when it comes to what's best when using heatless curlers, this will be down to your hair, so you may have to try both to see what works for you. As long as your curls set properly, do what's best for your hair.
Eve Miller is a Commercial Content Writer for Mother&Baby, working for Bauer Media for over two years. She is passionate about beauty, creative writing, and women’s healthcare.